Chapter 10

　　“Thank you for today.”

　　His tone was different now, heavier and more sincere. It seemed he meant it. Saebom carefully pulled her hand from his grasp. “Right. Well… I’ll be going.” Making eye contact felt strangely embarrassing. She gave a slight bow and quickly got out of the car.

　　I guess he’s not completely without a conscience. Watching his car drive away, she pulled the slipping strap of her handbag back onto her shoulder. No. Still, I can’t forgive him for using me. She threw a mock punch at the air.

　　“I’m only letting this slide because you’re my boss, you got that?”

　　Fuming, she went inside, and the ring suddenly popped into her head. Pausing at the entrance, she looked down at her left hand.

　　“Right. I have to give this back.”

　　In the chaos, she had completely forgotten. She examined the large diamond ring.

　　“It is pretty, though.” It was so beautiful that even she, someone with little interest in accessories, was captivated. As she stared at it, mesmerized, she flinched.

　　“Get a grip. A ring like this is way out of your league.” She pursed her lips, shaking her head to dispel the dark temptation.

　　“I’ll take it off and return it tomorrow,” she resolved.

* * *

　　The next morning, Jihun paused mid-spoonful of dried pollack soup and glanced at his mother. Hwayeong had been beaming at him since breakfast began.

　　“Why do you keep smiling?”

　　“Because I’m happy. So, so happy.”

　　What on earth was she so happy about? Feeling burdened by her gaze, Jihun fiddled with his spoon. He hadn’t been at the table for five minutes, but he already felt sick. Oblivious, Hwayeong pushed a side dish toward him.

　　“You know, I really, really like Saebom.”

　　Cough. Jihun clamped his mouth shut, nearly spitting out a mouthful of rice. Feeling a lump in his throat, he reached for his water.

　　“She speaks so beautifully, her manners are impeccable, and she has such a bright, wholesome aura.” They had only met for two hours, but his mother was completely smitten.

　　This is a huge problem. Jihun swallowed some water, and his brow furrowed. He could only imagine her reaction if she found out Saebom wasn’t actually his girlfriend.

　　“Don’t you agree, honey?” Hwayeong asked her husband. “She seems perfect for our dear Jihun.”

　　Seunghwan, who had been eating quietly, addressed his son directly. “So, when are you planning the wedding?”

　　“I told you, we haven’t been dating long. We’re not at that stage yet.”

　　“A man shouldn’t drag his feet. Seizing an opportunity is a skill.”

　　“I’ll handle it myself.” Now even his demanding father was on board, and it was driving him crazy. Jihun ignored his father’s displeased gaze and stood up. As he tried to escape the kitchen, Hwayeong’s voice stopped him.

　　“You know, son.” She approached him and whispered in his ear. “I have a favor to ask.”

　　Huh? He turned to look at her, his eyes wide with curiosity.

* * *

　　“Ugh, I’m so tired.” Saebom rubbed her weary eyes as she stood before the company elevator. On a Monday morning, she should have been starting the week with energy, but her body felt as heavy as lead. She sighed and pressed the button.

　　This is all because of this damn ring. She scowled and grumbled, “Why won’t this thing come off?”

　　She had been up all night wrestling with it, but it refused to budge. Saebom stared at the ring, stuck to her hand as if with glue.

　　“Is my hand swollen?” She was going crazy. Every method had failed. And I was planning to return it to Mr. Ryu today. She pouted while she waited, and then she heard footsteps behind her.

　　Huh? She turned her head and froze. It was Jihun.

　　“G-good morning, Mr. Ryu.” After an awkward greeting, her expression tightened. She hadn’t expected to see him again so soon.

　　Damn it, I should have come in five minutes later. She forced a smile and edged away from him, but his gaze was unusually intense.

　　Why is he staring at me like that? Feeling the weight of his stare, she cleared her throat. The situation was unbearable, and today of all days, the elevator was descending at a snail’s pace.

　　I can’t take this. Unable to wait any longer, Saebom turned to take the stairs. Just then, a low voice stopped her.

　　“Ms. Jeon?”

　　An unexplainable chill ran down her spine. Startled, she slowly turned around. Jihun, who had been standing at a distance, was now striding toward her.

　　“I just wanted to ask you something,” he said before she could reply. “Are you seeing anyone right now?”

　　Her eyes widened. “Why do you ask?” she questioned, her voice laced with suspicion.

　　Saebom narrowed her eyes, her guard instantly up. He just smiled faintly, easily brushing off her reaction.

　　“Just curious.”

　　“And why are you curious?”

　　“Am I not allowed to be?”

　　No. You’re not. Saebom swallowed the words. She couldn’t understand why a man who was a virtual stranger yesterday was suddenly so interested in her. Tilting her head, she replied calmly, “Yes, I am seeing someone.”

　　At her answer, his eyebrows shot up. Saebom seized the opening. “I’m in a serious relationship. We’re even thinking about marriage.”

　　“Oh… is that so?” he said, nodding as if he understood. “I see. Well then, have a good day.”

　　He backed off more easily than she’d expected. Saebom stared at the closed elevator doors and let out a deep sigh. She had lied on the spot, but she didn’t regret it.

　　“Marriage? Yeah, right.”

　　In truth, she wasn’t even seeing anyone. Staring into space, she sighed again. She’d lied out of a desperate fear that if she said no, he might try to use her again. He might ask for another ‘favor’.

　　“He didn’t notice, did he?” she fretted, suddenly anxious. Oh, who knows. Regretting it now won’t change anything.

　　What’s the worst that could happen? Saebom scratched her head and headed for the stairs.

* * *

　　“Saebom, what’s that on your hand?”

　　Late that afternoon, Sujung Kim from her team stopped by her desk, her eyes narrowed. Saebom looked up from her report. “Pardon?”

　　“The ring. Oh my, is that a diamond?” Sujung’s eyes lit up as she began her interrogation.

　　I have a bad feeling about this. Saebom’s expression tightened as she watched Sujung, who couldn’t tear her eyes from the sparkling gem.

　　“You said you weren’t seeing anyone, so what’s with this huge diamond ring?”

　　“Oh… well, you see.” How was she supposed to explain this? Trapped, Saebom smiled awkwardly, her mind racing. She couldn’t very well confess that she’d ended up with it after pretending to be the Executive Director’s girlfriend. As she struggled for an answer, other colleagues gathered around.

　　“Really? You’re seeing someone?”

　　“It’s so pretty! It looks so expensive.”

　　“How much does a ring like that cost? I want one!”

　　I have no idea. It’s not even mine. Feeling the pressure of their gazes, Saebom was about to crack when Sujung asked with a knowing look, “Be honest. You got proposed to, didn’t you?”

　　“What? A proposal! I’m not even seeing anyone!”

　　Her vehement denial seemed to douse their excitement. Disappointed that the juicy gossip was a false alarm, they started to disperse. Saebom cleared her throat and added, “And this is a fake.”

　　“Huh? A fake?”

　　“Yes. I just saw it on the street and thought it was pretty, so I bought it.”

　　“That’s strange,” Sujung mused. “It doesn’t look like a counterfeit.”

　　Saebom felt a pang of guilt and clamped her mouth shut. At this rate, my nose is going to grow. She had lost count of the lies she’d told since morning. As her colleagues returned to their desks, she quietly pulled at the ring. It remained stuck fast to her finger.

* * *

　　“Saebom Jeon…”

　　Seated at his desk, Jihun rolled the unfamiliar name around in his mouth. Honestly, until yesterday, he hadn’t known she even worked for him. The company was massive. So when he ran into her in the hotel lobby, it had felt like a godsend. He recalled how articulately she had spoken to his parents, and a small smile touched his lips. Her performance had been flawless; anyone would have believed she was his lover.

　　“What a shame.”

　　But a woman like that was taken. And thinking of marriage, no less. Jihun pursed his lips. If she had been single, he would have hired her for the role on a regular basis. It was a pity.

　　I can’t use someone who’s already in a relationship. Leaning back in his chair, Jihun fell into deep thought.

　　“So what do I do now?” His parents’ adoration of Saebom made the situation even more complicated. He glanced at the ring on his own left hand. The absurdity of his circumstances—having to procure matching rings for a charade—was pathetic.

　　“What’s so great about marriage, anyway?” He had no interest in it. Recalling his mother’s endless attempts to set him up on blind dates, he tugged at the ring on his finger.

　　“Hm…?”

　　Strangely, it wouldn’t come off. It felt as if it had been glued on. His brow furrowed as he pulled harder. It was useless. After wrestling with it for another moment, he let out a ragged breath.

　　“Hah!”

　　The ring that had slipped on and off so easily just yesterday afternoon now wouldn’t budge. The fact was shocking enough to stun him into silence.

　　No way. He stared down at the ring on his hand, his face a mask of disbelief.

　　“What is this?”