The start of a new year, and a new day.
Shan groggily got up from his bed, rubbing his eyes. As he turned over, his eyes widened in shock.
Eva was naked, lying beside him.
"Shit! We had sex again…" he muttered, putting a hand to his forehead as memories from the previous night came flooding back.
He remembered hugging Eva after their emotional conversation, how she mentioned still feeling hungry. So he had taken her out for grilled meat. Of course, he had to order a separate stove—being Hindu, Shan never touched anything related to beef.
They shared soju, laughter, and good food, eventually making their way back to his penthouse. A bath together turned into passionate lovemaking—nonstop, but protected. Even in bed, they were drunk on each other until they finally passed out from exhaustion.
Back to the present—Shan stretched his limbs and sighed.
"Man… I gotta stop drinking so much," he muttered, making his way to the bathroom to shower and brush his teeth.
After freshening up, he went to the kitchen and started preparing breakfast. A full two-course meal, one for each of them. The aroma of sizzling sausages, crispy bacon, and perfectly cooked eggs filled the air.
Eva stirred, the smell drawing her from sleep. She blinked her eyes open and realized where she was.
"Fuck… dammit," she muttered, rubbing her temples as the memories of last night returned.
She stretched and slowly made her way to the kitchen. Shan was busy at the stove.
"Morning, sleepy beauty," Shan greeted with a smile.
"Morning, boo…" Eva replied, her voice lazy and raspy with sleep. She rubbed her eyes and yawned.
"Here, drink these first." Shan handed her a tray with a bowl of vegetable broth, a glass of honey-lemon water, and another glass of lightly chilled mineral water—just what they both needed after all that soju.
"Thanks, Shan… Still taking care of me after all these years," she said with a small smile, sipping the broth. "Mmm… You used to make the best dishes back at the camp. How?"
"Honestly? I was undercover on a few missions back then. Picked up some tricks here and there," Shan said as he flipped the bacon and eggs. "Ended up enjoying it more than I thought I would."
He chuckled softly as he plated the food and set the table.
"Go freshen up—there's a new, unused toothbrush and some toothpaste in the bathroom. You can wear my clothes for now."
He gently patted her head, running his hand back through her hair.
"Mmm… okay, boo," Eva hummed and headed to the bathroom.
Shan walked to the living room and drew open the curtains. Across from his building, he spotted Ingrid standing at her window, a somber expression on her face.
"Tch… that woman," he muttered. "Forgot her own daughter's birthday."
Still, part of him felt a pang of pity.
"Wanna invite her?" Eva's voice suddenly chirped from behind.
Shan jumped. "God!! Stop sneaking up like that!"
Eva laughed heartily, then glanced over at Ingrid.
"Let's invite them. I'll go, you keep cooking," she said, now wearing Shan's oversized hoodie and sweatpants.
"Wait, Eva—" Shan started, but the door had already shut behind her.
---
At Ingrid's Apartment
Ingrid sat at her kitchen table, silently sipping hot chocolate, her thoughts miles away.
The door to one of the rooms opened—Kim Yeon stepped out quietly. Ingrid looked up at her.
"Hey," she greeted softly.
"Mmm," Kim Yeon responded, but didn't meet her mother's gaze.
Just then, the doorbell rang.
Ingrid blinked. "Who could that be…?"
She opened the door—and to her surprise, Eva stood on the threshold.
"Ms. Kim?" Ingrid asked, puzzled. "How did you—?"
"Hey, Manager Mikage!" Eva greeted with her usual cheer.
"I'm here to invite you and your… sister? Daughter?" she said playfully. "You're both invited to Shan's penthouse across the street."
"Um… how do you know where Mr. Wolf lives? I thought—"
"No complaints!" Eva interrupted with a grin. "You both looked like you saw a ghost yesterday. Now get ready and come with me—or I quit the company."
Ingrid blinked, caught off guard. She turned to Kim Yeon.
"Wanna come?"
"Well… I didn't cook anything yet, and it's free food," Ingrid shrugged.
"Yeah, sure," Kim Yeon agreed.
They both got freshen up and dressed warmly—it was still snowing outside—and followed Eva to Shan's penthouse.
"I still can't believe he lives here," Ingrid said in disbelief.
"Why's that?" Kim Yeon asked.
"He's just an IR employee at Won Group HQ. I'm technically his boss."
Back at Shan's Penthouse
Shan opened the door. "Hey…" he said, awkwardly touching his collarbone.
"H-hey…" Ingrid replied, avoiding his eyes.
"Ahh!" Kim Yeon's eyes widened when she saw Shan. She instantly recalled how he took down her boyfriend, Jon Kin Kon.
"Hmm? You two know each other?" Ingrid raised an eyebrow.
"Yes," Shan answered smoothly. "She was being harassed. I stepped in."
He shot Kim Yeon a look—play along or I spill everything.
"Y-yeah… hahaha…" Kim Yeon stammered nervously.
They all stepped inside. Ingrid and Kim Yeon were instantly taken aback by the sheer luxury of the place.
"Damn!" Kim Yeon's jaw dropped at the sight of the living room—and the PS5 Pro.
"No way! Uncle, are you a gamer?!" she asked excitedly.
Both Eva and Ingrid chuckled at the "Uncle" comment—Shan was only 25.
"This kid…" Shan sighed internally. "Yeah, I started gaming at 16."
"Can I try it later? I've never played on a PS5 Pro!"
Shan recalled overhearing the birthday argument yesterday.
"Sigh… alright. After breakfast, kid."
"Why do I feel like you're spoiling my daughter?" Ingrid asked, crossing her arms.
"She's just a kid. How bad can it be?" Shan said casually.
He and Eva set the table. Plates, utensils, and bowls were arranged neatly as Shan served the food.
"Man, this looks good!" Kim Yeon said, digging into the sausage.
"Honestly… this feels nice," Ingrid admitted, cutting a piece and taking a bite. The warmth from the food spread through both of them.
"Ingrid, can you pass the salt and pepper?" Shan asked.
As their hands brushed, both flinched slightly but said nothing, returning to their meals.
After breakfast, conversation flowed. Laughter filled the penthouse. The first day of the year had begun on a surprisingly warm note.
As promised, Shan let Kim Yeon try the PS5 Pro. Everyone joined in on multiplayer. Ingrid struggled with the controls, but Shan taught her patiently.
"Psst, kid," Eva whispered to Kim Yeon. "Let them have a moment."
Kim Yeon looked over at Shan and Ingrid—chatting, laughing—and smiled knowingly.
---
As afternoon approached, it was time to go.
"Kim Yeon, can you head back on your own?" Ingrid asked.
"Yeah, sure." Kim Yeon nodded, heading off with Eva for company.
That left Shan and Ingrid alone at the door.
"I had… fun," Ingrid said softly.
"Y-yeah. I guess," Shan replied.
An awkward silence fell. So much history lingered between them.
She had once used the coin incident to force him back to Malaysia. He had blackmailed her with knowledge of a hit-and-run. They'd been at each other's throats for months.
But they shared one thing in common now—a plan to dethrone Jen Heo Won, the ruthless Vice President.
"I guess I'll see you at work on Monday," Shan said, turning toward his door.
Suddenly, Ingrid stepped forward and kissed him deeply. Her arms wrapped tightly around his neck, refusing to let go.
Shan froze in shock, then pulled her close, his hands gripping her waist, holding her just as tightly.
When they finally broke apart, both were panting. A thin string of saliva still clung between their lips. Ingrid's hands slid down to his chest. Her breasts pressed against him, her cleavage visible through her shirt.
Then she leaned in, whispered softly—
"Can you help me feel better?"
---
Chapter 31 — End.