The Passionate End of the Night
Yah! You bad...
As the night grew deeper, so did their love. Tae-yeon wanted to forget all her complicated thoughts. She wanted to sleep helplessly lost in pleasure within Choi Hyun-seo's arms. Sensing her wish, Hyun-seo thoroughly devoured her, leaving her no room to think at all.
Over Hyun-seo's body, Tae-yeon burned hot, thrashing at the peak of climax. Hyun-seo gazed at her face writhing in ecstasy and began his final thrust.
Perhaps every time they did this, he emptied someone's soul. In this regard, Min Tae-yeon was definitely Choi Hyun-seo's ultimate woman.
The hot desire that echoed rhythmically filled the air with wild sounds. Tae-yeon, already half-drunk on pleasure, trembled like a small beast in Hyun-seo's embrace and writhed. Her movements only stoked his fire further.
You make me lose my mind. Hyun-seo pulled Tae-yeon tightly against him and thrust harder. The electrifying sensation deep inside her made him move even more forcefully. At the peak, Tae-yeon closed her eyes.
At the height of ecstasy she seemed to lose consciousness, but when she opened her eyes again, she was still sitting in his arms. He gently stroked her hair and back.
“Going on a business trip this time?”
“Yeah. Long one.”
When he returns, I should just say let's live together.
Tae-yeon shook her head slightly, not voicing the thought in her heart.
“Will you call?”
“Probably.”
His indifferent reply pleased her. It sounded like this relationship would continue indefinitely.
“Take care while you're away. Mom's surgery is done, and she'll recover well.”
Smiling, Tae-yeon kissed Hyun-seo's forehead. With a fervent wish for her mother's successful surgery, gratitude for this situation, and love, she pressed her lips to his face again and again.
Hyun-seo curved his lips.
“Vice President Min, you become quite bold when you're in a good mood.”
“I was always bold. Didn't I confess to you first? Even though you rejected me.”
That's right. Rejected...
Hyun-seo simply smiled, the woman who had never been rejected standing before him.
“Vice President Min is even bolder after drinking. Maybe next time I should make you drink too?”
“I like that too. Let's drink together.”
Exhausted from the excessive pleasure, sleep came like a demon and swallowed Tae-yeon as she laughed in Hyun-seo's arms.
***
Mom's surgery took longer than scheduled. Tae-yeon had paced through the patient waiting room for what felt like forever. Yet the operation was flawless and her mother's recovery swift.
For days there had been no word from Choi Hyun-seo. Tae-yeon longed to hear his voice but didn't call. She would wait until her mother recovered. Or rather, she simply didn't call to share the news of her mother's improvement.
Not hearing from him at all meant he must be terribly busy.
Every morning Tae-yeon came to the hospital and left before evening to see Yun-woo. It was what Kyung-ja wanted and her greatest promise to Hyun-seo.
No more contracts or promises. Yun-woo was her son. To give him stability, she only stayed in her mother's hospital room at the set times.
Unlike her worries about complications, Kyung-ja's condition improved rapidly. While Kyung-ja was hospitalized, Tae-yeon's friend Cho-hee and her mother visited.
They congratulated Tae-yeon on her successful kidney transplant and, with the impending discharge, she finally smiled freely.
“Tae-yeon-ah, you've done wonderfully. But do you know? Our oppa has been posted to South America.”
“Noel oppa?”
“Yes. He's been gone for more than two weeks.”
So he left around the time Mom entered the hospital.
Was Shin Noel's transfer to the South American branch merely for company work? Or had Choi Hyun-seo been involved? A fleeting doubt crossed her mind. If he had intervened, so what? If not, so what? It no longer mattered.
“Do you like married life?”
Tae-yeon nodded at Cho-hee's question. Yes. This much was good enough. After all, the contract began because of Mom's illness. Moreover, her unrequited love had entered a stable phase. As long as she didn't become greedy, she would continue living this way until Hyun-seo asked her to leave.
That meant happiness.
“Tae-yeon-ah, I wanted you and Noel oppa to be together, but that was my selfishness. In truth, this marriage seems much better for you. Your husband looks cold, but you've already been married two years.”
“Yeah. Yes. I think it was good.”
Everything was perfect. Tae-yeon finally set aside her long-dormant heart. Once Mom was healthy, she would travel with Yun-woo and raise him well. When Yun-woo went to university and she no longer needed Mom, she would focus on her own work while living with her mother.
Everything was exactly as it should be.
***
Sunlight poured deeply through the window. Beside the treadmill, where Hyun-seo had finished a brisk walk, the trainer and Huang Director stood side by side. The speed on the monitor reached zero, and as Hyun-seo stepped down, the trainer praised him.
“Well done. Your body isn't fully recovered yet, so for now don't increase speed or overexert yourself.”
But Hyun-seo looked displeased.
“I know. I want to run as soon as I'm back, but walking like this doesn't suit my body.”
“Once your body is completely recovered, you can run as much as you like. Weight training is appropriate at this level. Just don't add excessive weight.”
Hyun-seo listened patiently to the trainer's slightly admonishing advice. After the trainer finished and left, Huang Director spoke.
“Report on Lady Kyung-ja's post-surgery recovery. No side effects or complications. She will be discharged tomorrow.”
“Good.”
Hyun-seo wiped his face with a towel and grabbed a water bottle. Huang Director wore a concerned expression.
“If I don't contact the Madam soon, she might move the information line.”
“You've gone too far, Director. Stop it.”
“Yes. Of course. Still, I think it would be best to contact her.”
Hyun-seo thought for a moment, nodded, and stared at Huang Director with an expression that seemed to demand continued reporting. Huang Director began his company matters. Then, finally, he mentioned Shin Noel.
“Sales Manager Shin Noel is adapting well in the Brazilian branch. He was promoted to manager upon the transfer and is working hard.”
“Hmm. Good. Just work there and everything will be fine.”
“But, Vice President, how is your health?”
“What? I'm fine. Very good. This is a good chance to rest and build my body.”
His casual words were not casual for Huang Director, who was deeply worried. If Chairman Choi or Oh Jin-hee learned that Choi Hyun-seo had donated a kidney to the Madam, they wouldn't stay quiet. So it was best to block everything before Oh Jin-hee figured anything out.
“It would be best to contact the Madam first.”
“You've grown old, Director. Hand it over. I'll call.”
Hyun-seo took the phone with a displeased face.
***
After leaving the hospital, Kyung-ja went to the apartment where she lived. Tae-yeon had arranged a caregiver, but Kyung-ja said she preferred her mother-in-law's company over the professional.
“Just ask Cho-hee mom to come often. It's better when friends who understand each other live together. I hate receiving care from strangers.”
Unable to insist when her mother felt uncomfortable, Tae-yeon agreed. Cho-hee mom said she was fine and that they would talk, take walks when Kyung-ja felt better, and not to worry.
Choi Hyun-seo's business trip was very long. Yet lately he called occasionally. When Hyun-seo phoned, Tae-yeon shared stories of Yun-woo.
Then, one time, Hyun-seo asked,
“How is Vice President Min doing?”
“I'm doing well. I visit Mom's house sometimes. Yun-woo will be two years old soon. He adapts well to the culture center. He plays with kids his age at the Dream Department Store culture center, and our Yun-woo is quite advanced.”
“Good.”
His reply was always concise and indifferent. Nothing had changed. Ordinary days. She didn't have to worry about Mom's death and Yun-woo was growing wonderfully. She wondered if such a period would come again in her life.
Suddenly a loud bell rang. Oh Jin-hee. Tae-yeon opened the door, and Oh Jin-hee strode in and slapped Tae-yeon's cheek hard.
“Yaaaah!”
A long, ear-shattering scream echoed through the space. Tae-yeon couldn't react to the sudden situation.
“You! You. How dare you... dare! To harm my brother... baaah!”