Fluffy clouds that looked as sweet as whipped cream floated across the bright blue sky.
In the green forest, where a gentle breeze blew, young Jaeha ran frantically with a worried expression.
“Oppa!”
He could vividly hear the voice crying out to him.
“Sera!”
That day was the second turning point in Jaeha’s life.
On that day, when he took his little sister Sera to the nearby forest instead of their busy father… the day he lost his five-year-old sister.
He heard a voice behind a large tree trunk and ran toward it, but no one was there.
Sweat poured down like rain, and anxiety overwhelmed him at the thought that he might lose Sera forever.
Just when he felt like he couldn’t run anymore from his labored breathing—
“Sera?”
He saw the back of a small head sitting on a bench in the forest park. The outfit was unmistakably Sera’s.
Covered in sweat, he rushed over—only to be met by Nayoon.
Nayoon, acting as if nothing were out of the ordinary, handed Sera a snack and spoke gently.
“Oppa’s here, Sera.”
“Oppa!”
Seeing Sera’s bright and innocent face, as if nothing had happened, made Jaeha’s legs give out.
“Oppa found you, right?”
Her voice echoed in his ears as he woke from the dream.
Jaeha furrowed his brow and sat up in bed.
The blanket slipped down, revealing his well-toned muscles.
It was already early morning. As the image of the child in his dream lingered in his mind, he murmured,
“Yeah, I finally found her… so can I stop dreaming about it now?”
That day was still a chilling memory for Jaeha. Though Sera probably didn’t think much of it.
Picking up the phone from the table, Jaeha stared at the screen, recalling his late-night conversation with Nayoon.
“Ah, no. It was my mistake. I didn’t mean we should meet immediately…”
“Is there a problem?”
“Not exactly…”
She sounded clearly flustered, and Jaeha had chuckled.
“I just want to meet you again as soon as possible.”
“Do you need me now?”
“…Yes. Still.”
And with that, the call ended, after he said he’d adjust to her schedule if she reached out first.
Still needs me, huh? Then of course she’s talking about marriage.
Jaeha gave a faint smile. But when a knock sounded—knock knock knock—he wiped the expression off his face and looked up.
The door opened, and his bespectacled secretary entered and respectfully recited today’s schedule.
“You have an executive meeting at 10, and a lunch meeting with Songseong Electronics. In the afternoon…”
“That’s enough.”
Cutting her off mid-sentence, Jaeha stood up, grabbed the robe hanging beside him, and slid his arms through the sleeves.
“What about the blind date?”
“Ah, it’s scheduled as the last item at 8 PM today.”
“Being last means we can take it a bit more leisurely, then.”
Turning to prepare for work, a faint smile crept back onto Jaeha’s face.
The appointment was at 8 PM. After getting off work on time, Nayoon checked herself in the mirror.
She’d dressed neatly—first impressions mattered if her proposal was to be taken seriously.
…Was it too plain? Too simple?
Unlike her flashy appearance on the first meeting, she looked quite ordinary today. Staring at her reflection, Nayoon pulled a lip gloss from her bag.
A soft peach color spread across her lips. It looked like she’d bitten into a juicy peach—she liked it.
Confirming the meeting location, she started driving.
No matter what, she had to make this marriage with Gu Jaeha happen.
Just then, her car speakers rang with an incoming call.
She checked the caller ID and lightly tapped the touchpad. A high-pitched voice came through.
—“Unnie, sorry. I finally got my head straight. What was that message you sent yesterday?”
It was Haeryeong—her junior in college and the girl she’d met at a corporate gathering she’d been dragged to by her adoptive parents.
Back when everyone treated Nayoon with distance, Haeryeong was the only one who approached her without hesitation.
“It’s nothing. Is your head okay? Did you drink too much?”
—“When have I not passed out after drinking? Don’t brush it off—tell me! Do you have a guy?”
“It’s not like that.”
—“You totally do! What?! Which family’s guy is it? Our VP Jin Nayoon has someone she likes? This needs to go on air!”
Hearing her overreact, Nayoon regretted sending the message.
She’d merely asked for advice on how to start a conversation with someone she wasn’t close to.
And Haeryeong had jumped to “It’s a man!”—as if she had some sixth sense.
—“So here’s the thing with guys. All you need is alcohol. Actually, with your face, just smiling will do it. I’m serious. Just act like you don’t know anything and smile!”
Alcohol, smiles… and CEO Gu Jaeha?
That was a complete mismatch.
He’d probably brush past her coldly with a “Let’s not waste time.”
Nayoon tried to dodge the topic.
“It’s not a guy, seriously. It’s work stuff. So how’s the trip?”
—“Trip? It’s amazing. You have no idea how ripped the guys are here. See? I told you to come with me.”
Haeryeong had taken leave and gone on a vacation.
Though she was working a normal job to gain hands-on experience, she was actually the pampered youngest daughter of an elite family.
People from those backgrounds always carried themselves differently, no matter what they did.
—“Anyway, when I get back, show me this guy. If I don’t approve, you’re not allowed to see him. Got it? You know I’ve got an eye for men.”
“Okay. Call me when you’re back.”
—“Yup. I’ll bring you a gift.”
After ending the call, Nayoon continued driving.
That morning, Juran had made a big fuss. She said the marriage proposal from Songseong had finally come in.
They were gossiping like it was the best news ever, and Nayoon had to bite her lip in silence.
Barely suppressing the surge of emotion, she walked out of the house.
She had to go through with this marriage—no matter what.
Her car had already arrived at the location. She left it with the valet at the hotel and stood before the elevator to the lounge.
She looked quite tense as she waited for the elevator doors to open. Once inside, the lift quickly ascended to the lounge.
Her hand fidgeted around her purse.
…What did Haeryeong say again?
Was she supposed to smile innocently?
It felt ridiculous, but she decided it wouldn’t hurt to try. Recalling Haeryeong’s advice, she stepped forward.
“Are you with someone?”
“Yes. I have a reservation under Gu Jaeha.”
The staff checked the list and guided her. Finally, she reached the room where he was waiting.
Feeling a bit nervous, she knocked and stepped inside.
As if expecting her, Jaeha looked directly at her.
“Have a seat.”
Instead of a typical greeting, he casually told her to sit.
He lifted a glass of water to his lips, completely composed.
His eyes never left Nayoon.
“Hello, CEO Gu Jaeha.”
Her voice was calm and confident. Her movements were graceful—whether it was the tilt of her head or the soundless steps she took. Everything about her felt elegant, like it had been ingrained in her from birth.
Except perhaps the slight stiffness in her lips from nerves.
For someone raised in a family with a bad reputation, she carried herself surprisingly well.
Though Jaeha’s gaze felt burdensome, Nayoon tried not to show it. And seeing how comfortable he looked sitting so straight made her all the more self-conscious about her posture.
She tried to remain composed—not too stiff, but not too casual either.
“You seem more nervous than the first time we met.”
Jaeha’s comment carried a trace of amusement, and Nayoon looked up at him.
That subtly different atmosphere was still there.
“Shall we get straight to the point? Or do you want me to play along like others do?”
He already understood what she was after, so nothing she said would surprise him. He seemed to be telling her to say what she wanted.
Trying to mask her nerves, Nayoon opened her mouth.
“I’d like to get straight to the point.”
“Go ahead.”
He leaned back in his chair, ready to listen.
Nayoon finally said the words that had been swirling in her mouth all day.
“Let’s get married.”
“…”
“And let’s get divorced too.”
Jaeha, who had been quietly watching her, let out a soft breath.
He had expected her goal was marriage—but hadn’t anticipated it would include divorce.
