Lost in translation

Chapter 17: Shadows of Exposure

As Evelyn left the pharmacy, her phone rang. It was Min-jun.

“Hey, what are you up to?” Min-jun asked.

“I’m just coming from the doctor. I went to get some morning-after pills,” Evelyn replied.

Min-jun brushed it off. “Are you heading to my penthouse or your apartment?”

“I can’t make it to your place,” Evelyn said, sounding a bit stressed. “I have a lot going on at school. The learners just finished their exams, and now I have to mark their papers.”

“I don’t see a problem with you marking your papers at my place,” Min-jun suggested. “Where are you now?”

Evelyn told him her location, and Min-jun quickly responded, “Wait for me there.”

While waiting for Min-jun, Evelyn entered a nearby café and ordered two burritos and drinks. As she waited for her order, she received a text from Min-jun: “You look so beautiful.”

Evelyn smiled and looked outside, calling Min-jun to check if he had arrived. “Where are you?” she asked when he answered.

“I’m in the parking lot, opposite the café you’re in,” Min-jun replied.

Evelyn picked up her order and headed to the parking lot. She spotted Min-jun’s car and got in.

“Why do you keep saying I’m beautiful?” she asked, a playful tone in her voice.

Min-jun ignored her question and kissed her forehead. “Let’s go,” he said, starting the car.

As Min-jun drove, Evelyn settled into the passenger seat, feeling a mix of excitement and contentment. They chatted about their day, with Min-jun occasionally glancing over at her with a smile.

“How was your day at work?” Evelyn asked, taking a sip of her drink.

“It was hectic,” Min-jun admitted. “But seeing you makes it all worth it.”

Evelyn blushed slightly. “You’re always so sweet.”

They arrived at Min-jun’s penthouse, and he helped Evelyn carry her things inside. She set up her papers on the dining table, ready to start marking.

“Are you sure you don’t mind me working here?” Evelyn asked, looking up at him.

“Of course not,” Min-jun said, leaning down to kiss her cheek. “I just want to be near you.”

Evelyn smiled and got to work, while Min-jun busied himself with some tasks of his own. Every now and then, he would bring her a cup of tea or a snack, making sure she was comfortable.

As the evening wore on, Evelyn finished marking the last of the papers. She stretched and looked over at Min-jun, who was sitting on the couch, reading a book.

“All done?” he asked, looking up.

“Yes, finally,” Evelyn said with a sigh of relief.

Min-jun stood up and walked over to her. “You worked hard. How about we relax for a bit?”

Evelyn nodded, feeling tired but happy. They moved to the couch, where Min-jun wrapped his arm around her, pulling her close.

“Thank you for letting me work here,” Evelyn said softly.

“Anytime,” Min-jun replied, kissing the top of her head. “I love having you here.”

They spent the rest of the evening talking and enjoying each other’s company. As the night grew late, Evelyn felt herself getting sleepy.

“I should probably head home,” she said reluctantly.

“Stay,” Min-jun suggested. “You can leave early in the morning.”

Evelyn hesitated for a moment, then nodded. “Okay.”

They went to bed, and as they lay there, Min-jun held her close. “Goodnight, beautiful,” he whispered.

“Goodnight,” Evelyn replied, feeling safe and loved in his arms.

The next morning, Evelyn silently woke up from bed and slightly opened the door to head to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. As she tiptoed out, she heard Min-jun’s sleepy voice.

“Where are you heading to?” he asked, his eyes barely open.

Evelyn turned and smiled. “Did I wake you up?”

“No,” Min-jun replied, stretching. “I just missed you.”

Evelyn chuckled. “Join me in the kitchen to prepare breakfast.”

They headed to the kitchen together, working side by side to make a simple yet delicious breakfast. They laughed and chatted, enjoying each other’s company. Once the food was ready, they sat down to eat.

After breakfast, Evelyn rushed back to the room to have a shower and get ready for work. Min-jun followed her, leaning against the doorframe.

“I’ll give you a ride to work,” he offered.

Evelyn smiled. “Go have a shower in the other room while I’m in the bathroom.”

Min-jun grinned mischievously and walked into the bathroom, joining Evelyn in the shower. Evelyn laughed, shaking her head. “You aren’t serious, are you?”

Min-jun turned her around gently and began scrubbing her back. “I am very serious,” he said with a playful smile.

Evelyn felt shy about sharing the shower with Min-jun, but his tender touch and the warmth of the moment made her relax. They shared a few more laughs and tender moments before finishing their shower.

Once they were both ready, Min-jun drove Evelyn to work. As they pulled up to the school, he leaned over and kissed her cheek. “Have a great day, beautiful.”

“You too,” Evelyn replied, feeling a sense of warmth and happiness as she got out of the car.

Evelyn arrived at school and began invigilating her learners while marking some papers. As time went by, she received a text from an unknown number. Curious, she opened the message and gasped. It was a picture of her and Min-jun taken the previous day, with a chilling caption: “Give me 80 million won or else the whole world will know about your little secret affair with Park Min-jun. So be a good mistress and do as I say, or your secret will be revealed. You have 10 hours.”

Evelyn’s mind raced. Why would someone blackmail her using her boyfriend? She quickly forwarded the text to Min-jun, who called her immediately.

“Evelyn, what’s going on?” Min-jun’s voice was tense.

“I just got this message,” Evelyn said, stepping out of the classroom to answer his call. “Someone is blackmailing me, demanding 80 million won.”

“Cooperate with them,” Min-jun instructed. “I’ll arrange for the money.”

“Why do you want to give away 80 million to someone we don’t know? And why are they blackmailing me using you?” Evelyn asked, her voice filled with confusion and frustration.

“I can’t explain things over the phone,” Min-jun said urgently. “Just do as they say for now.”

Time passed, and Evelyn grew increasingly restless, thinking about Min-jun’s attitude towards the situation. She then received a call from the unknown number.

“You’ll get the location in an hour,” the person said.

“Wait,” Evelyn interrupted. “Why did you call me a mistress?”

The person laughed. “Do you think you aren’t a mistress? Min-jun is in the city because of a deal he has to sign, not because he loves you. Once the pictures are released on the internet, it’s going to affect Min-jun’s business and wedding.”

Evelyn’s heart sank. “What wedding are you talking about?”

The person laughed again and hung up. Evelyn’s thoughts were a whirlwind of confusion and betrayal. What wedding? Whose wedding?

After school, Evelyn rushed home and began researching Min-jun. Her heart broke as she discovered that Min-jun was engaged to Ms. Joen, her former manager at Lumina Beauty Co. Tears welled up in her eyes as she asked herself how this could happen.

Just then, Min-jun texted her, saying he had arranged for the money. Evelyn invited him to her apartment. When Min-jun arrived, he was holding a bag that presumably contained the money. He sat down and looked at Evelyn.

“Did the person say anything else to you?” Min-jun asked.

Evelyn’s eyes were filled with hurt and confusion. “Who are you, Min-jun? Why are you giving the blackmailer the money? Is it because you don’t want people to know about us, despite being engaged to Ms. Joen?”

Min-jun stared at Evelyn in a defeated manner, unable to find the words to explain.