Episode 6
Saturday, 2:00 PM — Ikseon-dong Hanok District
I arrived early and stood waiting for Yusia. This area is huge on Instagram, full of young couples all dressed up holding hands or linking arms. Even though I’d made an effort to dress neatly, in my thirties I felt a bit out of place among them.
Then a black taxi pulled up in front of me. Even drunk pedestrians lower their hands when a black cab indicates. A well-known premium taxi—one that usually only VIPs use.
And out stepped… Yusia.
My breath caught immediately.
“Sia?”
She got out, waved cheerfully, and smiled.
“You came in a model taxi?”
“Oh, yes!” she nodded proudly.
Before leaving home, she’d actually requested something more discreet:
“Mr. Kim, can you call a taxi, please?”
“Of course, Parker’s waiting. You can go with him.”
“No, I don’t want anyone to know my destination.”
“Would you like me to drive you myself?”
“I want to go by myself today.”
Her house has luxury cars—but she avoided them. She didn’t want to look like a spoiled rich girl coming to meet me. So she chose public transport and had the butler call a model taxi.
Naturally, from the butler’s POV, sending her in a normal taxi wasn’t acceptable. So they gave her a model taxi, even if she didn’t realize the difference in cost.
“So you ride cabs often?”
“Sometimes.”
Meanwhile, I noticed something confusing—her personal “taxi” was probably a family driver all along; she just called it a taxi.
“Shall we?”
We began walking side by side. At first, I couldn’t shake the taxi image—but once we started walking, everything felt more relaxed. The sun hit her face just right, and she looked elegant, her skin glowing.
Her dress hugged her curves—square neckline, fitted waist—it was impossible not to stare.
“Wow… this street is beautiful.” she said, admiring the hanok-style buildings.
(I reminded myself: “Don’t criticize today.”)
We wandered through alleys, looked at trinket stalls and antiques, ducked into a café for cold Americano when the sun got too bright, and eventually grabbed a snack from a street stand. Time flew; soon it was 5 PM.
“Hungry?”
“A bit early, I’ve snacked a lot.”
“Should we walk in the park awhile, then go eat?”
“Sounds good!”
It turned out to be a simple, relaxed afternoon—not the flashiness I expected. She didn’t seem to crave luxury; she enjoyed small things.
I thought: She might not be shallow after all. If she just lacks financial discipline, maybe I could handle that. If I manage the budget, we’d be fine.
At that moment my phone buzzed—it was Dad.
I stepped aside and answered: “Yes, Dad. Next week I’ll come down and sort it out. Okay, understood.”
Returning, Yusia tilted her head curiously:
“That was quick. You could’ve taken your time.”
“I don’t chat long with my dad.”
“Not close?”
“Pretty normal distance. After thirty, father/son ties often grow awkward.”
I shifted the topic quickly.
“Do you live with your parents?”
“Yes.”
“See them every day?”
“Dad works. Mom stays home.”
“Sounds sweet.”
She smiled, and I felt a warmth hearing about her family gatherings. I grew up with just my father after my parents divorced—so stories of big, loving families always move me.
“I envy that.”
She looked uncomfortable at first, then recovered.
“You’re visiting your parents next week too, right? You should enjoy meals together.”
“I wish I could. My mom lives separately.”
“Oh… I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. Divorce today is common.”
As she spoke about family closeness, I felt myself drawn closer to her sincerity.
Men are foolish. I know logic won’t win here. I know dating her could turn me into an ATM.
But…
“She’s too attractive.”
A beautiful, fit co-worker, just 24, fresh out of university—with that level of charm, my mind unraveled.
What started as a simple apology meal had turned into something more.
Next day at work
“Manager Song, would you like to watch a movie tonight? I got VIP tickets.”
“VIP?”
“Yes! We can meet actors and chat.”
“Someone you know work there?”
“My cousin’s friend does. Please come.”
“Okay… I’ll buy popcorn.”
Then she invited me to an amusement park with priority passes. Then a fancy restaurant limited to 10 groups a day. Each time, it was free or insider stuff.
Before I realized it, we’d met every weekend for three weeks straight.
“The breeze is nice tonight,” she said as we strolled by Cheonggyecheon.
“Manager… I like you.”
It was quiet but felt grand coming from her lips.
My heart thundered.
“Will you go out with me?”
I said nothing.
I admitted: I do like spending time with her. She makes me happy.
But making it official—and planning a future—is something else.
“What worries you?” she asked, frustrated.
“The future.”
“Yes!”
“If we’re together, I want to think long term.”
“Me too.”
“That means I’d manage the money.”
“…?”
“I want us to cut unnecessary spending… Save methodically… Taxi less often.”
She seemed unsure at first, then nodded.
“Okay.”
“You’re certain? I don’t want either of us causing financial stress.”
“If that’s the case… it’s doable.”
No matter how much I swipe my card, our household would stay afloat.
“So… Shall we date?”
“Yes.”
That day marked our official Day 1.
At the mansion in Naegok-dong—one month later
Yusia’s uncle asked casually:
“So… how did the thing you mentioned go?”
Everyone stiffened, but no one dared ask. Even her grandfather listened quietly.
“Oh… that? We decided to date officially.” she said, smiling shyly.
“It’s been exactly one week. He’s a good person.”
“And he played baseball just like Grandpa.”
Her words barely registered. Eyes darted between each other across the room.
They’d heard something, and they were ready to act.
When she stood up to wash her hands:
Yusia’s uncle lunged out:
“What kind of man is he?”
“Chairman, what will you do?”
“My granddaughter—”
“Her pure heart can’t be tainted!”
Moments later, the chairman hushed everyone:
“Silence!”
He spoke low and cold:
“Listen up, Yuga men.”
“That man’s name is Song Jin-seong.”
Shock. Whispers.
“Really?”
“Yes. We confirmed it recently.”
“What if we find out he’s messy?”
“He doesn’t know she’s caught yet.”
Eyes widened.
“He works on Planning Team 2.”
“Same department as her…?”
Chairman Yoo clenched his jaw.
“Watch him closely.” he said, voice quivering with anger.
“If anyone so much as touches her hair…”…
Fury overcame reason.
Immediately, the male relatives sprang into hyperdrive:
“Who is the head of Planning?”
“Get HR files now!”
“Have his team lead report in Monday—I mean right now!”
“Find every alumnus from Korea University ’13 Physical Education!”
“Find any link—blackmail or persuasion. Do it!”
“Seven-year age gap? What a lowlife thief!”
“This is like stepping back in time! Call the police chief immediately!”
Chaos erupted—and that’s how their covert mission began.
