Chapter 27
Translator - Zofu
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At first, it was just brief conversations after Pilates class and posture corrections, but before I knew it, I had grown quite close to her.
And now, we've progressed to jogging together every morning. We ran across the neighborhood park.
We ran in step, breathing in the fresh morning air.
Yoo Chae-yeon's face showed the joy of running in the crisp morning air. And since it was early morning, there was no one around but us.
"Today's weather is really nice," she said, catching her breath.
"Isn't it? I like this time of day—the air is clean and there aren't many people."
I played along naturally, matching her tone.
"I feel the same way. Actually, running alone felt a bit lonely, but it's more fun with you, Tae-young," she said, turning her head to smile at me.
"I enjoy exercising with you too, Chae-yeon."
We talked about our daily lives as we jogged. It started with light conversation, but now that she was more comfortable with me, we'd gotten to the point where she could share trivial things without hesitation.
After our morning jogs, we started spending more time sitting in cafes, talking.
At first, Yoo Chae-yeon shared small complaints about her married life, but gradually the conversations grew deeper.
"Actually... lately, my husband and I haven't been talking much."
She said this slowly, sipping her coffee.
"We try to talk, but we keep missing each other... I guess we're both just tired."
"Your husband is a detective, right?"
Yoo Chae-yeon gave a bitter smile and set down her coffee cup.
"That's right... At first, I truly loved him, but somewhere along the way, that love started to fade. Now it feels like we're just together out of obligation. Waiting for him whenever he takes on a case is exhausting."
"That's understandable. Detective work is demanding and dangerous... it must be tough."
"Exactly. That's the biggest problem, I think. My husband is so absorbed in his work... and I'm exhausted because of it."
Looking into her eyes, I spoke naturally.
"You're doing really well, Chae-yeon. It's just... your husband doesn't appreciate it."
"You think so? Lately, I just feel so lonely. Even when someone's next to me... I feel like I'm alone."
After a brief pause, I carefully placed my hand on the back of hers.
"Loneliness really wears you down. I know that feeling well."
She was momentarily surprised but didn't pull away. She seemed to accept the gesture.
"Thank you for saying that, Tae-young."
"I'm the one who should be thankful. I'm grateful that you're sharing this with me, Chae-yeon."
I smiled as I looked at her.
"I needed someone I could trust to open up to."
She glanced out the window for a moment, then sighed.
"Talking with you helps me feel a little better, Tae-young."
I moved closer so she would rely on me more.
"I'm here to listen anytime. Just let me know when you're struggling."
Yoo Chae-yeon slowly nodded and looked at me again. Her eyes showed a hint of gratitude.
"Really... thank you, Tae-young."
Her voice was quiet, but it definitely felt lighter.
I could feel that she was opening up to me more and more, just as planned.
After parting ways with Yoo Chae-yeon, I quietly took my phone out of my pocket. There was a message from Kim Ji-soo. After reading it, I wiped away the expression I'd been acting and smiled a truly wicked smile.
Kim Ji-soo had to seduce Kim Yu-hyeon under Geum Tae-yang's orders. At first, she thought it would be easy. She was confident in her looks and had used Geum Tae-yang's money to pamper herself.
But Kim Yu-hyeon didn't fall for her advances. He was known within the police force as a staunch principled man, and seducing someone like that would take time.
Realizing she'd approached him wrong from the start, she changed tactics. She reapproached him with the goal of building his trust first.
She presented herself as a collaborator, handing over fake information sent by Geum Tae-yang. As the information she provided proved helpful to his investigations, Kim Yu-hyeon gradually began to open up.
Kim Ji-soo met with him directly each time she passed on information he needed. Their meetings mostly took place in quiet cafes. At first, Kim Yu-hyeon was wary, but after realizing her information was actually helpful, he gradually let his guard down.
Kim Ji-soo took advantage of his relaxed vigilance to push further. She wore tight blouses and short skirts, slowly enticing him. But at first, Kim Yu-hyeon didn't pay much attention to her appearance.
He seemed to think of their relationship as purely professional, nothing more and nothing less. But Kim Ji-soo didn't back down.
No matter how faithful a husband, men are always drawn to new women. To exploit that weakness, she needed to be more strategic.
One day, Kim Ji-soo suggested meeting Kim Yu-hyeon at a high-end hotel bar. That day, she wore a black dress and red lipstick as she waited for him.
When Kim Yu-hyeon arrived, Kim Ji-soo greeted him with a bright smile. "I wanted to meet somewhere a little special today."
Kim Yu-hyeon hesitated briefly but soon sat down next to her.
She tried to naturally get closer to him, and Kim Yu-hyeon momentarily glanced at her cleavage before turning his head away.
"Is the investigation going well these days? I hope the information I gave you has been at least a little helpful."
Kim Ji-soo spoke softly. Kim Yu-hyeon nodded and took a sip of his drink.
"Yes, we've made a lot of progress thanks to you. I'm grateful."
At his thanks, Kim Ji-soo smiled slightly and continued. "But, Detective Kim, how about we talk more comfortably today? Don't you think we need time to get to know each other, away from work?"
Kim Yu-hyeon looked at her for a moment, then raised his glass with an awkward laugh. "The truth is, I rarely have time for that."
Kim Ji-soo nodded at his words and gave a warm smile. "I figured. You're always so busy with work. But don't overdo it. You look really tired these days."
Kim Yu-hyeon set down his glass and sighed. "Yes, I guess it's because there's so much work. It is a bit tough."
He sighed heavily and continued. "Actually, I'm spending less and less time with my wife, and that's weighing on me."
Kim Ji-soo gently took his hand and spoke softly. "That must be hard. But I'm sure your wife understands."
Kim Yu-hyeon was momentarily surprised by her touch but didn't pull away. "I couldn't have come this far without her. So I feel guilty toward my wife, and though work has been going well lately, I'm just so tired."
Kim Ji-soo looked into his eyes and spoke quietly. "Sometimes you need to give yourself a break. Today, set work aside for a moment and recharge while enjoying yourself comfortably."
Thinking this was her chance, Kim Ji-soo smiled gently once more. "Today, I'd like to introduce you to a nice place. What do you say?"
"A nice place?"
"Yes. It's nothing strange. You can enjoy a quiet spa. It'll melt away all your physical fatigue."
Kim Yu-hyeon hesitated at her words. And while he was considering, Kim Ji-soo pressed her chest against his arm and forced him up.
"Come on. Just for one day, it's fine."
"Uh, uh...."
Leaving behind Kim Yu-hyeon, who had been dragged there and forced to relax at the spa, Kim Ji-soo quietly prepared something in the room.
She took out a small packet of medicine and poured it into Kim Yu-hyeon's drink. She emptied the entire packet. This drug was an aphrodisiac. She intended to go all the way with Kim Yu-hyeon tonight using it.
"He pretended to be reluctant, but he's still a man—he followed me here."
She touched up her makeup once more and changed into the prepared outfit. Having finished all preparations, Kim Ji-soo invited him to the hotel room.
"Rest here for a while. The spa was nice, but now it's time for real rest."
Kim Yu-hyeon hesitated but was drawn in by her smile and entered the room. The space was luxurious and filled with a comfortable atmosphere.
Kim Ji-soo handed him the drugged wine and guided him to the sofa by the window. "It's a truly beautiful place," Kim Yu-hyeon said, looking at the night view. Kim Ji-soo sat next to him, leaning slightly on his shoulder.
"This is the kind of time you needed. You focus too much on work, Detective Kim. Sometimes you need this kind of rest too."
Kim Yu-hyeon drank the wine with an awkward expression, nodding as he looked at what she was wearing.
"You're right. It feels like I've been too busy lately."
Their conversation gradually became more personal, and Kim Yu-hyeon slowly began to open up to her.
And as he ate and drank the wine, his body gradually heated up. His gaze naturally drifted to Kim Ji-soo beside him.
Her beautiful appearance, kind words, and gentle touch gradually stimulated him.
"Gulp..."
Her touch grew increasingly bold. And he didn't exactly dislike it either.
Kim Ji-soo removed his clothes one by one, closing the distance between them.
"Yu-hyeon, just forget everything today and rest comfortably. No one can interrupt us here."
With those words, they moved closer to each other. Kim Yu-hyeon finally opened up and kissed her. In that moment, he let go of everything and thought only of her.
As Kim Ji-soo was finally removing his pants, she sensed something odd.
"Huh? Th-this can't be it when it's fully grown, right?" Looking at the silhouette visible over his underwear, she thought 'no way' and examined it more carefully. Her suspicion was confirmed.
"I thought with a good body, he'd be fine down there too. But it's too small. I'll have to fake it."
Thinking this, she climbed on top of Kim Yu-hyeon. And a hidden camera in the room recorded their every moment.