snippets of VCY

sublime

"Byeonhosa-"

"Jagiya."

Vincenzo's eyes snap open as he sits up on the sofa, clearing his throat.

"Have you reached home?"

He pulls the phone away to check the caller ID and swallows hard. It's her.

"Are you drinking?"

"I'm in a taxi, on my way home..."

Silence.

"Is there someone-?"

"Yes."

"I see..."

"Ohhh! What did you buy for me? I told you not to!"

He swallows again, reaching for the glass of wine on the table.

A notification flashes on his phone, and he taps it open.

Taxi driver seems creepy. I think it's Jang Babo's doing.

He gulps down the wine, just as her voice rings out.

"That's so pretty!" He decides it's best to let her steer the conversation.

"Jagiya," she whines.

He has to admit, she's a fantastic actress.

"I'm hungry," she adds.

Believing she might genuinely be hungry, he asks gently, "Shall I make you something?" She hums in response. "Carbonara pasta."

He takes another sip from his glass.

"Anything else?" he inquires, hoping to prolong the conversation.

"Do you have makgeolli?"

He heads to the kitchen and checks the fridge. "Will five bottles suffice?"

"Yes, of course!"

He smiles, knowing it's inevitable. "Have you started cooking?"

"I'm in the kitchen," he replies, as he begins gathering the condiments and ingredients for the pasta.

She stays on the call until he's halfway through making the sauce, then ends it with, "I'm almost home now."

Yet, her absence stretches on, leaving him both worried and puzzled. Puzzled because he suspects she might have called for security and distraction, reached her home, and decided not to come over. Worried about the potential danger posed by the taxi driver.

He turns off the flame and mixes the strained pasta into the sauce. Just as he's about to call her again, his apartment door bursts open with squeals. She rushes in, changes her shoes, and closes the door behind her.

"Omoo, my mafia chef! What have you made?" she sings, moving past him to inspect the pasta.

"Why haven't you dished it out yet? I'm starving!" she exclaims, clutching her stomach dramatically.

A smile spreads across his face, and he nods, complying with her request.

They sit at the low table, eating in a silence punctuated by Cha Young's compliments, remarks, and sounds of delight.

A bottle of wine and then the 5 bottles of makgeolli are savored in silence but Vincenzo's mind is swirling with thoughts.

"Are you alright?" He asks, pouring the wine for her.

She looks up, brows furrowed.

"Yes. Why do you ask?"

He clears his throat, handing the bottle to her to pour it in his bowl.

"Earlier, the driver.."

She places the bottle back.

"Were you startled?" He looks up at her and their gazes meet.

He looks away.

"No, I was just worried, you texted the driver seemed suspicious."

She nods, sipping the wine from her bowl nonchalantly.

"Typical man, he was staring at me like a lunatic, so I called you to give him a hint." she explains, her voice dripping with disgust, yet full of her usual vigor.

He nods, seemingly understanding, but his thoughts snag on her last words.

"Hint?" He blurts out.

Oh no.

Her gaze becomes intense, and a smile curls on her lips. "Let him know that I'm taken," she whispers, her voice dripping with allure.

Vincenzo feels a shiver run down his spine. He tries to maintain his composure, but the air between them is thick with undeniable tension.

"Taken?" he echoes, his voice barely steady.

She leans closer, her breath warm against his skin. "Yes, taken," she murmurs, her eyes locking onto his. "By you."

His heart pounds in his chest, and he swallows hard. "Cha Young..."

She places a finger on his lips, silencing him. "Shh," she whispers, her touch sending sparks through him. "You worry too much."

He can feel the heat radiating from her, and it's intoxicating. "I can't help it," he admits, his voice husky.

She smiles, her eyes dark with desire. "Then let me help you forget," she says, her lips brushing against his.

The world around them fades away as they close the distance, their breaths mingling. The tension that had been simmering between them finally ignites, and they lose themselves in the moment, the rest of the world forgotten.