Special Side Story 06
“Sniff… Sniff.. I can’t help my husband. I’m only causing him more trouble….”
At Heeju’s sudden tears, Hong In-ah quickly took the liquor glass from her sister’s hand.
“What are you even saying, Heeju? The media is in an uproar now, but if you go online, you’ll see that Baek Sa-eon’s supporters have increased a lot. They weirdly find his sharp tongue refreshing instead…”
In-ah coughed nervously.
“Even if you become unemployed, there will be people to take care of you.”
“It’s just… I feel so annoyed…”
Heeju seized the glass, the ice clinking against the rim. She tilted her head back and poured the liquor down her throat, the bitter taste leaving a burning sensation.
She already lost count of how many drinks she had. Usually, soju left a bitter aftertaste but the wine In-ah brought had a sweet lingering feeling. They had emptied so many glasses that the number had surpassed double digits.
Heeju’s face was already flushed red, like a persimmon.
“Sister… should we move somewhere else and keep drinking? There’s no one at home… I don’t want to go back…”
In-ah, on the phone, had a look of unease that Heeju noticed. Though In-ah’s jaw was clenched, she suddenly twisted her mouth into a smile before glancing nervously at her watch.
‘Who could it be? Was it the editor-in-chief whom In-ah always cursed at?’
Heeju buried her head in her arms, her thoughts drifting away, carried by a slow, melancholic current.
***
Heeju wasn’t sure how much time had passed when suddenly, a strange hand slid under her arms.
Heeju sat up abruptly, her blood running cold. The man’s stern expression and unsettlingly narrowed eyes sent a wave of fear crashing over her.
“Hong Heeju.”
“…Y- Yes?”
“Why didn’t you answer your phone? How much did you drink? If you felt bad, you should have gone home or contacted me. Is hiding in a bar your best idea? I was about to report you as missing to the police, but I barely held back. And why do you have that provocative look on your face? Are you trying to seduce me?”
The words rained down like scolding.
‘How strange… Did anyone around me talk this much? I remember my husband was usually quiet.’
“The smell of alcohol is very strong on you, Heeju. You need to take care of yourself.”
“……”
“Why did you come to a bar? Wait, have you been crying? Your eyes are swollen. I’m sure everyone saw your crying expression. Some of those b*stards surely wanted to covet you… Hong In-ah, why the hell did you…”
“Brother-in-law, are you out of your mind or what?”
Heeju looked at her sister, who was growling and then turned her gaze to the sharp-featured man.
‘He looks so much like my husband… But Baek Sa-eon was someone who replied to her once in a blue moon.’
The only times I witnessed genuine openness from him were during script readings, briefings, and, of course, that unforgettable confession at the lake in Argan.
But the man in front of her continued his relentless monologue, occasionally furrowing his brow in frustration. The entire encounter felt bizarre and unsettling.
“Who are you?”
Heeju blinked and asked. At that moment, the temperature in the room seemed to drop drastically.
Still hugging herself with both arms as if on guard, she stared at him intently with a rather determined expression.
The man in front of her immediately covered his mouth with the palm of his hand and let out a sigh.
“Don’t touch me…”
Heeju pushed away the pale man, who moved aside without resistance.
“Si- Sister… Let’s go home now. There’s a weird guy following us…”
With her vision half-blurred, she looked around for In-ah. As she wobbled to her feet, someone quickly supported her. Though Heeju tried to push him away, the man refused to let her go.
Suddenly, a familiar scent reached her. Even as Heeju struggled, she instinctively leaned closer to the man’s chest, searching for the source of the smell.
“Hmm… Who are you… You smell like my husband…”
“……”
“Where did you come from?”
“What the hell did you make her drink? Why is she acting all adorable and sharp-tongued at the same time…? She’s driving me insane.”
The man had an exact scent as Sa-eon. Heeju instinctively started burying her face in his wide chest. To avoid falling, she wrapped her arms around his waist, feeling the heat of his body and the firm contours of his muscles beneath the fabric. A soft moan escaped her lips.
The hand that moved along his waist became a caress, each touch deliberate and almost sensual.
Suddenly Heeju thought she heard a low groan escape his lips.
‘Curse words? But Baek Sa-eon couldn’t mutter those…’
She was drawn to the order and discipline reflected in his deep, measured voice. This preference likely explained her aversion to men who embodied a more chaotic, free-spirited lifestyle.
Baek Sa-eon knew restraint. She respected and admired him as a man and as a human being because he knew how to hold himself back. What a wonderful husband I have…
“Don’t use foul language… I find it repulsive…”
The man dragging her stopped abruptly.
“Do you know who Baek Sa-eon is? He used to be a spokesperson. Why not follow his example? What kind of woman would like a man who only knows how to curse? You’ll never get married like this… You should try to be more like Baek Sa-eon. He’s truly an amazing person…”
Somehow, it felt like the man’s grip tightened.
Despite her protests, she was shoved into a car. The car started its journey and before she knew it, her head was resting on the man’s thigh.
With a swift motion, she kicked off her heels and tried to remove her stockings, but the man quickly stopped her. Her wrist, held firmly in his grip, throbbed with pain.
“Stay still before you cause an accident.”
“What…?”
“You’re riling me up like crazy today. I’m on the verge of losing control.”
“?”
“Why do you keep putting me in difficult situations? Hah…”
“What a vulgar way to speak! So uncultured…”
“D*mn. I want to beat up your husband just for today…”
Without realizing it, Heeju slapped him.
Smack!
The sound was sharp as the man’s head jerked to the side. The man frowned, looking at her in shock. His expression was so absurd that it was almost funny.
“You piece of shi…”
She murmured before losing consciousness.
***
“Ugh…”
Heeju grabbed her throbbing head and groaned.
“Just what happened yesterday?”
Her memory flickered back to entering the bar with her sister. Panic rising, she looked around and recognized the familiar furniture.
I thought I was in some horrible accident… But seeing the family wedding photos, the three-drawer dresser, and the vanity my husband picked out himself, my tension slowly eased.
“Phew…”
Was it my sister who brought me here? Heeju searched the sheets for her phone.
“Ah…!”
Heeju’s palms ached with an unfamiliar sensation. When she pulled up the covers, she was surprised to find herself only wearing underwear and a flimsy slip.
She couldn’t recall changing. The more she tried to piece together the events of the previous night, the more her head hurt. She had clearly been drinking, someone had helped her walk, and she had slapped someone… Huh?
“What- did I slap someone??”
