IMG Building
"Mr. Lee, here are the required files for Ms. Tanya's upcoming photoshoot," Jinho's secretary said, placing a neat stack of folders on his desk.
"Thank you."
The moment his secretary stepped out, the door swung open again and Tanya glided into the office.
"Jinho... could you give me a ride later? My car is at the shop," she cooed, pouting dramatically as she leaned over his desk.
Jinho met her gaze with an icy, unbothered stare, his annoyance plain as day. "Since when did I become your personal chauffeur?"
"Starting... right now."
"Listen to me, Tanya," Jinho warned, his voice dropping into a harsh, warning register. "Drop the needy act. I am not amused, and I'm certainly not playing along."
Tanya spun on her heel and headed for the door, muttering under her breath, "You won't be able to avoid me forever, Jinho."
Jinho let out a long, exhausted sigh, rubbing his temples as the door clicked shut.
Department Store
Over in the women's accessories section, Cha was browsing through a rack of luxury handbags. Spotting a beautiful leather tote, she reached out to grab it—only for another woman's hand to land on the strap at the exact same second.
"Excuse me, miss, I reached for this bag first," Cha said politely.
"Well, I want it too!" the woman snapped.
Seeing the tension, a saleslady quickly stepped in. "Ladies, please... we have extra stock of this exact design in the back. There's no need to fight over it."
"Oh, is that so?" Tanya scoffed, drawing back her hand and crossing her arms. "Never mind then. I refuse to carry a bag that someone else has."
"Thank you anyway," Cha said gently to the attendant.
As Cha turned to leave, Tanya's eyes locked onto her, scanning her from head to toe. "By the way... what's your name? Are you a model or something?"
Tanya couldn't help but ask. Cha was tall, radiant, and possessed a striking, effortless beauty with her long, wavy dark brown hair cascading past her shoulders. She looked entirely different from her quiet high school days; time had transformed her into an absolute showstopper. People frequently mistook her for an actress or an off-duty runway model.
Cha offered a faint smile. "Oh, no... you're mistaken. I'm not a model."
"Really?" Tanya raised an eyebrow. "Then who are you?"
"I'm Kim Ae-cha."
"Nice to meet you. I'm Tanya Miller," she said, extending a manicured hand.
Cha shook it politely, a flicker of recognition crossing her mind. "Your face looks really familiar..."
"Probably because I'm a top model," Tanya boasted smoothly.
"Ah, right! You're the model on the cover of IMG's magazine!"
"The one and only."
Before they could continue, Cha's phone buzzed in her purse. "Excuse me for a second..."
— On the Phone —
"Wifey, where are you?" Jinho's soft voice came through the speaker.
"Hubby! I'm at the department store. I'm heading home right now."
"Okay, drive safe, my love."
"I will. Bye, hubby!"
Hanging up, Cha turned back to Tanya. "I'm sorry, but I really have to get going now. It was nice meeting you!"
Without giving Tanya a chance to probe further, Cha quickly walked toward the exit.
_at the Condo
"Hubby, I'm home!" Cha called out, carrying several grocery bags into the kitchen.
Jinho walked out of the living room, eyeing the packages. "What did you buy?"
"Ingredients for dinner! I'm going to cook you something delicious tonight."
"Really? Are you sure it's going to taste good?" Jinho teased, leaning against the counter.
Cha prepped the vegetables, throwing a bright, cheerful smile his way. But after a few minutes of Jinho simply standing there with his arms crossed, watching her with a fond smirk, Cha paused.
"Mr. Jinho... are you just going to stand there and watch, or are you going to help me?"
"I am helping you."
"How? You're literally doing nothing!"
Jinho grinned playfully. "I'm standing right here letting you gaze at my handsome face. Isn't my presence inspiring enough for you to cook a master-class meal?"
Cha burst out laughing. "In your dreams!" She tossed a clean hand towel straight at his face.
Jinho caught it with a laugh, finally stepping up to help her chop the ingredients. The kitchen quickly filled with warmth and laughter as the two teased each other like teenagers.
"Hubby, guess what? I ran into Tanya today—that model from your agency."
Jinho froze, his knife halting mid-slice. "What?!"
Cha blinked at his dramatic reaction. "Why are you so shocked?"
"How... how did you meet her?" Jinho asked carefully, his heart hammering against his ribs.
Cha recounted the petty handbag encounter at the store.
Jinho swallowed hard. "Does she know you're my wife?"
"No, we didn't talk long enough for that."
Jinho let out a quiet breath of relief. "I see..."
IMG Building — Late Evening
Jinho spent the rest of the workday drowning in executive tasks. By the time he packed his briefcases and headed for the elevator, it was already late. Realizing he had forgotten to update Cha, he quickly dialed her number as he stepped into the elevator cabin.
"Wifey... I'm so sorry I'm calling just now. Work was crazy today, but I'm on my way home."
"It's okay, hubby, I understand," Cha's sweet voice melted his exhaustion away.
"Thank you... this is why I love you so much. See you in a bit."
"See you, bye!"
The call ended just as the elevator doors slid open on a lower floor. Tanya stepped inside, a sly smile spreading across her lips as she noticed they were alone.
"Going home already?" she purred, stepping dangerously close and wrapping her arm around Jinho's elbow. "Come to the bar with me first."
"No," Jinho snapped, trying to shake her off.
Instead of backing away, Tanya forcefully shoved Jinho back against the elevator wall. Jinho gasped in surprise as she closed the distance, her face inches from his, her body practically pressed against his chest.
Jinho pushed her shoulders back firmly. "What the hell are you doing, Tanya?! If someone sees us, do you have any idea what kind of rumors will spread?!"
"So what if they see us? Let them think whatever they want!"
"It could reach my wife!"
Tanya let out a bitter, mocking laugh. "Why, Jinho? Are you scared? Are you terrified your precious wife will find out other women are throwing themselves at you? What, will she leave you if she finds out I'm hitting on you?"
Ding.
The elevator doors chimed open at the underground parking level. Jinho immediately brushed past her, striding furiously toward his car.
"Jinho! Wait!" Tanya chased after him, grabbing his wrist at his car door.
"What now?!"
Before he could stop her, Tanya slipped into the passenger seat and slammed the door shut.
Jinho stood outside, his jaw clenched, his eyes burning with anger. He yanked the passenger door open. "Get out!"
"I don't want to!"
"Tanya, do not test the absolute limits of my patience!" Jinho growled. He grabbed her arm, unbuckled her seatbelt, and forcibly hauled her out of his car.
Slamming the door shut, Jinho hopped into the driver's seat, started the engine, and peeled out of the parking garage at full speed.
"AHHHHH!! JINHO!!" Tanya shrieked into the empty garage, stomping her heels in pure fury.
_ at the Condo
"Hubby, you're back!"
Jinho collapsed onto the living room sofa, looking thoroughly exhausted. Cha immediately walked over and sat beside him, smoothing back his dark hair.
"Let me heat up dinner for you, okay?"
As Cha made a move to stand, Jinho caught her wrist, tugging her back down. Before she could react, he shifted his weight, hovering over her on the plush cushions.
"I don't want dinner..." he whispered husky into her ear, a wicked smirk playing on his lips. "I want you."
He leaned down and captured her lips in a deep, hungry kiss. Cha's heart did a familiar flutter as she kissed him back—
Ding-dong!
The sharp chime of the doorbell rang through the apartment.
Jinho froze, pulling back with an expression of pure, unadulterated frustration.
Groaning, he pulled himself up and stomped toward the front door. He yanked it open, only to find his mother standing on the welcome mat.
"Mom?!"
"Why do you look like you just lost a million bucks?" his mother asked, brushing past him with a sly grin. "Did I interrupt something important?"
"Mom..." Jinho whined like an annoyed teenager.
"Oh, my lovely daughter-in-law!" His mother ignored Jinho entirely, heading straight for Cha to give her a warm hug and double-cheek kiss. "At least someone in this house is happy to see me! Your husband looks like I just ruined his entire night."
Cha flushed, offering a polite laugh.
Behind his mother's back, Jinho was aggressively gesturing toward their master bedroom, whispering silently, "Later!"
"Mom, why did you drop by so late?" Cha asked gently.
"I wanted to invite you both over for dinner at our house tomorrow night!"
"Mom, you could have just called on the phone!" Jinho groaned, crossing his arms.
His mother promptly swatted his arm. "Shush, you! I missed my daughter-in-law, alright? Anyway, I'll let you two get back to... whatever you were doing. See you tomorrow!"
The moment the front door closed, Jinho turned toward Cha, a mischievous glint returning to his eyes.
Predicting his next move, Cha squealed and took off running down the hallway.
"Oh, you want to play hard to get?" Jinho laughed, taking off after her. "You're so dead!"
They darted around the living room like children until Jinho finally trapped her against the hallway wall, scooping her up into a bridal carry.
"Jinho! Put me down, I'm going to fall!"
"Not a chance."
Ignoring her breathless giggles, he carried her straight into the master bathroom, letting the warm stream of the shower cascade over them fully clothed.
He pinned her against the tiled wall, capturing her lips in a searing, possessive kiss before tracing his mouth down her neck. From the shower to the bedroom, the rest of the night belonged entirely to them.
"I love you, wifey..." Jinho murmured softly into the darkness of the room, his arms wrapped securely around her waist.
Cha snuggled deeper into his chest, pressing a soft kiss to his chin. "I love you more."
"Sleep well, my Queen. You're my Queen forever," he whispered, pressing a long kiss to her forehead as he stroked her soft hair until her breathing turned slow and even.
At 12:30 AM, while Cha slept peacefully, Jinho's phone vibrated silently on the nightstand.
He slipped out of bed, grabbing the phone and stepping onto the terrace, closing the glass door behind him.
— 12:30 AM —
"Hello?" Jinho kept his voice down to a harsh whisper.
"Hi, my Jinho..." Tanya's slurred, intoxicated voice came through the speaker.
"Why are you calling me at this hour?"
"How am I supposed to sleep?!" Tanya shouted drunkenly. "I'm still at the bar, alone, and it's all your fault!"
"What?!"
"Please, Jinho... come pick me up..."
Jinho rubbed his temples in frustration. "I'll call a cab to pick you up. Stay where you are and don't wander off, you're going to get hurt."
"Are you serious?! You actually care about me? Is it because I'm IMG's star model?!" she yelled into the phone.
Jinho sighed heavily. "Fine. Stay right there. I'm coming."
at the Bar
"Sir, thank goodness you're here!" the bartender rushed over as Jinho entered the dimly lit venue. "I've been trying to send Ms. Tanya home for hours, but she refuses to leave."
"I'll take it from here," Jinho said, eyeing the empty cocktail glasses littered across her table.
"Oh, Jinho! You came!" Tanya stumbled out of her booth, giggling foolishly. "Come... drink with me!"
Suddenly, her mood swung, tears brimming in her eyes as she yelled, "WHY?! Why her and not me?!"
"Get up. You're completely wasted," Jinho said coldly, reaching out to pull her up by her wrist.
Tanya slapped his hand away. "You think I'm going to give up, Jinho?! Never! I won't let you be happy with her!"
She tried to take a step, but her knees buckled. Jinho instinctively caught her before she hit the floor.
Sighing in defeat, Jinho hoisted her up, slung her arm over his shoulder, and carried her out to his car. The moment she hit the passenger seat, she passed out cold.
Realizing he had no idea where her current apartment was located, Jinho drove to a nearby high-end hotel and checked her into a private room.
He carried her inside and laid her down on the plush bed. Her revealing designer dress was hitched up, exposing far too much skin. Jinho averted his eyes, rubbing his forehead in exasperation.
If any other guy was in this room, she'd be in serious trouble, Jinho thought.
Tanya was undeniably attractive, and Jinho was a man with normal instincts. But his heart belonged to one person alone, and he would never compromise his marriage for anything.
I need to get out of here before this devil tries something else.
As he turned to leave, Tanya's hand shot out, grabbing his wrist and yanking him downward. Jinho lost his balance, tumbling directly on top of her.
Tanya wrapped her arms around his back, burying her face in his neck. "Jinho... please stay..." she whimpered softly before instantly drifting back into deep sleep.
Shuddering, Jinho pried her arms off him and scrambled to his feet. "Creepy... I am out of here!"
-at the Condo
Back at the apartment, Cha stirred awake, her hand reaching out across the mattress.
"Jinho...?"
Finding his side of the bed cold and empty, she got up and walked into the dark living room.
Just then, the front door clicked open. Jinho stepped inside quietly, freezing dead in his tracks as he spotted Cha standing in the middle of the dark room like a ghost.
"AHHH!! OMG!" Jinho shrieked, clutching his chest. "You scared the life out of me!"
Cha crossed her arms, staring at him suspiciously. "Where were you? You yelled like you saw a multo."
"I... I just went downstairs for a second!" Jinho stammered nervously. "I wanted to grab something from the convenience store, but I realized I forgot my wallet, so I couldn't buy anything."
"Really? At this hour?"
"I was tired and thirsty after earlier... you know," Jinho offered a nervous smile. "I wanted an energy drink because we ran out in the fridge."
Please buy it, Jinho prayed internally. He hated lying to her, but explaining that he just carried a drunk, half-naked top model into a hotel room at 1:00 AM would destroy everything.
Cha searched his face for a second before softening. "Okay... come on, let's go back to sleep."
Epilogue
13 Years Ago — High School Days
"Jinho! Jinho, wait up!" a young girl shouted, running down the sidewalk after him.
Jinho stopped, turning his head as Tanya caught up to him, clutching her knees as she panted for air.
"Let's walk to school together!" Tanya beamed, slinging her arm through his.
"Sure, whatever."
"Hey, Jinho... after class, let's go to the arcade! Please?"
"I can't. I'm meeting up with my crew."
Tanya's smile faded. "Where? Can I come with you?"
"No. It's dangerous."
"Is this about your fraternity again?" Tanya scolded, pulling on his arm. "You're going to get hurt! Just leave that group already!"
"It's not that easy," Jinho replied coldly. Once you joined the brotherhood, there was no turning back.
Later that afternoon, Jinho walked down a deserted alleyway on his way to the gang's rendezvous point. Suddenly, five guys stepped out from the shadows, blocking his path.
"Hey, Jinho!" the lead guy shouted, a cruel smirk on his face. "Look at that... the arrogant Jinho is all by his pathetic self. The useless heartthrob of La Trinidad High School! This is our chance to pay you back!"
Jinho's face remained entirely expressionless. He didn't flinch.
"Come at me, then."
Smirking, Jinho unslung his backpack, tossed it onto the pavement, and unbuttoned his school uniform jacket, revealing a tight black t-shirt underneath.
With an earring glinting in his left ear and dark bangs swept casually over his forehead, he looked like a total bad-boy heartthrob—a dangerous, handsome gangster.
The first guy lunged forward. Jinho dodged effortlessly, driving a powerful right hook into the guy's jaw, knocking him out cold in a single blow.
Another guy managed to throw a wild punch, grazing Jinho's lower lip and drawing blood
__chapter9 end__
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