Episode 3

His gaze was meaningful, as if testing something.

But sea simply took it as blatant flirting.

‘He’s definitely made plenty of women cry.’

An overly handsome man met while traveling.
Plus, he has a scar on his neck and even rides a Ducati.

If she fell for such a charming man and couldn’t get over him, that would be a one-way ticket on the express train to hell.

Having reached that conclusion, sea wrapped up the conversation.

“Anyway, I hope you have a good trip.”

“Don’t you need a tour guide?”

“Is that a date proposal?”

With a calm expression, he readily admitted it.

“You could say that.”

“With that handsome face, I guess most women fall for your date requests?”

“So that means I look handsome to you too.”

As he laughed refreshingly, sea calmed her suddenly fluttering heart and spoke.

“My tour guide position is already taken by Google Maps and Shorts videos. Thanks for the offer, but I’ll decline.”

“Oh well, that’s a shame.”

He nodded as if he understood.

But his eyes sparkled like someone with no intention of backing down.

“By the way, that t-shirt suits you.”

“…….”

Hearing his chuckling laugh, she thought maybe she should just bury that t-shirt in her closet.

Forcing herself to ignore it and take a step, she suddenly heard Caroline’s voice in her ear.

‘Turning down a date request from a dazzlingly handsome man like that? Show me your back!’

sea shook her head slightly.

‘But trusting a devilishly charming man is dangerous.’

Just as sea turned away, a low voice flew from behind and landed.

“Devil’s Den. Come there Thursday evening.”

Devil’s Den? The devil’s lair? Is that the name of a beach club?

Hesitating, sea turned her head and replied.

“…I said I’m not dating.”

“Who said anything about that? The sunset there is famous for being the most beautiful in Bali.”

He flashed a captivating smile that made the heart flutter and put on his helmet.

“Just so you know.”

Soon, the bike carrying him sped past her.

After that day, sea rested alone for three days.

In the mornings, she took Ashtanga classes at a yoga studio overlooking the rice fields; in the afternoons, she learned to surf at the beach.

It was the rest she had so dreamed of.

But repeating a similar schedule every day, she began to get increasingly bored.

‘At this rate, I’ll get cobwebs in my mouth.’

Just then, a text arrived from Caroline.

Caroline
How’s Bali?

sea replied immediately.

sea
So good… I think when God made Bali, He must have copied Heaven.

Caroline
What about a summer fling?

Caroline
None of that.

Caroline
Tch, boring. Have you been to any hot beach clubs at night?

Bada
I went during the day and just had a drink. It’s a bit hard to go out alone in the evening.

Caroline
Girrrrl! What are you even doing all the way there?

Caroline
Don’t be like that, get your heavy butt up and go to Devil’s Den this Thursday evening. It’s still not too well-known among tourists, but I hear the atmosphere is amazing.

Reading Caroline’s message, it seemed like the man’s voice brushed past her ears.

‘Devil’s Den. Come there Thursday evening.’

sea
But why Thursday specifically?

Caroline
In Crayon, the hot clubs and bars are set for each day. Monday is Luigi’s, Tuesday is Pretty Poisons, Wednesday is Old Man’s. I hear Devil’s Den is the hot spot for Thursdays these days.

Caroline
Anyway, make sure you go and tell me what it’s like! Okay?

sea thought as she read the messages.

‘Will that man be at Devil’s Den today? His name was River, right?’

Suddenly, the smooth face of the man smiling under the Balinese sun flickered before her eyes.

sea called a motorbike using the Gojek app and headed to Devil’s Den.

After riding on the back of the motorbike for 20 minutes, a beach club located on a cliff came into view.

“We’ve arrived, Miss! Please give me a 5-star rating!”

“Of course, Terima Kasih

Getting off the motorbike, sea took off the helmet and handed it to the driver.

Entering the entrance, she had her bag checked by a security officer and then passed through a gate flanked by statues of Cerberus.

“Wow…”

As she stepped inside, an exclamation of admiration escaped her.

It was a sight that lived up to the reputation of being Bali’s largest luxury beach club.

Beyond the infinity pool, the ocean stretched endlessly, and the daybeds were filled with people relaxing leisurely.

‘They say it turns into a hot club after sunset?’

sea wandered around the vast grounds, exploring here and there.

The main pool was crowded with people dancing to Afro house music. It was a sight that naturally lifted one’s spirits.

Eventually, climbing the stairs to the second floor, sea stood by the railing and admired the ocean view.

In the distance, the sun was descending towards the horizon over the sea, and the sky was gradually turning orange.

It seemed that if she waited just a little longer, she could enjoy the beautiful sunset.

‘That man said the sunset viewed from here is the most beautiful in Bali. I’m looking forward to it.’

For a moment, sea let out a small laugh at herself, realizing she was scanning the area as if looking for someone.

Why am I like this?
I came here to see the sunset, not that man.

Pushing aside the thought, sea took a seat at a nice second-floor terrace spot and ordered a Long Island Iced Tea from the waitress.

As she drank the promptly served beverage and was enjoying the scenery, someone suddenly approached her.

Turning her head, a foreign man grinned at her.

A tattoo completely blackening one arm, a mullet haircut, and a silver chain necklace. At first glance, he looked like a thug.

For some reason, her mood soured.

“How are we.”

sea bit her lower lip lightly.

At first glance, he seemed like the type looking for a one-night stand in a tourist spot.

‘Ah, this is going to be annoying.’

“Are you alone?”

“No. My friend will be here soon.”

“Then can I sit next to you for a bit? I’ll buy you a drink.”

“No. I’m fine.”

Despite her firm refusal, the man plopped down in the seat next to her without permission.

As his shoulder touched hers, sea frowned and pulled away.

“Oh, come on. Where are you from? Japan?”

Seeing the man’s eyes glistening with lust made her feel nauseous.

“I like Asian women.”

The man smiled creepily and leaned his upper body closer.

‘Asian women?’

Hearing that, sea’s eyes narrowed.

Ah, the yellow fever that lumps together hundreds of millions of Asian women.

From past experience, just hearing that phrase was enough to give sea goosebumps.

“Why do you like Asian women?”

Mistaking sea’s sarcasm for interest, the man spoke eagerly.

“Well, they’re cute and feminine. Compared to assertive white women, they’re docile and good.”

“…….”

“Plus, they make cute mixed-race babies too.”

The man ran his eyes up and down sea with a lecherous gaze.

Ugh.

“Ah, so you need an obedient woman to coddle your fragile ego, is that it? Oh. You’ve watched too many fantasy movies made by loser white men.”

At that, the man seemed flustered for a moment before his expression twisted nastily.

“…What? You crazy bitch. Actually, you’re not even that pretty?”

“Excuse me? I couldn’t hear you over your hairline receding.”

“You little—!”

“Oh my, are you going to hit me? No wonder your hair is running away, with you being so mean.”

The enraged man looked like he might actually try to hit sea.

Just as she was about to shout for security,

“Darlin’, there you are?”

Turning her head at the cavernous voice coming from behind, River grinned and draped his arm over her shoulder.

“I’ve been looking all over for you.”

River pulled sea’s shoulder towards him like a loving boyfriend.

Then, slowly turning his gaze, he gestured towards the man with his chin and asked coldly.

“Who’s this?”

sea was slightly surprised by River’s sudden appearance, but soon hugged his waist and played along.

“…Nobody, ‘Honey’.”

River stared at the man with murderous eyes, as if telling him to get lost.