The steaming warmth of the shower and Seo-young's unstoppable intensity left Arin completely numb. As he pressed her against the wall, establishing his claim on every curve of her body, Arin's endurance reached its limit.
With trembling hands, she tried to grasp Seo-young's muscular arms. Her breath was fast and heavy. Finding her voice with great effort, she whispered in a broken, shaky tone:
Arin: "Seo-young... p-please... it's enough... I can't anymore... my legs are shaking...!"
Her voice was so weak and strained that Seo-young's smiling face softened for a moment. He realized that the stubborn Pop Queen from three years ago had truly surrendered to him today. This helpless submission gave the Mafia boss within him a sense of ultimate satisfaction.
He pulled his lips away from her neck and looked into her eyes, which were clouded with passion and exhaustion. Gently tucking her wet hair behind her ear, he said:
Seo-young: "Is it enough? It was only the beginning, Arin. But your trembling plea... it made me give in. Fine, the reign of this bathroom ends here for today."
He turned off the shower. The loud sound of water stopped instantly, replaced by a deep, peaceful silence. Seo-young carefully wrapped Arin's shivering body in a large towel.
Exhausted, Arin leaned her head against his chest. He swept her up into his arms. As they left the bathroom, Arin placed her wet hand on his chest and murmured, "You really are terrifying..."
Seo-young smiled faintly as he walked toward the bedroom. "I have to be terrifying, Arin. Otherwise, who would tame this tigress? Now sleep quietly; tomorrow morning, you'll have to save my reputation in front of the bodyguards."
A Morning of Peace
When the first rays of the morning sun hit the glass windows of the villa, everything was calm. The chirping of birds broke the silence of the mountains.
Seo-young had woken up long ago. He sat propped up in bed, gazing at Arin and their two children sleeping soundly. Arin's face looked serene in the morning light, though the remnants of last night's intensity and exhaustion still lingered on her eyelids.
He carefully climbed out of bed, the red scratches on his back still vivid. He put on a silk robe and stepped onto the balcony. The misty mountains and the line of black SUVs below reminded him that he was returning to his role as the head of a Mafia empire.
Just then, Arin woke up. Her body felt heavy, and her legs still felt numb from the night before. She saw the children snuggled beside her and spotted Seo-young on the balcony, drinking coffee. She wrapped a sheet around herself and tiptoed behind him.
Arin (whispering): "Is the Don plotting a new attack so early in the morning?"
Seo-young turned around. Seeing her messy hair and enchanting, sleepy face, he set his mug down and pulled her into an embrace.
Seo-young: "The attack happened last night, Arin. Now, there is only peace. Look, the kids are still sleeping. I won't take any calls or attend any meetings today. Today is just for the four of us."
At that moment, their little daughter walked onto the balcony, rubbing her eyes. She looked at Seo-young's back and said in surprise:
Daughter: "Daddy! Is that spider still there? Look Mommy, Daddy has red marks on his back again!"
Arin and Seo-young looked at each other and burst into laughter. To hide her blushing face, Arin picked up her daughter and said, "That spider is very naughty, sweetie. It will stay there until tonight. Come, let's go downstairs and make breakfast for everyone."
The morning at the mountain villa was filled with a magical love, where last night's primal passion had transformed into a beautiful family bond.
The Return of the Pop Queen
During their quiet family breakfast, Arin's phone suddenly rang. Her old manager's name flashed on the screen. She glanced at Seo-young and answered.
"Arin! Great news!" the manager's excited voice boomed. "Your comeback concert tickets sold out within 10 minutes of release! All of Korea is waiting to be mesmerized by your dance again. Rehearsals start this afternoon. Are you ready?"
Arin turned on the speaker so Seo-young could hear. Her eyes lit up at the mention of the stage. She smiled at him. "Did you hear that, Mr. Don? My fans haven't forgotten me. I have to go to rehearsal this afternoon."
Seo-young took a sip of his coffee and narrowed his eyes. There was a world of difference between the trembling Arin of last night and this confident Pop Queen.
Seo-young: "I get the concert part, but given your condition, can you really dance today? You said your legs were shaking last night!"
Arin gave him a mischievous look. "When idols hit the stage, all exhaustion vanishes like magic. And my addiction to dance is stronger than your Mafia addiction!"
She stood up and performed a quick, sharp dance move. Despite the lingering fatigue, the music seemed to breathe new life into her.
Their daughter clapped. "Mommy! You're going to dance again? I want to go to your concert!"
Seo-young sighed and laughed. He realized it was impossible to keep this tigress caged. He called his security chief.
Seo-young: "Listen, Arin is going to rehearsals this afternoon. Surround the studio. Not even a fly should get through. And listen... no cameraman should get too close to Arin. That right belongs only to me."
Arin laughed at his possessive side, kissed his cheek, and said, "Don't worry, Mr. Don. On stage, I might be everyone's Queen, but once I step off, I'm just your spider!"
The Rehearsal and the Hook Step
Arin arrived at the studio in her stylish black car. When she entered, her old friends and backup dancers greeted her with screams of joy.
"Arin! You haven't changed at all! You're glowing even more after becoming a mother," one friend said. "How did our Mafia boss let you go?"
Arin just smiled, thinking of the previous night. She called for the music to start.
When she stood in the center of the studio, she wasn't a mother or a lover—she was a flame. As her body swayed perfectly to the rhythm, her friends were stunned. Every movement possessed a primal appeal and a royal elegance. Despite the physical toll, Arin felt like she was floating. When she performed her signature waist-swaying "Hook Step," the studio erupted in applause.
Little did she know, Seo-young was watching the live feed from the CCTV room. Arin's rhythmic movements were reigniting the fire within him. During a break, she checked her phone to find a message from him:
"Every move of your dance is sending shivers through my bones, Arin. Come back soon; the spider is waking up again."
Arin blushed at her reflection in the mirror. The concert was just the beginning; the real battle was waiting for her at home.
The 10-Million-Person Concert
The moment finally arrived. It was late at night, but the stadium was as bright as day. Ten million people (virtual and live combined) were waiting for Arin's comeback. The roar of the crowd shook the city.
Backstage, Arin finalized her look. She wore a unique outfit that shimmered like diamonds. Seo-young stood in the shadows, looking at her with nothing but pure admiration.
Seo-young (whispering): "Today you are not mine, Arin. Today you belong to these 10 million people. Go show them who the real Queen is!"
As Arin stepped onto the stage, thousands of spotlights hit her. She began her unique song—a beautiful blend of longing and power. At the height of the music, she began the dance of her life. Every movement was so hypnotic that the audience forgot to breathe. Seeing her sway and her moist-lipped smile, 10 million people began to dance with her.
During the high note, fireworks filled the sky. Arin looked toward the VIP gallery. Even in the dark, she could see Seo-young's bright eyes fixed on her. She knew that while 10 million people loved her, her true sanctuary was in that man's arms.
As she stepped off the stage, drenched in sweat and gasping for air, Seo-young wrapped his expensive jacket around her shoulders.
Seo-young: "Tonight was yours, Arin. But now... you are mine again."
The Breathless Queen
The excitement of the concert was overwhelming. Arin felt she couldn't breathe. Her chest heaved, and her body was soaked in sweat. As she reached the wings, she almost collapsed, but Seo-young caught her in his strong arms.
Several famous Korean actresses were present backstage as VIP guests. They were shocked by Arin's state. One top actress stepped forward and asked, "Arin, are you okay? Your performance was incredible, but you look so pale!"
Arin remained huddled against Seo-young's chest, gasping. Seo-young looked at the actresses with his piercing Mafia gaze, making them shrink back instantly. He ignored everyone and whispered into Arin's ear:
Seo-young: "Breathe, Arin. Look at me. No one is here, just me. Take a long breath..."