Chapter 28

Her thighs still burned like they were on fire, and every muscle in her body ached like she’d been beaten with a stone mallet. Below her collarbone were blotchy red marks—traces from last night.

“What?”

Mrs. Shin glanced at her, puzzled by the muttered complaint. Flustered, she mumbled a half-baked excuse.

“Ah, no. I mean… I did something crazy. But like, it was… really well done.”

“Tch. What’s Seong going to say? He helped you out a lot with the wedding plans, didn’t he? The furniture, the dress—you name it. Wasn’t it Seong who picked everything?”

Her heart dropped. To Mrs. Shin, Iseong was like a son.

What on earth had they done?

“What would he say? I mean… I guess he’s just like, ‘Okay, sure.’”

Mrs. Shin narrowed her eyes, probing cautiously.

“Seong’s mom called again. She keeps asking why the wedding was called off. I told her it was personality differences, but she doesn’t buy it. Keeps pressing me, asking if I’m really your mother. She’s grilling me every other day.”

Yeah. If Mrs. Shin were like any other mom, she’d probably be scolding her too. Demanding to know how something so outrageous could happen. Demanding a clear explanation.

But it was because she was Mrs. Shin that things hadn’t fallen apart. She trusted Emotion completely and always supported her without question.

“Mrs. Shin. I’m sorry.”

“So, you really can’t say the reason?”

“Later. Just… give me a little more time.”

She didn’t want Mrs. Shin to know about the chaos involving Go Dohun, Seo Yeora, and Iseong. Especially since it was still ongoing.

More than anything, once Mrs. Shin knew, Seong’s mom—her best friend—would also find out. And then they’d be tangled in a messy web of awkward, interlinked past relationships.

And what had happened afterward? That would be even more shocking. If people found out what she and Iseong had done—it would be unfathomable. That a broken-off bride and the son of the other family had slept together?

She’d have to bury it deep.

Suddenly, her phone vibrated loudly on the dining table.

Iseong’s name lit up the screen. The moment she saw it, her heart started pounding uncontrollably.

She hadn’t contacted him all day, and now, finally, he was calling.

What was he going to say? She was trying to erase everything from last night—including his face and voice—from her everyday life.

At least, that’s what she thought was right.

She quickly switched the phone to silent. Mrs. Shin, having seen the caller ID, asked softly:

“Did you two fight?”

“No, it’s not like that…”

“Then why aren’t you answering?”

How was she supposed to explain that? She didn’t have a good answer.

“…Just didn’t feel like it.”

Mrs. Shin sighed and scolded her gently.

“You shouldn’t treat Seong like that. Want me to answer?”

“No, no! I’ll call back later. I need to focus on these bean sprouts right now.”

The call ended, but shortly after, another buzz sounded—the notification for a message.

It was probably Iseong. Maybe asking why she wasn’t picking up.

She itched to check, but before she could, the screen lit up again with his name.

Mrs. Shin was quicker. She grabbed the phone and answered without asking.

Her heart raced with panic. Who knew where that conversation might go?

But Mrs. Shin sounded cheerful as she spoke to him.

“Seong! Hey, how have you been? Not too busy? I’ve been watching your drama on Netplay or whatever—it’s really good. You’re always so handsome. Come by sometime, when you’re free. I’ll make you some of that white kimchi you love. Let’s share a meal. Soon, okay? I’ll pass you to Jeong now.”

She shoved the phone into Emotion’s face. Reluctantly, she took it.

“…What?”

$G o t oyo u rroo m .$

She glanced at Mrs. Shin, then slipped into her bedroom.

“…Why?”

$Wh ye l se ?$

Iseong’s low voice echoed in her ear.

$A reyo u in yo u rroo m ?$

“What do you want to say?”

$G e t c han g e d . S o m e t hin g c a s u a l . E v e n t r ainin g c l o t h es a re f in e — j u s tq u i c k .$

“What are you talking about?”

$Y o u^{'} re p ro bab l y w e a r in g t h ose l oose P J s a g ain . B a gg y T - s hi r t, s h or t s .$

She looked down. Yup—loose T-shirt and shorts. Exactly as he said. Like he had cameras.

“Do you have CCTV in here? But why?”

$O r j u s t co m eo u tl ik e t ha t . U pt oyo u .$

She froze. Did he just say what she thought he said?

“…Wait—are you here?”

$I f yo u d o n ’ t co m eo u t, I ’ ll co m e in . Y o u r m o m see m s l ik es h e w an t s t osee m e an y w a y . I co u l d s t a y f or d inn er .$

Damn it. Her plan to avoid seeing or hearing him until the drama started was crumbling.

“…Sigh. Are we going by car?”

$M ee t m e a tt h e pl a y g ro u n d .$

That playground—where they used to talk late at night.

She quickly changed into black training shorts and a tee, applied sunscreen, and left her room.

As she changed her shoes in the entryway, Mrs. Shin looked her up and down.

“Seong’s coming to see you?”

“No, just… something urgent.”

“What is it? You’re not eating?”

“I’ll be right back.”

Suspicious? Definitely. She could feel her mom’s eyes on her all the way out the door.

Scratching her head, she ran through scenarios in her mind. What was she supposed to say to Iseong? Last night was insane—how could she possibly handle it now?

Her body still ached—her legs still sore. And yet, now she had to “handle” it?

All because helping him had turned into something ridiculous.

The sun hadn’t fully set. Summer meant longer days, and the playground was still lit enough to make out faces.

There weren’t many people around, but she still worried about being seen. Even though Iseong wore a cap, his tall, solid frame stood out.

He was standing at the edge of the playground, facing the flower bed. Purple hydrangeas and orange lilies were blooming.

He wore a stylish loose T-shirt and jeans. Hands in pockets. He looked like a model striking a pose.

She approached him and stood next to him, the purple hydrangeas filling her view.

“There’s a lot of flowers blooming.”

She spoke first. He hadn’t even looked at her.

“Aren’t you hot?”

He was always sensitive to heat. He used to practically faint during outdoor shoots in summer.

Back in high school, summer soccer games were the worst for him. Girls would line up with drinks just for a chance to hand them to him.

Iseong turned his head and looked at her with unreadable eyes. For a moment, clear and calm. Then he asked:

“You?”

“More than the heat, I’m worried someone might recognize us.”

“There’s no one here. You’re overthinking.”

“You never know who might pass by.”

“That’s… what you’re worried about right now?”

The air grew heavy. His misty gaze seemed to scold her—is that really what you’re worried about?

“Yeah. What if someone takes a photo of us and uploads it on social media?”

“After all this time, suddenly that’s a concern? Ha. Then let’s go in my car.”

Just as he turned to leave, she grabbed his sleeve.

Going to his car felt like it would lead to something even more dangerous.

“…But why did you come?”

“Why else do you think I came?”

Summary

Three days before the wedding. Gamjeong catches her boyfriend cheating.
And the other woman is the ex-girlfriend of her male friend of 30 years.
What shocked her even more was the reason — her male friend Lee Sung is supposedly impotent?
Outraged by such a ridiculous excuse, she calls off the wedding and goes to confront Lee Sung.

Lee Sung — the hottest guy around lately — is said to be impotent?
The sexy star Lee Sung has erectile dysfunction?!

But that can’t be true, right?

Drunk, Gamjeong ends up spending an unforgettable night with Lee Sung.

“You… you can do it, right? You’re not completely disabled?”
“I guess we’ll only know after trying more.”

Could it be that we’re reacting to some forbidden attraction?

“Maybe that’s the case. So here’s the thing — this gives me some hope.”
“Hope?”
“Yeah, so how about you help me out? As a friend.”
“Help with what?”
“Your dysfunction.”

Tempted by Lee Sung’s request to help him as a friend, she agrees to a friends-with-benefits relationship.
Can you really have FWB with a best friend of 30 years?

As passion between you and me grows tangled, I find myself trembling for you.
Why does the look in your eyes feel so pure and innocent?

“You want to go back to being friends? That’s already impossible. You know I’m crazy about you.”

Friends… is this really okay?

“So, is it okay if I touch you?”

Lee Sung’s lips shift closer and he murmurs near her earlobe.

“How about touching you with my lips?”