When That Door Opens - Chapter 2

His face, cold and sharp, smiled just for her. It was a dangerous smile. Knowing full well how weak she was to such a look, Yvonne bit her lower lip and spoke in a whisper, trying to hide her elation.

“…Jerome. Don’t smile like that.”

At this, Jerome let out a laugh that resonated in her chest and kissed the back of her hand.

“You like it.”

His blue eyes, twinkling mischievously, looked up at her.

“I-I do, but…”

Yvonne stuttered slightly. She couldn’t concentrate on the conversation, her skin burning as if on fire.

“I told you this was unnecessary every time you were a little late. I’m just waiting at home anyway.”

“But I still made you wait.”

Jerome kissed the back of her hand once more and stood up. He removed his robe and draped it over a chair at the kitchen table, then unbuttoned the sleeves of his shirt and rolled up his arms as if this was his home.

The muscles of his back, peeking out from under his shirt, flexed with every movement. Knowing full well how hard his body was beneath the thin fabric and how honest he was with his desires, Yvonne quickly shifted her gaze to the mirror, feeling a little embarrassed.

Yet, as if to mock her escape her eyes found Jerome in the mirror as well. He stood there, towering over her, in the center of her space, which was too small and out of place for him. He had just finished undoing the buttons at the base of his neck when he caught her looking back at him in the mirror and smiled a blue smile.

Anyone would be mesmerized by that smile. Not just her, but anyone.

Amidst the loud warnings that you’re going to get yourself hurt, Yvonne would rather cover her ears and melt into the heat of his body.

“Jerome.”

She smiled reflexively at him, remembering the day. The day he’d walked into her monotonous, unremarkable life.

* * *

It had been raining all day, and because of it, no customers had come to the clothing store, and the merchants in the neighboring shops had long since closed early and gone home.

Yvonne, who had been staring blankly at the eaves where raindrops formed and fell, got up from her seat. She planned to tidy up the shop before the sun set and then go upstairs to her home. It was at that moment that the shop door, which had been still all day, suddenly swung open.

Ding-a-ling.

With the sound of the small bell attached to the door, a man entered, drenched and dripping water everywhere. His face was hidden under a black robe that covered him from head to below the knees, leaving only his build and height to indicate he was a man.

“Welcome…”

The voice that answered Yvonne, whose eyes had widened in surprise, was cold and dry. It was hard to believe he had just been out in the rain.

“What kind of clothing are you looking for…?”

“A simple shirt will do.”

Recalling the men’s shirt she had made and displayed yesterday, Yvonne nodded. It was made large enough to fit anyone, so it should suit the man before her.

“Yes. Please come this way.”

The man moved toward the inside of the shop without a word.

‘He must be a man of few words.’

She tried to calm her nerves with this trivial thought. It felt intimidating to be alone in the shop with a tall, well-built man. As she retrieved the men’s shirt from the corner and turned around, Yvonne spoke again.

“Would you like to try this on…?”

Yvonne stopped mid-sentence. It wasn’t a conscious decision. She was simply too shocked by the sight of the man removing his robe.

“Uh…”

Even as she absent-mindedly handed over the shirt, Yvonne couldn’t take her eyes off him. His hand swept back his wet blonde hair with a hint of irritation, his dark blue eyes as stormy as the rain-soaked sky. The sight of his rain-slicked skin left her breathless, as if the air had been stolen from her lungs.

“Here it is…”

“And the fitting room?”

The man took the shirt and handed his wet robe to Yvonne as he asked.

“Uh…”

Yvonne was slightly taken aback by how naturally he treated her like a servant, but she decided to help since he was a customer and took the heavy robe.

“The fitting room is over there.”

The man walked towards the direction she indicated without hesitation.