It was a rainy night. The sky outside was dark and heavy, with water running down the windows of the airplane. Inside first class, it was quiet and calm. Most of the passengers were asleep or lost in their thoughts.
Kang Na-ri sat by the window, wearing a simple blue suit. Her long black hair was tied back neatly. She looked tired, but there was a soft smile on her lips. Sitting beside her was her secretary, Kim Min-ji, dressed in a black suit. She was scrolling through her phone while sipping on some coffee.
A voice suddenly came through the speaker.
"Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. We'll be landing at Incheon International Airport in five minutes. The time is currently 7:13 PM, and the temperature in Seoul is 14 degrees Celsius. Please prepare for landing."
Na-ri straightened up and looked out the window. The bright lights of the city were getting closer. She let out a soft sigh and turned to Min-ji.
"I'm finally home," she whispered, a small smile on her face.
Once the plane landed and they got their luggage, both women walked toward the exit of the airport. The rain outside hadn't stopped. It kept falling harder, hitting the glass roof above them.
Just as they were walking out, Na-ri's phone rang. She picked it up and smiled when she saw the name on the screen.
"Hi, honey," she said softly.
It was her husband, Lee Tae-joon. He had just gotten home from work and was taking off his shoes in the hallway.
"Hey, baby. How was China? Everything done with the new branch?"
"It went really well," Na-ri said, glancing at Min-ji who was watching her with curiosity. "But I missed you."
"Aww," he said with a chuckle. "So, you coming tomorrow just as you promised?"
"Yes," she lied. "Early morning."
She paused and looked down at her suitcase.
"Oh… happy birthday, honey. I'm sorry I can't be there tonight. But I'll make it up to you, I promise."
"It's okay," he replied. "Just hearing your voice makes me happy."
They said their goodbyes, whispered a few "I love yous," and ended the call.
Na-ri's ride arrived right then. A black car with dark-tinted windows pulled up in front of them. She and Min-ji got in, settling into the back seat as the driver took off slowly through the rainy traffic.
Min-ji glanced at her.
"You didn't tell him you were already in Korea?"
Na-ri smiled gently. "Yes. I want it to be a surprise."
Back at Tae-joon's house, the bell rang.
He walked over and opened the door. Standing there was a woman in a tight pink dress, holding a bottle of champagne and a white box of cake. Her lipstick matched her dress, and her black hair was curled beautifully.
She smiled.
"So, birthday boy," she said.
Tae-joon grinned and took the champagne and cake from her hands. He walked to the living room and placed them on the center table.
Before he could say anything, the woman flung her handbag aside, kicked off her heels, and jumped into his arms.
"Happy birthday, babe," she said, giggling as she kissed him hard.
Their lips crashed. He groaned and pulled her closer, grabbing her waist as he kissed her back. She wrapped her arms around his neck, moaning softly.
He pushed her against the wall, kissing her deeper, his hands exploring her body. She bit her lip and unbuttoned his shirt quickly. He kissed her neck, sucking on her skin as she let out a soft cry.
"Take it off," she whispered, tugging at her zipper.
He pulled it down slowly. Her pink dress fell to the floor, revealing her pink lacy lingerie underneath. She quickly took them off. She stood before naked him, her chest rising and falling as his eyes roamed her body.
"You look so hot," he said, voice low and hungry.
He picked her up and carried her to the bedroom, slamming the door behind them. The room was dim. He dropped her on the bed, then removed his tie, unbuttoned his shirt, and threw it to the floor. His trousers and boxers followed quickly.
She opened her legs, inviting him. He climbed over her. He began sucking her nipples, then proceeded to kissing her breasts, then trailing kisses down her stomach. She arched her back, moaning his name.
"Tae-joon… don't tease me."
He grabbed a condom from the drawer, ripped it open and rolled it on. He kissed her again and slid inside. Her gasp filled the room.
Back in the car, Na-ri smiled softly as she watched the city lights through the window.
The rain was still falling hard, and the traffic was slow.
"You seem really happy today," the driver said.
Na-ri chuckled. "I haven't seen my husband in three months. I really missed him."
The driver smiled. "Must love him a lot."
"I do. He's smart, hardworking, honest… and loyal. He's always been there for me," she said proudly.
Min-ji glanced at her, and even the driver smiled. The mood in the car was warm.
After a while, they finally arrived.
The driver parked in front of a tall, elegant house. Min-ji handed Na-ri her umbrella and helped her get her suitcase from the trunk.
"Call me when you're settled," Min-ji said.
Na-ri nodded. "I will. Thanks, Min-ji."
She rolled her suitcase to the front door, heart beating fast. Her fingers trembled a little as she typed in the passcode.
Beep.
The door unlocked.
She opened it slowly.
The first thing she saw was a pair of shoes. Pink, with rhinestones and tiny butterfly charms. Her heart dropped.
She knew those shoes.
She stepped inside. The floor was wet from her umbrella. Just ahead, she saw a tight pink dress thrown on the floor. Next to it was a pink purse.
On the couch, her husband's blazer was hanging loosely.
Then, she heard it. Soft voices. Laughter. Moans.
She walked slowly to the hallway. The voices got louder. Her heart was racing.
She heard her cousin's voice.
"Babe… you said you'll divorce her. Why haven't you?"
"I will. I just need her to sign the papers. Once I get her to do that, it's over," Tae-joon replied.
"How? My cousin maybe naive but she's not stupid."
"She doesn't have to be. I'll drug her and make her sign it without knowing."
Jung Ji-a giggled. "You're so bad."
She kissed his neck.
"So you married her just to take her shares, huh? And that foolish woman thinks you love her."
Tae-joon laughed. "She's been blind from the start. She's so desperate for love and is easy to use."
Na-ri stood there in shock.
Tears rolled down her face. Her hands were shaking. Her legs felt weak.
The man she loved. The man she trusted with her whole heart.
And Ji-a… her cousin… someone she grew up with. Someone she treated like a sister.