Crimson Madness #1 ⚖️: Commencement || SVT CRIME AU

43: Saccharine Lips

Narrator's POV

   "And yeah, Hyunsuk is achingly corrupt. When the case is totally unbearable, he does everything he can to bribe judges and juries,"

   "He takes out the cash—I mean, who does talk when the cash is out, right. No one would have the guts to contradict because it's MONEY!" Seungcheol laughs at Chan's exaggeration. 

   "I agree. Money can almost buy everything out, even humans," Seungcheol added as Chan hummed to agree.

    The brunette man in a beige sweater and brown coat, walked back and forth, right hand held his phone near his ear while his left hand's stuffed inside his pocket. "Well, thank you for the stats. You three are doing a great job. Keep it up,"

   "No problem," And so the phone call ended. Seungcheol made his way back to the bar and sat back on the bar stool beside Nari.

   "Sorry about that, business again," Seungcheol sheepishly smiled as he stuffed his phone back inside his coat.

   Right after dinner, the two decided to go up to the infamous rooftop bar of the hotel they're staying at for a nightcap, and of course to see the beauty of the place themselves. There weren't much people which was great as they both like to observe tranquility while drinking their liquor.

   Blue LED and dimmed yellow lights illuminated the place along with the sky above that has the stars showing tonight. The cold breeze of the wind that gusting sounds and piano music were the only thing that could be heard.

   Nari had put down her glass of vodka before facing Seungcheol. "Tell me, why'd you pull me earlier in the garden?" She questioned.

   "Ah that, it's because there was a pervert behind you," the man answered, casually as Nari was taken a back.

"Ah people these days," Nari whined to herself as she shook her head slightly.

    Seungcheol had put down his glass of whiskey after taking a good sip. "Anyways, it's been a tiresome day. Least we can do is to enjoy this drink, so cheers," the two smiled at one another before making a toss.

***

    Instead of keeping to their promises of just one drink before bed. The two ended up drinking more and more while conversing about topics that they could laugh about. "God, my stomach hurts from laughing," Nari said amidst her laughter.

   Meanwhile, Seungcheol had placed his elbow on the marble counter, resting his chin on his palm as he stared at Nari, dearly. "You're...real pretty," he complimented as he watch her smile.

   "Why, thank you,"

   "No, for real like...you're just so so pretty," he continued to compliment her, making gestures with his hands to support his point.

   Nari laughed in a drunk manner before responding. "Oh Seungcheol, that's just the whiskey talking,"

   "It's not," he singsongs.

   "I really do think you're pretty—and hella smart too,"

    "even the first time I saw you,"

   Seungcheol raises an index finger before speaking again. "And I tell you," he trailed off.

   "As time past by, you just get prettier...and prettier," Nari fell into silence as she realize that Seungcheol is serious about what he is talking about and pretty insistent too.

   Is it just me or Seungcheol sounds so persistent about me being pretty? - she thought to herself.

   "I-I-you know what, let's just sleep this off," Nari nervously chuckled as she fished out for her card in her purse.

   "I mean, we already had too much drinks a-and can't risk a hangover right," she stuttered as she tries to avoid eye contact with Seungcheol who is staring at her intently.

   She handed the card to the bartender. "Swipe it up fast, please," she desperately whispered as she just wants to get out of the 'uncomfortable' situation.

***

   The two have separated to go to their designated hotel rooms. As soon as Nari got inside, she shuts the door and leaned against its frame with her eyebrows furrowed. She grip the cloth of her dress in a tight manner as her cheeks began to heat up, flushing red.

   Her eyes landed on the small wine cellar by the kitchen. "I need to get drunk and forget about this," she muttered as she rushed towards there.

   On the other hand, Seungcheol have finally sobered up. He cannot stop thinking about all the tittle-tattle he had done earlier which he is now deeply regretting.

   "What the fuck did I just do," he stifled a sigh as he steps out of the shower, drying up. However, the sound of the doorbell caught his attention.

   "Who is it?!" He shouted, but then another doorbell just answered him which is why he hurriedly put on his bathrobe.

   "Just a minute," he steps out of the bathroom to reach for the front door which he opened.

   "Oh hey Nari—" before he could even say something, the woman have already landed her lips on his, cupping his face.

   Engulfed by the shock and neediness, Seungcheol did gave in and had wrapped an arm around her waist to pull her closer for the kiss to deepen. They kissed passionately before letting go.

   "Wh-What are you doing here?" Seungcheol asked.

   "I-I just can't resist," she trailed off as she panted.

    "I want you, Seungcheol. I want you," with a tone of determination as she locked eyes with him which created a heated, dangerous yet tempting tension between them.

***

   It was an unexpected night, both of them drowned with highly-intoxicated liquors that acted as an aphrodisiac to get them off; skin to skin, lips to lips. There was not a second that they parted from one another tonight. They clung onto one another like it's the last time, and without a word right after the deed, they dozed off beside each other.

   Seungcheol slowly opened his eyes, greeted by the ceiling. He turns to his left only to find the clock, portraying 1:46 AM, but what caught his attention is the woman beside him which made him sigh.

  He sat up, sitting on the edge of the bed, facing the vast window where the curtains are partly closed. He gripped the edges of the bed as he hung his head low. He shut his eyes as he clenched his jaw in regret.

   You fucked up, Seungcheol. - he thought to himself.

   He is regretting it.

   He failed to keep his promise to Nari's father.

   And here he is now, regretting that he did something to the girl that he well-respected.

   "Oh you had one job, Choi Seungcheol. You had one fucking job," he muttered through a gritted teeth as he ran all his fingers to his hair which he pushed back.