Chapter 58: Spoiled

The last of the meat had long since been eaten, their plates now cleared except for the small dessert dishes in front of them. Ji-hye slowly spooned up the last bite of patbingsu, the shaved ice melting instantly on her tongue. Around them, the buzz of conversation faded as other guests finished their meals. Chairs scraped softly against the floor, the scent of grilled beef lingering in the air, faintly sweetened now by dessert and coffee. Between bites, Ji-hye glanced across the table at Harin. "So... how did you and Joon-ho meet?" Harin smiled, leaning back slightly. "We were classmates in university. Barely talked back then. Life happened, and we lost touch for years." Ji-hye tilted her head. "And then...?" "Then," Harin said with a little smirk, "we reconnected recently. Went out for drinks. One thing led to another, and he..." She paused deliberately, eyes glittering as she looked straight at Ji-hye. "...fucked me so silly I couldn’t think straight for two days. After that, I was done for. He made me his woman that night." Ji-hye’s spoon froze halfway to her lips. "Y-you really don’t have to put it like that..." "Why not? It’s the truth," Harin teased, clearly enjoying her reaction. "Besides—look at you blushing already." Ji-hye lowered her eyes, ears burning. "And," Harin added, leaning closer so only Ji-hye could hear, "he told me he’d take care of me. Said if my company ever got too toxic, I could quit and he’d cover me. No hesitation." Ji-hye blinked, stunned. "He... said that?" "Mhm. I told you—he’s dangerous in the best way." Slowly, Ji-hye looked across the table at Joon-ho. He’d been listening the whole time, his posture relaxed, his gaze steady. "You too," he said simply. "You’re my woman now, Ji-hye. When your career’s over, I’ll make sure you’re taken care of. You won’t have to worry about a thing." Her face went red instantly. She looked down, unable to meet his eyes, her chest tight with a mix of embarrassment and warmth. Joon-ho flagged down the server, paid the bill without a second thought, and stood. "Come on. Let’s walk for a bit before shopping." The mall was busy, Saturday afternoon foot traffic filling the polished marble floors. The steady hum of chatter blended with upbeat store music drifting from open shopfronts, punctuated by the occasional call of a barista from the nearby café. Couples strolled arm in arm, stopping to peer into window displays. Families clustered around the ice cream stand, children tugging impatiently at their parents’ sleeves. Harin walked between Ji-hye and Joon-ho, looping her arm casually through Ji-hye’s as she talked. "They opened a new café on the third floor last month. Supposed to have these ridiculous soufflé pancakes—like, taller than my fist. We should try it later." Ji-hye smiled faintly. "That sounds dangerous. I’ll end up in a food coma before dinner." "That’s the point," Harin grinned. "We’re not here to be healthy. We’re here to spoil ourselves." They wandered past a large bookstore, the scent of paper and coffee drifting out from within. Harin paused at the display of bestsellers, tilting her head at the covers while Ji-hye skimmed the titles. Joon-ho lingered near the entrance, one hand in his pocket, the other reaching out casually to smooth the collar of Ji-hye’s jacket when it folded in on itself. She looked up at him, caught off guard. "You didn’t have to—" "It was crooked," he said simply, his touch lingering for half a second longer than necessary before withdrawing. From there, they drifted toward a small gadget shop. Harin made a beeline for a stand of quirky phone accessories, trying on different phone cases with mock seriousness. "This one says ’rich girl energy,’ right?" she asked, holding up a sparkly pink case. Ji-hye laughed. "It says ’high school student energy.’" "Fine," Harin said dramatically, tossing it back into the basket. "I’ll stick with what I have." As they stepped back into the main walkway, Joon-ho naturally shifted closer to Ji-hye when a group of teenagers rushed past. His hand brushed lightly against the small of her back, guiding her out of the way. She felt the warmth of his palm even after it was gone. They wove around another cluster of shoppers, the sound of sneakers squeaking against tile. Ji-hye found herself relaxing into the easy pace—no rush, no pressure—just the quiet comfort of walking together. It felt... normal. Almost domestic, even though it was their first outing like this. Every so often, Harin would glance back at Joon-ho, who followed a step behind, his gaze naturally falling on the two of them. Each time, she would grin as if to say, look at us—aren’t we the perfect entourage? At one point, Ji-hye felt a loose strand of hair tickle her cheek. Before she could tuck it away, Joon-ho reached forward and brushed it back behind her ear. "Better," he murmured, his voice low enough that Harin pretended not to hear. "I could get used to this," Harin said finally, her voice light but sincere. "Shopping with my favorite people. This is the life." Eventually, she slowed in front of a trendy boutique, its wide glass windows displaying mannequins in the latest seasonal styles. "Here we are." She turned to Ji-hye with a sly smile. "Today, we’re dressing you up." Ji-hye groaned playfully, clutching the lapels of her oversized jacket. "I’m fine like this. Comfortable, warm..." "Not today," Harin interrupted, her tone mock-stern. "You’re off-duty, you’re out with me and Joon-ho, and you’re going to look gorgeous. No arguments." She gave Ji-hye’s arm a little tug toward the entrance. Ji-hye shot Joon-ho a helpless glance. He only shrugged with the faintest smile, then stepped forward to open the boutique door for her, his hand brushing lightly at her lower back as he guided her inside. Inside the store, Harin didn’t waste a single second—she swept down the aisles like a woman on a mission, fingers grazing fabrics before pulling dresses off the racks with sharp decisiveness. She piled them into Ji-hye’s arms one by one. "Try this one. And this. Oh—definitely this floral one-piece. And... yes, this bold red wrap dress too," Harin said, clearly enjoying herself. Ji-hye could only laugh, shifting the growing pile in her arms before disappearing into the fitting room. Harin followed moments later with another armful, her grin widening. The two of them quickly fell into a rhythm—Ji-hye trying on a dress while Harin offered commentary, then swapping so Harin could show off something herself. The sound of hangers clinking against the hooks mixed with the rustle of fabric and the occasional burst of laughter. "This red one makes you look confident," Harin said as she stepped behind Ji-hye to adjust the waist tie on the wrap dress. She smoothed the fabric over Ji-hye’s hips with a practiced hand. "Perfect for when you want to make someone’s heart skip." Ji-hye looked in the mirror, taking in the daring neckline and fitted silhouette, and shook her head. "I’ve never worn anything like this outside." "Then you should," Harin replied without missing a beat. "Life’s too short to only wear what’s safe." She gave Ji-hye a quick wink, then nudged her toward the next hanger. As Ji-hye slipped into the floral dress, Harin studied her reflection. "You know, you’ve got a really graceful posture. Even in casual clothes. No wonder you’re called a goddess on the court." Ji-hye’s cheeks warmed. "That’s just... part of the job." "Still," Harin said, stepping back with a satisfied nod, "it’s nice to see you like this—off the court, relaxed, smiling." They worked through several outfits before Harin’s eyes lit up mischievously. "Wait here," she said, darting out of the fitting room. She returned less than a minute later holding a small stack of delicate, lacy lingerie—some in soft pastels, others in striking blacks and reds. Ji-hye’s eyes widened. "Harin—no. We’re not—" "Oh, we are," Harin cut in, hanging a pale blush set on the hook. "You think you’re shy, but I’ve seen you blush at Joon-ho’s compliments. Imagine walking out in this under your clothes." Before Ji-hye could form a protest, Harin was already unbuttoning her own dress. "Fine, I’ll go first." In the cramped fitting space, Harin slipped into a black lace set with a plunging cut, adjusting the straps over her shoulders. She turned toward Ji-hye with a smirk. "Well?" Ji-hye tried not to stare. "You... look good." "I always do," Harin teased. "Now your turn." She plucked a deep red set from the pile and held it out. "It’ll match your cheeks right now." Reluctantly, Ji-hye took it, turning her back as she undressed. Harin leaned casually against the wall, watching in the mirror’s reflection as Ji-hye fastened the clasp. The lace hugged her in all the right places, the thin straps framing her shoulders and collarbones. When Ji-hye finally faced the mirror, Harin’s grin softened into something almost approving. "See? You could stop traffic in that." They both laughed, tension breaking, before swapping back into their dresses. Out in the hall, Joon-ho sat on a bench, scrolling idly through his phone. When the girls emerged, his gaze lifted—and lingered. His eyes swept over Ji-hye in the floral dress, his expression unreadable but steady. A faint smile tugged at his lips. "Looks good," he said simply, his voice carrying more weight than the words themselves. Back at the register, Ji-hye reached for her wallet, but Harin was already sliding a familiar black card across the counter. "Harin—" Ji-hye protested. "Relax," Harin said with a grin. "Let him pay. He’s on a date with two beautiful women today—it’s the least he can do." Ji-hye felt her cheeks warm again, but this time... she didn’t argue.