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Hey everyone! I'll be heading back home next week. I tried writing a chapter on my phone since I haven't posted in a few days, so I hope you all enjoy it!😸
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The morning after Thanksgiving, the Choi estate was quiet.
Crystal sat in the lounge garden, porcelain cup at her side, her phone balanced between manicured fingers. Yui and Zoe had already been sent home by her driver — polite farewells, nothing more.
Seong Min crossed the path toward her. His calm was the same as always, but something about him made her eyes linger.
Her gaze narrowed. "Why do your clothes look… off? Too broad at the shoulders."
He stopped, a faint arch in his brow.
Crystal tilted her head, her lips curving faintly. "Don't tell me… you're wearing Gun's old clothes."
The silence stretched.
"…What?" he said, almost in disbelief.
Her smirk sharpened. "Wait, I was right?"
He stared at her, for once caught off guard. She blinked, almost as surprised as he was. "I was only joking. You mean—seriously?"
He exhaled through his nose, the closest thing to a laugh. "…Yeah."
Crystal shook her head, pressing a hand to her forehead. "Gun's brother, wearing hand-me-downs. Absurd."
Her tone was mocking, but softer than usual. Almost caring.
Seong Min didn't answer. Instead, as her attention shifted back to her phone, he whispered low — words only he could hear."Twenty years old. Two part-time jobs. Just enough to scrape rent. No room for new clothes…"
When she looked up again, he was already standing straighter, mask in place.
Crystal tapped her phone. "We're going shopping. I'll have the driver bring the car—"
"No," he cut her off. "I'll handle the ride."
Her brows rose. "You?"
"Yeah." His eyes glinted. "Time to spend the money I didn't have before."
He made a short call. Minutes later, engines rumbled at the gates. A black sedan pulled up, trailed by gleaming bikes. His crew.
The men stepped off in unison and bowed. "Boss."
Seong Min's gaze swept over them. "Show her the same respect you show me."
Without hesitation, they turned and bowed to Crystal. "Ma'am."
Her lips parted slightly, surprise flashing before her mask slid back into place. She stood, heels clicking, and approached him. "This is your crew?"
"The one you've been curious about." His smirk was faint.
She ignored it, sliding smoothly into the passenger seat. He followed behind the wheel, fingers drumming once on the leather before he turned the key.
"Where to?" he asked.
"Cheongdam. Luxury mall."
The engine purred. They were off.
The mall rose like a palace of glass and marble. Inside, chandeliers glimmered overhead, gold trim reflecting in polished floors.
They walked together — not touching, but close enough that every passing glance noticed.
A staffer approached instantly. "Good afternoon, Miss Choi. Sir, do you need any—" Her voice faltered when her eyes fell on Seong Min, lingering.
Before she could finish, Crystal's hand curled around his and tugged him forward. "We've got it."
Seong Min caught her profile — the faint tension in her jaw. He said nothing, but the hint of a smile touched his lips.
In the men's section, Crystal moved decisively, pulling shirts and jackets, thrusting them into his arms.
"Try these."
He sighed, slipping into the fitting room. When he stepped out, her eyes betrayed her. The cut fit perfectly — but it wasn't just the clothes. His presence sharpened them, carrying weight beyond fabric.
"How did you even dress yourself until now?" she asked, half incredulous.
"Gun's old stuff," he replied simply.
Her lips twitched, and a small laugh escaped before she could stop it. "Absurd."
He shrugged. "Worked."
Once his outfits were settled, he turned the tables. "Your turn."
She blinked. "Excuse me?"
From a nearby rack, he pulled a scarlet one-piece dress. Sleek. Form-fitting. Bold. He held it out to her.
Her cheeks warmed, though her voice stayed sharp. "That's not for you to decide."
"Not an order," he said evenly. "A request."
Something in his gaze pinned her. Against her better judgment, she snatched it from him and disappeared into the fitting room.
When the door opened again, silence followed.
Crystal stepped out, the red clinging to her like it had been made for her alone. Regal, yet exposed. Her chin was high, but her ears burned red.
Seong Min's eyes swept slowly down, then back up. "Perfect."
Her lips parted. "You… think so?"
He stepped close, hand sliding to her waist, fingertips pressing against silk.
"Too perfect," he murmured.
Her breath caught. "Why—why would you care?"
His thumb traced her side. "Because I don't want anyone else looking at you like this. Not in this dress. Not ever."
Her pulse stumbled. She should have scoffed. Instead, she froze.
Footsteps echoed nearby. Voices.
Seong Min's hand closed around her wrist. He guided her back into the fitting room, shutting the door behind them.
Crystal's eyes widened. "What are you—"
He was close. Close enough that his breath brushed her skin.
"You belong to me," he said low, voice velvet and steel. "Say it."
Her lips trembled. No words came.
Instead of waiting, he slid the strap from her shoulder, baring pale skin. His mouth pressed hot against her collarbone, then teeth sank in.
Her gasp broke into a moan, raw, unguarded. Her knees weakened; she clung to his sleeve, not to push him away — but to hold herself up.
He kissed the mark, lips trailing up her neck, before biting again at her shoulder. Another moan escaped, helpless.
"You see?" he whispered, thumb brushing her lips. "Even your body admits it."
Her mask was shattered. She didn't move his hand away.
"Don't ever wear this outside without me," he said firmly.
Her voice shook. "…And if I did?"
His violet eyes burned into hers. "Then I'll take the eyes of every man who dared look."
Her breath hitched.
"Promise me."
She swallowed, voice breaking. "…I promise."
He pressed a kiss to her forehead, thumb grazing her lips. "Soon, these too."
She didn't argue.
When they left the store, Crystal carried only a single bag — the scarlet dress. The rest, Seong Min held.
To the onlookers, it was striking: the untouchable Crystal Choi walking beside a man who looked as though he owned the ground she walked on.
Passersby whispered. Eyes lingered.
Seong Min's arm slid around her waist, pulling her against him. He didn't hide it. Didn't care.
Crystal stiffened for a heartbeat, then let him. She walked with him, hand brushing his, almost like a wife's. Her chin was high — but inside, her heart was racing.
The car hummed through Seoul,
Crystal sat angled toward the window, posture perfect, the single bag resting neatly in her lap. Beside her, Seong Min leaned back, one arm stretched across the seat, relaxed but commanding, the steering wheel under his fingers like an afterthought.
For long minutes, only the hum of the car and the city lights filled the silence.
Finally, Crystal spoke, her voice softer than usual but carrying a tremor."Do I even matter to you?" she asked quietly. "With Yui… with Zoe…"
He glanced at her, violet eyes catching hers in the reflection of the glass."You're the one who sent Yui to test me," he said, calm, almost gentle. "But I don't leave leftovers for others. When a girl's mine, she stays mine."
Her heart stumbled. She turned quickly back to the window, but heat crept up her neck. For the first time, her mask didn't feel like enough.
"Stop the car," she whispered suddenly.
He raised a brow but obeyed, pulling to the curb. The engine softened into a low purr.
Crystal unclipped her seat belt. Before he could speak, she moved—sliding across the console and climbing onto his lap, straddling him. Her skirt rode up, her hair fell across his face, and her perfume filled the small space.
"…Kiss me," she breathed, voice breaking into something shy yet desperate.
He smirked faintly, hands gripping her waist as if he'd always owned it. "As you wish."
Their lips collided.Mmh— The sound of her muffled moan filled the car, wet and heated. She kissed him harder this time, her body pressing against him, her fingers curling into his shirt as if she were afraid he might disappear.
His hands tightened: one on the back of her neck, guiding the kiss, the other sliding down to her ass, squeezing firmly through the fabric. She gasped against his lips, arching into his touch.
"Ah—Seong Min…" she whimpered, voice unsteady.
He kissed her deeper, tongue brushing hers, claiming her mouth fully until her breath broke in ragged whimpers. When he finally pulled back, her lips were swollen, her chest heaving.
But his hand didn't stop. It slid lower, slow and deliberate—trailing along her thigh, slipping just beneath of her skirt.
Crystal stiffened, breath catching. "W-wait…" she gasped, her hands trembling as they pushed gently at his wrist. "Not here… not in the car."
He smirked against her neck, unbothered, his fingers still tracing along the edge of forbidden territory. "Relax," he whispered, his tone both teasing and commanding. "I'm only reminding you how much I'm holding back."
Her cheeks flamed. She swallowed hard, slowly pushing his hand back down, but she didn't leave his lap. Didn't pull away from his mouth.
"…You're cruel," she whispered, breathless.
He chuckled low, lips grazing her jaw. "Cruel would be not stopping." His violet eyes gleamed, his voice dropping to a dangerous murmur. "Next time, I won't."
Her chest heaved, heat flooding her body at the promise. She hated how much she wanted it, how weak she felt, but she couldn't deny it. Not anymore.
"I'm not ready…" she admitted, eyes lowering, the words trembling but real.
His lips brushed hers again, softer this time, almost tender. "Then I'll wait," he said, dominating even in patience. "But don't ever forget—you're already mine."
Her pride screamed at her to resist. But she couldn't. She leaned forward and kissed him first. Deep. Hungry. Unmasked.
When she broke away, her voice trembled. "…Kiss me again."
He obeyed. Harder this time. Claiming. His hands gripped her body as if to brand her, dragging another helpless moan from her throat.
When he finally pulled back, his voice was a growl in her ear. "Get back in your seat. Before I lose control and take you right here."
Her face burned. Flustered and breathless, she scrambled back into her seat, fumbling with the belt, her entire body trembling.
He smirked faintly as he restarted the engine. "Good girl."
Crystal pressed a hand to her lips, her mask shattered, her heart racing out of control. She had surrendered—utterly.
then as the The car rolled to a smooth stop outside the estate. The iron gates loomed tall, glowing faintly under the garden lights.
The car slowed to a stop before the estate, the iron gates glinting under the pale night lamps.
Crystal unbuckled her seatbelt, hands lingering for a moment longer than necessary. She turned to him, lips parted, her gaze softer than it had ever been.
"You're not… staying?" she asked, her tone quiet, carrying both hope and hesitation.
Seong Min's violet eyes lingered on her, sharp yet unreadable. A faint smirk tugged at his lips. "If I stay, Crystal… I won't hold back. Not tonight."
Her chest tightened, heat flashing through her. She swallowed hard, then nodded once, the tiniest smile touching her lips. "Then go. For now." She opened the door, stepping out into the cool night air. The sound of her heels echoed faintly against the stone.
She paused at the gate, turning just enough to meet his gaze through the window. "Tomorrow, then," she said, voice low but certain. "I'll see you tomorrow."
The door closed behind her, leaving him alone in the car. For a moment, he leaned back in the driver's seat, eyes following her silhouette until it disappeared into the estate. His hand flexed once on the wheel, tension rippling through him.
"She thinks tonight was restraint," he murmured, almost to himself. " she'll learn what happens when I stop holding back."
His knuckles whitened against the steering wheel, a vein pulsing at his temple. He exhaled slowly, forcing the tension down, then shifted the car into gear.
Inside the estate, Crystal walked slowly. Her pulse still thundered where his lips had been, where his hand had claimed her. She pressed her fingers lightly to her collarbone, to the ghost of his bite.
If this was restraint… what will become of me when he no longer holds back?
The thought terrified her. But more than that—it thrilled her.
✨ End of Chapter 82 ✨