That damn vampire seemed like a genius at seduction. There was no way out. The best thing would be to pretend to be shameless, cool, like it was nothing. As long as I didn’t get caught, that would be enough.
“How cunning.”
I clicked my tongue at the fact that my mind was already leaning toward just not getting caught. As Rashanin said, the first time was difficult, but the second time wasn’t difficult. Among my college classmates, there were three or four guys proficient at this sort of thing, and they all said the same thing. At times like this, don’t be pathetic about it. Be so cool. That’s what’s cool.
It was a shock that the partner was a man, and moreover, not human but a vampire, but what did it matter that our eyes met and we went all the way? It was what adults commonly call playing with fire. Enjoy as much as you want and part ways when the time comes. Rashanin also told me to enjoy myself.
It wasn’t to the point where I’d break my leg or quit my job saying I hated that damn vampire. While telling myself this sort of thing was nothing, I rubbed my face and got up.
After drinking bottled water and trying to go back to the bedroom, I became curious about the afternoon schedule. Normally, it would soon be time to eat dinner.
Just in case, I went out to the living room to find Rashanin sitting on the sofa. Surprisingly, he had a cell phone in his hand. A latest model at that. On the table were a teacup, box, plastic, wires, and a manual neatly arranged. When I approached, Rashanin lifted his head. His smiling face momentarily subtly frowned.
“Oh my, it seems you didn’t sleep well.”
Rashanin stood up and approached.
“Your face is swollen. Can you move?”
“More or less. But this is a bit……”
As I stood still, Rashanin casually touched my cheek. Unable to overcome the tingling, ticklish sensation, I stepped back, and Rashanin lightly scolded.
“There are no cameras or listening devices indoors.”
That was true. But unless you were quite close, it would be difficult to touch someone’s face just because they looked unwell.
“I’d prefer if you just didn’t do it.”
“My, what a stingy man. It’s a sign of affection.”
It was a difficult topic to discuss. Not wanting to get entangled with this insufferably slick man, I deliberately avoided his gaze and played dumb. Then Rashanin laughed softly.
“But you’ll come over if I seduce you, right?”
“Who knows.”
I answered ambiguously. If I hated Rashanin, I could have kicked him away, but unfortunately I couldn’t do that. Knowing this, Rashanin smiled hatefully.
“You can look forward to it.”
Look forward to what. Watching the man smile more gently than usual made my insides all ticklish. It was definitely awkward, but the fluffy feeling to the point where I wondered if this was okay was unbearably awkward. Whatever will be, will be. As I muttered the all-purpose spell to myself, Rashanin pulled my arm and made me sit on the sofa.
“But what’s all this?”
It was curious that a man who hadn’t even carried a cell phone until now had gotten a latest model.
“I liked yours when I saw it. It’s like a new world has opened up.”
“The world has changed a lot. Is it fun?”
“It’s fascinating.”
The man holding the cell phone in his hand with sparkling eyes saying it was fascinating seemed like an even more fascinating creature. And I wanted to knock my head three times for thinking that sight looked cute.
“If you look around, there will be many things that will surprise Rashanin-ssi.”
“That’s something to look forward to.”
Rashanin showed a clean smile. His handsome face pleased the eyes.
Unhyuk-ah. Stop gushing over his face.
* * *
It was a wonderful spring day.
Large and small yachts were floating on the sea of Jeju Island where fluffy clouds rose in the blue sky.
I didn’t worry about whether to be impressed, amazed, annoyed, or envious at the fact that the first boat I was riding in my life was a super luxurious yacht.
Last night, Rashanin seduced me as if it were natural with sweet words and actions. I refused, saying my body couldn’t take it, but I helplessly fell for Rashanin’s finger-licking technique. This morning, wind-mixed sounds came from my swollen throat, and my whole body ached as if beaten. On top of that, I overslept. Rashanin told me to blame everything on him, but I couldn’t use the excuse of suffering from a hangover every single day. When I stubbornly got up, Rashanin had arranged a yacht.
Among the yachts lined up at the beautiful Jeju Island seaside pier, the particularly eye-catching large yacht became a cozy place perfect for napping. The Department Head got angry asking why a yacht on the sea when it was hard to monitor. I recalled Rashanin’s kind advice and blamed everything on him.
Lying on the sun bed of the super luxurious yacht with dazzling white sails, I could truly feel why money and power were good. Getting used to top-class hotels, a private jet, Ferrari, and even a yacht. It felt like I was dreaming a wonderful dream.
Anyway, the spring sea was a first. A wonderful yacht was also a first.
If it was a dream I’d wake from anyway, a happy dream was better, but reality was right beside me.
*
“I’m telling you, it’s Jeju Island.”
―Don’t you still know when you’re coming back to Seoul?
“Yes. It looks like it’ll be longer.”
―Why a business trip at a time like this. You know this kind of talk isn’t something to do over the phone.
I could hear my stepmother’s irritated sigh over the cell phone. Despite ignoring her like that, my stepmother’s attitude hadn’t changed much. She said that whether I took out a loan or not, I had to come and discuss it. It wasn’t even funny. Since when did she need me?
“I’ve told you many times, but Mother, please handle it yourself.”
―Without you.
“It’ll all work out without me. Since when did you need me to say that? You know that if those people hadn’t come looking for me, I’d have no reason to talk to you, Mother. Don’t call anymore.”
Tired of repeating the same words, I unilaterally announced I was hanging up and pressed the end button. I even turned off the power in case a call came. A sigh escaped. Even if I acted cold and showed that I disliked her, it was useless if the other party didn’t notice. A relationship that wouldn’t end just because I ended it first. It felt like swallowing bitter poison.
Sweeping up my crumpled face with my hand, I gathered my mind and left the cabin. At the stern, Rashanin was looking at the sea.
The man wearing a shirt and cotton pants, an outfit suitable for the sea and yacht, was even wearing light-colored sunglasses saying the sunlight was dazzling. From any angle, he looked like a young rich person who came to enjoy a vacation.
When I approached, Rashanin spoke.
“The call was short today.”
“Ah. I’m sorry.”
“It’s not easy to hang up, is it?”
“……Yes.”
His hearing must be quite good since he seemed to know who it was even though I talked in the cabin. Still, it was fortunate he didn’t pry asking what was going on.
“Drink.”
Rashanin personally poured golden champagne into a glass and held it out to me. I needed alcohol, but I was strictly working, so I shook my head.
“I said drink. There are no watching eyes here.”
The devil was always beside me. I looked around at Rashanin and our surroundings once, then downed the champagne in one go. Rashanin smiled and filled my glass. As I drank that too, Rashanin said something.
“I’d like to meet your mother once.”
“My mother?”
“I’m curious what kind of person makes you make that expression.”
“Just upset me.”
It seemed like pointless complaining, but I still revealed the resentment in my heart. The existence of family worse than strangers was upsetting to the point of being difficult.
“Is life hard?”
“……?”
“Shall I let you escape?”
Letting me escape from a hard life. Unable to grasp what he meant, I tilted my head, and Rashanin slightly spread his arms.
“I have that kind of power.”
The man was asking if I would become a vampire.
“I refuse.”
“Why do you refuse? You can be freed from everything that torments you. Immortal time, wealth, and power. Everything will be yours. The family that bothers you will be nothing.”
Money? Honor? Power? The man’s voice whispering that he’d give it all if I wanted emitted an alluring fragrance incomparable to Elisabeth’s. I wondered if the devil Mephistopheles’ whisper in Faust was like this. Rashanin was a vampire with powerful strength, and as he said, he could give me wealth and power. But I shook my head.
“It’s a hardship I can resolve with my own strength. Having hardships and overcoming them is the true pleasure of life.”
I gave a boring, stiff, conventional answer. Rashanin, who had been looking at me with an unreadable face for a moment, burst into laughter.
“Right. It’s good when things don’t go as you please. If you just want it, you can get your hands on people or things. Life and death of others at your will with just a gesture. Do you know how boring that is?”
