“Oh, Iris. You’re here.”
“Yes. Is it already okay to do the photo shoot?”
“Yeah. The movie’s been postponed indefinitely because we need to find a new lead, but there’s no issue with the photo shoot. Laika regained stability quickly.”
He didn’t regain stability—he was fine from the start.
Iris scoffed internally.
He probably couldn’t stand lying idle in a hospital bed with nothing wrong.
That, and Iris had told him she didn’t want to stay in the hospital room with him.
“I heard he’d be recuperating at the hospital for a while, but I guess not.”
“Laika’s surprisingly work-driven. And thanks to… or maybe because of that incident, his image has improved a lot. We’ve gotten a bunch of offers. You’ve got to row while the tide’s in, right?”
After a short chat with the manager, Iris headed to the second floor where the photo shoot was taking place.
Even before she opened the door, she heard the camera shutters clicking and the photographer giving directions.
Opening the door cautiously so as not to disturb the shoot, she saw Laika striking a serious pose in front of the camera.
‘He’s kind of cool… At times like this, he’s a total celebrity. Who’d ever imagine that bastard’s a villain?’
While helping out with odd jobs, Iris kept stealing glances at Laika.
He was apparently being shot in multiple concepts, because his outfit kept changing.
He was already gorgeous without makeup, but with it, he was dazzling.
In a basketball uniform with a headband pulling his bangs back, he looked young and fresh.
In a black suit with pomade hair, he looked like a sharp, successful entrepreneur.
And in a white shirt and slacks, soaked with water, he looked dangerously alluring.
‘He’s really sexy. Maybe it’s because I’ve seen his more provocative side, but… it makes it worse.’
The photographer was thrilled, praising Laika non-stop.
From what Iris overheard, Laika was nailing every pose and expression like a pro model.
Thanks to his skillful performance, the shoot ended smoothly.
After changing, Laika crooked his index finger at Iris, beckoning her over.
‘That rude jerk. Just because you’re older, doesn’t mean you can go around flicking your finger at staff in front of everyone…’
Though she grumbled internally, her heart began pounding faster.
That hot moment in the hospital replayed in her mind like a panorama.
Trying her best to maintain a calm expression, Iris walked over.
Laika ordered her in a cocky tone.
“Put these clothes in my car.”
“Got it… but I don’t know what your car looks like.”
While collecting the clothes from the hanger, Iris asked.
Laika jutted out his chin and stretched out an arm arrogantly.
A fancy foreign car key dangled from his fingers.
“The most expensive car in the lot. The one that screams high-end. That’s mine.”
“I see.”
That cocky bastard… Everyone knows Laika is rich, but acting this smug is still irritating.
Taking the key, Iris replied indifferently and began gathering the clothes.
Meanwhile, Laika was having his makeup removed and added,
“And don’t leave. Just stay in the car and sort the clothes.”
“Huh? Y-yes…”
Nodding, Iris practically flew out with the clothes in hand.
Her face turned bright red, like a ripe apple, as she headed to the parking lot.
Adjusting her glasses, she rubbed her flushed cheeks.
‘No way… Or maybe… Ugh, doing it in a car is kind of… I’d rather do it at home.’
Maybe it’s okay if we don’t go all the way.
She really wanted to visit Laika’s house, so even if she was tempted to go along with car action, she’d need to keep a cool head.
Just in case, she had brought condoms… Iris touched the package in her pocket and barely suppressed a grin.
Her lips twitched as she tried to stifle the laughter bubbling up.
When Iris arrived at the parking lot, she instantly recognized Laika’s car.
It was one of those insanely expensive foreign cars supposedly favored by chaebol heirs.
Afraid of scratching it, she carefully got inside and marveled at the luxurious interior.
“You waited patiently. Glasses girl.”
Not long after tossing the clothes in the backseat and settling in, Laika entered the driver’s side.
Even without makeup, his striking features still stood out.
Fully aware of his own good looks, Laika smiled brightly at Iris while meeting her eyes.
Then, without a word, he leaned toward her.
“Uh…”
“Need to put on your seatbelt.”
His firm arm pressed against Iris’s chest.
While fastening the belt, Laika kept his arm there and gave a mischievous smile.
Judging from his expression, it was definitely intentional.
As Laika started the car, Iris blushed slightly but said nothing, fiddling with her fingers.
Being alone together in this enclosed space made even that light touch send her heart racing.
‘Jeez, I shouldn’t be fluttering over a damn villain.’
Contrary to Iris’s suspicion that something would happen in the parking lot, Laika drove off somewhere.
Inside the silent car, they passed by street fights, crossed roads, and even saw a bearded man chasing a bag-snatching thief.
Iris, watching it all with a serious expression, finally spoke.
“Where are we going?”
“A public parking lot’s kind of risky. Plus, that area’s a hot spot, and even with tinted windows, it’s not ideal. There are a lot of reporters digging into my private life… though—never mind.”
Laika had been about to say that any reporters caught snooping were half-killed, but held back.
He didn’t want to show Iris his brutal side.
In the days he hadn’t seen Iris, he’d grown increasingly restless, to the point he changed his original plan to recover long-term in the hospital.
Leaving things halfway only made him crave more.
If his father hadn’t visited the hospital, he could’ve gone all the way with Iris.
“This job, you handle it.”
“Yes, Father.”
Laika recalled the conversation he had with Kaiser after Iris left.
Kaiser hadn’t visited out of concern for his son.
With his son being a high-level villain, there was no need to worry.
Instead, he’d given Laika a task.
In a few days, they’d ambush a potion transport truck and steal the goods.
Originally, this wasn’t supposed to be Laika’s job, but the other villains under Kaiser were all busy, so it fell to him.
Given his high ability, it made sense.
After being discharged, Laika ordered his manager to fill up his schedule.
He didn’t want to arouse suspicion as the perpetrator of that upcoming incident.
‘Used my skill to throw off the broadcasting station’s suspicion, but… the longer the tail, the easier it is to catch. Phew, having two jobs is rough.’
Meanwhile, Laika’s blunt confession that they were driving somewhere to make moves made Iris’s expression twitch.
She found it funny, but her heart was racing, so she struggled to keep a straight face.
“How far are you planning to go…”
“Hmm. How far… How far do you want me to go?”
“I don’t know.”
“You say that, but you do.”
Laika poked her cheek with a finger, then turned on the music.
With cheerful pop music playing, they soon arrived at Rugang Park.
It was a popular date spot, like Hangang Park, where couples went for romantic meetups.
After parking, Laika unwrapped a fruit candy and popped it into Iris’s mouth.
As she rolled the candy in her mouth, a large hand landed on her thigh.
Then Laika leaned toward her.
That was the clear signal—the start of blatant flirting.
“I want candy too.”
“There’s… some over there.”
Pretending not to notice, Iris pointed to the candy bag in the cup holder.
Laika gave a dry chuckle at that.
Grabbing her outstretched hand, he leaned in closer.
“No. I want the one in your mouth.”
“Mm…”
“Ha.”
Their lips met seamlessly.
As Iris cautiously opened her mouth, a hot tongue slid inside.
It explored her teeth and the soft flesh inside her mouth like it was searching—for the sweet candy tucked away in the corner.