Illicit Seduction

Femme fatale means disastrous woman. Her appearance is highly attracting, often in an erotic way, which she uses to manipulate her ‘victims’. In many cases she resembles an ill omen and brings bad luck, sometimes even death upon her prey.

Ahyeon-dong, SEOUL

Ivy’s POV

“Ivy, you’re going to be late!”

I pause my scrolling before glancing behind me at my shut bedroom door, sliding my wavy long hair over my naked shoulder at the sound of my mother’s voice calling out for me before simply rolling my eyes as I turn to my reflection in the mirror.

Beauty.

I’ve always believed myself to be beautiful but it was beyond the state of believing, it was a fact that no one around me could ignore. I’ve stood out in crowds without having to try and all that for simply breathing and walking by.

A butterfly no one could ever reach, drawing in the lost souls but leaving them behind to their own fate, to carry their own cross. It would be a lie if I claimed I didn’t notice the attention, or didn’t like it, I just simply fed into it, what harm did that ever do?

When I was little my pops knew I’d find a way out of this misery, out of this low life we’ve always lived in. He had high hopes and dreams for me but I had higher ones that exceeded his expectations and if my beauty was going to get me to the start of the line then I knew my mind would get me to the finish line.

He believed that I was the light at the end of my own tunnel and he was right. There was no prince charming like the books promised, the one that would come sweep me off my feet in this broken bricked and disgusting place, wash me, buy me a beautiful gown and hand me the crown and keys of his kingdom. I never believed in those stories, too preoccupied with finding ways for them to fit my own narrative than the messages they actually delivered.

Ivy my parents named me, after the poisonous flower.

I’ve never questioned why they named me this, I felt like it was a name that suited me, suited my personality and my looks and unlike the poisonous flower I guess I’m not fully aware of my own potential and danger until I’m found face to face with it in an unexpected situation.

I tilt my chin, my eyes dancing over my features, my long lashes resting over my light brown caramel eyes, the bridge of my nose, the slightly buttoned tip, my heart shaped full lips that curl as I smile and my wavy jet black hair.

I tilt my head to the side, admiring myself for a moment before, unable to help myself my eyes dance over to my laptop sitting on my crowded vanity table.

Crowded.

That was exactly how I felt in this small and cooped up apartment, that is, if you could even call this living space an apartment. This was my personal hell and I’m not even dead yet and I truly believe that to be the irony in my situation.

There were two rooms and one living room that connected to the kitchen in which we ate and that was it, that was it and in my opinion it’s too less for three women. I couldn’t stand sleeping in the same space with my older sister and it was only natural that she and my mother shared a room and besides there isn’t enough space for the two of us in this room.

“Dr. Kim’s psychiatric clinic…” I read on the screen of my laptop as I apply my lipstick, a calculated flick of my wrist as I apply enough but too not much of my favorite velvet rouge lipstick.

My light brown eyes travel the page as I continue to read the information delivered to me on the site “Providing mental health services to the expats of Korea. We provide treatments to individuals of all ages. Confidential diagnosis and treatment. We provide top-notch counseling and psychiatric medications for any variety of topics including but not limited to marriage troubles, group in-fighting, cultural barriers in relationships, and anxiety” I pause for a moment, my chin resting on the palm of my hand as I twist my lips

“call for an appointment…” I smile to myself before lowering my eyes lower on the website page

“Dr. Kim received a certificate of appreciation from the U.S. Embassy in Seoul for his professionalism and dedication in assisting American citizens and their families for three years (2012-2014). He not only owns the clinic but is also currently teaching at the University of Seoul…”

My eyes dart to the image of the dark haired handsome man and my eyes brighten at the sight of him.

“why hello there…” I smirk and shut my lipstick.

He’s truly everything I love, dark haired, tall, handsome, rich, important but most of all a challenge because right there under his bio it’s clearly stated that he’s married with two kids, twin girls.

I pout slightly at this information before sighing and scrolling past this insignificant detail, after all it wasn’t what mattered to me. I had other things to focus on and his wife and his children definitely weren’t it.

The door to my bedroom flies open and I can’t help but sigh and roll my eyes to the ceiling, shutting the screen of my laptop and turn to find my older sister, Lily.

The favorite daughter of this house, the perfect daughter, as she steps into my room, her arms crossed over her chest, a deep scowl on her face as if there was ever anything I’ve ever done that could make her happy, it was never enough. She always had something to complain about.

“didn’t you hear ma?” she asks and I force a smile and get up from my seat

“I heard her loud and clear but I’m trying to understand why you’re barging in here without knocking” I point out and she steps further into the room.

“because it’s your first day of college and you’re going to be late and won’t be able to catch the bus and then I’d have to drive you all the way into town…” she starts complaining but I’ve learned throughout the years how to log out of these useless conversations my dear older sister feels the need to always have with me.

I begin to gather my things and sliding them into my bag “you and I both know that I can never leave the house looking like trash unlike some of us” I say and turn my neck to look at her, my eyes dance down to her long grey sun dress and her eyes widen before she recomposes herself but I know I hit a soft spot.

Lily is beautiful, of course she is, we’re related, but the difference between the two of us is that I actually take care of my appearance.

 The problem is that she doesn’t bother and it’s something that has always irritated me about her. We’re both natural beauties but it’s as if she wants the world to know she’s the one whose more down to earth out of the two of us, as if she can go around winning hearts with no effort whatsoever. It’s come to the point where I’m actually a bit numb to her existence, she’s practically invisible to me only down to one, bitsy, little fact.

I hated to admit it to anyone who ever listened but I do need her and it was only a matter of time until I didn’t and I guess by then we’ll all be free of each other.

“Some of us actually have to work double jobs and several shifts just so you could afford going to your university, so sorry if I don’t have the time to dress up and cover my face with several coats of makeup just to be pleasing to the opposite sex” she snaps and I roll my eyes and turn back to my reflection adjusting my hair.

“ever heard of self-love, sister. I don’t do all of this for anyone else but me, it’s a living necessity for me, unlike you, so you have your thing and I have mine, do we really have to get at it every single morning?” I ask as I spray a bit of perfume on my collarbones.

There it is, why I need her. If only she didn’t have to throw it in my face every chance she gets, maybe, just maybe we’d be fine.

“but most importantly…” I pause once I’m satisfied with the natural tousle of my hair and turn to her, a smile on my lips.

“Did you get me the Chanel blazer I asked you, the one I saw at your workplace, the red one?” I ask and she raises her eyebrows at me and from her expression I can tell that she obviously didn’t bother.

Here was another reason why I needed her.

She had the opportunity in a highly reputed designing company, right in the middle of the atelier and her colleague always turned a blank eye to certain disappearing items, from shoes, pants, skirts, tops and jackets that, of course, returned to their original spot before their boss could notice.

“You promised you’d get it for me for my first day” I remind her and she gives me a look of disbelief.

“I never promised anything. You saw it and then pointed out that you wanted it. I can’t just take something from work and give it to you” she says and I take a look at my nails.

“it’s not like you haven’t done it before…” I point out.

“well they are starting to notice and I could lose my job but of course you don’t care about anyone else but yourself!” she exclaims angrily

At the sound of that my frown deepens “why are you yelling, what part of this conversation consists of you to be yelping at the top of your lungs as if it’s the end of the world? You getting fired from one agency doesn’t mean you can’t get hired at another one, simple as that” I shrug as I sit on my bed to wear my heels.

“if it’s simple as that you’d get a job too which is why I’m here” she says and I lift my eyes from my shoes and raise an eyebrow at her.

“I think it’s time you looked for a job too, ya know, to help around the house a bit…”

“you’re kidding right?” I ask standing from my bed and she shakes her head

“nope, I’m dead serious” she states and I laugh

“wait…” I try not to laugh as I realize what’s going on.

I tap my perfectly manicured finger on my chin, feigning to be thinking hard as I approach her “it’s not that you could lose your job, it’s that you’re about to. I have a feeling you’re already on the tip of the iceberg and they are just waiting for the right time to…” I shove at her shoulders and she slaps my hands off her which only makes me laugh.

“you can’t tell mother. I need to figure out what I’ll do before telling her or else she’ll worry and you and I both know her heart won’t be able to handle it” she reminds me with a serious look and I wave that aside.

“then if you don’t want her to know, I don’t know, stop yelling” I shrug and she rolls her eyes at me

“I’m serious about this, you have to find a job” she says again.

I grab a black the blazer from the bed to have a good look at it “and I think you’re absolutely out of your mind if you think I’m going to go out there and find some low class job just so you could save face in front of mother or stop her from having a stupid heart attack” I snap and her lips part

I turn to look at her “maybe for once you’ll be the one to disappoint her, what a change in this house that would be, right?” I sneer

“why are you always such a bitch?” she asks and I throw the blazer on the bed and angrily turn to look at her.

“You work in that fashion agency and they are always leaving out unwanted items to keep in a storage room and I asked you one thing, one thing and that was to get me that blazer for my first day but even that you couldn’t do” I shake my head disappointedly and sneer

“and now you want to put the blame on me so it could justify your failure in front of mother but more importantly because of you I have to go looking like this, unprepared, when I had an entire plan with that blazer” I scoff and rush to my closet to look for something close enough.

“do you even hear yourself right now?” she asks and I ignore her

“You are so preoccupied with how you look and how you’re dressed than realizing how tight we are this month…” she starts but I turn to look at her, an old black blazer in hand.

“it better not be tight as in I might not be able to continue going to college” I warn and she rubs her temples

“that’s exactly what it means” she says, irritated.

“then you better start looking for a job” I tell her throwing the blazer on the bed

“first of all that’s exactly what I’m trying to do but it’s hard enough that I don’t have a college degree and second of all that’s what I’m telling you to do as well” she says and I place my hands on my hips

“you see, you don’t have a college degree but I have the chance to and I can’t allow you to ruin that for me all because you’re unable to keep a job” I tell her and exasperated she throws her arms up.

“ruin what you have when all you do is flaunt around here in your sexy dresses and skirts” she insults

“If God decided to bless me with assets I have no other choice but to flaunt it” I point out, gesturing a hand to my curves.

“please because you believe in God” she scoffs

“I may not but he obviously did something right by creating me” I point out and she shakes her head at me.

“that’s all you care about, that’s all you’re worth…”

I cut her off by stepping up to her “no, big sister…” I point an index to my head

“not only do I have the looks but I have the brains that go with it. First in all of my classes, an excellent GPA, honor student and most importantly valedictorian of my promotion” I remind her

I lower my eyes at her “I’m nothing like you. Accepting the fate casted upon you, accepting to be the unlucky ones, giving up at having more all because I was raised to appreciate the little things in life, no…” I step closer to her and she lifts her chin, glaring at me.

“I don’t want to appreciate the little things in life, I want to appreciate the big things, have a big life, a bright one filled with things I deserve, whether I worked hard for it or not” I tell her and she shakes her head at me.

“and how do you think you’re going to end up if you keep chasing what isn’t yours, if you keep this mindset?” she asks and I smirk

“nothing is ever ours until we make it ours. To have or not to have and I want so I’ll get” I say and take a step closer to her, she takes one back.

“I swore to find my way out of this trash hell hole you and mother call home and make a real name for myself, make a life for myself and if I have to step on everyone, alive or dead to get there or be hated by the entire world then…” I shrug

“so be it” I grab my bag off the bed and push past her, knocking my shoulder into hers to get by as she scoffs, shaking her head at me.

Everyone around me was so simple minded, a simple life, simple thoughts, simple lifestyle but I knew I was worth more than that, I deserved more than that.

I reach the living room where my mother is setting the table for breakfast and I pause watching her and the more I do the angrier I get. My mother is a beautiful woman but the lack of resources, lack of money has lured her into a life filled with misery not to mention, a broken heart.

After my father left, leaving the three of us in debt and in the red at the bank she had no other choice but to work, work her beauty off in the back of a dry cleaning store and now she only looks like a ghost of herself.

I’ve never loathed my pops for leaving, maybe leaving us in debt, sure but he went off to find better, to probably create a better life and for that I could understand for it was the reality of our situation of our lives and I wasn’t one to mourn over the lost and definitely not over someone who had left.

Her dark hair is now always pulled up in a messy bun, she’s always complaining about her bad back and allows her boss to treat her like shit claiming remaining humble and kind was the key to it all but where has that gotten her, where, only in this shitty house with unpaid bills and clothes close to be confused as rags.

I refuse to end up like her or anyone in this miserable neighborhood.

The second I step into what we call our dining room, I notice a bouquet of flowers on the table and take hold of it, taking a look at it.

“who sent Lily flowers?” I ask cringing as I set my bag on one of our wooden chairs.

“those are not for Lily but for you. Joon came by to drop them off for your first day” my mother says with a smile and admires the flowers as she sets the table.

“how sweet of him, right?” she asks and I turn to look at her, unimpressed.

“because you think these are the flowers your daughter deserves, these?” I ask holding out the flowers for her to have a better look at them.

She smiles but shakes her head at me “it’s the intention that counts and they are beautiful flowers” she says and I roll my eyes and walk over to the trash.

“if these are the type of flowers he wants to give then may he simply stop trying” I mumble as I throw the flowers in the trash before flipping my hair over my shoulder to have yet another look at my makeup in the mirror hanging over the prayer alter.

“why are you so mean to the boy?” she asks looking at me in disbelief and I can’t believe it’s a question she’s asking me, as if it wasn’t obvious.

I adjust my lipstick “because mother, if I wanted to date a baker, I would but there’s not a single inch of my body that tingles with interest even at the thought” I say.

“Be nice to him. He really helps me whenever he sees me and I’m sure one day he’ll own his father’s bakery…” she says with bright eyes and I laugh, I can’t help it.

“One day, maybe but by then I’ll be gone and hopefully far, far away from here” I say and turn to look at her and she approaches me and cups my cheeks, looking deep in my eyes and I freeze.

I’ve never been the kind to lean into my mother’s affectionate actions and it’s not like it’s always been the case. I used to crave it even but when I noticed that she and my older sister had a very much closer relationship, I distanced myself. Call it jealousy if you wish but I know Lily is my mother’s favorite daughter all because she believes in the same values and beliefs.

“it’s my prayer for you, sweetie, that you get everything you wish for but sometimes I’m afraid what you wish for could harm not only others but yourself” she says with a worried look and I push her hands from my face and step back.

“I just did my makeup” I say as I walk by her to the other side of the room, feeling uneasy.

I take a glance at the breakfast on the table and the sight of the bowls of rice, kimchi only makes me want to barf.

“don’t we have any toast or fruits?” I ask and she wipes her hands on her apron, a slight frown on her face as she takes in the food on the table and then at me.

“do you want me to get you fruits from the market?” she asks and I force a smile.

“so that everyone there will call me a bad daughter for sending you there again, yeah, no” I say and take hold of my bag.

“it’s too late now anyways” I mumble and slip the strap of my bag over my shoulder just as my sister joins in the small dining room, her eyes still narrowed at me and of course our mother notices the tensions.

“did the two of you fight again?” she asks glancing at the two of us.

“Just Ivy being unrealistic and selfish as always” she says taking a seat at the table.

“and Lily not being smart or ambitious enough” I snap and she rolls her eyes at me before taking hold of her chopsticks.

I kiss my mother on the cheek before brushing past her “but you have to eat” she says but I shake my head not looking back at her.

“I’ll grab something on the road, bye” I say and open the door, grabbing my coat off the wooden hanger before walking out and slamming the door shut behind me and as I’m not irritated enough, the simple scent of the neighborhood fills my nostrils and I grimace before heading on out and into the streets of Ahyeon-dong.

Sitting on a hill near the main train station is my birthplace, Ahyeon-dong with it’s steep, narrow streets. Many of these streets end in long staircases that we all have to climb to reach our homes.

Ahyeon-dong is one of the last of the poor areas near downtown Seoul. I wish I was lying but it’s worse than how it was portrayed in the famous movie “Parasite”. It was interesting watching the making of the movie and seeing how they had to shut down certain parts of the neighborhood as they were filming, to see all those stars only confirmed to me that there was a way out of this place.

Everyone in the neighborhood had been so happy to see it make several appearances in the film but it only showed how dirty and depressive this place really is. There was nothing to be proud about.

I keep my eyes forward, ignoring the look of my neighbors as they watch me, the glances of the passerby’s as I make my way by and I know what they are looking at, how could I not?

I’m very much aware of what reaction I incite inside those who watch me, it’s hard not to notice how their eyes widen, how they step aside to let me through and how they whisper to each other about what I’m wearing, about how I walk, how I act but I’ve never cared enough about it or about any of them.

I can’t help but smile to myself, loving the feeling of my hair on my bare shoulders, the tightness of my red wrapped vintage Dior dress, the strings crisscrossed on my back showing just enough skin, enough cleavage and enough legs and my white strapped heels, and thanks to my sister the only thing that could suit this was my long black coat.

I run my hand through my hair, making swift eye contact with one, two, three, four people before smiling and biting down on my lower lip when they try to catch my eye again but I never make eye contact with the same person twice, there’s no point. I simply leave them with that lingering what if and nothing else.

It feels good to know that I have this much power over insignificant people, that I can receive exactly what I want, the attention I need to boost my ego, that’s all they matter for, my ego.

I reach the grocery store at the corner of the street and pull the heavy door open before slipping in and casting a look around quickly at the muffins behind the glass.

“Well if it isn’t Ivy”

I don’t turn back just yet, lifting my eyes to the ceiling before forcing a smile and turning around to face one of the big mouths of this neighborhood and old lady who lives next door and always has the habit of throwing up praises about her son Mark who graduated SNU a year ago. I thought I had shut her mouth when I received my acceptance letter but what can I say, a toad must always ribbit.

It was a year ago like bitch, move on already.

“Hello Mrs. Tuan” I greet forcefully and she crosses her arms over her chest, looking at me from head to toe, the suspicion in her eyes are obvious. She caught her son with me two years ago making out in the back of his car and I’ve never been able to hear the end of it, but she really lost it when he bought me an expensive bracelet for my birthday, now that, really had the top of her brain explode, boom.

 “I saw your mother this morning, she went out to buy ingredients to whip up your breakfast” she says and I sigh and turn back to the muffins

“and?” I ask not bothering to take a glance at her

She sets her items on the counter and takes a good look at my attire “I know Lily would’ve helped if she could but let me guess you were busy dolling yourself up to bother helping your poor mother” she states and tugs at the fabric of my dress, quickly on the defensive, I swat her hand away

“mind your damn business” I snap through gritted teeth and she holds her hands up, slightly backing away

“and always as rude as usual” she shakes her head at me just at Mr. Yang, the owner of the store appears behind the cash register from the back room.

I flip my hair over my shoulder “Good morning Mr. Yang” I greet and he smiles at me.

“good morning Ivy, what can I get you this morning?” he asks and Mrs. Tuan rolls her eyes

“how about some good manners” she mumbles but I ignore her

“I’ll take two muffins and I wish I had some money to buy some banana milk but I can’t” I say as I open my bag to pull out my wallet

“oh no, that’s on me no worries” he says and I lift my eyes to look at him, feigning to be in awe

“really?” I ask and he nods

I squeal happily, taking hold of his hands “thank you so much!” I say and he pats my hand and I discreetly slip it out of his to reach for my wallet, giving him the time to grab what I asked for.

“You have to stop being nice to this one, she’s a complete brat to her mother and her sister” Mrs. Tuan says glaring at me

“what is it to you anyway?” I ask her and she points to me while looking at Mr. Yang

“you see, a complete brat” she spits and I roll my eyes and slam my money on the counter, grabbing my muffins and my banana milk and start heading out but I pause and take three steps back making sure I’m right behind her

“say hello to Mark for me, I do sure miss his gifts” I kiss her cheek and shocked she gasps and wipes her cheek, earning a laugh from me.

“thanks again Mr. Yang” I call out over my shoulder as I push open the doors and leave.

The older women of this neighborhood really can’t understand what it’s like to be a young woman in this generation, decade and time we live in, it’s extremely difficult and everyone has to find their own ways out no matter which tactics they use to get there.

I throw my muffins and milk into my bag and start my way towards the bus stop just as the nearing sound of a motorcycle make a faint smile appear on my lips before I turn just as he comes to a stop right in front of me.

I cross my arms over my chest and wait, watching him as he removes his helmet from his head and ruffles his ashy blonde hair before lifting his brown eyes to look at me and I watch as he grins, a visible dimple appearing on his cheek.

I hold my breath allowing my gaze to settle into his and lift my chin.

Kim Namjoon.

If walls could talk they’d express the flaring excitement that tingles down my spine at the thought of this man and yes call me a hypocrite and a liar if you must but I really don’t care. This man wakes things in me that I can never speak of to anyone, ever and I’d rather keep it this way, after all haven’t we all seen where love leads sentimental fools?

We’ve known each other since we were little and the entire world knows of his interest in my regard and despite the old snakes of the neighborhood warning the one good soul they have around them about the poison that they believe me to be, he hasn’t shown any signs of caring about that.

I don’t give him too much attention, there’s no need for that when he has all the girls of the neighborhood at his feet.

He stabilizes his motorcycle by planting his heavy boots on the ground and I can’t help but notice how his thighs clench under his jeans.

“did you get my flowers?” he asks and I shift from one foot to the other, twisting my lips and feigning to think about it.

“what flowers?” I ask and he cocks a pierced eyebrow at me, a faint smile on his lips.

I could never tell if he can feel the radical heat radiating off of me at the sight of him or if he truly believes me to be unbothered by his presence but all it takes is an amused smile from him and I know he feels this sexual tension between us but sexual tension is all this will ever be.

I promised myself and I was planning on sticking to that promise, the goal, my goal was all that mattered and distractions…

I pause, allowing my eyes to wander the strong clothed chest of the man before me, the way his full lips move as he talks, the smoothness of his tan skin, his dragon shaped eyes that peer at me from underneath dark lashes, the perfect bone structure of his face, angular and sharp jaw, the veins on his hands wandering beneath the ink displayed almost strategically.

My chest rises and falls as I release a determined breath.

Distractions, pleasant distractions such as Kim Namjoon were meant to be swept under a rug and whatever sexual tension that is circulating between us will and can be ignored. My goal is too far important for me to allow such a step back.

“I stopped by this morning and dropped them off” he says and I shake my head, coming down from my thoughts.

“no one said a thing” I say and he scratches the back of his head

“that’s odd” he mumbles and I admire his sleeve of tattoos and bite down on my bottom lip and take a step forward, unable to help myself from wanting to flirt with this man and yes, the idea that he even got me flowers does ignite something within me.

I stop once I’m only a few feet away from him “so, you got me flowers…” I point out and he nods, his grin widening and showing me his pearly whites.

“I wanted to get you roses but they are out of my budget right now” he says and though this should be an enough reason for me to avoid him with a flip of my hair and eyes forward on my goal, I can’t help but allow my walls to fall around him.

“it’s the thought that counts” I say softly and he smiles and gives his motorcycle a slightly punch with his ringed fists and looks forward and then back at me.

“you need a ride to campus?” he asks and I force my eyes from his to take in the large motorcycle and I suck a breath through my teeth and shake my head.

I had an image to maintain and me arriving on campus on my first day, on this large motorcycle wasn’t the kind of image I wanted to portray and I didn’t want anyone to know I was associated with someone like Namjoon, at least anyone out of this dreadful neighborhood.

“as nice as that sounds what image would that give me on my first day?” I ask and take a step back, creating the barrier between us.

He shakes his head at me “you worry about that a lot huh?” he teases and I flip my hair over my shoulder.

“whether you want to admit it or not, the image we hold of ourselves is very important and who knows maybe when you’ll be in charge of your bakery you’ll understand that” you tell him and you watch his dark eyebrows furrow slightly

“no amount of power or money can change me or my beliefs” he says seriously and I sigh.

Here was why Namjoon and I could never be together, why I had to overlook every single sensation I feel crawling up on me whenever he’s around.

That was the difference between Namjoon and I, he too was nothing but a warm heart, stuck on a rollercoaster that only takes him on an endless circle and nowhere else. He didn’t want to see beyond this fucked up neighborhood and was only planning on staying here, his only long term goal being owning his father’s bakery one day and that was it but I wasn’t planning on simply being the wife of a man who owned a bakery and continue to live here.

I was planning for a lot more and the farthest away from here as possible.

We see the world far too differently to be associated with one another.

 “don’t fall into her trap Joon” Mrs. Tuan says as she walks by with her groceries and I roll my eyes.

“your son sure fell into a lot more than a trap, ask him about it, he has the details” I mock over my shoulder and she glares at me.

“really, bringing up her son?” Namjoon asks and I turn back to him, noticing the bus arriving over his shoulder but also the very disappointed frown on his face from my words and behavior.

“She snares, I bite and chew her out. It’s the way of the world Kim Namjoon” I shrug and turn to walk away just as the bus stops.

“it doesn’t have to be” he calls out after me but I simply wave over my shoulder and hop into the bus, paying at the entrance before taking a seat and turning my neck to glance out the window at him, watching as small droplets of rain begin to fall against the window bluing his figure.

“oh but it has to be” I mumble and force my eyes away from him.

***

Across town is the area of Seongbuk-dong, standing in his shared walk in closet, Kim Seok-Jin slips on a black button up shirt up his strong arms, adjusting it slightly as he takes a long look at himself in the mirror.

The handsome man that stares back at him is the one he has recognized his entire life. He’s never done any changes to his appearance but simply grew with time and age. His flaky and skinny teenage build was replaced by a more fit, muscular and yet slim figure, broad shoulders to follow after long hours at the gym. His height remained the same, a good 5’9 which was more thanks to his genes than anything else. His dark hair, once kept long during the summer now had the ends slightly cut short to his liking.

His brown eyes travel his facial features for a moment before a droplet of water slips from his wet hair and lands on his eye and he blinks it away before using his hand to push back his hair to have a better look at himself and his chosen attire for the first day of classes.

A black button up to carefully and neatly tuck into his dark jeans, perfectly structured at the hips due to his dark belt. He carefully closes each button before arranging his crooked collar and buttoning the cuffs of the sleeves before lifting his eyes to meet his reflection once more.

Eldest son of the Kim empire, he’s always had an image to keep. An image he never found troublesome to keep. From his childhood he was destined to have a calm life. He wasn’t interested in his father’s company or the legacy he was building but was more intrigued with the human mind.

At 32 years of age, he could claim he was happy in his life, happy in the pace he developed throughout the years and happy with the choices he’s made to get here and the outcome, nothing was missing from the puzzle of perfection he had assembled with his own hands, absolutely nothing…

“no tie?” a voice asks behind him and before he can look over his shoulder he feels the welcoming, warm hands of his wife, Kim Yong-sun, on his shoulders before her beautiful face appears over his shoulder in the mirror and he can’t help but take hold of her hand and press a chaste kiss on it.

Yong-Sun wasn’t just his wife, she was his best friend, his confident and his main supporter. The two of them had known each other since they were little and it was only natural to them and everyone around them that the two decided to get married and create a beautiful and perfect life together.

Just perfect.

“you know I’ve never been a tie person” he points out and she gives his broad shoulders a gentle squeeze before making her way in front of him to smooth out his already perfectly ironed shirt before placing her hands on his hips, gazing up at him as he reaches aside to reach for his optic glasses.

“but black on a first day?” she cocks an eyebrow at him as he adjusts his glasses, giving her a confused look behind the rectangular shaped glasses.

“don’t you believe your students will see you as a macabre professor?” she asks and he chuckles softly.

“maybe but I’m going to stick with it” he says and leans in giving her a kiss on the cheek, she smiles and shakes her head at him as she turns away from him, gathering his pajamas from the floor and his towel.

“tonight we have dinner with our friends” she reminds him as she gathers the wet towel in her arms.

He sighs, not too keen on the idea “yes, yes, I remember only I don’t recall why our presence is actually necessary” he points out as he keeps his gazed fixed on his reflection, combing his hair.

“Jong-Suk finally decided on his new house and moved in a few days ago, he simply wants to celebrate with us” she reminds him as she picks up his workout clothes from the soft carpeted floor.

“ah yes, the one he couldn’t help buying three doors down from ours” he mumbles as he settles his comb down and reaches for his cologne.

“Jong-Suk is your friend and Whee-in is mine and we both know she’s been dying for him to ask her out and make things official, she needs my support tonight” Yong-Sun points out and Seok-Jin pats his cheeks smoothly before turning to his wife.

“it always feels like he’s in competition with me and as a psychologist I can only see it as because during our childhood our parents pitted us against one another every single time, even for the smallest thing, school, athletics, after school activities, college major, internship, job opportunities…” he tells her

“and you were always the golden child for your parents” she interrupts and he pauses and sighs

“and his” he reminds her and she nods

“right”

“and he’s never been able to really digest that even if he is my best friend” he sighs and turns back to his reflection and reaching for his watch.

She throws his clothes into the hamper and turns to him, wrapping her arms around his waist.

“and you’ve been an amazing best friend to him all these years, always there when he needed you and even when the two of you were in competition…” she says before kissing his back

“completion led by our parents, mind you” he interrupts her

“yes of course but that never stopped you from being his friend” she says and he sighs and turns around, she opens her arms a bit to allow him to face her before wrapping her arms around him again.

“just promise me that you’ll be here on time or just a few moments earlier so he can see that you do have his best and only his best intentions at heart and that you are happy for him” she says and he looks down at her and releases a deep sigh before nodding

“I am happy for him, I just don’t see the point of all of this” he mutters and his wife raises an eyebrow at him and he adjusts his glasses and forces a smile.

“fine, I’ll try to make it home earlier than usual” he says and she smiles and stands on the tip of her toes to press her lips to his.

“now let’s go have breakfast with the girls before they rush up here to see you” she says and he smiles and nods, turning back to his reflection again.

“I’ll be right out” he mumbles and adjusts his watch.

He’d rather be anywhere than at tonight’s dinner but his wife had a point he had to show his best friend that he was happy for him after all he could understand this rivalry. His best friend simply wanted to prove that he was getting his life together just like him.

He always had to do what was right, not just for himself but for everyone around him and maybe at this age he should be used to it, or maybe he is used to it but…

He lifts his head to look up at the picture of him, his wife and his beautiful twin girls, Nina and Jia and at the sight of their bright smiles as they have their arms wrapped around him he can’t help but feel like anything else he’s feeling should be casted aside after all…

His life was perfect why would he ever fuck it up?

***

With one hand on the steering wheel, Seok-Jin brings his coffee to his lips he tries to keep his eyes on the road, the windshields wipe away the droplets of hard rain that hit the car and he casts a quick glance at the time to make sure he’s going to be able to make it in time.

He wasn’t late, that he was sure of but maybe a couple of minutes behind schedule due to his little moment with his daughter’s during breakfast. He could never say ‘no’ to those two angels even if it was just to decorate their pancakes. He knew moments with them, even the smallest were important.

Growing up he received all the love he needed from both his father and his mother so he had no reason whatsoever to give his daughters anything other than love, it’s all he’s ever known.

The sound of his phone ringing interrupts the soft jazz playing in his car and he glances over the screen and reads his little sister’s name on the screen, he smiles to himself before accepting the call.

“yes sister?” he responds bringing his coffee to his lips

“Good morning to you too big brother” she replies cheerfully

Kim Jisoo was his little sister of 12 years, it was a significantly big gap but they were so close they were almost the same person and Jin was very, very protective of his little sister, just as he was with his daughters.

“shouldn’t you already be on campus being the dictator you are?” she asks and he laughs softly licking the coffee off his soft lips and adjusts his glasses.

“and shouldn’t you already be in class waiting for me to get there?” he asks stopping at a red light.

“don’t think because you are my little sister I’m going to take it easy on you” he teases and she gasps

“as if I’d condone some good old fashion nepotism” she says and he chuckles.

“I’m just excited to see your big entrance, it’s a shame Jimin isn’t here. I know how much he would’ve loved to see you as a professor” she says and at the mention of Jimin, Jin can hear the happiness in his sister’s voice but unfortunately cannot stop himself from grunting in disapproval.

He wished he could share his sister’s joy or even her malcontent at the idea of her fiancée not being able to participate in this class. His little sister he’d be happy to have in his class, her social elite climbing, manipulatively charming, money hungry bum of a fiancée he’d rather not have anywhere near his class or their lives for that matter.

“Right, well I’ll see you there when I get there, this rain is getting really bad” he says

“okay be careful professor Kim” she says and he smiles and hangs up before settling his coffee aside and putting more attention on the road in front of him.

He squints his eyes to look around a bit, familiar with the roads ahead, he knew he was only a few minutes away from the campus. He turns his head to the eft to catch sight of the bus stop near the campus

“alright then…” he mutters turning the wheel slightly to the side towards the entrance gates of the university only to immediately pull the brakes when he catches sight of a figure trying to cross right in front of his car.

Thankfully pulling the brakes right on time doesn’t cause him to bump into the figure and his seatbelt on didn’t cause him to bump into the wheel but the hard pounding of his heart and the fear of having run over someone overwhelms him and he lifts his head to look over the dashboard to see the figure in question still standing there.

The strap of his seatbelt hurts his chest and he carefully removes it and opens the door, worried.

He rushes over to the figure, removing his glasses as he approaches.

“are you okay?” he asks as loud as he can over the hard pouring rain and shivering from the cold the young woman, chest rising and falling, slowly turns to look at him, light brown eyes wide as she looks up at him.

She’s drenched from the rain, her long dark hair cascades down her shoulders and her back, her small face wet, her red dress drenched and sticking to her body.

“I- I think so” she says softly but a strike of lightning and thunder causes her to swallow hard and she takes a step forward and reaches out a shaky hand and grips his bicep and looks up at him, her beautiful face and light brown eyes stare up at him and for a moment he can’t find the words to ask her what’s wrong, he too stares down at her, the grip of her hand on his bicep almost burning.

She breathes out and shuts her eyes and it’s only then does he snap out of his thoughts “Miss, are you okay? What’s your name?” he asks looking down at her worriedly

She slowly opens her eyes and looks up at him “Ivy” she breathes out and before he knows it, her eyes roll to the back of her head and she falls into his arms, caught off guard but quick, Jin catches her, her body limp into his arms and drenched clothes against his. She’s not heavy and this allows him to carefully turn her around to see her properly.

He touches her cheek “Miss, Miss are you okay, Miss?” he asks adjusting her in his arms

Eyes shut, she doesn’t respond and unable to help himself he stares down at her face. She seems young, younger than him probably most likely Jisoo’s age and that can only explain why she’s here in front of the gates to campus.

The sound of his car coming to such an abrupt stop must’ve scared her.

He uses his hand to push aside the strands of hair sticking to her skin, to her lips and as he does so, his fingertips slightly ghost her red coated lips which were intact despite the rain and how wet they looked, he swallows at the sight of her full red lips and his eyes dance down her body for a moment, the feel of her curves on his hand underneath her spine, she’s freezing cold but the skin on his palm feels warm.

He shakes his head and swiftly sweeps her off her feet and carrying her back to his car.

He carefully opens the backseat and slips her in, hovering above her for a moment he stares down at her and the angle of her body underneath his before he pushes himself off and adjusts her feet into the car and shuts the door.

He rushes to the front and slips into the car, starting it and driving unto the campus. He glances over his shoulder at the young woman in his backseat and curses under his breath.

“Call Jong-Suk”

“hey what’s…?” his best friend starts

“I’m not going to be able to make it to my morning class, cover for me” Jin interrupts and hangs up the call before another word can be spoken.

He casts a quick glance over his shoulder “stay with me Miss…” he says before refocusing on the road before him but unable to help himself he glances into the rear view mirror at the young woman lying in his backseat, her full lips parted, perfectly shaped and dark eyebrows relaxed…

“Ivy…” he whispers.

***

I wince, a sudden and sharp ache in my head and flinch, lifting my arm with much difficulty to set it my hand on the top of your head but I can’t help but perceive the smell of warm coffee, the sound of slow classical music and the comforting crackling sound and warmth of fire. There’s a heavy and yet soft material weighing over my body and I grip it with my free hand before slowly opening my eyes.

My vision is a bit blurry but as I blink several times it stars to clear itself enough for me to take in my surroundings.

Right beside me there’s a large bookshelf filled with books and facing me is a large and wide glass window with green curtains carefully pulled over it but it’s not what catches my attention the most, no, it’s the large and tall shadow approaching in the corner of my eye that makes me freeze in place.

I’m not too sure what I’m doing here or what happened but I knew I was on my way to campus, the rain, a car, the man…

“Ivy…” a deep voice says and I feel a trail of goosebumps suddenly decorate my entire body, the hairs on the back of my neck rising, back straightening.

The sound of my name makes me turn my neck and lift my head to look up at the man approaching me in slow steps and its only when I have a good look at him that I realize who it is.

His clothes are slightly soaked, his dark button up presses to his chest, a button or two undone to reveal his collarbones, his hair, wet from the rain ghosts his forehead and his eyelids oh so smoothly. He looks different from his picture on the website but not less attractive just a lot less put together.

He reaches out a hesitant hand and I watch him as he places his hand on my shoulder, his eyebrows furrowing as he gazes down at me, worry written all over his beautiful features. I can’t help but watch the water dripping from strands of his dark hair onto the carpeted floor and some on his already wet shirt.

His touch his warm on my shoulder and I almost feel the need to lean into it but instead I take a good look around us and realize we’re in an office, a very large one at that. In front of the large window, now shielded with the green curtain was his desk, a desk occupied by his computer, books, papers and a picture frame, a frame I couldn’t get a really good look at but could only guess it to be holding the picture of his family.

“Where…?” I start and he squats down to look up at my face

“No worries I simply brought you to my office here on campus” he says and hands me what I realize is mug only when he holds it to me and carefully removes his hand from my shoulder, his warm touch leaving me only makes me feel cold all over again and I reach for the hot mug to replace it.

“I truly apologize for almost running you over” he says and I simply bring my mug to my lips and take a sip of the warm tea, it fills me and warms me up instantly

“Hmn” I can’t help but hum and I notice the smile forming on his lips

“Chamomile, it helps every time” he chuckles softly and I remove the mug from my lips and stare into his eyes.

I needed to think fast but smart, this was a once in a lifetime opportunity that was handed to me on a gold platter. I couldn’t make any mistakes.

I hold out my free hand “thank you, professor…” I start slowly, giving him the time to introduce himself

“Professor Kim, psychology 101” he says and slips his hand into mine, the second he does I meet his gaze and smile, looking at him from underneath my eyelashes.

“It’s a pleasure meeting you Professor Kim, I’m Seo Ivy, psychology major…” I say and at this he raises his eyebrows but doesn’t remove his hand from mine, the contact of his wedding ring on my skin.

I grin, feeling the excitement begin to consume me, a slight tingle runs down my spine at the thought that I, Seo Ivy, was about to make this man’s life very interesting.

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