Impossible Romance - Chapter 76

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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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76.

The night in the Island Village felt like a scene from a fairy tale, untethered from reality. With her eyes closed, Jun-hee soared through a sky ablaze with stars, her body weightless as a storybook heroine. Seok-ha flew beside her. Her lips sealed, her heart quickened as though she were dreaming something impossibly sweet. She didn’t want to wake from this dream, but the sound of waves pulled her back to consciousness.
Seok-ha’s hand cradled her as he drew closer. Jun-hee’s eyes fluttered open, and she turned her head to avoid his gaze, which burned just inches from hers. She tried to pull away, but found herself trapped—blocked before and behind.
He loomed like a mountain that had gathered all the falling stars into its embrace. His large hand traced her cheek, brushed the corner of her eye, and caressed her lips.
Heat bloomed like flowers wherever his fingertips traveled. Her heart raced in tandem, her brows trembling.
“You’re like ice cream.”
He pressed his lips gently against the delicate skin beneath her eyes.
Caressing the confused expression on her face, he spoke again.
“You’re too sweet. And you make me nervous. If I don’t eat you soon, you’ll melt away.”
Seok-ha kissed her cheeks and lips in succession, as though she truly were ice cream. When his soft lips drew at her own, a tremor rippled through her lower belly. Afraid he might notice even that small quiver, Jun-hee tried to push him away.
But the more she resisted, the closer he came, pressing against her. Her lips were sealed shut by his, leaving barely room to breathe. The only warmth she could draw came from the breath he exhaled.
“Ah, ah….”
Through the narrow gaps between their lips, he caught each escaping breath and swallowed it, pulling her deeper into his embrace. His large hand tightened around her waist, drawing her flush against him until her entire body felt crushed beneath his solid chest.
Seok-ha held her completely within his arms as though terrified that if he let go, she would dissolve. The kiss showed no sign of ending, their lips moving wetly, slick with mingled saliva.
It was only a kiss, yet the familiar sensation awakened forgotten desire, shaking her to her core. A tremor traced down the nape of her neck, spreading languorously until her legs weakened beneath her.
“This… this isn’t right.”
The moment their lips parted, Jun-hee whispered the words. Her voice, heavy with warmth, contradicted the meaning of her protest, stirring Seok-ha further.
“Do you dislike me?”
The desire he’d suppressed for so long erupted like a volcano, consuming him.
“….”
She should have said no, but in the darkness, Jun-hee lost her words and hesitated. She wanted to reveal the longing she’d carried every day, using this darkness as an excuse.
“Let’s go inside.”
“No, that’s not….”
Yet she also knew that spending this night with Seok-ha was dangerous.
“Would you prefer here?”
Seok-ha, flushed with heat, brought his hand to the buttons of her pajamas. His thick fingers looked ready to tear them open at any moment.
“That’s not what I meant….”
She grasped his hand with both of hers and spoke.
“I understand. I’ll take care of everything.”
He tempered his urgency and traced his fingers near her neck instead.
“I don’t think… I shouldn’t do this with the Executive Director.”
Flustered, Jun-hee barely managed the words, her voice trembling. She had run away for his sake—she couldn’t reveal her heart like this. The realization struck her belatedly, and she scrambled to her feet.
“….”
This time, Seok-ha said nothing, only watching her. His eyes burned with undiminished heat as he gazed at her.
“I… I’ll see you tomorrow. It’s late.”
Jun-hee spoke in a small voice, then fled into her room like a frightened animal.
“See you tomorrow. I’m late.”
Jun-hee spoke in a small voice and then fled into the room.
“Sigh….”
Seok-ha ran a hand through his hair, his gaze fixed on the closed door—a barrier as impenetrable as her heart.

***

After breakfast, Byung-ho had stepped out for exercise, and as always, he passed by Jun-hee’s Apartment. On fortunate mornings, he’d catch her for a greeting and share coffee at the Bookstore.
Today the weather was brilliant, lifting his spirits. He’d postponed his morning schedule to afternoon and strolled leisurely through the Neighborhood, arriving at Jun-hee’s place.
Then his brow furrowed as he naturally approached the Yard—Seok-ha was lounging on the Veranda in the center of it.
The sight of him in a t-shirt and sunglasses, so utterly at ease, grated on Byung-ho’s nerves. Those impossibly long legs stretched out in jeans—that irritated him too.
“Who might you be? Ah, that person from before.”
Before Byung-ho could even step into Jun-hee’s Yard, Seok-ha blocked his path with a question. Now he recognized him—the man who’d confronted him warily outside the Bookstore not long ago.
“What, has Grandmother Kim started turning people away now?”
Rather than answer Seok-ha, Byung-ho grumbled loudly.
Seok-ha lifted his sunglasses slightly to regard Byung-ho, then let out a quiet chuckle.
“No matter how much money one has, they’d still let a flashy type like that into Na-yeon’s place? Our Na-yeon won’t even acknowledge a man unless he’s refined.”
Byung-ho puffed out his chest, adjusting the collar of the suit jacket he’d rarely worn.
“Na-yeon? That’s absurd. Jun-hee!”
Seok-ha called out loudly to Jun-hee in the Kitchen.
“Yes? What is it?”
Jun-hee poked her head out from the Kitchen where she’d been drinking water.
After fleeing to her Room last night, things had been awkward between her and Seok-ha, so when he called, she was almost relieved. That’s why she couldn’t bring herself to look at Byung-ho standing outside watching.
“Just curious about what our Jun-hee’s up to.”
“Really now.”
Jun-hee laughed rather than get angry. She knew it was a waste of time to respond to every quip when Seok-ha was so naturally witty.
“Should your brother help with the dishes?”
Seok-ha rose from his seat and strode toward Jun-hee.
“No, what do you mean brother….”
Before Jun-hee could finish, Seok-ha grabbed her and pulled her back into the Kitchen.
“Your brother’s good at this sort of thing. Don’t worry.”
After pushing Jun-hee into the Kitchen, Seok-ha glanced at Byung-ho still standing outside. The smile playing at his lips was more satisfied than ever.
‘He… he… I haven’t even held her hand yet.’
Byung-ho’s gaze wavered as he watched the two of them, his face crumpling as if he might cry.

***

Outside the conference room at Seonjin Distribution, Ahn Jun-young adjusted his appearance. He’d received a message from Kwon Seok-jun asking to meet, and his nerves were wound tight.
As the secretary opened the door, Ahn Jun-young stepped inside.
“Good afternoon, Department Head.”
Ahn Jun-young bowed respectfully toward Kwon Seok-jun, who sat in the seat of honor.
“Come in, have a seat over there.”
Kwon Seok-jun crossed one leg over the other, tapping his foot idly.
“Yes, sir.”
Ahn Jun-young took his seat, studying Kwon Seok-jun’s expression. Having trailed after Seok-ha, he’d picked up a rough understanding of the Seonjin Group’s royal family. He couldn’t fathom why his cousin had summoned him.
“You’re looking for your sister, aren’t you? Ahn Jun-hee. Still fumbling around in the dark, I hear.”
Kwon Seok-jun broached the subject of Jun-hee without preamble.
“Pardon? How did you know that?”
“I have my own sources of information.”
He shrugged casually.
“I see.”
Ahn Jun-young still couldn’t grasp why he’d been called here.
“I know where Ahn Jun-hee is.”
At Kwon Seok-jun’s words, Ahn Jun-young’s eyes widened as he stared at him.
“I heard you’re struggling financially these days.”
Kwon Seok-jun withdrew a cigarette from his pocket and lit it.
Ahn Jun-young rose instinctively, the habit ingrained in his body, and produced a lighter to ignite the cigarette. Watching the white shaft burn red, he returned to his seat with deference.
“Exhale…”
Kwon Seok-jun exhaled smoke in his direction, but Ahn Jun-young didn’t turn away. Somehow, it felt like he shouldn’t.
“I’ll give you double what Seok-ha was giving you. Get Jun-hee out of the way. Overseas would be even better. Just make sure Seok-ha doesn’t catch wind of it. Can you do that?”
“D-double?”
Ahn Jun-young’s eyes grew wider still. His shoulders, which had been slumped before entering the conference room, suddenly straightened. Money was an irresistible lure for someone drowning in daily agony from loan sharks, even having borrowed against his future.
“Roughly that much. Can you do it?”
“Yes! I can do it.”
“I thought so. Oh, and Jun-hee changed her name, by the way.”
Kwon Seok-jun took another drag and slid a memo with a name and address written on it across the table.
“Thank you. But Department Head…”
As he pocketed the memo, Ahn Jun-young called out to him carefully.
“Go ahead.”
“May I ask why you’re giving this to me?”
Ahn Jun-young suddenly wondered if Kwon Seok-jun had harbored feelings for Jun-hee as well.
“I want to see Seok-ha lose his mind. That bastard should lose something too—only fair, don’t you think?”
He stubbed out the cigarette, barely half-smoked, against the table.

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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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