Foot Worship Chapter 9

I wiped my mouth with a wet wipe and called Jerome. There was no hesitation like there had been yesterday. Now, we were in a relationship where I could call him anytime. Smiles kept escaping through my pursed lips. After the tedious ringing tone, I finally heard Jerome’s voice.

―Jin?

“Are you busy?”

―Hmm, just a moment.

The sound of him walking busily somewhere was mixed with the occasional sound of exchanging greetings with someone. With the final noise of a chair being dragged across the floor, a breathtaking stillness descended. I tilted my head, bringing my drink to my lips.

―Where are you right now? It sounds like you’re outside.

“Ah, I’m working my part-time job right now.”

―What kind?

“As a security guard.”

A sound like a short, stifled moan flowed into my ear. In truth, there was much we didn’t know about each other. Although it had been well over a month since we got to know one another, the time spent exploring each other had been woefully insufficient. That was why I thought Jerome’s proposal of three meetings was a good opportunity.

Honestly speaking, I had thought we would go straight to a hotel after hugging like that yesterday. However, Jerome didn’t take me to a hotel, but to a nearby café where he made me drink a hangover remedy and offered me warm tea. He then asked me again if I didn’t regret this choice—saying that if it was a decision made while tipsy, I could still withdraw it. I shook my head vigorously. In fact, his actions of caring for me and looking out for me made my heart flutter.

―Then you must be wearing a white dress shirt and a suit. And dress shoes, too.

“Yes. It’s not undercover security.”

―Do you have any plans for the evening?

“…No.”

―Then, shall we have dinner together?

I put down the triangle gimbap I had half-unwrapped and fidgeted with my lips. It felt surreal to be having such a private conversation with Jerome and setting a date to meet. It really seemed we had become some kind of relationship. My breath hitched for no reason.

“…Is this being deducted from our number of meetings?”

―Yes.

“Then, after work, I’ll change my clothes and—”

―No. Come as you are in those clothes.

Even though the scheduled time had already passed, the VIP was still surrounded by supporters. My ears were practically aching from the sounds of people sobbing and chanting their name. Eventually, we mobilized all the field staff to create a human barricade to clear a path and get the VIP into the car. I stayed in my spot until the car completely disappeared from view before forcing my body to move.

It was finally over. Jaekwang told me to wait a moment while he handled the daily pay, but I didn’t delay; I took off my gear and handed it to a nearby staff member. Then, I ran blindly to my car. I was anxious because the time to meet Jerome was drawing near. I threw my jacket into the backseat and started the engine immediately. Just as I was about to turn the steering wheel, my skin-tight dress shirt caught my eye.

Because I had blocked a drink thrown by a citizen with my entire body while guarding the VIP a little earlier, my shirt and pants had gotten wet. I had washed up in the bathroom as best I could and changed into a spare shirt and pants that were in Jaekwang’s car, but they were a bit smaller than my actual size, so it was quite uncomfortable. I wanted to stop by my studio or house to change, but time was too tight. Rubbing my face in frustration, I let out a deep sigh. Just then, a call came from Jaekwang.

―Where are you?

“Please send my pay to my account, senior.”

―Hey, where are you going without even eating?

“I have an urgent appointment.”

―Well, that can’t be helped, but you have to come out tomorrow. Definitely.

“I understand.”

I finished the call briefly and merged into the heavily congested road. Time kept ticking by, but there was no sign of the road situation improving. I struggled persistently, even resorting to a few tricks, but I ended up being late for the appointment. I left the car with a valet and hurried to put on my jacket. Every time I moved, the buttons on my shirt, fastened perilously tight, seemed to be crying out for help.

When I entered the restaurant and said Jerome’s name, the staff led me to a private room. As I opened the door, I saw Jerome sitting at the table, looking at a tablet. He was wearing gray slacks and a white shirt with no tie. I let my eyes linger for a moment on the classic watch wrapped around his wrist before quickly offering a polite apology.

“I apologize for being late.”

“…Stand right there in that spot.”

As Jerome requested, I closed the door and stood where I was. He scanned me from head to toe with an intrigued expression. I complied without a word when he asked me to turn around once. After observing me for a long time, Jerome approached from behind and slowly pulled my jacket down. I reached my arms back to help him remove it easily. After pulling the jacket off and throwing it onto the table, Jerome let out a long sigh.

“I like that you apologize immediately without making excuses or giving various reasons.”

“…”

“As for the outfit, it would have been a shame if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes.”

“You told me to come immediately.”

I scratched the back of my head, feeling embarrassed, and laughed awkwardly. If I’d had the time, I would have met him looking more neat and tidy, so there were many things I felt regretful about.

“These clothes are too lewd.”

Did I misunderstand the meaning of “lewd”? It was a plain suit that office workers commonly wear. It was just a little small for me, but where exactly was it lewd? Suddenly, Jerome gave my buttocks a light strike. My body, which was already on edge, reacted sensitively and tightened its muscles. To make matters worse, he reached forward and gripped my chest firmly. Heat rushed to my face at the unexpected physical contact. I bit my lip and squeezed my eyes shut.

“Your shirt is so tight it shows your nipples, and your hip line is completely exposed. Who are you trying to please by dressing like this?”

“…”

“Consider yourself lucky that Jin and I don’t have a properly established relationship yet. If we were entangled in any way—whether vertically or horizontally—I would have torn that shirt to shreds right here.”

In an instant, it felt as though the atmosphere had sunk into the deep ocean. He seemed like a completely different person, capturing me not with a gentle tone, but with a sharp one.

My mind was already a chaotic mess. What would it have been like if our relationship had been clearly defined at this moment? Just imagining myself standing before him in the nude, my shirt shredded to pieces, made my head dizzy. I covered my lower face with my palm, rubbed it, and let out a short, sharp breath.

I was about to make an excuse that I had an accident at work and had no choice but to wear clothes smaller than my original size, but I stopped myself. He didn’t seem to like playing with words by making various excuses or justifications.

“I’m sorry.”

He toyed with my shirt buttons, then withdrew his hand and stepped back. He then shook out a red napkin from the table, unfolded it, and wrapped it around my neck like a bib. The napkin reached down below my chest, covering my prominent pectorals.

“I don’t want to lay you on the table on our first date.”

“…”

“Because if I don’t cover it up, I’m afraid I might really want to lay you down.”

It wasn’t a sharp or hostile tone like before; it was his usual tone. Nevertheless, I remained stiffly frozen. The image of myself reflected in the floor-to-ceiling window looked ridiculous, but I couldn’t bring myself to say I wanted to remove the napkin. Although we didn’t have a defined relationship yet, Jerome’s blatant desire for me was unmistakable.

I stood awkwardly, watching his reaction. Jerome smoothed his expression as if nothing had happened and gestured for me to take a seat. I hesitated, needlessly self-conscious about my tight pants. However, interpreting my hesitation differently, Jerome clicked his tongue shortly and added:

“I know I overstepped. But I felt I had to do something to manage that lewd attire of yours.”

“…It’s fine.”

“Then, shall we start eating?”

I quickly reached for the jacket placed on the table and tossed it over the back of the chair. I bit down on my lip and let go due to the suffocating tension. Jerome described this as a “date,” a term that made me cringe, but I felt like it was an “interview play,” so I couldn’t let my guard down for a single moment. I focused entirely on him, with all my nerves on high alert—to his gaze, gestures, tone, and even the smallest sound of his breathing.