Chapter 84: Velvet Hands, Heavy Burdens

The apartment was quiet except for the faint hum of the city outside, a reminder that Seoul never truly slept. Inside, though, the atmosphere had shifted into something softer—dim lights, the faint scent of sandalwood from a candle Harin had lit earlier, and the low murmur of voices.Joon-ho sat on the sofa beside Madam Seo, his hands resting gently on her head. His fingers moved slowly, deliberately, pressing in circular motions at her temples before gliding up into her scalp. Each movement was careful, practiced, carrying both precision and tenderness. "Breathe slowly," he murmured. Madam Seo exhaled, the tension in her shoulders sagging just slightly. "Mmm... I’ve had this damn headache for days," she admitted, voice low and heavy. "Feels like someone’s been wrapping a rope tighter and tighter around my skull." Harin, who sat cross-legged on the opposite side of the sofa, smiled softly. She leaned forward, her chin propped in her hand. "Unnie, you look like you’ve been carrying the weight of ten companies on your shoulders. You’ve been overworking again, haven’t you?" A tired laugh escaped Madam Seo. "When am I not?" Her eyes slid closed as Joon-ho’s thumbs pressed gently at the base of her skull, drawing out another sigh. He didn’t say anything yet, letting her relax into the rhythm of his touch. It was Harin who coaxed her further. "You should let yourself rest," Harin said gently. "What’s been keeping you so busy this time?" For a moment, Madam Seo seemed hesitant—like the words were heavy, a burden she’d rather carry alone. But then, maybe because of the warmth of Joon-ho’s hands, or maybe because of Harin’s patient eyes, she let it spill. "Lumina," she said finally, almost spitting the name out. Joon-ho glanced briefly at Harin, who tilted her head, prompting her to continue. "My brand—fashion, jewelry, cosmetics. You know how hard I’ve worked building it. And now..." Madam Seo’s lips pressed tight before parting in a sigh. "Seoul is hosting Fashion Week for the first time. Do you know what that means?" "It means," Harin said softly, "you’re right at the center of it." "Exactly." Madam Seo’s tone was a mix of pride and exhaustion. "But instead of everything running smoothly, it’s chaos. Overseas partners don’t communicate properly, the venue hasn’t even been finalized, and the brands to be invited are still arguing over who gets priority." Joon-ho’s fingers pressed into the ridge of her scalp, firm but soothing. She let her head fall back slightly, trusting his touch, while her voice grew sharper with frustration. "And the models—don’t get me started on the models. Every agency is trying to shove idols into the lineup. Half of them can’t even walk a proper runway, but the international organizers only know K-pop faces. They think popularity equals professionalism. It’s a circus." Harin grimaced, nodding. "That sounds... messy." "Messy?" Madam Seo laughed bitterly. "It’s a disaster. This is supposed to be Korea’s first serious stage in the global fashion circuit, and instead of focusing on quality, I’m stuck fighting with promoters who only care about clout." Her voice dropped, darker now. "And then there are the sponsors. Do you know what they’re trying to do?" Joon-ho didn’t answer, letting his hands slide gently along her scalp, fingertips pressing in slow, deliberate motions that seemed to coax her words out. "They keep trying to push their mistresses, girlfriends, and sugar babies into the lineup. Can you imagine?" Madam Seo scoffed, shaking her head slightly under his hands. "As if Fashion Week is their personal playground. I’ve had to kick back proposal after proposal. They don’t care about the brand, the art, or the image. They just want to show off their toys." Harin’s brows furrowed. "Unnie, that’s disgusting." Madam Seo laughed without humor. "It’s reality." "Still," Harin pressed, leaning forward, "isn’t there any way to balance it? Maybe you could carefully pick a few idols—ones who actually have potential as models? That way you don’t alienate the sponsors completely, but you still keep the quality." Madam Seo cracked one eye open, giving Harin a look that was half amusement, half weary. "You sound like one of my advisors." "Am I wrong?" Harin challenged lightly. "No. You’re not wrong." Madam Seo’s lips curved faintly. "But even then, it’s not that simple. I know exactly what I want—but these outsiders don’t understand the industry. They think it’s all just lights and cameras. They don’t see the details, the discipline, the standards." Joon-ho’s thumbs pressed along the ridge of her skull again, earning another sigh from her lips. He could feel the tension there, the way stress had coiled into her body like steel wires. Madam Seo let her eyes close again. "And my so-called friends? Don’t even get me started. All they want is to be seen at the event. They want the photo ops, the front-row seats, the status. Not one of them has lifted a finger to help me actually run the damn thing." Harin’s lips pursed. "They just want clout." "Exactly." For a moment, the room was quiet again except for the soft sound of Madam Seo’s breathing and the steady rhythm of Joon-ho’s hands in her hair. Harin leaned back, arms crossed, looking thoughtful. "Unnie," she said finally, "you’re carrying too much on your own." Madam Seo chuckled softly, though it was tinged with fatigue. "What’s new about that?" Joon-ho finally spoke, his voice calm but firm. "Your stress isn’t just in your head. Your whole body’s tight." He shifted his hands down to the base of her neck, pressing slowly into the muscles there. She groaned low in her throat, her head rolling slightly against his touch. "You need more than a head massage," he said. "If we keep going like this, I should work on your whole body." Madam Seo tilted her head lazily, her eyes half-open, regarding him with faint amusement. "You mean drag me into your massage room like one of your clients?" "You’ll thank me afterward," he replied simply. For the first time that evening, her lips curved into a genuine smile. "Confident, aren’t you?" Harin stood, brushing down her skirt. "I’ll go ahead and get things ready—oils, towels, aromatherapy. You just focus on unnie’s stubborn stress." Madam Seo chuckled as Harin disappeared down the hall. When she was gone, Madam Seo sighed again, leaning more heavily into Joon-ho’s hands. "You know," she murmured, "for all my complaints, I’ll admit this much... I trust your hands more than anyone else’s." Joon-ho didn’t answer, but the slight upward curve of his lips was enough. When Harin returned, the faint scent of lavender and eucalyptus trailed after her, filling the air. "Room’s ready," she said cheerfully. Joon-ho gave Madam Seo’s shoulders one last squeeze. "Come on. Let’s get you properly relaxed." Madam Seo rose slowly, rolling her shoulders. The heaviness hadn’t gone, not entirely, but the sharp edge of her headache had dulled. She gathered her blazer, draping it over her arm, and glanced between the two of them. "Well then," she said with a faint smirk, "lead the way. Let’s see if you can really work miracles tonight." Together, the three of them moved down the hall, the glow of the candles and the faint scent of oils guiding them toward the massage room. The massage room was dimly lit, the soft glow of candles casting flickering shadows across the walls. The faint scent of lavender hung in the air, thanks to the essential oils Harin had prepared earlier. The space was calm, quiet, designed for release—and tonight, it belonged to Madam Seo. She stood at the edge of the massage bed, exhaling slowly as her hands moved to the zipper of her dress. With unhurried motions, she peeled it away from her body, letting the fabric slide down her shoulders and hips until it pooled around her feet. Without a word, she unclasped her bra, dropping it neatly on top of the dress, and then slid her panties down her legs. Completely bare, she climbed onto the bed and lowered herself face down, her cheek resting against the cushioned headrest. For once, her usual aura of sharp sophistication was gone. Naked in the candlelight, she looked vulnerable—like a woman who had finally allowed herself to be tired. Harin, standing nearby, stepped forward and carefully gathered the discarded clothes. She folded each piece neatly, smoothing the fabric before placing them on a chair to the side. It was a small act of respect, but it mattered—Harin always believed in preserving a woman’s dignity, even when she was exposed. Joon-ho warmed a small amount of oil between his palms. The slick sound of his hands rubbing together filled the silence for a moment, and then he placed them on Madam Seo’s bare back. She shivered slightly at the first touch, the oil cool at first but quickly warming under his skin. His palms spread the liquid across her shoulders, down her spine, gliding in long, deliberate strokes. Her skin gleamed under the candlelight, each motion leaving behind a faint shine. "Mmm," she hummed, her voice muffled by the headrest. "Your hands... they’re too good. Almost unfair." Joon-ho didn’t answer. He simply pressed deeper into her shoulders, thumbs circling into the tight knots of muscle. He could feel the tension resisting at first, like stone beneath his fingers, but with steady pressure it began to yield. "You’re stiff," he said softly. "This isn’t just stress—it’s hours of sitting, of holding yourself too rigid." "I haven’t had time for yoga lately," she admitted, her words slow, drowsy. "Office... meetings... endless phone calls. My body’s turned into a block of wood." He chuckled low in his throat. "We’ll fix that." His hands moved slowly down her back, kneading each section, pressing into the muscles with precision. Each time his thumbs dug into a knot, Madam Seo groaned—a raw, unguarded sound of relief that filled the room. "Ohhh... right there," she breathed. "God, that’s been killing me for days." From the side, Harin watched in silence. Her arms were folded loosely across her chest, her gaze soft, not jealous but thoughtful. She knew this scene well—she had once been where Madam Seo was now, lying beneath those same hands, surrendering tension she didn’t even realize she carried. She knew the paradox of it: how vulnerable it felt to be naked, to let someone touch every part of you, and yet how safe it was in Joon-ho’s care. His massages weren’t just physical—they were intimate in a way that stripped a person bare, body and soul. And though tonight wasn’t about sex, Harin still felt warmth coil in her chest at the sight. Not lust, not envy, but a deep, quiet pride. Joon-ho gave himself to care for the women around him—and she loved him for that. Joon-ho’s hands traveled lower, down to the small of Madam Seo’s back. His thumbs pressed firmly into her waist, and she gasped sharply, her body jerking slightly under the pressure. "That’s sensitive," she whispered, voice trembling. "It’s where you hold a lot of stress," he explained gently. His thumbs pressed again, slower this time, dragging along the tense line of muscle. "Breathe through it." She did, inhaling deeply, and as he worked the area, the tension seemed to melt. Her body sagged into the table, and her soft moans shifted from pain to relief. "Better?" he asked. "...Much better," she exhaled. Joon-ho’s hands moved down again, now resting on the curve of her hips. He kneaded carefully, thumbs pressing into the muscles there, before sliding further down to her thighs. Each stroke was firm but controlled, his palms gliding over smooth, oiled skin. Madam Seo sighed deeply, the sound almost a purr. "I think... I could let you do this forever." Her voice was softer now, weaker, her energy fading as the tension drained from her body. Her nipples had hardened against the sheets, and between her thighs, a faint sheen of moisture glistened in the candlelight. But it wasn’t lust that filled the room—it was surrender. Her body was reacting naturally, but her mind was drifting somewhere else entirely, far away from stress and expectation. Whether it was the few beers earlier, the crash of exhaustion after days of pressure, or simply the rare safety of being cared for, Madam Seo began to slip into drowsiness. Her breathing slowed. Her words became few, almost slurred with sleep. Joon-ho glanced toward Harin. Their eyes met, and no words were needed. Harin nodded gently, understanding. She slipped quietly out of the room, her footsteps soft as she moved to the bedroom. She pulled back the covers, fluffed the pillows, and smoothed the sheets—making a space of rest ready and waiting. Back in the massage room, Joon-ho wiped his hands clean and carefully turned Madam Seo onto her back. Her skin gleamed with oil, damp with a light sheen of sweat. Her nipples stood taut, and a faint wetness lingered at her pussy, but her eyes were closed, her lips parted in the steady rhythm of near-sleep. He reached for a soft towel, gently wiping her clean—removing the oil, the sweat, the small traces of her body’s unconscious arousal. His touch was careful, tender, making sure she would feel comfortable when she woke. When he was finished, he slipped one arm under her shoulders and another beneath her knees. She stirred faintly as he lifted her, mumbling something incoherent, but quickly settled again against his chest. He carried her down the hall into the bedroom, where Harin stood waiting by the bed. With quiet precision, he laid Madam Seo down, tucking her beneath the light sheet. She shifted once, a soft sigh escaping her lips, and then stilled. The room was peaceful now, filled with the sound of her slow, steady breathing. Joon-ho exhaled, rubbing his shoulders lightly as if shaking off the focus of the massage. Harin touched his arm, smiling softly. "She looks safe," Harin whispered. "She needed this," he replied. Without another word, they both undressed quietly, slipping beneath the covers on either side of Madam Seo. One of Joon-ho’s arms draped lightly across her waist, Harin’s hand resting against her shoulder. They didn’t touch each other with hunger tonight—only with warmth, creating a cocoon of comfort around her. And in that silence, with the city beyond the window and the faint scent of lavender still lingering in the air, the night closed not with passion, but with peace.