Chapter 19: A one-night stand with Park Ahyoung

[Yunha’s Past – Flashback]

I met that b*tch, Park Ahyoung, shortly after my twentieth birthday.

–Bong~ Bong~

The New Year’s bell chimed. My friends and I, brimming with anticipation, clutched our newly minted IDs and marched into a bar. It was a world away from anything I, as a minor, had experienced, buzzing with an adult energy.

“Hey, how about whoever passes out first pays for everything?”
“Okay, deal!”

With that agreement, the drinks flowed freely. Empty bottles and plates piled up at an alarming rate.

As the alcohol took hold, the atmosphere grew rowdier. We played drinking games, our inhibitions fading with each shot.

**

Then, one of my friends suggested, “Loser has to pick up a girl from that table over there.”

Park Ahyoung was sitting at that table. Why that one? Why…?

“Okay… Let’s play spin the bottle. Whoever it lands on loses.”

My friends cheered, too drunk to think straight.

–Spin

The bottle spun, round and round. Please not me… I’m too shy for this…

This is going to be a disaster…

But luck wasn’t on my side. The bottle pointed at me.

“Oh, sh*t…”

My friends snickered. I wanted to punch them, but I’d lost fair and square.

I walked over to Park Ahyoung’s table, heart pounding.

“Um… You’re very beautiful… Would you like to… have a drink with me…?”

**

The next thing I knew, I was waking up in a strange place. The decor made it clear I was in a motel. Next to me, a naked woman slept soundly.

“Oh, f*ck…”

I’d had a one-night stand with Park Ahyoung. I always judged people who had one-night stands. And now…

As if sensing my distress, she stirred.

“Hmm… Yunho, what’s wrong…?”

I was speechless. How did she know my name? I didn’t even know hers.

She smiled, a playful glint in her eyes.

“Don’t you remember? My name is Park Ahyoung. You had a good time last night, but you don’t even remember my name…”
“…I… I blacked out…”

She chuckled. “You’re quite cute.”

It was the most flattering thing anyone had ever said to me. I was a complete newbie when it came to relationships.

“Aw, are you blushing? How adorable~”

She leaned in and kissed me, a deep, passionate kiss.

“W-Wait…” I gasped, breathless.

She giggled, calling me cute.

“Yunho, do you want to go out?”
“Y-Yes…!?”

Did relationships usually move this fast? And…

My heart’s racing…!

I’d never felt so exhilarated by a confession!

“Yunho? What’s your answer?”
“Y-Yes…”

I couldn’t understand myself back then. Accepting that confession was the biggest mistake of my life.