Chapter 7
With an air of nonchalance, Hyein resumed eating, her knife and fork back in her grasp.
“This isn’t some kind of scam, is it? Or are you just pulling my leg? Just so you know, I value honesty.”
Considering Woojin had once deceived her, Hyein couldn’t afford to respond with anything less than straightforwardness. She couldn’t rule out the possibility that Woojin was already weaving more lies.
“Is there anyone who doesn’t appreciate honesty? You included,” she replied.
“In that case, you might want to look in the mirror, Director Shin.”
An uncomfortable silence fell between them.
After a few moments, Woojin broke the silence, saying, “If I like something, I’ll say it. If it’s right, I’ll acknowledge it. At the very least, I don’t deceive people. If I tell someone I like them, I won’t change my mind the next day and tell them I like someone else.”
Hyein’s grip on her knife faltered, and it nearly clattered onto her plate, just missing her steak. Woojin, seemingly unfazed by the sound, continued to speak.
“Oops, looks like I said something wrong. Let’s steer away from our gloomy past and focus on the present. Have you considered my proposal?”
“No,” Hyein responded flatly.
“Oh, is that because you’re planning to accept it?”
“No, it’s because your proposal is terrible and not worth further consideration.”
She glanced at the old watch on her wrist. “At least, not for now.”
Today’s events had reminded Hyein of her vulnerability, like a candle flickering in the wind. To protect herself, she felt compelled to seek the support of someone stronger. It might be cowardly, but Shin Woojin was the only person extending a helping hand in both her past and present.
“Things have changed. I thought I had options, but it seems that’s not the case,” she explained.
Woojin, listening silently, set down his fork and knife and wiped his mouth with a napkin, his movements elegant and controlled. “Interesting. Please continue.”
“I know my resume passed the blind recruitment process Marlena conducted. Even so, this dismissal is unjust.”
Hyein believed that everything happened for a reason, whether it was a minor event in history or a natural disaster. Except for Woojin, she saw no reason for this sudden turn of events in her life.
“I agree, to some extent,” Woojin admitted.
“Moreover, I need a stable job no matter what, especially now.”
Although she received some assistance with utility bills, bank interest, and living expenses, Hyesoo’s hospital bills were substantial. Beyond that, she needed money urgently for her sister’s surgery. Hyein realized she had no other option but to seize this lifeline, even if it turned out to be rotten or snapped as soon as she grabbed it.
“Your story is getting rather lengthy. I’m getting bored. What’s your point?”
If he wanted to get straight to the point, Hyein was more than willing to comply. She responded promptly, “Please reconsider my dismissal. What do I need to do to get it reversed?”
“Be my official girlfriend,” Woojin stated bluntly.
She had expected this response.
“For how long? You said this was just a deal.”
“Until my family gives up on their greed. I don’t want to marry into any random family.”
Not many women in political and financial circles met his mother’s standards. Woojin’s efforts until now had been the reason for this scarcity, although he didn’t feel the need to elaborate.
“Alright,” Hyein agreed, firm in her decision. Although it was impulsive, her answer remained the same.
“What are the other conditions?”
Woojin persisted in trying to lock eyes with her. To his surprise, Hyein didn’t back down.
“In addition to a guaranteed job, please offer reasonable compensation once this arrangement concludes.”
“That can be specified in the contract. You can fill in the details later.”
“As I mentioned earlier, my younger sister is ill. The medical expenses are a significant financial burden right now. Can you lend me some money? I promise to repay you.”
“You already have quite a bit of debt,” Woojin remarked.
Hyein suspected he was aware of her financial situation when he found her in front of her house. It was embarrassing, but she couldn’t take back her words now.
“Leave your current financial issues to me. I will also cover the cost of your sister’s surgery. If you agree, I can even assemble a top-tier medical team for her operation.”
“You knew about Hyesoo’s need for surgery, even though I only found out today?”
“Coincidentally, I have an efficient secretary. I also intend to protect you from my mother, Ms. Seo.”
“If I agree?”
“Yes, if you agree.”
Hyein suddenly found herself at a loss for words, gazing at him in bewilderment.
Frankly, he sounded too… too… too…
Sincere.
His words were sweet like he had set aside his dignity as a human for her. It was almost too much for her to accept, and she feared that everything would crumble at any moment.
Trembling, Hyein spoke, “One more thing.”
After stating her conditions confidently, Hyein now nervously chewed on her lip. She recalled Woojin’s mother and the disdainful tone she had used with her.
Are you ashamed of her?
She took a deep breath and continued, “Please don’t be ashamed of me. I’m not relying on you to such an extent that it would warrant such feelings from you, Director Shin. It’s rather unpleasant.”
When these words left Woojin’s lips, he displayed a faint, almost imperceptible frown. He disagreed with her, though Hyein couldn’t discern the reason behind his disagreement. Was it because he had never been ashamed of her, or perhaps he didn’t understand why she found it unpleasant?
Instead of offering an explanation, he simply replied, “Well, if that’s what you desire.”
The man who had once exuded confidence that he could hire or rehire Hyein at will was now proclaiming his willingness to grant her wishes.
Hyein couldn’t help but wonder what else he might be willing to provide. A shiver ran down her spine.
“I just realized we’ve only been discussing my wishes.”
“I was about to get to that,” Woojin responded casually. “Ah, since we’re no longer just employer and employee, I can drop the formalities, right?”
Despite her discomfort with his relaxed tone and the memories it evoked, Hyein didn’t object—or perhaps she simply couldn’t.
“I’m not suggesting a fake relationship. We’ll be dating for real. Do you understand?” he clarified.
She nodded calmly.
“You don’t need to persuade me. Good. I should also mention that some physical contact might be necessary.”
However, Hyein couldn’t readily agree to this. “Why? I thought you just wanted to show your mother we’re dating.”
“That’s precisely why I have to show her,” Woojin explained. “I can’t just tell her; she wouldn’t believe me. Would you believe me if I told you that?”
As Hyein observed Woojin across the table, she noted the absence of emotion on his face. It seemed he wasn’t saying this to mock her. In fact, his words made sense when she considered them from her perspective.
“Specifically, what kind…” she began cautiously.
“Only as much as you’re comfortable with, Ms. Seo,” Woojin assured her. “If you set the limit at kisses, then that’s where I’ll stop. If it’s caresses, then caresses it is. If you’re open to more…”
“…”
“…then we can discuss it. Of course, I won’t force you into anything, so there’s no need to be overly concerned.”
Hyein suddenly jumped from her seat. “Are you out of your mind? Your mother would believe us even if we just go through the motions—hugs or whatever. We don’t have to disclose our intimate affairs to your parents.”
“You think you’ve been through a lot, don’t you?” Woojin retorted. “No, you haven’t. There are higher powers involved here. We have to fool those people. Any clumsiness could backfire on us.”
“But…”
“Do you think my parents will believe us if we only embrace in front of them and not when they’re not looking? That’s why I warned you earlier. This won’t be a fake relationship. I’m not a philanthropist. I’ll give as much as I take.”
Hyein had gained a rough understanding of Woojin’s mother’s character during their previous encounter. She had also seen Woojin’s father in the news before. Deceiving his parents would not be an easy task. She had been overly naive in her initial thinking. This relationship was becoming more complex than she had ever imagined. Hyein regarded him, her eyes revealing her confusion.
“Do I need to spell out what’s allowed and what’s not?”
“No need,” Hyein replied. “Do people only communicate through words? We’ll figure it out naturally.”
“Unbelievable.”
“Just believe that I meant what I said.”
“There’s no way. How can you possibly know what my heart desires, Director Shin?”
Seemingly vexed by her question, Woojin furrowed his brow slightly. “That’s why I told you before that we don’t need to try to understand each other. We already know each other well—that’s why I chose you. My mother may have misunderstood then, but I chose you because I won’t have to waste time crafting a fake narrative or matching timelines. What we shared in the past was genuine.”
“And because we’ll never fall in love with each other, right?”
“Exactly.”
Despite his unwavering response, Woojin’s expression held a complex emotion that defied easy description. Seeing this, Hyein momentarily forgot what she had intended to say, suspecting that her expression mirrored his. He was right, but Hyein felt somewhat uneasy hearing it. She couldn’t quite pinpoint the emotion welling up inside her.
“Don’t overthink it,” Woojin advised. “Just consider it a business arrangement. You’re here to work. I’ll pay you whatever you ask for. Name your price, and I’ll provide it.”
This version of Woojin, shrewd and capable, was entirely unfamiliar to Hyein. He didn’t seem like a man she could easily handle.
Fear began to subtly creep in as she contemplated, There’s still time to back out.
Could she really engage in this relationship?
“So, you’re buying me.”
“I wouldn’t put it quite that way. Think of it as a straightforward exchange.”
Hyein couldn’t discern how they had arrived at this point or where things had gone wrong. What mattered now was that she had willingly stepped into this game. While Hyein wrestled with how to extricate herself from this suddenly ambiguous situation, Woojin deftly changed the subject.
“Eat as much as you can. We need to prepare for the battle ahead.”
“Battle?”
“We need to prepare your armor, of course. Conveniently, there’s a nice hotel nearby. I’ve booked a room there.”
“A hotel?”
“Hmm, a hotel?”
Hyein’s eyes widened, unable to conceal her bewilderment as she stared at Woojin, who remained remarkably composed.
* * *
It had been eight years since she last set foot in a hotel suite. Back then, she had been with this same man. A thousand emotions surged within Hyein as she realized the eerie, full-circle nature of the situation. Once again, she would be alone with him in such a place.