Warm water cascaded over Jenna's shoulders, mixing with the steam filling the bathroom. Soap bubbles formed a thick foam in the tub, hiding everything underneath. Ji Ho, with that wolfish grin that never quite disappeared, settled behind her, his rough but careful hands sinking into her hair.
—"I told you I was bathing alone," Jenna murmured, though she had given in long ago.
—"And I told you that you don't know how to wash your hair properly," he replied, massaging her scalp with his fingers. "Look at this, you didn't even rinse well last time. You bathe like a cat."
Jenna huffed, but didn't protest as he tilted her head back to rinse the shampoo, keeping the water out of her eyes. Ji Ho wasn't exactly delicate, but in moments like this, he knew how to be surprisingly attentive.
—"What if I stay here forever?" he joked, running a hand down her back under the water.
—*"You'd wrinkle like a raisin."
—*"It would be worth it."
They laughed, and for a moment, everything was perfect.
Until someone knocked on the door.
Ji Ho didn't flinch, but his fingers paused for a split second before continuing to rinse Jenna's hair.
—"Are you expecting someone?" he asked, his voice casual, though there was an edge of something else there. *"Or are you cheating on me with the pizza delivery guy?"
Jenna rolled her eyes.
—*"Yes, Ji Ho, right now, as I'm naked and wet in a bathtub with you, I decided to invite my secret lover."
He let out a low laugh, but inside, that comment had stung more than he wanted to admit. "Seriously? Are you going to get jealous now, Kang?" he scolded himself mentally. He knew Jenna wasn't like that. But instinct was instinct.
The knocking on the door repeated, louder this time.
—"Go see who it is," Jenna said, pulling away slightly.
—"Nah, they'll leave," he replied, running a thumb over her collarbone.
But then a male voice resonated from the other side:
—*"Kang. We know you're in there. It's urgent."
The atmosphere froze.
Ji Ho didn't curse out loud, but inside, he did so with all his soul.
—"A second," he growled toward the door before looking at Jenna. *"I have to go out."
—*"Now?"
—"Business," he said, as if that word explained everything.
He got out of the tub, water streaming off his scarred body. He grabbed a towel and dried off quickly, as if time were running against him.
—"I won't be long," he lied, leaning in to leave a damp kiss on Jenna's forehead.
—*"You always say that."
He smiled, but it wasn't his usual wolfish grin. It was the smile he used when he had to go do something he didn't want to explain.
When he left the bathroom, he shut the door behind him. Jenna heard him walk to the entrance, and then, another man's voice:
—*"The Rossis are moving. Vincenzo wants you there now."
—"Shit," Ji Ho spat. *"Couldn't they wait an hour?"
—*"Are you seriously complaining over a woman?"
—"Shut up, Leo," Ji Ho growled. *"Let's go."
And then, the slamming of the door.
Jenna remained alone in the tub, the water growing colder, the bubbles disappearing.