Power & Sex, and... 30
Leaving Cheonjeon-ri Petroglyphs behind, they headed to Unyang-eup for lunch at a famous beef house in what was billed as Unyang's bulgogi special district—a spot that had even appeared on some variety show back in the day.
Having only had toast and coffee for breakfast, she must have been starving. She devoured the meat with gusto, so much so that Maru worried she might overdo it.
"Why aren't you eating, honey?"
"I am eating. Is it good?"
"Yeah. It's amazing."
She piled lettuce and veggies onto her hand, topped it with perfectly grilled meat and a dab of ssamjang, wrapped it up, and held it out to him.
"Here, honey. Ahh~"
He'd held back that morning in front of her mother, but now that they were alone, there was no reason to refuse. He opened wide, popped the ssam into his mouth, and chewed slowly. Sweet, savory juices burst across his tongue.
"Delicious."
"Pfft~ You said that super-salty kimbap from breakfast was good too?"
"Of course it was. You made it yourself."
"I should learn to cook properly from now on."
"Take it slow. You've got plenty on your plate besides cooking."
"No, I might not do it every day, but I want to make your breakfast at least once a week."
Eun-mi truly loved him, that much was clear. It was a classic sign—a woman in love always wanted to fuss over her man, to feed him and care for him. To the outside world, she was a woman of immense wealth and privilege, but perhaps she was starved for the simplest things: basic affection and love. No amount of money could fill that void; a life without warmth was barren at its core.
As they took turns feeding each other, the grill emptied before they knew it.
"Boss, two more servings here, please."
"Honey, I'm stuffed."
"We're already here—eat a little more. You'll get hungry on the train back to Seoul."
Truth be told, he wanted to keep feeding her too. Watching her chew, lips working the meat, was endlessly adorable and beautiful. That was the real reason he craved more of the sight. Thanks to her, he got to try not just the sirloin but also ribs, leaf meat—cuts he rarely indulged in.
"I seriously can't eat another bite now."
She leaned back from the table entirely. He coaxed her a bit more, but she patted her belly, waved him off, and shot him pleading eyes like she was begging for mercy. A mischievous thought crossed his mind: he wanted to see that rounded tummy of hers.
He slipped around the table to her side, placed a hand on her stomach, and started rubbing gently, tugging her blouse free from her jeans.
"Honey, what are you doing?"
She grabbed his hand, voice hushed in case someone overheard, her eyes pleading for him to stop.
"Can't I check out how full my wife's belly is?"
"Honey~ Please~"
"Aigoo, so shy—how could anyone call you an ajumma?"
"Tch~ You think ajummas just strip anywhere?"
"If your man says strip, you strip. You gonna hold out on your husband?"
"But this is a restaurant."
In the end, he let the teasing drop. Truth be told, he wouldn't want anyone—even a waitress—getting an eyeful of her body either. As he pulled his hand away, she looked relieved and tucked her blouse back into her jeans.
Bellies full and moods lifted, they left the restaurant. That little prank, which had left her flustered and pouting, only added to his good cheer.
"Your birthday's in February, right?"
"Yeah. Why?"
At her words, he turned the car toward Samnam-myeon.
"Where are we going?"
"Just for a drive."
"Don't you need to head to Busan? You got that call earlier."
"It's a dinner thing. No rush to head down now."
Kim Sil-jang's call from earlier still nagged at her. As the wife of a politician once, she knew better than most how crucial his meetings were. Especially since it had come to his personal cell.
To ease her mind, he suddenly remembered her February birthday and steered toward the Amethyst Cave. When they arrived, she gave him a puzzled look.
"Why here?"
"This is the Amethyst Cave. It's been Korea's top spot for amethysts since way back."
"But why amethysts all of a sudden?"
"It's your birthstone."
"Pfft~ So you dragged us here just for that?"
"Yeah. We've got time to kill, and since we're already in Unyang, why not browse? They say amethysts bring good luck too—I wanted to get you one."
She gazed at him with loving eyes, murmuring, "Really? Just for me?" and hugged him tight. Since he'd planned to buy her a necklace anyway, they headed into the shop. It showcased not just local Unyang amethysts but gems from around the world, all gleaming elegantly.
"Wow~ So pretty. The purple's gorgeous."
"Pick one you like."
She browsed, then lifted a necklace.
"I'll take this one."
It was simple yet elegant. He asked the clerk to wrap it and paid.
"Miss, do you have more like this?"
"Yes, we do."
"Wrap three more, then."
"Three more? For what?"
"For Ara, Jeong-ah, and Suji."
Her heart was as beautiful as ever. As the clerk finished wrapping, he reached for his wallet, but she insisted on paying.
"Why?"
"If you pay, it'll be from you to me and them. I want this one to be just from me to you."
"Then skip theirs."
"I can't—not for Ara, anyway. I'd feel bad."
Tears welled in her eyes as she spoke. Maybe she was comparing her life to Ara's, feeling a quiet sorrow for her own path.
"Sorry."
"What do you have to be sorry for? I chose you. I just wish I'd met you sooner, and I feel guilty toward Ara... but my feelings are beyond my control."
"……."
Nothing more came to mind to comfort her. He simply held her gently and kissed her forehead.
"We're here—let's at least tour the cave."
He forced a cheerful tone and took her hand. Her face brightened instantly, and she linked arms with him as they walked.
Not a huge tourist draw, and with entrance fees, there weren't many visitors even on a Saturday. The cave interior felt too polished, almost artificial—nothing but the mining history to spark interest. She skipped the boat ride through the waterway, so they just strolled the neatly paved paths and called it done.
Glancing at his watch, it was well past 4 p.m. Catching the 5 o'clock train from Ulsan Station was out, so he had no choice but to drive her back to Busan.
"Why don't you just stay with Ara?"
"What if that upsets her?"
"Say you came down for work."
"Pfft~ What 'work'? And I'd be alone at night."
"Can't you hang with Jeong-ah?"
After agonizing, she finally decided. She'd meet Jeong-ah, text Ara, and grab coffee together after Ara got off work. Clearly, showing up in Busan together weighed on her.
He called Jeong-ah to meet at Seomyeon Lotte, then parted ways with Eun-mi in the Lotte Hotel parking lot.