Chapter 8

　　“Let’s get married.”

　　Saebom’s eyes widened at the unexpected proposal. Had she heard him correctly? Still seated on the sofa, she could only manage a bewildered, “I’m sorry… what?”

　　“I said, let’s get married,” he repeated, his tone unwavering. “You and me.”

　　She had been in the middle of a busy workday when Jihun Ryu, the company’s Executive Director, had summoned her to his office. Saebom stared at him, her lips parted in disbelief. In stark contrast to her shock, the man sitting before her looked utterly at ease.

　　She narrowed her eyes. “You want… to get married? The two of us?”

　　Jihun, who had been elegantly sipping his coffee with his legs crossed, offered a faint, infuriating smile. Saebom scoffed under her breath.

　　The moment she realized his proposal was serious, her expression soured.

　　“So, what’s your answer?” he pressed, his long, monolid eyes curving into gentle crescents.

　　After a long moment, Saebom finally found her voice. “I refuse,” she stated firmly.

　　At that, a crack appeared in his composed facade. He clearly hadn’t anticipated her rejection. Raising one eyebrow, Jihun asked, “And may I ask why?”

　　Saebom wanted to turn the question back on him. Why on earth should she accept a proposal so devoid of genuine emotion? “Do I really have to state the obvious?” she retorted, dumbfounded.

　　She couldn’t understand why he needed to hear such a predictable answer. Jihun Ryu was her boss, and she was his employee. Their relationship was purely professional, nothing more. Saebom pressed a hand to her forehead. If I had known this would happen, I never would have helped him back then.

　　“I overheard you talking with the other employees earlier,” he said. “You mentioned you wanted to get married within two years.”

　　When did he even hear that? Biting her lower lip, Saebom snapped, “That didn’t mean I’d marry just any man. I’m going to marry someone I truly love. And that’s not you, Mr. Ryu.”

　　The absurdity of having to explain something so fundamental was maddening. But while she seethed with frustration, he still wore a look of utter incomprehension.

　　This is driving me crazy. Saebom reined in her temper and clenched her fists. “Just find someone else. There are plenty of women out there.”

　　She couldn’t fathom why a man who could have anyone would propose to her of all people. As she watched him, puzzled, Jihun spoke again.

　　“But I don’t want to.” His gaze tightened around her like a snare, stealing her breath. “Because I’ve taken a liking to you, Ms. Jeon.”

　　The instant she saw the smile playing on his lips, she knew. She had walked right into his trap.

* * *

　　The beginning of this mess was an ill-fated encounter on a recent Sunday. Saebom, having arrived at the hotel on time, muttered under her breath as she headed to the restroom. She had dressed up for the first time in a while, only to have this happen the moment she arrived. “This blouse was expensive.”

　　She had bumped into a man holding a coffee in the lobby, and now a brown stain marred the pristine white fabric. Standing before the sink, Saebom scrubbed the spot on her chest with soapy water. It was a blouse she had splurged on, so she couldn’t help but fuss over it.

　　Just then, her phone buzzed inside her handbag.

　　—Yeonju: Jun has a fever. I don’t think I can make it today.

　　It was a text from her friend, Yeonju. They had planned to have brunch at the hotel, but she had just gotten a call from her parents saying her son was sick. Saebom texted back that it was okay and let out a sigh.

　　“It can’t be helped.” She understood, of course, but she couldn’t hide her disappointment. She had been looking forward to de-stressing over a long chat. Saebom pursed her lips and rubbed the tip of her nose. She had even skipped breakfast in anticipation of brunch, never imagining her plans would fall through.

　　“Should I just eat by myself?”

　　As she muttered and worked on the stain, a woman with a slender figure came to stand beside her. The woman placed a ring on the counter, then paused from washing her hands to answer her phone.

　　“What? Mom did?” Her urgent tone startled Saebom. Dabbing at her damp blouse with a tissue, Saebom glanced at the shocked woman.

　　“How bad is it? Are you at the hospital now?” the woman asked, quickly gathering her handbag. “Okay, I understand. I’m on my way. Call me when you get there.”

　　That’s terrible. Saebom watched the nameless woman with a pang of pity. She knew all too well how it felt to hear that a family member was hurt. Stay strong, she thought, sending a silent message of support to the departing figure.

　　Huh?

　　It was then that she noticed the ring the woman had left behind. Spotting it on the counter, Saebom felt a jolt of alarm.

　　“The ring!”

　　Clutching the ring, Saebom rushed out of the restroom. Fortunately, the woman was still nearby, speaking with a well-dressed man. There she is! A wave of relief washed over Saebom as she hurried toward them.

　　“Excuse me! Just a moment!”

　　But as Saebom ran, the woman finished her conversation and quickly exited the hotel. Saebom chased after her, but by the time she reached the curb, the woman had already vanished in a taxi.

　　“I missed her.”

　　She had been so close. Saebom stifled a groan of frustration.

　　“Well, I’m sure she’ll find it if I leave it at the front desk.”

　　Re-entering the hotel, Saebom started toward the reception when a familiar back caught her eye. The man who had been talking with the woman was walking past. She hurried over to him.

　　“Excuse me!”

　　At her call, the man turned. To her astonishment, it was someone she knew.

　　“G-good morning, Mr. Ryu.”

　　Having suddenly run into her company’s Executive Director, Saebom bowed her head. He tilted his head, a flicker of confusion in his eyes.

　　“I’m sorry, do I know you?”

　　“Oh, I’m Assistant Manager Saebom Jeon from Finance Team 2.”

　　Saebom gave him an awkward smile. It was hardly surprising that an Executive Director wouldn’t recognize a mid-level employee like her. They rarely crossed paths. At her introduction, Jihun’s eyes widened slightly in recognition.

　　“Ah… I see.”

　　An awkward silence fell between them. It was the first time they had ever spoken. This isn’t the time for this. Feeling uncomfortable, Saebom got straight to the point. “Um, the woman you were just speaking with. Do you know her by any chance?”

　　“Why do you ask?”

　　“She left her ring in the restroom. Here.”

　　Saebom held out the ring she was clutching. Jihun’s expression hardened the moment he saw it.

　　“I was hoping if you knew her, you could give this to her for me.”

　　“Oh…”

　　After a moment of hesitation, he took the ring. Her duty done, she bowed with a sense of relief. “Well, I’ll be on my way.”

　　Losing the woman put her in a moment of pure panic, so she was relieved to have found a way to return the ring. Saebom turned and slowly headed for the entrance, deciding it was better to go home for ramen than to eat brunch alone. Her stomach rumbled, and she was about to leave when Jihun’s voice stopped her.

　　“Ms. Jeon?”

　　“Yes?”

　　Saebom paused, her hand halfway into her handbag, and turned around. He was walking toward her.

　　“Do you have a moment?”

　　Her eyes widened at the sudden question. “A moment?” she asked, blinking.

　　“Do you or don’t you?”

　　His pressing gaze held a hint of urgency. Flustered, she tried to read his expression. “Uh… I do, but what is it about…?”

　　“Have lunch with me.”

　　The answer came so quickly, it was as if he’d been waiting for her to say yes. Saebom’s eyes went wide. “Lunch? Me, with you, sir?”

　　“My partner just canceled on me,” he explained. “I need someone to eat with.”

　　So he’s in the same boat as me. Understanding his predicament, Saebom nodded. It would certainly be frustrating to come all the way to a hotel only to have your plans fall through.

　　“I’ll pay,” he said, his long eyes curving into a gentle smile. “All you have to do is sit and enjoy the meal. What do you say?”

　　Her resolve wavered at the offer of a free lunch at a fine hotel.

* * *

　　“This way, please.”

　　The thought of having lunch with Jihun was unnerving, but the offer of a free meal was too tempting to resist. No, wait. It’s not just that. It would be improper to refuse a request from my boss. In truth, she had given in because she was starving, but Saebom decided to rationalize it that way.

　　As they rode the elevator, she stole a glance at him. His hair, styled back with pomade, was immaculate, and the navy suit fit him exceptionally well. She knew he turned heads at the office with his height and handsome features, but seeing him up close, she finally understood why her colleagues were so infatuated.

　　Must be nice to have everything. The thought filled her with a mix of wonder and envy.

　　“Excuse me, but could I see your hand for a moment?” he asked, breaking the awkward silence.

　　Saebom, who had been staring at him, was startled. “What? My hand?”

　　Before she could react, Jihun took her wrist. She could only watch, stunned, as he swiftly slipped the ring onto her left hand. He looked at her ring finger with a satisfied smile. “A perfect fit.”

　　Coincidentally, the ring slid on as if it had been made just for her. Saebom stared at it, utterly confused. “Why are you giving this to me…?”

　　“Keep it,” he said casually. “That ring doesn’t have an owner anymore.”

　　His suggestion was absurd. “What do you mean it doesn’t have an owner?” she retorted. “This ring belongs to that woman from before.”

　　She had seen the woman wearing it with her own eyes. Staring at him blankly, Saebom tugged at the ring. She couldn’t just take someone else’s property.

　　“Huh?”

　　But the ring wouldn’t budge. What, is it stuck? Surprised, she pulled on her finger with more force.

　　“Let’s go.”

　　While Saebom was wrestling with the ring, the elevator doors slid open. At his gesture to follow, she started walking. As the host led them toward a private room, Saebom straightened her back.

　　We’re eating in a place this nice? She hadn’t even entered the room, but the luxurious atmosphere alone was enough to make her feel completely out of her depth. It felt like she was trespassing.

　　“Here we are.”

　　I’m so nervous. Saebom was chewing on her lip when Jihun paused at the door and whispered, “I’ll compensate you handsomely for this when we’re done.”

　　“What?”

　　“So just close your eyes and help me out this one time.”

　　The door opened before she could process his cryptic words. Saebom’s eyebrows shot up at the sight of a middle-aged couple seated with a panoramic view of Namsan Mountain behind them. What the—? I thought it was just the two of us! The moment she looked at Jihun, he spoke.

　　“Say hello. These are my parents.”

　　What? His parents? Saebom’s eyes flew wide open.