BUP 21

chapter 21

A subtle stubbornness lingered in her raised eyes.

‘Even now, you won’t do it?’

‘Even though I’m calling you Taeheon?’

It was such an adorably cute little protest that it made him smile.

“Fine, then.”

In the end, Taeheon stepped back.

Dohee was cheerful and bright—a carefree person, even.

Since it was Eunsae’s first time in a luxury store and she seemed unsure about what to choose, Dohee helped her with a keen sense of style.

“How about this? Seems safe for these times, don’t you think?”

The scarf Dohee recommended would look good on Minyeong and Deoksim as well.

Thanks to her, Eunsae was able to pick a gift easily.

“Thank you so much.”

“Ah, it’s nothing.”

Dohee waved her hand and smiled.

“Feel free to ask anytime.”

Taking the opportunity, Dohee suggested they exchange phone numbers and handed over her phone.

After saving each other’s numbers, Eunsae and Dohee stopped by the restroom.

It was just as they were washing their hands side by side in front of the mirror.

“Oh my, Eunsae, that necklace…”

Dohee in the mirror was looking at Eunsae’s necklace.

“Oh, this?”

Eunsae fiddled with the pendant.

“It’s really beautiful.”

Dohee, staring intently, asked,

“It’s really expensive, right?”

Eunsae felt embarrassed to say it was a gift from Minyeong. They weren’t married yet, so she hesitated to say it outright.

Moreover, Dohee was someone she had met for the first time today. Eunsae answered shyly,

“It’s just a stone.”

‘You foolish girl!’

Though Dohee smiled outwardly, inside she felt like she was burning to ashes.

She knew exactly what kind of stone it was.

The pendant on Eunsae’s necklace was lapis lazuli.

Lapis lazuli is normally treated as a processed mineral, but some pieces are extremely rare and can be as valuable as diamonds.

Just like the one Eunsae was wearing.

Dohee hadn’t just recognized the necklace’s value—her recognition came from childhood memories.

“Oh my, Mrs. Na. That necklace! Wasn’t it in the Hong Kong jewelry auction recently?”

“To see it in real life! They called it the Blue Diamond, didn’t they?”

“KD really is different. Even if you have money, you can’t just buy it—but they get it if they want it!”

The necklace Minyeong had was the center of attention throughout the party.

Young Dohee had followed Minyeong everywhere. Everyone at the party looked at Minyeong’s necklace with envious eyes, and Dohee felt intense jealousy.

She wanted that necklace. If she wore it to school, everyone would envy her. She wanted it, she wanted it so badly!

She even considered pushing Minyeong down the stairs to steal it while she was unconscious.

The party had been held on a soft grassy lawn. Dohee almost cried, thinking she’d never be able to have that necklace.

“Taeheon, go greet them.”

That day was when Dohee first met Taeheon.

At the time, Taeheon had just returned from abroad. His mother, Minyeong, had forced him to come to the party, even though he preferred to stay at home.

The moment Dohee saw him, her head spun from shock. Yoon Taeheon had the most stunning looks she had ever seen.

Tall for his age, with perfectly chiseled features, mature demeanor, and quiet composure that seemed almost virtuous.

That day, another main focus of the party was Taeheon. Many considered him a prime candidate for a strategic marriage, including Dohee’s parents.

“Taeheon and our Dohee are the only ones the same age.”

“Ha ha, our Dohee is an only child too—seems like fate.”

Dohee took the adults’ jokes seriously and made a decision.

No matter what, she would marry Yoon Taeheon. She would get both Taeheon and that necklace. One day, at the center of the party, smiling gracefully, it would be her, Dohee, who was the main character.

But…

“It’s just a stone?” The saying “pearls for pigs” came to mind—it was meant for someone like her.

Her heart twisted in frustration.

She wanted to grab the necklace immediately but forced a smile instead.

“Really? I’d like one like this too. Can I try?”

Dohee asked suddenly.

“Huh? Ah…”

Eunsae hesitated, unsure if she could let go of such a precious gift from Minyeong.

‘But Dohee is Taeheon’s friend and helped pick the gifts.’

After a brief pause, Eunsae reached behind her and unclasped the necklace.

“Thanks. It really is different to try it on rather than just look.”

Dohee smiled brightly and leaned toward the mirror. Just as she was about to put it on,

“Oh my!”

The necklace slipped from her hands.

It fell into the sink and slid into the drain.

“What do we do? The necklace!”

Dohee covered her mouth in shock. Eunsae paled as well.

‘Better it goes down the drain than be worn by that orphan.’

Though pretending to be surprised, Dohee secretly rejoiced.

But the thrill didn’t last long. Instead of panicking, Eunsae remained calm.

“Wait a moment.”

Eunsae pulled out the hairpin in her hair, pushed Dohee back, and used it to fish along the long marble counter.

“Here it is!”

Soon, the chain was hooked onto the hairpin.

“Found it.”

Eunsae breathed a sigh of relief and pulled the necklace out.

“Ah! How…?”

Dohee’s trembling eyes stared at the necklace in Eunsae’s hand.

“This type of marble sink has narrow gaps for water to flow. I thought the pendant would get stuck, so it didn’t go down.”

Eunsae smiled, and Dohee awkwardly smiled back.

Though inwardly frustrated, Dohee clasped her hands and bowed her head.

“Eunsae, I’m really sorry. I shouldn’t have tried it.”

“It’s fine. You didn’t do it on purpose.”

Eunsae reassured her, but Dohee apologized multiple times, almost to the point of tears, and Eunsae had to comfort her.

After the commotion, they stepped out of the restroom.

“Huh?”

Eunsae blinked at the sight ahead.

Taeheon was approaching.

“Taeheon, how did you know we were here?”

Dohee was equally surprised. Before shopping, Taeheon had said he would wait in the VIP lounge, leaving them space.

Eunsae had wanted to shop comfortably with her friend, so she asked Taeheon to step aside.

“I thought it might be time to come out. You weren’t in the store, so I checked here.”

Taeheon took the shopping bag from Eunsae and said.

Dohee bit her lower lip hard. She never imagined Taeheon would follow a woman all the way to the restroom.

“Did you find what you wanted?”

Taeheon’s attitude made Dohee feel even more miserable.

All his actions and words were directed at Eunsae. His gaze was so gentle that it was hard to believe he was the same Yoon Taeheon she had known.

But she couldn’t show irritation over an inferior woman.

“Yes. Thanks to Dohee, it was really helpful.”

Dohee smiled gently in response.

Used to hiding her emotions, it was easy for Dohee to change her expression.

“Just call me ‘unnie.’ We’ll see each other often.”

“Is that… okay?”

“Of course. I only have two younger brothers. I always wished I had a cute younger sister like you, Eunsae.”

Then, as if remembering something, she added:

“Right. Come to our gathering sometime.”

Dohee handed the shopping bag she held to Eunsae—it was the gift they had bought together earlier.

“I actually bought this for you.”

“For me?”

“Yes, our next gathering’s dress code is this twilly scarf. Make sure to wear it.”

Eunsae hesitated, glancing at Taeheon. Dohee reassured her:

“No need to worry. It’s just a casual girls’ gathering, eating and drinking tea.”

She added warmly, looking at Eunsae:

“They’re all good people. If you build connections now, it’ll help when Taeheon supports you in the future.”

Taeheon frowned. Connections, support… she didn’t want that kind of help at all.

But Eunsae’s expression became earnest. She had never been able to help Taeheon, only received.

With a determined face, Eunsae said:

“Taeheon, I want to go to that gathering.”