Twisted Obsession (3) -1-

So it was all because of a stalker that Jae-hyun had looked so off lately, both in condition and mood.... When those unexpected words came out of Jae-hyun's mouth, my mind went blank for a moment, and a chill settled over my heart.

The Yoon Jae-hyun I knew was a genuinely good and kind person, regardless of his gender as a 'man.' He was kind and considerate to everyone. With close friends, he had this playful, little-devil charm—seductive and sly ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠in a way that could pull you in helplessly the moment you let your guard down, like some enchanting magic. Hearing that this warm, pure guy, like sunlight in spring, was suffering because of some stalker made rage boil inside me, but at the same time, I couldn't help but turn cold and serious.

Me, the youngest of the Taesung Group, whom my family cherished and protected—how dare some pathetic stalker bitch make him suffer? 'What can I do to help right now....'

There was plenty I could do. Being the youngest of Taesung gave me more power than one might think. Worst case, that prime suspect in the stalking—Kang So-ra or whatever her name was? One phone call from me, and she'd be out of Jae-hyun's sight in an instant. Hell, I could even make sure she never sets foot on Korean soil again. Not impossible at all.

But the problem was, what if Jae-hyun found out about my family in the process? I'd experienced it countless times since childhood. People who approached not me, Seo Ji-ah the human being, but my background, my wealth, my connections. They'd act all friendly and sweet at first, but deep down, they were just clinging on to leech off my family's name and money. Or they'd get intimidated by my status, keep their distance, or treat me with overly polite deference.

Yeah, people changed once they knew I was a 'Taesung.' And I... I just didn't want that with Jae-hyun. I wanted to be just Seo Ji-ah to him, not Taesung's Seo Ji-ah. I believed—no, I wanted to believe—that he would be different. But I couldn't be completely sure.

"Noona. Want some fruit?"

"Oh, yeah. Thanks, I'll enjoy it."

Still, I couldn't just sit on my hands. This was the first man in my 27 years to make me feel pure, genuine love born from affection. The guys before? It was more like lust, carnal desire—something like that. But Yoon Jae-hyun... This man munching on fruit beside me, blooming with that clear smile... I wouldn't mind giving ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠him everything. As a woman, my natural desires for pregnancy or sex? I'd indulge them fully. I just wanted to protect this one person from the whole world and shower him with endless love.

'I need to handle this without Jae-hyun knowing, if possible.... Maybe meet with the family first.'

They vaguely knew I'd gone independent, living like a bum, and gotten interested in some guy. Last time I was suddenly summoned to the main house and half-forced into a family dinner, Grandma had even probed casually. I'd snapped back then, warning them not to meddle or set me up.... But to help Jae-hyun now, at least a minimal report seemed necessary. Couldn't have them poking at him out of curiosity.

For starters, if Jae-hyun reports to the police, I can tip off the legal team to file for a restraining order right away. Use that as an excuse to boot Kang So-ra out of his apartment building. Then quietly assign a bodyguard or two. Oh, and investigate that woman while I'm at it. My gut screamed stalker, but just in case—one in ten thousand—it wasn't her, I'd put people on it to confirm. If she really is the stalker? I'd make sure she never comes near Jae-hyun again. That's what the strategy office is for. Just say the word, and they'll handle it perfectly.

"Ji-ah noona."

"Yeah?"

"You don't need to worry that much. You'll get wrinkles between your brows."

Ah, had I gotten too lost in thought without realizing? For once, channeling my chaebol heir brain full throttle must've shown on my face. Jae-hyun gently laid his hand over mine and gave an awkward smile. Sorry for worrying you, but thanks for caring that much.

"...Really."

Yeah, that's just who you are. I couldn't help but chuckle, my expression saying I was hopeless against him. My dark thoughts from moments ago—how to naturally remove that annoying Kang So-ra (or whoever the stalker was, if separate) from Jae-hyun's side—cleared right up.

"Got it. No more worrying. Let's just relax and have fun. Deal?"

"Great choice."

Yeah. For now, just enjoy this moment. It seemed like what Jae-hyun preferred too.

Ah, but I should at least text Kim Manager. Better to handle things fast.

Kang So-ra or stalker or whatever. I couldn't stand seeing pests like that buzzing around my Jae-hyun, making his life hell.

-2- That evening, Jae-hyun suggested eating out, but I turned him down. He seemed reluctant to go outside anyway, probably because of the stalker, and I preferred a cozy dinner for two at his place. So we ordered delivery—cold buckwheat noodles and a platter of pancakes after some debate.

♪♬♩

"Noona~ Phone's ringing!"

"Oh, got it! Leave it, I'll check."

Huh, this feels kinda like... newlyweds? Or living with your boyfriend? Something tingly like that. I was thoroughly enjoying the vibe.

I checked the text I'd sent Kim Manager earlier, and right on cue, a call came from Mom—probably word had reached the family. I excused myself from Jae-hyun and slipped into the small room he used as a closet to take it quietly.

"Sigh~ Mom. I'll explain the details when I get home. I'm with him right now, so I can't talk long."

Mom's tone shifted in an instant. I could guess what she was imagining, but I didn't point it out. After all, my ultimate goal wasn't far off from her fantasies.

-3- At the same time, Kang So-ra was staring at the walls of her room plastered with photos of Yoon Jae-hyun, trying to calm her boiling emotions.

"Jae-hyun, my love...."

With a dazed, drugged expression, she caressed his face in the photos with her fingertips. What was he doing right now? That clingy bitch had wormed her way into his home hours ago. The sacred space even she hadn't entered yet—how dare that slut invade it? Kang So-ra was furious.

She yanked at her hair viciously and gnawed her nails. Her chest heaved like she might scream hysterically any second. But no. She couldn't let Yoon Jae-hyun see her like that.

My love. My savior. My destiny. She didn't want to disappoint him anymore. So she retreated to her place, to this room, reliving memories (stolen shots) of him to settle her mind. Then she neatly combed her tangled hair and fixed her bitten nails.

Yeah. Calm down. My Jae-hyun is so beautiful, kind—like a brilliant sun. Of course flies would buzz around. But he could never love a fly like that. His fate is me! He loves me! That must be just his naive, excessive kindness. Nothing more, nothing less.

"You clueless bitch...!"

The ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠face of that fly-like woman who'd accidentally ended up in a photo with her ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠love was already blacked out with marker. Not enough—she'd stabbed it repeatedly with an awl. Kang So-ra snarled, jabbing the pockmarked photo again with manic fury.

"It's because of you! You don't even know you're making Jae-hyun suffer!"

Yeah, encroaching on my love was a death sentence, of course. But the reason he'd looked so worn out lately? Definitely that woman. Always hovering around him, pretending to be close and annoying him! She's why he's suffering. So I have to help. Prove my love. Make sure Jae-hyun doesn't get disappointed. Help him recognize my love.

Kang So-ra's eyes gleamed as she let out a silent, eerie laugh. Her smile stretched like melted cheese—chilling and grotesque.

She carefully folded the prettily written letter and slipped it into the ribbon-wrapped gift box. Imagining him opening it, joyful and relieved, Kang So-ra's smile stretched blissfully wider before she knew it.