RED STRING || 1

Chapter eleven.

THE MAIDSERVANTS HANDED them soft, plush towels, and they both settled onto the poolside benches, sipping the refreshing juices the servants had prepared for them. The cool breeze from the poolside gave them a break from the warm sun, and the peaceful quiet of the surroundings made the moment feel special.

After a while, they dressed in their usual clothes, each of them taking their time. Irene, being the first to finish, decided to head over to Seulgi’s room.

Seulgi never locked her door—back in her home, people were taught to knock before entering. But things were different here, in Irene’s home. Irene had no qualms about barging in without knocking, so she walked right in. What she didn’t expect, however, was to be greeted with a half-naked Seulgi, who was only in her underwear, struggling to pull a shirt over her head.

“Wha—hey, get out!” Seulgi was caught off guard, her eyes widening as she tried to quickly cover up. But then, after a second, she just stood there, staring at Irene with her arms crossed, the awkwardness settling between them.

Irene couldn’t help but let her eyes wander, her gaze landing on Seulgi’s toned abs, and she bit her lip in appreciation. Seulgi was still fumbling with her shirt, trying to get it on, but when she finally succeeded, she reached for Irene and gently, but firmly, pushed her toward the door.

“Learn to knock next time,” Seulgi said, her voice a bit flustered.

Irene tilted her head, giving her a playful smile. “Why? You’re my wife,” she said, the words slipping out before she even realized how bold they were.

Seulgi froze at her words. “Future,” she corrected quickly, though her cheeks flushed. “And still, I told you—we’re not doing what other couples do!” She was embarrassed, but Irene's curious expression only made her more flustered.

“What do other couples do?” Irene asked, tilting her head like an inquisitive puppy.

Seulgi mentally facepalmed. “Is she really this oblivious?” she wondered, her frustration mixed with confusion. But before she could say another word, Irene stepped closer, her hand gently caressing Seulgi’s cheek, a soft touch that sent a thrill through Seulgi’s body.

The two were standing so close now, Irene’s back pressed against the door as she leaned in. Seulgi could feel the heat between them rising, and Irene’s words hung in the air.

“The ‘you-know-what’,” Irene whispered, her voice lower now. Both of them knew exactly what that meant, and both of their faces flushed at the thought. Irene couldn’t help but glance downward, her eyes stopping on Seulgi’s legs. Her breath hitched slightly, and Seulgi saw the way Irene’s gaze lingered.

“Hey, looks like...” Irene began, but her words trailed off as she reached out and pulled Seulgi closer, capturing her lips in a sudden kiss.

Seulgi’s body tensed in surprise, but she quickly melted into the kiss, her hands instinctively wrapping around Irene’s neck as she kissed her back, deepening the kiss with a fervor that surprised them both.

The kiss was heated, passionate, and everything between them felt like it was burning with intensity. But just as Irene was about to pull Seulgi closer, there was a knock at the door. Irene pulled away reluctantly, her eyes narrowing in frustration as she opened the door to find a maidservant standing there, holding a cordless telephone.

“It’s Mrs. Kang,” the maidservant said, her voice sweet and polite.

Irene’s patience was thinning, but she forced a smile. “Oh, I’ll give it to Seulgi when she comes out of the bathroom,” she lied, though the truth was that Seulgi was hiding behind the door, too embarrassed to let anyone see her in nothing but her underwear. Seulgi silently screamed in her mind, “What the hell did I just get myself into?”