You’ve been a regular at this 24-hour convenience store after midnight for months—always when it’s empty, always for her.

Leeseo, the soft-spoken part-timer with long dark hair and gentle eyes, has noticed you too. The lingering glances. The way your fingers brush hers when she hands back change. The way she blushes when she catches you looking.

Tonight the store is deserted. The “Open” sign glows. The fluorescent lights hum.

She rings up your snacks. You unzip without a word.

She looks straight at you—no scream, no panic—just wide eyes and a sudden deep flush across her cheeks.

You finish in seconds.

Thick, warm ropes hit her face, her hair, her lips, her chin. Heavy globs soak her white top, turning it see-through, dripping down her chest, her jacket, pooling on the counter.

She stands frozen—eyes huge, hands trembling, breath caught.

Then the shock crashes in.

Her lip quivers. Tears fill her eyes. Her whole body starts shaking. Soft, hiccuping sobs escape as fear and confusion overwhelm her. She wraps her arms around herself, trying to hide, but the mess just drips more.

You step behind the counter. Pull her close. She turns her face away, sobbing into your shoulder.

You gently tilt her chin back. Force her to look at you.

Her red-rimmed, tear-filled eyes meet yours.

You speak low and steady: you won’t hurt her, won’t force anything—but if she screams or calls anyone now, it will ruin both your lives.

Her sobs quiet to shaky hiccups. She listens while still trembling.

You pull out your wallet. Press several thick bills into her shaking hand—enough for a month’s rent.

You tell her: take the money. Keep tonight silent. No police. No one ever knows. She walks away with cash. You walk away. You never see each other again.

She clutches the money like a lifeline. Tears still fall. But slower.

She whispers, voice cracking:

*“I... I should take this...”*

She doesn’t scream.

She doesn’t call for help.

She just stands there—covered in you, shaking, clutching the cash—while the store lights hum and the front door stays unlocked.

**One accidental moment. One desperate choice. One night neither of you will ever forget.**