Dopamine Addiction - Chapter 95

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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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Epilogue 4.
“…….”
A knock sounded at the door. A sharp, insistent one.
“Don’t worry about it.”
Liam murmured with his lips pressed together, then slipped down to her collarbone.
“Ah—”
A breathy moan escaped between Hee-ju’s teeth. His hand slid between the folds of her sleeping shirt.
Hee-ju shuddered involuntarily, goosebumps rising at the touch of his cold hand. Perhaps it was anticipation—anticipation of the pleasure he would give her.
His hand, having slipped to her back, traced up her spine. Just as Hee-ju’s neck tilted back.
Bang, bang, bang.
“Noona! Open the door! What are you doing in there?”
Hyun-woo’s voice echoed through the space. Goosebumps rose on her skin for a different reason now.
Hee-ju reflexively pushed Liam’s shoulder. He yielded without resistance, but fixed the door with a cold gaze—as though debating whether to kill whoever stood on the other side.
Straightening her clothes, Hee-ju walked to the entrance and opened the door.
“Noona! The police de——!”
Her eyes met Hyun-woo’s, his fist still raised to knock.
He looked her up and down, then cast a sideways glance at Liam behind her. Without a word, he strode into the apartment.
“I forgot I needed to use the bathroom earlier. It’s urgent, really urgent.”
“Where’s your brother?”
“He went home.”
Hyun-woo answered without fully committing to it, heading straight for the bathroom. Liam watched his retreating figure with narrowed eyes.
Hee-ju added, as though making an excuse.
“He’s not a bad person, really.”
The sound of the toilet flushing drifted out, followed by the rush of shower water. Between those sounds came Hyun-woo’s humming.
“Man, I’m starving. Noona! Make me some ramen, will you?”
Liam’s smile took on a decidedly more sinister edge. Hee-ju found herself instinctively grabbing his arm.
“He’s just sometimes oblivious, that’s all. He’s really not a bad person.”
Liam frowned at that. Wasn’t this less a lack of perceptiveness and more an abundance of it?
In the end, Hyun-woo ate two packets of ramen, drained a bottle of hangover cure, and took a considerable nap.
Then he left Hee-ju’s officetel with Liam, walking out with an air of triumph—like a soldier returning from a victorious war.
***
Hee-ju checked her reflection in the elevator mirror nervously, examining herself with care.
The one-piece dress she hadn’t worn in ages felt strange, as did the makeup she’d applied after so long—her eyes kept tracing over her own image.
Ding. The elevator stopped. Taking a steadying breath, she stepped out of the heavy mechanical box. A restaurant came into view ahead.
“A Korean restaurant on a day like this. That’s exactly the kind of crazy thing he’d do. I like it.”
Despite her words, Hee-ju laughed softly as she entered the shop. A staff member greeted her with a warm smile.
“Do you have a reservation?”
“Yes. Under Liam Clofe.”
“Right this way.”
The staff member guided her to a window seat.
Liam was already there, waiting. He’d been gazing at the darkening skyline, but turned slowly as he sensed her presence.
Their eyes met. His pupils dilated slightly.
Hee-ju offered the staff member a light nod, removed her coat, and sat down. Liam observed her intently, his eyes narrowing.
“And here we are.”
“Here we are with what?”
Hee-ju’s expression turned deliberately gruff, as if to hide her awkwardness. Then she pushed back a strand of hair that had fallen across her face, tucking it behind her ear.
“Better than expected.”
“You weren’t expecting much, were you?”
Liam laughed at that. Hee-ju understood why.
Not long ago, a conversation between them came to mind—the day he’d chased her to the United States, the talk they’d had at a hotel coffee shop.
Whether it was mere nostalgia or something else, that memory felt distant, like something from another lifetime. Sometimes she wondered if it had ever really happened at all.
Well, with the lunatic sitting right in front of her, it seemed too real to have been a dream.
“You’re beautiful.”
Liam murmured softly. It echoed the same words he’d spoken that day.
But the emotion woven through them now was deeper, heavier than before.
If she didn’t mind that—if she’d come to accept it—did that make her crazy too? This is why mother always said to choose your friends carefully.
Near ink becomes black. A white egret should never land where crows play.
And yet here she was. She’d already been biting, licking, and rolling around with the crow.
Hee-ju exhaled a long sigh, her expression resigned. She’d come too far to turn back now. It was time to surrender.
She handed him a small paper bag. Liam raised an eyebrow.
“What’s this?”
“A Christmas present.”
Soft gayageum melodies drifted from speakers above, and every table was filled with couples and families, not a single empty seat.
A massive tree hung with red ribbons stood at the shop’s entrance, and through the window, the green Namsan Tower gleamed in the distance.
She’d never thought she’d spend Christmas with this man.
“My arm’s falling off. Aren’t you going to take it? Should I take it back?”
Liam spoke in an embarrassed tone, rubbing his chin with one hand.
“I didn’t prepare a present for you. I hadn’t spent Christmas with someone else in so long—I completely forgot.”
Hee-ju replied matter-of-factly.
“It’s fine. My gift for you would’ve been cheaper than dinner anyway.”
Liam let out a soft laugh. Hee-ju gave him a suspicious look.
“What? You’re not suggesting Dutch treat, are you?”
“Of course not.”
He laughed again, then asked, “Can I open it now?” Hee-ju nodded, taking a sip of warm water.
Liam opened the box. His expression shifted—half surprise, half amusement.
Hee-ju muttered as if defending herself.
“I thought it would be better than gloves from a pawn shop.”
They were leather gloves. Sleek black leather gloves.
Liam slipped them on and flexed his fists, testing the feel.
Something about the gesture struck her as unsettling, and Hee-ju found herself shivering.
Liam caught her gaze and smiled, his eyes narrowing.
“I like them very much. Thank you. I think I’ll enjoy breaking them in.”
“Breaking me in? Or the gloves?”
“Both.”
Liam’s expression turned playful, like a mischievous boy. Just as Hee-ju’s eyes widened, the appetizer arrived.
Gloves in hand, Liam turned his attention back to her.
“Eat. You must be hungry.”
His chopstick technique was fluid. Perhaps even more practiced than hers.
The appetizer was bugak—crispy sheets made of seaweed. Hee-ju carefully picked one up and brought it to her lips.
Crunch. It broke apart beautifully, flooding her mouth with a savory, nutty flavor.
The quiet gayageum, the fantastic night view, and Liam sitting across from her—at least for Hee-ju, it was a perfect Christmas.
“By the way, Noel asked me to send his regards.”
“That brat?”
Liam’s tone was skeptical, as though questioning whether a child like Noel possessed the social grace to ask about anyone’s wellbeing.
Not that social grace had anything to do with it.
In the first place, Noel had never taken any interest in Liam. Hee-ju, who’d fallen silent in thought, added sheepishly.
“Not exactly those words, but that’s what he meant.”
Liam let out a knowing chuckle.
“What’s the brat doing on Christmas?”
His tone suggested little genuine curiosity, yet Liam proved himself more socially aware than Noel by asking how she’d spent the day.
“He visited his grandfather this afternoon, and for the evening—”
Hee-ju paused, her brow furrowing slightly. Liam, catching where this was headed, let out a soft smile.
“Looks like he’s spending it with Lucas.”
“More precisely, with Lucas’s family.”
Hee-ju emphasized the word “family.” Liam added with mischievous intent.
“Don’t think you can relax just because he’s with family. You know how boys his age are—they don’t care about other people’s eyes.”
“Don’t worry. I gave Noel strict instructions.”
“To leave the door open?”
“Naturally.”
Liam burst into laughter again. There was never a dull moment. His dopamine receptors endlessly sought new stimulation, addicting him to her.
He’d probably never tire of her. She surprised him in new ways every single time.
Liam leaned forward, fixing Hee-ju with an intense gaze.
“After we finish eating, we’re going back to my place. We’re not innocent high schoolers.”
Just then, a server appeared with the next course. Caught off guard by the brazenly suggestive remark, Hee-ju flushed deeply and cast a wary glance at the staff member.
The man who’d spoken, meanwhile, regarded his plate with perfect composure.
“Is the food to your taste?”
“…… Yes. It’s delicious.”
Well, why would a lunatic be anything but a lunatic? Common sense and morality don’t apply to him—that’s what makes him mad. How was she supposed to educate and manage someone like him?
Hee-ju sat with these worries as she brought a piece of raw fish to her mouth. The flesh clung pleasantly to her tongue, chewy and supple.
She usually ate fish with seasoned soy sauce, but this was quite palatable.
Glancing casually around the restaurant, Hee-ju spoke in an unusually relaxed tone.
“Hunter and Anthony seem to be enjoying their Christmas too. I don’t see them today.”
“They probably haven’t given up yet. They’re likely eating pizza in their hotel room. Not many office workers want to work on Christmas.”
“Office workers who labor even on holidays. For the first time, I find myself feeling sorry for them.”
“They’re useless.”
Liam smiled faintly and shook his head.
After that, inconsequential words drifted back and forth. Hee-ju asked about Benjamin, and Liam inquired about Hyun-jin and Hyun-woo.
Suddenly, Hee-ju’s eyes widened. She’d just realized that the two of them—their worlds were beginning to overlap.

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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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