episode_0024

After witnessing the inappropriate scene at the party multiple times, I finally managed to fall asleep, only to be awakened by a nightmare once again.

“Indeed, this place is the best…”

Eventually finding myself in the uncle’s room once again, I tightly grasped the pillow and settled in the empty space on the bed where the uncle was lying.

Today, as I tried to calm my startled heart by holding onto the uncle’s finger, I noticed that he was lying there, still fully clothed, in a sleeping position.

Could it be that he was tired from what happened at the party earlier? A small doubt arose, and as I held the uncle’s hand, I could feel the warmth emanating from his palm.

“I did hit him a bit hard, but was it this bad?”

Even though it was well past midnight, if it was this warm, maybe it was actually quite painful? Then how did he manage to endure it while driving…

As I brushed my hair back, the uncle’s furrowed face was reflected in my eyes, accustomed to the darkness.

I couldn’t tell if his hand was still hurting, or if he was having a bad dream like me, but he seemed to be enduring something.

Feeling a slight sense of guilt, I clasped the uncle’s hand with both of mine, and warmth radiated from his slightly swollen palm.

Come to think of it, the uncle had no choice but to attend the party, and it was my fault for getting annoyed for no reason. If I hadn’t been foolishly caught up by that rat-like man, the uncle wouldn’t have been this exhausted…

“But the uncle who grabbed that rat back then… was quite cool.”

Just before being dragged to the terrace, the uncle appeared with an angry face, grabbing the rat-like man by the collar and clenching his fist tightly.

Although I tried to stop him due to the sudden attention, the uncle, who seemed almost out of his mind, was like a hero from the last moment of a comic, trying to resort to violence.

Moreover, he even tried to accommodate my whims and cheer me up by matching my mood…

I feel like I keep receiving from the uncle, is this okay?

It seems too shameless to keep receiving help like this, even though all I do is cook meals and clean the house… Even though I’m just a fake wife, isn’t this really taking advantage?

“From tomorrow… no, starting today, I’ll try to find ways to help the uncle. At least, I’ll repay him for what I’ve received.”

I’m the type who can’t live with debts. Even if our contract ends and we part ways, I will never forget the kindness I received from the uncle.

Making a small resolution, I looked at the uncle with furrowed eyes, gently letting go of his hand. Then I covered him with the rumpled blanket and closed my eyes, drifting off to sleep.

*

“Ugh…?”

Just as I thought I had fallen into a deep sleep, I felt a strong impact on my chest.

Thinking it was just a temporary shock, I wondered if I had briefly dreamed, but the hand passionately caressing my chest, while I clutched it, confirmed that this was not a dream.

“I’m so sleepy, who on earth…?”

Ultimately, as irritation surged within me and disrupted my short nap, I slowly opened my eyes to find out who the culprit was…

“Uncle?”

In front of me was none other than the man himself. He was dressed exactly as I had seen before falling asleep, but he seemed to be forcing his eyes shut as he responded to my call.

And when I looked down, I saw his hand clutching my chest, confirming that the man was indeed awake.

It wasn’t even dawn yet, so why was he awake already? Normally, he wouldn’t show any signs of waking up before the sun rose, so why today…

Suddenly, the man gripping my chest tightly seemed to be enduring something, his eyes squinting and his face contorted in a frown. Could he be angry because I had entered the room without permission?

Wait, could it be because of such a trivial matter? Although it was written in the contract that we wouldn’t interfere in each other’s personal lives, sneaking in at night to sleep next to me and then leaving could be considered interference in personal life… Could it be?

Huh? What happens now?

“Oh, sir…!?”

I had to come up with an excuse, so I called out to the man in a hurry, but I couldn’t bring myself to lift my head and speak.

The man, who was clearly awake, maintained his silence, making me even more anxious.

And with no excuses coming to mind, I found myself blushing and listening quietly to the ticking of the clock.

How much time had passed?

As the dim room gradually brightened, I felt the man’s hand that had been holding me slowly losing its grip.

I started to feel a little relieved, thinking that he might have fallen asleep, but when I timidly raised my head, I met the man’s stiff, wide-eyed gaze.

“Ju, Joo Eunhye.” “Sir.”

Breaking the silence at the same time, we looked at each other, lips sealed, unable to speak.

“You go first.” “You go first…”

Although there were things to say, we both found ourselves at a loss for words. And it seemed like the man had something to say to me, so maybe it was right to be considerate… Why can’t he speak either?

“…Sorry.”

Apologizing to me with trembling lips, the man slowly began to release his grip on my chest.

“…Is that all, sir?”

“Ugh…”

Suddenly shaking his head and nervously biting his lips, the man seemed to be in distress.

Oh~ Was it just touching my chest? I got all worked up for nothing thinking he was angry… Seeing the man’s attitude, I felt reassured that there wouldn’t be any consequences for me sleeping here.

Hmm~ But I don’t feel guilty about something so trivial… Alright then!

“Hey–!”

“Ugh?”

I spread my hands and reached out to the unsuspecting man’s body, grabbing the part where I had been touched.

“What are you doing all of a sudden!”

“What am I doing? You touched me first, so I’m touching you too.”

The flustered look on the man was quite cute. But why is his chest so firm? Even my brother, whom I used to work out with a couple of years ago, wasn’t this firm… And I was already envious of the body I was aiming for, but his chest is also… This is totally unfair! Ugh!

…Huh? When did I ever touch a man’s chest before?

Why am I acting like this these days? It feels more natural to call older guys “hyung” and older girls “nuna,” and the memories of quietly going through high school where only boys were making a fuss are still vivid in my mind.

And why was I doing part-time work in logistics? Since middle school…

Forced? Right, my mom forced me to help with my hyung’s college tuition and rent.

But I don’t have a hyung, and my mom passed away in a car accident when I was 14.

She told me before leaving that day. She said to bring that person who was precious to both her and me and should never be forgotten…

“Now feeling better?”

“..Huh?”

As I recalled old memories and fumbled through the past, the uncle’s voice interrupted.

Gradually, the sensation of touching a rock stimulated my hand that was moving aimlessly, and I caught sight of the uncle’s troubled face.

But the way I was clutching the uncle’s chest… doesn’t it seem a bit perverted? Of course, it shouldn’t be a big deal since we’re even, but still…

— Gulp~

“…”

Yes, it’s embarrassing to break the mood suddenly, but thank you for ringing, my belly button watch.

“Uncle.”

“…Uh, yes!”

The uncle answered loudly, stumbling over his words. His face seemed redder for some reason, making him look like he wasn’t sober, but it seemed to work out well.

“We didn’t do anything here, right? I didn’t come into your room today, didn’t touch anyone, just slept in my room. Got it?”

“Why are you suddenly saying…”

“Oh, never mind! We’ll talk about it later! I’m going to prepare breakfast now, so hurry up and get up to wash, okay? Don’t you see I’m hungry?”

Forcing the clueless and frustrating uncle up and pushing him into the bathroom, I tidied up the messy bed and rushed to the kitchen, tying an apron around my waist.

I’ve pushed it this far, so at least today’s incident won’t be brought up again. But there’s still a risk of getting caught, so I should refrain from using the same bed when going into the uncle’s room next time.

— Ring~♪

Flipping the spam-making noise, the message tone rang from the smartphone placed next to it.

Who would send a message this early in the morning? There’s only the uncle’s number saved, so there shouldn’t be anyone to send a message to. Is it a spam message?

Turning off the gas and picking up the smartphone, I checked the message from the unfamiliar number and chuckled.

“I’ll visit you at noon today… Eunhye unni?”

Who knows my name? Whose number is this, anyway?