Dopamine Addiction - Chapter 14

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

14.
Liam murmured softly to himself, leaning back in his chair with one leg crossed over the other.
“I’m joking. Tomorrow we move at first light, so I should rest while I can. That way I’ll be sharp when it matters. And, ah—”
Liam glanced at the Suitcase propped against the wall. He scratched his chin thoughtfully, then turned his gaze back to Heejoo.
“You’d do well to pare down what you’re bringing. Take only what you absolutely need.”
Heejoo nodded obediently. She’d been thinking the same thing—the Suitcase had become dead weight.
She unzipped the Suitcase fully and pulled out a Backpack, then began transferring the essentials.
Of course, her Passport and Wallet came first.
A change of clothes, obviously. Toothpaste and toothbrush, just in case. Maybe lotion and sunscreen? And the Charger—can’t forget that. A few spare undergarments, at least.
“My taste runs more to black than beige, you know.”
……
Heejoo’s head came up slowly. When their eyes met, Liam flashed a sweet smile.
“Just thought you should know. Doesn’t hurt to be informed, does it?”
Heejoo’s lips parted, words rising to her throat, but she swallowed them down hard. She reminded herself how many times she’d narrowly escaped disaster because of his help.
There’s a saying: bear three insults patiently and you’ll escape even murder. You can’t repay a debt of gratitude with resentment.
Heejoo set down the beige undergarments and placed the black ones into her Backpack instead. A delighted laugh burst from above her head.
“Ha ha ha.”
Heejoo tilted her head back and glared at him laughing. Liam waved a dismissive hand, telling her to go on with what she was doing and never mind him.
She knelt there in thought, reorganizing her luggage, while Liam watched her intently, chin resting on one hand.
It was fascinating. He’d flown to Korea half out of curiosity and half out of irritation, but now only curiosity remained.
The way her face showed every struggle to keep her temper in check, even though she thought she was hiding it well. Or how she’d slip black undergarments into her bag at his slightest word, despite not particularly liking him.
He could guess the reason: she felt a debt of gratitude to him.
The type who despised owing anyone anything—almost certainly someone who kept others at a careful distance, never letting anyone cross a certain threshold.
And Liam was definitely on the wrong side of that line.
But he found himself wondering: what would happen if someone crossed it? What would it feel like to be treated as special, to be the exception?
“This could be fun.”
She was like dopamine to him—a sudden hit in an otherwise tedious existence. There was never a dull moment around her, which only made it more intoxicating.
Interesting things never stopped happening in her presence. Take those men from earlier.
Russians, probably.
Liam narrowed his eyes in thought. Their English carried that unmistakable Russian accent. And the curses they’d hurled at him were definitely Russian.
Long-settled Russians in America? A gang? The Red Mafia? But why would they be so interested in Heejoo?
He didn’t suspect her. When she’d said she didn’t know why, that was probably the truth.
“Yeah, this is entertaining.”
“What?”
Heejoo turned from where she’d been pondering the Neck Pillow, asking what he meant. Liam smiled and gestured.
“You’re moving everything from the Suitcase into the Backpack.”
“…… I wasn’t going to bring the Neck Pillow. I was just about to put it down.”
She answered flatly, then picked up a Shower Filter to deliberate over it. Liam buried his face in his palm, shoulders trembling with suppressed laughter.
Heejoo shot him a sharp look and returned the Shower Filter to the Suitcase. But Liam’s amusement showed no signs of stopping.
For someone who’d come all the way to America with nothing but the clothes on his back, watching Heejoo carefully gather every possible item was simply remarkable.
It was like watching a beaver, busily gathering twigs. At this rate, he thought with amusement, he’d have plenty to keep him entertained for quite some time.
***
A middle-aged man sat dining at an elegant restaurant. As soft music played, a waiter poured wine into his Glass.
He was alone. When he raised his hand, the waiter set down the bottle and withdrew.
Then the restaurant door opened and four men hurried in. They walked straight to his table and bowed their heads to him. Each face was tight with tension.
The man set down his Fork and Knife, wiping his mouth with a napkin. Only after sipping his wine did he speak.
“Four of you went, and you couldn’t bring back one woman?”
One of the uniformed men hung his head in shame, then ventured an excuse.
“The woman wasn’t alone. There was a man with her.”
“How many men?”
“…… One.”
“Four of you couldn’t handle one man? And you’re using that as your excuse?”
“The Boss ordered us not to hurt her…….”
Clang. The Wine Glass flew from the table, grazing the uniformed man’s face.
!
The delicate glass shattered against the floor, wine spreading darkly across it. The uniformed man immediately bowed his head.
“My apologies!”
A waiter appeared at his side as if nothing had happened, set down a fresh Wine Glass, and disappeared.
“Forgive me. If you give me one more chance…….”
The middle-aged man poured wine into the new glass. He swirled it gently, savoring the aroma, before taking a sip.
He set the glass down and fixed the men with a glacial stare.
“This is your last chance.”
“Yes, Boss.”
The four men bowed in unison. He spoke slowly and deliberately.
“Move to Birch Gardens. That woman will show up tomorrow—this time, execute flawlessly.”
“Yes, Boss.”
“You can kill the man.”
“Yes.”
The uniformed man nodded grimly, exchanging determined glances with the others before filing out of the restaurant.
Soft music drifted across the room. The middle-aged man picked up his Fork and Knife again and resumed cutting the steak on his plate.
The San Francisco night was only beginning. And he was its master.
***
“Are you really sure about this?”
Heejoo emerged from the shower to find Liam sitting in the chair, lost in thought. She asked with concern.
Liam looked up at her with a smile, arms crossed.
“Just say the word if you want anything. I’m ready to oblige anytime.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
Heejoo frowned and continued, toweling her wet hair.
“I mean, are you really going to sit in that chair all night? I can spare half the bed.”
“It’s tempting, I’ll admit.”
Liam wore a genuinely thoughtful expression. Then he shrugged lightly.
“But someone has to keep all-night watch.”
“Then we’ll switch at dawn.”
Heejoo checked the time. “We’ll trade off at three,” she said. Liam’s smile deepened.
She truly despised being indebted to anyone. Or rather, it was more accurate to say she couldn’t bear it.
In situations like this, it was better to let her accumulate a debt of gratitude. With that psychological weight on her mind, she wouldn’t easily refuse his requests later.
“I’m used to this sort of thing. You’ll be exhausted from everything unexpected today. Get some proper rest.”
Heejoo hesitated briefly, then nodded and climbed into bed. The sheets smelled faintly of dust, but this was no time to complain. She pulled the sheets up to her chin.
Suddenly, the fact that she was in the same room as Liam felt strange and unfamiliar. She could hear his breathing—slow and measured, in and out.
As she listened, a forgotten memory surfaced: kissing him in the hotel room.
It had been completely unlike her, but in that moment, she hadn’t thought to refuse him.
That terrified her. That he could make her act so unlike herself.
Even now.
Replaying his kiss and fidgeting about it—that, too, was unlike her. Heejoo exhaled quietly, hoping he wouldn’t notice her restlessness.
The air in the room seemed to shimmer with tension. Finally, Heejoo spoke first.
“I trust you’re not the shameless type who takes advantage of sleeping women.”
She needed to shatter this silence somehow, splinter it into pieces. Otherwise she might blurt out something strange.
“Interesting—the person who just tried to seduce a shameless man into sharing a bed just said that.”
Liam replied lightly, unbothered.
“Surely I haven’t forgotten that I come from the land of gentlemen?”
“Not a land of invaders? Once the sun never set there.”
“I can’t deny that. Well, as befits a descendant of invaders, I’d like nothing more than to press forward.”
Liam paused there, a faint smile playing at his lips.
Heejoo’s face was turned away, but he could sense her tension plainly. He could imagine the reason why.
“If I held you now, I’d be satisfied for the moment. But come morning, you’d regret it. Then you’d begin avoiding me. Taking advantage when someone’s vulnerable is cowardly. Let’s call it a strategic retreat for now.”
“I’ve been wondering about something since before.”
“Go ahead.”
Despite Liam’s casual tone, Heejoo’s voice carried an edge.
“Did you study psychology? Or do you just know me that well?”

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————