The Time of the Witches (24)
There's a saying that it's better when the fire catches slowly. Yet when it comes to love, that saying feels profoundly unrealistic. Just as people can fall in love at first sight, love has a way of setting your heart ablaze before you even realize what's happening. Even when you know the flames will burn you beyond healing, you still can't turn away from them. That's what love is.
"Weren't the two of you into each other?"
"We are. We like each other. We confirmed it on Jeju Island, too."
"Then what's the problem? If Changhee steps back, everything gets solved. It's unfortunate for her, since she's built up so many expectations, but she wouldn't want things to veer off in a strange direction either. I'll talk to her."
"No, that's not it. Changhee can't step back. If she does, our relationship might truly shatter. Even if Unni loves me, if Unni can't have what she wants, we could still break apart."
I understood what she meant. It was one of those bitter, foolish human instincts. I had been the same way. My obsession with Changhee was a perfect example. Yeojeong Unni was no different. She claimed to love Jeongsook, yet in a corner of her heart she still craved Changhee. It was a twisted desire: if she couldn't possess her love, then at least she wanted to be someone who could see her whenever she wished.
I lit a fresh cigarette and sank into thought for a moment. I wanted the best solution for everyone. But gradually my mind began drifting in a more selfish direction. It wasn't what I wanted; it was what the 'witch' inside me desired. I can't explain why the thought came to me, but in that instant I was certain it was the right path. It felt like there was simply no other way.
Perhaps I wanted to jab at Jeongsook and Yeojeong Unni, who both looked so foolish in my eyes.
"I'll do as you wish, but I have one condition."
She asked what it was without hesitation, as if she'd been expecting as much. I didn't hesitate either.
"You participate too."
Jeongsook's eyes widened at the abrupt statement. Her expression made it clear she didn't understand.
"You'll act together with Unni."
She seemed to grasp it then, yet her eyes stayed wide with shock.
"Is it that shocking? There's no need to look so surprised. Isn't that what love is? Doing it with your partner."
"Still, that's..."
"That's not it? You told me you take turns enjoying her depending on your mood, didn't you? So there's no problem with receiving training. Besides, the trainer isn't some stranger. It's Changhee, the one you like. What's the issue?"
Jeongsook stared hard into my eyes before pulling out a cigarette. As I lit it for her, I continued.
"That's not the end of what I want. That's only my first condition."
Jeongsook's expression grew even stranger. Of course it did. Without knowing my true intentions, that was the only natural reaction.
"Want to hear more? Or shall we stop here?"
"I should at least listen first."
"Good. I figured the first condition might be difficult for you to accept. That's why I'm offering the second one, to make that difficulty a little easier to swallow."
"Fine, tell me. I'll decide after I hear it."
"This isn't something you can decide alone. Listen, then discuss it with Unni and get back to me."
I was bargaining as if Changhee were merchandise. I didn't think it was right, but I knew that in this moment, while trading Jeongsook and Yeojeong Unni, I held powerful leverage. Some might call it ridiculous, but that's the simple animal known as a human being. Such things are only possible between humans.
"Yeah, I understand. Go on."
"Because I learned that the two of you like each other, I want both of you to undergo that sleep hypnosis therapy."
"What? You're telling us to receive it? Do we really need to go that far?"
"In my opinion, yes. After hearing how the two of you nearly broke up because of Changhee, the best way to prevent that from happening again while helping you enjoy your lives is this method. In other words, it will strengthen the love between you and Unni while also forging the strong heart needed to willingly accept Changhee's training. You'll need to develop that same thick skin as Lucy or Penny."
Jeongsook slowly exhaled smoke between her lips, lost in thought. Knowing that, I kept talking.
"I don't know as much about SM as you do. But I do know this: Changhee was the first to want Lucy and Penny trained, and she's currently planning a program focused on those two. There can't be a separate training just for you and Unni. This isn't some level test, after all."
Jeongsook let out a small chuckle at my 'level test' example. I laughed with her and added,
"If Changhee is willing, I'll entrust her with handling all the issues involving you and Unni—no, including Lucy and Penny. Perhaps all four of you. I won't interfere at all. Why do you look so surprised? Do you think I'm just letting my wife run wild as she pleases? Absolutely not. I simply want her to do it properly. I want her to act without watching my reactions, to behave like a true mistress."
Jeongsook stubbed out her cigarette and stared at the floor for a moment. I extinguished mine as well and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. Then she spoke.
"This is definitely an illness. An incurable one. Knowing it can't be cured only makes you cling to it harder."
"And it's a mental disorder. A psychosis that knows it's abnormal by societal standards yet turns the abnormal into the normal."
Jeongsook turned to look at me. I smiled. It was a smile that admitted I was the same 'crazy bitch' she was. Our methods differed, but we were ultimately walking the same path, so there was no point in denying it.
While eating dinner, I suddenly found myself staring intently at Changhee's face. Watching her eat with such graceful poise, she was undeniably a bundle of charm in my eyes. What kept me staring was the strange realization that it wasn't only in my eyes—Jeongsook and Yeojeong Unni saw the same thing.
Even the transgender vice president of Delma had once said she envied the mysterious allure in Changhee that was so difficult to describe.
"Why are you looking at me like that, Unni? Is there something on my face?"
"Huh? No. I was just amazed at how you're not only beautiful but also so skilled at running a household. It made me smile, thinking how truly blessed I must be, hoho..."
"Oh my, how cheesy, hoho... When I hear Unni's compliments, my whole body tingles and I don't know what to do, hoho..."
As expected, it was delightful to hear her cute words mixed with just a touch of casual speech. I'd recently told her not to use honorifics when she wasn't in Changnyeo mode, but she hadn't fully adjusted yet and mixed them naturally. That blend created its own special charm.
"I was also worried whether such a delicate, lovely lady could truly become the mistress of big, strong Lucy and Penny... Are you really confident? If your heart isn't in it, you'd better retract it as soon as possible..."
Changhee shook her head firmly at my words.
"I can do it. I really want to. Hancheol may not know who I am, but since I know him, I want to train him with my own hands. Lucy already seems to have received plenty of training, so I think she'll follow without issue. But Hancheol—I mean Penny—will change a great deal after passing through my hands. Please trust me."
"It's not that I don't trust you. I'm just worried. It feels contradictory for my 'Changnyeo' to become someone else's mistress..."
"Oh my, now I understand! So that's what Unni was worried about, hoho... How can Unni's maid become another person's mistress? Hoho... You're saying that because you still don't fully understand the SM world, Unni. The SM world has its own hierarchies. Beneath the mistress is a maid, beneath that maid another maid or slave... It can form long chains like that. So you really don't need to worry at all."
"Really? Can I truly believe that?"
"Of course. If I hadn't fallen in love with Unni, maybe not. But since I have, I'm Unni's woman. With single-hearted devotion, Unni's wife, hohoho..."
Hearing such confident words directly from Changhee's mouth lifted my spirits sky-high. Unable to contain myself, I told her—carefully edited—what Jeongsook and I had discussed at the company.
"How about it? Can you handle it?"
Contrary to my expectations, Changhee smiled brightly and nodded.
"I don't know what thoughts led Unni to this decision, but if it's for my sake, I'm incredibly grateful. It means I'll get to experience everything from veteran Lucy to complete beginner Yeojeong Unni. Thank you, Unni."
I shook my head and put on a stern expression. Changhee's face immediately tightened.
"I can't be satisfied with half-measures. Like I said this morning, if we're doing this, make sure you become a proper mistress. By any means necessary, without mercy, turn them into the maids of my maid. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Mistress! Thank you for saying it so clearly! Hoho..."
Changhee answered energetically, her eyes crinkling in the most adorable smile. It was so cute that I unconsciously stood up and leaned across the table to kiss her. Sensing it, she rose too and met my lips.
Just then my phone rang. Changhee pulled away from the kiss, hurried to the living room table, and brought it to me.
Changhee peeked her head out and read the messages. I held the phone closer so she could see better. A smile played at the corners of her mouth. The gaze she turned on me was even more seductive. For a moment I wondered if the real witch was actually Changhee. Or perhaps she was only now beginning her initiation. Strangely, it didn't frighten me. If anything, it made her even more lovable. I pulled her close against my shoulder.
After sending the message, Changhee and I washed the dishes while discussing what kind of outfit would suit a proper mistress. Changhee was visibly excited. It wasn't so much the prospect of being called mistress that thrilled her, but the fact that she was stepping forward to do something of her own volition. I felt as if I were newly discovering that while she remained obedient and passive by my side, she could also be proactive and assertive when away from me. The desire to express that side of herself was incredibly attractive.
Without a doubt, Changhee was my 'treasure,' a woman of many charms.