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Chapter 03
His gaze was meaningful, as if he were testing something.
But Bada simply took it as shameless flirting.
‘He definitely made a lot of girls cry.’
An overly handsome man she met at a travel destination.
A scar on his neck, riding a Ducati.
If you fell for a man like that and couldn’t escape, you would board the express train straight to hell.
With that thought, Bada ended the conversation.
“Anyway, I hope you enjoy your trip.”
“Don’t you need a travel guide?”
“Is that a date invitation?”
He calmly admitted it.
“In a way.”
“I guess when you ask with that handsome face, most girls say yes?”
“So that means I look handsome to you too.”
When he smiled brightly, Bada quickly steadied her suddenly pounding heart.
“My tour guide position is already taken by Google Maps and short videos. Thanks for the offer, but I’ll pass.”
“That’s a shame.”
He nodded slightly as if he understood.
But his eyes still shone as if he had no intention of giving up.
“By the way, that T-shirt suits you.”
“……”
Hearing his quiet laughter, she felt like she should bury the shirt in her closet.
Ignoring him, she began walking away. Suddenly, she felt as if she could hear Caroline’s voice in her ear.
‘You’re rejecting a date from a dazzlingly handsome man like that? Bend over!’
Bada shook her head lightly.
‘But trusting a devilishly charming man too easily is dangerous.’
Just as she turned to leave, his low voice shot into her back.
“Devil’s Den. Come there Thursday evening.”
Devil’s Den? Was that a beach club?
She paused and looked back.
“…I said I’m not going on a date.”
“Who said it was a date? The sunset there is famous for being the most beautiful in Bali.”
He gave her a charming smile that made hearts flutter and put on his helmet.
“Just so you know.”
Soon, his bike sped past her.
After that day, Bada spent three days resting alone.
In the mornings, she attended Ashtanga yoga classes at a studio overlooking rice fields. In the afternoons, she learned surfing at the beach.
It was the rest she had always dreamed of.
But repeating a similar routine every day began to feel boring.
‘At this rate, spider webs are going to grow in my mouth.’
Just then, she received a message from Caroline.
Caroline:
How’s Bali?
Bada quickly replied.
Bada:
It’s amazing… I’m pretty sure when God made Bali, He copied heaven.
Caroline:
Any guy you’re flirting with?
Bada:
None.
Caroline:
Tch, boring. Did you at least go to a hot beach club at night?
Bada:
I went during the day and just had a drink. Felt weird going alone at night.
Caroline:
Girrrrl! What are you even doing there?
Caroline:
Get that heavy butt moving and go to Devil’s Den tonight. It’s not that famous among travelers yet, but the vibe is insane.
Reading the message, she felt like she heard his voice again.
‘Devil’s Den. Come there Thursday evening.’
Bada:
Why Thursday though?
Caroline:
In Canggu, each day has its own hot club. Monday is Luigi’s, Tuesday Pretty Poison, Wednesday Old Man’s. These days Thursday is Devil’s Den.
Caroline:
Anyway, go and tell me how it is! Got it?
Staring at the screen, Bada fell into thought.
‘Will that guy be there too? His name was… River?’
For a moment, she saw again the smooth face of the man smiling under the Bali sunlight.
Bada called a motorbike through the Gojek app and headed to Devil’s Den.
After riding for about twenty minutes on the back seat, a beach club on a cliff came into view.
“We’ve arrived, miss! Please give me five stars!”
“Of course, terima kasih!”
She got off the bike, took off the helmet, and handed it back to the driver.
After entering, she went through a bag check and passed through a gate guarded by a statue of Cerberus.
“Wow…”
She couldn’t help but gasp.
It truly deserved its reputation as the largest luxury beach club in Bali.
Beyond the infinity pool, the ocean stretched endlessly. The daybeds were filled with people relaxing comfortably.
‘They say it turns into a hot club after sunset.’
She wandered around the wide space.
The main pool was packed with people dancing to Afro house music. The energy was contagious.
Soon, she climbed to the second floor and stood by the railing, looking at the sea.
In the distance, the sun was slowly dropping toward the horizon, painting the sky orange.
It looked like she would soon witness a beautiful sunset.
‘He said the sunset here is the most beautiful in Bali. I’m kind of looking forward to it.’
Suddenly, she let out a small laugh at herself for scanning the crowd as if searching for someone.
What’s wrong with me?
I didn’t come here to see him. I came to see the sunset.
Pushing the thought away, she sat at a good terrace seat on the second floor and ordered a Long Island Iced Tea.
As she sipped her drink and admired the view, someone suddenly approached her.
She turned her head and saw a foreign man grinning at her.
His entire arm was covered in black tattoos, he had a mullet hairstyle, and wore a silver chain necklace. At first glance, he looked like trouble.
Her mood instantly dropped.
“How are we.”
Bada bit her lower lip.
He clearly looked like someone searching for a one-night stand at a travel spot.
‘Ah, this is going to be annoying.’
“Are you alone?”
“No. My friend is coming soon.”
“Then can I sit for a bit? I’ll buy you a drink.”
“No, that’s fine.”
Despite her firm refusal, he sat down next to her without permission.
Their shoulders touched, and Bada frowned, turning her body away.
“Come on. Where are you from? Japan?”
Looking at his lustful eyes made her feel sick.
“I like Asian girls.”
He leaned closer with a creepy smile.
‘Asian girls?’
Her eyes narrowed.
Ah, so this was yellow fever—grouping together hundreds of millions of Asian women as one.
From experience, that phrase alone was enough to make her break out in hives.
“Why do you like Asian girls?”
Mistaking her sarcasm for interest, he eagerly replied,
“They’re cute and feminine. Compared to aggressive white girls, they’re obedient.”
“……”
“And they give you cute mixed babies too.”
He looked her up and down with dark eyes.
Disgusting.
“Oh, so you need a submissive woman to protect your fragile ego? Wow. You’ve watched too many fantasy movies made by pathetic white guys.”
He looked stunned for a moment, then scowled.
“…What? You crazy bitch. You’re not even that pretty.”
“What did you say? I was too busy watching your hairline run away.”
“You—!”
“Oh my, are you going to hit me? No wonder your hair is escaping with that attitude.”
The angry man looked ready to actually strike her.
Just as she was about to shout for security—
“Darling, there you are?”
She turned at the deep, cave-like voice behind her.
River stood there, smiling, his arm wrapping around her shoulders.
“I’ve been looking for you.”
Like a loving boyfriend, he pulled her gently toward him.
Then he slowly turned his gaze to the man and asked coldly,
“Who’s this?”
Bada was slightly surprised by River’s sudden appearance, but she quickly wrapped her arm around his waist and played along.
“…I don’t know him. ‘Honey.’”
River stared at the man with a chilling look that clearly said: Get lost.
