Dopamine Addiction - Chapter 85

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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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85.
At that moment, the back door of the Residence opened. A vehicle emerged from the garage and moved quietly toward the rear exit. Peter walked to the car, its engine already running.
“Be careful.”
Hee-ju nodded at his words.
“Thank you, Peter. I won’t forget this kindness.”
“That’s what we should be saying.”
Peter traced the Sign of the Cross, as if praying for divine protection. Liam spoke low and quick.
“I’ll leave the car at the Airport.”
“I know—don’t worry. Just take care of yourself.”
Liam started the engine. The back door closed as discreetly as it had opened.
The vehicle raced down a narrow dirt path toward Wasatch State Park. Hee-ju, sitting in the passenger seat, watched the sun dipping toward the west, her expression clouded with worry.
“We need to arrive before dark. I don’t know when the restaurant closes.”
After driving for a while, the landscape began to change. Dense brush appeared on either side.
After another ten minutes or so, Liam pulled into a parking lot. He called out to Hee-ju as she stepped from the car.
“While I grab the USB Drive, you distract the staff.”
“How?”
“Figure it out. You’ll manage.”
At his irresponsible answer, Hee-ju rolled her eyes. Liam grinned at something he found amusing and opened the door.
Hee-ju exhaled a resigned sigh and strode forward with determination.
The staff member leaning against the bar smiled and greeted Hee-ju as she entered.
“Welcome.”
Hee-ju walked straight to the bar and draped both arms over the counter. A quick glance sideways—Liam was standing in front of a display cabinet near the entrance.
The staff member braced both hands on the bar and asked.
“What can I get you?”
“Two coffees, please. To go. Oh, and do you have decaf?”
“Sorry, no decaf.”
The staff member reached toward the coffee machine, looking at Hee-ju as if to ask what she’d do instead. She shrugged.
“Well, guess I won’t sleep tonight anyway. Actually, could you add whipped cream to one? Plenty of it.”
“Sorry, no whipped cream either. This isn’t a specialty coffee shop.”
The staff member pointed to a machine. It was a vending machine—press a button and out comes coffee.
“We have espresso, americano, café latte, and cappuccino. Pick one of those.”
The staff member’s voice had turned cold. Hee-ju, suddenly demoted to an annoying customer, smiled awkwardly.
What’s taking him so long?
She glanced sideways at Liam. He was still examining the records displayed in the cabinet.
“Ha, well, two americanos then, please.”
The staff member set down a disposable cup and pressed a button. Whirrrr—the old machine clattered loudly.
Their eyes met again. The staff member looked at Hee-ju with suspicion.
Then she glanced briefly at Liam by the display cabinet. Hee-ju suddenly tilted her head.
I need to say something.
“You know, I thought so last time too—the music here is really nice.”
At those words, the staff member’s gaze shifted to Hee-ju. The woman, who’d worn a lukewarm expression until now, leaned her elbows on the bar and bent her upper body toward Hee-ju.
“Really? I always thought someday someone would appreciate this music. I went to this band’s show a few days ago, and the atmosphere was incredible. Want me to tell you about them? They’re local.”
“I’d love to.”
“The CD is somewhere around here.”
The staff member turned and rummaged under the bar. Hee-ju glanced at Liam once more. She saw him reaching toward a record.
Liam turned and walked back toward her. He gave her a small nod.
Relief flooded through her.
Just as Hee-ju was exhaling that breath, the staff member straightened up. She held out a CD.
“Take it. I have a few more.”
“Wow, thank you. I’ll be listening to this all day.”
“The back of the CD has this year’s concert schedule on it.”
“Thanks.”
“Not at all. It’s wonderful to share a taste in music with someone.”
With that, the staff member set down two coffees. Hee-ju pulled out Cash and handed it over.
“The rest is for the CD. Thank you.”
“No problem. Take care. Hopefully we’ll meet at a show sometime.”
Hee-ju waved lightly and left the shop with the coffees and CD. Liam took one of the cups from her hand as he murmured.
“You’re quite skilled at that.”
Hee-ju shot him a sideways look. The two drove straight to the Cabin. Clatter-clatter—the vehicle swayed sharply side to side along the dirt road.
Hee-ju took a sip of her coffee and suddenly spoke.
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
Liam glanced at her as he drove. Shadows from the trees played across her face, appearing and disappearing.
“Just… I don’t think I ever said it properly. Thank you for coming to rescue me.”
“Then I should apologize.”
“You? Why?”
Hee-ju turned to look at him in confusion. No matter how hard she thought, she couldn’t see any reason for him to apologize.
Liam kept his eyes fixed firmly ahead.
“Because you were kidnapped by the Mafia because of me.”
“It wasn’t because of you!”
“It was. If I hadn’t let you go alone back then—”
……
“If I hadn’t—”
Liam couldn’t finish and closed his mouth. Hee-ju reached over and gripped the back of his hand.
She said nothing. She simply squeezed his hand more firmly.
Perhaps that day had left a wound on both of them. But wounds do heal. Given time, someday they would.
“I’m fine.”
“You always say you’re fine.”
Liam drew a short breath and pulled a USB Drive from his pocket, handing it to Hee-ju. Instead of taking it, she simply stared at it.
Wounds might heal, but what about the hollow place carved into his chest?
Time alone wouldn’t fill the void in Liam. Only Benjamin’s acknowledgment could do that.
If only she could give this to Benjamin.
“You keep it. It’s yours.”
At Liam’s words, Hee-ju slowly reached out. Her fingers closed around the USB Drive. Strangely, it felt unbearably heavy.
Why did Father leave this with me? And—
‘If the young lady gives me the blueprints, I’ll carve out a sizeable business for Liam. Perhaps not a dukedom, but a barony at the very least. I’ll even grant him lands. What do you say to my proposition?’
What am I supposed to do with this? The car, which had been bouncing for some time, finally came to a stop.
“Here we are.”
Liam went into the Cabin alone and returned with Hee-ju’s Bag.
“Check if anything’s missing.”
Hee-ju rummaged through the Bag and shook her head.
“My Laptop is gone, but that’s okay. Nothing important was stored on it anyway. At least my Passport is here. That’ll do.”
Liam got back into the driver’s seat, released the brake, reversed, and turned the car back the way they’d come.
After bouncing along for a while, the vehicle descended onto the main road. Hee-ju clutched her Bag and gazed up at the crystalline blue winter sky.
Now she was returning to Korea. She couldn’t quite believe it.
“Oh.”
Hee-ju suddenly remembered something and reached out.
“Can I borrow your Mobile Phone?”
“I can’t let go of the wheel while driving. It’s in my pocket—just take it.”
Liam replied casually. Hee-ju reached over and searched his jacket pocket.
“There’s nothing here.”
“It’s in my pants pocket.”
……
Only then did Hee-ju catch his drift, her eyes narrowing to sharp points. Liam’s expression turned deliberately innocent.
“Or never mind if you don’t need it.”
“Since when do you drive with both hands?”
“The most important person in the world is riding with me, so I have to be careful. I’m quite a conscientious person, after all.”
Hee-ju’s eyes narrowed further, but she reached out again with resignation. Liam’s expression softened as if he were about to hum a tune.
Her hand slipped into Liam’s pants pocket. Her slender fingers traced the empty pocket.
It was a small gesture, but somehow it felt charged.
“Ah, that’s not it either. Left side.”
“Liam.”
Hee-ju’s voice had dropped low. At that same moment, Liam honked the horn.
A jeep had suddenly swerved out from the right, passing so close it nearly clipped the side mirror.
“See? With crazy drivers like that all over the road, how could I possibly drive with one hand? Right?”
Hee-ju exhaled in resignation and leaned her body forward. Supporting herself with one hand on the seat, she reached into Liam’s left pants pocket with the other.
In doing so, their bodies pressed close. Hee-ju’s face nearly touched his chest as her hand fumbled. Liam’s shoulder trembled slightly.
This infuriating man.
Just as Hee-ju’s eyes were sharpening again—
Smack.
Liam kissed the crown of her head. Hee-ju straightened up quickly, having snatched the Cell Phone, and complained under her breath.
“A man who cares so much about safety, yet you can’t even keep your eyes on the road while driving?”
“Both my hands stayed right where they belong—on the steering wheel.”
“Just watch the road.”
Hee-ju pouted while looking at the Cell Phone. Liam finally burst into loud laughter.
***
“What?”
Anthony’s face darkened as he took the call. Hunter, who’d been staring at the front entrance of the Residence, turned to look at him with a yawn.

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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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