Dopamine Addiction - Chapter 32

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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32.
She suppressed the roiling in her chest and forced a smile.
“I wasn’t expecting them to turn over a new leaf at this stage anyway. Even someone in an office job would know as much.”
“So?”
“Like you said, kids like that need to see the difference in power. A gap so overwhelming they have no choice but to admit defeat. For that to happen, they need to come at us with everything they’ve got. Otherwise, they won’t concede easily.”
Liam’s face showed genuine interest. Hui Ju continued.
“Given how hot-headed they are, they’ll be back tonight. All of them. The whole gang. We’ll be waiting for them. And we’ll make sure they never dare cause trouble again.”
“Hmm.”
Liam’s smile deepened. He found himself thinking that she might be surprisingly suited to fieldwork after all.
Just moments after speaking such ominous words, Hui Ju switched to a casual tone.
“Let’s grab something to eat on the way. Pizza, kebab, whatever.”
“You’ve given up on cooking?”
“……Didn’t you say it’s unsuitable food for someone recovering?”
“Good thinking.”
No, really. Hui Ju was about to ignite with indignation when Liam casually added:
“I’ll do the cooking. I seem to have more talent for it than you do. By the way, is there anything you’d like to eat on Christmas?”
“What?”
Hui Ju blinked at the sudden non sequitur.
“Why else would you have been staring so intently at the Christmas decorations? You want to spend it with me, don’t you?”
That wasn’t quite it, though.
She started to protest but fell silent instead. If she was honest, she was curious about what he had planned for Christmas.
She couldn’t imagine him spending it with family in some cozy domestic scene, and she didn’t want to imagine him with a lover in some sweet moment.
So what would his Christmas look like? Who would be at his side?
She didn’t think it would be her. There was still a month until Christmas, and their time together wouldn’t last that long.
Which made his question all the more surprising. She found herself asking earnestly:
“Are you asking me to spend Christmas with you?”
“Why? Do you have other plans? Going to spend it with your family?”
“Not with my family.”
At that, Liam smiled—a soft curve of the mouth with eyes sharp as ice. Though she wasn’t sure the expression even qualified as a smile.
“Then who? Is there some man you’d be spending it with?”
Where have I seen that look before? Hui Ju nodded to herself as recognition struck.
She’d seen it at the Hotel Bar, when he was talking with the Italian man. That same smile.
“Why can’t you answer? Don’t tell me it’s actually true?”
The edge of Liam’s smile froze. Hui Ju quickly shook her head.
“This business will be settled before then anyway.”
“And?”
“I’ll be going back to Korea.”
“And?”
“You’ll be going back to London.”
“And?”
“So there’s nothing more to ‘and.’ We won’t be spending Christmas together.”
“Is that so? Was I just a body to you?”
“!”
Hui Ju’s eyes widened. She hadn’t expected to hear such a thing from Liam. It was staggering.
Her lips moved soundlessly for a moment before she frowned. Liam was playing the part of the aggrieved lover, making her out to be a libertine.
“People will think we actually did something if they hear you talk like that.”
“The problem is we haven’t done anything yet.”
“So I can’t have wanted you just for your body, right?”
“You talk like you’ll never see me again once we leave the United States.”
“So you will keep seeing me?”
“Wow, that really hurts.”
Liam replied in a tone entirely devoid of hurt. Yet there was something wistful flickering in his eyes.
Hui Ju apologized readily.
“I’m sorry. That’s not what I meant.”
But Liam knew that was exactly what she had meant. He was outside her world, someone for whom she couldn’t plan a future a month away.
He would have been lying if he said it didn’t sting, but it didn’t wound him as deeply as it might have. After all, he intended to keep seeing her.
As long as she needed him.
“I’ll think about what you’d like to eat.”
“Good. We have plenty of time.”
Liam replied easily, walking alongside Hui Ju.
“So when are we going to sleep together? I can’t believe we haven’t done anything yet.”
“You move fast, don’t you? Do you do this with other women too?”
“Are you jealous?”
“Jealous? Who said—”
Hui Ju nearly shouted before catching herself with a deep breath. She was used to holding things in. She wanted her parents and siblings to remember her as a good person.
But for some reason, Liam made anger flare up in her unexpectedly. She didn’t know why. It could have been his smug tone, or his easy confidence.
Or.
“My hands aren’t fast. That’s why I’m holding back like this.”
“……I know.”
Hui Ju whispered her reply. The smile in Liam’s eyes deepened.
“Now then, shall we prepare for our guests tonight?”
“Yes.”
The two were finally in accord. The absurdity of how well they worked together struck her, and laughter spilled from between her teeth.
Liam stared at her face with unreadable intensity.
***
Noel was confident when it came to card games. She had never lost a single one.
Of course, her grandfather was the only person she’d ever played cards with.
Still, Noel was skilled at card games. That was an undeniable fact.
Moreover, Page One was a game she’d played often with her grandfather. Players receive a hand of cards, and one card is placed face-up on the table.
Then players take turns laying down cards—but you can only play a card that matches the table card in either number or suit.
When you’re about to play your last card, you must shout “Page One!” If your opponent shouts it first, you have to draw a penalty card.
Whoever empties their hand first wins.
“Pay—”
“Page One.”
Liam beat her to it. Noel glared at him with visible displeasure.
That was the thirteenth time. Thirteen times Liam had shouted “Page One” before she could.
Liam raised an eyebrow at her.
“What are you waiting for? Draw a card.”
Noel stuck out her lower lip and drew a card. Now she held three cards in her hand.
Liam played a card quietly when he had nothing else to lay. Watching the considerable stack of cards in his hand, Noel’s eyes narrowed with grim satisfaction.
Just then, Hui Ju’s urgent voice cut through:
“Page One!”
“…….”
“Ah.”
Noel blinked, caught off guard. She’d been so focused on glaring at Liam that she’d failed to watch Hui Ju’s cards. It was her own mistake.
But it was fine. Based on the cards played so far and the pattern of what Hui Ju had laid down, her last card was definitely a heart.
The table card was a club—she just needed to avoid changing the suit. And conveniently, she had a club nine in her hand.
Noel laid down her card with satisfaction.
“Pay—”
“Page One.”
Tch. Noel threw Liam a resentful look. Why did he let Hui Ju shout it without interfering, but always cut her off?
“What are you waiting for? Draw a card.”
Noel reluctantly drew her penalty card.
But there was still hope. If things continued this way, Hui Ju, who had hearts, would have to draw a card.
It’s a battle between me and Hui Ju. Good.
As Noel renewed her resolve, Liam played his card.
“…….”
A heart nine.
“No……”
“Game!”
Hui Ju played her final card, beaming with triumph.
“I won again. Sorry about that. I didn’t realize it myself, but it seems I have a talent for card games.”
That wasn’t it at all. Noel shot Liam a pointed glare. It was all his fault. If only he hadn’t played that heart.
“Looks that way.”
Liam smiled and praised Hui Ju. She shuffled the cards with a smug air.
“Don’t be discouraged. With practice, you might be able to win once, even if you can’t beat me.”
“I really don’t think I have any talent for card games.”
“I’ll take it easier next round.”
Noel’s fists trembled. When you looked at it fairly, she should have won all three games.
If only Liam hadn’t interfered!
Noel clenched her teeth and glared at Liam. And this wasn’t just about the card game. She wasn’t petty like that.
When Hui Ju had stepped out briefly earlier, Liam had opened the living room window. But the weather was far too harsh for airing out the space.
Noel, shivering with her arms crossed, carefully ventured:
‘Can’t you close the window, Liam? It’s freezing.’
Liam glanced at her and said flatly:
‘Bear it.’
Tch. Noel hung her head obediently. Liam frightened her too much to challenge him.
It was strange. He wasn’t cruel like those bullies who had tormented her, and he was practically indifferent—yet he was more frightening than they had ever been.
It was probably the undefined pressure that radiated from him.

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