Foot Worship Chapter 7

I went inside the bathroom stall and locked the door. Then, I lowered the toilet lid, sat down on it, and shook my legs nervously. My eyes kept drifting toward my phone. The screen displayed the number I had saved as “Administrator_Jerome.”

Is it okay to contact him? What if Jerome feels uncomfortable? I was the one who drew the line by telling him to meet someone good first. If I had left even the slightest bit of room back then, it would have been easier to contact him; I felt rather regretful. After rubbing my hair vigorously, I finally gave up on the thought and stood up. Even though I had a decent excuse, I didn’t have the courage to make the call.

I washed my hands at the sink to soothe my gloomy mood and stepped outside, but someone grabbed my wrist as if snatching it. I reflexively struck the hand away hard and subdued the other person by twisting their wrist.

“What the—”

“Ugh, Jin!”

Startled by the familiar voice and the way I was addressed, I let go of the hand I had pinned and stepped back, stumbling. Unbelievably, Jerome was standing right in front of me. Wearing a black roll-neck knit and black slacks, his hair had grown much longer than it was a month ago. Jerome frowned slightly, rotating his wrist back and forth.

“I-I’m sorry.”

“I’m the one who touched you without permission, so why are you apologizing, Jin?”

“But,”

“I’m sorry for startling you.”

Jerome’s eyes curved softly, and a smile appeared at the corners of his lips. My reflection was captured in his mysterious, teal-colored pupils. I quickly lowered my head and averted my gaze. This man was definitely born to bewitch people. My heart fluttered for no reason.

“It’s been a while. Have you been well?”

“…Yes. How about you, Jerome?”

“I’ve been… fine.”

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, there was nothing left to say. I couldn’t even meet Jerome’s eyes and just scratched my head. Perhaps because of his exotic appearance, his vibe seemed subtly different every time I saw him, as if I were looking at a different person. Right now, he looked like a very ascetic and sensitive person. Jerome glanced at his wristwatch and smiled faintly.

“Well then, have a good time.”

“…Yes.”

After giving a polite farewell, Jerome walked into the bathroom. However, unlike Jerome, I couldn’t easily leave my spot and just stared intensely at the firmly closed bathroom door. My feet wouldn’t move. I felt sad about parting like this. I wanted to be with him just a little longer. I stood there blankly until he came back out.

“Jin.”

“…”

“Why are you standing here like this?”

Jerome, who discovered me while exiting the bathroom, spoke in a tender tone. To make matters worse, he gently stroked the back of my head. The moment his hand touched me, my mind went blank, and I couldn’t think of a single thing. Ah… why am I like this? I felt like a complete idiot. As if frustrated by my refusal to lift my head, Jerome leaned over and forcibly met my gaze.

“Were you waiting for me?”

“…”

“Why, do you have something to say to me?”

“…That is.”

“It’s okay, take your time and tell me.”

His tone was dripping with tenderness. Why is Jerome so gentle? Why does he have to give off such a sweet scent instead of a green, unripe one, despite being a “persimmon I can’t eat”? I twisted my face and chewed on my innocent lips. Jerome didn’t urge me; he just waited, gently caressing my hair and shoulders. His touch felt like it was melting my skin, as if he had coated his hands in honey.

“Park Beomjin, what are you doing?”

Startled by the voice breaking the silence, I looked up. Goo Jihoon discovered me standing with Jerome in front of the bathroom and mocked me thoroughly. He then crossed his arms and stared at me, as if demanding I confess the situation immediately. I glared at Goo Jihoon, who had ruined the good mood, as if to kill him. I should have kicked him hard when I had the chance earlier. Grinding my teeth in frustration, I forced a smile.

“I’m going back in soon.”

“And who might this gentleman beside you be?”

Frustrated, I bit my lip and stood awkwardly between Jerome and Goo Jihoon. If it were Kwon Raewon, I would have made up some excuse and avoided the situation, but that kind of thing didn’t work on Goo Jihoon. I had no choice but to introduce Goo Jihoon to Jerome with a flushed face.

“Jerome, this is my friend and Foot Worship co-administrator, Goo Jihoon. And this is the administrator I told you about—”

“Don’t tell me this gentleman is that ‘halo,’ ugh!”

I hastily covered Goo Jihoon’s mouth and gave an awkward laugh. I whispered for him to shut up, loud enough for only him to hear. Goo Jihoon poked me in the side to make me let go and offered a handshake to Jerome.

“Hello, I’m Goo Jihoon.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Jerome.”

Unlike before, Jerome shook Goo Jihoon’s hand with an expressionless face. I hadn’t wanted this kind of meeting; I rubbed my head vigorously, feeling everything getting strangely tangled up. Goo Jihoon glanced at his wristwatch and narrowed his eyes.

“Actually, I did tell him to try contacting you because I wanted to see the ‘halo’—I mean, Mr. Jerome—at least once, but it’s a bit too early to say Beomjin called you here, isn’t it?”

“…I was having a drink here. I just happened to run into Jin—I mean, Mr. Beomjin—in the restroom and exchanged greetings.”

“Coincidence—that’s a very good thing.”

Goo Jihoon laughed humorously, lightening the mood. During that time, I couldn’t take my eyes off Jerome. Unlike how he had been soothing me with a tender tone the whole time, his tone was somewhat businesslike and stiff when dealing with Goo Jihoon. The fact that he seemed to treat me specially made my heart tingle.

“If you have time, would you like to come by the bar table for a moment? We have an investor in Foot Worship who said he was curious since he heard a new staff member had arrived.”

“…Is this like an interview?”

“Hey, it’s not in such a stiff sense; it’s just that we’re bound to see each other’s faces at least once, so let’s just get to know each other. Besides, if I ever said anything to Mr. Jerome, my precious ribs might end up in my spine.”

I let out a dry laugh at Goo Jihoon’s signature sociability. His eloquent way of speaking, like a snake crossing a fence, was his greatest asset. However, it was nothing more than a useless skill that didn’t work at all on the one person who mattered: Kwon Haeyi. Jerome stared fixedly at Goo Jihoon without a word, his hands tucked into his pants pockets. A faint sigh escaped past my lips. The gazes they exchanged were not ordinary. Does Jerome like Goo Jihoon’s appearance too? Since Doms usually like this style of sub. Of course, I knew that Jerome was interested enough to suggest a D/S relationship to me, but I felt anxious for no reason.

“I apologize, but I don’t think today is the day. I would like to see you formally again next time.”

“Hmm… I don’t think there will be an opportunity next time.”

Goo Jihoon stood on his tiptoes and leaned his body against Jerome. Then, he whispered something into his ear. Jerome’s gaze, which had been quietly listening to Goo Jihoon, shifted toward me.

“Then, let’s see each other again.”

Goo Jihoon laughed brightly and grabbed my hand, pulling me with surprising strength. I was dragged away by Goo Jihoon’s hand and had to return to our seat before I could even say goodbye to Jerome. As soon as I sat down, I pestered him about what they had talked about, but Goo Jihoon just shrugged his shoulders and didn’t tell me.

Eventually, back at our seat, Kwon Raewon and Goo Jihoon engaged in trivial conversation, clinking their glasses. I spent the time pointlessly in a somewhat dazed state. Meeting Jerome felt like a dream. I bit my lip, stroking the hair and shoulder where his hand had touched. It was a purely coincidental encounter, one that had occurred for no reason at all. I thought about going back to the restroom, but I shook my head, remembering the look in Jerome’s eyes when he was staring at Goo Jihoon.

As the drinking session reached its peak, I started to feel sleepy. Just then, Goo Jihoon stepped away to take a call from Kwon Haeyi, and Kwon Raewon stepped away for a work call. I stared blankly at the empty chairs, then slumped over the bar table and closed my eyes.

“Hey, wake up.”

I opened my eyes at the sensation of a hand shaking my body. It seemed I had fallen asleep without realizing it. I sat up, rubbing my face which felt hot from the alcohol and body heat. However, I froze in place with my body turned. Standing in front of me was Jerome, who had even put on his jacket. Wondering if I was dreaming, I pinched my cheek hard, and Jerome frowned, wrapping his hand around mine.