Seok-ho's POV:
My father's mouth is on the woman's neck.
His hand is on her ass, slapping it hard enough to echo.
A skinny, blonde, doll-faced, superficial beauty.
Exactly his type.
Nothing like Soo-min. Not at all.
One message. That's all it takes.
"Come to the office ASAP. Father wants to talk to you about the upcoming gala."
I know she'd come.
She always does what's asked. Obedient. Reliable. Ready to serve.
Fifteen minutes later, she's standing at his office door, smoothing her skirt, trying to look composed.
She steps inside.
Then silence.
Then her footsteps. Stumbling.
She rushes past me in the hallway, her eyes glossy, mouth trembling, her whole face crumbling with humiliation.
In a minute later my father appears, adjusting his tie with that calm, indifferent precision, like he was just done checking his watch, not manhandling someone's dignity.
"I don't get it," I say. "Why keep her around if you still need others to satisfy you?"
"I know she doesn't compare to the others in appearance."
You mean those plastic mannequins you parade around like trophies?
"Yeah," I say flatly. "She's definitely not like them."
He shrugs. "But she's useful around the house. Smart enough to handle herself at events. She won't ruin a business deal just by opening her mouth. Even if she's not as decorative as the others, at least this one isn't after my money," he smiles like she's some curious stray he picked up off the street.
"So I'll keep her for a while."
"That's it," I mutter.
"That's what?"
That's what's been bothering me.
At least the others were obvious. Money hungry, fake, empty shells.
But her... she seems to be a nice person.
So why is she still here?
If not for the money, why would she choose a man like my father?
Is she just plain stupid?
I've given her the worst of me.
I constantly remind her how unwanted she is. Making sure she knows, she doesn't belong here.
Hoping she'd run away. She'd save herself from my father.
But she stays.
Always.
No matter what.
So fucking annoying.
And the worst part? I don't even know why I care.
"I'm just saying. She doesn't suit you," I mutter. Trying to sound casual. Detached.
He chuckles. "You know the deal. I don't interfere with who you date, and you don't interfere with who I fuck."
"I'm not…"
"Don't lie to me." His voice hardens. "You called her here, didn't you?"
His smirk sharpens. "I know you can't stand her. But still. That's interefering. I guess we should get even, for that little overstep…"
"What do you want?"
He leans in, eyes gleaming like he's already won.
"That gala next week? You'll go too. But not alone. You'll show up with a woman I choose for you."
"As long as it is only for one night, let it be"
"That's all it takes." He straightens his jacket again, smug. "One night is enough for her to make you want her for the rest."
He gives sex far more importance than it deserves. It's ridiculous.
I've had far too many women going the extra mile to please me.
Yet no matter how devoted or skilled they were, it never made me stay.
Desire always faded once I'd had them.
As I get home, I find Soo-min holding a bag full of something.
"Are you packing already?" I ask.
She freezes instantly, fumbling to hide the bag.
"No... It's not what you think..." she stammers.
I narrow my eyes and walk around her, peeking into the bag.
It's full of books.
Books about sex techniques. How to become 'good in bed',
"Really? That's your answer to being cheated on?" I scoff.
"If I learn how to be good enough… maybe he won't cheat again," she says, cheeks burning with embarrassment.
"Why not get some real-world experience instead of reading books?" I lean in, sweeping her hair behind her ear, whispering. "How are you supposed to learn more about sex without experiencing your own pleasure?"
What the hell am I doing?
This is too much. Gross.
But instead of recoiling in horror…
She locks eyes with me, wide-eyed. Swallows hard. Doesn't flinch.
Is there nothing that makes this woman run?