Chapter: The Sudden Engagement
While finishing their meal and heading toward the office, they received a message via their secretaries—the wedding date had been set.
<br>
“That was fast,” Na-yoon murmured.
Jae-ha chuckled softly at her comment as he drove.
Since the date was set, the two started discussing related matters. Things like how the shop would choose their wedding attire for them—so there was no need for fittings—how they agreed to skip the honeymoon due to work, and how Jae-ha would take care of the new home.
<br>
“I’m sorry about all this,” Na-yoon said.
“What’s there to be sorry for? This is how it’s usually done.”
“Even with the furniture and everything…”
“If you’re planning to haul it all back out when we get divorced, then sure, go ahead.”
<br>
Wouldn’t that make her seem stingy? But leaving it all behind felt like abandoning her belongings…
Conflicted, Na-yoon furrowed her brow, and Jae-ha replied lightly.
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“I’ll handle everything, so don’t worry.”
<br>
By then, the car had stopped in front of her office. Jae-ha turned and looked straight at Na-yoon.
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“Just trust me and come along.”
I’ll take care of everything.
I’ll destroy the family that broke you.
<br>
“……”
“……”
A silence hung between them as if she had caught a glimpse of his inner thoughts.
Na-yoon eventually smiled faintly and got out of the car.
After she disappeared into the building with a quick goodbye, Jae-ha lowered the hand he’d been unconsciously shaking.
He pulled out his phone and dialed his secretary.
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– “Yes, Director.”
“Look into Jinseong Construction’s financials and schedule a meeting with Chairman Jin Dae-woon. Preferably before the wedding.”
– “I was going to report it once you returned, but Chairman Jin already reached out.”
“…Perfect.”
Jae-ha’s lips curled into a crooked smile.
A knock at the door broke Na-yoon’s focus. She looked up and gave a short reply, and her secretary entered.
It was well past office hours already.
Time had flown by again.
The secretary handed her a copy of the next day’s schedule and asked,
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“Director, aren’t you leaving for the day?”
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Papers still covered the desk. Her head throbbed with next year’s upcoming projects.
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“Soon. You go ahead.”
“What about dinner…?”
“I’ll take care of it. Don’t worry and head home.”
<br>
The secretary nodded and left with a bow.
It was 9 p.m. by the time she wrapped up.
As she was reviewing her schedule, her phone buzzed on the desk.
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“Hey, Haeryeong.”
– “Unni! I’m in Korea!”
Na-yoon’s eyes skimmed her calendar as she replied.
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“I know. Did you get back okay? You must be tired from the jet lag. Get some rest.”
– “Forget jet lag! I just heard something insane!“
<br>
Na-yoon tilted her head in confusion.
<br>
“What? What happened?”
– “Ugh, I’ll just tell you in person. You’re at the office, right?”
“Yeah.”
– “I’m on my way there now.”
“Wait, Haeryeong—!”
<br>
She called out to the screen, but the call had already ended.
That girl seriously needs to work on her phone etiquette.
Shaking her head, she closed her planner.
Whenever Haeryeong came to the office, it meant work was over for the day. She chattered nonstop, leaving no room to breathe.
Still, at least the work was done.
About ten minutes passed before a familiar knock was followed by the door flying open.
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“Unni!”
<br>
Na-yoon glanced up and sighed.
<br>
“You didn’t come here dressed like that, did you?”
<br>
She was wearing a tube top mini dress with just a robe thrown over it.
Haeryeong looked unbothered as she nodded.
<br>
“Yup.”
<br>
Her bobbed hair swung as she walked in, carrying a massive shopping bag.
<br>
“You didn’t need to come all the way to the office. We could’ve met outside.”
“I didn’t want to interrupt your work.”
<br>
She glanced around the desk. Seeing it was already tidy, she asked,
<br>
“Done already?”
“Just about. I was about to head out.”
“Huh. Okay then.”
<br>
With a shrug, she plopped onto the sofa and tilted her head back.
<br>
“You look good.”
“I took the chance to unwind. Office life can be brutal, you know?”
<br>
As Na-yoon sat on the opposite sofa, Haeryeong straightened up, remembering something.
<br>
“I mean like normal office life. It’s no joke. So many annoying little things. And you’re constantly watching your back.”
“That why you took such a long vacation?”
“They let me. Weird, right? Apparently, no one else gets time off like that.”
<br>
Well, it wasn’t that surprising. No matter how much she tried to hide it, her lifestyle wasn’t something a normal employee could pull off—luxury bags, imported cars, upscale housing. And few people could talk back to the company CEO and get away with it.
<br>
“Anyway, here. This is for you. A present.”
<br>
Haeryeong plopped the shopping bag on the table and stared expectantly at Na-yoon.
With every item she pulled out, her expression shifted, prompting Haeryeong to giggle.
<br>
“This is too funny. Do you like it?”
<br>
It was all racy lingerie and a variety of adult toys.
<br>
“You’re messing with me, aren’t you?”
“Mmhmm.”
<br>
She winked and handed over another box.
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“This one’s actually a gift, I swear.”
<br>
Inside was perfume from a brand Na-yoon liked.
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“A new release. Not out in Korea yet.”
“Now this I like. Thanks.”
<br>
Na-yoon smiled, and Haeryeong handed her a tiny scrap of black fabric.
<br>
“This is for you too.”
“Not my style.”
“Come on! You’ve got a guy now, right?”
“It’s not like that…”
<br>
Na-yoon trailed off. With a wedding date set, how long could she keep denying it?
Still…
Her eyes flicked toward the black lace on the table.
He wasn’t the kind of man she would wear this for.
<br>
“When do I get to meet him?”
“When the time’s right.”
<br>
Haeryeong practically bounced off the couch.
<br>
“Wait, seriously?! You’re really serious? Did you tell the girls in our group?”
“No. You’re the only one who knows.”
“Then I have to be the first to meet him! Promise! Say it! Unni, come on!”
<br>
Na-yoon laughed and nodded.
<br>
“Alright, alright. I promise. Now what was that shocking news you mentioned earlier?”
“Oh, that.”
<br>
Haeryeong slumped back onto the sofa, her mood suddenly deflating.
<br>
“You remember that guy I said I was interested in?”
<br>
Which guy?
Na-yoon frowned, trying to recall.
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“You know, tall, handsome, built, from a great family…”
“Huh? Did you really mention someone like that?”
<br>
Na-yoon still couldn’t place it.
<br>
“Who was it again?”
<br>
Seeing her sister drawing a blank, Haeryeong suddenly gasped.
<br>
“Oh right, I guess I never actually told you.”
“I see. So what about him?”
“He’s getting married.”
<br>
Haeryeong let out a scoff of disbelief.
<br>
“After saying he wasn’t into marriage at all…”
“Maybe he changed his mind.”
<br>
At Na-yoon’s calm response, Haeryeong flared up.
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“Unni, he’s never even been seen with a woman! No one in my circle has any gossip about him, ever! And now suddenly there’s a girl? How does that make sense?”
<br>
Haeryeong was born into wealth—far more than Na-yoon ever had. Her family was on good terms with his, and she’d even gone as far as working a regular job to suit the “modest daughter-in-law” image his family preferred.
Now all that effort felt meaningless.
<br>
“This is so unfair.”
“So that’s why you rushed over?”
“Yeah! I didn’t even get the chance to find out who she is!”
“Want me to buy you something sweet?”
<br>
At Na-yoon’s suggestion, Haeryeong nodded.
<br>
“Let’s get parfaits, unni. I need sugar before bed tonight.”
<br>
Na-yoon smiled gently at her sulking sister.
