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Chapter : 10
“My heart just skipped a beat.”
“Excuse me?”
“If this were real, I’d think, is there really a husband this reliable in the world? But… Mr. Joo?”
Gaeun furrowed her brow and asked.
“Go ahead.”
“Won’t your family oppose this? Usually, in those families… well, they marry within their circle, right? I think it must be chaos there now.”
“Thanks to your situation, things have become a bit easier.”
“My situation?”
Gaeun didn’t understand how her situation could help. Seeing her still frowning deeply, Seokjin began to explain.
“Because you’re unemployed, it improves my image. No matter the era, people always appreciate one thing: true love.”
“Eh?”
“An image is created where I don’t care about conditions or background, only loving that woman. According to a report from the Joo Economic Research Institute, this image can even increase our stock value… and sales.”
An economic research institute studying a scandal… this place was definitely strange.
Gaeun thought it would be best to gather small amounts of money and separate from Joo Seokjin as quickly as possible. With an institute researching just their relationship, her every action during marriage would also be analyzed.
“I guess I should consider that fortunate. I actually thought your parents might come with a money envelope and ask me to break up.”
“My parents aren’t the type to spend money like that.”
“That’s the most disappointing thing I’ve heard recently. I would have just pretended to accept it.”
“Do you like money that much?”
“Is there anyone who doesn’t?”
Rich Seokjin would never understand.
He’d never know money could buy happiness.
Gaeun remembered her parents never truly rested, always working hard. Yet, strangely, their home was never well-off. She could barely pay tuition each semester by adding her part-time job earnings, and even at restaurants or cafes, she first checked the prices.
“I’ve never seen someone not like money…”
“Mr. Joo, do you know what I really want?”
“What is it?”
“To go to a department store, pick a dress I like, and pay for it without checking the price.”
After her part-time shifts, walking past closed department stores at night, Gaeun imagined a day she could confidently pick what she liked and pay at once without worry.
“So, when Mr. Joo proposed, I was tempted for a moment. With him, I wouldn’t have to worry about money.”
“That’s the only thing I can give you.”
“That’s enough. For us, money just needs to be clear. But you’re not planning to make divorce impossible, right?”
“For the time being.”
“I hope it happens as quickly as possible.”
Seokjin’s eyebrows twitched slightly.
Was he annoyed that she mentioned divorce right after agreeing to marriage?
She didn’t care. This was a transaction, and in transactions, clarity was best.
“How soon?”
“When I have full energy.”
“…You don’t want a lifelong commitment?”
“Lifelong commitment? What a terrible idea… I want to save money, spoil my mom, lie on the Maldives beach, and have fun with a handsome man.”
Gaeun winked at Seokjin.
From now, she planned to perfectly play the role of a wife just to achieve that goal.
Even in a contract-based relationship, Gaeun casually saying she’d lie on a beach with another man after divorce was impressive.
But having a goal like that would help her endure extreme situations.
‘I raised you with no blood connection…’
‘Enough. If the third child surpasses the older brothers, it’ll look weird.’
‘Master, you need an appropriate spouse for our peace, you know?’
From the woman called “Mother” outward, to the brothers and sisters-in-law—everyone lived elegantly but aimed their sharpest barbs at each other in private.
Seokjin decided never to marry for love, mostly because of such family dynamics.
“I hope I can help with that plan.”
“So, let’s set the base salary first. And other allowances, I’ll decide after experiencing them… How does that sound?”
“Fine. But are you sensitive to terms like salary and allowance? You mention money a lot.”
He could give her as much money as he wanted. Yet thinking of Gaeun enjoying it with another man made him uneasy.
“What else do we have besides money? We’re not marrying for love or conditions.”
“Of course, but…”
“I just take the money, save it, and you get what you want with my support.”
She was even more business-minded than him.
“Then I look forward to working with you.”
“Yes, sir. Anything you ask, I’ll do.”
“Anything?”
“Of course. But first, repay the money?”
Gaeun held out her hands.
This woman truly knew how to handle money.
Seokjin felt a good intuition that she’d suit him well.
At the airport, Gaeun put on sunglasses.
Seokjin tilted his head.
“Why sunglasses?”
“People will stare outside. I need to hide my face.”
Her face was now all over the internet, not just known to acquaintances. She wanted to hide as much as possible.
“No need to worry.”
“How? There’ll be so many people at the airport.”
“We’ll use the business aviation center.”
Business aviation center? It’s still an airport…
“Private jet terminal. You won’t meet anyone.”
“Oh, that exists?”
Gaeun breathed a sigh of relief and removed her sunglasses. She was glad she wouldn’t have to worry about being noticed.
Few people would recognize her anyway, as her real appearance differed slightly from photos.
She and Seokjin quickly left the airport and got into Secretary Tak’s waiting car.
“I could take a taxi.”
“Separate ride?”
“Yes, our paths differ.”
“Why?”
“Different destinations. I go home, you go to your house, right?”
“We’re going to your house first, Gaeun.”
“My house? Why?”
Seokjin’s words confused her.
Wait… Could it be… he’s going to her house…
“We need your mother’s approval first.”
“Right now? Immediately?”
“Your mother must be shocked too. We should go together and explain the situation, asking for her understanding.”
“…That makes sense.”
It was better to go together than for her to explain alone.
“Sir, I already informed your house in advance, as you instructed.”
“…Thank you, Secretary Tak.”
Gaeun thanked him, but Seokjin muttered grumpily.
“The one saying thanks seems to be the wrong person…”
“Yes, sir, thank you. I’m so grateful I could shout ‘Hooray!’”
“Then shout.”
“Huh?”
Gaeun realized joking with someone who takes it seriously was a mistake.
From the driver’s seat came laughter.
Seokjin frowned slightly.
“Sorry, just remembered something funny from earlier today.”
“Laughing is fine. Does Mr. Joo get mad at you for laughing?”
“Gaeun.”
“Sir, this is a very important question.”
“Why is it important?”
“Because if an employer gets angry anytime, that’s a problem.”
“He isn’t like that.”
Concerned Secretary Tak tried to manage the situation, but Gaeun stood her ground, arms crossed, staring at Seokjin.
His gaze wasn’t soft either.
“Gaeun.”
“Yes, sir?”
“In this contract, I am the one providing the allowance.”
“So?”
“I told you several times I don’t like jokes.”
“You did. But Mr. Joo?”
Gaeun smiled mischievously.
Seokjin’s eyes narrowed.
“Why do you think I am the one in charge? What if I say this marriage is off?”
“A verbal agreement is still a contract.”
“I know. But I want it clear—who’s in charge.”
