Chapter 13
The event finally began in earnest, and the venue filled with many facilities, equipment, and people.
In particular, the children attending from various organizations were scattered throughout, and their clear, bright laughter seemed to cleanse the murky hearts of the adults.
Since it was a large-scale event, of course there was a grand opening. A few famous celebrities even appeared and performed.
As balloons and banners hung everywhere, the bright sunlight poured down on a place where everyone was ready to enjoy themselves.
“Did you see?”
Of course, gossip didn’t stop even in the middle of all this.
“I heard earlier that she was at the food truck.”
“They say Executive Director Kwon Jisang’s wife sent her on an errand.”
“Really? Honestly, what’s the point of going all the way over there and doing that? So uncultured.”
“Exactly. I’d better not get involved with her for no reason. But more importantly…”
The woman who had quickly ended the chain of gossip that had already gone around the venue once cast her eyes diagonally.
She covered her mouth with her hand and whispered softly.
“Doesn’t she seem really different from what we’ve heard?”
Though it was spoken without a subject, the other woman easily followed the thread of the conversation.
Nod.
“So it’s not just me. There’s something…”
Before they knew it, both were staring in the same direction.
“She looks like she’s used to this kind of place.”
“Right? Not a hint of being flustered.”
“What should I even call it…”
Their eyes landed on the back of a woman with long hair cascading over her shoulders, her waist straight as she sat.
The hottest topic of the day, drawing the eyes of most people at the event.
“You could almost say she looks… refined.”
The new bride who had recently married Executive Director Ha Yunjae.
Though she had collapsed suddenly and the wedding ceremony itself never took place, the marriage was still valid.
There were plenty of stories about the bride. Though people tried to cover it up, everyone knew her name, her origins, and most of her background.
She had been so terribly ordinary that she had barely left an impression at all.
“A woman with nothing.”
“A woman who is nothing.”
That’s what those who knew her used to say. And today, many came to this event curious to test the waters.
Some even expected some ridiculous incident to occur—wondering what kind of strange thing might happen under the watchful eyes of curious onlookers.
But what they actually saw was the complete opposite of what they had expected.
She wasn’t dazzling or noisy, but she also showed no trace of being intimidated.
Her straight posture gave off an aura that even seemed slightly proud—an aura that was no less than that of her husband, Ha Yunjae, sitting beside her.
Whisper, whisper.
Murmur, murmur.
Because of this, no one dared to approach them recklessly. The newlyweds, exuding a subtle “don’t come near us!” aura, sat together exchanging their own private words.
“We really don’t have to stay until the very end, right?”
“Probably not.”
“Don’t answer vaguely. Say it properly. I think my cheek muscles are about to cramp from smiling.”
It didn’t sound like an exaggeration. The corners of her mouth, held up by effort, trembled faintly.
Yunjae lightly tapped his leg with the hand resting on it.
“Where did you even learn things like that?”
“What do you mean?”
As she rubbed her cheeks to relax the stiffness, she slightly turned her head.
Flinch.
Her cheek, puffed up by her fingertips, looked plump like baby fat. Yunjae, staring briefly at her cheek, spoke.
“You’re holding out better than I thought.”
“…”
“Not like the Joo Ae-jung I know.”
Even while knowing so many eyes were on her in such a crowded place, she hadn’t lost her composure. It was surprising.
Perhaps it was even a compliment.
But she didn’t take it that way. Pulling her hand back from her cheek, she gestured lightly.
“Lean in for a second.”
At the beckoning of her delicate fingertips, he instinctively leaned closer. Her lips came right to his ear.
Suddenly.
Her lack of hesitation made his eyes widen slightly, but she whispered something only he could hear.
“Ha Yunjae, do you even know me?”
The words themselves were sharp as icicles.
“…What?”
“Don’t act like you do when you don’t. And from now on, questions like that are forbidden.”
“…”
“Because every day will be new.”
She spilled out her words one after another, then sat back and straightened her slightly disheveled clothes.
She didn’t seem to realize that not just every day, but every moment was new. Behind his incredulous laugh, the event’s opening came to an end.
Though countless people were desperate to talk to them, the couple left as soon as the opening was finished.
Her injured hand was reason enough.
“I’m just going to take a look around before heading back, so follow along.”
Trailing behind Yunjae as he openly inspected the bustling venue, she muttered in mild rebellion.
“Do I really have to follow too?”
When he suddenly stopped and turned to look at her—his eyes lingering on the fatigue etched under hers—her gaze wavered uneasily.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Do the work, then claim the rights.”
“….”
“You signed the contract. So fulfill it—unless you want to pay the penalty.”
With only a few words, he shut her down and began walking again. She had no choice but to follow.
Muttering inaudible complaints, her thoughts grew complicated.
“Contract.”
Reality crept back in—colder and harsher than expected.
[ I’ll send the other half after we go through the wedding. ]
She bit her dry lips as Yunjae’s old words resurfaced in her mind. She had no idea where that “other half” had gone, or what exactly she had received.
And that wasn’t the only thing she didn’t know.
There were so many basic things she needed to sort out in order to live as Joo Ae-jung.
“So many things to organize…”
Lost in thought, her steps quickened until she nearly overtook Yunjae. Just then, a sudden force pulled her back.
Tak.
“…!”
Startled, she found herself against a crisp dress shirt that carried a faint scent of cologne.
A fragrance so subtle it could only be noticed up close—it filled her wide eyes.
Thunk!
At the same time, a ball rolled to the spot where she had been standing.
But instead of looking back, she lifted her eyes from the shirt and met his gaze.
“….”
Their eyes were unexpectedly close.
“Dark brown…”
The color of his irises was clearer now, no longer appearing simply black.
Like the ball that hadn’t bounced away but spun in place, her mind also whirled in circles.
After blinking a few more times, she finally stepped back from his chest.
“Thank you.”
She offered her thanks without delay, pressing down the queasiness in her stomach as she stepped away.
Turning toward the children on the grass field, she saw them looking at her.
“We’re sorry!”
“Sorry!”
Judging from their loud apologies, they must have been the ones who kicked the ball.
“Hold this for a moment.”
Handing her bag to Yunjae, she picked up the ball.
He accepted the bag without thinking, then asked,
“What are you planning?”
“If you’re challenged, it’s only right to accept.”
Leaving behind words he couldn’t understand, she set the ball on the ground. Pouring her restless emotions into it, she kicked.
Thud!
The ball soared with a satisfying sound.
“Oh, whoa!”
It arced beautifully through the air, heading straight for the goal.
“Wow! They blocked that?!”
Unaware that Yunjae let out a baffled laugh at the unexpected kick, she clicked her tongue in disappointment as the goalkeeper caught the ball.
“Wait. Did that kid just provoke me?”
The child who had blocked the ball now pointed his thumb downward.
“Oh-ho! I’ll be right back.”
Normally, she wasn’t the type to fall for such a clumsy provocation, but she gladly let herself be drawn in and ran toward the field.
Her smiling face, brighter than the warm sunlight, was radiant as she went.
Her hair shimmered as it swayed, leaving behind an afterimage like a halo of light as she grew distant.
She glanced back at Yunjae, flashing a brilliant smile that seemed to wipe away every thought from his mind.
He quietly watched as she blended in with the children.
Hovering on the line between consciousness and unconsciousness, he was interrupted.
“Director?”
It was his secretary, Chief Hong.
Seeing the faraway look in Yunjae’s eyes, Hong blinked and asked,
“Did something good happen?”
At the unexpected question, Yunjae turned to him. The secretary fumbled nervously.
“Well, it’s just… you were smiling, sir… Forget it. I apologize. It’s time for your next appointment.”
“…What?”
Smiling? Him?
At the unthinkable words, he unconsciously touched his lips and rubbed them.
His deep brown eyes, faintly clouded with confusion, turned back to his wife.
She was already laughing and high-fiving the children.
[ If you can’t play the role of a husband, at least pretend. ]
[ I’ve been comforted enough. ]
Her voice echoed in his ears. Glancing at the bandages wrapped around her hand, Yunjae spoke to his waiting secretary.
“Bring me the list of people working at the food truck today.”
“…Sir?”
Chief Hong looked puzzled at the sudden order, but Yunjae didn’t explain. He had no intention of leaving yet.
“I should at least pretend.”
To those who had comforted his wife—gladly.
