IOTF Ch 29 – Completed.

No one explained it in detail, but it seemed the boss’s third oldest brother was in pretty bad shape after being hospitalized. It wasn’t life-threatening, but he’d lost a lot of blood and appeared to have injuries all over.

Apparently, he’d gotten into a fight, lost his temper, and slashed himself with a broken bottle. There were four witnesses, so it was clear it wasn’t Joo Geonwoo’s doing.

The second oldest brother hadn’t left in a good mood either. He’d found out his wife had been spouting nonsense again, which led to another huge argument. The wife left the mansion at dawn, and he followed soon after.

In the end, only the eldest brother’s family, us, and our parents were at the breakfast table.

The chairman asked me about everyday things, and the conversation was very ordinary. The fourth son and his wife couldn’t make it because they were in the US. They were coming back next month, so we agreed to gather again then.

Their family was a mess, to the point that one of their sons had been rushed to the hospital, yet they acted as if nothing had happened. There was no sign of them pressing Joo Geonwoo, much less holding him accountable. On the contrary, the chairman seemed quite pleased that his youngest son had brought his partner to dine with them.

“Have you set a date?”

“Yes. You said you preferred a spring date, with lush greenery. It’s May 13th.”

After my reply, the boss’s eldest brother, who was eating across the table, spoke.

“I’ll take care of the venue. Where would you like it, sister-in-law?”

I was slightly surprised by his respectful tone. He was definitely not the same man who had glared at me as if he wanted to skewer me when I first came here.

“I’m still thinking about it.”

“It doesn’t have to be in Yeonsan, right? Pick the most expensive place in Seoul. I can’t let our youngest get married without doing at least that much.”

The eldest brother, with his gruff voice, seemed to have already made up his mind. His wife, who had previously suggested a small wedding and been rebuked by the boss’s mother, kept her mouth shut.

“With the chairman’s guests, won’t there be a lot to do?”

The boss responded casually, but his eldest brother spoke seriously.

“What are you talking about? We can just charter a plane. Sister-in-law, don’t worry about the money and pick a nice place. When else will I get to see Seoul? Isn’t that right, Chairman?”

“Let the child do as he pleases. That’s how you keep the family peace.”

After the chairman spoke, all authority regarding the wedding became mine. He’d said I could do what I wanted before, but now that the permission was official, I felt a heavy weight.

“If you want to have it in Seoul, you can. Understand, son?”

“Yes, Father. I’ll let you know when I’ve decided.”

“Good.”

The chairman finished his meal contentedly, with only two of his sons in front of him. The eldest brother and his wife left, saying that now we were family, we should live well together. His wife even greeted me warmly. I wondered if seeing blood once had really settled everything.

We left the mansion as well. My aunt kept telling us to stop by the shop before heading back to Seoul, but the boss and I were too tired. As soon as we got in the car, Kalbang started reporting on overdue tasks, and Doopil was discussing site-related matters with Chinese buyers, so I couldn’t exchange a single word with the boss.

Eventually, I fell asleep in the car and woke up in bed, carried there by the boss. I looked around, unsure how long I’d slept. The sun was setting, and there was a small note on the table.

Sunjung, are you awake? I’m making a quick round in Namgu-dong and will be right back. Let Wooseong in if he rings the doorbell.

I chuckled at his neat handwriting. Then, I picked up a nearby pen and started writing a reply.

I’m awake, but where’s my husband? Out making money? Probably up to no good again. I’m hungry. Feed me. Debone some grilled fish for me, lol.

I scribbled like I was talking to myself and got out of bed. This was the boss’s new place, where we stayed for a while after reuniting. It was still sparsely furnished, but equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, so I had no complaints.

The TV turned on, and the curtains opened automatically, revealing a garden where the snow was melting and plants were starting to sprout. Despite being vacant, the landscaping was well-maintained, with lush pine trees and beautiful camellias in bloom.

“…He sure loves his flowers.”

I turned on my phone and took a picture of the red petals. I took a few more photos to send to the boss. Just then, the doorbell rang.

I wondered who it was. The bell rang again, and then a familiar number appeared on my phone screen.

—Sunjung, what are you doing out in the cold?

Surprised by the boss’s voice, I straightened up from where I’d been bending down to photograph the flowers.

“How did you know I was up?”

—Is there anything I don’t know?

True…. I looked up at the ceiling as I answered the phone. I figured there must be a CCTV camera somewhere. Just then, the boss said,

—You should open the door. It’s the sticky rice and uni doenjang soup you like.

At the mention of food, I went from the balcony and opened the door. I didn’t even check Wooseong’s face on the welcome screen before opening it. He bowed deeply, his hands full of packages.

“Boss! It’s Wooseong! You should eat! I also packed some oyster steak on my way. There’s a new restaurant in Yeonsan, and they make really good oyster dishes…”

Wooseong noticed I had the phone to my ear and immediately shut up. He then headed to the kitchen, unpacking and warming the food, as if to say I should get on with my call. It was incredibly convenient having him around.

“When are you coming?”

—I’m at Versace, almost done.

I heard a familiar name and asked without thinking,

“Everything okay?”

—If it wasn’t, would you come and fix it? I think it might all be sorted if you came and pulled some hair and caused a scene.

The boss chuckled. Just then, I heard the sound of men fighting over the phone. Someone threw an ashtray, followed by a torrent of curses. The voice sounded vaguely familiar.

“…Are you serious?”

—Would you come if I was?

The boss’s footsteps echoed as he walked. Listening to the sound of his shoes on the marble floor, I realized this wasn’t something I should get involved in.

“No. I’m tired, and I’ll stay home. You work hard…”

More curses erupted. This time, it was Han Doopil’s colorful dialect. It sounded like a serious fight.

—Do you miss me?

It was a question meant to distract me. I nodded. I figured he was watching me through a CCTV camera somewhere, and when I nodded, I heard the boss’s low chuckle.

“I miss you. I’ll just have a little food and wait. Let’s have a beer together.”

—Sounds good.

The boss, seemingly pleased with my answer, asked what he should bring home. I looked over the food Wooseong had prepared and realized there was nothing the boss particularly liked.

“Butter-grilled squid and shrimp sashimi.”

I could feel the boss grinning. Butter squid was my favorite, and shrimp sashimi was a snack he often enjoyed.

—No one takes care of their husband like Sunjung. I’ll be home soon, honey. Be a good girl and get cleaned up.

After the call ended, I started eating the meal Wooseong had prepared. While I ate, Wooseong filled me in on what had been happening in Yeonsan. At first, he was cautious, saying things like, “I don’t know nothin’. What would I know?” but when I mentioned that the boss seemed to be having a hard time with the hosts, he blurted out,

“Jiyeonwoo got caught skimming money from customers at Versace. From a regular big spender, too.”

I was shocked. I had no idea Jiyeonwoo had moved to Versace. It wasn’t surprising, since he was a top earner at Queens, but Jiyeonwoo wasn’t the type to rip off customers with inflated drink prices. He didn’t play games; he just got naked and entertained.

“Jiyeonwoo wouldn’t do that. He’s not a thug.”

“But he got caught red-handed. The hosts handle things their own way in the room, but skimming money that should be going into the books is a problem. And he got caught trying to pull it off with a friend he brought along. I don’t know what he was thinking.”

My appetite vanished. He didn’t get caught ripping off a customer, but trying to cook the books? Jiyeonwoo wasn’t stupid, and he knew the boss was someone to be feared.

“It’s a good thing the new manager is sharp. Things could’ve really blown up if it had reached the boss.”

I was about to ask who the new manager was when a notification alerted us that a car had arrived. I looked at the wall screen and saw the boss’s car pulling in.

I put down my chopsticks and started clearing the table. Before I was finished, the boss walked in. He stopped at the entrance, frowned at my wet hands, and said,

“Sunjung, I told you not to do that.”

I quickly dried my hands on my clothes. Wooseong, wearing rubber gloves, took over the dishwashing.

“Wooseong was doing it. I was just helping a little.”

“I need to get someone to stay here. This won’t do.”

I tactfully took the items from the boss’s hands – steaming hot roasted squid and sashimi packed in ice.

“This looks delicious. You got back quickly.”

The boss pulled me in for a kiss. I pulled away, knowing my breath must smell of food, and he frowned again.

“Making a fuss again.”

“I ate, you know.”

“So, your husband should eat too.”

He forced his way in, sucking and licking my salty tongue. It must have been unpleasant, but he persistently explored every corner of my mouth, making me blush.

“…I’ll just brush my teeth quickly.”

“Fuck. It’s delicious.”

The boss carried me halfway to the bedroom, kneading my breasts, commenting on how they had filled out. He sucked on my nipples, demanding milk and complaining he was hungry, even though there was nothing there.

After a while, we emerged into the living room, where everything was neatly arranged. Wooseong had skillfully set out the snacks, beer, and then disappeared.

“Is everything sorted out at the shop?”

“How much did Wooseong tell you?”

The boss asked as if he had expected it.

“I heard that Jiyeonwoo caused trouble. The new manager figured it out?”

“The new manager is quite perceptive.”

The boss opened a beer can and handed it to me. He then picked up a piece of squid and fed it to me. I was curious about the new madam.

“He collected all outstanding payments as soon as he sat down. He’s learned the business well.”

“Really?”

“He confiscates the hosts’ IDs when they arrive and returns them when they leave. I like that.”

Oh, I see. Nowadays, it’s easy to get a new ID or verify your identity with a phone, but it’s a psychological thing. Handing over your ID makes you feel subordinate and discourages you from causing trouble.

“He assigns days off, knows the customers’ payday schedules, and their credit card payment dates. It’s like he’s trying to impress me.”

That’s true. This was the same method Jaehoon used when he was rapidly promoted from host to madam, a method he had passed on to me.

Then it hit me. A thought crossed my mind. I looked at the boss, a piece of squid in my mouth, but he showed no reaction.

“Um…”

“Yes?”

“Well… so…”

I hadn’t contacted Jaehoon since we parted ways at the Dandelion cafe. He’d received an urgent call and left, and I’d completely forgotten about him.

He was good at looking out for himself, and he wasn’t the type to stay in Yeonsan for long. With his connections in Busan, he’d probably moved on to a bigger city.

“Why do you stop mid-sentence?”

“So… why did that happen?”

“He got played by a woman. He was so busy throwing money at her pussy he didn’t realize he was getting screwed.”

I frowned. He was the closest person I’d had in Yeonsan. He’d called me “hyung” and worried about me. It felt strange hearing that he’d been scammed by a woman. Manager Kang had personally scouted him; he was sharp and a good dancer.

“What are you going to do?”

“What the contract says. He’s denying everything, but who’s going to believe him? Right?”

I’d like to believe him, but life is complicated.

“Idiot. He told me to be careful…”

The young face that had given me advice at the pojangmacha came to mind. He’d warned me to be wary of the boss, who was ruthless when it came to money. And now this?

“Are you worried about him?”

The sudden question made me look up, startled, my hand gripping the beer can.

“The crystal glasses he broke today are worth tens of thousands of won. And you’re worried about him?”

The boss’s lips twitched, clearly annoyed. I sensed an explosion of curses coming, so I clung to him without hesitation. I put down the beer and wrapped my arms around his neck. He stared at me.

I kept my mouth shut, only breathing, like a puppy that had misbehaved. Then, I heard him scoff.

“What are you doing?”

“…Woof…”

“What?”

“…Woof woof…”

I barked. Even I thought it was ridiculous, but the boss had told me to act like a puppy that had done something wrong whenever he seemed angry or I wanted something.

“You’re being ridiculous.”

The boss burst out laughing, picking me up. He laughed so hard his head tilted back. I wasn’t sure what was so funny.

“Why are you laughing? It’s embarrassing.”

“I’ve never met anyone like you.”

You told me to do this…

“You idiot. Who taught you to do this?”

You did…

“Fuck, you’re so fucking hot, my Sunjung.”

He was already turned on, but he used me as an excuse, placing me on the island counter and pulling down my elastic-waist pants. My flaccid penis was exposed.

“I’ll suck you off.”

As he pushed my upper body back, I understood why he’d put me on the counter. Our reflection was visible in the translucent glass panel on the ceiling. It focused on my face and the back of the boss’s head, a stimulating sight.

“Ah!”

He swallowed me whole. The warmth and moisture of his mouth made my penis harden instantly.

“Haa… Sir!”

He moved his head up and down, as if there was no need to hold my cock. He used his tongue to stimulate my glans, his teeth grazing it just enough to send shivers down my spine.

“Ha!! Haah!! Good… Ha! There… Ah!”

I grabbed his thick hair. My face in the ceiling reflection was unfamiliar and strange. So this is the expression I make when I’m with him. My cheeks flushed, completely lost in the sensation. My mouth open, my eyes glazed over, trembling.

Pretty… Sexy.

“Ha…! Sir! Ah!”

I came, watching my face as I spurted. My eyelids fluttered, my wet eyes looking as if I was crying.

“Sunjung, how does it feel to see your face?”

The boss licked his cum-covered lips and asked. I was still looking at the ceiling, where Joo Geonwoo’s face was now visible.

“Makes you want to go crazy, doesn’t it?”

I guess so… I think I understand why he likes to make me cry. I’d probably feel the same if someone who looked like this clung to me, crying and cumming. But why did he show me this reflection?

Only I could see it anyway.

“Don’t worry about other guys. Guys like you need to be aware. You need to know there are tons of guys who would get hard just looking at you.”

I looked down at the boss. I was still soft from coming, but he was looking at me with a predatory glint in his eyes.

“I only have you. I’ll only do this with you.”

The boss didn’t smile. He grabbed my chin and said,

“Don’t you know how dangerous men can be? The moment someone like you catches their eye, they’ll do anything.”

But you’re the most dangerous of them all. You could win any fight and would never let anyone take me away.

“So be careful. I might actually put a leash on you and lock you in a room.”

His gaze was serious, as if he was genuinely considering it. He stared at me, then muttered,

“So fucking pretty. Tsk.”

I wasn’t sure if it was an insult or a compliment, but his expression remained stern. Even after saying that, he couldn’t let go of my chin, scrutinizing my face, muttering to himself, cursing, then staring intently again.

“Fucking bitch. Not a single flaw. Fucking hell.”

So what? He was the one obsessed with my pretty face.

“Is this even real?”

“……”

“Fuck, how can you be this flawless?”

…At this point, I wanted to cry. I didn’t understand how things had gotten this way, but the boss was excessively controlling. He had his own fantasies and threatened to gouge out everyone’s eyes and dismember anyone who knew me.

Ha, should I see a doctor? This wasn’t just lewd, it was pathological, right?

This man was capable of dismemberment. What if this turned into actual violence? If he loved me so much that he killed innocent people… Fuck, I was starting to lose it too.

“Let’s have sex.”

So, I made the best choice I could. I took off my shirt, exposing my bare chest. The fierce expression on his face softened, and he licked his lips.

“Hard already?”

“…Yeah. Hard.”

I pinched my small nipple. It stiffened from its soft state. I flicked it, and the boss chuckled, pulling me close.

“My Sunjung is hard?”

“……”

“Then your husband should take care of it.”

He pulled my legs around his waist, pressing me against him. He unzipped his pants and pulled out his cock. I felt its heat against my perineum. His tip was already wet, so I knew it would slide in easily.

“Ready to take it?”

I nodded and kissed him. He pushed inside as we licked each other’s tongues. He started thrusting without giving me time to register any pain. He held me, all 180cm of me, effortlessly, his breathing even. The tendons in his thick forearms stood out, mirroring the veins in his cock as he pounded into me.

“Ahhk!!”

“Huh, Sunjung, do you like it?”

“Yes! Yes! I like it! Do you like it, Sir?”

“Fuck, of course I like it with you.”

The boss frowned and kissed me again. Every thrust felt like a scorching fire. The rough, forceful movements made me cry and cling to him. My hole clenched and released around him, and he groaned like an animal, his hips bucking.

“Ah! Please! I’m gonna… cum! Ah!”

I couldn’t hold back any longer and came while suspended in mid-air. My vision went white, my toes curling. I tightened my legs around his waist and came hard, and his thrusts accelerated.

“Tell me you love me!”

“Ahhk! It hurts! Ah!”

“Tell me you love me!”

The pleasure of being fucked from behind was overwhelming. Today, instead of calling me names, he wanted to hear “I love you,” but the words wouldn’t come out.

His thrusts became more frantic, reaching a peak. My already soaked hole leaked fluids that pooled on the floor. I felt the simultaneous surge of pleasure and pain and tilted my head back. He was relentless.

“Haa! Stop!”

“Fuck. Hurry up!”

I took him, on the verge of tears. Then, I gathered my wits, pressed my forehead against his, and said,

“Love… I love you.”

“Fuck!”

He slammed into me like a madman, holding me tight as if he might break me, burying himself deep inside. It was scary, painful, and agonizing, but also good. Saliva dripped from my open mouth, and I screamed, but I clung to his neck, loving it.

“Say it again, you fucking bitch!”

“I… I love you! Ahhk!”

I started to fall back, but he held me firmly. He came inside me, biting my shoulder hard, unable to contain himself. He continued to cum, his hot seed filling me.

We panted, clinging to each other, tangled together. I tried to turn away, and he sensed something was wrong.

“What’s wrong?”

“…It hurts.”

He told me to look up. When I didn’t move, he put me back on the island counter.

“Where?”

“Saying ‘I love you’… it hurt.”

I’d said “I love you” countless times. “I love you, customer.” “I love you, noona.” “I love you, ma’am,” and so on. I’d lived like I couldn’t survive without those words. I’d said them without meaning, thinking of the money in their wallets. Love equaled money.

That’s why it hurt. Because now I had someone I could truly say “I love you” to, and I finally understood its true meaning and could express it sincerely.

“Why does it hurt to say ‘I love you’? You should be happy.”

“Sunjung,” the boss said, meeting my gaze. He must have seen the tears welling up because he wiped my cheek with his large hand.

“Ever since I got together with you, I’ve been so happy. I love you. And I know I’ll be happy in the future, too. Because I’ll love you even more.”

“……”

“So, Lee Soyoon, you just have to be happy with me. I’ll make sure of it.”

Is that really possible? Well, if the boss says so, it must be true.

Love used to be money to me, but now it was Joo Geonwoo. All I had to do was be incredibly happy with him.

“Should I give you a piggyback ride?”

“…No. Hold me.”

He scooped me up. Cum leaked from my loose hole, and instead of trying to stop it, he slapped my ass.

“That hurts.”

“It’s a good thing.”

He slapped me again and carried me to the bedroom. He teased me playfully and then whispered in my ear,

“Lee Soyoon, Sunjung. I love you.”

˚｡⋆

The boss kept me awake until dawn, repeating “love, love, love.” He went on and on, suggesting I change my name to “Love” instead of Lee Soyoon, saying I was the embodiment of love, and spouting all sorts of nonsense. Eventually, I just fell asleep.

“Where are you going?”

I asked sleepily, and the boss grinned.

“Love, I’m getting you a present.”

A present? What else could he possibly buy me? I had enough gold, and I lacked nothing. My wallet held his black card. What could he possibly… Just then, he showed me his phone. On the screen was a tattoo design.

“What’s this?”

“I’m getting your name tattooed.”

I was stunned for a good three seconds. Tattooed where?

“Now that we’ve set a date, I should do this much, right?”

The wedding date and a tattoo didn’t seem to connect, but I knew he wouldn’t listen to me anyway. The design featured my name in both Hanja and English. The Hanja looked classy, and the English had nice details.

“Does it have to be my name?”

“I’m getting it in case I come back as a corpse. So everyone knows this body belongs to Lee Soyoon.”

The word “corpse” soured my mood. The boss must have read my expression because he said dismissively, “It’s just an expression.” But the thought of Joo Geonwoo returning cold and lifeless made my heart race.

“Why would you say that?”

“Don’t be sulky. I’m getting it here. Do you like it?”

He pointed next to his jaguar tattoo.

“The owner of this heart is changing from Joo Geonwoo to Lee Soyoon. Aren’t you happy?”

Happy? Why would I be happy about becoming the owner of a heart that still belongs to a living person? It had only been a couple of days since he’d fought with his brother and turned the house into a bloodbath, and now he was saying this. I was angry.

“Then I should get one too. So everyone knows this body belongs to Joo Geonwoo if I end up a corpse.”

The boss’s smile vanished. He turned serious, his eyes narrowing, and I glared back, getting out of bed.

“Does that make you uncomfortable?”

“Love.”

“Does it make your spine crawl to hear something like that first thing in the morning?”

“You could take it in a positive way.”

“No. And how is that positive?”

It’s about a heart stopping. About you dying and being buried in the ground.

I walked towards the open bedroom door. The boss didn’t stop me. He just stood there watching, and his indifference annoyed me, so I stopped and said,

“And stop calling me ‘Love.’ I prefer ‘Sunjung.’”

It wasn’t like he was teasing me. I didn’t like him making fun of me just because I’d cried in front of him. I glared at him one last time and slammed the door shut.

I was furious.

Talking about corpses like that.

I refused to sit on his lap during breakfast. I only accepted every other dish he offered and pointedly wore different socks than the ones he’d picked out. I wanted to change my entire outfit, but I knew he’d probably leash and lock me up if I did, so I settled for the socks and got in the car.

“Love.”

I ignored him, turning my head away, phone in hand. Han Doopil, who was driving, chimed in.

“Who’s Love?”

“Love is Love. Who else would it be?”

“Love? Is there a Love here? Is he talking about that bowl-cut Japanese kid?”

Right. There was that national granddaughter, Sarang, with the bowl cut. Thinking of that adorable child made me dislike the name “Love” even more.

“Doopil.”

“Yes, sir?”

“Shut up and drive.”

The car headed towards Yeonsanpo Central Market. It was crowded as always, packed with people and tourist buses. The boss’s phone rang.

“What?”

He raised an eyebrow. After a pause, he responded to whatever the person on the other end said.

“If they’re offering money, I’ll take it. Of course.”

The boss and Doopil exchanged glances through the rearview mirror. I wondered what was going on. He suddenly reached over and pulled me closer.

“Stay with Wooseong.”

“…Is something happening?”

“No. Just more money to count.”

It sounded like something was definitely up, but he wouldn’t tell me, so I didn’t press further. Wooseong arrived, and the boss got out of the car. He gave me his usual cocky grin, but I felt uneasy about our earlier argument. I regretted not just eating what he’d given me. Wooseong bowed deeply.

“Boss, you’re here.”

“…Just get in.”

“Yes! I’ll drive safely~!”

Wooseong got in, and we continued with my original schedule. We picked up some medicine from the oriental clinic and headed to the department store. Nothing caught my eye.

After frequenting high-end boutiques in Seoul, the items in Yeonsan seemed trivial. Besides, this was money my aunt had given me to buy her a gift. I wanted to pick something thoughtful, something that would impress her.

I knew whatever I bought would reach my mother’s ears, and I didn’t want to disappoint her. I realized I hadn’t even checked how much money she had given me. I peeked inside the envelope and gasped.

“Boss, what’s wrong?”

I must have yelled, because Wooseong turned around.

“Are you surprised by the envelope?”

It’s just… there’s so much money…

I wanted to call and ask if she’d made a mistake.

Four 10 million won checks. What was I supposed to do with this?

“…I think I should tell the boss.”

That his mother gave me too much money. That this wasn’t something I could spend on my own.

I left the department store and called the boss. Over the chrrrrrr of a money-counting machine, he answered.

—Done shopping?

“Aren’t you finished yet?”

—You ignored me all day, and now you’re thinking of your husband?

I gazed at the passing ocean scenery. It looked particularly beautiful in the sunlight.

“Should we eat out tonight?”

—Want to eat out?

“Yes. I want to sing karaoke and have some drinks.”

There was a brief silence, punctuated by the chrrrrrr sound. He’d said there was more money to count, and it sounded like it was happening simultaneously in multiple places.

—Where should we go?

“Hmm, Versace.”

—You want to go there?

I’d never been to Versace. I’d barely heard any news from Yeonsan since going to Seoul, and I was curious about the new manager and what had happened with Jiyeonwoo.

“Yes. I want to have some fun there. And I have something to discuss.”

—What is it?

“I’ll tell you when we meet. I think we should discuss it together.”

I knew if I mentioned the 40 million won, the boss would just tell me to do what I wanted, but I’d never spent that kind of money on anyone before. I considered splitting it, giving 10 million to each of my aunts, another 10 million to my mother in Seoul, and using the rest for the wedding. But I wasn’t sure if my mother, whom I’d barely met, would even accept it.

Joo Geonwoo was an adult in that sense. He’d shown his mature side before, guiding me whenever it mattered, transforming from my boyfriend to a responsible adult. That’s why I needed him, why I missed him.

—If Sunjung has something to say, I’ll go.

“What time should I be there? I’ll go to the barbershop.”

—No, go there first.

The chrrrrrr sound finally stopped. I didn’t know if he was finished or had just left the room, but he told me to go to Versace and get a room.

“Is that okay?”

—I’ll head out right away. Just need to check the final numbers.

After the call ended, Wooseong turned the car around. We passed the beach and entered Yeonsan. Namgu-dong was packed, even at this early hour. Tourists and foreigners filled the bars and cafes, and the building housing Versace was also bustling.

We took the elevator to the 7th floor. Wooseong opened the door, and the glittering sign caught my eye. The Versace emblem, perfectly reflecting the boss’s taste.

“Welcome.”

“Get us a room.”

A waiter led us down the hallway. As expected, the interior was all black with gold accents. Just as Jaehoon had said, it was pretty impressive for a small city.

“You must come here often, Wooseong.”

“No, I’ve never been here.”

“Why? This is the boss’s place, too.”

“It is, but he doesn’t come here often. He usually handles business at the office on the 3rd floor of the Queens building, and he goes to Joo Financial for financial matters. He doesn’t like these places.”

Wooseong ordered Johnnie Walker and shook his head. He said the boss only started going to karaoke rooms after meeting me. He didn’t enjoy drinking and disliked noisy places.

“How can he run bars if he doesn’t like them?”

“He has to move his money around somehow. Gambling and bars are the best options, but he doesn’t gamble, so it’s just the bars. He used to launder money through the red-light district, but the city tore it down and built a public stadium.”

“……”

“So, he acquired Capri Night, bought One Two Karaoke and Sound City. With the cash flow from those, he built Clubhouse, Versace, and Queens. And remember Volvo, the place we went to before? It opened recently and is doing really well. Word spread from Busan, so you need a reservation to get in. The girls are stunning, even better than Western girls. Baekil and Doopil scouted them from all over…”

Just then, there was a knock, and the door opened. Waiters brought in the drinks and started setting up the snacks. Someone hurried in after them.

“Excuse me, sir, our waiter is new and made a mistake. We don’t serve male customers. I apologize, but we can recommend other establishments…”

My eyes, and the other person’s, widened simultaneously. The man standing politely before me was Jaehoon.

“Hyung, what are you doing here?”

“What are you doing here? Did you tell the boss you were coming?”

His wide eyes showed genuine surprise.

“Hey, you’re not supposed to be here.”

“Why are you working here? You’re the new manager, right?”

I’d thought of Jaehoon when the boss mentioned the new manager. Frankly, there weren’t many people who could handle the madam role so effectively.

“Manager Han called me when we met at the cafe that day.”

Manager Han must have been Han Doopil.

“He asked if I was interested in taking over as manager here. So I worked as a madam for a month, then took over. The previous manager was a total nutcase. He couldn’t manage the hosts, then blamed Manager Kang from Queens for stealing his customers. They even got into a knife fight. It was a mess.”

He told me a lot had happened while I was away. Hyeon, the number one host from Queens, had returned, bringing two hosts from under him to Versace. They’d also brought in hosts from Seoul and replaced the manager.

“Is it manageable?”

“The Seoul hosts are guys I know, so it’s not too difficult. But the Yeonsan hosts are a headache. The place got trashed a couple of days ago. Can you believe some innocent-looking kid tried to mess with the books?”

I clicked my tongue.

“I heard the one who caused trouble was Jiyeonwoo.”

“Yeah, that’s right. They said he was close to you. Is that true?”

Yes. I used Jiyeonwoo’s phone to call Jaehoon secretly, and he was the one who’d looked out for me.

“Did Yeonwoo really do it?”

“Fuck, does it matter? The problem is he pocketed money by falsifying the accounts. Look at the mess in the books. I have to cover it all. Do I look like a sucker? I’m already dealing with gossip because of the manager change, and now I have to deal with this shit from the hosts?”

Jaehoon, clearly frustrated, reached for a cigarette. He lit it, and Wooseong frowned at the smoke.

“How dare you smoke in front of the boss. Put that out.”

“It’s okay, Wooseong.”

“No, it’s not. How disrespectful. The boss doesn’t smoke. Fucking asshole.”

Wooseong was the disrespectful one, intimidating someone older than him. Jaehoon quickly put out the cigarette and poured us drinks.

“So, how long are you planning to stay here?”

“I signed a one-year contract, but…”

The door opened, and a tall man entered. Kalbang walked in first, followed by Joo Geonwoo, who announced his presence more subtly. He wore a black jacket over a flamboyant shirt. His hair was slightly longer, making him look like his old self.

He hadn’t had his perfect shave and haircut at the high-end barbershop, so he looked like his old, rough, thuggish self. My heart skipped a beat, and Jaehoon jumped to his feet.

“S-Sir! You’re here!”

He bowed deeply, clearing the seat of honor for the boss. The boss’s gaze fixed on me, scrutinizing my face as I held my glass. His old look made my heart pound.

“Sunjung’s first time at Versace, right?”

“Yes, it is.”

“What do you think?”

“It’s just like your other places. Very Joo Geonwoo.”

The boss grinned, his straight teeth flashing, his long lashes fluttering attractively.

“A compliment? You were so sulky all morning you wouldn’t even look at me. Are you feeling better now?”

He sat down next to me, his arm draped casually over the couch. His aftershave, a mix of mint and something sharp, filled the air. His slow, sly gaze was sweet, and the smirk on his face held a lustful glint that was pure Joo Geonwoo.

“You said something weird, that’s why.”

“What was weird? When people die, they’re either corpses or remains. As long as it’s not the latter, it’s fine, right?”

He always had a way with words. I took a sip of my drink. The boss looked at Jaehoon.

“Did you have a good chat with Sunjung?”

“Yes, sir! He had no idea I worked here, so he was a bit surprised.”

“Yeah, I didn’t tell him. I wanted to give Soyoon some face, a little surprise, you know?”

I wondered what he meant.

“Manager Lee, you handled things well this time.”

Jaehoon bowed again at the boss’s praise.

“Thank you, sir. I just did my job.”

“Yeah. So, I’m going to give you a new title.”

Everyone’s attention focused on the boss.

“If you wear this title well until our wedding, I might actually make it official.”

The boss’s words were always a bit cryptic. They held hidden meanings I couldn’t easily decipher.

“Since Manager Lee is doing such a good job, I feel good about this. I don’t have to lie to the old man, and I can show off to Sunjung.”

My curiosity piqued. Jaehoon gulped, and Wooseong seemed clueless.

“Sunjung trusts you, so I can’t just ignore that.”

The boss tapped my chin with his outstretched hand. He then caressed my cheek and grinned.

“You’re the boss here.”

My jaw dropped. For a second, I thought he meant me. He was looking at me as he spoke, completely ignoring Jaehoon.

“I’m handing over Versace to Manager Lee. Run it well. If you triple the sales within a year, I’ll guarantee the incentives you want.”

My jaw dropped again. The boss finally looked at Jaehoon.

“They said you’re not much to look at and not good in bed either. But you’re still surviving in this business, so you must be good with your words. Make it look good until our wedding. Sunjung’s going to be my wife. His only guest needs to look presentable, right?”

Silence followed the boss’s words. Jaehoon was frozen, I was still speechless, and Wooseong just observed.

“Didn’t you understand?”

“……”

“I’m making you the boss. Make Soyoon look good. It means look after this place while we’re in Seoul and be a good hyung to Soyoon. Get your shit together and live like a decent human being. I’m giving you a business. Got it?”

So, for our wedding, or rather, for me, the boss was giving Jaehoon a chance to turn his life around. Because Jaehoon was my only friend, he was giving him the title of boss and a new life. I was suddenly choked up.

“Really…?”

“I need to put something like you here, so you stop saying you’re close with guys like Jiyeonwoo. He’s just a host, same as that other troublemaker. At least he was somewhat helpful to you.”

Ah, the boss didn’t like me being close with Jiyeonwoo. He probably thought it would be convenient to have Jaehoon tied to this place. My mother in Seoul, Jaehoon here in Yeonsan – a way to keep a hold of me.

“Manager Lee.”

Jaehoon scurried towards the boss.

“Yes, sir!”

“You know Wooseong, right?”

“Yes! I know him!”

“Wooseong will be managing this place. You’ve been hit by him, so you know he’s a former boxer and can easily rupture your organs. So tell me now if you can’t handle it. If you don’t want to die.”

It was practically a threat, but Jaehoon didn’t hesitate. He knelt as if ready to commit seppuku.

“I’ll do my best, sir! I’ll make Versace the top-earning establishment in Yeonsan! No, I’ll make it the highest-earning it’s ever been! I’ll use all my connections!”

I’d never seen Jaehoon so serious. It was a huge opportunity, one he had to grab.

“I’m doing this for Soyoon. Be smart about it.”

“Yes, sir! I won’t cause any trouble and will make sure Lee Soyoon looks good!!”

Jaehoon shouted at the top of his lungs, and the boss dismissed him. Wooseong followed Jaehoon out, leaving the two of us alone in the large room. Before they even left, the boss patted his thigh. I quickly climbed onto his lap, and he chuckled.

“Do you like your present?”

Like it? He’d not only planted my closest confidant here but also granted his lifelong wish.

“I was going to tell you when the ring arrived, but you were so cold to me this morning that I spilled the beans.”

He was remarkably nonchalant about changing someone’s life. I felt like crying, but he was more concerned about my morning mood.

“Thank you. I never expected this.”

“We need to take wedding photos. Soyoon would be sad if he had no one there.”

He paused, probably thinking of my biological mother. He knew inviting her would be premature.

“It’s okay. I don’t care about that. Jaehoon’s lifelong dream was to own a bar. Thank you for making it happen.”

“Lee Soyoon made it happen, not me. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t have even noticed a guy like that.”

Still, it was the boss who made it possible. He wouldn’t have done it if he hadn’t considered me.

“So, what did you want to talk about?”

“Oh, right.”

I took out the envelope from my jacket pocket.

“Actually, your mother gave me this.”

“……”

“She told me not to tell you and to use it to buy presents for my aunts and myself. But it’s too much.”

He flicked the envelope dismissively.

“Buy what you need.”

“You buy me everything I need. The problem is I don’t know what to get my aunts.”

I’d walked around the department store twice, but I had no idea what to buy. The boss just chuckled. He put the envelope back in my jacket.

“When you don’t know what to buy, ask an expert. There’s a woman who adores you.”

A woman who adored me? An expert? I couldn’t think of anyone.

“Who?”

“Well, there’s a woman who would be thrilled to see Lee Soyoon.”

The boss made a call, setting up an appointment with someone. He hung up and said,

“Sunjung, sing me a song.”

He handed me the karaoke remote. I stared at him, waiting for him to tell me who this woman was. He nudged my cheek.

“You know the song I like, right?”

“……”

“Sing it for me.”

Looking at his handsome, smirking face, I couldn’t bring myself to ask again. I was in a good mood, and I particularly liked today’s thuggish boss.

His cool, handsome face looked at me with a smoldering gaze.

I sat on his lap and sang “Breath of Love,” my signature song and his favorite. He poured himself a drink and then fed it to me as I sang. The sharp taste of alcohol mingled with his tongue as he kissed me, and the song became meaningless.

We tangled tongues and unzipped each other’s pants. I pulled out my hard cock and rubbed it against his as the melody of “Breath of Love” played. The familiar song filled the air, and the boss’s breath grazed my skin. He sucked on my nipples, then licked and nibbled them. I shivered with pleasure and came, and he followed suit, kissing me deeply.

“Good.”

“I like it too, Sunjung.”

We clung to each other, the scent of sex heavy in the air. We kissed and licked each other, drinking more. One bottle became two, and we got drunk quickly. The boss seemed fine, but I was completely wasted. He asked if I could stand, and I shook my head vigorously, collapsing against him.

“The room is spinning.”

“Really? What should I do with my dizzy wife?”

He chuckled. I was completely drunk, unable to stand on my own, but my mind was clear, and I felt incredibly happy. I stumbled around the room, then clung to the boss as we left. I wrapped my arms around his neck, and the Versace sign at the entrance caught my eye.

I waved at it.

“Bye! Snake head! I’ll be back!”

Goodbye, Medusa. From now on, the boss here is Lee Jaehoon. He’d be known as the most successful host bar boss in Yeonsan, and I’d be his favorite dongsaeng. And I’d be Joo Geonwoo’s live-in lover, soon to be the daughter-in-law of the Joo family. I had a lot to learn.

Tax laws, Chinese, everything my mother-in-law taught me – all to please my husband.

“Fuck you, daughters-in-law! I’m the youngest, so you’re all dead!! I’m taking everything for my husband! Get it straight!!”

I yelled, gesturing wildly, and the boss, carrying me on his back, laughed. Kalbang, waiting in the car, chimed in.

“Oh dear, the daughters-in-law have been sentenced to death.”

“Our Soyoon will devour them all. Right, Sunjung?”

“Right! I’ll devour them all!! Really!! I’m making everything Joo Geonwoo’s!!”

My drunken antics drew applause from the noisy Namgu-dong crowd. I waved at them, utterly intoxicated.

My head throbbed, and my stomach churned, but I felt good. Did you know I received two presents from Joo Geonwoo today?! One was a tattoo of my name, and the other was my social status! My aunt really likes me, and my mother-in-law adores me! Ah, no, I don’t need any of that. No, actually, I don’t know.

Everything was good, I was happy. I had everything I needed and a man I loved. He was a crazy, morally ambiguous bastard who had hurt me in the past, but now he loved and cherished me more than anyone.

He was a man who would only have eyes for me, and that was my crazy, immoral husband, Joo Geonwoo.

“I’m so happy.”

I clung to the boss’s shoulders, looking up at the Namgu-dong sky.

“Husband.”

“Yes, wife?”

“You were right.”

The boss stopped walking, waiting for me to continue. The bright neon signs, the loud music, a fight in the distance, cars honking – none of it was noise anymore.

It wasn’t the harsh reality I had to endure.

“Because I’m in love, everything is beautiful… Love is amazing.”

My words slurred. The boss chuckled and started walking again. I gazed at the bright neon signs instead of the stars and then passed out.

Love really was amazing.

The next morning, the first thing I saw was the boss’s broad back. He was sitting with his back to me, talking on the phone. Today’s shirt featured a dragon holding a yeouiju and red clouds.

“We’ll leave as soon as he wakes up. Have everything set up before we arrive.”

I rubbed my sleepy eyes. He must have heard me stir because he turned, phone still at his ear, and I smelled his familiar mint scent.

“Prepare his separately. Make sure there’s plenty. I want to see him get excited.”

He hung up and grinned at me, amused by my puffy face. He gently stroked my cheek.

“Did you sleep well?”

His gentle voice brought back memories of my drunken antics. Actually, the moment I woke up, I remembered everything.

I wished I’d blacked out. Why did I remember everything? I even remembered him carrying me inside, undressing me, and brushing my teeth. He even held my dick when I needed to pee…

“Why that face?”

“I remember… everything…”

He tossed his phone on the bed and climbed on top of me. He’d already showered and shaved, his face perfectly composed.

“Are you embarrassed?”

I looked down instead of answering. I fidgeted, feeling bad that he’d had to take care of me. He chuckled.

“The embarrassing thing is those guys who can’t even handle their own wives, I’d rip their balls off and sell them. What you did last night was cute.”

“……”

“You got tipsy and acted cute with your husband. It means our Sunjung finally accepts me as his husband.”

His wide grin showed his good mood. I’d gone beyond cute and acted like a complete mess, but he found it endearing, which made me feel even worse.

“Husbands and wives see each other at our best and worst. I do all sorts of things for Sunjung. I put on a show because I want your love.”

Wow. He actually knew. All the cheesy, embarrassing things he’d said and done to me. Everyone in Marine City knew how much he doted on me.

Even Han Doopil had said, “Soyoon must have it tough.”

“I’ll try to be more careful.”

“Do as you please. Let’s eat and then get going.”

He ruffled my messy hair and lifted me up. He carried me to the living room, where the smell of fresh rice and bugeotguk filled the air.

“Someone will be coming twice a day, morning and afternoon.”

“Someone?”

“They’ll take care of the house and your meals. Don’t lift a finger. Got it?”

I nodded and started eating. Every dish he put on my spoon was delicious. I finished my meal, took a shower, and came out to find clothes laid out on the bed, chosen according to his taste, as usual. But it wasn’t casual wear.

“Where are we going?”

“To meet the expert.”

I picked up a soft, chick-yellow knit sweater and asked,

“What expert?”

“You’ll see.”

He burst out laughing. I blinked, confused. He suddenly pulled my face close.

“Are you a child?”

“Huh?”

“Should I send Sunjung to kindergarten?”

He turned my face towards the mirror on the dresser. I saw myself wearing the yellow sweater, my hair still damp and messy, my face round and full.

“I gained weight…”

I was horrified, but he just laughed.

“I’ve fattened you up, so I have to keep you.”

Keep me, not eat me. He teased me about my chubby cheeks, even though his usual preference was for slim, glamorous women, and then led me to the car.

Today, it was just the two of us. No Kalbang, no Han Doopil. We went straight through the tollgate and headed to Busan, to the same department store as before.

He parked and led me to the VIP lounge, not the store itself. Just like before, the lounge was filled with flowers. We sat down, and a woman appeared.

She wore a stylish white shirt dress. It was the boss’s ex-girlfriend, the woman he’d been fake-engaged to. She approached with a bright smile.

“Lee Soyoon, it’s good to see you again. Did you like the winter clothes I sent?”

I finally understood. She was the chief buyer for the department store, the “expert” who adored me.

“Oh, yes, I loved them. They were exactly my style.”

“Mr. Joo said you have very particular taste, so I shouldn’t worry about practicality. But looking at what you’re wearing today, I should’ve ignored the price tag, not practicality.”

I glanced at the boss, unsure what she meant. He was looking away, legs crossed.

“This knit is ridiculously expensive. Mr. Joo is the only person in Korea who owns one.”

I looked down at my sweater. This expensive? I’d given up trying to read the label, full of Italian words. Just how expensive could it be to warrant the word “ridiculous”?

“Our Soyoon is expensive. Can’t you tell just by looking?”

The boss gestured towards me with his chin. The woman scrutinized me with a thoughtful “hmm” before nodding in agreement.

“Clothes make the man, as they say. He definitely has a different presence. He’s tall and well-proportioned, so the clothes can’t keep up. I actually envy Soyoon. He’s much better than my personal fitting models.”

Suddenly, there was a thud, and the table shook. Startled, I saw the boss had kicked the table and was now cursing at the woman.

“Fuck. Don’t cross the line.”

“Seriously, can’t you even talk?”

“Want me to gouge your eyes out?”

“Ugh! Such a foul temper. Who would believe you’re not a gangster?”

The woman quickly stood up. She gave me another bright smile before addressing the boss.

“Some items are arriving at the airport this morning. I’ll send my assistant. Come upstairs in twenty minutes.”

After she left, the boss, still looking annoyed, called me over. I was already next to him, but I moved closer, and he put his arm around my shoulders.

“Don’t be fooled by appearances.”

“Huh?”

“She came to China to play, then had an affair with my godfather. She’s a pervert.”

I blinked, surprised by the unexpected revelation. I already knew her lover was old enough to be her father.

“…How old… was she…?”

“What does it matter? The point is she’s a crazy bitch who gets turned on by old men.”

He looked at me intently. He probably realized he was also a pervert, being with me, someone almost twenty years younger, but I didn’t ask.

“So, stay away from her.”

“But I also…”

The boss shushed me, cutting me off. He was fine being the pervert, but he didn’t like the idea of me being one too.

As promised, the woman’s assistant came for us after twenty minutes. We took the VIP elevator to the personal shopper room. I wasn’t surprised; I’d expected something like this.

Instead, I gasped at the clothes she had selected, mostly furs and limited-edition crocodile handbags. The bags had a three-year waiting list, items even the wealthy wives of Gangnam couldn’t easily get their hands on.

“Even with all the money my mother-in-law gave me, it wouldn’t be enough for this.”

“It’s a gift. Gifts are supposed to be things you can’t afford yourself.”

Crazy… Even so, this was too much.

“And it’s a wedding gift from Soyoon to his aunt. It has to be something special.”

The boss chose two bags, identical in color and size, one for each of my twin aunts. For my mother, he chose a fur coat.

I didn’t even get to take out the checks. He just told me to put them away.

“We’ll have these sent to your house. When is the wedding again?”

“The thirteenth of the month after next.”

“That’s soon. Have you decided on a venue?”

“Not yet.”

This time, I answered, and the woman placed a red box on a silver tray. She smiled enigmatically and excused herself. The boss picked up the box.

“Soyoon.”

The air shifted at his words. I had a feeling… He opened the red box and presented it to me.

“I told you I’d get you a platinum one, right?”

“……”

“From your favorite brand, something that suits your taste.”

I was speechless, staring at the platinum ring with its dazzling diamond. Like the heroines in the romantic movies the boss loved, I gaped, unable to form any words.

“Do you like it?”

I lowered my hand from my mouth. Under the bright lights of the personal shopper room, the diamond ring was exquisite, elegant, and the epitome of luxury.

“How could I not?”

The design, everything, was perfect, exactly my style. Of course I, someone with expensive taste, would love it.

“It was a top-secret mission to keep this from you. Just deciding on the design took a month. I wanted a bigger diamond, but they needed approval from the headquarters in Paris. Fuck, I almost flew to Paris myself.”

He took the ring and slipped it onto my ring finger, opposite the Buddhist ring. He looked pleased.

“It’s perfect for Lee Soyoon.”

It was. The color, the size, the curve of the ring – everything was perfect for me.

“It’s beautiful. I love it.”

I was genuinely thrilled. This was a different kind of emotion than when I received the Rolex. It felt like we were really getting married.

“I’ll buy you one of these every year.”

“……”

“Enough to fill all your fingers and toes.”

So, let’s be together, for a long time.

I couldn’t help but smile. My lips curved upwards, my eyes crinkling. I never imagined I’d receive a proposal like this.

“You’re smiling. Were you waiting for this?”

His words – “Let’s live together, let’s be together until we die” – were already a proposal, so I hadn’t expected anything more. I thought proposals were for heterosexual couples, but the sight of the sparkling ring made me giddy.

“You looked like you wanted to die when I gave you the gold ring.”

Of course I did. Who would like a tacky 24K gangster ring? But I smiled brightly and denied it.

“No. I love everything you give me. There’s nothing I dislike.”

The ring sparkled with every movement, as bright as Joo Geonwoo’s eyes. He grinned.

“I told you I’d only give you the best. Remember? I won’t let you touch the ground.”

As if to prove his point, he pulled me onto his lap. Sitting on his firm thighs, I felt overwhelmed with happiness. He’d already moved me yesterday, but today, he was sweeping me off my feet.

“I really love the ring. I’ll wear it with the gold ring and necklace.”

“Okay. Let’s wear them as couple’s jewelry and match our outfits.”

The thought of his flamboyant shirts flashed before my eyes, but I was okay with it. We might as well become a Yeonsan legend.

A couple dressed like gangsters, both men, one a bar owner, the other a host. Causing a public disturbance wherever they went, but untouchable because one of them was the youngest son of a nationally known gang boss. A true urban legend.

“Yes, let’s be a couple. I can’t wait to get married.”

The boss kissed my ring finger, then looked up at me, his lips still touching my skin. He looked sexy and beautiful.

“I only have Lee Soyoon.”

I didn’t say “me too.” He seemed to know without me saying it. I kissed him.

The long kiss continued, and Joo Geonwoo’s proposal was perfect.