OYSB 5

The biggest reason Eunchae had accepted his proposal was neither because she was afraid of Won Sugap nor because she wanted to escape the sewer-like reality she was living in.

“You know, marriage is something you do with someone you love so much you could die. Someone you can’t imagine living without, someone whose absence would make the whole world collapse.”

That was what Seonwoo Oppa had told her when she was little and had asked him whom people were supposed to marry.

The moment those words came back to her, one person’s face came to mind.

The man she had loved without a single break, from the moment she fell for him at first sight until now.

The man whose absence had taught her what it really meant for the world to collapse, because she couldn’t bear a world without him.

For Eunchae, that person was none other than Baek Doheon.

“I’m the right person to be your guardian.”

Although he had proposed by promising to protect her rather than telling her he loved her, she wanted to believe in him.

She wanted to believe that wasn’t his only reason, that there was at least a little affection behind his decision to marry her.

Once she had put an end to her doubts, the wedding arrangements proceeded at lightning speed.

They decided to skip the wedding ceremony and have a wedding photo shoot in its place.

Today, dressed in a wedding gown and tuxedo and wearing their wedding rings, they had finally become husband and wife.

The day she became his wife. The events of the day had passed by so quickly that Eunchae could hardly believe any of it was real.

By the time the photo shoot was over and night had fallen, she was heading home with Doheon.

Not the cramped semi-basement studio apartment that smelled of mold because it never got any sunlight, but a huge, beautiful house.

It was time for Cinderella, who had finally shed her rags, to go to the prince’s home.

After they entered the parking garage, the man got out of the driver’s seat and opened the car door for her.

As Eunchae stepped out, Doheon introduced the man standing in front of them.

“This is my secretary. From now on, if anything happens, he’ll take care of it.”

The moment Eunchae laid eyes on the man who was Doheon’s secretary, she instinctively flinched.

He was nearly as tall as Doheon, who stood at 190 centimeters, and his muscles looked as solid and intimidating as if they had been carved from stone.

Someone like this could probably make Won Sugap run away without daring to utter a word.

She felt reassured and protected, but at the same time, she couldn’t help shrinking back a little.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Kang Paeseok, secretary to CEO Baek.”

“Oh, yes. Mr. Gangster-seok.”

“It’s Kang Paeseok, not Gangster-seok. I’ve got plenty of grit, but I’m not a gangster.”

Only then did Eunchae realize what she had said. She hurriedly covered her mouth, which had fallen open in shock.

And really, his appearance practically screamed gangster.

Even though he was neatly dressed in a suit and smiling as he spoke, he still gave off an intimidating aura.

Embarrassed by the mistake that had slipped out before she could stop herself, Eunchae quickly corrected herself.

“I’m sorry, Secretary Kang.”

“I look forward to working with you, Madam.”

Paeseok bowed respectfully to Eunchae.

Having never been called “Madam” in her life, Eunchae was startled and hurriedly bowed in return.

“I-I look forward to working with you, too.”

“Not at all. I should be the one saying that.”

By the time she had bowed so deeply that her head was practically touching her toes, Doheon grabbed the back of her neck and pulled her upright.

Paeseok gave another greeting after seeing Doheon make a small gesture with his head.

“Then I’ll be off. Please get inside safely.”

Leaving Paeseok as he headed toward the driver’s seat, Doheon turned and led Eunchae toward the house.

After they arrived home, Doheon handed Eunchae a small paper bag.

“What’s this?”

“A cell phone.”

“A cell phone? But I still have time left on my current contract.”

Eunchae’s eyes widened as she took the box out of the paper bag.

There really was a brand-new phone inside.

“Use this from now on. Only give your number to people you trust.”

One of the reasons Doheon had hurried their marriage along was to keep Won Sugap away from Eunchae.

Watching her examine the phone, Doheon spoke in a casual voice.

“I’m planning to register our marriage tomorrow.”

“Register our marriage?”

The moment she heard those words, Eunchae finally began to grasp what she had gotten herself into.

Perhaps he noticed the startled look on her face, because Doheon gave a faint chuckle and asked,

“What? Now that we’re actually married, are you having second thoughts? Want to call it off?”

“N-No! That’s not it.”

Eunchae flapped her hands in a frantic denial.

Doheon chuckled softly before speaking.

“Unpack your things and take a shower.”

“Okay.”

She was just about to head toward the guest room, recalling where it was from her previous stay, when Doheon’s voice suddenly interrupted her.

“Not that way. This way.”

“Pardon?”

“This is the master bedroom.”

Eunchae’s eyes widened.

Even though they were married, judging by his behavior so far, she hadn’t expected them to share a room.

“We’re married. It wouldn’t make sense to sleep in separate rooms, would it? Besides, it’s our first night as newlyweds.”

The moment she heard him say that, her heart began pounding like crazy.

Just imagining sharing a room with Doheon made electricity seem to run through her entire body.

“Go wash up.”

“Ah, okay.”

She answered and hurried into the bathroom as though fleeing.

With her back against the closed door, Eunchae clutched her chest and tried to steady her breathing.

“Our first night as newlyweds…”

As she murmured the words, her face flushed pink like a peach.

After standing by the door for a long while, Eunchae finally made her way to the sink.

She splashed cold water on her face, but it did nothing to calm her flushed cheeks.

“The meaning of the first night… it must mean that, right?”

Even soaking her whole body under the running shower wasn’t enough to cool her down.

Throughout the entire shower, one thought remained stuck in her head, refusing to leave.

“Sharing a bed with Doheon Oppa…”

At that moment, it was as if a suggestive, sultry background track had started playing automatically in her mind.

A shy smile spread across her face, her blush growing even deeper.

“Right. Oppa wouldn’t have proposed without feeling anything for me, either. Even if he said he wanted to be my guardian, we’re still husband and wife. I knew I wasn’t wrong!”

Eunchae let out a little giggle and spoke to herself in an excited voice.

“Am I finally going to become a real adult?”

Her reflection in the mirror was flushed with excitement and anticipation.

After finishing her shower, Eunchae straightened herself up before leaving the bathroom.

She put on her favorite pajamas and turned this way and that, checking how she looked.

“Maybe I should’ve worn a robe. No, that would make me look like I’m trying too hard.”

She fussed over her comfortable outfit again and again, even though there was nothing that needed fixing. Then, suddenly, her hands stopped moving.

A rather naughty thought had popped into her head.

“I’m your husband now.”

She imagined his hands roaming all over her body, the two of them slipping beneath the covers together.

His ragged breathing, beads of sweat forming on his forehead, his jaw clenched so tightly that its sharp angles stood out, his muscles rippling.

As Eunchae pictured a world filled with nothing but bare skin, she unconsciously swallowed.

“What do I do? What do I do?!”

Her feet, which had been pacing restlessly, suddenly came to a halt.

“It’s going to hurt, isn’t it?”

A sudden wave of fear washed over her.

It was only natural to feel nervous and afraid when it was her first time.

“It’s okay, Min Eunchae.”

The worried expression on her face quickly gave way to determination.

She was scared, but she thought that if it was Doheon, she would be okay.

“Pain is part of being young!”

Clenching her fist as if making a firm resolution, Eunchae finally left the bathroom.

“Phew… I’m so nervous.”

After taking a deep breath in front of the bedroom door, Eunchae opened it and stepped inside.

Only a bedside lamp softly illuminated the dim bedroom.

She slowly approached Doheon, who was sitting with his back against the headboard of the spacious bed.

“Are you done washing up?”

“Yes.”

Eunchae nodded shyly.

“Come in.”

She lifted the covers and slipped into bed, then settled down beside him, leaning gently against him.

Doheon lowered the arm that had been supporting the back of his head and spoke.

“Lie down.”

“Pardon?”

“Are you not going to sleep?”

“Oh, yes.”

Her heart, which had been racing for a while now, was beating at its absolute limit.

She was almost worried it might leap right out of her chest.

Eunchae rested her head on the pillow and lay down.

A moment later, she heard the rustling of the covers.

Then, a little while later, a long shadow slowly fell over her.

As the deep, heavy scent of him drew closer to the tip of her nose, Eunchae lowered her eyelids.

So this is it. It’s finally happening. Our first night.

I’m ready now, Oppa.

Click.

The long arm reached for the bedside lamp.

With a small click, the light went out.

Darkness descended in an instant, and then he…

Huh?

Lay down beside her.

The man she had expected to pounce on her simply adjusted the covers with a soft rustle.

In the pitch-black darkness, her bewildered eyes trembled violently like a candle caught in the wind.

“Good night.”

His goodnight greeting drove the final nail into the coffin of her foolish expectations.

The strength suddenly drained from Eunchae’s hands, which had been gripping the blanket tightly.

Oppa… are we just going to… sleep?

The question she couldn’t bring herself to ask lingered only in her mouth.