#87.

The cold autumn air brushed past Kang Ji-won’s cheeks. The morning sunlight was shining on the apartment complex, but her heart still seemed to be submerged in darkness. Her steps were heavy, and the memories of yesterday were weighing her down.

,I rushed things too much…’

Kang Ji-won bit her lip as she recalled her confrontation with Lee Han. The memory of that moment came back vividly. Lee Han’s cold eyes, his indifferent tone, and her own trembling voice. Her chest felt tight with the thought that everything had gone wrong.

Her hand unconsciously fiddled with the cell phone in her pocket. When she turned on the screen, the messages she had exchanged with Park Min-ah came into view. There was still no reply to the last message she sent, “Are you okay?”

,What would Min-ah-ssi think if she knew…’

Kang Ji-won sighed. Park Min-ah’s tearful face came to mind. She was overwhelmed by the fear that her actions to protect her might have made the situation worse.

As she left the apartment complex on her way to work, Kang Ji-won looked back on her actions. The moment she stood up to Lee Han, his reaction, and the regret and fear she felt afterward. Everything was tangled up, making her heart heavy.

A cool autumn breeze ruffled her hair. Kang Ji-won lowered her head, fastening her collar. In one corner of her heart, worry for Park Min-ah and anger toward Lee Han were still smoldering.

When she saw the management office, Kang Ji-won’s steps paused for a moment. She turned her head and glanced at the office. The glass window reflected in the morning sunlight shone dazzlingly. At that moment, an unexpected sight came into her eyes.

It was Park Min-ah.

Kang Ji-won’s eyes widened. Park Min-ah was dressed in neat office attire. She looked no different than usual in her beige blouse and black slacks. But the briefcase in her hand and her quick pace seemed to suggest something different.

Kang Ji-won’s heart sank as she watched her enter the management office. ,Why is she here at this hour…’ Questions followed one after another.

Instinctively looking around, Kang Ji-won hid herself. As she took refuge behind a nearby tree, she worried that the sound of her heartbeat might be heard by others.

Carefully moving her steps, Kang Ji-won approached the management office more closely. Her hands were shaking, and her breathing became rapid. The cool morning air brushed against her tense skin.

,Is this the right thing to do…’ She hesitated for a moment, but her worry and curiosity for Park Min-ah pushed her forward. Kang Ji-won bit her lip and took one step at a time toward the management office.

As she got closer to the management office, Kang Ji-won’s heart beat faster. The windows were closed and the inside was dark, so she couldn’t see clearly. Kang Ji-won bent her knees and lowered her body as much as possible, trying to peek inside carefully.

The voices inside were vaguely audible, but she couldn’t understand the content. However, the silhouettes of Lee Han and Park Min-ah were clearly visible. The sight of the two standing was faintly reflected through the window.

That’s when it happened. Lee Han’s arm reached out and hugged Park Min-ah. Kang Ji-won gasped. She could see Lee Han’s face getting closer to Park Min-ah’s nape. The moment his lips touched Park Min-ah’s skin, Kang Ji-won unknowingly stopped breathing.

Park Min-ah’s face turned toward the window. At that moment, her expression came into Kang Ji-won’s eyes. Kang Ji-won felt an unexpected excitement at the subtly erotic expression.

,Min-ah-ssi… this isn’t right. That man… is forcing her…’

Complex emotions swirled in her mind. Anger, worry, and a strange feeling that she couldn’t express in words were mixed together. Her gaze was fixed on Park Min-ah’s face.

Kang Ji-won’s gaze swept over Park Min-ah’s face. Her half-closed eyes, slightly parted lips, and flushed cheeks. Everything confused Kang Ji-won’s mind.

Lee Han’s hand gently wrapped around Park Min-ah’s waist, and his lips came close to her ear. Park Min-ah’s body trembled slightly as he whispered something.

Park Min-ah’s hand slowly went up and wrapped around Lee Han’s neck, and her fingers dug into his hair. The two people’s bodies got closer.

Kang Ji-won’s face turned red, and a complex emotion mixed with anger and excitement swept over her. Her eyes couldn’t take themselves off the two.

Her knuckles turned white as she gripped the window frame tightly with strength in her hands. She pressed her face close to the window to see the situation in more detail.

The two people’s lips were getting closer and closer. Kang Ji-won’s heart started beating fast. Her breathing became rapid, and her cheeks flushed red. A complex emotion mixed with anger, excitement, and guilt swept over her.

At that moment-

Kong!

Kang Ji-won’s forehead hit the glass window. She came back to reality with a sharp pain. In an instant, the two people inside turned their heads toward the window.

,Shit!’

Fear and embarrassment overwhelmed Kang Ji-won, her heart pounded in her ears, and her legs went numb.

Numerous thoughts flashed through her mind, but her body was already moving. She quickly got up, and the next moment her feet were kicking off the ground.

Kang Ji-won’s footsteps echoed through the apartment complex as she ran away quickly. As she ran without looking back, her mind was filled with the scene she had just seen. Park Min-ah’s erotic expression, Lee Han’s coercive appearance, and the unexpected excitement she felt.

Her mind was confused as she ran. The desire to protect Park Min-ah, the fierce anger toward Lee Han, and the strange excitement that she couldn’t understand. All these emotions were intertwined, squeezing her chest.

,What did I just see? Why do I feel like this?’

Kang Ji-won was embarrassed by her reaction. At the same time, a deep sense of guilt overwhelmed her. She was overwhelmed with self-reproach for the excitement she felt in Park Min-ah’s painful situation.

Her steps got faster and faster. It was as if she was trying to escape from the scene and her emotions. The morning air brushed past her flushed face.

—

Around evening, people returning home from work continued to walk through the apartment complex. Kim Eun-joo was standing in front of the management office in her company attire. She was carrying the bag she had brought to work in her hand, and fatigue was evident on her shoulders.

Kim Eun-joo checked her watch. There was still time before she had to pick up Jin-woo from daycare. Her eyes were full of hesitation, and on the other hand, she also showed impatience.

,If I invite him to my house on the weekend… will he come?’

Kim Eun-joo’s worries deepened in her heart. She unconsciously gripped and released the bag strap repeatedly.

,There are so many other young women… what if he’s tired of me?’

Her eyebrows furrowed slightly with anxious thoughts, and she unconsciously bit her lip.

Kim Eun-joo checked her wristwatch again. She was torn between the expectation of being able to meet Lee Han before picking up Jin-woo and the anxiety that she might be rejected. Her steps took one step toward the management office and then retreated again.

At that moment, someone’s hand gently wrapped around Kim Eun-joo’s shoulder. Surprised, she quickly turned her head. It was a moment when her heart skipped a beat.

It was Lee Han. A warm smile was on his lips. Kim Eun-joo’s eyes lit up in an instant.

,Have you finished work now?” Lee Han’s voice rang out softly.

Kim Eun-joo’s cheeks turned red. ,Yes…” Her answer was small, but something seemed to be ringing loudly in her heart.

Lee Han took out his cell phone and checked the time. ,Do you still have time?” he asked, opening the door to the management office.

Standing in front of the open door, Kim Eun-joo’s eyes filled with anticipation. She answered with a shy smile. ,I think I still have time…”

Kim Eun-joo’s heart started beating fast. Her eyes were full of excitement and anticipation. Lee Han’s scent enveloped her. Kim Eun-joo bit her lip slightly as if she was nervous, but soon a soft smile spread across her face.

Lee Han nodded gently and led Kim Eun-joo inside. The moment the two entered the management office, the door closed quietly.

Whispers that could barely be heard, the sound of clothes brushing against each other, and intermittent silence. Only the regular ticking of the clock hands indicated the passage of time. Before she knew it, something had changed in the air.

The management office was filled with a steamy heat. The air was filled with a mixture of subtle sweat and perfume scents. The windows were faintly fogged up, as if separating this space from the outside world.

Kim Eun-joo stood in front of the mirror and carefully straightened her clothes. Her blouse was slightly wrinkled, and the pleats of her skirt were also disheveled. As she straightened her clothes with trembling hands, her cheeks were still flushed.

Her fingertips trembled slightly as she straightened her slightly disheveled hair. Looking at her reflection in the mirror, Kim Eun-joo’s eyes were filled with complex emotions. Her lips looked redder than usual, and her eyes were still filled with heat.

Lee Han was leaning against the sofa, watching Kim Eun-joo like that. His shirt buttons were still undone, and his hair was also slightly disheveled. But his expression looked peaceful.

Kim Eun-joo checked her appearance in the mirror one last time and approached Lee Han. Her eyes were filled with anticipation.

,Um…” she started to say. ,Hyun-woo is going down to his parents’ house this weekend.”

A smile spread across Lee Han’s lips. His eyes were playful. ,Really? What about Jin-woo?”

Kim Eun-joo’s expression became complicated for a moment. Regret flashed across her face, but soon it changed to an expression as if it was natural. ,Jin-woo… of course, he has to be with me.”

Lee Han nodded as if he had expected her reaction. His voice was soft, but meaningful. ,Then you’ll need someone to take care of Jin-woo with you.”

Kim Eun-joo’s face lit up in an instant. Without hesitation, she approached Lee Han.

Kim Eun-joo’s hand carefully touched Lee Han’s chest. His heartbeat was transmitted through the palm of her hand. She looked up and looked into Lee Han’s eyes. A moment of silent understanding passed between them.

As she leaned in, their lips met softly. At first, it was a light touch, almost ticklish. But as Lee Han’s arm wrapped around her waist and pulled her closer, the kiss deepened. Their lips parted, their breaths mingled, and the intensity increased.

The already hot air in the office seemed to heat up once again. Rapid breathing filled the small space. Kim Eun-joo’s fingers gripped Lee Han’s shirt tightly, and his hand wrapped around the back of her head, intertwining his fingers through her hair.

Their lips locked together even more strongly. Lee Han’s tongue carefully caressed Kim Eun-joo’s lips, and she opened her mouth without hesitation and accepted him. The two people’s tongues intertwined and moved as if dancing.

Kim Eun-joo let out a small moan, and Lee Han kissed her even more deeply at the sound.

Their kiss became more and more passionate and urgent. It was as if they were trying to capture all their unspoken desires in this moment. The world outside the office faded away, and it was as if only the two of them were left in this moment of hot intimacy.

Kim Eun-joo hugged Lee Han’s neck even more tightly. Their tongues repeatedly intertwined and untangled, and the heat between them gradually increased.

Lee Han gently soothed Kim Eun-joo, who was flushed with excitement, and said, ,Now you have to take care of Jin-woo.”

Kim Eun-joo lowered her head in embarrassment. She slowly opened the door to the management office. Before leaving, she looked back at Lee Han one last time and gave him a happy smile. The smile was mixed with anticipation, excitement, and desire.