Defective Banana - Chapter 38

The uphill road to the filming site felt endless. Miok’s breath was ragged, her legs about to give out as if she’d collapse any second.

I have to make up for this mistake.

Her thoughts kept drifting—ever since that b1tch dared to slap her man across the face, she’d been in a constant state of irritation, unable to fully focus on anything. Her mouth felt parched, her throat tight as if bl00d might burst from it.

The moment she reached the top of the hill, Miok shouted, clutching a shopping bag.

“Hah… ha! Over here! Here!”

Not a single person turned to look at her. A few staff members glanced her way for a moment, but quickly bowed their heads again, busy with their own work.

She scanned the area, but the advertising team’s stylist was nowhere in sight. Forcing her tired legs forward step by step, Miok finally made her way to the temporary waiting room.

“Huff… huff… Mr. Kang, I’ll take care of it right away.”

“Oh? Miok, are you okay? You look like you’re about to collapse—hold on. Somebody, get her some water!”

But instead of the water, Miok tried to put the scarf on him first. Seohyuk, however, gently stopped her, telling her to take a breath first before handing her the bottle a staff member had brought.

“Ah… I’m fine. Thank you.”

Seeing him worry about her and look after her made Miok’s heart ache with affection. It took everything in her to stop her lips from curling into a huge grin, so she turned away and drank her water, buying time to pull the corners of her mouth back down.

A moment later, she walked up to where Kang Seohyuk stood waiting for her. Reaching out both hands, she began wrapping the scarf around his neck with meticulous care. While adjusting it, she let her fingers trail lightly over his cheek and the nape of his neck, shamelessly stealing a bit of pleasure for herself.

His skin was soft, his body radiating warmth. Miok stole side glances at him, her lips curling into a small, demure smile.

“All done.”

Fortunately, the shoot wasn’t running late. The moment Seohyuk, now wearing the scarf, stood on the hill feeling the wind, filming began.

His profile as he looked toward the sky carried an almost ethereal charm.

From a distance, Miok quietly pulled out her phone, making sure no one noticed, and began recording him. She wanted something to remember that small but touching moment earlier when he had offered her water and worried for her.

Satisfied, she slipped the phone back into her pocket, her lips curling upward in a self-satisfied smile.

The hilltop shoot had started before sunrise and finally wrapped around sunset.

“Good work today, Mr. Kang.”

“Thank you. You too.”

After exchanging farewells, Seungbok, his manager, patted Miok on the shoulder.

“You worked hard today too, Miok. Go home and get some rest.”

“Yes. Everyone get home safely.”

Once home, Miok flopped onto her bed and pulled up the videos she had secretly filmed earlier. Watching the clips with a pleased grin, she paused midway, zoomed in on his face until his lips filled the screen… and kissed the image.

“Seohyuk, you were so cool today. You even got me water and worried about me… mmm… I love you so, so much.”

***

That night, Ara received a photo and a text from Seohyuk.

[Can you come out here now?]

The picture, taken inside his car, showed the neighborhood playground. Even with his busy schedule, he’d carved out time to see her.

[Wait for me. I’ll be right there.]

Throwing on a cardigan and pouring two cups of coffee, Ara hurried outside.

A little distance away from the streetlight at the playground entrance, she spotted Seohyuk’s black sedan. Though she personally liked his silver sports car best, it drew too much attention—so whenever he came to see her, he always brought the black one.

It suited him well—sleek and powerful, like a black panther. Every time she saw it, her heart warmed. She wished she could own something like it herself, but since she often had to transport her paintings, she couldn’t give up her SUV. Instead, she lived vicariously through Seohyuk’s rides.

“Ara!”

Spotting her, Seohyuk stepped out of the driver’s seat, greeting her with a smile.

“You’re busy—how did you manage to come?”

“I wanted to see you.”

As always, he opened the passenger door for her, placing his hand above her head so she wouldn’t bump it as she got in.

“Careful.”

Ara chuckled, letting herself enjoy his small acts of kindness. The rich scent of coffee soon filled the car, wrapping them in a warm cocoon.

“So, what did you do today?”

“The same as always. And you? I saw your text this morning saying you were up early.”

“Yeah. Left for Gangwon-do at two in the morning and just got back to Seoul. We were shooting an ad on a mountaintop.”

“You must be exhausted. You should’ve just gone home to rest.”

“I missed you too much. Honestly, I just want to hold you all day and sleep.”

“Sleep only?” Ara tilted her head with a smirk.

“Of course, I’d do everything I can while holding you. You’re the reason I live.”

“You’re ridiculous.”

Ara laughed softly, but Seohyuk’s gaze turned intent.

“So… want to come over to my place now?”

“Ah… you got yourself all worked up just talking, didn’t you?”

“I can’t help it.”

Truth was, she wanted to be in his arms too. Better to go now than resist, only to lose control later and end up making out in the car where someone could secretly record them.

“Then let’s go. Now.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Before I change my mind.”

Seohyuk barely had the engine running before the car surged forward.

***

At his apartment, they didn’t even make it past the front door before their lips crashed together.

By now, they were used to each other’s rhythm—their bodies moving in sync. Clothes came off easily, like shedding old layers.

They kissed hungrily, stumbling toward the bed. Skin against skin, they poured their longing into each other. They sucked on each other’s lips, mouths tangling in deep, messy kisses.

Seohyuk caught Ara’s right hand, looking down at her with eyes darkened by desire. Slowly, he took each finger into his mouth, his tongue running along them, wet and hot.

Ara responded by nipping at his earlobe and biting his neck. Their moans mixed, heating the air between them.

When Ara’s chest rose and fell with quickened breaths, Seohyuk buried his face there, kissing and sucking her deeply.

Between her thighs, she could feel how hard he was—thick and ready. The tension was almost unbearable, their hearts pounding like drums.

“Ara…” he groaned.

When he finally pushed into her, the shock of pleasure made her lower her head with a shuddering moan.

They clung to each other, hips and bodies moving with urgency, as if every second mattered.

***

The next morning, 9 a.m. Miok arrived at Seohyuk’s place with a rack of clothes. They’d been invited to Paris Fashion Week in ten days, and she needed to have him choose from the sponsored outfits before they left.

Getting into the apartment complex wasn’t hard—she had a pass for the parking garage—but to go up to his unit, she had to call from the entrance.

Parking her car, she loaded the clothes onto a cart and pressed the call button at the entryway. She waited. And waited. Called twice. No answer.

Where the hell did he go this early?

Frustrated, she went back to her car and called his phone.

After several rings, he finally answered, a little late. “Oh, Mr. Kang—it’s me. I brought the clothes. Are you not home?”

— “Haa… I’m working out right now… huff… Can you come back in two hours?”

“Ah, sure. I’ll do that. See you later.”

— “Hhhnn… yeah.”

Even after hanging up, his rough, breathless voice lingered in her ears, sending a jolt of heat through her.

Just imagining him sweating as he worked out—god, how sexy would that be?

He told her to come back in two hours, but she decided to wait in her car and try calling a little earlier.

If she timed it right, she could arrive just as he finished exercising, wait in the dressing room while he showered, and when he came out in just his underwear… she could claim he needed help trying on outfits—slipping them on and off him while subtly tempting him.

The thought alone made her giddy.

About an hour later, she spotted Seohyuk in the parking garage.

Oh? Where’s he going…?

Her anticipation froze. Seohyuk was walking out of the underground entrance with a smiling woman—getting into his car with her.

That woman was the same rude b1tch from Busan who had slapped him before.

Wait… So he’s been with her all this time? Then… that rough, breathless voice earlier when he said he was working out—

Her stomach dropped. Was he fucking her?!

Fury exploded in her chest. Her teeth clenched, and her hand shook around her phone.