Chapter 19: The Boyfriend's Forbidden Thrill – Hearing Her Sleep with Another Man
It had been a while since Eun-hee last contacted me.
"What the hell's wrong with you?"
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"You don't even send a single text unless I reach out first."
"Huh? Didn't you tell me not to?"
"Argh, seriously! Anyway, all guys are the same."
"Oh! Right..."
It's damn near impossible for a man to truly understand a woman. We take words at face value—it's just how we're wired. But women's language always hides layers of implication. They want us to dig out the real meaning tucked away in there. When that kind of puzzle drops in front of us, our brains just go blank.
Even in a guy-friend girl-friend setup, the fundamental difference between man and woman doesn't change.
"Anyway, I figured I should let you know."
"Huh? What's up?"
"Yeah. I'm getting back together with that guy."
Huh? That was something I hadn't even considered. Didn't she sleep with me just to break up with him?
"Looks like meeting him wasn't really about the sex after all."
"Good for you."
To realize that now... Did she really think she was that simple? From what I knew, the biggest reason Eun-hee fell for him was his looks. When they first got together and got close, she bragged about how handsome he was nonstop. Honestly, it made me a little jealous.
"But he's different from before. Breaking up hit him hard, I guess. He says he'll change. No more demands, just wants to stay by my side."
"Sounds perfect."
"Yeah, right..."
Her voice sounded a bit prickly for some reason.
"You're not bummed at all, are you?"
Ah! Wrong answer. Talking to women is never easy.
"Kidding. Of course I'm a little bummed..."
I hurriedly backpedaled.
"You have zero feelings for me, huh?"
Her tone couldn't hide the hurt.
"No."
"Then what, you do have feelings?"
"Huh? Yeah."
"Good friend..." The words almost slipped out, but I knew better than to say that right now.
"Sigh... Whatever, don't worry about it. Just testing you."
Even I could tell her pride was bruised.
"So you think friends shouldn't sleep together, right...?"
"No. I don't regret that night at all."
It was a great experience, and I even made some cash. Good for her, good for me.
"Me neither. Sleeping with you was great. Just some lingering aftereffects. But I'll get over it eventually. ...Anyway, we're not doing it again. I'm not some fish in your pond. That's why I'm telling you—no need to worry about me feeling weird. And feel free to contact me anytime from now on. He's cool with it now; he won't get upset if we hang out."
Looks like that incident shook up their relationship big time.
"Honestly, sleeping with you once and then getting back with him feels a bit guilty..."
She probably felt bad toward both me and her boyfriend.
"But I have to pick what's best for me, right?"
"Obviously. You're the most important."
"Yeah. Thanks for understanding."
After hanging up, I sat there lost in thought for a bit. She was back with her boyfriend—should be happy for her. But my feelings were mixed.
Relief. Good thing we didn't turn into lovers.
Regret. After that night, maybe we could've gone further?
But the dilemma didn't last long. I already knew the answer.
If she were my only option, I'd have seriously considered dating her. Kept hitting her up after that night.
But not me. And it wasn't just because I wanted to stay long-time friends.
I figured she wouldn't be much help in my sex life going forward. She had to know I wasn't seriously pushing for more. After all, she reached out first post-hookup... sending those naughty pics.
Maybe it was a signal. Truth is, I'm weak at decoding women's complicated signals.
And today, by sharing her situation, she basically announced no romantic vibes between us.
Hmm... Not entirely sure, though. Just my guess at her mindset. She could just be normally happy getting back with her original guy.
One thing's certain: I was a coward with her from start to finish.
Felt like I might not hear from her for a while. Like I'd hurt her multiple times.
And that prediction? Totally wrong. A few days later—
"You free for lunch today?"
She called out of the blue.
"Yeah."
Perfect timing; I had some rare downtime.
"Cool, let's grab lunch. I'll come to your office."
"Huh? Not much good around here."
"What? Seongsu-dong's the hottest spot right now."
"Is it?"
"Yeah. You got some office crush? Worried she'll see us?"
"As if."
"Who knows."
"Anyway, got it. Meet at Seongsu Station."
"Okay."
A little after 11, I met her at Seongsu Station. Lucked out—finished my morning work early and slipped out without issue.
"This way."
Eun-hee knew a spot I'd never heard of. Dragged me into some alley to a cozy little pasta place with great vibes.
"Over there."
We snagged the most secluded table in the back, away from prying eyes. Arrived early before the lunch rush, so we got her pick.
"What do you want?"
She handed me the menu.
"Dunno. You order."
Best to let women choose at places like this.
"Okay, my pick then."
She'd clearly planned ahead—didn't even glance at the menu, rattled off orders.
"Huh? Then why ask?"
"'Cause I felt like it."
She grinned, satisfied. Watching a pretty girl smile is always a win.
"So, why meet during the day?"
I sipped my drink and asked.
"Gotta have a reason? Just wanted to see your face."
"Then evenings work fine."
"No."
She was firm.
"Huh? Why not? Boyfriend hate it?"
"Not that. Anyway, no nights with you. No drinks either."
"Huh?"
"We're not sleeping together again! Cutting it off at the pass, idiot!"
"Oh... right. Sorry."
"Your obliviousness is next level."
She pouted a bit, but perked up once the food arrived.
"This is good."
"Mmm! Totally. Gotta bring him here next time."
"Huh? Speaking of, how's it going? Things good?"
"Yeah. Better than before. Doesn't nitpick my work anymore."
"Nice."
"But... not perfect."
She twirled pasta on her fork and popped it in.
"What problem?"
"Sex."
She said it casually, like chatting about the weather.
"Ahem!"
I nearly choked, gulping my drink to play it cool.
Eun-hee never shied from dirty talk. But after sleeping together, I felt awkward. Probably guilt on my end.
"Sex is...?"
I shoved the guilt aside, acting nonchalant.
"Not as fun as before."
"Hmm... ahem..."
"You know it's your fault."
"Not entirely me."
I protested weakly. But I knew damn well how my powered-up pounding affected her.
"Not blaming you."
No reproach in her eyes. She saw it as her own choice.
"I get it."
"Just not fun anymore."
The unspoken words: Compared to you...
"So anyway."
She grinned mischievously.
"Found something fun lately. I masturbate in front of him."
"Huh?"
"Happened by accident. Like I did for you."
Ho! That's hot.
"How'd that happen?"
She brought it up; no harm asking.
"After I told him about sleeping with you."
"You told him?"
Most shocking thing she'd said all day.
"Yeah. The day he wanted to get back together. Hiding it felt rude. Well, mostly self-delusion. But I didn't want to lie."
"Makes sense."
Halfway, anyway.
"Told him straight: I slept with you—can you handle dating me knowing that?"
"Wow..."
I already knew his answer.
"He was shocked at first. Totally lost. Then apologized, said he'd treated me too lightly."
Hmm... Corny, but solid guy. Blames himself over her mistake. Option I'd never pick. Can't even comprehend it.
"And?"
I egged on the juicy story.
"He was wrecked for a couple days. Told him if it hurt that bad, slap me and dump me. But he said it was his fault, won't make an issue, sorry for not being big-hearted..."
Big-hearted, my ass... Total opposite of me.
"Said he couldn't live without me. Better to die. I said I like him too, don't wanna break up. So we talked it out—how to fix things. Decided to spill everything."
Everything? My eyes probably went wide.
"First time doing something like that. Don't get weird ideas."
"Wouldn't dream of it."
"So I told him all about that day."
Ah! You're crueler than I thought! How do you confess that to the guy involved?
-----
"So how'd it happen?"
the boyfriend asked.
"I wanted to stop seeing you, oppa. It's too hard. You just wanna lock me in a cage."
Eun-hee said.
"Yeah. Didn't realize I was hurting you that much."
"It's fine. No need for that talk now."
"Why him, though? He's not even your type."
"That's why. Figured sleeping with a guy not hot like you would help me forget clean."
"Hmm..."
"And honestly, sex with you was amazing. Wasn't scared of breaking up, but terrified of no more sex."
The boyfriend smiled unwittingly. His male pride healing.
"But Jia said Yeong-woong's really good at it."
"Jia?"
"Yeah. She said after breaking up, other stuff's fine, but the sex still haunts her. Kinda regrets it a bit."
"So... you tested it?"
"Oppa, if you're mad, just get mad. Hit me if you can't hold back. We said no forcing it."
Eun-hee thought it best for both.
"No. Okay. I am mad. But hear you out."
He reined in his emotions.
"If I could get satisfied with him, it'd prove I can't get everything just from you, right? Didn't want anything with Yeong-woong."
She kept going, fully aware how cruel she sounded.