Chapter 5
“…That’s probably the right decision.”
There was no reason for Hyun-oh to immerse himself in this mud puddle now, especially when Han Group was not at its peak. Forcing a marriage proposal in the current company situation seemed nothing short of a scam.
Thump. Hyun-oh covered the documents.
“I’ll handle it myself.”
Hyun-oh returned the file to Jaihoon, adding, “And…”
“Yes?”
“There’s one more thing this secretary needs to look into.”
* * *
The day after the matchmaking meeting with Hyun-oh.
Su-a sat across from Jung Madam in a cafe bathed in sunlight. The location had changed, but everything felt eerily similar, as if yesterday’s unsettling experience repeated itself.
“The weather is nice again today.”
The weather, Jung Madam smiling benignly, and even the bitter taste of coffee lingering in her mouth after a sip – everything was the same.
“Don’t worry. It will go well today too.”
“…Yes.”
Madam Jung’s comfort elicited a sigh-like response from Su-a. Regardless of whether it went well or not, it didn’t matter anymore. After all, there was no contact from Hyun-oh.
As long as it’s not Ji Hyun-oh, she thought. It didn’t matter who she married.
With the stinging slap from her father and the despair in her heart, Su-a’s expression was a mess. Once again, the faint voice of the man echoed in Su-a’s mind.
“I have no intention of getting married. Not with anyone, especially not with you.”
Every time Hyun-oh’s words resurfaced, Su-a’s heart sank into hell. Madam Jung whispered softly.
“Don’t worry. Why do you have such a gloomy expression? Director Choi, whom you’ll meet today, liked Su-a just from hearing about her.”
“…I see.”
“So, today will go well quickly.”
Perhaps it would turn out well.
Having confessed to Hyun-oh and been rejected, it was a relief. If they got married without such an event, regrets would linger. If it was a relationship that couldn’t work out anyway, it was better to face such a clear rejection, ensuring she wouldn’t dream about it for the rest of her life.
The wounds may remain, but there would be no regrets. That’s how it turned out. That’s how… it turned out.
While Su-a was lost in her thoughts, today’s matchmaking partner, Dong-ryul, arrived.
“I’m sorry for being late. I’m Choi Dong-ryul.”
Su-a looked up at the man’s voice. Dong-ryul, like Ji-hun, was a high school alumnus known for being the son of a conglomerate. There was only about a year’s difference in age, but he was famous for believing in his conglomerate father and causing a stir even after getting a job. The rumors didn’t stop even after he became an adult. His chubby face and thick lips made it hard to believe he was only a year older than Hyun-oh.
“I’m Han Su-a.”
“Oh, right. Han Su-a, what a beautiful name. You’re not just pretty in photos; you’re a real beauty.”
Su-a faintly smiled at Dong-ryul’s words. Last week, after being rejected by Hyun-oh, her father had urged her to do her best in the match with Dong-ryul.
[If you get rejected again, I won’t stand idly by. You must succeed this time.]
Her father’s words, filled with determination, were sincere. He hadn’t even considered the possibility of Su-a rejecting Dong-ryul. Fortunately or unfortunately, Dong-ryul seemed to be attracted to Su-a. After questioning Madam Jung, Dong-ryul approached Su-a.
“Su-a, you seem really pure. I looked into it a bit; you’ve never had a boyfriend, have you?”
His gaze roved over her skin like a snake. Su-a reluctantly answered.
“…No.”
With a hint of disgust, Dong-ryul burst into laughter.
“Wow, it’s so touching that I’m your first match. Su-a, you look so innocent. You’re saying you’ve never had a boyfriend until now?”
Although he appeared innocent and young, his words weren’t naive. Su-a, sitting quietly, blushed as she heard his words. Despite her father’s warning to take action if she got rejected today, Su-a couldn’t remain silent.
“Whether to get married or not is just a matchmaking process, so both parties can reject each other.”
To this, Dong-ryul chuckled.
“I have no intention of rejecting. I’m sure Han Su-a won’t reject either.”
His words left a bitter taste in Su-a’s mouth.
Her father couldn’t understand. Hyun-oh aside, this man wasn’t a good person. He had a bad reputation, and his company, Latt’s Company, couldn’t compare to Han Dong Group. Although her father had advised her to marry after meeting Dong-ryul, Su-a wondered why he had arranged such a situation. With the power of Han Dong Group, there could have been a better match.
It felt like her father had deliberately sent her into this situation, as he always did. To torment me.
Observing Su-a’s stern face, Dong-ryul laughed again.
“I like Han Su-a. So, don’t be nervous. I’m not a bad person either. Here, take this.”
Dong-ryul pulled out a small brown box from his embrace and placed it on the table. It was a palm-sized box.
“What’s this?”
“A gift.”
“….”
“Open it.”
Although reluctant, Su-a reached out to grab the box. At that moment, Dong-ryul’s hand grasped hers.
“Oops.”
His frog-like hand tightly squeezed Su-a’s white hand.
“Let go… please let go.”
“Don’t be embarrassed about holding hands. We’ll have to do it all the time once we’re married.”
It felt like insects were crawling on her skin where Dong-ryul’s touch lingered. Though she complained, Dong-ryul didn’t release her hand.
“If you want to try it before marriage, you can come up now.”
His words were more repulsive than his touch or the gaze that seemed to explore her. Disgusted, Su-a was about to raise her voice when a man’s voice cut in.
“Let go of her hand.”
A low voice filled with anger. Startled, Su-a raised her head to find a man standing there.
“Let go. You crazy bastard.”
Unusually rough words from the man. His perfect appearance was captivating. It was Ji Hyun-oh.
Why is he here?
“Su-a.”
Surprised, Su-a looked back, and Hyun-oh gazed down at her with a furrowed brow.
“Do you have any reason to stay here?”
Any reason to stay here?
“No.”
As Su-a shook her head, Hyun-oh gently helped her up. His firm hand touched her delicate wrist, and warmth spread through the chilly fingers.
“Why are you here, Ji Hyun-oh?” Dong-ryul’s question brushed past, but neither of them paid any attention.
** * *
As they left the hotel lounge, Su-a could only see the man in front of her. His black suit neatly enveloped his body, and his hair was neatly combed. It was a weekend, but had he come from work?
Why did he come here?
Before Su-a could find the answer, the two walked into the hotel garden. She followed him with urgent steps. The cool breeze scattered around them as they reached the end of the garden. When they arrived, Su-a called out to him.
“What’s going on today?”
In a voice that held both curiosity and surprise, Hyun-oh, who had been walking briskly, finally stopped.
He appeared out of nowhere. Were they supposed to meet today?
While trying to recall if they had made any plans, Su-a shook her head. There was no such arrangement, and she had not met him today. If he wasn’t here for an appointment, did something happen? As Su-a was organizing her thoughts, Hyun-oh looked down at her.
“Is my presence disturbing the meeting?”
“No. I wanted to come out too.”
Although it was dizzying to think that her meeting with Dong-ryul had ended in chaos, she didn’t want to spend more time with him. Even though her father had advised her to do her best in today’s meeting with Dong-ryul, she hadn’t expected to be unable to refuse him.
The time spent with Dong-ryul was painful. She didn’t know about the future, but for now… she didn’t want to worry about it.
Hyun-oh silently watched Su-a’s face. His gaze, which was usually indifferent, now seemed to carry deep wrinkles on his forehead. His usually neat mouth was twisted, and the depth of his black pupils couldn’t be fathomed.
In Su-a’s mind, an endless stream of questions continued. How should she bring up the conversation? Unable to figure out, as Su-a was lost in thought, Hyun-oh asked.
“About the meeting. Did I disturb it?”
“No. I wanted to come out too.”
Although the joint meeting with Dong-ryul ended with a heated exchange, it was dizzying to think that Hyun-oh had come to her rescue. If it weren’t for that, Su-a would have to endure more of Dong-ryul’s presence.
Her father would be dizzy with anger once he found out about the broken meeting. Although it was nerve-wracking, Su-a still felt relieved.
“Why did you come out?” Su-a asked.
Hyun-oh looked down at her again. His well-tailored suit outlined his figure perfectly, and his neatly combed hair was a stark contrast to the tousled strands of Dong-ryul. The cool wind blew between them as they walked into the hotel garden, and when they reached the end, Su-a called out to him.
“What’s going on today?”
With a mix of doubt and surprise in her voice, Hyun-oh, who had been walking briskly, finally stopped. He had suddenly appeared here. Had they planned to meet today? Trying to remember, Su-a shook her head.
There were no such arrangements, and they hadn’t planned to meet. If not for an appointment, why did he come here?
Hyun-oh raised his head in response to Su-a’s question.
“Nothing.”
“….”
“Really nothing.”
If there was nothing, why had he shown up here? Why did he take her with him, and why…
Why is he looking at me like that?
In Hyun-oh’s furrowed brow and deep wrinkles around his eyes, Su-a sensed a profound unease. Her mind was flooded with endless questions. How should she start the conversation? As Su-a was pondering, Hyun-oh, who had been watching her silently, spoke.
“The meeting. Did I disturb it?”
“No.”
Su-a’s voice held both confusion and astonishment, and Hyun-oh did not seem to care about Dong-ryul’s question.
