A Night Soaked With You - Chapter 29
Though she was a struggling, unknown actress worried about making ends meet, never once had she entertained the idea of using her body for success.
‘Grandmother…….’
But as soon as Tae-geon spoke, the first thought that surfaced was of her grandmother. The first time she had seen her grandmother smile so brightly since her illness had taken away much of her joy.
When her grandmother heard the news that Yeong-won had landed a lead role in a film, she had been as excited as a child.
She proudly called everyone she knew, boasting that her granddaughter would soon grace the silver screen as a leading actress.
And now, with just one word from Yeong-won, all of that might crumble away. The thought left her feeling utterly hollow.
“Is this…… are you blackmailing me right now?”
Her voice trembled uncontrollably.
Tae-geon meticulously examined Yeong-won’s expression, murmuring, “Hmm.”
“Be clear. Is this blackmail or not?”
What kind of answer was she supposed to give? She had come here with a firm resolve, knowing she would never agree to this.
But now, faced with the prospect of letting go of the only opportunity she had clung to, she was completely lost.
It was as if he could see right through her, understanding the turmoil in her heart. He asked calmly.
“What if it’s not blackmail?”
“Then, of course, I’d refuse.”
Her answer was met with another sharp question, immediately shooting back at her.
“And if it is blackmail?”
If it’s a blackmail. Even if it’s a threat, she can’t agree to it. However, Yeong-won hesitated and couldn’t easily find the words to say.
Seeing her hesitate, Tae-geon leaned in closer, his body shifting towards her.
“Let’s say it is blackmail, then.”
Choose.
And with that, Tae-geon waited, giving her the space to respond at her own pace, as if he had all the time in the world.
‘As I thought. So that’s why…… that’s why we came to a hotel.’
It was because they could go to a room anytime. Just take the elevator, and they’d be there.
Yeong-won wanted to spit out something filthy, to throw it back at him, to walk away. But her body wouldn’t move. All she could see was her grandmother’s face, floating vividly in her mind.
Her resolve wavered like a reed in the wind.
‘Yeah, do you really need to live so righteously by yourself? It’s just a body that will disappear when you die. Wouldn’t it be better to sleep with a man as handsome as him? If it makes Grandma happy, isn’t that all that matters? Yu Chae-young has probably done this countless times—why can’t I?’
But no matter how much she thought about it, she couldn’t do it. It wasn’t that she had some grand fantasy about her first night.
Still, she wanted her first time to be with someone she loved.
It was the only pride she had left, something she could protect despite having nothing else.
Yeong-won hesitated at the threshold she couldn’t bring herself to cross.
With trembling hands clasped tightly together, she finally spoke in a quiet voice.
“Could you not blackmail me? I really want that role…… please.”
Please. She swallowed the last word, refusing to let it escape because it made her feel utterly miserable.
Yeong-won wanted to be like those people who could casually sleep with someone and live their lives a bit more easily, as if it were nothing.
Yeong-won wished she could simply stand firm in her position rather than beg so pitifully.
But she couldn’t. No matter how hard she tried, the words “I’ll do it” wouldn’t come out.
She had mocked Chae-young for living easily by using her body, but now she realized that it was no easy feat. It wasn’t something just anyone could do.
Despite her desperate plea, Tae-geon remained silent. His sharp gaze pierced through her as if reading her soul.
The pressure weighed down on her, making it hard to breathe.
It was clear that as long as Tae-geon didn’t hear the answer he wanted, he had no intention of speaking again.
He wasn’t going to forgive her. Yeong-won despaired.
“I’m sorry, but I-I can’t agree to your request…… sir.”
Yeong-won said, eyes tightly shut. In response, Tae-geon’s lips curled up into a dangerously amused smile.
“Then we’re done talking.”
Negotiations were concluded.
Her future had ended far too easily, and Yeong-won felt like all the blood drained from her toes.
Her mind went completely blank.
In contrast, Tae-geon remained completely at ease. He grasped the base of his wine glass, swirled it gently, and took a sip.
