"What did you say? You want me to spy on your driver? Seriously? What makes him so important to you?" Milan protested with an annoyed expression. The idea of trailing everything her lover's driver did was simply ridiculous.
She even flung off the blanket that had been covering her bare body after making love with Kody. With a snort of irritation, she rejected his request again. "Do you think my time is worthless?" she snapped while picking up the clothes scattered across the floor.
Meanwhile, Kody sat up in bed, leaning against the headboard. "If you don't want to do it, then find someone who will. I'll pay them, don't worry," he said calmly.
He looked much more relaxed. He even lit a cigarette while watching Milan get dressed. "Fine. Just find someone else, because you'll be accompanying me to Japan for a business trip. I remember you understand the local language there," he added, changing the topic.
"Then why should I find someone to report on what your thug-of-a-driver is doing? Give me one good reason, Kody!" Milan's irritation hadn't faded as she demanded an answer.
"That's all I can tell you right now. Please don't ask too many questions, Milan. I've got enough on my plate," Kody replied, his eyes following the smoke rising from the cigarette he had just exhaled.
"But if you can't handle it, I'll find someone myself. But in that case, you're not coming with me to Japan," he added, stubbing out his cigarette in the ashtray on the nightstand beside the bed.
"What do you mean?" Milan asked, confused.
"You know I don't like repeating myself, right?" Kody answered, his expression turning cold. Ignoring Milan's questioning gaze, he glanced at his phone screen for a moment, then got up and walked silently into the bathroom.
You're always like this when you don't get your way. But is it so hard to tell me the reason, Kody? What's so special about that man? I know this has something to do with that foolish woman. Why don't you just admit they're up to something? Milan thought bitterly to herself, her eyes still fixed on the bathroom door where Kody had disappeared.
Meanwhile, Outside the Hotel—Specifically in the Hotel Parking Lot
Jake had just turned off the car engine after perfectly parking it. He lowered his head, resting his forehead against the steering wheel.
"What just happened back there… oh, God…" he muttered to himself. "I almost turned back into the bastard I used to be. And with a woman who's done so much to help me. I'm such a jerk," he cursed at himself.
Even though he scolded himself, Jake's flushed face betrayed the truth—that a part of him had actually enjoyed the unexpected moment he shared with Mary. He tried to erase the memory, but for some reason, it proved difficult.
*
"Ma'am, stop!" Jake had shouted suddenly.
Mary froze for a second, but her mind clearly couldn't process the command properly. The married woman, who was also Jake's boss, whined again—but Jake didn't budge. He glanced at the blanket that had already been tossed aside and grabbed it.
Very carefully, not wanting to hurt her, Jake wrapped Mary in the thick blanket to minimize her movements. Even as she whimpered and cried, Jake remained firm. He knew what had happened shouldn't have happened.
"I'm sorry, Ma'am. But this is for the best. I can't destroy everything by giving in to your lack of awareness. As a normal man, I swear, Ma'am… I wouldn't be able to hold back if you kept tempting me like that. This is for both of us."
"I hope you'll be alright when you wake up later—and that you'll forget what just happened between us."
Jake voiced his refusal directly to Mary, whose eyes were still open. For a moment, he thought she was listening consciously, but once she stopped reacting and her teary eyes began to close, Jake assumed she had fallen back asleep—exhausted and calm again.
Once he was certain Mary was truly asleep, Jake left her apartment and headed to Oak Hotel to pick up Kody. Although there was still an hour before the scheduled pick-up, Jake felt it was best to put some distance between him and Mary—and to calm himself down.
*
Brrrt... Brrrt... The phone in his pocket vibrated. It was a call from Kody.
"Yes, Sir?" Jake answered quickly.
"Where are you? I'm heading out of the hotel soon."
"I'm already in the parking lot, Sir. I'll head to the lobby now." Jake replied, and the call ended with a simple "Okay" from Kody.
"Stay calm… Breathe and settle yourself, Jake. You can't afford to make mistakes in front of your boss." Jake coached himself aloud. He waited a few minutes, steadying his racing heart that still trembled from what happened with Mary—and it worked.
Once he felt composed, he started the engine and drove to the lobby to pick up Kody.
*
From the driver's seat, Jake didn't see the woman who had welcomed Kody earlier. Only Kody came into view, talking on the phone as he got into the car.
"Yes, Mom. I'll get it from the room. My driver will bring it to your house. I'll hang up now. Bye, Mama."
Jake figured Kody was talking to his mother, Mrs. Betty. But for some reason, Kody's face turned red again, recalling her behavior—and that somehow triggered memories of Mary's passionate expression.
"Hey, what are you doing? Why haven't we moved yet?" Kody's voice from the back seat jolted Jake out of his chaotic thoughts. He snapped to attention and quickly apologized while glancing behind.
"Are you sick? Why's your face as red as a boiled crab?" Kody asked suspiciously. He even noticed Jake avoiding his gaze. "Or were you watching something dirty before you picked me up? Seriously?"
"Let's go, Sir." Jake didn't respond to his boss's accusation. He simply spoke calmly and started driving. All the while, he fought to silence the whirlwind in his mind caused by Mary.
*
Night had fallen when Jake dropped Kody off at the entrance of his apartment building.
"Come upstairs with me," Kody said, glancing at Jake. "You need to carry my mom's stuff first. After that, you're done for the day. Just take the car so you can get back home quicker and return on time tomorrow," he added while heading toward the elevator.
Jake gave a short reply and followed—his footsteps bringing him back to the same apartment he had just left not long ago. His body stiffened as he watched Kody punch in the door code. The image of Mary still asleep under a blanket—and the smell of alcohol—haunted him.
But all his worries vanished when a lovely, refreshed-looking Mary appeared before them. She looked far better than before.
'Thank God you're okay. And maybe… you've already forgotten the kiss that happened between us,' Jake thought with silent relief.