Chapter 4

　　That evening, Saebom left the office with a light heart. My first time leaving on time in two whole weeks! Elated, she walked quickly. But Sujung’s voice called out from behind her.

　　“If you’re not seeing anyone, want to go on a blind date?”

　　“What? A blind date?” Saebom paused from getting her wallet out of her handbag and stared at her colleague.

　　“Yes. I know a really great guy. What do you think? Want to meet him?”

　　A blind date. The offer was tempting. It had been a long time since she’d dated. “What’s he like?” she asked, her curiosity piqued.

　　“He was a senior of mine in high school. He’s a lawyer, and he’s handsome, too.” Sujung nudged her in the ribs with a mischievous grin. “I’m telling you, he’s too good to pass up. If I didn’t have a boyfriend, I’d snatch him up myself.”

　　Hearing he was such a catch, her desire to go on the date surged. Should I really do it? I have nothing to lose.

　　“It’s about time you wore a real ring, isn’t it?” Sujung glanced at the diamond on Saebom’s finger and smiled brightly. Saebom returned an awkward smile, but a strange feeling washed over her.

　　“I’ll think about it. Get home safe, Sujung!”

　　After saying goodbye, Saebom started walking toward the bus stop. But a strange chill crept up her spine. Why does the back of my neck feel so prickly? Feeling as if someone were glaring at her, she slowly turned her head.

　　Her breath hitched. Her expression hardened instantly. It was Jihun, and he was striding toward her.

　　“Ms. Jeon?”

　　His voice, low and sharp, sent a shiver through her. Meeting his cold gaze, Saebom froze on the spot.

　　“We have something we need to discuss, don’t we?”

　　The future stretching out before her suddenly seemed very, very bleak.

* * *

　　Dragged back to the Executive Director’s Office, Saebom hung her head low. She felt like a student who’d been called to the principal’s office. Seated across from him, she wiggled her toes and waited. Even without looking up, she could feel his intense gaze burning into her.

　　“How amusing,” he said, his voice laced with ridicule. “So, Ms. Jeon, you go on blind dates while you have a man you’re planning to marry?”

　　“Uh… well, about that.” His sharp gaze demanded an answer.

　　I’m so screwed. A cold sweat broke out on her forehead as she bit her lip. She wanted to make an excuse, but her mind was completely blank.

　　“I’m surprised. I didn’t take you for this type of person,” he drawled. “Does your fiancé know you behave this way?”

　　She couldn’t answer.

　　“Or perhaps… you’re not actually seeing anyone at all?”

　　At his relentless probing, Saebom’s head sank lower. She couldn’t believe she had been caught in her lie less than twenty-four hours after telling it. Her mind scrambled for an excuse, but she came up with nothing. Defeated, she admitted her lie with a quiet apology. “I’m sorry.”

　　What else was there to say? Please, Mr. Ryu, just let this go. She looked up at him, her eyes pleading. But Jihun seemed to have no intention of letting her off the hook. A wry smile touched his lips.

　　“Tell me. Why did you lie to me?”

　　If she lied again, her job might genuinely be on the line. Intimidated by his fierce gaze, Saebom slowly confessed her real fear. “Because I thought… you would use me.”

　　“Me?”

　　“Yesterday, you took me to a formal meeting with your family without a word of explanation. So when you asked if I was seeing someone, it suddenly hit me. I thought you might ask me to pretend to be your girlfriend again, just like last time.”

　　“‘Use you?’ That’s a hurtful way to put it.”

　　But you did. You dragged me to meet your parents without so much as a warning. Saebom couldn’t bring herself to say the words aloud and merely looked up at him.

　　Jihun’s lips curled into a smirk as he crossed one leg over the other. “I simply wanted to make a deal with you, Ms. Jeon.”

　　“A deal?”

　　“I have a decent side job in mind, and I wanted to offer it to you.”

　　“Don’t tell me this side job is pretending to be your girlfriend,” she said warily.

　　Jihun’s eyes crinkled as he smiled. “Quick on the uptake, as always.”

　　It’s so obvious. I knew it. Always looking for someone to exploit. Saebom narrowed her eyes, his sly intentions as clear as day. “No, thank you. I’m not interested in that kind of offer.”

　　“Why don’t you hear me out before you refuse? I’m about to make you a very attractive proposal.”

　　“I don’t think I need to hear any more,” she stated firmly. “I have no intention of playing your fake girlfriend. Not one bit.”

　　Asking her to be his fake girlfriend—what a ridiculous demand. She needed a real relationship, not to be playing some silly charade. Saebom crossed her arms, watching as his eyes glinted with amusement. Her immediate refusal hadn’t fazed him in the slightest.

　　“Ms. Jeon, what’s your annual salary?”

　　“Why are you suddenly asking that?”

　　“If you play along, I’ll pay you an amount equal to your annual salary.”

　　My annual salary? A calculator switched on in Saebom’s mind. Wait, what would that make the hourly rate? Her eyes widened at the thought of earning a year’s pay for what was likely a short-term gig. A strange, knowing smile played on Jihun’s lips, as if she had already taken the bait.

　　“And that’s not all,” he continued, his voice a low temptation. “Overtime pay is a given, and there will be incentives, depending on the situation. All you have to do is accept my offer.” He leaned forward slightly, his gaze alluring. “What do you say? Don’t you want to build up a nice nest egg?”

　　A nest egg? Saebom’s resolve wavered violently. Though she had vowed not to fall for his tricks, visions of a flush savings account danced before her eyes. Right, I could save up diligently and use it for my wedding… Saebom gulped. The thought of refusing his offer had all but vanished.

　　But then, the faces of Jihun’s parents flashed in her mind. Ah.

　　She remembered Hwayeong clutching her hands with tears of joy in her eyes. Saebom’s expression immediately hardened. “No. I’m not going to do it.”

　　“Why not? Is the amount not to your liking?”

　　“I’m not comfortable with lying.”

　　“That’s rich, coming from someone who just lied to my face.”

　　He’s got a point. Stung, Saebom protested in an aggrieved tone. “But this is on a completely different scale! How could I tell such a lie to your parents, Mr. Ryu?”

　　Although she had only met them once, they seemed to genuinely want their son to be happy. That made the idea of deceiving them even more repellent. No matter how much I like money, this is wrong. Saebom mentally waved away the bundles of cash shimmering in her imagination. “Even if you offered me all the money in the world, I still can’t accept your proposal.”

　　There were things you could do in this world, and things you simply shouldn’t. His offer was firmly in the latter category. With her mind made up, Saebom stood wearing a look of relief on her face. “Well, I’ll be going now.”

　　But as she turned to leave, she heard his low laugh. What was that?

　　Saebom turned back, her expression puzzled. “Why are you laughing?”

　　“Because it’s amusing watching you pretend not to care about money.” His smile vanished as he gestured with his chin toward her left hand. “Do you have any idea how much that ring you’re wearing is worth?”

　　“What?”

　　“If you wanted to act like you’re above material things, shouldn’t you have started by taking off that small fortune on your finger?” The implication was clear: I know you’re materialistic, so why pretend otherwise?

　　His question drew Saebom’s gaze to her left hand. A large diamond ring sparkled on her finger. Suddenly feeling attacked, she jumped to her feet and shook her head frantically. “It’s not like that! I’m not wearing this because I want to!”

　　“Not wearing it because you want to? What kind of nonsense is that?”

　　“The ring won’t come off! No matter how hard I try, it won’t budge!”

　　“What did you say?”

　　“I know this sounds crazy, but it’s true! That’s why I’m about to lose my mind!” she protested, her face crumpling as she stomped her foot in frustration.

　　“It won’t… come off?” In an instant, his face went rigid. Jihun rose from his seat and closed the distance between them. Flustered, Saebom recoiled.

　　“Let me see.” Jihun’s hand covered hers, his fingers brushing against hers.

　　Ah. A jolt went through her at his touch. Just the simple contact sent a tingle through her, as if she’d been electrocuted. What’s wrong with me? Saebom blushed faintly and looked up at him. He was examining the ring on her finger, his brow furrowed with a strange expression.

　　“What’s… wrong?”

　　“It’s strange,” he murmured. “The same thing is happening to me.”

　　The same thing? Not quite understanding, Saebom tilted her head. Finally, Jihun looked up from the ring, his next words flooring her.

　　“My ring won’t come off, either.”