Payback Time

Eun-tae's car glided to a halt in front of his uncle Ji-hoon's sprawling mansion. The grandeur of the structure was undeniable, yet it held a different aura from Eun-tae's residence. Positioned on the opposite side of the city from Eun-tae's modern mansion, Uncle Ji-hoon's home exuded a classic charm that seemed to belong to a different era.

As Eun-tae stepped out of his car, he cast a glance around the surroundings. The mansion's exterior was adorned with intricate carvings and elegant landscaping, a testament to the family's wealth and legacy. Eun-tae's footsteps were purposeful as he made his way to the back of his car, where he carefully retrieved a small box from the trunk – a box that held a single key.

With the key in his possession, Eun-tae moved with silent determination, entering the mansion like a shadow. He had done this countless times before, slipping into his uncle's abode unnoticed. The mansion's interior was dimly lit, casting long shadows that seemed to dance in the corners of the rooms. Eun-tae paid little attention to the ambience, his focus fixed on his destination – his uncle's office.

As he ascended the stairs, Eun-tae's ears perked up at the faint sounds that reached his senses. A male grunt, followed by a gasping female voice. Eun-tae's brows furrowed as he approached his uncle's bedroom. The door was slightly ajar, and Eun-tae's intuition told him that he was about to stumble upon an unexpected scene.

He hesitated for a moment, his curiosity piqued by the unfamiliar voice. Eun-tae's thoughts raced as he contemplated the situation. Should he proceed and confront his uncle, or should he retreat and wait for a more appropriate time?

Just as Eun-tae was about to step back, a snippet of conversation reached his ears, halting him in his tracks.

"Oh, Mister, you're so lively tonight," the woman's voice purred, the tone dripping with satisfaction. "Oh, yes. Deeper."

"I do have my moments, don't I?" Ji-hoon's response was a low chuckle, his voice tinged with a hint of arrogance.

Eun-tae's eyes widened in realization, a mixture of amusement and disbelief flooding over him. He couldn't help but be drawn into the surreal exchange between his uncle and the woman. It was as if he had stumbled upon a scene from a farcical play.

"I must say, you've quite the reputation," the woman cooed, her words punctuated by a playful giggle. "You can go rougher, Mister."

"If that's what you want," Ji-hoon's laughter resonated through the room, a sound that was both indulgent and self-satisfied.

Eun-tae couldn't believe his ears. The audacity of his uncle's words and the woman's unabashed response painted a vivid picture in his mind. He found himself torn between amusement and incredulity. The situation was just too absurd to ignore.

"Uncle Ji-hoon, we need to talk," With a wry smile, Eun-tae decided that this was an opportunity too good to pass up. He pushed the door open, his voice cutting through the intimate atmosphere.

The sight that greeted him was both comical and disconcerting. His uncle Ji-hoon was fully naked, sprawled on the bed, with a sheet hastily pulled up to cover the woman beneath him. The woman's eyes widened in shock, and she swiftly gathered her clothes and fled the room in embarrassment.

"Eun-tae, what the fuckl?" Ji-hoon, caught in a compromising position, managed to grab a pillow to preserve some semblance of modesty. His face turned a shade of red that matched the finest wines as he stared at Eun-tae in disbelief.

"Well, well, Uncle Ji-hoon. Quite the situation you've got yourself into," Eun-tae's lips quirked into a wry smile, amusement dancing in his eyes.

"Is this some sort of payback because of the contract marriage?" Ji-hoon's voice was laced with irritation. His anger was palpable, but Eun-tae's words seemed to catch his attention.

"You could say that. A little taste of your own medicine, perhaps," Eun-tae nodded, his expression unapologetic.

"But we agreed that you wouldn't hold a grudge for whatever methods I used," Ji-hoon's features shifted from outrage to a semblance of realization.

"Oh, I'm not holding a grudge, Uncle. I'm rather amused," Eun-tae's smile remained, but his gaze was steely.

"Alright, Eun-tae. Why don't you wait for me in the lounge? I'll get dressed, and then we can talk," the popping veins on Eun-tae's forehead told a different story, one that Uncle Ji-hoon seemed to catch.

Eun-tae's smile didn't waver as he turned and exited the room, leaving his uncle to compose himself. The mansion's opulent halls felt strangely suffocating as Eun-tae made his way to the lounge, his mind racing with the impending conversation. The events of the evening had taken an unexpected turn, yet Eun-tae was resolute in his decision to confront his uncle about the tangled web he had been ensnared in.

Ji-hoon's presence in the lounge was as casual as ever, his demeanour surprisingly carefree given the circumstances. He was clad in a luxurious bathrobe, a testament to the opulence that surrounded him. In his hand, he held two glasses of wine, the deep crimson liquid reflecting the dim light of the room.

"Care for a drink, Eun-tae?" Ji-hoon offered, his voice smooth as silk as he extended a glass toward his nephew.

Eun-tae hesitated for a moment, his gaze flickering between the glass and Ji-hoon's knowing smile. Tomorrow was a workday, and he couldn't afford to start the week with a hangover. But Ji-hoon's intentions seemed harmless enough, and a small indulgence wouldn't hurt. With a polite smile, Eun-tae declined.

"Thank you, but I should refrain tonight. I have an early start tomorrow."

"Always the responsible one, aren't you? Well, suit yourself," Ji-hoon's smile remained, undeterred by Eun-tae's refusal.

As Eun-tae settled into a seat, Ji-hoon took a sip of his wine, savouring the rich flavour. Eun-tae's eyes remained observant, a touch wary of his uncle's easygoing manner. How could Ji-hoon be so carefree after orchestrating such an elaborate scheme? Did he take the day off for a casual dalliance? Eun-tae couldn't help but wonder.

"You know, Eun-tae, sometimes you need to unwind a bit," Ji-hoon remarked, his voice tinged with a hint of mischief. "Today must have been quite tough for you."

"You could say that. It's been a rather... eventful day," Eun-tae's lips curled into a small smile.

"I heard the details from Park Jin-ho. He's quite the storyteller," Ji-hoon leaned back, a glint of amusement in his eyes.

"Ah, Mr Park. I should have known he'd spread the tale far and wide," Eun-tae chuckled softly, a genuine note of laughter in his voice.

"You know, Uncle Ji-hoon, I must admit, I'm impressed. I never thought you had it in you to kidnap a woman and force yourself on her," As the conversation flowed, Eun-tae decided to take a playful jab at his uncle.

"Kidnap? Force myself? Eun-tae, my boy, you've got it all wrong. I paid for her services. It was a consensual transaction," Ji-hoon's reaction was immediate, his laughter mingling with a hint of surprise.

"Well, I suppose we've strayed from the actual topic, haven't we?" Eun-tae's eyes widened, his surprise genuine. He couldn't fathom how a young woman could willingly engage in such an arrangement with his middle-aged uncle. Clearing his throat, he tried to redirect the conversation.

"We have, don't we? So, let's get to the heart of the matter," Ji-hoon's smile remained, his gaze thoughtful.

"Why, Uncle Ji-hoon? Why did you set me up in this contract marriage?" Eun-tae nodded, his expression more serious now.

"Eun-tae, you know your mother. Mi-young would never accept anything less than marriage. If you were to claim you had a girlfriend, she'd hound you until you were at the altar. And if you were without a partner, well, she'd set you up on countless blind dates until you complied," Ji-hoon's demeanour shifted, his eyes holding a mixture of sincerity and regret.

"So, you thought a contract marriage would be a way to appease her? A mutual agreement, even if there's no love?" Eun-tae sighed, his understanding deepening.

"Exactly. It's a pragmatic solution, Eun-tae. Something that benefits both parties," Ji-hoon nodded, his gaze steady.

"And how's that been working out for you?" Eun-tae's lips twitched into a wry smile.

"Well, she's eased off a bit. But I have to say, she's been more curious about your personal life lately," Ji-hoon leaned back, a glint of amusement in his eyes.

"Curious? About what?" Eun-tae raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

"About where your lovely contract wife is right now, for instance," Ji-hoon's smile turned mischievous.

"She's at my mansion," Eun-tae's response was immediate, his tone matter-of-fact.

"My, my, Eun-tae. You know how to disrupt an intimate moment, don't you?" Ji-hoon's laughter rang through the room, echoing off the walls. "Just so that you could have yours."

"I have a private room at InnoArtTech where I sleep most of the time. So, the mansion is all hers," Eun-tae's expression remained resolute.

"Ah, you've thought of everything, haven't you?" Ji-hoon chuckled, his amusement evident.

"Seems like I have," Eun-tae's smile was tinged with a touch of irony.

"You know, Eun-tae, once you've woven a web, it's not easy to extricate yourself from it," Ji-hoon's gaze softened, his voice gentle.

"I'm beginning to realize that, Uncle Ji-hoon," Eun-tae's smile faded as he looked into his uncle's eyes.

The weight of their conversation hung in the air, a sense of understanding passing between them. Eun-tae had stumbled into a complex web of his own making, and as the pieces fell into place, he knew he had to accept the consequences of his actions, whatever they may be.

"You've had a long day, Eun-tae. Why don't you stay here tonight? I have a spare room, and you can head back to InnoArtTech in the morning," Ji-hoon's gaze held a trace of concern as he studied Eun-tae.

Eun-tae considered the offer for a moment, his mind wavering. It would save him the trouble of driving to InnoArtTech, and he was feeling a bit drained from the events of the day. He glanced at his watch, realizing how late it had become.

"I appreciate the offer, Uncle, but I don't want to impose," Eun-tae replied, his tone polite but firm. "I'll manage just fine."

"Come on, Eun-tae. You're family. It's no imposition at all. Besides, it's late, and I'm sure you could use a good night's sleep," Ji-hoon's expression remained gentle, his voice reassuring.

Eun-tae hesitated, the offer tempting. He was well aware of the comforts his uncle's mansion could provide, and the idea of a restful sleep did hold a certain appeal.

"Alright," Eun-tae conceded with a small smile. "I'll take you up on your offer. Thank you."

"Good. I'll have the spare room prepared for you. Just let me know if you need anything," Ji-hoon's smile brightened, and he gestured toward the hallway.

As Eun-tae followed his uncle down the hallway, his thoughts were a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. He couldn't deny that the events of the day had taken a toll on him, and the idea of a comfortable bed was increasingly inviting. Yet, as he settled into the spare room and let the weight of the day wash over him, he couldn't shake the sense that he had willingly stepped into a tangled web, one that might prove more intricate than he had anticipated.