Downpour CH1 PART7
It isn't hard for Lee Hyun to find Juwon's car when he arrives at the third floor underground. In the parking lot reserved for Juwon's company, a big man is seen leaning against his car.
Lee Hyun passes his own car parked near the entrance. Seeing him approaching, Juwon fixes his position and stands upright.
"Have you been waiting long?"
"I came early. Get in."
Again, Juwon's face is different than during the day. It is stoic.
Lee Hyun follows Juwon's words. He nods, then gets on the passenger seat. However, his nostrils soon attacked by a really strong and dense scent that filled the inside of the car. It makes him frown. He notices two sticks of hazelnut-scented air freshener plugged into each car vent.
Lee Hyun is familiar with the brand. It is known for its subtle and luxurious scent. But it feels like a cheap kind one because it is applied so thickly that it may paralyze your sense of smell. Moreover, they are in an underground parking lot on a rainy day now. It is not hot without air conditioning, but it feels a bit stuffy when the damp moisture and strong artificial scent are mixed. And it is even more annoying since Lee Hyun is a barista who gets stuck with the scent of fresh beans on a daily basis.
For fuck's sake. They should leave the building now into the rain outside. However, Juwon does not seem to intend to start the engine anytime soon despite already having Lee Hyun in the car.
Lee Hyun looks at his side face, which appears as stubborn as his personality. Juwon has high nose, thin lips, and nice jawline.
"Dinner, where shall we go?" asks Lee Hyun, moving his eyes over the car window. To the parking lot where people sparsely pass.
Lee Hyun's suggestion of having a cup of coffee was replaced by Juwon's dinner request earlier. What a surprise. Lee Hyun had assumed Juwon would act cold and ignore him again.
"I'm not particularly picky. What about you, Juwon-ssi?"
"Then let's go to a place you know."
"Are you uncomfortable talking to me?" asks Lee Hyun suddenly.
Asked so, Juwon who has been not facing him when speaking, finally turns his head. The interior light is turned off but the lights in the parking lot is bright enough Lee Hyun can see the man's expression. His eyes are slightly anxious.
However, instead of answering, Juwon instead asking back, "Why did you go to the lounge today?"
Ah, of course Juwon will wonder how he happened to meet him twice in unexpected places.
"One of the security guards was off for a few days due to an urgent matter, so I took over the job. I was looking around according to the manual and heard a strange sound in the lounge, so I checked it. Same goes for last Sunday. I can show you the schedule if you want. It was just a coincidence, so don't get me wrong."
It rained last Sunday, too. Lee Hyun went up to check the open rooftop that day and accidentally met Juwon.
"Are you struggling with the cafe? You always got a lot of customers though."
"Pardon?"
"No, it was just a coincidence, anyway."
Juwon breathes in deeply and wipes his face with his large hand. He looks anxious. His shoulder stiffen. And the sudden tension makes Lee Hyun misses the chance to retort the unexpected remark.
Lee Hyun is silent. He feels like he needs to choose words really carefully.
A car scratching through the parking lot in the awkward silence.
"The truth is...I'm glad you're the one who showed up today. You were good."
Juwon's low voice sounds a bit trembling. His eyes staring on the dark dashboard. Unable to bear the constant awkward atmosphere, Lee Hyun finally opens his mouth to change the mood. His voice is teasing.
"I'm glad you're honest. What good part about me by the way? Face? Body? Or my big dick?"
Juwon turns his head to Lee Hyun, taken aback by the man's brazen question.
"Just kidding. Please feel free to tell me anything. Believe me, I'm more vulgar than you."
Lee Hyun smiles. It works. Although Juwon still looks stiff, but at least he has started to relax now.
"I believe that." Juwon retorts back the joke. The corner of his mouth is slightly lifted.
He's smiling...
Suddenly, the strong artificial scent in the car is not suffocating anymore. Seeing Juwon's smile, it becomes bearable.
"We should talk. Actually, I'm more curious than hungry. What makes you do that?"
At Lee Hyun's urging question, Juwon gulps a chunk of saliva. He knows this question will pops up.
"Each person has…different taste..." Juwon's low voice starts his story. "Just as you who like men, I...I have a slightly different sexual orientation."
"And what is that?"
"...Getting wet in the rain."
"......"
"Just before the rain, when the air under the dark clouds turn soggy, my body would always get nervous. The humidity and smell of dust somehow...gets me excited. And then I'll get dizzy like I am drunk or something when it's finally raining."
The car is filled with strong artificial scent, but there is a faint excitement somewhere in Juwon's voice as if he is groping the rain. He takes a deep breath. A very deep one Lee Hyun finally understands why Juwon keep a super strong artificial scent in his car. He is trying to get rid of his excitement.
"If I keep holding back the excitement for a few days, my body would heat up. I can't stand it. A single cold drop of rain touching my skin will makes me explode."
Juwon continues in one breath. Then with a desperate gaze, he turns his face at Lee Hyun.
"Like in the lounge earlier, and on the roof last time."
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