My Bloody Valentine - 50

Taeshin didn’t even fully undress, just pulling out his penis and stroking it a few times. His previously flaccid penis quickly became fully erect.

Pushed by the shoulder, Han collapsed onto the sofa. As each piece of clothing was removed, Han’s face fell into an expression of anxiety and despair, which Taeshin observed with a twisted smile on his lips.

Unlike Taeshin who had only exposed his penis, the completely naked Han turned his head to the side and covered his mouth with one hand.

Soon, his knees were folded by a large hand and his lower body was lifted. Taeshin penetrated the unprepared area in one swift motion.

“…!”

The excruciating pain swept through Han’s entire body, rendering him unable to make a sound.

“Ugh… Uugh…”

His skeletal white body trembled helplessly under the violent movement.

Taeshin moved only for his own desire, ruthlessly thrusting his hips as he burrowed into the delicate inner flesh.

Powerless, Han’s body shook from the rough thrusts. He bit the back of the hand covering his mouth, but muffled sobs continued to escape. His body floundered pathetically, like a deer caught in a snare.

Taeshin grunted as he gripped Han’s thighs tightly, thrusting his hips intensely until he reached a hollow climax. Throughout the long intercourse, Han’s own penis remained limp.

Panting heavily, Taeshin looked down to see Han had already fainted. He dropped Han’s legs back onto the sofa and sat down on the floor next to it, gazing at the sorrowful face, tear-stained in sleep.

“Damn it.”

Taeshin cursed under his breath, burying his head in his hands. Belated self-reproach weighed heavily on his shoulders, as if he had chosen the wrong answer by a wide margin.

No matter how their bodies were entangled, becoming one, Taeshin looked at Han with a mixed gaze of resentment, feeling the greatest distance from him in the world.

This vague emotion, this unpleasant sensation – how long would it last? Han was an incredibly perplexing existence to Taeshin, who had never prioritized such desires in his life.

And as if by routine, Han fell ill again. He was tormented by a high fever that made his forehead damp with sweat, unable to open his eyes.

Throughout the time Han remained unconscious, Taeshin sat by the bed, silently listening to Han’s labored breathing, as if seeking answers within it.

❖ ❖ ❖

The news reported that the ice on the Han River had melted earlier than usual this year, signaling the changing of seasons. But the time imprisoned in the luxurious suite remained stagnant for Han.

Han’s daily life was almost always the same – having room service for meals, sleeping, and spending most of his time watching TV, watching movies and binge-watching dramas as he pleased.

Unable to bear the boredom, he tried to do some cleaning, but the hotel staff that came daily had already kept the room spotless, without a speck of dust anywhere.

Passing the time aimlessly, Han kept his distance from Taeshin, living quietly as if playing a detached roommate.

Taeshin would often gaze at Han for a long time, as if wanting to say something, but ultimately left without a word.

Occasionally, he would push Han down, unable to contain something boiling within, and kiss him frantically, as if wanting to burn him. Their sexual encounters felt like that.

The debt was being paid off bit by bit, but freedom was still too far away – just ten circles left.

Apart from the hotel staff who brought room service, the only person who came to the room was the doctor, Pyo Jin-hee. But she usually found Han unconscious, leaving no opportunity for conversation.

“Jini-ya.”

“Yes.”

“I’m so bored.”

“Would you like me to play some lively music for you?”

“Yeah, music sounds good.”

“I’m sorry, but I don’t have access to play music since I don’t have any usage rights.”

“How stingy… Are you mocking me?”

Han, who had been briefly glaring at the round AI device, realized that she was the only conversational partner allowed to him, and called out to her again in a slightly deflated tone.

“…Jini.”

“Yes.”

“How’s the weather outside today?”

“It’s a clear sky. The low temperature is 2 degrees and the high is 10 degrees. Shall I also provide the fine dust information?”

“That’s fine. It’s not like I can go out anyway… But Jini.”

“Yes?”

“When will I be able to leave this place…”

“I’m sorry, I don’t quite understand.”

As Han exchanged various comments with the AI assistant substituting for the TV remote, he was suddenly overcome by self-deprecation. There were times when tears would flow for no particular reason. He thought he must be going mad from being alone for too long.

The TV was playing a rerun of a drama he had watched with Yojeong before. It was the one starring actress Shin So-young.

The character Shin So-young played was a ruthless lawyer at a large law firm who was tasked with defending a man accused of murder.

After successfully invalidating the evidence presented by the opposing side, she won an acquittal for her client. However, that very same criminal then killed her daughter, leading the lawyer to be consumed by guilt and ultimately commit suicide. The drama then returned to the past, with her determined to see the criminal punished.

Even though Han had already marathoned the entire drama, Shin So-young’s acting in the scenes where her character completely unraveled and decided to take her own life were still incredibly powerful to watch.

While deeply immersed in the drama, there was a knock at the door, and a hotel staff member entered carrying a tray.

“Room service.”

The staff member placed the tray on the living room table and left. Lifting the silver dome cover revealed a large steak with a T-shaped bone. Han, who had difficulty digesting red meat, immediately frowned at the sight of the fatty, oversized steak.

On the screen, Shin So-young’s character was shown breaking the mirror and shakily picking up a shard of glass, bringing it to her wrist.

Just as Han had picked up the knife to cut the steak, he found himself quietly contemplating the blade.

How much despair would be needed to harm one’s own body, the way the lawyer character did after losing her child? If someone asked Han if his current life was painful, he wouldn’t be able to say yes, given his lavish and comfortable circumstances.

But was merely existing, without any expectations or hopes, truly living? No matter how much he pondered, he only ended up hurting his own heart without gaining anything.

Curious about the emotions the character must have felt, Han lightly brought the dull edge of the knife to rest against his own wrist. A cool sensation transferred.

Just then, a dull thud could be heard. Turning his head towards the sound, Han saw Jang Taeshin standing in the hallway, a phone lying at his feet. Taeshin’s complexion was unnaturally pale.

The two remained locked in a tense standoff, facing each other.

Taeshin’s dark eyes shifted from Han’s blank expression to the knife Han was holding, lingering on the wrist where the knife’s edge was lightly pressing.

As Han wondered why Taeshin had such a strange expression, he belatedly realized he must look quite suspicious to an outside observer.

“Ah, this is…”

Before Han could make any excuses, Taeshin strode over and ruthlessly crushed the fingers holding the knife, wrenching it from Han’s hand. Taeshin’s gaze, now ashen with frost, briefly settled on Han’s face.

“No, I wasn’t…”

But before Han could speak, Taeshin pocketed the knife and immediately turned his back, leaving the room.

Han was left alone with the massive steak and nothing else.

“…How am I supposed to eat this?”

In the end, he filled his stomach with mashed potatoes, carrots, and green beans, sending the steak back.

❖ ❖ ❖

Jang Taeshin did not return to his hotel room that day.

Han, who usually dozed lightly on the sofa, nestled in Taeshin’s embrace, was able to enjoy a rare peaceful sleep sprawled across the large bed alone. Of course, it wasn’t as comfortable as his own room on the 3rd basement floor.

Late that afternoon, someone came to the hotel room – it was Nam Junho. Seeing Junho, Han shrank back, darting his eyes around nervously.

“Mr. Lee Han.”

“Y-Yes!”

Surprised even by the simple calling of his name, Han flinched noticeably, prompting a bewildered expression from Junho.

This was clearly the same person who showed no fear in Taeshin’s presence, becoming a loyal lapdog. It was impossible to reconcile the two versions of Han. But for now, the priority was to carry out Taeshin’s instructions.

“Come with me.”

“…Pardon?”

“I said, come with me. Don’t make me repeat myself.”

“Okay, yes!”

Han followed behind Junho, still wearing the hotel slippers. They walked through the corridor and took the elevator. As they approached, Han recognized his own room.

“Huh…?”

Junho turned around, then produced something from within his jacket. Fearing it might be a sharp blade of some kind, the startled Han took a step back.

“Tch.”

Junho let out a derisive chuckle, then pulled out a cell phone instead.

“This has Jang Taeshin’s number programmed in. Call him and he’ll be right up.”

“…Okay.”

Handing the phone to Han, Junho continued.

“No more work as a caddie or a waiter. Understood?”

“…”

“I said, do you understand?”

“Ah, yes, I understand.”

Junho clicked his tongue irritably and turned to leave. Han stared bewilderedly at the phone in his hand and the retreating figure of Junho, unable to believe this unexpected release.