The Secretary's Women 06
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The two women suddenly perked up. They were already in Busan and had their fill of ocean views, so sightseeing in Gyeongju on this trip seemed like no bad deal for them. Upon arriving in Gyeongju, they stopped at the Palu Jeong Rotary and ordered bowls of bean sprout hangover soup and blood sausage hangover soup to share. After parking at the Daeneungwon lot, they circled Cheomseongdae once, then piled back into the car and headed for Anapji Pond.
"Wow~ Good! Really very good!"
"How can it be so pretty?"
"Right? How did we live here all this time without knowing about a place like this?"
They showered nonstop praise on the Anapji nightscape, snapping photos on their phones like mad. Every now and then, they'd strike a pose and glance my way, turning me into their impromptu photographer. Anyway, I trailed behind them, snapping pics, explaining bits about Anapji, keeping busy. As we stepped onto the walking path, Eun-mi slipped her arm through mine.
"Honey, it's getting a bit chilly out."
"Aren't you worried about Mi-hyang noticing?"
"What's to worry? She already knows, they all do."
"Nice picture. But I'm cold too—mind if I borrow your arm, Secretary Park?"
"You wouldn't take no for an answer anyway, would you?"
"Of course not. Just asking to be polite."
No sooner had she said it than Mi-hyang hooked her arm through mine too. The soft give of her breast pressed against me. I instinctively tensed up, and she must've felt it because she snuggled closer on purpose. My body just kept stiffening in the awkward spot I was in.
"You little minx, always teasing Maru like that?"
"It's fun. But I'm worried Secretary Park's too innocent."
"Worried about what?"
"Bedroom skills. Haha."
"You little minx, no end to your nonsense. But that's nothing for you to worry about."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
"When?"
"Last night."
"See? That's why your face is glowing. Must've been good."
"Yeah. There was this moment my mind went totally blank—I even thought I might die right there."
"That good, huh?"
"Yeah. For real."
"Then lend me Secretary Park for just one night."
Their teasing was starting to cross lines. I had no idea what might come out if I stayed quiet any longer, so I finally spoke up.
"Enough, ladies. There are people around."
"It's dark anyway—no one can tell who's who. What's the big deal?"
"Ears are still open, though."
"Pfft~ Such a scaredy-cat."
We'd circled Anapji once, and by then it was getting late. No place around Busan beat Anapji for putting women in a good mood. Any girl who saw that night view got drunk on it and ended up happy. Leaving Anapji, we headed downtown and found a coffee shop.
"Head to Busan and crash there? Or stay in Gyeongju?"
"Let's sleep here and leave tomorrow morning."
"Honey, let's go to Busan."
"Why? More to see there?"
"Go to that hotel we stayed at last night, and you'll see. Hurry up and let's go."
She must've wanted to brag to her friend about the Gwangalli Bridge night view from that hotel room. It was 9:30 now—if we hustled, we could make Busan before 10:30. I got up quick. We arrived in Busan, cruised over Gwangalli Bridge toward Igidae, then checked into the hotel. Up in the room with the key, the dazzling lights of Gwangalli Bridge unfolded right outside the window.
"Wow~ So pretty. That's why you wanted to come here. Thanks, Eun-mi."
Her friend was entranced by the Gwangalli Bridge and the Haeundae sea view. I sidled up quietly and handed her a wine glass. She took it absentmindedly and sipped. Eun-mi lounged on the sofa, legs crossed, savoring her wine. That's when Eun-mi's phone rang.
"It's him."
"……."
"Yes. I'm here at a hotel in Minrak-dong with Mi-hyang. Hold on. Let me show you."
She snapped pics of the night view outside, then the room, sent them off, and called back.
"Pretty, right?"
"……."
"No, not cognac—wine."
"……."
"Yes. We'll head out tomorrow morning."
She ended the call and chucked her phone onto the table with a whoosh.
"Assemblyman Hwang?"
"Yeah."
"What's his deal?"
"Who knows. Guess he's noticing I'm gone two nights straight."
"While you two gallivant without so much as a phone call, blaming it on being busy."
The call had soured the mood a bit. But after a while, the two perked up again, chatting and giggling brightly like before.
"Secretary Park, know any good bars around?"
"More drinking?"
"Nah. Just wondering if there's a nice spot for the vibe. We're in Busan, it's not even 11 yet—feels wrong holing up in this room."
"Not fancy, but there's a karaoke bar where you can relax, sing, and have beers."
"Let's go there?"
They'd had their fill of night views, and all that was left was sleeping in this room. Two women in their thirties craving freedom—it was natural they'd feel antsy. I mentioned the karaoke spot 'Friend' I hit up now and then for a chill time. But given their chaebol backgrounds, so different from us regular folks, I worried how they'd take the super down-to-earth vibe. Still, thinking back to Oryukdo Pier earlier, they might actually enjoy it. What choice did I have? I hadn't been to anything fancier anyway.
We pulled up to 'Friend' in Namcheon-dong past 11, but it was quiet. Two tables had customers—none I recognized, no regulars. Couples mostly, sitting hushed, talking more than singing.
"Been a while."
"Who'd come without some non-drinker dragging 'em?"
"Just set up the basics? Fruit snacks for the ladies."
"Yes, sir!"
"You come here often, Maru?"
"Yeah, sometimes. Only place I can relax without drinking."
"Karaoke bar, but why so quiet?"
"No regulars tonight. Lucky for you two—you can sing your hearts out. Even one regular group means waiting forever."
The lady boss finished setting the table and brought over notepads and songbooks. They picked their tunes, she punched them into the machine, and Mi-hyang took the stage first. Under the lights, her slim figure shone; with the intro, she sang like a pro. After the first verse and interlude, she called Eun-mi up. She hopped on like she'd been waiting. Their duet was magical—two stunners with perfect figures, harmonizing flawlessly on the second verse. Even the chatting tables started eyeing the stage.
"Secretary Park, where'd you find these beauties?"
"Ah, guests from Seoul. No better spots to take 'em."
"Should've had more customers tonight."
"Why's that?"
"Beauties like that singing like pros? Word spreads, business booms. Bring 'em often."
"You think like that too, boss? Thought you were all chill."
"I'm in business—gotta think that way."
"Next time they're down, I'll bring 'em."
"Promise?"
"Yep!"
Mi-hyang's song ended to loud applause and encores. She bowed lightly and stepped down. Soon Eun-mi's track started, and eyes turned back to the stage.
"Your wife's got pipes."
"Nah, you're too kind."
"No, really good. And both of you are gorgeous."
"You're a beauty too, boss."
"Next to them? Firefly to the sun."
"You come here a lot, huh, Secretary Park."
"Gotta entertain clients. How'd you know?"
"That coffee—didn't you bring it for him?"
"Yeah. Doesn't drink, loves coffee."
"You two an item?"
"Heavens, no. Look at my age. And he won't even sit next to a helper girl—scared of rumors."
"For real?"
"Yeah. You know him well?"
"Ah, just that one friend."
"Ah, yes."
"Your wife sings great."
"Secretary Park, get up there."
"Didn't request anything. Don't know any songs."
"Pfft, as if. Two ladies sing, and you sit out? Up you go."
"Only know mood-killers. T_T"
Prodded by them, I ended up on stage. My go-to here was obvious—no need to say it. The boss lady keyed in "The Story of a Couple in Their Sixties" as I headed up. Looking down, they stared right at me. Intro started; I closed my eyes, riding the rhythm.
Kim Mok-kyung's tune kicked off with "Those soft white hands tying my tie~" I'd loved the heartfelt lyrics since my twenties. Got pelted with tangerine peels singing it at a Namhang-dong nightclub packed with middle-aged ladies. Lol.
"Young guy singing that?"
"Had vibe, though. That's something."
"Still. Too sad."
"Told you it'd kill the mood, ma'am."
"Honey, practice up—sing something else next time."
"Sigh~ I'm tone-deaf."
Sure enough, women hated that song. Especially ones close to me. Strangers just felt the mood, but anyone close imagined themselves in the lyrics—how could they like a song about dying? Our table finished, and the other quiet tables started sending folks up now and then. Whenever it was free, Eun-mi and Mi-hyang took the stage, unleashing their talents. We didn't leave 'Friend' till closing time. Back at the hotel in high spirits, I saw them to their room and finally headed out.