🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter : 04
Cold sweat ran down her back.
Seokjin’s expression seemed to mock someone caught in a test.
He wasn’t smiling kindly like when dealing with a client; it was a sneer.
“I came to get a copy of the certificate.”
At her words, Seokjin looked around and leaned closer to her.
“You could have just done it online or at the kiosk…”
Damn it. If she had known it would be this tense, she would have worn heels even if it was uncomfortable.
Gaeun thought about something she could use as a weapon.
Ah, her phone.
Worried the case might get damaged, she quickly removed the bumper case she had never taken off since the accident. Her hands moved faster than ever.
“I wasn’t trying to do that…”
She lifted her phone high, as if ready to hit his head and run.
But before the corner of her phone could touch Seokjin’s head, he grabbed her wrist.
“Were you going to hit me just now?”
Honestly, Gaeun nodded.
“Why?”
“…Because if not, President Joo would get rid of me.”
“Why would I do that to you, Gaeun?”
“You just interrogated me. About the bride interview thing.”
“I didn’t say it first. You spoke freely before I even asked.”
She realized he was right. She had spilled everything herself without saying a word.
Gaeun regretted choosing business class less than ten minutes into the flight. If she knew Joo Seokjin was here, she would never have sat in a class far above her station.
She needed to show Seokjin that she could keep a secret.
“I really didn’t tell anyone except you, President Joo.”
“I believe you.”
“I’ll take this secret to my grave. Just leave me alone.”
“Who would mess with you, Gaeun?”
“You’d be watching me in case I spread rumors or do something foolish, right?”
Seokjin raised an eyebrow, looking amused.
“You seem to like imagining things a lot, Gaeun.”
“Imagining things?”
“I’m not someone with enough free time to satisfy all your fantasies.”
“Then… thank you.”
Feeling embarrassed, Gaeun avoided his gaze and scratched her neck.
After a moment, she glanced at him and saw he was reading the newspaper again.
The plane had taken off, and there was nowhere to run. She would have to sit next to him for a long time.
Being an afternoon flight, she wasn’t sleepy. More than that, the excitement of sitting in business class made her eyes sparkle.
Though she tried to look away, boredom made her glance at Seokjin.
He’s probably going to Bangkok for a business trip, right?
Then I’m the lucky one going on vacation.
Gaeun giggled quietly, trying not to laugh at the pointless sense of victory.
Seokjin noticed her movement and turned his head.
“Ah… I just laughed. You’re going on a trip?”
“Vacation.”
Ah, it was a tie.
President Joo was also going on vacation.
“Me too.”
She had been on vacation ever since meeting Seokjin…
Just as the conversation halted and the atmosphere became awkward, a flight attendant approached.
From the words “beef” and “seafood meal,” it seemed they were asking her to choose the in-flight meal.
Gaeun tapped Seokjin’s arm.
“What will you have?”
“I’ll have the seafood meal.”
“Then can you tell them I’ll take beef?”
[Two beef meals, please.]
Hearing him, Gaeun quickly raised her hand to call the attendant.
“Excuse me! Seafood meal, please!”
Seeing the attendant smile and nod, she relaxed and lowered her hand.
“You didn’t say beef?”
“I said beef because you were taking fish. If you had said beef, I would have asked for fish instead.”
“Why?”
“Because this is business class!”
“Why does that matter?”
She hadn’t expected him to understand fully, but didn’t think he’d fail this much.
She wanted to enjoy all the food and drinks business class offered.
Especially the various in-flight meals she wanted to photograph and keep for comfort when feeling down.
“President Joo doesn’t know, but it’s my first time in business class. I want to see, taste, and enjoy everything here.”
“Go ahead.”
“I can’t do it all alone… please help me.”
“Why should I?”
She had no answer. He had no reason to help her.
Then she remembered what happened in the hotel lounge.
“The price for keeping secrets.”
Originally it was 100,000 won, but since neither Joo nor his assistant had it, she had only received 5,000 won. She decided to use this as leverage to convince Seokjin.
“You said you’d keep it secret.”
“You accepted 95,000 won less to keep it secret. If you help me enjoy the meals and drinks, I’ll forgive that 95,000 won.”
“…You can just ask the flight attendant for anything you want.”
“How embarrassing to keep asking for more.”
Even if it’s free, she didn’t have the nerve to ask for all the varieties.
“I’ll give you 95,000 won.”
Seokjin sighed and reached for his wallet.
“You left it at home.”
He muttered to himself and took out his backpack from the storage compartment.
Trying to avoid helping her, Seokjin attempted to pay with money instead.
“Huh?”
As he opened the bag, his face darkened in frustration.
“95,000 won, please.”
Gaeun held out her hands.
Since he offered, there was no reason to refuse. Plus, she was unemployed—every penny counted.
“…I’ll help.”
“If you had said this from the start, we wouldn’t have had an awkward moment. I’ll order Chang beer, you order Tiger beer.”
Gaeun tapped his side with her elbow. Surprisingly, Seokjin called the attendant and ordered the beers.
She opened a can and drank a refreshing gulp with some nuts.
“Ah! Aren’t you drinking?”
“I don’t like alcohol much.”
“Ah, people like President Joo probably drink wine. I’ll just have a little then, it’s fine?”
“Drink as you like.”
He was cold, ignoring her as if she were an unimportant person.
“It’s my first time in business class, so I’m asking. You’ve probably flown a lot… Or do you only take first class?”
“Drink as much as you want.”
“Ah, thank you for the advice.”
Gaeun reluctantly nodded and picked up another brand of beer from his table.
“Wait a moment.”
Seokjin suddenly grabbed the can, covered the top with a handkerchief from his back pocket, and opened it.
Gaeun eyed him warily, wondering why he was being so kind.
“Drink.”
“Why are you doing this?”
“…Just felt like it.”
He placed the can on her table.
She stared, swallowing nervously.
Something about the beer felt… off.
“I usually don’t take food from others.”
She moved the can back toward him.
Seeing him embarrassed, she became more suspicious.
There had to be something on that handkerchief.
“You asked me for help earlier, didn’t you?”
“Oh, you don’t need to help. Now I realize I was rude as a stranger.”
“We’re not strangers.”
“Let’s just focus ahead. Sharing this space with President Joo feels… inappropriate.”
“May I ask why your mind changed so quickly in less than a minute?”
Why?
Because you’re suspicious.
She had seen too many movies; caution couldn’t hurt.
“I’m a very fickle person.”
“That’s troublesome.”
Her imagination ran wild at his words.
Was he implying she could act more freely after drinking the beer?
“My mind is too clear… Maybe I should go spar at the Muay Thai gym after a long time.”
“You do Muay Thai?”
“Ah, just as a hobby.”
Muay Thai?
Gaeun realized that when a person is desperate, they can lie very convincingly.
“Actually, I’m going to try out as a Muay Thai fighter.”
“Strange.”
“What’s strange?”
“You were reported to have no exercise at all.”
“Oh! Did you investigate me? The retail level you checked… really.”
“I wasn’t sure if you’d keep a secret. I can’t let anyone know I interviewed you to save my wife.”
“Why do you do things that make me so awkward?”
Gaeun couldn’t understand.
Why would President Joo, a man with extraordinary looks and wealth, need to interview women to choose a bride?
Could it be…?
Gaeun’s eyes glanced at Seokjin’s thigh.
“It’s due to circumstances.”
“…Something you can’t talk about, I suppose. I understand. But if you meet the woman you truly love, you can overcome any flaw.”
“Flaw?”
“Maybe try medical help once…”
“Gaeun.”
His voice grew cold. She flinched.
By the time she realized she crossed a line, it was too late.
“Earlier, wherever you mentioned at the airport, that person is very important.”
A very important man?
Beyond money, a man’s pride is impressive.
Wait… does that mean he overheard me at the airport?
Could he have followed me from there?
There were hardly any other passengers in business class besides her and President Joo.
“…So, may I ask a favor?”
Key Block Quotes:
“I really didn’t tell anyone except you, President Joo.”
“I’ll take this secret to my grave. Just leave me alone.”
“President Joo doesn’t know, but it’s my first time in business class. I want to see, taste, and enjoy everything here.”
