🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter 03
As Hajoon moved closer, Eunjae’s gaze slowly traveled upward.
Even though the tall man strode toward her, she only looked at him as if she had lost her senses.
She still kept the handkerchief he had once given her—the one he used to help her that day.
She had long missed the scent that had vanished from her life, and now that she was facing him again, her vision felt dizzy.
Even after twelve years, she recognized it immediately. Only today did she realize that scent could exist in memory.
“…Sir?”
Hajoon’s low voice broke the silence of the room.
The woman who had been looking up at him with moist eyes now showed a flicker of something bright in her gaze.
Lee Eunjae, was it? His ten-years-younger blind date partner seemed to have decided to call him “sir.”
He had expected water thrown in his face, or insults—not this kind of address.
“Then what should I call you, Miss Lee Eunjae? Little kid?”
“Ah, I… that’s not—”
She looked so small and fragile that she barely reached his shoulder. Her translucent skin and neatly soft brown hair made her delicate features stand out even more.
He had intended to lightly match her tone and end things quickly, thinking she was just acting out.
But her wide eyes were trembling with confusion.
Before she could speak again, he continued first.
“I’m sorry for making you wait so long.”
“Oh, it’s alright. I understand you’re very busy.”
She clasped her hands neatly in front of her and glanced at him before lowering her head.
“Please, have a seat.”
Hajoon pulled out a chair for her. Eunjae gave a small bow and sat down, and he walked around the table to sit opposite her.
If things went as usual, he would simply say he had no intention of marriage and leave. That was how most of his blind dates ended.
He assumed this one would be no different.
But when he saw her staring intently at the menu—still carrying a faintly childlike innocence—he couldn’t bring himself to say the words.
In the end, he also opened the menu.
After all, an “uncle” could at least buy a meal for a “kid.”
A faint, unconscious smile briefly crossed his face as he looked through the menu.
Twelve years ago, in the winter when Eunjae was ten.
A large year-end charity party was being held at Taon Hotel.
It was her first time attending such an event, and she was filled with excitement.
But just as she was about to enter the banquet hall with Seongchan, his secretary came to find him.
After a brief, serious conversation, he turned to her.
“Eunjae, can you wait here for a moment? I’ll be right back. Let’s go in together, okay?”
It seemed he had urgent matters to handle.
She nodded, and stayed behind, peeking through the slightly opened grand doors of the banquet hall.
Bright outfits, elegant shoes, and shimmering lights spilled through the gap.
Unable to resist, she pushed the door open a little more and stepped inside.
A dazzling chandelier illuminated flowing dresses and sparkling accessories.
Perhaps because her mother wasn’t there, young Eunjae found herself captivated by the elegance of adult women.
“Wow…”
Transparent glasses filled with bubbling drinks and neatly arranged finger foods were fascinating.
She thought she should go back and wait by the door, but curiosity overwhelmed her, and she kept looking around.
For a long while, she stood there, mesmerized by the beautiful scene.
“Ah…”
Lost in watching, she tripped over someone’s foot and fell forward.
Worse, the person she bumped into was holding a drink.
Cold liquid splashed over her head, and whispers spread among the onlookers. Frightened, she froze completely.
The woman she bumped into shook her hand in annoyance, even though nothing had spilled on her.
“Hey! Where are you looking? Honestly, how annoying.”
I should have just waited for Dad.
Tears welled up quickly, blurring her vision.
“Wow, now why are you crying when you’re the one at fault?”
“S-sorry… sob…”
Tears dripped onto her hand as she lay on the floor.
Then something covered her head.
It was bigger than her father’s coat—and it carried a clean, refreshing scent.
And then, suddenly, she was lifted into someone’s arms with surprising strength.
Thanks to the large coat covering her, her tear-stained face was hidden from the crowd.
“I apologize. I will compensate for the damage to the clothing. Please contact me anytime.”
A deep male voice rumbled above her, muffled through the coat wrapped around her ears.
Her tears stopped instantly, and her round eyes darted curiously toward the voice.
The man carrying her walked somewhere, the classical music from the banquet hall growing distant.
She was placed on a soft sofa, and the coat was lifted from her head.
Bright lights made her squint.
“Are you okay? Are you hurt?”
A handsome man knelt down in front of her, checking her condition.
His face wasn’t smiling, but it felt gentle and warm.
He took out a handkerchief and carefully wiped the liquid from her hair and coat.
“T-thank you…”
Before she could finish, his phone rang from inside his jacket. He stood up.
“This is Seo Hajoon.”
Seo Hajoon…
That name sank deeply into her heart that day—and her first love began.
While eating, Hajoon occasionally noticed Eunjae sneaking glances at him. And every time, their eyes met.
Flustered, she ended up silently eating only the lemon sorbet served for dessert.
Her face grew warmer and her ears turned redder as she lowered her head even more.
Her desire to look at him and her desire to hide her flushed face clashed inside her, making her movements with the spoon faster and more restless.
After finishing the glass dish, she cautiously looked up.
Hajoon was checking his wristwatch.
“I enjoyed the meal. Let’s get going.”
He spoke as soon as she put down her spoon, as if there was not even a trace of regret.
“Oh… yes.”
He stood up, fastening his jacket buttons, and Eunjae followed.
She had harbored a one-sided love for him since the moment she first saw him—but it seemed Hajoon didn’t remember her at all.
When Taon introduced her for the arranged marriage with Gwonil Group, she had secretly hoped he might recognize her.
But so much time had passed, and it had been her one-sided memory—he likely didn’t know.
Besides, she had been just a child then.
Thinking she would try asking him later when they got closer, she gathered her courage.
“Um…”
The man turned around and looked at her without a word.
Eunjae closed her mouth.
His expression said everything—there would be no next meeting.
Even without experience in love, she could recognize the look of someone who had no interest in her at all.
If he had been even slightly interested, the meal wouldn’t have been so quiet.
So she had to be brave. Gathering twelve years of one-sided love, she finally spoke.
“I like you, Seo Hajoon… so could we meet again sometime…?”
