Defective Banana - Chapter 10

Just then, Donghee, who’d been listening in, cut in at her son’s unexpected comment.

“What do you mean, ‘starting without any prejudice’?”

“Oh, you know. Since you and Kim Yeosa are best friends, I’m bound to keep running into her, right? That’s all I meant.”

Seohyuk smiled softly, sending subtle, flirty glances toward Ara even in front of his mother. His expression was gentle, but his intent was loud and clear. I still want to date you. I’m serious about this. He was certain she understood.

But Ara wasn’t having it.

After what she’d seen of him just a few nights ago—that depraved, twisted side of him—this sudden warmth, especially in front of her older sister, felt more infuriating than charming.

Donghee, unimpressed by her son’s act, snorted.

“You barely show up around here, and now you’re talking big? Say something believable.”

Unfazed, Seohyuk draped an arm casually over her shoulder and leaned in, grinning like a showman.

“Come on, Kim Yeosa. I’ve been busy, not avoiding you. From now on, I’ll come more often. Even if you tell me not to. Look—I’m already here, aren’t I?”

“Hah! You’re ridiculous. You only showed up ‘cause you got blackout drunk and couldn’t tell my house from yours.”

Laughing, Seohyuk started massaging her shoulders, trying to calm her down.

“Hey now, Kim Yeosa. Don’t do this in front of Ara.”

“Whatever. Hands off. Ara, let’s just drink. Without this punk.”

Ara hurriedly waved her hands.

“Wait, unni—I’m not drinking tonight.”

But Donghee was already in the kitchen, rummaging through cabinets for a bottle.

As she searched, Ara locked eyes with Seohyuk across the table. His gaze held hers—dark, direct, and laced with a kind of aching desperation. Like he was silently pleading with her to see him, to really see him.

Ara looked away immediately.

Didn’t matter that he was her sister’s son or a top celebrity. She wanted nothing to do with him. Every instinct in her screamed to keep her distance.

“Wine goes best with meat, don’t you think?”

Donghee returned with a bottle of wine and two glasses.

“Oh, that wine!”

“What? You’ve had this before?”

It was the same bottle Seohyuk had given her as a gift—the one she’d impulsively finished in a single sitting on the night she came down from the rooftop.

“It just… looks familiar.”

She quickly played it off. No need to let her sister know Seohyuk had gifted it to her.

“He shot an ad for this brand. We’ve got plenty at home. Take a few bottles when you go.”

“I’m good! I can just drink it here with you. Oh! Unni, are you free next Thursday?”

With the summer heat easing up, Ara was planning a trip to Ganghwa Island. It was her childhood hometown, and she visited occasionally for the memories it held of her parents.

“Thursday? Why?”

“I’m planning to visit a gallery and thought of swinging by Ganghwa on the way. If you’re free, wanna come?”

Seohyuk tuned into her voice like a homing beacon, his ears straining to catch every word.

“Wait, what day’s Thursday again?”

Checking her phone, Donghee sighed.

“Ah, I can’t. I’ve got a dermatologist appointment before a wedding that weekend. Took weeks to book it. Next time, okay?”

“No worries. I’ll take you another time. I know a great place to eat there. You’ll love it.”

“Deal. Let’s go next time.”

Pretending not to eavesdrop, Seohyuk uncorked the wine and discreetly poured a glass for Ara. His lips curved faintly upward.

“Ara, thank you for spending time with my mother. I really appreciate it. And, if it’s not too bold—please take care of me too.”

Donghee raised an eyebrow.

“Ugh, don’t get gross. Why are you suddenly throwing me into the mix like I’m your toddler?”

Ara blinked, visibly uneasy. Why was he still pushing, even in front of her sister? It felt like he could blurt out something truly outrageous at any moment.

Trying to deflect the attention, she quickly lifted her glass and took a sip.

“Unni, this wine is amazing. Ha ha…”

She laughed awkwardly and darted glances between her sister and Seohyuk, forcing the conversation toward the wine.

Despite the heavy tension and her unease, Ara hurried through the rest of the meal, then stood up abruptly.

“Unni, thank you for the food. Next time, it’s my treat.”

She carried her empty dishes to the sink, prompting Donghee to rise as well.

“Leaving already?”

“I’ve got a lot to do. I should head out. Thanks again.”

“Acting all busy, jeez. Fine, go.”

With a cool send-off from her sister, Ara made her way toward the front door. Then came the voice behind her—firm but low.

“I’ll go too.”

She didn’t slow down, shoving her feet into her slippers and practically sprinting out.

But he caught up fast.

“Ara!”

She ignored him and kept walking.

“I just want a word.”

Lowering his voice so Donghee wouldn’t hear, he added softly,

“Just a quick word.”

“I don’t want to.”

Ara reached her front door and extended a hand toward the keypad—but Seohyuk caught her wrist gently, his voice coaxing.

“Just five minutes. That’s all I ask. Please?”

“Why do you keep doing this?”

She considered kicking him again, like last time—but before she could, a soft scent of wood drifted over from his body. Like a forest breeze, wrapping around her nose. Maybe it was the wine, or maybe the scent itself, but for a moment she felt tempted to lean in and inhale more deeply.

Snap out of it. She pulled her hand away sharply.

“Let go.”

Seohyuk gave her a lopsided smile, squinting a little like he was being scolded.

“I swear, I just have a proposal. Just hear me out.”

“Oh, what now? More bragging about that?”

“No! I’m serious. This is something else.”

Ara narrowed her eyes. “Something else?”

“Can we talk in my car?”

“…Your car?”

Her eyes burned into him with suspicion, and he raised his palms, laughing quietly, as if to ward off any misunderstanding.

“Look, you know how it is. I can’t just go wandering around in public. The rooftop’s full of mosquitoes, and you’re not letting me into your apartment—right?”

He made a decent point. Not that she trusted him, but still—might as well hear him out.

“Fine. Five minutes. That’s it.”

They got in the elevator and rode down to the basement garage.

What now? What was he going to say?

Ara pursed her lips, casting a sideways glare at the man towering next to her.

When they stepped out of the elevator, they headed toward the far corner of the dimly lit garage.

As they approached a sleek silver sports car, Ara blinked in recognition.

So that’s his.

It was the same one she always noticed, parked in the same spot without fail. Beautiful, flashy—impossible not to look at.

Seohyuk opened the passenger door for her, and she slid in, taking a brief look at the luxurious interior.

As he circled around to the driver’s side, Ara watched him. Tall, graceful, and infuriatingly handsome.

Life really wasn’t fair. That someone could look like that and still be such a mess on the inside. She shook her head a little without realizing.

Once Seohyuk got in and shut the door, the car went dim. The space around them felt suddenly smaller—intimate. Almost like they were under the same blanket. The only light came from the faint glow of the garage fixtures outside.

Ara tucked her hair behind one ear and cleared her throat.

Then she looked at him, her voice steady.

“Okay. Talk. What is it?”

Seohyuk met her gaze—calm, steady—and finally spoke, his voice deep and deliberate.

“I’ve really thought this through. About what I can offer you…”

His low voice resonated softly in the enclosed space, almost like background music. Soothing, unshakably present.

And just like that, the scent of him—warm wood and something darker—enveloped her a little more.

Maybe it was the wine, maybe just the quiet between them, but Ara could feel her head growing lighter.