Lost in translation

Chapter 9: Moonlit Moments

Evelyn’s apartment was a sanctuary of quiet. The air hung heavy with unspoken words, and the tension between her and Min-jun was palpable. They sat side by side on the plush couch, their breaths synchronized yet worlds apart.

Evelyn broke the silence, her voice trembling. “Min-jun, I need to apologize again.” Her suspension from work had weighed heavily on her, but there was more—a secret she couldn’t keep hidden any longer.

Min-jun turned to her, his eyes searching hers. “What is it, Evelyn?”

She hesitated, then leaned in, capturing his lips in a gentle kiss. It was a confession—an admission of feelings she hadn’t dared acknowledge until now. Min-jun responded, his lips brushing against hers, and the room seemed to exhale.

But Evelyn pulled away abruptly, her heart racing. “I don’t know what I can offer you,” she confessed. “I’m a mess.”

Min-jun’s smile was tender. “How about a glass of soju?” he suggested, reaching for the bottle on the coffee table. “We’ll figure the rest out later.”

As they sipped the Korean liquor, the atmosphere shifted. Evelyn’s curiosity got the better of her. “Min-jun,” she began, “aren’t you badly burnt?”

He raised an eyebrow. “Would you like to check?”

Evelyn blushed, playing along. “Maybe I should.”

Min-jun positioned himself, leaning back against the couch, and placed his hand behind his head. Evelyn unbuckled his belt, her fingers trembling. But he caught her hands, his gaze intense. “Are you sure?” he asked.

“Yes,” she whispered.

He chuckled. “Just so you know, the coffee wasn’t that hot.”

Relieved, Evelyn sat back, her stomach growling. Min-jun offered to cook, and soon the kitchen was filled with the aroma of Korean spices. He lifted her onto the kitchen counter, and she watched him work—the way he moved with grace, the way his eyes crinkled when he smiled.

After dinner, Min-jun discreetly dismissed his driver, Tae, via text. The two of them settled on the couch, wrapped in a fleece blanket, watching a movie. Evelyn lay on her side, her head resting on Min-jun’s lap, feeling the warmth of his presence.

As the credits rolled, Min-jun glanced at the clock. “It’s late,” he said. “Let me walk you to your car,” Evelyn said.

But when they reached the street, Min-jun’s car was nowhere in sight. Evelyn’s heart skipped a beat. “Where’s your car?”

Evelyn stood outside, the security guards, burly and unyielding, were her only hope. She approached them, her voice trembling.

“Excuse me,” she said, “did you see what happened to the car that was parked here?”

The older guard scratched his head. “Yeah, the guy who drove it left a while ago. Said he had urgent business.”

Evelyn’s disappointment was masked by a smile. She’d get to spend more time with Min-Jun, after all. “Thank you,” she replied, her voice barely audible.

As they walked away, Min-Jun caught up with her. “Maybe we should call Tae,” he suggested, concern etching his features.

Evelyn shook her head. “Tae might be tired or busy. Let’s not bother him.” She hesitated, then added, “Why don’t you stay at my apartment tonight?”

Min-Jun’s eyes widened. “Are you sure?”

She nodded, her heart fluttering. “Absolutely.”

Back at her cozy apartment, Min-Jun took a quick shower. When he stepped out, he found the clothes he’d lent Evelyn strewn across the bed. He chuckled, slipping into his borrowed sleepwear, feeling oddly at home.

Evelyn, finished with her shower, emerges from her bedroom in a seductive nightdress. Min-Jun is taken aback but plays it cool, asking if she's trying to seduce him. Evelyn, flustered, denies it profusely.

With only a small two-seater couch, Min-Jun points out that it's not ideal for sleeping. Evelyn, feeling shy, suggests they share her bed, and Min-Jun agrees. They get ready for bed, and as they settle in, Min-Jun pulls Evelyn close, cuddling her from behind. Evelyn's heart races and her imagination runs wild. She begins to hallucinate, kissing Min-Jun passionately in her mind, taking things further as he undresses her.

Evelyn's fantasy intensifies as she imagines Min-Jun taking off her thongs and pleasing her intimately. However, her daydream shatters as she suddenly wakes up, realizing it was all in her head. To her embarrassment, she discovers that she's on her period, adding to her discomfort. She worries about how Min-Jun will react and feels self-conscious about the situation.

Evelyn tiptoed to the bathroom, her heart racing. The soft glow of the moon filtered through the window, casting shadows on the tiles. She rummaged through the cabinet, panic rising. No sanitary pads. Not a single one.

Back in the bedroom, she grabbed her phone and dialed Min-Jun’s number. He answered, his voice thick with sleep. “Hello?”

“Min-Jun,” Evelyn whispered urgently, “I need your help. It’s an emergency.”

“What’s wrong?” Min-Jun’s concern cut through the drowsiness.

“I forgot to buy sanitary pads,” she confessed. “Can you get some for me?”

Min-Jun hesitated. “At this hour?”

“Yes,” Evelyn insisted. “Please.”

He sighed, then got up, dressing quickly. Minutes later, he returned, a bag full of different brands of sanitary pads in hand. Evelyn opened the bathroom door, surprised by his thoroughness.

“I didn’t know which one you prefer,” Min-Jun explained, rubbing his eyes.

Evelyn blushed. “Thank you,” she murmured. “You’re a lifesaver.”

After her shower, she found Min-Jun asleep on the couch. Guilt tugged at her. She changed the bed sheets quietly, then gently woke him. “I’m sorry for disturbing your sleep,” she whispered.

He grinned, eyes still half-closed. “You owe me a kiss for the trouble.”

Evelyn leaned in, their lips meeting in the moonlit room. Apologies forgotten, they settled into bed, facing each other, hearts entwined.