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Chapter – 15
How old are you?
Beneath Young-hoon’s low-drooping eyelids, his pupils tightened to the color of ink. The late-afternoon sunlight fell behind him, carving deep shadows across his face.
He was a handsome man. Rumor had it that his late mother — who had vanished quietly from the entertainment world — had once been an actress. The contrast of gentleness and sharpness in his features, the calm yet cold air that surrounded him, gave him an extraordinary presence.
And now, with that face, the man was fixing her with a gaze as sharp as a blade. It was hard to meet his eyes, but Eun-hee didn’t look away.
“As you said, I’ll make sure not to hurt your reputation.
Or we could adjust the time — for instance… meeting after work… away from people’s eyes…”
She paused to steady her breathing. She had planned to say these words someday, but she hadn’t expected to say them now. She wasn’t even sure if she had spoken coherently — that’s how nervous she was.
But what she saw in that moment was the flare of heat glinting in the man’s eyes.
And she knew — before that heat faded, she had to make it hers, somehow.
“What do you think, Prosecutor?”
she asked quietly, remembering to wear a faint smile.
Young-hoon’s brow twitched slightly. He repeated her suggestion under his breath, as if chewing on the words. The glare in his eyes was so fierce it felt like it could bore right through her.
“A place where we can meet after work, out of sight. Somewhere private, at night.
Why don’t you answer, Ms. Sa Eun-hee?”
She could no longer guess how cheap she must look right now. Her voice trembled as she replied.
“…I think… a hotel would be good. Like last time.”
A short, derisive laugh struck her chest like a slap.
“So that’s it, huh.”
Then Young-hoon smiled — a satisfied, knowing smile, like someone who’d just solved a tedious puzzle.
He shook his head slowly, opening his jacket to take out a pack of cigarettes.
He put one between his lips, dropping thin chuckles to the floor like ashes.
Pff, pff. The leaking laughter pricked at Eun-hee’s ears.
“So that’s the big plan you two came up with?”
She stayed silent. Any answer would only work against her.
When Young-hoon stepped half a pace closer, her frail shoulders rose and fell sharply.
He reached out and gripped her chin between his fingers.
Ah— a faint sound escaped her. Her pale face tilted upward toward him, eyes caught in his.
It felt like a massive rock was pressing down on her body. The heavy scent of his cologne clung to his outstretched hand, stinging her nose. Her breath broke into tiny fragments.
And still, she endured his gaze pouring down like a storm.
As his eyes traced her bloodless face, Cha Young-hoon said:
“You’re not scared at all.
Ms. Sa Eun-hee, how old are you?”
“…Twenty-four.”
Her voice sank low. She worried that she sounded like some clueless child whining before a grown man.
“Can I ask you something?”
“Yes… Prosecutor.”
“You think that because I’m a prosecutor, I’m going to protect you?”
Eun-hee blinked up at him, confused. She didn’t know what he meant. His question felt like groping through darkness, no clear way forward.
But his next words made his meaning clear.
“Being a prosecutor doesn’t mean I protect everyone in Korea.
I’m selective — about time, place… and especially, people.”
“…”
“One more thing.”
“…Yes.”
“Never been with a man before?”
Eun-hee bit the inside of her lip. But again, she said nothing. She knew too well that honesty would only earn her more ridicule.
“You’re old enough to know what hotels are for, aren’t you?”
“…Yes, I know.”
“Then shall we meet there?”
Eun-hee nodded silently. The back of her neck burned — as if someone had set her on fire.
Shame seethed in her chest like molten rock, but she swallowed it down. If she could just reach her goal — whatever it took.
Young-hoon stared down at her for a long moment. His gaze flickered between heat and cold, and she couldn’t tell which one would consume her.
At last, his answer fell. The short wait for it felt unbearable.
“All right then.”
But his final words caught her completely off guard.
“Tonight. Ten o’clock.”
“…”
“Let’s play this your way. Let’s make it real fun.”
The colorful canopy was frayed in places. Beneath it, the modest sign reading “Rainbow Tteokbokki” gave off a warm, nostalgic charm.
By the open glass door beside the food display window, Eun-hee bowed repeatedly.
“I’m so sorry for always imposing on you.”
The middle-aged woman with the kindly face waved her hands.
“Oh, nonsense. A well-mannered, sweet kid like Eun-ji? I could take care of two, three of her! She’s such a chatterbox — keeps me company. I should be thanking you.”
The woman — Mrs. Yeo-kyung — ran the neighborhood snack shop and lived next door to Eun-hee. She was the only neighbor Eun-hee had grown close to.
Having sent her only son to the army last year, Yeo-kyung was genuinely glad whenever Eun-hee left her little sister in her care.
“You’ve got a lot on your plate. Working, paying off your husband’s debts, raising your sister — must be exhausting. Don’t you worry, I’ll enjoy my time with little Eun-ji.”
Her warmth only deepened Eun-hee’s guilt. She held out a white envelope.
“You’ve looked after her all week. It’s not much, but please take it.”
Yeo-kyung jumped back, protesting loudly, but Eun-hee slipped it into her apron pocket anyway. Finally, the woman sighed in surrender.
“All right, all right. If this makes you feel less guilty, I’ll take it. Now go to work, dear. Don’t worry about Eun-ji, got it?”
Dusting off her apron, she gave a motherly nod.
Eun-hee turned to look at her sister. The little girl’s face was already clouded with disappointment.
Eun-hee laid a hand on her head.
“You have to listen to Auntie, okay?”
“…Okay.”
A small, wobbly smile bloomed on the verge of tears. Eun-hee knew that as soon as she turned her back, Eun-ji would start crying — but she pretended not to notice.
“Don’t be picky with food. Wash your hands and feet before bed, all right?”
“Oh, let her take a bath, dear — water bills aren’t that bad,” Yeo-kyung chided, half-teasing.
Eun-hee smiled awkwardly.
“Sis, when will you come back from work?”
The question caught in her throat.
She was leaving Eun-ji here to go meet Cha Young-hoon — for a meeting that was anything but proper.
She’d disguised it as overtime. But hearing the word “work” from the child’s mouth made her face burn.
Eun-hee knelt to meet Eun-ji’s eyes.
“I’ll be late tonight.”
“Ten o’clock? When will you come?”
“Maybe midnight. Maybe later — even dawn. So don’t wait up. Listen to Auntie and go to sleep early, okay?”
“Hing…”
Eun-ji pouted, twisting her body, tears welling again.
Eun-hee wanted to comfort her longer than usual tonight, but there wasn’t time. After one more thank-you to Yeo-kyung, she returned home.
She showered and put on her makeup. There was no time to visit the salon, but fortunately, she’d been able to borrow clothes from Mi-jung.
She looked down at the clothes in the shopping bag, hesitating.
Mi-jung had been thrilled when she heard the meeting was finally set at a hotel, sending an encouraging message along with the bag.
Fighting! ^^
But Eun-hee hadn’t expected her to include underwear — especially those.
“Haah…”
What should I do? she thought, covering her face with both hands as she stared at the intricate, almost indecent lingerie.
