Chapter 19
She didn’t want to admit it, but at some point, whenever she was alone with Han Taeseok, her heart would start pounding wildly on its own.
Flustered by this side of herself, Iseo did her best to keep her distance, darting her eyes around to avoid looking at him.
“I told you not to suddenly come this close.”
“Isn’t it weirder to announce it before I do?”
“Either way, don’t startle me like that. It’s fine when we’re with other people, but when it’s just the two of us, there’s no need to play our roles this thoroughly.”
At her words, a short laugh escaped Taeseok’s lips.
“You might be able to adjust your behavior depending on the situation, Ms. Choi Iseo, but for me, during the contract period, I don’t consider us to be anything other than a married couple for even a single moment, no matter where we are. And clause five of the contract: we will frequently and generously engage in skinship and appropriate displays of affection as necessary for a married life.”
“There was a clause like that? I don’t remember.”
“I added it before we finalized the contract.”
“Why would you decide something like that on your own?”
“Now that you’ve met them, you should know: don’t even dream of fooling Chairman and Madam Min Hyejeong with half-hearted acting.”
At that, the cold gaze of Pilsoon, who had once scrutinized every inch of her, flashed through Iseo’s mind, and she shook her head.
Though the seasons were moving toward summer, just thinking of Pilsoon made her skin crawl.
“By the way, why do you call your grandmother ‘Chairman’? And your mother too. It’s weird that you call her that even at home, not just at the company. It’s like you’re all itching to tear each other apart.”
“Because our relationship is worse than strangers.”
The way his brows furrowed and twitched said everything about their family situation, so she didn’t ask further.
“I should get going.”
“Will you be okay?”
“Of course.”
“Should I stay over?”
At his absurd words, Iseo let out a startled cough.
“Did you seriously just say that?”
“It’s the first time I’m leaving you alone in a strange place, so it’s hard to walk away.”
Taeseok let out a small laugh as he spoke.
“I’ve had to sleep in strange places plenty of times while running from debt collectors, so don’t worry about that and just leave already. Oh, and I have an interview tomorrow.”
“Interview?”
“I told you, even after getting married, I plan to keep working. That way, I can pay back the debt you cleared for me.”
“The debt is already settled under our contract. You just need to focus on your role as my wife for the next two years.”
“Regardless, I’m going to the interview. If you need anything, text me.”
After Taeseok left, it hadn’t been long when Iseo’s phone chimed with a message.
“There’s a card in the first drawer of the console. Use it to buy anything you need or want. It’s a gift from me while you’re living as my wife, so don’t feel pressured and use it comfortably.”
When she opened the drawer, there was the black card she had only ever heard about.
As she touched the card, Iseo’s face filled with complicated emotions.
Not only cosmetics, but various accessories, shoes, bags, clothes—everything she could possibly need for daily life had been meticulously prepared and placed throughout the officetel.
In the third drawer she opened were undergarments.
She hadn’t even imagined he would prepare such things, and as she picked up the underwear to examine it, her cheeks flushed hot.
They were too small to be called underwear, barely enough to cover the palm of her hand—a tiny bra and panties.
And then there was a silk slip, too revealing to be considered pajamas, practically see-through.
To make matters worse, she even imagined herself wearing that transparent slip, lying on the bed next to Taeseok.
Blaming her overly vivid imagination, Iseo quickly shook her head.
“I’m crazy. What am I even thinking right now?”
Panicking, she threw the underwear back and slammed the drawer shut.
“We will frequently and generously engage in skinship and appropriate displays of affection as necessary for a married life.”
As that absurd contract clause came to mind, Iseo felt darkness clouding her vision, wondering how she would endure this marriage that hadn’t even properly begun.
* * *
“Iseo! Over here!”
Jian, who had arrived at the company early, quickly approached Iseo.
“What happened to you? I texted you, but you didn’t reply. Do you know how worried I was when you just left like that?”
“Sorry, I had some things to take care of.”
Given that Iseo was getting married, it made sense she was busy, but Jian still couldn’t easily accept the sudden news.
“You brought everything you need, right?”
“Of course. Who do you think introduced me? It feels a bit weird, though. Like I’m some sort of parachute hire.”
“Parachute? Please. Our company just happened to be looking for a skilled art director, so I let you know, that’s all. Whether you get the job or not is entirely up to you.”
Jian lowered her voice, a faint smile on her lips.
“I brought my portfolio and documents, but it’s been so long since I’ve had a proper interview that I’m really nervous.”
“By the way, you look different today. I can’t pinpoint what, but the vibe…”
“Oh, that’s because I borrowed some clothes for the interview. Does it look weird?”
Jian’s gaze lingered on Iseo, who was wearing a luxury suit that Taeseok had prepared for her.
“It doesn’t look weird. You were always pretty, but now you look even prettier.”
“Stop it.”
“Anyway, do your best at the interview, and let’s grab a drink afterward. We need to talk.”
“Got it.”
Jian, who worked in entertainment, was a seventh-year team leader in the development team.
The interviews began, and NY Entertainment executives and applicants began filling the room in order. Before long, a sophisticated woman with a cold, confident aura entered.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Kang Hyemi, CEO of NY Entertainment.”
Iseo’s eyes fixed on the woman as she introduced herself.
The questions began in turn, and soon it was Iseo’s turn, her tension evident.
“Your resume shows quite an unusual career path. Part-time stand-in work? What exactly is that?”
“It’s exactly as it sounds. Depending on the situation, I would take on roles or tasks that clients needed but couldn’t do themselves, and I was paid hourly for it.”
“Such as?”
“Attending weddings as a guest, acting as a friend, buying items—various roles depending on the situation.”
“You graduated top of your class with excellent grades, but you repeatedly entered and left companies, even doing such part-time jobs. Was there a reason?”
“I believe there’s no shame in any job, and it’s better to try something than do nothing. Even though it was for a short time, I think it was a valuable experience.”
“You’re still single, I see.”
At that, Iseo’s face flushed slightly with embarrassment.
“Well… to be honest, yes, but I’m about to get married soon.”
“Married?”
Hyemi’s eyes narrowed as she looked at Iseo.
“To be frank, if we have two candidates with the same qualifications, it’s inevitable in this industry to prefer singles over married applicants. Being married can sometimes create unavoidable constraints, and if children are involved, even more so. In that case, with no notable awards or overseas study experience, and your qualifications significantly lower than other applicants in every aspect, why should I hire you, Ms. Choi Iseo? If you have a reason, tell me one.”
“It’s true that studying abroad or winning awards can be helpful in this field, but not having them doesn’t mean one lacks skill or is incompetent. Although I have a history of moving between jobs due to personal circumstances, through various work experiences, I’ve gained diverse perspectives and strengthened my patience and perseverance more than anyone else.”
Hyemi fixed Iseo with a keen gaze, imprinting her face in her mind as she continued the questioning.
“Skill is more important than patience or perseverance.”
“If you check my portfolio, you’ll see that I’m more than capable of expressing complex styling and visual elements beyond simple design.”
At Iseo’s confident response, Hyemi raised an eyebrow.
“When’s the wedding?”
“The date hasn’t been set yet.”
“Depending on the job, there may be overseas business trips lasting a week to two weeks. Will you be able to handle that even after marriage?”
“Marriage and work are separate matters.”
* * *
After the suffocating interview ended, Iseo and Jian arrived at a gopchang restaurant.
The sound of the intestines sizzling on the grill mixed with Iseo’s heavy sigh.
“I did it, but I don’t know if I did well.”
“What’s this? Isn’t this the always confident and bold Choi Iseo I know?”
“Is it okay if I drink today?”
“Of course, the interview’s over. I was so nervous I thought I would die.”
Throughout the interview, Jian was more eager than anyone else for Iseo to succeed.
“What did you think of the CEO?”
“She seemed impressive. Very professional, and I liked that.”
“She might look that way, but our CEO is no joke. Her personality is… intense. Well, I guess that’s why she’s the CEO.”
“Are you insulting her for not having one?”
“It’s not an insult, it’s just a fact. Here, drink.”
Jian handed her a glass of soju mixed with beer.
“I can’t drink soju.”
“I only put in a little, so just drink it. Once you start working, you’ll be busy, so drink as much as you can now.”
“You’re talking like I already got the job.”
“Who wouldn’t hire someone as talented as you? I trust in the CEO’s excellent judgment.”
It had always been that way. Since their school days, Jian had always taken Iseo’s side, no matter what.
“Are you really getting married?”
“Of course, why wouldn’t I? Is there even such a thing as a fake marriage?”
“Then why does it feel like it’s not real?”
At Jian’s words, which felt like they pierced right through her, Iseo’s face flushed bright red.
“You used to say it would be nice if I met someone good and got married rather than staying alone, that you were worried about leaving me by myself.”
It was true. The only thing Jian hadn’t said was that she wished she could be that person.
“Do you know something?”
At Jian’s unusually quiet voice, Iseo’s gaze turned toward her.
“What?”
“That I really like you.”
