Power & Sex, and... 101

"Please give me your attention for a moment."

The restaurant was packed so tightly with people that it was hard to move, and everyone was chattering away like a bustling marketplace. But at the voice of the emcee from the event hall, the room fell silent in an instant, and all eyes turned to him.

"We didn't get a proper introduction at the event hall, but there were special guests who made this whole thing possible. Let's bring them up here now."

At the emcee's words, people started looking around curiously, wondering who it could be, but no one stood up.

"First, please welcome Seo Ara, wife of Assemblyman Park Maru, the man behind today's event; Jeong-ah, in charge of public relations; and Eun-mi, CEO of Ara Entertainment, who directed the whole show."

The entire restaurant erupted in thunderous applause and cheers toward the three women, who stepped forward with slightly bashful expressions. After they gave their greetings and sat down, I finally understood how today's event had turned into such a massive spectacle.

This event, proposed by Eun-mi, wasn't just about boosting my public recognition or polishing Daesan Group's image as a socially responsible corporation. It was a carefully planned production ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠with three goals: promoting Suji's upcoming solo debut stage, as she'd soon resume official activities.

To pull it off, they'd already advertised it as the "Mobile Bathing Vehicle Donation Event in Busan," featuring the fan cafe and Daesan Group as sponsors, with Suji and Ara Entertainment's girl groups listed as special performers. They'd even run a one-off ad on local Busan broadcasts. No wonder Song Sang-hyeon Plaza had been packed with citizens.

Thanks to my name being tied to the fan cafe in that ad, I avoided any violations of the Public Official Election Act while earning the image of a "congressman serving the common people" among Busan residents.

We wrapped up dinner in a joyful atmosphere, and everyone from Seoul—including Chairman Lee Hoe-jang—headed back, except for the cafe operators and me. I arranged accommodations for former Secretary Gu, Jeong-ah, and the cafe staff, set a meeting for Thursday, and headed home with Ara.

"You worked hard, honey."

"It was all Jeong-ah and Unni Eun-mi."

"No, they worked hard too, but none of this would've happened if you hadn't started the volunteer work in the first place. Anyway, good job."

"That Gu Secretary was really pretty, though."

"Jealous?"

"She's Secretary to Assemblyman Han Seong-su, right? Why's she helping with our stuff?"

"Yeah. She's got some gaps that Jeong-ah fills. I told Jeong-ah to learn from her, and she insisted on sticking together, so I let them handle it. No downside for me."

"Got it."

Ara seemed bothered by Gu Hyunji's looks. It was understandable—any woman in Ara's position might feel that way. They were a weekend couple; she had a high school diploma and was just now attending night college, while Gu Hyunji was a graduate of a prestigious Seoul women's university, with beauty and a figure that invited comparisons, and now helping with my work.

"Nothing to worry about. You're still the most precious person to me."

"Really?"

"Come on, I'm even saying sappy stuff like this, and it's the truth."

"Thanks for saying that, anyway. So, when are you heading up?"

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

"I was gonna take the night bus, but I'll go at dawn tomorrow. Did you check out any houses?"

"Yeah, there's a quiet one in Buam-dong, but it's pricier than I thought."

"Is there a standalone on flat ground in Buam-dong? Flats might be noisy."

"It's a bit uphill, but quiet."

"That'd be inconvenient for Mother-in-law to get around. Anything good in Dangam-dong?"

"One place, but it's down an alley, next to a church."

"How was that house?"

"It's clean, but parking's an issue."

"Park at the church or the public lot on the road. For Mother-in-law walking around, avoid high places. You can't always escort her."

I told her to look into that house more closely. As long as it was safe, quiet at night, and comfortable to live in, what more could you want?

"Just sleep. You have to leave at dawn tomorrow."

When I touched her under the covers, she brushed me off unusually—normally she wouldn't. Who knew when I'd get back down from Seoul.

"Let's just do it quietly once and sleep."

"Ugh~ As if that's up to you. I try to hold back, but the noises come out."

"Anyway, I don't even know when I'll come back down after tomorrow."

"I can hold out fine. Don't worry."

In the end, I just held her and fell asleep.

Deep in sleep, I felt an emptiness below. Thinking it was a dream, I ignored it, but it felt wet down there.

"Ha~ah~"

Lifting my head slightly, I saw hair swaying in the streetlight glow. Then the moans hit my ears. It was Ara. She'd told me to sleep but couldn't resist after all. I gently grabbed her head and pulled her up. Our lips met, her breath ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠already sweet.

"Wake me if you want it."

"How could I wake someone leaving at dawn?"

I laid her down and mounted her. Her body was already scorching, no foreplay needed—I plunged deep inside.

"Ah~ng! So good~"

Deep within her, it bubbled like boiling water, taut like an overinflated balloon ready to pop at a pinprick.

I lifted and dropped my hips atop her, slowly drawing her up. As my pace quickened, her arms gained strength, tightening around my neck; her thighs wrapped around me.

"Ha~ang~ Honey~ I love you~"

No need to drag it out. Like some mindless rhino from a '70s porno, I snorted and pistoned mindlessly. As my rhythm sped up, her moans turned to screams. I forgot Mother-in-law slept across the living room, racing toward the end.

"Ah~u~u~k! Honey~"

Ara cried out breathlessly. Her arms and thighs coiled like snakes, pinning me. Moments later, she shuddered, flooding me with endless hot waves from deep inside.

"I love you, honey."

After ragged breaths, she murmured her love and kissed me. Leaving her now that she was discovering sex's pleasures felt all the more heartbreaking.

Lizard chirps blared at dawn. Stirred, I went to the living room; Mother-in-law and Ara hustled over the sink preparing breakfast.

"You could've just bought a lunchbox on the train. Why rush?"

"You're up. Wash up and sit."

Knowing I left early, she'd gone out of her way. Gratitude and guilt mixed as I bowed slightly to her, then picked up my chopsticks.

"Don't be stubborn. You'll cry on the way home."

"Pfft~ Why cry? I'm a free wife for a while—it's great."

"Anyway, take good care of Mother-in-law, and don't overdo it yourself."

"Got it. Don't worry about me—you eat properly up there, honey."

I always ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠felt this pang leaving her for Seoul. In melancholy, I buried my head, staring out the window.

I called Chief Kim Sil-jang to the assembly members' office building.

"Good trip?"

"Yes. Any changes?"

"No big shifts since last weekend. Kim Seong-gap's still neck-and-neck within margin of error."

"Don't worry about Kim for now—focus on our three candidates. Office funds short?"

"I was about to mention: three National Assembly Reform Alliance members dropped off envelopes. A few others bought meals for campaign staff."

"Just log their names. If they're stepping up, the ground game's improving from last week."

Nothing major at campaign HQ either. People who'd just shown face before now offering cash and meals—momentum was good. No reason it shouldn't be. Wednesday's press conference might lock in safe leads for Supreme Committee Members Jeong, Han Seong-su, and Park Seong-hwan. If so, barring screw-ups, I'd secure three seats under my control. Plus, with the recording and photos from President Do, I could appoint a supreme committee member to my liking—but finding the right person was the issue.

"Assemblyman, it's Han Seong-su."

"Yes, sir. Holding up?"

"No thanks to you. Hey, those mobile bathing vehicles—coming to Gwangju?"

"Why suddenly?"

"Local delegates keep asking. Can we get even one?"

Seo the reporter had spread it nationwide. I assigned one to Gwangju, told Han about the weekend event, and hung up. I'd probably join him there.