Chapter 27
Lee Seo’s eyes, wide with surprise, focused solely on Taeseok’s face. Her gaze was filled entirely with one person.
In a fleeting moment, the warmth of his breath seeped through their overlapping lips and transmitted straight to her.
“It’s only because we’re filming. If we were alone, it wouldn’t have ended with just a kiss.”
Taeseok pulled away with a hint of regret on his face. Maybe it was the studio lights, but his sculpted features looked even more radiant and beautiful today.
His eyes couldn’t leave her lips, glistening faintly pink, and his heart stirred slightly like a breeze.
It started as a contractual marriage. He knew she was a fake wife, not a real one—but despite that, the days he would spend with her made his heart flutter, just a little.
Meanwhile…
“A few days ago, Han Taeseok booked an entire restaurant. You know who that was for, don’t you? It’s obvious why he chose that specific place. Even if those two get married, it’s bound to fall apart soon. So let’s start things our own way now.”
Hyejeong’s words from the night before echoed in Jitae’s mind.
As the agreed time approached, someone slowly walked toward Jitae, who was sitting in a gray suit.
“Mr. Han Jitae?”
A strong scent of pheromones, a tight dress clinging to her body, and a woman smiling with her lips half-raised—it was Hyemi.
An unreadable smile appeared on Jitae’s lips as he stood.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Han Jitae, director of Kanghwa Group.”
“No need for introductions… You know why we’re here, don’t you?”
Jitae sat and drank the cold water in front of him in one gulp.
“Of course. I know very well that Miss Kang Hyemi was once set up with Han Taeseok. And that he dumped you that day, too.”
Hyemi’s brow furrowed at Jitae’s words.
“Well, it’s not a lie. So let’s skip the small talk and get to the point.”
As Jitae studied her features, his eyebrows twitched.
“You’re such a beauty. Why? That idiot Taeseok clearly has no taste in women.”
Whether it was a joke or sarcasm, Hyemi gave him a sharp smirk.
“Mr. Han Jitae, I’m not exactly known for my patience… and you’re starting to get on my nerves.”
Jitae chuckled quietly.
“We may be different in personality, but I believe we’re here today for the same reason. Am I wrong?”
“Probably not.”
Hyemi uncrossed her legs and leaned forward slightly.
“Looking closer, I think I prefer you over Taeseok. I like ambitious men.”
“Does that mean you’re agreeing to work with me?”
“Why not?”
Hyemi’s eyes lifted seductively as she looked at Jitae.
After finishing the wedding photoshoot, it was already past 10 PM when Lee Seo got home.
As she entered the officetel, her body loosened up, and she felt like she could sink into the earth.
She was wearing high heels she normally avoided, and her swollen calves ached from a dull, unplaceable pain.
She hadn’t been lying down for long when the intercom rang.
Approaching it cautiously, she saw In-young on the screen—the same woman she had met a few days earlier.
After a brief hesitation, she opened the door.
“Is something wrong?”
“There’s some amazing sashimi today, and I felt bad eating it alone. Plus, I still feel sorry about last time. If you like it, would you care to join me?”
Dressed casually with light makeup, In-young looked different than before.
“Well… please, come in.”
In-young stepped in, her eyes scanning the room.
“Looks like you had an important engagement today?”
“Oh, I just got back. I had a wedding photoshoot.”
At the mention of that, a strange smile played at In-young’s lips.
“Then I guess you didn’t get a proper meal. Brides usually don’t, with all the body maintenance and stuff before a wedding. Your name is…?”
“Choi Lee Seo.”
“With a figure like yours, I bet you don’t even need to watch your diet. Do you like sashimi?”
“Yes, I eat well in general, but I especially like seafood.”
“Perfect. I brought wine, too. Want a glass?”
A peculiar, familiar scent drifted from In-young as they sat across from each other.
“There aren’t many utensils here since it’s temporary. I hope cups are okay instead of proper glasses?”
“Sure, that’s fine.”
Lee Seo poured wine into In-young’s cup until it was half full.
“I was really rude last time, wasn’t I? Jitae usually doesn’t make those kinds of mistakes, but something happened that day, and he drank too much.”
“You and Han Jitae…?”
“Everyone thinks we’re dating, but we’re just old friends. Closer than your average male friend, I suppose.”
In-young lifted her cup, her smile growing subtly.
“I only met CEO Han Taeseok for the first time that day, but I could tell how much he loves you. I deal with people a lot—I can tell when someone’s genuine, and he definitely is.”
“Is that so?”
Lee Seo responded awkwardly, picking up a piece of sashimi.
“When’s the wedding?”
“The date’s undecided, but probably soon.”
“If you’ve done a wedding shoot, you should’ve set the date already.”
“There are… some circumstances.”
In-young’s brows twitched as she looked at Lee Seo.
“Sorry, I must’ve asked too many questions. You must be tired from the shoot. Get some rest. You’ll be moving into your newlywed home after marriage, right? That’s too bad—I feel like we could’ve been good friends. See you again.”
Lee Seo’s gaze lingered on In-young’s retreating figure, her mysterious smile still vivid.
“July 30th? That soon?”
“Didn’t you hear what CEO Han said? He doesn’t want to be apart for even a moment.”
At the mention of the wedding date, which the secretary’s office had just delivered, a sour expression twisted on Pilsun’s face. Hyejeong caught the reaction and smiled slyly.
“Are you really okay with this? Once she moves in, there’ll be a lot of discomfort.”
“There’s nothing to drag out. She’ll leave the house within a few months anyway. Why worry?”
“Oh, and Mother—I meant to tell you something. Jitae went on a blind date recently.”
“A blind date?”
“I didn’t mention it right away because you’ve had a lot on your mind. But he seemed interested. Turns out the woman likes him too.”
“Whose daughter is she?”
“You know her—CEO Kang Hyemi from NY Entertainment.”
Pilsun slammed her teacup onto the table in disbelief, her lips pressed tightly together.
“Kang Hyemi…”
“Yes, the one who was set up with CEO Han before. We thought she wasn’t meant to be in the family after he rejected her, but life’s strange, isn’t it?”
While her only grandson Taeseok was marrying someone unacceptable, Jitae was matched with Hyemi, NY Group’s only daughter.
A thick vein pulsed on Pilsun’s temple. Her forced calmness couldn’t hide her inner turmoil.
“I almost turned it down at first when I heard it was NY Group, but they kept asking to meet Jitae. You’re not upset, are you?”
Pilsun bit her lip until it turned red, then spoke slowly in a heavy voice.
“Of course not. Jitae is my grandson. As long as they like each other, who cares? It’s not like Hyemi ever dated Han Taeseok. It was just a single blind date.”
Her body trembled slightly as she stood.
“There’s a shareholders’ meeting this afternoon. I’ll rest for a bit before that.”
Hyejeong’s brows twitched as she watched her leave.
‘Your grandson? Have you ever thought of Jitae that way even once? The marriage into a chaebol family you’ve always wanted—I’ll make it happen. Just wait a little longer.’
Shortly after returning home from work, Lee Seo’s intercom rang again.
“What brings you here at this hour?”
Taeseok entered, his body radiating heat.
“What’s with that tone? Do I need a reason to visit?”
He tossed his jacket onto a chair, loosened his tie, and gulped down the cold water on the table.
A drop of water fell from his lips and slid down his chest, visible through his loosened shirt. Lee Seo blushed as she watched.
“Now I can finally breathe.”
“Um, Mr. Han, you must’ve been really hot today. Your shirt’s kind of soaked.”
Whether it was the encroaching summer or the rain forecasted for tomorrow, the weather had been muggy all day.
“Yeah, it’s oddly warm today.”
Taeseok moved closer to Lee Seo.
“Looks like you’re feeling the heat too.”
His eyes landed on her flushed cheeks.
“I should probably lower the A/C. Where did I leave the remote…”
As she tried to get away to find it, Taeseok suddenly grabbed her wrist.
“It’s hot anyway. Want to shower together?”
