Twisted Obsession (1)
-1-
I felt like I'd slept more refreshingly than I had in ages.
"Pfft. Sleep well?"
"...Huh?"
Is there someone else in my house besides me?
Still groggy from sleep, I'd completely forgotten that I'd brought Seo Ji-ah home, so I jolted in surprise before realizing it was her voice. My tension melted away instantly.
"Noona?"
"You were out cold. Must've been exhausted."
Seo Ji-ah smiled at me so gently. It was a novel feeling, having someone else in this house. Staring at her in a daze must've embarrassed her, because her cheeks flushed a soft pink.
"Oh, why are you staring like that? Got something on my face?"
"Uh... no. Just... it's surprising."
Waking up to find someone else in the house was pretty rare for me these days.
"How long was I out?"
"Not long. A little over an hour?"
"That's a long nap."
Maybe because I'd slept so soundly, my body felt all loose and languid—like I could drift right back off. My eyelids started drooping lazily again, but Ji-ah noona forcibly propped me up.
"I get you're tired, but at least have a spoonful of porridge first. You don't look like you've eaten properly anyway. Going to bed on an empty stomach like that is no good."
"Whoa. That was kinda mom-like just now."
"Hey!"
Was she subtly conscious of our seven-year age gap? She jumped at my giggling 'mom' jab. Ah, so cute. She's got that fun-to-tease vibe.
"I meant it as a compliment. Hehe."
"Ugh. You're teasing me for being old, aren't you?!"
"No way. Like I always say, noona, you don't look a day over... well, you're not old at all. Twenty-seven's nothing."
Talk about being ancient at like eighty-seven, maybe. She pouted at my words, but it didn't seem like she was in a bad mood.
I wanted to sleep more, but now that the tension had eased and I'd just woken up refreshed, my stomach was starting to rumble. Eating with someone at home was rare too, so I shuffled over to the table.
"Ooh, looks tasty. Thanks, noona."
"Mhm. Dig in."
The warm tuna veggie porridge had a clean, mild flavor. Paired with the seasoned kimchi that Lee Yoon-ju's mother had sent over, it was pure bliss. I'd had zero appetite lately, but maybe because Ji-ah noona was eating across from me, the porridge went down easy.
She watched me devour it with a pleased gaze.
"Good?"
"Yeah. Haven't had much appetite lately, but this is hitting the spot."
"Phew. Glad to hear it."
Her smiling eyes crinkled so prettily. Well, duh—this noona's always had celebrity-level looks.
"Seriously, thank you, noona."
"No need. I'm just relieved you're feeling a bit better. If it's tough or something happens, you can talk to me anytime. Okay?"
I smiled lightly back at her shy, beaming face.
-2-
That first meeting with him was my destiny and my salvation.
You smiled so kindly and spoke to me when no one else would even glance my way—you were my destiny, my salvation.
I trimmed my hair to suit you, studied makeup and fashion to make myself pretty. And right on cue, the neighbors next door moved out. Doesn't that prove we're fated?
You felt it too, that destiny. You noticed the new-and-improved me, the one who changed for you.
"So that's why you greeted me so warmly!!! Smiled at me so sweetly! Then why? Why her and not me? Huh?!"
She was this awful woman who haunted the cafe and gym every day, pestering Jae-hyun. Sure, he's kind and handsome, so girls flock to him, but he has to be mine. Ours is destiny!!
Acting all chummy with her casual speech. Not realizing sweet Jae-hyun only calls her 'noona' out of politeness!
"Damn, damn, damn!"
I—we— we're clearly fated.
So why is that wretched woman by your side?
Why? I'm right here. Always around you.
"R-right. Women have to take the initiative sometimes. Yeah, that's it? Testing me, testing my love? I get it, Jae-hyun. I do."
In the empty hallway at dawn, with no one around. I knew my beloved was beyond this cold door. Pressing my forehead to Jae-hyun's front door, I whispered my love.
It's fine. Test my love, our fate, as much as you want. I'll prove it. I'll always be by your side.
"Goodnight, my love. Heh, hehehe."
Someday, I want to kiss those warm lips, not this cold metal door. Hee, heeheehee.
-3-
Strange, so strange? Why won't you look back at me?
No matter how I circle and watch over you, wh-why do you smile at that wretched woman instead of me?
Your love is me! You know it too! You recognized me that day!!!
"No, no, no. Jae-hyun's just shy. I—I need to wait a bit more."
Yeah. It's fine. You'll see me. You smiled kindly at drab, worthless me and recommended a menu. Even when I came back, you suggested a latte just like before?
We're fated! Jae-hyun's just shy, testing my love.
Yeah. Sora, doubting Jae-hyun over this makes you a bad girlfriend. No, no.
"Still, I hate her hanging around."
If only that idiot didn't act chummy, oblivious to Jae-hyun putting up with it.
Right! She's why Jae-hyun's so cautious, pretending not to know me. Scared she'll sabotage us out of jealousy!
"Heehee. R-right? I... I know everything."
I calmed myself staring at the photo of Jae-hyun smiling brightly and tenderly at me.
Poor thing, can't approach me with that stupid, selfish woman right there. That's why you're tossing and turning, suffering?
How heartbreaking. My poor Jae-hyun.
"Here, eat this and cheer up, my love."
So this is a surprise gift for you, darling. I baked chocolate chip cookies knowing you love sweets.
Even apart, we're together. My stinging, burning palm oozed crimson drops into the dough with a plop.
This might not be enough for you to feel me... No. Too much could make it taste off. Yeah.
"Sorry my hands aren't skilled. Next time, I'll make them prettier?"
Humming, I prettily packaged the cookies, chocolate, and vitamin gummies for your health.
The heart-patterned box was a bit embarrassing, but yeah. Fine. If it makes you happy. Heehee.
Imagining your joy at finding the box, I headed home thrilled.
You should've been happy... should've felt my love...
"Why'd you throw it away? Why? Why? Did I do something wrong? Should I have added more?"
Didn't feel me? Or hated the shape?
From the hallway, watching you toss my gift in the trash, my heart sank.
Sorry. Sorry. My fault. Don't hate me. We're fated. You love me!!!
-4-
No, this is too much. Why do you keep looking at that idiot instead of me?
Jae-hyun, why? You said no to me, but why's she allowed to plop down next to you?
Your love is me! We're fated!!!
I wanted to scream it right then.
That stupid, selfish bitch daring—daring daring DARING!!!
It was torture watching her stroke my Jae-hyun's hair and fake concern right in front of me.
Jae-hyun, darling, my love. You're so innocent and fragile. That's why you can't refuse her?
She looks loaded—scared she'll hurt us? Yeah.
Ugh. Sorry. Sorry. I was so stressed, I doubted you for a sec.
"Tch! Damn woman. Get a clue and scram already."
Trailing along offering to walk him home like some clingy pest! I only felt disgust for the stalker.
"Huh?"
I'd been quietly following to protect Jae-hyun, but I froze.
Why—why is she going into Jae-hyun's place?
Thought she'd leave quick, but hours later, no sign of her.
My bloodshot eyes glared at the door.
No way. She didn't touch my Jae-hyun, did she?
Aah. Jae-hyun. My love! Don't fall for her seduction. Yeah. I'll scold you later.
"That filthy bitch... maybe I should just get rid of her."
Enough already—scram!
Biting my nails, I paced the hallway anxiously.
Yeah, when she comes out, I'll wreck her in front of Jae-hyun. Daring to touch my love? Unforgivable!
Jae-hyun's been suffering because of her. As his lover, I have to fix this.
Thinking it over, he's avoiding me partly because of her, but mostly disappointed in my idiot self for pitying her and giving her chances.
We're fated! Lovers!
Yet I let that woman cling to my Jae-hyun, so even kind Jae-hyun doubted my love.
That's it. Just remove her, and he'll come back to me.
"Ah, aaaah. Kang So-ra, you idiot! How'd I not think of this sooner? You've just been stressing Jae-hyun out, dummy."