Kill Your X Chapter 14

“Entertaining VIPs.”

“VIPs? Like, company CEOs?”

“Some from companies, some government officials. You know, those rumors about National Assembly members receiving lobbying funds that pop up every so often.”

My face involuntarily crumpled. I couldn’t picture Si Yeonho flattering those kinds of people. It would be a miracle if he didn’t kill the mood with his characteristically sullen expression.

“KNT Entertainment is probably involved with all sorts of people. Celebrities are often called to official government events, right?”

“If that’s the case, just say so. Why be so vague…?”

“He probably wanted to maintain his image in front of you. Someone unrelated to the entertainment industry might get the wrong idea.”

Now that I heard it, it made sense. As I nodded in agreement, Yeojun whistled while glancing back and forth between my name card and me. Annoyed that he kept acting like I had a sponsor, I deliberately chose a strong liquor and filled his glass.

“Hey, give him a break. You’ve landed yourself a young, handsome, and capable boyfriend, so why the long face? Because of his past?”

“I don’t know, myself.”

I wanted to live an ordinary life, unnoticed, but lately, my life had been flowing in a completely different direction. The upcoming blind date I was being forced into was a prime example. It’s my life, but I feel like I have very little control over it.

Only one person in the world, Si Yeonho, danced to my tune. The thought brought a chuckle to my lips.

“Treat him well while you can. I hear he’s the incredibly devoted type. Don’t upset your boyfriend by trying to be discreet outside.”

Time flew by as we exchanged meaningless chatter. Yeojun was the first to get up, saying his boyfriend had come to pick him up.

“It’s almost midnight. Aren’t you going home? Did you take tomorrow off?”

“I should. I’ll have one more drink.”

“Don’t stay out too late. Even if this place is practically your boyfriend’s house.”

I waved my hand dismissively, urging him to leave. The alcohol had hit me hard, and even the sound of Yeojun closing the door made my head throb.

It felt strange not having sex after drinking this much. I really am a sex addict, huh. I had to admit this sad truth.

As I nursed my drink alone, the manager came in and asked if I needed to call a designated driver. His strangely respectful attitude, different from when I was a regular customer, grated on my nerves.

“It’s okay. Someone’s coming to get me.”

I hadn’t planned on seeing him today, but there was no harm in trying. Declining the manager’s offer, I called Si Yeonho. My nocturnal boyfriend always answered faster at night.

―Yes, Sunbae.

His curt voice resonated through the speaker. I traced the rim of my empty glass and made my selfish request. An inexplicable flutter in my chest made my breath slightly ragged.

“I’m at Jerome. Can you come pick me up?”

Don’t refuse. Don’t argue. Don’t ask if I’m too drunk to walk. Just obey me.

I tried to speak clearly, but even one sentence revealed my drunken state.

―I’ll be there soon.

“Okay.”

Hearing the desired response, the tension melted away. After hanging up, my heart pounded like I’d just finished a 100-meter sprint. Savoring the somewhat overwhelming rhythm, I sank deeper into the sofa.

I waited for him to burst through the opposite door. Like a child whose every desire had been fulfilled, even without sex, I closed my eyes peacefully.

✽✽✽

“Sunbae.”

I opened my eyes at the familiar address. An unrealistically handsome face was right in front of me.

“Oh, you startled me.”

“I’ll take you home. Can you walk on your own?”

“Yeah. No, Ugh!”

Suddenly standing up made my vision swim. A firm hand caught my stumbling body.

“Should I carry you?”

“Are you crazy? I can walk by myself.”

Because even the slightest movement made my head pound, I exited the room at a snail’s pace. Si Yeonho didn’t rush me, matching my slow gait. He stayed close, ready to support me if I lost my balance.

We finally made it out of the bar. While waiting for the elevator, I leaned my head against the wall for a moment. The coolness of the marble seemed to sober me up slightly.

“It’s been a while since I’ve been to Jerome.”

“Yes.”

“Everyone seems to know. About you and me.”

When the elevator arrived, he unceremoniously helped me inside. He didn’t respond until we reached the underground parking lot and he opened the passenger door for me, practically pushing me inside.

I needed an explanation, but the warmth of the car, even warmer than the club, threatened to lull me back to sleep. Si Yeonho, is he very sensitive to the cold? Thinking back, even considering it was winter, the inside of his car was always excessively warm.

“So, did you spread the rumor?”

“I did.”

He walked around the car, got into the driver’s seat, and handed me a tumbler. He had already loosened the lid halfway, and the sweet scent wafted out before I even took it. Honey water.

“Why?”

“Because Sunbae is mine. So others should back off.”

I almost spat out the honey water. I was about to ask him why he had to spread the word and make us the subject of gossip. But after hearing his reason, the corners of my lips twitched uncontrollably. Mine? Even his arrogant possessive statement sounded cute.

Then I remembered what Yeojun had said. Do I really want to love someone without caring what the world thinks? Openly and proudly, without the need to hide or be cautious?

A deep sigh escaped my lips at the dream that would never come true in this lifetime. The sweetness of the honey water lingering in my mouth made me feel even more melancholic. I gave a self-deprecating laugh and addressed him, who was glancing at me.

“Yeonho, I think I’m going to live a long life.”

“…….”

“Do you know why? Half the people I ran into at Jerome Lounge tonight are acquaintances. And roughly half of them I’ve slept with.”

As I spoke, I realized. I really have lived like a slut.

“I’ve slept with all sorts of people, but I always insisted that I’d never have a relationship, even if I slept with them.”

“You’ll live a long life because you’ll get cursed a lot.”

“Yeah.”

Si Yeonho, slowly processing my rambling, gripped the steering wheel. The car moved forward smoothly. I was once again impressed by his perfect driving skills when he suddenly added,

“It doesn’t seem like a very good way to extend your lifespan. It’s not proven either.”

“Well, of course, there’s no research paper or anything, but isn’t it a kind of big data? People who get cursed a lot must have lived long lives for such a saying to remain in modern times.”

“Do you really think so?”

“Yes. So I’m going to live to be 120. I’ll live and have lots of sex.”

Si Yeonho responded dutifully to my drunken nonsense. The conversation between us continued until we arrived at my place. Mostly because of my rambling. It was fun. Comfortable enough to elicit occasional laughter.

As we drove along the quiet road, a familiar street came into view. Just a little further and I’d be home.

Come to think of it, this was the first time a boyfriend had driven me home. In my early twenties, during my first relationship, I was always the one driving my partner.

What had been the end of that relationship, where I was so eager to give everything? My face scrunched up at the thought of that ill-fated relationship that resurfaced like a natural disaster. I gulped down the innocent honey water.

“What are you thinking about?”

Si Yeonho glanced at me through the rearview mirror. His unusually intense gaze made me confess the truth.

“My ex-boyfriend.”

“Do you still like him?”

I was speechless. Not because I was caught off guard, but because it was so absurd.

“No way. That was almost ten years ago. I barely remember what he looks like anymore.”

“I see.”

I won’t be fooled by that indifferent expression anymore. Despite his appearance, he’s the one who excitedly spread the news of our relationship around the club. I needed to have a serious talk with him soon about keeping his mouth shut, but the thought that he might be jealous right now softened my heart.

When did I become so easy? I used to be known as Song Gyujin the Iron Wall, but I guess those days are over. Despite my words pushing him away, I was constantly seeing Si Yeonho in a positive light. I was afraid he might see through my feelings.

“We’re here.”

“Thank you. I drank a lot, but thanks to you, I got home comfortably.”

No, don’t read too much into it. Since he agreed to play the boyfriend role for a while, it’s okay for him to indulge in these cheesy romantic feelings with me, right? It would be problematic if he realized I had completely different intentions. I convinced myself that this was also a natural build-up to our eventual breakup, including the sudden urge I felt to not break up with Si Yeonho.

Just as I was about to get out of the car, I changed direction and leaned towards him. I lightly kissed his cheek. Si Yeonho’s pupils dilated slightly. Touching the spot where my lips had been, I said,

“This is your taxi fare.”

“…….”

“Yeonho?”

It was my way of showing affection, but was he angry that I treated him like a driver? If so, he should have refused when I asked him to come in the first place. His lack of reaction embarrassed me. With an awkward smile, I was about to pull back.

“Well, I’ll be going then, Hmmmph!”

In the blink of an eye, my back hit the window. Si Yeonho grabbed my face and pressed his lips against mine. His armor-like body pinned me down. The pressure, greater than his physical weight, rendered me unable to resist.

He expertly shifted the angle of his head, sucking on my lips. He pulled hard on the base of my tongue, drawing an involuntary, high-pitched moan from me. The wet sounds of our tongues tangling echoed vividly right next to my ear.

“Mmm! Haa….”

Breathless, I reached out, and Si Yeonho readily pulled back. My disheveled reflection appeared in his dark, empty eyes. His glistening lips confirmed that what had just happened wasn’t a dream.

“Wh-what was that?”

Before I could demand an explanation, Si Yeonho got out of the car. I was frozen in place when the passenger door suddenly opened. A large hand immediately supported my back, preventing me from falling backward.

Then I realized he had simply opened the door for me out of consideration.

“Come out. I’ll help you to your door.”

“So, what was that about?”

“It’s past midnight.”

His irrelevant reply made me wonder if he had been drinking too. As I stared blankly, he pulled me out of the car. His gentle touch constantly shifted between rudeness and forcefulness.

I lost my balance and ended up in his arms. Lips that were neither red nor too pale parted slightly towards me.

“Night surcharge.”

His words registered in my mind two beats later.

“It’s always more expensive at night, you know.”