A Madman in Love-Chapter 52

The House We’ll Live in Together...

Even though Suin clearly heard the words thanks to their distinct enunciation, she couldn’t comprehend their meaning.

It was as if she had forgotten the meaning of those words altogether.

Because the very premise of “a house we’ll live in together” had never existed for her.

“By ‘we,’ do you mean... you and me?”

“Yes.”

As she stared at him blankly, he casually motioned with his eyes.

Walking confidently across the room, he flung open the white curtains that covered the floor-to-ceiling windows in the living room.

A sprawling garden and a concrete parking lot, easily twice the size of the front yard, appeared before her.

“Are you telling me we’re here... to look at a house to live in together?”

“That’s right.”

“Why would we live together?”

“There’s a parking lot in the back, too.”

“I asked, why would I live with you?”

“You could’ve just backed in and parked the car over there.”

Their conversations seemed to hover in mid-air, entirely disconnected.

He completely ignored Suin’s question, stepping through the open window and out into the garden.

Maybe he was pretending not to hear her on purpose.

“Why?” she asked again.

“The garden is quite spacious...”

Jaehee’s figure, framed against the lush green lawn and the tall wooden privacy fence surrounding the property, looked picturesque.

“What do you think?”

It suits him.

As though it had been his house all along.

“A friend recommended it to me. I really like it.”

“A friend? Who?”

“Someone.”

A man naturally skilled at deception.

He was so calm and confident that Suin felt herself being swept along, almost without realizing it.

At this rate, she’d end up going along with him entirely.

Trying to keep herself grounded, Suin asked as gently as if she were speaking to a child.

“When are you going to answer my question? Can I get an answer before we leave this house?”

He glanced at her, his expression sly.

As a fresh breeze tousled his bangs, he fixed his gaze on her with a charming intensity, delivering his answer like a master manipulator.

“You need to take responsibility for me.”

“...”

Suin almost collapsed under the weight of his devastating threat.

Since when did the word “responsibility” sound this sweet?

As he strode over to her, Jaehee wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close in one fluid motion.

Looking down at Suin, now firmly in his embrace, he spoke in a voice as deep and soft as velvet.

“You touched me first. Were you planning to run away without taking responsibility?”

“Who touched who? I was new to this, too! You knew that—”

“Fine, then. I’ll take responsibility for you.”

Before Suin could finish her indignant retort, Jaehee interrupted her.

He even had the audacity to smile as he said it.

“Let’s live here together.”

Suin was once again reminded of the consequences of spending a single night with Seo Jaehee.

This straightforward, single-minded man had somehow arrived at his conclusion immediately after their first night together.

Their relationship, the surrounding circumstances, their individual positions—none of it mattered to him.

What mattered was that he’d achieved his goal, and now he was determined to hold onto it.

“How about we move in today?”

Jaehee, the metaphorical woodsman who stripped the heavenly maiden of her robes, was desperate to catch her before she could fly away to the skies.

In contrast, Suin, the metaphorical maiden, felt no sense of urgency.

“Did you ever consider the possibility that I might not want to live with you?”

“If you didn’t want to, you wouldn’t have slept with me.”

“Does sleeping together mean we have to live together? How can you jump to that conclusion just because of one night?”

“It won’t just be one night.”

Jaehee pressed her, unimpressed by Suin’s lack of cooperation. But Suin showed no sign of yielding.

Seeing this, the cunning man quickly shifted tactics, flashing her a mischievous, flirtatious smile.

“We’ll be doing it again tonight.”

Suin couldn’t help but laugh at his absurdity.

Jaehee, misunderstanding her laughter as agreement, beamed at her like an innocent child.

“No matter how empty this house is, it feels rude for us to linger. Let’s go.”

Patting him lightly on the chest, Suin broke free from his hold and started walking away.

Jaehee, sensing her indifference, looked regretfully back at the house as they prepared to leave.

“Don’t you like it?”

“I’ll drive.”

“Why don’t you like it?”

They were only a few steps from the car when Jaehee reached out, gently gripping Suin’s shoulder to guide her gaze forward.

“Take a closer look. The neighborhood is nice and quiet, and isn’t that kindergarten adorable?”

A kindergarten?

Suin followed his pointing finger with a bored expression.

The sound of his voice above her head was practically brimming with excitement.

“They say there’s an elementary school nearby, too. It’s the perfect environment for our baby to grow up in.”

Our baby?

Startled, she looked up at him.

“You’ve already jumped to the baby part?”

“Yeah. Just imagining it—it’s so cute.”

What on earth is this man’s brain made of?

Does it even have sections, or is it just one big, uninterrupted thought process?

“How extraordinary...”

Shaking her head in disbelief, Suin opened the passenger door.

Her sharp look was a silent warning to Jaehee: Don’t bring up the house again.

“I’ll take you back to the hotel, Executive Director.”

***

"Get in."

Suin’s movements were precise and composed as she held the door open, stepping aside to escort him into the car.

Although Jaehee had been floating on air all day after exploring real estate, he knew it wasn’t a decision he could make unilaterally. For now, he decided to push it to later.

"Get in," he repeated.

Instead of entering the car himself, Jaehee reached out, pried Suin’s hand off the door handle, and gently but firmly placed a hand on her small head, pushing her into the passenger seat.

"I said I’ll drive."

Suin resisted, bracing her hands against the passenger seat and pushing back with her hips, determined not to yield.

Her bent-over posture, creating a suggestive curve, instantly caught Jaehee’s attention.

"..."

Already on edge from the aftermath of the previous night, the sight of her tipped his tenuous self-control over the edge. His body stirred with unmistakable intent.

Ah, this is why.

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This is why he insisted on living together—because she kept seducing him, intentionally or not.

"Lee Suin."

Jaehee bent down, his lips curling into a sly smile as he wrapped a hand around her waist. Leaning in close, he whispered teasingly into her ear.

"This position is... quite nice."

Startled, Suin flinched and scrambled into the passenger seat without a second thought.

She refused to look at him, her cheeks puffed up in indignation, turning bright red like a ripening apple.

"Hahaha."

Unable to hold back, Jaehee burst into laughter. Suin’s flustered reaction was so adorable it made his heart race.

With an affectionate gesture, he lightly patted her head before walking around to the driver’s seat.

***

He could see it.

It was painfully obvious.

Like someone discovering an exciting new gadget for the first time, he could feel the anticipation practically radiating off her.

Are you trying to kill me?

The closer they got to the hotel, the more the corners of Jaehee’s mouth curled upward in anticipation. Suin noticed his smirk and felt a chill run down her spine.

She wasn’t even fully recovered yet, making her all the more apprehensive.

"Executive Director, shouldn’t you have dinner?" she asked, trying to deflect.

"Lee Suin always uses my title when she feels cornered."

"Shall I escort you to a nearby restaurant? Or should I prepare a packed meal for you?"

Pretending not to hear him, Suin continued her suggestions.

Jaehee, leisurely leaning on one arm and tilting his head, cast her a sly glance from the corner of his eye.

"I’ll just order room service."

Cheeky bastard.

"For two," he added.

"Enjoy your meal," Suin replied coolly.

Although Jaehee was a man immune to schemes or tricks, Suin maintained her perfect composure.

Four times last night should’ve been enough. She had no intention of continuing the marathon tonight.

Finally, the car reached the hotel parking lot. Even after the car was parked, Suin remained still, resolute in her decision to safeguard herself for the evening. Her fear of what might follow kept her rooted to her seat.

"Get out."

"Executive Director, I need to go home early tonight," she said firmly, rejecting his command with a composed tone.

"My mother’s been worried about how late I’ve been coming home these days."

"If you don’t get out, I’ll carry you in."

"No," she retorted.

Even his threats couldn’t make her budge.

Just as Jaehee narrowed his eyes in irritation, a vibration cut through the tense air between them.

Reaching into the pocket of his suit, he pulled out his phone. After checking the caller ID, he answered.

"Yes, Father."

A professor at Seoseong University, it seemed.

"Yes, I had the stitches removed today. The wound has healed perfectly."

Even as he answered the barrage of questions from the other end, his gaze remained fixed on Suin, as though deliberately letting her overhear the conversation.

"Ah, is Grandmother that worried? Well, I suppose I have no choice. I’ll pack my things and head home tonight."

Wait, what?

He’s going to Hyesung’s main house?

Her eyes widened at the unexpected news, and Jaehee’s lips curved into an enigmatic smile.

Then, without a shred of guilt, he brazenly laid out his plan.

"There’s quite a bit to pack, but Chief Lee is here with me for work, so I’ll ask her to help. Yes, we’ll move together."

"...!"

"I still have some work left, so I’ll be late. Don’t wait up."

What work?

"Yes, around midnight."

Jaehee glanced at the car’s digital clock, which read 7:03 PM, and ended the call. His smirk stretched wide, resembling a dragon ascending into the heavens.

"Looks like you’re coming with me, Chief Lee."