Episode 5
Harin’s thoughts became heavier.
What if… what if she ended up falling in love with Ihyun? And what if something like today happened again after that? Harin wasn’t sure she could endure it.
Because next time, there might not be someone like Ihyun around to protect her. So she tried hard to suppress the feelings that were beginning to open up toward him.
Ihyun, meanwhile, found Harin—leaning against his chest, deep in thought—irresistibly adorable.
If Harin would allow it, he wanted to kiss her right now.
Ever since being added to the family registry, Ihyun hadn’t truly wanted anything desperately. Whatever he desired was usually already in front of him before he had time to long for it—be it people or possessions.
As a third-generation chaebol with looks and status, people were always around him.
Women were desperate just to stand next to him, but he found them bothersome.
Even the women arranged by his grandfather or stepmother during matchmaking meetings never interested him.
But Joo Harin was different.
Her pale skin and clear eyes wouldn’t leave his mind.
Even her clumsy makeup, the slightly oversized blouse, and schoolgirl-like skirt somehow all looked beautiful to him.
At first, he thought it was just curiosity.
He had only ever been around perfectly polished people, so Harin’s unrefined and innocent appearance must have sparked some curiosity in him… or so he thought.
But he soon realized it wasn’t that.
His eyes always searched for Harin.
She was already in his heart.
And the desire to have her grew stronger. That’s why he planned business trips and late nights—to spend more time with her. If he couldn’t have her, he at least wanted to be near her.
That was the best he could do.
But now that she was in his arms, Ihyun felt a growing desire for more.
In this private space, with Harin wrapped in his life, the subtle scent of her innocence overwhelmed him. Her scent and warmth were lethal to him. His heart was beating faster than he’d ever remembered.
Harin, pressed against his chest, could feel his heartbeat accelerating—and her own heartbeat started to match.
She had always put others’ desires before her own. She had lived suppressing her own wishes to please others. But now, in Ihyun’s arms, she didn’t want to live like that anymore.
For the first time in her life, she wanted to do what she wanted.
Maybe it was the mood, or maybe it was her longing for someone to lean on… or maybe her heart had already fallen for Ihyun, who promised to love her.
She found courage she never thought she had.
“Um… Director… Can I kiss you?”
But Ihyun didn’t answer immediately, and Harin quickly regretted it.
Ugh… He’s probably just trying to be patient…
Then his large hands gently cupped her cheeks, and he replied in a low voice—
“I’ve been waiting for you to say that.”
With one hand on her waist and the other on her cheek, Ihyun closed the distance and captured her lips in a kiss.
His lips were soft but intense, heating up his body even more. He gently bit her lower lip and deepened the kiss.
The more intense the kiss became, the tighter his arms wrapped around her, pulling her closer into his embrace.
“Haah…”
As Harin opened her lips slightly to breathe, Ihyun didn’t miss the opportunity—his hot breath slipped between her lips.
He explored her mouth gently with his tongue, as if quenching a long thirst. He wanted nothing of her to escape.
Wherever his hand touched her skin, it felt like lotus petals blooming. Her whole body heated up. Strangely, Harin didn’t hate the sensation.
It was completely different from how she had felt when Doyoung touched her.
—
Back in high school…
She had been walking home after night study.
She sensed someone following her from the school gate but brushed it off as coincidence. But the faster she walked, the faster the footsteps behind her became.
Sensing danger, Harin broke into a run—only for the footsteps to follow suit.
By the time she reached a nearby alley near home, the footsteps caught up.
A man grabbed her from behind. His breath brushed against her ear.
She was so shocked she froze. She tried to scream with all her might, but no sound came out.
Then—
A thud.
Her body was suddenly freed. When she opened her eyes, the man was rolling on the ground, and next to him stood another man wearing a cap.
“You’re a student, right? It’s dangerous to walk alone this late. Be careful.”
He grabbed the man’s collar and dragged him away—toward the local police station.
“W-Wait…”
Harin tried to thank him, but no sound came out. She couldn’t even offer proper gratitude.
Since that day, she flinched whenever a man touched her. She avoided being near them altogether.
That’s why she never dated anyone until Doyoung, and why she had refused physical contact with him too—it was all because of that trauma.
Doyoung had said he would wait until she was ready.
And so, Harin had always felt guilty and blamed herself. She hated this body that couldn’t even respond to someone she loved.
But now, as she kissed Ihyun, there was no fear or disgust—only warmth and peace. It felt like she was in the arms of someone she had waited for all her life.
The kiss deepened, and both were breathing heavily.
But Ihyun’s hands stayed exactly where they had started—he hadn’t moved them even slightly.
The only difference was the narrowing distance between their bodies.
Doyoung had always been desperate to touch her somehow, but Ihyun was different.
And Harin thought—maybe it’s because he heard what Doyoung had done in that hotel room… Maybe that’s why he’s being so considerate.
She wondered—Could I really give my first time to someone like this and not regret it?
It was strange, even to herself, but having already asked for a kiss, she decided to follow her heart.
She gently pulled away and said,
“Director… I want to sleep with you.”
“Ah… you must be tired after such a long day.”
“No. I mean… I want to sleep with you.”
When she looked up, Ihyun looked genuinely surprised.
It made sense—he had probably heard about what Doyoung did at the hotel. Of course, he’d be surprised by Harin’s sudden boldness.
“What…? Don’t do anything you don’t mean. That’s not why I brought you here.”
“I do want it. I don’t love you yet, and I’m still confused… but if I’m going to have my first time with someone, I think it should be you.”
Just as she started unbuttoning her blouse, Ihyun urgently grabbed her hands.
“No. Stop.”
“Whatever you think I want—it’s you, Joo Harin. Not your body or anything else. Let’s just rest tonight. When you truly feel the same as I do, it still won’t be too late.”
He pulled her into his arms again.
“Just having you in my arms tonight is enough.”
Even though he refused her offer, Harin could feel his sincerity and care. She quietly nestled back into his embrace.
The warmth and softness of his scent wrapped around her like a blanket.
She’d smelled it many times before while working with him—but tonight, it felt completely different.
“Go rest in the room next door. It’s not decorated properly yet, but I’ll fix it up soon. Today was long—let’s talk more tomorrow.”
Harin stepped out of his arms with a tinge of regret and pulled her suitcase into the room he guided her to.
It had a big bed, closet, and its own shower. It was more than enough for her—but apparently not for Ihyun.
She closed the door behind her and collapsed onto the bed. And as soon as she lay down, the memory of what she had just done hit her—and embarrassment consumed her.
“What was I thinking? Unbuttoning my blouse and saying I wanted to sleep with him? I haven’t even caught my breath yet! I’m insane… Joo Harin, you’re insane!”
Meanwhile, Ihyun stood outside her door.
He had nearly crossed a line. He was amazed he held himself back.
Her body in his arms had been cold—like ice.
What the hell had that bastard Doyoung done to someone so fragile?
He didn’t want to let it slide.
The man who made her cry, who drove a knife into her chest, and even tried to hit her—nothing he could think of felt like enough punishment to satisfy his range .
