<CHAPTER 2 >
After regaining her senses, Yeoreum found herself inside Sunjae’s car.
She didn’t know how she had gotten here after that overwhelming kiss that felt like she had been completely consumed by him.
“You tremble like that from just one kiss, and you’re talking about marriage? Someone like you could never handle me. So stop while you can.”
Sunjae firmly blocked Yeoreum.
Although they had only just met today, he sat in the driver’s seat within arm’s reach, yet felt farther away than anyone else.
For Yeoreum, who had been given orders to make the marriage happen no matter what, this was a problem.
As if declaring that someone like her could never cross the wall he had built, he showed not even the slightest opening.
Even so, he had said that since this would be their first and last meeting, he would at least drive her home.
Thinking about that, he didn’t seem like a completely bad person….
Inside the stopped car, Sunjae’s gaze turned toward Yeoreum, but she only fiddled with her fingers, lowering her head deeply, sitting there without saying a word.
“So what should I do? Should I just ruin you completely?”
“…Would that be so wrong?”
“I still have a conscience, so I can’t do that.”
“Could you just do it without one? I… really want to marry you, Executive Director.”
“I really want it. So please, just say you’ll do it. I’m begging you.”
“Alright, let’s hear it. Why do you want to marry me?”
“I just… want to. Even the kiss… I didn’t dislike it. I actually liked it a lot….”
At that, he let out a short laugh as if it were absurd.
His fingers tapped lightly against the steering wheel.
In the silent car, the steady tapping echoed like the ticking of a clock.
Of course, it would sound ridiculous.
Even she thought so herself.
A woman who came for a blind date was clinging desperately to this marriage.
They were strangers who had just met, knowing nothing about each other.
Even she understood why it would seem strange.
“Let’s say, generously, that the kiss was mutually enjoyable.”
Sunjae’s indifferent voice pricked at Yeoreum’s chest.
“But beyond that? I’m not interested. My type isn’t some kid who still smells like milk.”
His eyes scanned her entire body as if he had no interest whatsoever.
Yeoreum swallowed dryly.
She understood what he meant by “beyond that.”
If it was beyond a kiss, there was only one possibility.
Of course, he must already know.
The reason she was clinging like this.
There was no way love had suddenly appeared between strangers.
It had to be his background, his status, or the fame and prestige she would gain from marrying him.
Was that why he was acting so arrogantly?
Just from her family background and her limping leg, he must have figured out exactly what she wanted.
Even so, Yeoreum was desperate.
She couldn’t miss this moment.
If she could just hold onto him, she could do anything.
“…Then how about you try it once and decide?”
“What?”
“You’ve only judged me from the outside. It might be different if you try. So please, just put it on hold. Don’t reject me outright. I’m begging you.”
She bowed her head toward him, pleading with all her desperation.
“Interesting.”
Sunjae smiled brightly.
With that calm smile, it felt as though the solid wall he had built was beginning to crumble just a little.
It felt like a small gap had formed—just enough for her to slip through.
Her heart pounded.
As long as it wasn’t a complete rejection, that was enough.
If there was even the slightest hope, that alone satisfied her.
“Then when?”
“Yes?”
“So when do you want to try it?”
“…Whenever you have time, Executive Director….”
Their gazes collided in midair, and Sunjae nodded as if in agreement.
Then he leaned forward, drawing closer to her.
Was he going to kiss her again?
Startled, Yeoreum shut her eyes tightly.
The heavy woody scent she had felt during the kiss brushed against her nose.
But unlike what she expected, she didn’t feel his lips.
Instead, sensing his intense gaze on her, she slowly opened her trembling eyes.
“You’re more eager than I thought.”
“Ah… I-I’m sorry.”
With a click, the seatbelt wrapped around her chest came undone.
Yeoreum’s entire body flushed as if she had been stripped bare.
He had only been trying to unfasten her seatbelt, yet what had she been thinking?
“Even if I’m good at kissing.”
“Ah…”
“I didn’t expect you to be looking forward to it this much. Maybe I should practice more.”
“…Th-thank you. Then please contact me. I’ll be waiting.”
If she stayed with him any longer, it felt like her body would burst from the heat.
Yeoreum hurriedly got out of the car and bowed to him.
The passenger-side window slid down slowly, and his eyes, filled with amusement, stared straight at her.
“Bye.”
“Yes. Please drive safely.”
Yeoreum limped as she slowly made her way home.
She thought he would leave quickly, but she couldn’t hear the car moving.
Was he watching her go inside?
Perhaps because she was conscious of his gaze, her legs moved even less steadily than usual.
She had been told to hide her limp as much as possible in front of Kwon Sunjae…
“This is insane….”
Reaching the front gate as quickly as she could, she hid behind a pillar and waited for him to leave.
Soon, she heard the engine start, and the sound gradually faded away.
Only after his presence completely disappeared did the tension leave her body, and she let out a deep breath.
Her legs gave out, and she slowly slid down to the ground, leaning against the pillar.
“What did I even say….”
Her bold words and actions in front of Kwon Sunjae tangled chaotically in her mind.
Taking off her shoes, she saw how swollen her feet were.
Especially her right foot with the injured ankle—it was swollen like an elephant’s foot.
She gently rubbed her foot and looked up at the night sky.
The stars twinkled as if telling her she had done well.
“The adopted daughter of presidential candidate Seo Hancheol… and the crippled daughter…”
Those had always been the labels that followed her.
She turned her head and looked at the large house.
Though she had lived there for a long time, it always felt unfamiliar.
Because there was no one there who welcomed her, and no one who looked for her.
She hugged her knees and buried her face, letting out a heavy breath.
The warm summer breeze brushed past her hair.
It seemed summer had already drawn near.
“I hate it..”
She hated the season called summer—the same name as hers—more than anything.
Whenever summer came, her chest felt suffocated, and gloomy emotions rose within her.
This year was no different.
Even now, as summer approached, it felt like her breath was being choked.
Entering the executive office of JM Group, a secretary quickly stood up to greet Sunjae.
“Executive Director, you’re here. I’ve placed tomorrow’s meeting materials on your desk.”
“Yeah. Good work.”
“Why did you come to the office instead of going home? It’s already late.”
“Just… it’s too noisy in my head. What would I even hear if I went home?”
The secretary seemed to realize something and let out a quiet sigh, forcing an awkward smile.
“You can go home first. I’ll finish some work and leave.”
After the secretary left, Sunjae walked to the window and pulled back the curtain.
He opened the window to let in some air, then took out a cigarette and placed it between his lips.
Watching the smoke rise into the sky, he lifted his hand and touched his lips.
It felt as though those soft lips were still lingering on his own.
“Fuck.”
Why the hell had he suddenly kissed her?
A hollow laugh escaped him.
At first, he had only intended to tease her.
He thought she would get scared and run away if he kissed her.
So he had pushed forward recklessly, without consideration.
But her reaction had been unexpected.
She said she liked it.
She even said she could go further….
“Didn’t expect to hear that. Ha.”
He took a long drag from the cigarette.
“Saying even dirty water is fine? You’ll run away before you even get wet.”
He clicked his tongue, closing his eyes in annoyance.
If a kiss wasn’t enough to scare her, he could have gone further.
After all, after rolling around in bed a few times, she would surely beg him to stop.
And he wasn’t the kind of man generous enough to push away a woman who insisted.
“Clinging pathetically isn’t my type either.”
He drew deeply on the cigarette again, his cheeks hollowing inward.
He had no real interest in Yeoreum to the point of risking his life for a loveless marriage.
Yet the thought of her clinging to him made him scoff at himself.
Crushing the lit cigarette into the ashtray, he tilted his head and smirked.
“You should’ve run away when your big brother was being nice. Since you didn’t, you’ll just end up seeing something ugly.”
