House of Cards

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Eunha’s office door was closed. You, with Kyungsoo behind you, knocked twice. You felt a lump in your throat. The tone she used to ask you to come in was unusual, even for her.

“Come in,” she said from inside a few seconds later.

You and Kyungsoo entered.

The office smelled of coffee, as usual. But today the coffee cup was still full in a corner of the desk, probably cold.

Eunha was standing by the window, her back to you. The gray light of Seoul streamed in, marking her silhouette against the glass. She was wearing her usual tight black skirt, with a long-sleeved white shirt, and her long, perfectly straightened, shiny blonde hair fell freely over her shoulders. Her arms were crossed, the fingers of one hand drumming on the other.

Three years at the firm, and you were sure you’d never seen her like this. She was always sitting in her chair or sipping her coffee somewhere in the office.

In the upper left corner of the ceiling, the television was on. Muted, but on. On the screen, a reporter gestured in front of an official building. The headline read a name next to a man’s photo. Kang Jaewon.

You recognized the name instantly. Anyone who lived in Seoul and was even remotely familiar with the world of finance and politics knew him. Kang Jaewon owned a massive holding company, encompassing everything from real estate investments to stakes in technology firms. A heavyweight who pulled the strings of the country behind the scenes.

Kyungsoo must have recognized him too, because he let out a soft whistle as he sat down in one of the chairs across from Eunha’s desk.

“Hm… fucked up,” he said quietly.

“Sit down,” Eunha said curtly, without turning around.

You sat down next to Kyungsoo. Eunha stood for a few extra seconds, staring out at the street. Then she turned, picked up the TV remote, and unmuted it. The reporter’s voice filled the office.

“…the formal indictment of businessman Kang Jae-won, founder of the Aquarius Group holding company, for alleged crimes of embezzlement, tax evasion, and establishing a network of shell companies based in tax havens. The prosecution, which has been working discreetly on the case for the past eight months, requested pretrial detention this morning, citing a risk of flight and destruction of evidence. Sources close to the case say that…”

Eunha turned the volume down again. The reporter continued gesturing silently. She finally sat down.

You stared at the screen for a moment. Eight months was a long time. Someone within the prosecution must have pulled some serious strings for no one in the industry to find out about it.

“What do they have against him?” Kyungsoo asked, getting straight to the point.

“Damn…” you whispered to yourself.

“That,” Eunha said, nodding her chin at it. “Transfers, emails, server logs, meeting minutes, statements from protected witnesses. They’ve built a solid case. Or at least, it seems solid.”

You reached out, picked up the folder, and opened it to the middle to read a random paragraph.

“These are bank records from…” you frowned, thinking you’d misread. “The Cayman Islands?”

“Yes,” Eunha said.

“How the hell did they get these?” you asked. “That usually takes months of letters.”

“And international cooperation,” Kyungsoo added.

“They’d been working for eight months. Do you think that’s not enough time?”

Kyungsoo took the folder from your hands and quickly flipped through it, turning pages with his thumb.

"My god, It’s a lot of crap,” he said after a few seconds. “All the evidence has the seal of the Southern District Attorney’s Office.

"That’s why you’re here. You’re my best lawyers, and the others are up to their necks in other cases.”

Eunha leaned back in her chair. Her posture relaxed slightly, but you could see the unease in her eyes.

“Miss, I don’t mean to intrude, but…” Kyungsoo closed the folder. “May I ask what your relationship is with Jaewon? Because if we’re going to handle his defense, I need to know if there are any conflicts of interest. If there’s anything that could later affect the firm.”

Eunha looked at him. She didn’t answer for a few seconds.

“He’s my partner. In a business separate from the firm. Investments,” she finally replied in a low voice.

“Nothing else?”

“Nothing of your business.”

Kyungsoo nodded. He didn’t ask any more questions. But you noticed that Eunha was holding the pen too tightly.

“The news says they’ve requested pretrial detention,” you said, nodding your chin at the television. “Do you know which judge is handling the case?”

“Song Jinho is the investigating judge in charge of the pretrial detention,” Eunha retorted, with a hint of disdain. “The same cretin who threw a member of the Democratic Party in jail on frankly flimsy evidence.”

“It could be worse,” you said. “Song Jinho is just unpredictable.”

“That’s dangerous enough for a judge, Calloway,” Kyungsoo said. “Would you say a game of Russian roulette could be worse?”

“Would you choose the possibility of entrusting your brains to chance or having them blown out without question?”

Eunha snorted in annoyance.

“Could you two just shut your mouths?” she spat. “The hearing is tomorrow at nine o’clock, at the Central District Court. What are you going to do?”

Despite all your differences, you and Kyungsoo shared a worried look.

“At nine o’clock?” you asked, incredulous.

“Do you have wax in your ears or what?” Eunha asked back.

“Eunha, there’s no time!” Kyungsoo protested. “We haven’t even spoken to Jaewon!”

“We should contact his lawyers immediately…”

“He doesn’t have lawyers anymore,” Eunha interrupted. “He fired them all and wants you guys.”

Your whole body went cold. Both you and Kyungsoo remained silent, processing this information. Seeing that you weren’t saying anything, Eunha dropped her pen on her desk and straightened up in her seat, arms crossed again.

“You heard the news, he’ll be remanded in custody if the judge considers there’s a risk of flight or destruction of evidence,” Eunha said. “For now, you just need to focus on preventing that from happening. Something to prove otherwise. Anything…” Eunha paused and looked away. “Please.”

You let out a deep breath. It wasn’t every day that this woman asked for something politely, but it was best not to dwell on it. Besides, your head was starting to throb. Twenty-four hours was far too short a time even to dismiss a restraining order. And if that wasn’t enough, you needed to get backup. You and Kyungsoo were brilliant, but not infallible.

“What’s the situation with everyone else?” you asked.

“Everyone’s busy,” Eunha said.

“Even my past team? It hasn’t even been a day!”

“Wonyoung will be assigned to a case with Heejin and Asa,” Eunha said. “That leaves you with Tanaka and the rogue prince.”

“Oh my God…” you heard Kyungsoo mutter under his breath.

“I mean, it could…”

“I’m warning you, Calloway,” Kyungsoo glared at you. “If you say it could be worse, I swear I’ll grab a pen and stab myself in the neck.”

You raised your hands and decided not to say anything more.

“Do what you have to do. Your assignment is in that folder, signed by Jaewon this very morning,” Eunha said. “Now get out of my sight.”

You and Kyungsoo stood up, bowed to your boss, and left the office.

“Great,” Kyungsoo sighed, closing the door behind him. “I have to defend a tycoon with an eight-month investigation against him with the help of an intern and a clueless kid.”

“Any help is welcome,” you said, starting to walk away. “Stop crying.”

“Listen, Calloway. I have a reputation to uphold,” Kyungsoo said from behind you as you walked out into the common area. Of the other folks, only Anna was still there. “I’m not going to lose a case because of…” Kyungsoo shot Anna a quick, disdainful glance and lowered his voice. “Amateurs.”

You stopped dead in your tracks, turned around, and faced him, very close.

“And I’m not going to lose a case because of some pretentious bastard,” you said quietly. “So, either you learn to work as a team with what you have, or I’ll make sure you have a little chat with the boss.”

Kyungsoo, looking you in the eye, chuckled and smiled mockingly.

“Fine, but if she or that pretentious kid screw things up, I’m not going to be responsible for them,” he said. “I’ll be waiting for you in my office.”

With that said, Kyungsoo, black folder in hand, turned to your left and walked into the main hallway. You watched him until you heard his door open and close.

“ Cunt …” you muttered under your breath in English. You were going to need a lot of patience working with that guy.

Shaking your head, you turned toward the lounge area and sat next to Anna, slumping down with your fingers crossed over your stomach, watching the administrative staff and other employees stroll around the floor.

Anna looked up from her laptop, took a sip of her cold Americano, and looked at you.

“Everything alright?” she asked in English.

“No, frankly, no,” you said. “Serious case. Do you know Kang Jaewon?”

“Uhm… doesn’t ring a bell.”

“Aquarius Group?”

“The holding company?”

“That’s right. He’s the owner,” you said. “Accused of embezzlement, tax evasion, and other shady dealings. Kyungsoo and I have twenty-four hours to dismiss the request for pretrial detention.”

“Damn, twenty-four hours…” She frowned, realizing something, and stared off into space. “Wait a minute, you and Kyungsoo?”

“Yeah, we were both assigned to the case,” you replied, turning your head to look at her. “And actually, you’re on the team.”

“Me?!”

“Well, you and Beomgyu,” you clarified. “But yeah.”

“Why me?”

You sighed.

“Don’t take this the wrong way, but honestly, it’s because there’s no one else available,” you said. “I don’t doubt your abilities, but for these cases, a more skilled team is usually assembled.”

“I wasn’t going to take it the wrong way,” Anna said. “I always give it my all, right? This time won’t be the exception.”

You smiled.

“I knew you’d say that. Have you seen Beomgyu?”

“I don’t think he’s arrived yet,” Anna replied. “You could go downstairs and ask Hinata.”

You let out a tired sigh even though it wasn’t even 12 o'clock yet.

“Okay, but please don’t get lost,” you said, standing up and stretching. “I won’t be long.”

“Alright,” Anna agreed. “Do you want anything? I was going to grab a snack.”

“Oh no, thank you. I’m fine,” you said, acknowledging the gesture with a small smile. You held her gaze for a few extra seconds before turning and heading into the hallway, straight for the stairs.

Hinata was in her usual spot, helping a woman who had come in to ask a question. You waited a few steps behind her, hands in your pockets. After saying goodbye with a fleeting smile, the attractive receptionist fixed her eyes on you over her glasses. She didn’t bother to fake a smile; she’d known you long enough.

“How can I help you, Calloway?” she asked.

“Good morning to you too,” you said, crossing your arms over the counter. It was a sunny morning, so the sun shone on you from the side through one of the windows. “Has Beomgyu arrived yet?”

“He’s here,” Hinata confirmed, glancing back at her computer. “But he hasn’t bothered to clock in. He’s over there, doing what he usually does.”

You followed where her finger was pointing. There weren’t many people around that morning, so it was easy to spot him in the distance.

You immediately clenched your fist.

Beomgyu was standing by the stairs leading to the firm’s administrative area, a woman cornered against the wall in front of him. He was speaking to her very closely, but the poor girl looked uncomfortable. Normally you would have been annoyed by that pathetic behavior, but now you were furious. That girl was Yoonah.

“Son of a…” you muttered under your breath. “Why doesn’t anyone say anything to him?”

“I’d go myself, Calloway,” Hinata said. “But if Eunha sees me outside my work area outside of break times, I’ll get in trouble.”

“Fucking hell…”

You moved away from the counter and strode toward him, doing breathing exercises to control yourself and avoid making a scene. Halfway there, Yoonah noticed you over Beomgyu’s shoulder and seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.

“Can I ask what the hell you’re doing?” you asked, stopping behind Beomgyu, a few feet away.

Beomgyu took his hand off the wall, which was to one side of Yoonah’s face, and looked at you over his shoulder before turning to face you.

“Oh, hi Calloway,” he greeted casually. “I was catching up with Yoonah, you know, she’s…”

“You haven’t clocked in, and I need you for a case,” you interrupted, looking him straight in the eye. “What’s going to happen when Eunha, who, by the way, personally assigned me the case, finds out you weren’t available because you were… stalking a girl?”

Beomgyu swallowed and chuckled. Yoonah gave him a subtle, disdainful look.

“Stalking, he says…” he muttered, glancing at Yoonah and then back at you. “I was just…”

“Get your ass up, come on.”

The guy seemed eager to continue justifying himself, but in Korea, hierarchies were highly respected in all areas, and since you were technically his superior, he had no choice but to nod and leave.

Yoonah let out a heavy breath, watching Beomgyu walk toward the stairs by the reception desk.

“Thank you, Isaac,” Yoonah said, finally pulling herself away from the wall she’d been pinned against moments before. “He and I aren’t even friends.”

“I figured,” you replied. “I’d venture to say he doesn’t even have any female friends.”

“Probably,” Yoonah agreed slowly before meeting your gaze. “Um… would you like to have lunch with me today? Maybe we could chat.”

You grimaced and reluctantly shook your head. She looked painfully pretty that day, with her long brown hair tied up in a messy bum and two strands falling off the sides of her temple.

“I’d love to,” you lamented. “But I’m rather short on time before a hearing tomorrow, and I think I’ll have to eat lunch at the office.”

“Oh, that’s fine,” Yoonah shook her head. “No problem. Just look me up when you can.”

“You can be sure I will,” you said with a smile. “But I really have to go now. I wasn’t lying about needing Beomgyu on the team, and we have a meeting.”

“Sure, sure,” Yoonah agreed, returning your smile and bowing slightly before heading for the stairs. “See you later, Isaac. That tie looks really nice on you, by the way.”

You looked down and felt a slight blush rise in your cheeks. That tie, khaki with tiny white polka dots, was new. Only she had noticed it so far.

“I… uhm…”

You couldn’t find the words, so you must have looked like a fool as Yoonah went upstairs. She just glanced over her shoulder and chuckled softly, waving goodbye.

Still flustered, you stood there for a few extra seconds until you came to your senses. So, you turned around and left the way Beomgyu had gone, heading straight for the second floor, but your mind was momentarily elsewhere. You couldn’t keep putting off spending time with Yoonah; sooner or later, you’d have to at least have a coffee with her. That girl deserved your time.

Anna was in the same spot where you’d left her, now snacking on a small bag of chips. Beomgyu was standing nearby; he didn’t seem too keen on talking to Anna, lest you give him another telling-off if you caught him bothering another girl. He was a good guy when he wanted to be, but he had a serious problem with respecting boundaries.

“Alright, get moving, you two,” you said, your hands in your pockets. “To Kyungsoo’s office.”

You led the way, Beomgyu and Anna following behind. You knocked on Kyungsoo’s door a couple of times, waiting for permission—which you received just seconds later—before entering.

Kyungsoo’s office was practically a reflection of himself. An extension of all his opulence, his boundless arrogance, and his insatiable desire to make others feel inferior. It was the same size as yours and the other senior lawyers’ offices, but somehow he managed to make it look more expensive, with a color palette based on dark walnut, beige, and brown, and small warm bulbs recessed into the ceiling that, along with a couple of floor lamps with cube-shaped shades, provided perfect lighting for comfortable work.

However, it was the small—or not so small—details that made all the difference inside. For example, the built-in shelving unit to the right, designed to harmonize with the wall paneling, was filled with expensive items, from bottles of whiskey and brandy to small leather or varnished wood chests that you knew contained Havana cigars. But the most striking thing was, without a doubt, the enormous painting that dominated the entire wall behind the chair where he was sitting. Art by John Martin; The Destruction of Pompeii and Herculaneum, you remembered.

“Damn, it’s about time,” Kyungsoo spat, looking at the open folder on the massive desk, his laptop on one side and a small porcelain bowl of nuts on the other. “Hold on, Tanaka. Don’t close the door.”

Kyungsoo closed the folder and slid it to the opposite edge of the desk.

“Make photocopies of this entire folder and have them stapled,” Kyungsoo said, interlacing his fingers under his chin. “Make one for yourself too. Ask Miss Enami for help if she’s not busy with Wonyoung.”

“Right away,” Anna nodded respectfully, approaching to pick up the folder. “Um… can I leave my things here?”

Kyungsoo waved his hand dismissively, glancing at you and Beomgyu.

“What took you so long?” he asked, as Anna placed her things on one of the chairs and left with the folder in hand. He didn’t bother offering you the empty seat. Judging by his expression, it was a ‘I couldn’t care less what you do.’

Beomgyu gave you a nervous glance, thinking you were going to embarrass him in front of another senior. To his relief, however, you weren’t like that. For now, the situation didn’t call for making the boy look ridiculous.

“Beomgyu was busy with something else at reception, and I had to wait a little longer,” you said, indicating to Beomgyu that he could take the remaining seat. “None of your business.”

“Oh, right,” Kyungsoo nodded. “And where do you plan to sit, on the floor?”

“I could sit there,” you said, gesturing to the central bench between the chairs, with its X-shaped legs and stitched-checkered leather surface. “But I’d look ridiculous. So you’ll have to make room for me over there.”

Kyungsoo rolled his eyes and grunted.

“I’m dying to have you beside me all day, Calloway.”

“No more than I am,” you remarked, heading for the door. “I’ll grab a couple of things from my office while Anna’s back. I won’t be long.”

You stepped out into the hallway, letting a couple of interns carrying stacks of papers pass before heading out into the common area and then down the corridor to your office. Your hand was already on the doorknob when you heard a voice to your right:

“Ah, it’s about time I saw your face, Calloway!” a woman said.

You glanced over your shoulder. Ahn Yujin. A senior lawyer with whom you had a… particular relationship. She was coming out of her office, her hand still on the doorknob. The tall woman was showing off her long, slender legs that day, wearing tight cycling shorts and high boots with a loose black cardigan and sweater.

“Busy days, I guess,” you replied, turning to face her and discreetly scanning her.

Yujin walked toward you and leaned her shoulder against your doorframe. She was almost as tall as you; you were only three or four centimeters taller than her.

“Three days without seeing you,” she remarked, looking you up and down. “Are you so busy you don’t even bother to stop by?”

“Are you keeping count, then?” you raised an eyebrow. “How cute.”

“Impossible not to when that tongue of yours is so…” Yujin bit her lower lip and let out a small smile. “Agile.”

A pang of alarm shot up your spine. You glanced over your shoulder, making sure no one had heard her.

“This isn’t the place to be saying things like that, darling.”

Yujin rolled her eyes, crossed her shoulders, and looked you in the eye, her head resting against the wall.

“I heard you were assigned Kang Jaewon’s case,” she said, changing her tone of voice. Now she sounded more serious, less playful. “Quite a gift. And with Kyungsoo, to make it even more exciting.”

“Oh yes, I couldn’t be more thrilled!” you said. “Would you be willing to lend us a hand? We could really use another head on our shoulders, considering the tight deadline our dear boss gave us.”

“No thanks,” Yujin shook her head. “Right now, I’m not in a position to get involved in cases that aren’t my business just for the sake of it. But if you need advice, you know where to find me.”

“I know of many places to find you. Which one?”

“The ones you like best, you know…” Yujin moved just a little closer and raised a hand to play with your tie. “My apartment… The café downstairs. Even my office, if you’d like.”

You glanced at her lips, which had a light coating of balm that you knew tasted like chocolate. If you hadn’t been standing in the middle of that hallway, you would have confirmed it.

“I’ll consider it.”

Yujin smiled, adjusted your tie slightly, and took a step back.

“Well, I’ll let you get to work, otherwise Kyungsoo might steal your thunder. See you later, Calloway.”

“See you later, Yujinie.”

Before leaving, Yujin stopped beside you, grabbed your arm, and placed a kiss on your cheek. Then, making sure you were watching her, she winked over your shoulder and swayed her hips until she disappeared around the corner.

A little flustered, you took a deep breath, went into your office, and hurried to grab everything you needed. It wasn’t much: just a couple of your favorite pens, your notebook, and other essential work supplies.

Anna was already there when you returned to Kyungsoo’s office. Three more folders, besides the original one, were resting on her lap. She was just starting to hand them out. Beomgyu was the first to receive his.

“Ah, you’re right on time, Isaac,” Anna said as you closed the door.

“So it seems,” you glanced behind the desk. Kyungsoo had reluctantly placed an empty chair at one end, its front surface clear for you. His was at the opposite end. “Oh, how charming.”

“Sit your ass there before I change my mind, Calloway,” Kyungsoo said, arranging his things at his end of the desk.

You received a folder from Anna and went to settle in at your side of the desk, placing your laptop and other belongings on top. For a while, neither of you spoke, absorbed in taking your initial notes and doing some basic revisions.

“Alright,” you looked up from your folder at Beomgyu. “I guess Kyungsoo filled you in, huh?”

“Enough,” Beomgyu nodded.

“Excellent. Guys, our primary goal is tomorrow’s hearing. We just need Judge Song to deny pretrial detention.”

“And what do we have?” Anna asked, pen in hand.

“Very little, honestly,” you replied. “Jaewon has a house in Seoul. Family. Companies he runs. That already covers the ties to the community. And well, the prosecution already has copies of all the documents, so he couldn’t destroy evidence even if he wanted to.”

“Then what are we doing here?” Beomgyu chimed in.

“We can’t just bring that to the hearing, kid. They’ll tear us apart. We need something more. Something that undermines the prosecution’s investigation.”

“I’ll take a look at the transfers,” Kyungsoo said, his folder already open to the side as he jotted down notes in a separate notebook. “Any bank transactions, basically.”

“As you wish,” you said before fixing your gaze on Anna. “You organize all the documents by date, please. And keep a sharp eye. Don’t let anything slip through the net. And you,” you looked at Beomgyu. “Investigate the witnesses. There’s a section in the folder dedicated to their testimonies.”

Anna and Beomgyu nodded. The four of you got to work. You were going to be in charge of reviewing the emails; you weren’t exactly an expert at studying expert reports, but your basic knowledge should suffice.

After half an hour, Beomgyu was the first to break the silence.

“Hey, look at this,” he said, showing you and Kyungsoo his laptop screen. It was a business registry. “Park Jinyoung, one of the protected witnesses. According to his statement to the prosecution, he’s been unemployed since he was fired from Aquarius. But here he appears as a partner in a company incorporated six months ago.”

Anna peeked out to see.

“What kind of company?”

“Consulting. One hundred million won in share capital.”

You frowned.

“So you’re telling me that an unemployed guy invested that kind of money in a new company?” you asked. “That doesn’t fly.”

“Exactly!” Beomgyu agreed. “And I’ve been digging into this. Park Jinyoung’s company shared a registered address with another company called Korean Global Investments. It no longer exists. But public records show that the administrator was Choi Minho.”

“And that’s…?”

You hadn’t read every page of the file; you hadn’t had the time at literally any point that morning.

“Another one of the protected witnesses.”

“Two of the protected witnesses linked to the same company?” you asked. “Damn.”

“It won’t help us much for tomorrow,” Beomgyu clarified. “But we have a starting point for the case.”

“Write that down,” you nodded. “And make sure you take screenshots. Does anyone else have anything?”

Kyungsoo, who had been silent the whole time, peeled a sheet of paper from the folder and placed it in the center of the desk. You picked up the paper and read it. It was a bank transfer of 3 billion won to an account in the Cayman Islands. Cayman National Bank.

“What’s going on here?” you asked.

“Look at the date.”

As you glanced at a corner to check the date, Kyungsoo handed you another piece of paper. This one was a travel journal. The date matched a trip Jaewon had taken to Singapore.

Now that was interesting.

“How many like this did you find?” you asked.

“Three more to the same account in the same country. Same pattern,” Kyungsoo replied, absentmindedly, absorbed in his notes. “But the trips weren’t the same. The first was to Singapore, the second to Japan, and the third to Taiwan.”

You handed both papers to Beomgyu and Anna, who looked at them together.

“Why would he make those transfers specifically while traveling?” you asked. “I mean, it’s perfectly plausible, but to the Cayman Islands?”

Kyungsoo looked up.

“It’s weird, I know,” he said. “If you’re away and want to move money, there are less conspicuous ways. An account in the Cayman Islands isn’t exactly discreet. So, either Jaewon’s an idiot, or someone wants it to look like he made them.”

“But who?” Anna asked, placing both papers in front of Kyungsoo, who picked them up and put them back.

“How the hell would I know, Tanaka? We’ve only been in here for an hour.”

“How many transfers are there in total?” you asked.

Kyungsoo quickly flipped through the emails, using his hand like a bookmark to keep his place.

“Around 20, but I haven’t gotten to them all.”

“And of those four, they all coincide with his trips,” Beomgyu said.

“All of them.”

“Nice coincidence,” you said. “I highly doubt a man like Jaewon is foolish enough to move money so carelessly. We have to keep investigating.”

About three hours passed in Kyungsoo’s office. The midday light now flooded the space, forcing you to turn off a couple of lamps to work comfortably in natural light.

There wasn’t much to work with in the emails. You’d gone through dozens of them, but most hadn’t yielded anything. Every three or four messages, one or two would catch your eye. However, nothing concrete enough to take to the hearing. You’d have to take it to the firm’s forensic department for a thorough investigation.

The guys weren’t much luckier. All their findings were minor; insignificant considering your objective. Kyungsoo found at least five more transfers with the same pattern, but it was more of the same. Nothing you didn’t already know. Beomgyu was still investigating the witnesses, but only managed to find out that Park Jinyoung had a business in his sister’s name. Anna, on the other hand, was still organizing everything and adding colored sticky notes where you indicated.

It was she, though, who raised her head and broke the monotonous silence.

“Guys,” she said, making everyone look up. She held two pieces of paper in her hands, comparing them. “This transfer. The three billion one. The first one Kyungsoo found.”

“What about it?” Kyungsoo asked.

Anna placed the papers in the center of the desk. One was the transfer itself. The other was too, but none of you had seen that one. Not even Kyungsoo, judging by his face.

“Look at the dates,” she said, pointing. “Six months after the outgoing transfer, an incoming transfer for the same amount.”

Kyungsoo frowned, picked up the paper, and studied it.

“The money came back… where the hell was this?” he looked at Anna. “How did I not see this before?”

“It was almost at the very end,” Anna replied. “In the appendix section.”

“And the prosecution didn’t see that?” you asked. “Are they idiots?”

“Maybe they don’t consider it important,” Kyungsoo mused, flipping through the pages to the section Anna had pointed out.

“What do you mean, 'maybe they don’t consider it important’?” Beomgyu asked, pausing his typing. “The money went out and literally came back.”

“No, Kyungsoo’s right. For them, the initial transfer itself is a crime,” you said, crossing your arms. “Just because it came back doesn’t mean it wasn’t done in the first place.”

“Or maybe they didn’t even see it,” Anna said. “Whoever packed the package could have slipped it in without anyone checking.”

“Either way, it’s irrelevant,” you said. “It’s here, and we can use it. Are there more like this?”

“Damn…” Kyungsoo muttered beside you. “At least three more, from what I can see. The others seem pretty ordinary, though.”

“Then we’ve got something pretty solid for tomorrow,” you said. “There must be more like that. Write down reference numbers for everything and prepare a separate folder. I’ll prepare the arguments for tomorrow.”

You picked up a blank notebook and started structuring. It wasn’t complicated, really. The prosecution had built its case on the premise that Jaewon embezzled money. The reversals didn’t deny it, but they changed the context.

“I’m going to focus on three points,” you said aloud, more to yourself than to them. “First, ties to the community. We’ve got that covered. Second, the reversals. Ask why they didn’t mention them. Third…”

You paused.

“Third, the travel pattern. If the transfers coincide with his trips, how do we know he ordered them and not someone with access to his credentials?”

Kyungsoo raised his head.

“That’s weak, Calloway,” he said. “They can say he used his cell phone. It’s as simple as that. We’re in the 21st century.”

“But they haven’t investigated it,” you pointed out. “And we can use it.”

Kyungsoo shrugged.

“I guess so.”

You kept typing. It wasn’t a completely solid defense, not yet. But it didn’t need to be; you just needed to make the judge hesitate and consider dismissing the order.

An hour passed. Then another. Soon the office was bathed in a warm, orange light. Sunset light. By then, you’d already had a short one-hour break to have lunch and clear your heads. Also, during that time, Kyungsoo found two more reversed transfers.

Anna had already organized the folder you’d asked for. Inside were the transfers, their reference numbers, and their respective reverses. As well as the little information Beomgyu had been able to gather about two of the protected witnesses and Jaewon’s ties to the comunnity documents and property titles.

Then, you spent the rest of the afternoon/evening preparing for tomorrow’s hearing, putting aside the progress in the case to polish every detail. Kyungsoo refused to work closely with you, so you had to put together all the arguments and counterarguments on your own, with a little help from Anna, while he and Beomgyu searched for who knows what—they didn’t tell you, of course.

By the time you had finished, it was 10 PM.

“Alright, everyone out of my office,” Kyungsoo said, standing up. He yawned. “I’m outta here.”

The three of you stood up and started gathering your things.

“You’ve got everything ready, right?” he asked.

“Of course,” you said. “Now you suddenly care?”

“We can’t have four people focused on organizing arguments, Calloway,” Kyungsoo defended himself, walking around the desk to the door and leaving it wide open for you. “We have to divide the work.”

“Oh yeah? And what did you and Beomgyu do?” you asked as you put your laptop in your briefcase.

“You’ll see when we get back to the case. Don’t worry, okay? We’re on the same side, partner.”

“I don’t even want to imagine what it would be like if we weren’t.”

With everything packed up and the office tidy again, the four of you left and gathered in the hallway.

“Punctuality tomorrow, okay?” Kyungsoo said, pointing at you. He was ahead of the three of you. “No way am I going to let any of you ruin my reputation.”

“I highly doubt being late will ruin your reputation as a conceited bastard, but fine,” you said.

Kyungsoo snapped his fingers, still pointing at you. He raised his eyebrows and emphasized:

“ Punctual, Calloway.”

With that, he turned on his heel and walked away from you.

“Hey, boss,” Beomgyu said beside you as you walked to the common area. From there you had a good view of all the hallways, many of which were still illuminated by the lights behind some of the doors. “Can I take some of the questions tomorrow?”

“Shooting myself in the foot would be less damaging,” you retorted.

“But why not! I promise I won’t mess things up!”

You stopped and turned to face him.

“Beomgyu, I appreciate you because I’m aware of your potential,” you said, looking him in the eye. “But please, this isn’t a game or a minor case. This is the big leagues, and it requires a lot of caution. So please, get out of my sight and go home to rest. I need you sharp tomorrow in case Kyungsoo or I miss something.”

Beomgyu clicked his tongue and looked away. Despite his annoyance, he seemed to understand.

“Thank you, Isaac,” he said, giving you a small bow.

“Thank you for what?” you asked as he turned away.

“For saying I have potential,” he replied. “It feels more genuine when you say it. Anyway, see you tomorrow.”

Beomgyu waved goodbye to Anna, turned around, and walked down the hallway.

Anna waited for him to turn the corner before standing next to you.

“That worked out well,” she said, her hands clasped in front of her stomach, her purse slung over her shoulder. “I thought he was going to throw a tantrum.”

“No, he’s not like that,” you shook your head, turning to face her. “He might be impulsive and a jerk, but he’s a good professional.”

A brief silence fell between you two. You were supposed to leave, but for some reason, neither of you moved. Maybe you didn’t know who would leave first, or who would say goodbye. The truth was, you’d never been alone together at that hour before.

“Uh… you live far away, Isaac?” Anna asked after a few seconds, more to break the ice than out of genuine curiosity.

“Not really,” you shook your head. “Just a couple of blocks from here. Um… and you?”

Anna sighed.

“I do live far away,” she replied. “Rent here is ridiculously expensive.”

“Oh, yeah, I understand that,” you nodded slowly. “How long does it take you to get home?”

Anna’s expression twisted into a slight grimace of discomfort.

“Around an hour,” she said. “Then I have to shower, then make dinner, and…” she let out a tired exhalation. “I’d end up going to bed around 2 a.m.”

“Which means you’re not going to get enough sleep tomorrow,” you pointed out.

“Not as much as I’d like,” Anna shook her head. “But there’s not much I can do about it.”

Another silence. You looked at her with your hands in your pockets. Anna stared at the floor, clutching her opposite wrist. It was as easy as leaving it there and saying goodbye; it was the most professional thing to do. But a pang of pity crept into you, unable to help but see yourself reflected in her. You hadn’t always been a well-paid lawyer: you’d had your hands dirty and made sacrifices now and again, just like her.

But damn it, how were you going to avoid sounding like a total pervert?

“Hey,” you said, making her look up. “If you want… uhm…” you clicked your tongue and sighed, muttering under your breath. “Please don’t get the wrong idea.”

Anna frowned and tilted her head, visibly confused.

“I have a spare room in my apartment,” you finally said. “It’s air-conditioned and clean. You’ll be comfortable. And you’ll have your privacy.”

Anna’s face turned bright red.

“Oh my god, how embarrassing!” she said, touching her cheeks to cool the blush. “No! Absolutely not! You must be a busy man! And above all, you should value your privacy. I don’t want to be a bother!”

You chuckled and shook your head.

“You wouldn’t be a bother at all,” you said. “I assure you, I’ll even forget you’re there. I don’t make a big deal out of it when I get home.”

Anna, with a comically dismayed expression, considered it for a few brief seconds.

“But what if your girlfriend or something shows up?” she asked. “Or your wife! Oh my god, wait a minute, are you married?”

You laughed even harder.

“Anna, I don’t have a girlfriend and I’m not married,” you said.

“Oh…” Anna pondered this for a moment. “Okay, fine. But please don’t go thinking I’m a gold digger!”

“I was the one who made the offer, Tanaka.”

“But I made you do it with my puppy-dog eyes! Ugh, how silly of me!” Despite all her efforts, the blush wouldn’t fade from her cheeks.

“Want to grab some dinner on the way?” you asked, trying to make her take it a little more casually.

“Fast food?” Anna brought her finger to her chin. “Um… burgers?”

You smiled.

“Sounds good to me,” you said, stepping aside. “After you.”

Anna paused for a second longer, gave you a quick glance, and finally walked past you, a small smile on her face. You followed her out of the building, not really knowing why the hell you’d made that decision, which, although it came from your heart, you knew many would interpret as a scandal. But honestly, and in the worst-case scenario, why should you have to explain yourself to anyone? You were an adult. You both were. Adults perfectly aware of the consequences of your actions. Besides, it would only be for one night. A kind gesture toward a girl you knew worked harder than anyone and whom you cared for. There was nothing wrong with that, was there?

Outside, the sky was covered with a blanket of whitish clouds, giving the night an ominous quality you were already more than familiar with, considering where you came from. It would rain soon—you hoped not too soon, since you were wearing one of your favorite suits. Your car was parked a few spaces away. Seeing you press the button on the remote to unlock the doors, Anna walked around the front of the car toward the passenger door. However, you got there first and opened the door for her.

“Oh, thank you,” Anna giggled and gave you a slight nod before getting into the car.

You closed the door for her, walked around the car, and got in as well.

“Fucking hell,” you sighed, settling into the seat. The frenetic bustle of Itaewon was now muffled behind the car walls. “I’m exhausted.”

“You lawyers really love your job,” Anna said, her hands clasped in her lap, looking out the tinted window. “Because leaving the office at this hour is a real drag.”

“We’d all choose not to, believe me.”

The car engine roared to life as you inserted the key and started it. You drove out of the parking area while you turned the AC on.

“Where are we going?” you asked, driving slowly.

“Just keep going straight and turn right when you get to the clinic,” Anna said. She turned to look at you and hesitated for a second before asking, “Um… how do you like your burgers?”

“Crispy chicken, with lettuce, tomato, dressing, and caramelized onions,” you replied, pressing the accelerator slightly. “Maybe with cheese or bacon, too.”

“Mmm,” Anna agreed, looking ahead again. “We’re not too far. But I prefer double meat. And cheese is a must. Huh? What are you laughing at?” She snickered too.

“You’re in pretty good shape for a double-meat girl,” you said. “Do you do Pilates?”

You weren’t looking directly at her, but you were sure Anna blushed to the tips of her ears. She turned away so her face wasn’t visible, chuckling softly.

“Good genes, Isaac,” she mumbled. “That’s all.”

“I wish I had those same genes, then.”

“Oh, please, you’re not bad looking yourself.”

“Have you been checking me out, Miss Tanaka?”

Anna abruptly turned her head to look at you.

“Huh? O-Of course not!” she protested. “I mean, not because you’re not attractive, but… Oh my god, what am I saying?!”

Your smile widened. Anna had put her hands to her face.

“This way, right?” you asked, pointing at the clinic.

“What?” she looked up. “Oh, yeah, yeah.”

You turned right, right where Anna had told you. The place was right on the street; you spotted it just past the traffic light. When you arrived, you parked on the other side of the road.

“Wait here,” you said, opening your door. “Do you want one or two? My treat.”

“Uhm… just one, but with a side of fries.”

“Got it.”

You got out of the car and hurried to cross the street, enter the store and wait patiently in line to place your order. About twenty minutes later, you returned to Anna with both bags. As you climbed into your seat you passed hers.

“You can eat on the way if you want,” you said, putting on your seat belt.

“No way!” Anna replied, digging through her bag as you pulled away. “There are potholes around here and it’s going to be the worst day of my life if I stain this shirt! I’ll wait. Besides, I wouldn’t be sensitive to you. You must be starving as much as I am!”

You sighed. The hot bag between your legs emanating the torturous aroma of freshly cooked chicken. Your stomach growled.

“You are not wrong,” you said. “Too bad I can’t put my foot down on the accelerator without getting a fine.”

“Or a year in jail,” Anna pointed out.

“Or a year in jail,” you nodded slowly. “It’s a good thing we’re not that far from home.”

You and Anna spent the rest of the way talking about the case and gossiping. To the relief of your stomachs, you managed to cut it short enough to be able to arrive in less than ten minutes.

“Please come in,” you said as you opened the door to your apartment. Anna nodded and walked past at a timid pace, holding her bag of food in both hands. “If you see anything messy, I’m sorry. I’ve had my head in a thousand different places lately.”

“Oh, no problem,” Anna said, probing your apartment. “Mine is much worse.”

“Is college tight on you?” You took off your jacket and left it on your coat rack, then you went to her side.

Anna sighed.

“You have no idea. The good thing is that I only have one semester left.”

“But that’s great!” you said, and walked towards the kitchen. “What are your plans after you graduate? Oh, settle in wherever you want to eat, by the way. I’ll join you right away.”

Anna walked over to your couch and sat right in the middle, on the edge of the seat. She put her bag of food on the glass table and took her cell phone out of her bag. You, meanwhile, took out a couple of cans of soda from your refrigerator.

“Oh wow, what a question,” she said, looking at her phone. “If I’m honest, I have no idea. Poking job applications under the rocks, I guess.”

You returned with the two cans of Coca-Cola, left one on the table in front of her and sat on the other end of the couch. Not very close, but not that far either. Just enough to not break her personal space but also not seem like you were afraid to even get a little closer to her.

“You’re doing great at the buffet,” you said, opening your can, your bag of food between your legs. Then you turned on the television in front of you, “I’m sure that if we win this case you have a great plus point for your resume.”

Anna looked up from her bag as she pulled out her burger, cheeks flushed at the compliment.

“You think?”

“You’re one of the cleanest working people I know,” you nodded, taking out your food. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a single mistake in you.”

“That’s what it’s like to work with pressure up to your neck,” she said. “When you work with such capable people, expectations are up to par.”

“Believe me, you’ve gone above and beyond. You’re an intern. No intern is that good.” you reminded her, before taking a bite of your burger.

Anna smiled, a little shyly, and bit into her burger without saying anything. You did the same. For a while all you could hear was chewing, sipping from soda cans, and some random comments from the TV in the background.

“Do you always turn on the TV when you get home?” Anna asked after a while. It produced a certain tenderness in you; It was the typical question you asked when you wanted to bring up a topic of conversation no matter what.

“Almost always, but I don’t actively watch it,” you responded. “It’s more like having background noise. Silence makes me nervous.”

“Why?”

“In London my house was noisy,” you put down your nearly finished burger and looked at the television. They were reporting on a car accident in Busan. “My brother… my father, even my mother. There was always some, you know, commotion. When I got here the contrast was difficult.”

Anna nodded slowly.

“I always have music playing in my apartment. Or a podcast. Anything but silence.”

“Does it make you nervous too?”

“Not really. It’s more to… keep my mind busy. I don’t like to think too much.”

You looked at her. She was staring at the TV too, but she wasn’t really looking at it.

“May I ask why?” you said after a few seconds.

“I don’t like to talk about it,” Anna shook her head gently. “I can only say that in my family I am not seen with too good eyes. So you doubt everything.”

A silence. You put the burger aside and sat back on the couch.

“Doubt is part of life. I mean, it never goes away,” you said. “But that’s normal. It’s the most human feeling you can have. Like fear, basically.”

Anna looked at you.

“You doubt yourself? That doesn’t seem like you.”

“I don’t want to be dramatic, but thanks to doubt, I’m alive, talking to you right now,” you said, making a mental effort to keep your memories from flooding your mind. “So doubt is okay. As long as it’s a tool you use to your advantage to improve, of course. You can never let it challenge you head-on, because otherwise it will be your worst enemy.”

Anna nodded thoughtfully, put the last bite of her burger in her mouth, and wiped her hands and lips with a napkin. You stood up and followed suit, shoveling two bites of burger down with some soda. Minutes of silence later, Anna stood up and picked up the trash.

“Can I take a shower?” she asked. “No way am I going to bed smelling like cheese.”

“Did you bring a change of clothes?” you asked back.

Anna blushed to the tips of her ears.

“Well… just a sweater I can wear for the hearing tomorrow,” she said. “Tonight I was planning to sleep in… well, you know.”

You almost choked on your soda the moment the image of Anna, half-naked, sleeping in your guest bed flashed through your mind. You disguised it by clearing your throat.

“Yeah, yeah, I get it,” you nodded and stood up. You’d pick up the trash in a minute. “Let me show you your room first.”

You led Anna down the hall. Your bedroom door was at the very end, while the guest room was the first door on the right. You opened it and stepped aside, revealing a small but spotlessly clean and perfectly tidy bedroom with fresh sheets, an electrical outlet next to the bed, a nightstand, and a desk under the window.

“The air conditioning remote is over there, and the bathroom is right across this door, behind me,” you pointed out. “Don’t hesitate to tell me if you need anything, okay?”

“Okay, okay…” Anna entered the room, examined it for a few seconds, and turned to face you with pursed lips. “Um… you’re sure it’s not too much trouble, right? I can still call a taxi…”

You looked at her, expressionless.

“We’ve been together all day, woman,” you said. “If you were bothering me, I promise you would have noticed by now.”

Anna pouted.

“Sorry!” she chuckled softly. “I just wanted to make sure. I promise I won’t ask again.”

“Yes, thank you.”

You made a move to leave, but Anna called after you:

“Um, Isaac?” she said.

You stopped and looked at her, hands in your pockets.

“Yes?”

“Thank you,” Anna smiled. “You’re a good man.”

You were momentarily stunned.

You’re a good man.

Clearly, she didn’t know everything. Not really. Many in London would have scoffed at such a statement. The father of a certain young man named Bellerose, among them. You didn’t blame him, of course. But it was your life, or his. You would have done it again if the circumstances had been the same.

The sound of the gunshot slicing through the air, however, sometimes gave you nightmares.

Perhaps you weren’t a good man, not entirely. But you were better than the man you were. You worked at it every day. That was part of it. Few things brought you comfort at night.

Seconds later, with a blink that snapped you back to reality, you gave Anna a half-smile.

“I’m doing the best I can,” you simply said. “Try to go to sleep soon, okay? Tomorrow is an important day.”

“Yeah, sure,” Anna agreed with a smile. “Good night, Isaac.”

“Good night, Tanaka.”

Finally, you looked at her for one more second and went back to the living room, where you busied yourself cleaning up all the trash you had left in the area where you had been eating. Then, with everything disposed of, you took off your tie and went out onto your balcony, where you sat in one of your chairs to smoke a cigarette, admiring the city. The views were undeniably beautiful, so, after finishing your cigarette, you stayed there for a few more minutes before going back inside.

The water was running in the bathroom down the hall. You were going to go straight to your bedroom, but you decided to wait on the sofa to avoid any awkwardness, in case Anna came out at that moment and you ran into her in some embarrassing situation for her. It was better that way, because you were able to dedicate a solid ten minutes to reviewing the defense brief and the arguments for the hearing; the evidence you had gathered was quite solid, at least enough to avoid pretrial detention. However, the judge could use…

A sharp thud startled you and made you jump to your feet.

At first, you thought she’d dropped something. Shampoo, a towel, or some other trivial thing you didn’t need to worry about. But then, as you approached the doorway to listen, a moan came. Short and muffled.

You reached the door in three strides and knocked twice.

“Anna?” you called.

Nothing but silence. Then another moan, clearer this time. A moan of pain.

“Anna!”

You opened the bathroom door without waiting for an answer. Steam immediately hit your face. Anna, her hair pulled back in a high bun, was on the floor, against the wall by the sink, her back pressed against the ceramic tiles. One of your towels, a large white one, was wrapped around her body. It was crooked, but it covered her enough.

“Fuck!” You raised your eyebrows, worried, and quickly crouched down beside her. The water was still running in the shower next to her. “What happened?!”

She held her left arm bent against her chest, protecting herself. Her right arm tried to hold the towel, but her hand was trembling. Her hip and right leg were exposed.

“I… I slipped,” Anna said through gritted teeth, her voice shaking. “Damn, it hurts so much…”

You carefully took hold of her wrist, studying her posture.

“You can move your wrist, right?”

She moved her fingers normally. She hissed a little in pain.

“Okay, and your hip? You hit it there, didn’t you?”

“Against the corner of the sink,” Anna nodded, her eyes glistening. “Right… right here.”

You looked where she was pointing. There was no blood, but a bruise was forming near her buttock, right where the towel didn’t cover.

“Okay, you’ll be fine, it was just a bump,” you said. “Let’s help you up. Lean on me.”

Very carefully, you lifted her under her good arm, one hand on her armpit and the other on her wrist so as not to strain her shoulder. Anna clung to your neck with her good arm. But her hip, the one that had hit the sink, gave way as she stood up, and she inevitably collapsed against you.

The towel had been loosely secured from the start; only the pressure of her own arm was keeping it in place. As she tried to grab onto you to avoid falling again, her arm shifted, and the towel gave way completely, falling to the floor.

You held your breath for a moment. Her chest, completely bare, was pressed against yours. The left breast pressed to your shirt, while the right grazed the fabric before she, with a squeal, tried to compose herself. Her warm skin against yours.

“Oh my god, don’t look, don’t look, don’t look,” Anna whispered, her face buried in your shoulder in embarrassment, as she tried to pull the towel up.

You glanced to the side, your breath ragged. Inevitably, you’d already seen a little. Her breasts were small and round, her nipples slightly reddish and pretty. The image wouldn’t leave your mind. You stared at the wall, your heart pounding.

“Um… would you lift the towel for me, please?” she said after a few seconds of unsuccessfully trying to do it herself, her voice very low and heavy with embarrassment.

You nodded quickly, saying nothing. Carefully, without lowering your gaze even an inch, you lowered a hand and felt the floor until you found the towel curled up around her feet. You picked it up by one corner and slowly pulled it up with both hands, gradually covering what was necessary on Anna’s body. Finally, when it reached her breasts, she took charge and held it in place.

You heard Anna let out a breath.

“Thank you,” she murmured, still not lifting her face. You could finally lower your gaze now that she was covered. She sounded like she was about to cry. “Oh my god, I’m so sorry. I really did end up being a nuisance.”

“It was an accident, Anna,” you replied softly, holding her by the waist just in case. The grip wasn’t too firm, though, since you were a little self-conscious, not knowing how comfortable she was with it. “Please, don’t apologize for anything.”

She nodded against your shoulder, taking a deep breath. You felt her straighten up a little, trying to put weight on her right leg, but she hissed softly and leaned more on you.

“It hurts when I put weight on it,” she said, frustrated.

“Come on, let’s take it slow,” you said. “Lean on me. I’ll take you to bed and get you some ice and ibuprofen.”

Anna finally lifted her head. Her eyes were filled with tears, her cheeks flushed. The panic seemed to have vanished from her gaze, replaced by a slight discomfort, the discomfort of someone who knew there was no way to erase what had happened from your mind. You had seen her completely naked for half a second.

She bit her lower lip and nodded.

“Okay, but… don’t let go of me, please,” she said softly. “I-I still feel a little dizzy.”

You put one arm around her waist, careful not to squeeze the bruised area, and the other under her good arm for support. She grabbed your shoulder with her free hand and took a short step, then another. Each movement was as cautious and slow as possible, but after a few long, patient seconds, you reached the hallway and, ultimately, the guest room.

Anna let out a long, heavy sigh as you gently sat her on the edge of the bed. She adjusted her towel again, making sure it didn’t come undone.

“Damn…” she muttered, trying to laugh to lighten the mood. “What a way to ruin a night.”

You stood facing her, at a respectful distance.

“Hush, you haven’t ruined anything,” you replied, your voice as calm as you could manage. “I’ll get the ice and the painkiller. Do you want me to get you one of my sweaters to put on?”

Anna looked up. Her eyes met yours for a second longer than usual.

“Yes, please,” she nodded. “And… if you don’t mind, could you stay a while when you get back? I feel bad being alone with this throbbing bruise.”

You nodded.

“Sure. I’ll be right back.”

You turned and left the room, your heart still beating a little faster than you’d like to admit. When you got to the kitchen, you went to the freezer and took out a bag of frozen peas and wrapped it in a napkin—the closest thing you had to a bag of ice. Then, from the medicine drawer, you took out a 600mg ibuprofen. And finally, you hurried to your bedroom to get a clean gray cotton sweater you wear around the house.

When you returned to the room, Anna was still in the exact same position: sitting, the towel wrapped tightly around her, legs together, and her gaze lowered to the floor. Hearing you enter, she lifted her head.

“Here you go,” you said softly, placing the ibuprofen and a glass of water on the nightstand. “And this is for your hip.”

You handed her the wrapped bag of peas. She took it carefully, winced as she placed it on the bruised area, and let out a short hiss.

“Thanks, Isaac.”

“It’s nothing. Oh, this is for you to wear.”

You placed the sweater beside her. You were sure it would be large enough to look like a nightgown. Anna looked at it for a second and then nodded.

“Okay, but, um…” she pursed her lips. “Turn around for a second, please,” she said, embarrassed to have to ask at this point.

You turned toward the door, your back to her. You heard the towel fall to the floor, the soft swish of the fabric against her skin, and then the rustle of the sweater as she put it on. When she spoke again, her voice sounded a little more relaxed.

“You can look now.”

You turned around. The sweater wasn’t as big as you’d expected, but it covered enough: the bottom reached mid-thigh, the sleeves were loose, and the collar fell slightly off one shoulder. She had sat sideways on the bed to avoid putting pressure on her bruised hip, the bag of peas pressed against her skin.

“It looks better on you than it does on me,” you said with a half-smile, pulling the chair from the desk closer to the bed and sitting down.

Anna let out a short, genuine giggle.

“That’s good, because I’m sure my blouse got soaked in the bathroom after I slipped,” she said. “I accidentally pushed it into the shower.”

“Damn, that’s bad,” you said with a chuckle. “Well, at least you won’t be showing up to court wearing my clothes and smelling awful.”

Anna let out a short, more relaxed laugh this time, and shifted slightly to adjust the bag of peas on her hip. The movement caused her sweater to ride up her thigh a little, but she just pulled it down with a quick, automatic movement of her free hand.

“Yeah, I guess you’re right,” she said, looking at the bag of peas with a grimace. “Damn, I don’t know if I’ll be able to walk normally tomorrow. It hurts like I’ve been hit with a hammer.”

You leaned forward slightly, without getting too close.

“Do you want me to take a look at the bruise?” you asked. “Just to see if it’s getting too dark or if there’s anything else. I’m not being nosy, I swear.”

Anna looked at you and hesitated for a second, then nodded slowly. She moved carefully, stretching her right leg toward you and lifting the hem of her sweater just enough to reveal the bruise. The mark was already visible: a purple patch that started right where her buttock met her thigh, extending toward her hip. It wasn’t huge, but it was a little unsightly, with the edges starting to redden.

“Damn…” she muttered, touching the bruise with her fingertips and wincing. “It’s worse than I thought.”

“It’ll be dark purple by tomorrow, for sure,” you said, still examining the bruise. “But with ice and plenty of rest, it won’t give you any more trouble.”

“Okay, okay…” Anna nodded slowly, and as the seconds ticked by, she looked at you. “Could you…?”

“Hm?” You raised your head to meet her eyes.

Anna’s cheeks flushed for the five hundredth time that night.

“Nothing, nothing,” she shook her head.

“Tell me, silly.”

“It’s just… well…” Anna looked away. “Could you help me hold the bag? My hand is burning.”

Your heart skipped a beat. Just a tiny one. That was a leap in your mutual trust that you definitely hadn’t expected. You wouldn’t let just anyone touch you if you were hurt, for example. It was the sensible thing to do. But you could see in Anna’s eyes that she trusted you with her vulnerability, at least in basic ways.

“Uhm… yeah, yeah,” you nodded. “No problem.”

Anna carefully handed you the bag of peas. Your fingers brushed against hers as you took it. It was a brief, accidental touch, but it made her pull her hand away and bite her lower lip. Neither of you said anything.

“Hold on a little while, okay? The cold will reduce the swelling,” you said.

Anna leaned back against the headboard and let you press the bag against the bruise, your fingers brushing against her soft skin. She let out a long sigh.

“It feels good… the cold, I mean,” she clarified quickly, her voice a little huskier than usual.

You kept the bag pressed down, your fingers barely touching the edge of the bruise. The cold of the bag contrasted with the warmth of her skin, and neither of you said anything for a few seconds. The silence was heavy, but not uncomfortable. You swore you could have heard your heart pounding beneath your chest.

Anna took a deep breath, her chest rising and falling under her sweater. The collar had slipped down her shoulder, revealing her collarbone. She didn’t pull it back up. You couldn’t help but steal a quick glance at her beautiful, milky skin, discreetly licking your lips.

“Damn, that burns,” she murmured, more to herself than to you, and shifted slightly to adjust her position.

The movement caused the sweater to ride up a couple of inches on her thigh, and instead of pulling it up, Anna just glanced at you. You swallowed hard, because now you could see the outline of her buttock. The blood started rushing to your groin, and you soon felt your erection growing.

“The bag’s slipping,” Anna said, her voice low and husky. There was a hint of shyness in it. “Could you… adjust it a little?”

“Higher?” you asked, not looking directly at her.

“Yeah, please,” Anna agreed.

You moved your hand slowly, lifting the bag for a second and then repositioning it higher, right where the bruise was starting to spread slightly toward the curve of her buttock. Your fingers brushed against more skin this time, soft and warm, still a little damp from the shower steam.

Anna let out a soft, almost inaudible sigh. Then, her legs parted slightly. Her sweater rode up a little more, and now you could see most of her buttock. You stopped abruptly and looked to the side. However, Anna reached out and gently took the bag of peas from your hand, placing it on the nightstand.

You turned your head and met her gaze. Anna’s cheeks were flushed, and you noticed her pupils were slightly dilated. Her lips were pursed.

“Isaac…” Anna murmured.

“Yes?”

Still looking at you, Anna reached for the hem of her sweater and, in a move you weren’t prepared for but had been longing for, pulled it up above her waist, revealing her beautiful legs, her small waist, her firm little ass, and her pretty pink pussy. She was soaking wet.

“I’ve been wanting you all damn night, and I swear I can’t take it anymore,” she said, still lying on her side. “Please, touch me.”

Fireworks started firing in your head. Thank god she had enough courage to take the lead, because you were kind of afraid of making yourself look like a perv.

You leaned back and remained seated in your chair, simply observing her for a few seconds. Beneath your pants, your cock screamed for freedom, throbbing with lust. You spread your knees so Anna could see your bulge.

“What if I hurt you?” you asked, running your hand over your bulge and giving it little squeezes that made Anna bite her lip and moan softly. “I can literally see the bruise from here.”

“Well… you won’t hurt me as long as you’re careful, right?”

You smirked and stood up, right in front of Anna. Your bulge was just inches from her face, which you cupped in your hands so she would look up into your eyes.

“You’re such a sweetheart, you know that?” you asked, caressing her pretty cheekbones with your thumbs. Anna looked at you, her mouth slightly open, panting. “Even now, asking me to touch you, you’re adorable.”

Anna tried to hold your gaze, but it inevitably drifted down to your cock.

“You want to touch it, don’t you?” you said with a half-smile. “Go ahead.”

Anna slowly raised her hand, hesitant for a second. She gently placed her fingers above your bulge, feeling how hard it was. Seconds later, she closed her hand and squeezed your cock. You both gasped. Then, as that small barrier fell away, Anna began to massage your bulge again and again, making you throb beneath her hand.

“Just to be sure…” You carefully grasped the hem of her sweater and lifted it a little higher to reveal part of her lower abdomen, flat and toned, with a lovely navel that made your mouth water. “Can I touch you, right?”

A needy nod was the green light you needed to place a hand on Anna’s buttock and give it a gentle squeeze that made her moan softly. You massaged it with utmost care not to disturb the bruise, and as the seconds ticked by, your fingers moved a little lower, where they encountered soft, damp folds. Anna moaned at your initial explorations, then leaned forward slightly and pressed her lips against your bulge, covering it with kisses along its contour and tip while her hand continued to squeeze.

Contrary to what you might have expected, Anna wasn’t shy at all when she started unbuttoning your pants and lowering your zipper, pulling them down along with your boxers to free your hard, throbbing cock. She gasped as it hit her face, and stuck out her tongue to lick and kiss it from underneath, one hand around the shaft.

“My god…” you gasped. Anna’s warm tongue was lingering beneath your shaft, close to your balls, while her hand masturbated you. You rubbed between her folds, soaking your fingers with her fluids. “Where’s the all-smiley girl? The little ray of sunshine of the firm?”

“She’s still here,” Anna murmured with a moan, giving you little kisses on either side of your cock until she reached the head, where she made slow swirls with her tongue. “Only extremely horny thanks to her chivalrous, kind, and handsome host,” she paused for a second and looked you in the eyes. “Don’t you like it?”

You bent over Anna’s ass, placed a hand on her small waist, and gazed at her face as you pressed your middle and ring fingers between her folds. Anna’s expression twisted as your fingers slowly sank in until only your knuckles remained outside. That’s when she let out a long, sweet moan of pure pleasure.

“Stop asking silly questions, darling,” you said softly, curling your fingers inside her to rub her upper wall. She was extremely wet and tight. “Now suck that cock and enjoy.”

Anna moaned for a few brief seconds at the slow pumping of your fingers, but soon she accepted your invitation and took the tip of your cock between her lips, moaning around and sucking those few inches. You pursed your lips, your breath ragged. Seconds later, you were shifting your wrist into a new gear, the lascivious squelching of her wet pussy like music to your ears.

Your free left hand slowly unbuttoned your shirt until it was open down the middle. Anna raised her free hand to place it on your abdomen, giving you small caresses with her fingertips as she momentarily pulled you out of her mouth to shower you with wet kisses and licks along your shaft, then pulled you back in, seeking to take more inches of you.

You also wanted to pull your pants and boxers down completely, but since your dominant hand wasn’t working, Anna had to lend a hand. A minute later, you were completely naked except for your socks and the shirt you were still wearing. Anna didn’t want to be outdone, so she took a second to remove her sweater and reveal the cute pair of breasts you had already had the accidental privilege of witnessing a little while ago; small but round, the perfect size to fit entirely in your hand without being too fleshy, small, reddish nipples. And then, she let down her long, shiny, slightly wavy dark brown hair.

“Fucking hell, you’re a total bombshell, huh?” you gasped, scrutinizing Anna’s slender, toned body. You’d slowed the pace of your hand again, pumping your fingers slowly and deeply in and out of her.

“I told you, good genes,” Anna moaned, before taking half of your shaft into her mouth and sucking with slow, enveloping movements, her hand firm around the base.

For a few seconds, the only sounds that filled the silence of the room were the sounds of sucking and the soft, wet squelching of Anna’s pussy. You had already abandoned the constant changes of pace; now you were going consistently fast, which forced Anna to pull you out of her mouth and let her head fall against her shoulder, moaning repeatedly, your cock still in her hand.

“Are you cumming, sweetheart?” you asked in a low voice.

Anna nodded desperately. She then collapsed sideways onto the mattress, her head resting on her arms. You directed all your strength into your forearm, fucking her pussy with your fingers as fast as you could without shaking her too much, lest you hurt the bruise. As the seconds ticked by, Anna arched inward and then backward as her orgasm hit her.

“Mmmgh fuck!!” Anna shrieked, her forehead pressed against the mattress.

You moved your fingers slowly inside her, feeling her walls throb and soak you. Anna enjoyed her climax for a good couple of seconds, between slight spasms and tremors in her legs. When the spasms subsided, Anna lifted her head and sat back down on her side, just as you withdrew your fingers from inside her and gently took her chin in your hand to kiss her for the first time that night.

Anna met your lips with a sigh, her hand moving again over your cock. She let you take complete control, allowing your tongue inside without objection and content to let you set the pace, which you did slowly and sensually so you could savor that first kiss as much as possible. A sweet coconut flavor kept you lingered there for a while, but how horny you were finally made you pull away.

“Let’s go to my room,” you said against Anna’s lips.

Anna looked into your eyes, slightly surprised, as if you’d said something crazy.

“T-to your room?” she asked, her eyebrows raised. “You mean the room you sleep in?”

“I don’t have any other rooms. Do you think I’m a millionaire?”

“I mean, no, but…”

“Come here.”

After taking off your shirt, you put one arm behind Anna’s back and positioned her to slip the other under her knees. Anna got a bit startled and her eyes widened as you scooped her up in your arms. She clung tightly to your neck. You turned and stepped out into the hallway.

“Gosh, you’re strong…” Anna murmured, now comfortable in your arms. She was quite delighted with the princess treatment she was receiving.

“I go to the gym occasionally,” you replied, walking down the hall toward your room. “Would you open the door darling, please?”

Anna turned her head when you stopped in front of the door at the far end, and reached out to turn the knob.

Your room was, of course, the second largest in the apartment, with more than enough space. The bed dominated the center, directly in front of the door, surrounded by a rectangular gray rug that only partially covered the wooden floor. Two bedside tables flanked the bed, each with its own wall-mounted lamp.

After closing the door behind you, you carefully placed Anna on the bed. She watched you as you went to the left and raised the blinds that covered the large, floor-to-ceiling window dominating the entire wall. As a result, the room was flooded with Seoul’s nighttime lights, casting a shadow on you and Anna.

Returning to her, you carefully slipped an arm behind her waist and moved her closer to the center of the bed, giving her soft kisses on the lips as you laid her down on a pillow you had just grabbed for her. Once Anna was settled, you moved away from her lips and began tracing a path of kisses down her cheek, her jawline, and her long neck, pausing for a moment to leave gentle sucks and a couple of bites that made her gasp and stroke the hair at the nape of your neck with both sets of fingers. Not long after, you continued down her collarbone, and you didn’t hesitate to take one of her nipples into your mouth when you reached her breasts.

Anna’s fingers tangled more intensely in the strands of your hair as you licked and sucked each of her nipples, your hands just behind her back to lift her off the mattress, holding her close to you the whole time.

The tip of your cock brushed against Anna’s folds from time to time, something completely intentional on your part, just to tease her a little, since you weren’t exactly in a hurry at that moment. In fact, after spending a good couple of minutes salivating on her small breasts, you immediately moved down to her tummy.

“Bloody hell… you really don’t exercise?” you asked, your hands behind her thighs to spread her legs, admiring her perfect, toned abs, so attractive you couldn’t help but cover it with kisses.

Anna managed a giggle between gasps.

“Don’t make me repeat myself, okay?” she said.

“Yeah, yeah, good genes. But that statement falls short.”

You continued showering kisses around her navel and down to her lower abdomen for a while until you left her soft skin damp with your saliva. Then, you shifted a little lower, resting your face between her legs. Down there, you pushed Anna’s thighs against her torso.

“Even your pussy is a total beauty,” you said, licking your lips. Anna’s folds glistened. “I have no other choice but to eat you until you cry with pleasure.”

You didn’t even give Anna time to process what you’d said before you planted your mouth directly on her pussy, eliciting a long moan that was like sugar to your ears. First came gentle kisses on her folds and clit, your grip on the back of her thighs firm, fingers digging deep into her skin. Seconds later, when Anna was demanding more with her body language, you stuck out your tongue and began to slowly lick her entrance.

“Oh my god, Isaac…” Anna moaned, her fingers now tangled in strands of your hair. She arched her back every few seconds.

“Do you like it like this, darling?” you asked, flicking the tip of your tongue against her clit in quick bursts.

“I love it, fuck… but…” Anna hissed in pain before she could finish the sentence.

You stopped abruptly and loosened your grip on her thighs.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah, yeah,” Anna nodded. “It’s just that you were pressing a little too hard on the side where I have the bruise. Just keep going, baby.”

“Got it, I’m sorry.”

You gave Anna a little kiss on the thigh as an apology and refocused on your task. Soon Anna forgot about the pain, and as the seconds ticked by, you made her feel better and better by paying attention to what she liked and disliked. Eventually, you found the perfect rhythm that made her moan with pleasure.

Anna was about to come at any moment, but when you added two fingers inside her, her climax accelerated like a volatile chemical reaction. The bed trembled beneath her, delicious spasms taking complete control of her body. You continued to let your tongue work, now at a slower, more deliberate pace so you could savor her delicious juices as they seeped through her folds.

“Mmm, on a scale of one to ten,” you looked up, kissing her still somewhat sensitive clit after all the time she spent enjoying her climax. “How much do you want me to fuck you?”

“Oh my god, Isaac, don’t make me answer that question,” Anna gasped, covering her face with her hands.

“It’s extremely important to me, I promise,” you slowly stood up until you were kneeling in front of her, knees apart so you were level with her crotch. You took your cock in one hand and rubbed it up and down between her folds. “Otherwise, how will I know how good to fuck you?”

Anna took her hands away from her face and looked at you, blushing, as usual.

“I’m not going to answer that!”

“Then I guess I won’t put this inside you.”

You made a move to pull away, but Anna was quick to trap you, wrapping her legs around your torso so tightly that you were forced onto her, your hands on the mattress on either side of her body. She looked you straight in the eyes.

“Eleven,” she murmured. “Fuck, fifteen, I don’t know. I need it so badly, please. Give it to me.”

Without a word, you smiled slightly and leaned down to place a quick kiss on her lips. Then, you slid a hand between your bodies to grasp your cock, aligning it with her wet entrance and slowly pushing forward.

Not even the most celebrated Velázquez painting could compare to the work of art Anna’s face became as you plunged every inch of your shaft into her tight, suffocating pussy. Her eyebrows arched, as did her back slightly, and her mouth opened to release a long moan as you pushed the last couple of inches inside, her hands on your shoulders.

“Fucking hell…” you groaned, now buried to the hilt inside her. How tight she was made your jaw clench.

Anna was still speechless, panting heavily. Seconds later, she looked into your eyes and brought a hand to the back of your neck to brace herself there, urging you to move. When you did and started to move your hips, she let out another moan and dug her nails into your skin, her calves intertwined, pressing against your lower back.

Taking advantage of the fact that she had arched her back again and her head was thrown back, you leaned down and buried your face in her neck, covering it with sensual kisses and licks, in time with slow, deep thrusts in and out of her tight walls. Anna’s fingers were tangled and tightly gripped in strands of your hair, her moans just to the side of your ear.

After a few seconds, you pulled your face away from her neck and looked at her from a short distance, her pretty, doll-like face flushed and contorted with pleasure. As you slightly increased your speed, her moans became more frequent, one after another.

“Does that feel good, sweetheart?” you asked softly, panting. How wet she was allowed you to move with virtually no friction, yet she remained tight like a glove molded to your shaft.

“Fuck, it feels amazing, daddy…” Anna moaned.

You smirked and let out a soft chuckle. Anna opened her eyes to look at you, realizing what she’d said.

“I didn’t just tell you…”

“You did.”

“Oh my god, I can’t believe it,” she gasped.

Anna made a move to cover her face with her hands, but you quickly grabbed her wrists and pinned them above her head, making her gasp. Her eyes locked on yours.

“It doesn’t bother me,” you said, placing a soft kiss on her lips, your hips moving up and down, your balls bumping gently against her with each thrust. “Does it feel good, sweetheart?” you repeated.

With her lips forming a thin line, Anna hesitated for a moment. Your deep thrusts, however, slowly broke through her chrysalis until she was melting with pleasure again.

“Yes, daddy,” Anna finally moaned, her hands on your chest. “So, so good!”

“Mmm, you’re such a good girl,” you leaned toward her and covered one side of her face with small, wet kisses. “Why don’t you cum again for me? Hm?”

Anna whimpered with pleasure, clung to your neck, and immediately sought your lips. You guided her through the kiss, just as you had a few minutes before, her moans muffled against your lips. You braced your fists against the mattress and tried thrusting downward with just a touch more force. Making sure it didn’t cause her any pain from the bruise on her hip, you maintained the rhythm until Anna came.

The climax took hold of Anna’s body once more, making her tremble beneath you, her thighs pressed tightly around your waist as you were completely inside her, kissing her relentlessly. Her pussy gripped you like a demon, throbbing and secreting warm fluids that soaked your shaft.

Seconds later, Anna broke the kiss and looked into your eyes.

“I want you to cum too…” she whispered, stroking the hair at the nape of your neck with one hand and cupping your face with the other. The gesture felt intimate. More than you could have expected. It stirred something peculiar within you, but you didn’t know what. “I’d love to take care of it myself, but… you know, my hip still hurts.”

“That’s okay darling,” you said. “How much does it hurt?”

Anna tried a slightly jerky movement with her leg and hissed in pain, then she moved it a little slower and pressed against her waist, near her hip.

“As long as I don’t move like a maniac, I’m fine,” she said after a few seconds.

“Got it,” you said, placing a light kiss on her lips. “Leave it to me then.”

You slowly withdrew from Anna’s pussy and helped her gently turn onto her good side. Then you lay down behind her, her slightly sweaty back pressed against your chest. Anna immediately pushed her ass against you as you slipped an arm under her head. Then, with one hand, you guided your cock between her buttocks, found her pussy, and plunged completely inside her again.

Anna let out a moan and grabbed your wrist. You held her close, both arms wrapped around her slender body as you pumped your hips at a deep, steady rhythm.

The situation allowed you to go faster, certainly; you could still fuck her much harder. But ignoring the fact that she wasn’t in the best physical condition, you didn’t feel the moment lent itself to that either. You preferred to give her the princess treatment she deserved, especially after a long day of hard work and what had happened to her in the bathroom.

That meant that your pace remained slow, but not weak, the whole time. Each thrust went all the way in and shook her slightly, making sure she felt every inch of your shaft stimulating the walls of her pussy. The result: you and Anna were entangled in kisses, gasps, and long, soft moans against each other’s mouths, gazing out at the massive Seoul beyond your window.

“I’m going to turn you over, are you okay with that?” you asked in her ear, squeezing one of her breasts with your hand.

“Tonight I’m completely yours,” Anna moaned, a hand on your head. “You can do whatever you want to me.”

With that, you carefully took hold of her waist and used your elbow to push off, using your own weight to help her roll onto her stomach. There was no hiss of pain from her. So, positioned over her, you braced your fists against the mattress on either side of her face, your forearms alongside her face, and began thrusting deep, sensually up and down her pussy. You let out a groan. It was, by far, the position that felt best for you.

But apparently, it felt just as good for Anna. Her moans reached a peak in volume, now like desperate whimpers as she gripped your forearms and dug her nails in.

“Keep going, daddy…” she moaned, lifting her head to look up at you. Her eyes were slightly watery with pleasure. “I’m so close.”

You slowly lowered yourself on top of her and took her chin in your hand, holding her face up to kiss her, moving your hips back and forth. Anna moaned against your lips, her breath coming in ragged gasps. A few short thrusts later, she came again, but you held her close enough that her tremors didn’t interfere with your own movements.

When Anna’s orgasm subsided, you lifted yourself slightly above her and grasped the back of her neck, pressing one side of her face against the mattress, increasing your speed just a little. The partial silence of the bedroom was then filled with the lascivious sounds of your pelvis colliding with her buttocks. Pleasure surged through you like foam.

“Where do you want me to cum, darling?” you asked breathlessly, looking into her eyes.

“Anywhere but inside…” she managed to reply, part of her mouth covered by the mattress because of how you were holding her.

Blood pumped to your groin like a powered hydraulic pump. Your gasps became heavier and faster. So, when your climax was just around the corner, you quickly pulled out of her and masturbated on her buttocks until you exploded.

Strong, thick jets of semen shot from your cock. They initially covered her lower back. But the rest, which made up the vast majority of your load, bathed her buttocks in the thick, warm fluid. Anna raised her head and looked at you over her shoulder as you moaned with pleasure, visibly as satisfied as you were. By the end of your orgasm, drops of semen were sliding down the sides of her buttocks.

“Oh my god…” you gasped, catching your breath, sitting back on your heels with your hands on your thighs.

Anna rested her head on her crossed arms, as exhausted as you were.

“Did you like it?” she asked after a few seconds.

“I fucking loved it.”

You went to her and placed a small kiss on her cheek.

“I’ll get you something to clean up with, don’t move.”

Anna nodded gently, and you quickly went to your bathroom to get her some toilet paper.

“Uh… Isaac?” Anna asked as you cleaned her up.

“Yes?” you looked at her, rolling the toilet paper into balls and throwing them in your trash can.

“This doesn’t change… you know, our relationship, right?”

“Not as long as you don’t want it to,” you replied. “I’m perfectly fine.”

“So… we’re still friends?”

“Of course we are silly. Why? Do you want us to start dating?” you giggled.

You meant it as a joke, but Anna remained silent. You then sighed.

“We can hang out often, Anna,” you said when she didn’t respond. “But I wouldn’t call it dating yet, you know?”

“No, yeah, I understand,” Anna nodded, her gaze lost in the window. “I guess we don’t know each other as well as we should yet.”

“Exactly, not yet. But like I said, this won’t change anything if you don’t want it to.”

Anna finally looked at you. A faint smile touched her lips.

“It won’t. I’m not going to stop caring for you, Isaac.”

You smiled.

“The feeling is mutual then. Hey, I need to take a shower,” you got out of bed. “It’s late and we need to sleep.”

“Damn, it’s true,” Anna muttered. “Will you help me get to my room?”

You stopped in front of the bathroom door.

“What do you mean, your room? You’re sleeping with me.”

Anna’s eyes widened.

“W-with you?! But…”

“You can sleep in your own bed if you want, of course. I’m not forcing you.”

“It’s not that… it’s just…”

“Then shh.”

“But-”

“Shh, I said. I could use a nice pillow to hug tonight.”

“I’m not that voluptuous, Isaac.”

“You understood. I’ll be right back.”

After winking at Anna, you turned on your heel and went into the bathroom and then into the shower. Inside, as the warm water ran over your body, you couldn’t help but reflect on what had happened that night. This was the second time you’d had sex with someone at work. You weren’t worried about Yujin, since it was something quite casual that you’d been having for a while now, but this time it was all happening too frequently. Were you being unprofessional, perhaps? In the UK, things were certainly kept more… discreet. Nobody shared much about themselves, so relationships were less likely to develop naturally.

That, and well, all your female colleagues were married. There wasn’t much to work with there.

But anyway, what the hell did you feel for Anna? You weren’t even sure. It had all happened too fast, but it was all thanks to that girl. She possessed a powerful magnetism that drew you to her involuntarily. As if she were a black hole and you were standing right on the event horizon. You didn’t know if it was romantic attraction per se, or if she was simply awakening your deepest and strongest protective instincts. Whatever it was, there was something there.

However, you didn’t have time to dwell on that that night. There was something more important to think about for tomorrow.

The shower was quick. In less than ten minutes, you were back in your room with a towel wrapped around your waist. Anna was already under the covers. She opened her eyes when she saw you arrive and lifted the blanket as if inviting you to join her. You smiled, took off your towel, and got into bed with her.

Anna turned over and faced away from you, allowing you to hug her from behind and snuggle her against your chest, your nose buried in her soft hair.

“Sleep well, Tanaka,” you said softly, stroking her forearm. “Tomorrow will be a good day.”

“I just hope I can walk without limping, honestly. The bruise still hurts a little,” she replied in a whisper. Then she yawned. “Rest well too, Isaac.”

Not another word was spoken. You snuggled under the blanket, held Anna’s naked body close, and closed your eyes until you fell asleep, with nothing but tomorrow’s hearing on your mind.

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