Chapter 10

　　“I’m sorry for demanding your time so abruptly.” Sitting across the table from Hwayeong, Saebom straightened her posture. The moment she had seen the older woman approaching, she understood why Jihun had called telling her to run. So this was it. Cursing herself for not moving faster, Saebom picked up her teacup.

　　“Not at all. I didn’t have any plans.”

　　“I appreciate it. Well, since you’re a busy person, I’ll get straight to the point.” Hwayeong caressed her teacup and spoke softly.

　　“When are you thinking of marrying Jihun?”

　　She nearly spat out her rooibos tea. Hwayeong handed her a napkin and added, “It’s clear you and our Jihun aren’t in a casual relationship.”

　　Her gaze had fallen to the fourth finger of Saebom’s left hand. Ah. Looking down at the diamond ring, Saebom was startled and waved her hands in denial.

　　“Actually, I’m not mentally prepared yet. And I’m lacking in many ways to be a wife or a daughter-in-law.” See? I told you his mother was serious. Saebom started to resent Jihun for dragging her into this fake relationship.

　　“You learn as you go. And my husband and I expect nothing from you, Saebom. We just want you to love our dear Jihun with all your heart.” Haha, that’s the most unreasonable request of all. Saebom broke into a cold sweat and managed a laugh. The cushion she was sitting on was incredibly soft, yet it felt like a bed of nails. I have to come up with a plausible excuse. Her mind raced, and then an idea sparked.

　　“Actually, ma’am,” Saebom leaned in and whispered to Hwayeong. “I’m so sorry to say this, but I have a rather large amount of debt. I don’t think I can get married until it’s all paid off. I’m truly sorry.”

　　“Hmm… is that so?” At Hwayeong’s thoughtful expression, Saebom breathed a sigh of relief. It worked. No matter how rich they are, they wouldn’t want a daughter-in-law from a family in debt. She silently cheered as she watched Hwayeong stroke her chin.

　　“How much?”

　　“Pardon…?”

　　“About how much debt are you in?”

　　But Hwayeong’s expression was strange. She was completely calm, not at all surprised. It was Saebom who was taken aback, her jaw dropping. What? What number do I even say? How much would it take to make her call off this marriage? After a moment of panicked hesitation, she finally managed to speak.

　　“About… o-one billion won…?” At that, Hwayeong beamed a sunny smile, as if such an amount was nothing. She borrowed a pen from a server and handed a napkin to the dumbfounded Saebom.

　　“Write down your account number. I’ll take care of it by the end of the day.”

　　“I’m sorry…?”

　　As the situation veered wildly off script, Saebom shot up from her seat, waving her hands frantically. She was terrified she might actually receive one billion won out of the blue.

　　“No! It’s alright! I’m really okay!”

　　“That’s nothing between us. It’s fine. So please, don’t worry about money anymore…”

　　“No! Really, I’m fine. I appreciate the offer, but I have no intention of paying off my debt with someone else’s help. It’s something I must handle on my own…”

　　“Then I’ll just lend it to you, and you can pay me back slowly after you’re married.” Oh, ma’am, please stop. Saebom truly felt like crying. At this rate, she would blink and find herself being dragged down the aisle by Jihun’s mother. Saebom squeezed her eyes shut as Hwayeong gave her a faint, knowing smile. She was at a complete loss.

　　“Ma’am.”

　　There were no more excuses. Deciding to take a direct approach, Saebom took a deep breath. It was time to be honest.

　　“Mr. Ryu is a truly wonderful person. Every time we meet, I wonder if I’ll ever meet someone like him again. But I think marriage is still too soon for us.”

　　Hwayeong said nothing.

　　“So, I want to think about it more carefully and only get married when I’m truly ready—when I feel I can take on that responsibility myself.” Saebom bowed her head to Hwayeong, who was gazing at her steadily. It pained her to deceive such a kind, genuine person.

　　“I’m so sorry to give you this answer, especially after you came all this way.”

　　“Is that so?” A hint of disappointment crossed Hwayeong’s face. Her answer was clearly a letdown. But she quickly brightened and seemed to accept it.

　　“I understand. If that’s how you feel, I can’t push you. The marriage is between you and our Jihun, after all.” It seemed her refusal to get married right away had made Hwayeong give up. I’m saved. Saebom breathed a sigh of relief.

　　“Then I won’t bring up marriage again. But could you do me just one favor?”

　　“A favor?” Damn it. Just when she thought she was in the clear, there was one more hurdle.

　　“Actually, next week is Jihun’s grandmother’s birthday. We’re all going to visit her, and I was hoping you could join us.”

　　“M-me?” As Saebom stood there, speechless with shock, Hwayeong grabbed her hand. Oh no. The atmosphere, while not forceful, felt impossible to refuse.

　　“She is very ill. The doctors said she might not make it through the year.”

　　At that moment, Saebom thought of her own grandmother back in the countryside. She looked down at Hwayeong’s hand gripping hers.

　　“That’s why I want her to see you before she passes. Even if she can’t see a wedding, I just want her to know that Jihun has found a good partner.” Hwayeong looked at Saebom with pleading eyes. “Please? Could you do this for us?”

　　She knew she should refuse, but the image of her own grandmother, Yeongok, flickered in her mind. As Saebom hesitated, a familiar face appeared outside the window. It was Jihun. Haha. She looked up at him and gave a helpless smile.

* * *

　　“So you got dragged into it again.” Jihun, gripping the steering wheel, glanced at Saebom beside him. He had hoped this wouldn’t happen again, but he hadn’t anticipated this. She stared out the window and sighed.

　　“I was about to run when your mother appeared. I couldn’t help it.”

　　“You should have moved faster,” he chided. She puffed out her cheeks and muttered sullenly, “Did it not occur to you that you called too late?”

　　“I called the second I found out. That was the best I could do.” He had learned of his mother’s plan by chance while discussing business with his father. He had contacted Saebom immediately, but he hadn’t known his mother was already at the office.

　　“Just accept it as fate. It’s a sign from the heavens telling us to continue our little charade.”

　　“Stop trying to justify it like that. No matter what you say, I’m not getting involved with your family anymore.” Saebom glared at him, then turned her head away with a sulky expression. But Jihun wasn’t one to back down. He spoke in a low, tempting voice.

　　“Then think of this as a marriage rehearsal with me.”

　　“A rehearsal?”

　　“You want to get married, don’t you? You’ll have to go through this sort of thing eventually, so consider it a trial run. Thanks to me, you’ve already had a formal meeting with the in-laws. Wasn’t that great?”

　　At his words, Saebom snapped, “Great? What was so great about—”

　　“And that offer I made before? It’s still on the table.”

　　“What?”

　　Jihun’s lips curved as he whispered, “Just play the part of my lover, and I’m willing to compensate you as much as you want.” For a moment, Saebom’s eyes widened. The offer seemed to sway her. Is it working? Jihun watched her with keen interest, amused by her ever-changing expressions. Soon, her face hardened with resolve.

　　“No, thank you. I have no desire to make money in such an improper way.”

　　“You say that, but you look tempted.”

　　“Tempted? Wh-who’s tempted?” she raised her voice, then crossed her arms and glared at him. “And for the record, I don’t need a rehearsal. I’m perfectly capable of handling the real thing.” He had to admit, she was right. She had charmed his notoriously difficult parents in a single meeting.

　　Jihun tapped the steering wheel, lost in thought. She was a desirable woman in many ways. And as a fake lover, she was absolutely perfect. With that thought, he glanced at her as she yawned.

* * *

　　“Did you get Saebom home safely?” When he returned, Hwayeong was the first to greet him. Jihun entered the living room, his brow furrowed.

　　“Mother.”

　　He rubbed his throbbing forehead. “Please, don’t do that again. It makes her really uncomfortable.”

　　“I know, I know. I won’t do it again,” Hwayeong said with a pout. Honestly, at times like this, I can’t tell who’s the parent and who’s the child. Jihun looked at her and sighed.

　　“But I couldn’t help it. I kept thinking of your grandmother.”

　　He said nothing.

　　“You know she doesn’t have much time left.” The doctor had given them the news three months ago. That was why his mother was so desperate for his grandmother to meet Saebom. It was her final wish to see him married. For that reason, Jihun couldn’t press his mother any further. And seeing her so dejected made him feel guilty. Calming himself, he soothed her in a gentle voice.

　　“Just give up. Even if you beg, she won’t go with us anyway.”

　　“What? No! Saebom said she’s coming.”

　　“What…?”

　　Jihun’s expression crumpled.

　　“She said she’s coming with us! She contacted me just a little while ago.” Hwayeong smiled like a child and took his hand. What? She’s coming? With us?

　　Jihun stared down at his mother, completely dumbfounded.

* * *

　　“I have to hurry.” The next day, Saebom rushed down the company hallway, a clear file tucked under her arm. The meeting was about to start. Suddenly, someone grabbed her arm and yanked her backward.

　　“Aah!” With a short scream, Saebom was pulled into an empty conference room, her eyes wide. When she got a hold of herself, Jihun was looking down at her, his face a mask of displeasure.

　　“You scared me! I thought my heart was going to leap out of my chest,” she yelled, glaring at him. She wanted nothing more than to smack him with her meeting materials, but he was her boss. Jihun simply raised an eyebrow.

　　“Why did you do it?”

　　“Do what?”

　　“You said you didn’t want to get involved. So why did you agree to go?” he demanded, looking utterly baffled. Finally, Saebom’s expression softened as she understood his reaction.

　　“Oh… that?” She had intended to refuse. But the moment she saw the desperate plea in Hwayeong’s eyes, her resolve had crumbled. The thought of his sick grandmother had made her think of her own.

　　“Your mother was just so insistent.”

　　“That’s my mother’s specialty. How could you fall for it?”

　　“Wait, why are you getting mad? Yesterday, you were the one saying we should just keep up the act since we’re already in this deep.” She couldn’t understand him. Yesterday he was trying to persuade her, and today he was scolding her. When he saw the hurt look on her face, he ran a hand through his hair in frustration. “Haah, you really are something else…”

　　Jihun looked down at her, his displeasure clear, then sighed. “Fine. I’ll be at your place at eight in the morning on the day. Have your bags packed.”

　　“What? Bags?”

　　Why on earth would I need bags just to visit someone? As Saebom looked up at him, confused, Jihun narrowed his eyes.

　　“What? Don’t tell me my mother didn’t say anything.”

　　“Huh? About what?”

　　“My grandmother is on Jeju Island. We’ll be staying overnight.”

　　What in the world was he talking about? Hearing this for the first time, Saebom’s eyes widened in horror. “We’re going to Jeju Island? For an overnight trip?”