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Episode 13
Her mind was utter chaos, like a battlefield, every time she thought of Lee Jun.
It was as if the entire world revolved around him—she couldn’t pull herself together.
‘I may not have a boyfriend, but I do have a husband.’
Then she remembered the incident in the cafeteria.
Her heart started pounding, and heat flushed up her cold cheeks, blooming bright red.
Lee Jun was the only man who could make her feel this way just by thinking of him.
“Crazy, I’m crazy!”
She shook her flushed face again and again.
Her chest grew warm, a strange thrill rising within her. It was like his influence gave her courage.
Yiryeong grabbed her shopping bag and decided to leave the house.
It felt like only in his arms could she organize her chaotic thoughts—and to do that, marriage seemed inevitable.
The streets she rushed into were cold as night approached.
She rubbed her arms to warm herself, but it wasn’t enough to fend off the chilly air.
‘Should we stop here?’
Suddenly, his lust-laden voice echoed in her head.
Just thinking about the flushed, breathless him made her body heat up all over again.
It felt as if she had gone back to that night when she’d cried out in his embrace—even the air grew warm.
“C-crazy…”
Whether it was the cold wind or her body’s instinct remembering pleasure, her cheeks flushed red.
She inhaled the cold air deeply, trying to cool her rising heat.
“Get it together, please.”
She shook her head vigorously, trying to rid herself of the impure heat. Her pace quickened, and before she knew it, she had arrived at her parents’ store.
“Yiryeong?”
Her stepmother, Cha Ji-hyun, who had been taking orders, looked surprised.
It was no wonder—this was the first time Yiryeong had ever visited the snack shop.
“I came because I have something to tell you.”
Her voice and expression were stiff, emotionless. It had always been that way with Ji-hyun, almost like conditioned behavior.
“Wait a bit! Your dad went out for a delivery. He’ll be back soon!”
“Yes, I understand.”
Yiryeong nodded curtly and stood awkwardly in the middle of the shop.
She hadn’t expected customers to be there. If she had, she would’ve come at another time.
Even though there were empty seats, she didn’t sit. This was her father and stepmother’s domain, and that thought filled her mind.
“Yiryeong, you waited a while, huh? There’s a room inside—shall we talk there?”
Ji-hyun approached her with a faint smile after seeing off the last customers.
Yiryeong followed her into the small room behind the kitchen, puzzled by her oddly warm demeanor.
“Have you had dinner yet? If not, I can make something simple.”
Ji-hyun’s friendliness, paired with her smile, felt burdensome.
“No, it’s fine. I ate at the office.”
She lied smoothly. She had barely eaten lunch, but strangely, she wasn’t hungry.
“Dear? Are you in the room?”
Her father had returned from his delivery.
Yiryeong was surprised at how gentle he sounded but didn’t show it. After all, they were husband and wife.
“Yiryeong’s dad! Come to the room—Yiryeong’s here!”
“Yiryeong? She’s here?”
As the two bustled, Yiryeong glanced at Ji-hyun. She clearly felt awkward hearing her father called that way.
This farce was her own doing. She was sure that stepping back, even if late, was the right thing for everyone.
The three of them sat together in the small room.
No one spoke at first; a heavy tension filled the air.
“…I have someone I’m going to marry.”
Yiryeong spoke first, clearly stating her purpose.
“I’m planning to get married soon.”
And just like that, she dropped a bombshell.
“Yiryeong… marriage?”
Her father, Geon-tae, was so shocked he couldn’t close his mouth. He even ruffled his hair in bewilderment.
“I was proposed to recently.”
Yiryeong avoided looking at his unfamiliar expression and kept going.
“I’ve prepared for it.”
She handed them a shopping bag. She had bought clothes for the upcoming formal meeting between families. Considering who her fiancé was, she had spent a lot.
“Why the rush to get married? Don’t tell me…”
Geon-tae’s gaze dropped.
“I’m not pregnant or anything.”
She casually touched her flat stomach as she responded.
“It’s just… so sudden.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner.”
“But Yiryeong, this isn’t right. You can’t just suddenly—”
Her father looked like he had a lot more to say.
“Excuse me! We’d like some tteokbokki over here!”
But a sudden wave of group customers interrupted the conversation.
Reluctantly, Yiryeong decided to leave things for another time and stepped back out onto the street. She tilted her head back and looked up.
The crescent moon looked especially cold tonight.
“Haa…”
She let out a long sigh she had been holding in.
Announcing her marriage only made her chest feel heavier.
A marriage born not of love, but of ulterior motives.
She had expected that a wedding built on deception wouldn’t be welcomed.
Her chest ached with bitterness.
Even breathing in the cold air didn’t ease the tightness in her chest—just then, her phone rang. It was Lee Jun.
“Yes, Executive Director.”
She had practiced a new way to address him at home, but it didn’t come out naturally.
—I’m not Executive Director right now.
“…What?”
Startled, she froze.
“Ex…ecutive Director?”
—I said, I’m not Executive Director.
His firm voice tickled her ears.
What on earth was wrong?
“Executive Director, why are you calling at this hour?”
She tried to suppress her excitement and kept her tone businesslike.
—You got my title wrong. I thought I told you what to call me.
The suppressed feelings burst out as she heard his playful laugh.
—Am I your husband during the day and Executive Director at night?
His teasing didn’t annoy her at all.
—I’d prefer to be “Lee Jun” during the day and “Honey” at night, actually.
His short bursts of laughter made her heart feel like it might explode.
“…Are you still at the office?”
She asked with trembling lips.
—I’m not as much of a workaholic as I look. But… maybe I’m addicted to something else.
His strange answer made her eyes widen.
—I think I’m addicted to you, Yiryeong.
She unconsciously bit her lip.
This man must be crazy.
—I’m nearby.
She was too startled to respond.
—You know the park near the main road? I’m at the parking lot. Come meet me.
His voice echoed in her ears and seeped into her heart.
—You seem really flustered. Come and show me. I want to see you.
His softened tone didn’t feel awkward—it felt good.
She suddenly wanted to be the only one who saw this side of him.
—I’ll wait until you come.
She wasn’t curious why he was there. The only thing that mattered was that Seo Lee Jun had come.
“Why did you come?”
She wasn’t really curious—but she wanted to hear it.
—Do I need a reason? I came because I wanted to see you.
His words made excitement surge through her.
There was no need to hesitate.
All that was left in her was the desire to run straight to him.
Lee Jun’s car was parked deep inside the park’s parking lot.
Even at night, it was impossible to miss—his luxury sports car stood out in the quiet neighborhood.
Yiryeong was reminded once again of his wealth.
‘Isn’t “Executive Director Seo” a better fit for a CEO than “Manager Seo”? His track record says it all.’
She hadn’t thought much of her colleagues’ words back then. She’d planned to reject his proposal anyway.
‘Looks, business skills—he’s got it all. I fully support Executive Director Seo as our next CEO!’
Remembering their gossip quickly sobered her excitement.
She had momentarily forgotten he was the second son of AE Cosmetics and the next in line to lead the company.
“You moved without thinking again.”
Her pace toward him slowed.
She regretted announcing the marriage to her parents so hastily.
“Haa…”
Her hesitation came out as a sigh.
Just earlier, she had wanted to see him. His mere presence had calmed her turbulent heart.
“Phew…”
She exhaled the tightness from her throat—but the heaviness inside her didn’t go away. Why?
‘Why do you keep forgetting?’
‘Don’t let anyone else hurt you.’
The memory of his touch on her lips resurfaced vividly.
She had to admit it—she liked him more than she’d expected.
She couldn’t keep resisting someone who kept shaking her heart like this, even if she knew his motives weren’t pure.
‘Don’t get hurt without my permission.’
‘Only react to me.’
His words floated in her head.
‘Come to me without worry.’
Even if his ways were cunning, even if she was just an escape for him, the only thing that mattered was that she felt at ease when she was with him.
“Unrequited love was always supposed to be hard.”
Her resolve wasn’t perfect.
No one could guarantee how their marriage would turn out. But it was up to her to build the relationship.
Yiryeong steadied her wavering heart and got into his car.
“What were you thinking about?”
“I’m sorry for making you wait.”
She apologized to him as he leaned against the steering wheel.
“If you were one second later, I was about to storm out.”
His relaxed voice carried a playful tone.
“Were you nervous to see me?”
“What?”
Thump—her heart almost burst.
She knew he was teasing, but it felt too real to calm down easily.
Carrying all her nervousness, she looked at him bathed in moonlight.
His finely sculpted features made her entire body feel hot. She had fallen for his handsome face, plain and simple.
“Executive Director.”
She held her breath as she called him.
“There are so many other ways you could call me. Did you forget already?”
His playful smile melted a bit of the heaviness in her heart.
“…Lee Jun.”
“Much better.”
His eyes crinkled with satisfaction.
Thanks to that, her heavy heart felt just a little lighter.
