BR - 5

—”I can’t even eat caviar anymore, or that top-grade Hanwoo beef. It’s been ages since I last visited the luxury department stores. All my clothes are outdated—I’m becoming an old woman, sobbing uncontrollably.”

Eun-chae’s head throbbed with frustration.

Caviar, Hanwoo beef, luxury boutiques—her mother still clung to these desires despite their dire financial situation. Eun-chae had tried reasoning, pleading, and even yelling, but this fight repeated itself endlessly.

—”Don’t worry. I’ll ask your uncle to cover this month’s credit card bill.”

“How does Uncle have the money for that? Won’t Aunt feel hurt if you keep asking?”

—”When we were well-off, how much did we do for your uncle? Even if I asked him to support me until I die, neither he nor your aunt would dare say a word.”

“Mom…”

—”Let’s hang up. I promise to spend less next month.”

Her mother ended the call abruptly, sobbing without listening further.

Just months ago, Uncle had covered her credit card debt, and here they were again. No matter how many side jobs she took on, her mother’s reckless spending always left her stranded.

Turning on the light in her dim room, the harsh blue glow of the bulb stung her eyes.

She wanted to replace it with a softer, more expensive bulb—but what was the point? This tiny studio apartment was only for sleeping anyway.

In one corner of the room, stacks of pizza boxes waited to be folded for her part-time gig. Staring at the pile, Eun-chae slid down against the wall, defeated.

What a life I lead…

「If you want to keep working here, are you willing to do anything I ask?」

Why did Seok-kyung’s words suddenly resurface now?

Clutching her phone, Eun-chae hesitated before dialing a number she hadn’t touched in three years.

Part of her hoped he wouldn’t answer; another part prayed he would.

Thankfully, the line connected quickly, and soon a familiar ringtone filled her ears.

Wait, this song?

It was from an idol group she’d loved long ago. Hearing it brought a fleeting sense of comfort, easing some of her earlier despair.

—”This is Baek Seok-kyung.”

The music cut off abruptly as his voice came through.

Startled, Eun-chae froze, unable to speak.

—”Hello?”

—”Is this a wrong number?”

Realizing she wasn’t responding, Seok-kyung moved to hang up.

Panicking, she blurted out, “Wait! Please, Mr. Baek!”

—”Who…?”

“It’s me. Lee Eun-chae.”

—”Lee Eun-chae?”

His tone sharpened slightly, clearly taken aback.

Understandable—he must have thought their interaction earlier today had ended everything.

—”What do you want?”

“I…”

—”If it’s not urgent, I’m hanging up.”

“No, wait!”

The thought of losing this chance—and her courage—to confront him terrified her.

“Hello?”

She pulled the phone away briefly, fearing he’d already hung up, but thankfully, the screen still showed the call was active.

—”What?”

His voice was icy, undoubtedly matching the coldness of his expression.

At least they weren’t face-to-face right now—that small mercy helped steady her nerves.

“About your offer earlier…”

—”Which offer?”

“I’ll do it.”

—”Do what?”

“The thing you wanted. So please let me keep my job.”

Sex with Baek Seok-kyung? What difference did it make?

It was merely fulfilling the wedding night they’d never had all those years ago. And it wasn’t as though she’d be surrendering herself to a stranger—it was someone who had once been her husband. There was no reason to overthink it.

Yet her heart pounded wildly, betraying her attempts to rationalize.

—”I’ll send you the address via text. Come there.”

“N-now?”

—”Is there a problem with coming now?”

“Well, I just got home from work, and I have to go back tomorrow…”

—”If you don’t want to, fine.”

His words were sharp and dismissive.

How dare he act like this was her choice? Anyone overhearing might think she enjoyed this arrangement.

Fury bubbled within her, but she swallowed it down.

What did it matter whether it happened tonight or tomorrow? If anything, getting it over with sooner felt preferable.

“No, I’ll come.”

The call ended abruptly without so much as a goodbye. Moments later, a text arrived with an address.

[Be here in 30 minutes.]

The curt instruction made her leap to her feet. Reaching the location within half an hour meant taking a taxi, but practicalities didn’t matter now. Her ability to stay at the company depended on this moment.

Still, she didn’t want to appear disheveled when meeting Seok-kyung intimately. She changed into fresh underwear and the nicest outfit she owned—not glamorous, but presentable enough.

“Taxi!”

Her heart raced faster with every passing second as she hailed a cab and headed toward the destination. Despite the self-loathing gnawing at her, excitement tingled beneath the surface. After all, she was finally going to be held by the man she’d once loved.

When she arrived, however, confusion struck. Instead of a hotel or his home, the address led to a high-end restaurant inside a mixed-use complex.

“What brings you here?” 

A sharply dressed manager blocked her path, scrutinizing her appearance before attempting to usher her back outside.

“I’m sorry, but this is a VVIP-only establishment. We don’t accept regular customers.”

“Oh, I’m meeting someone here.”

“Someone…?”

The manager frowned deeply, skeptical. “May I ask the name of the person you’re meeting?”

“Mr. Baek Seok-kyung, the CEO…”

“Mr. Baek?”

The manager’s eyes widened dramatically, and he bowed deeply.

“My apologies. I didn’t realize you were Mr. Baek’s guest…”

“It’s fine…”

“This way, please. Mr. Baek is waiting.”

With a complete reversal of attitude, the manager led her inside, ensuring she followed closely as they walked toward the farthest table.

Though annoyed, Eun-chae understood. Three years ago, she too had frequented such places, treated as a VVIP. This world simply no longer belonged to her.

Approaching Seok-kyung’s table, she noticed the restaurant was eerily empty. He sat alone by the window, wineglass in hand, immaculately dressed in the same suit he wore at work.

“Mr. Baek, your guest has arrived.”

“Yes.”

“I’ll bring the dishes you ordered.”

Seok-kyung nodded briefly, dismissing the manager.

Alone now, his piercing gaze locked onto hers. Still standing awkwardly, Eun-chae shifted under his scrutiny.

“Your neck must hurt.”

“What?”

“Sit down.”

“Oh.”

She hurriedly took the seat across from him.

“You look confused about why I brought you here.”

He was right.

Why had he summoned her to such a place? Clearly, this wasn’t where people went to sleep together.

“Even in a rush, it’s rude to take a woman without courtesies. At least pretend we’re on a date.”

Pretend? Was this his idea of decency?

“I don’t need any of that,” she snapped.

“No?”

He raised an eyebrow mid-sip of wine. “You don’t want to pretend?”

“No pretense necessary. I agreed to whatever you want.”

“That’s correct. Whatever I want.” He emphasized the word ‘I’ with a smirk.

“You have no choice. From now on, I’ll do as I please—with or without pretending. Whether we play lovers or skip straight to the act, it’s entirely up to me.”

His predatory gaze bore into her as he leisurely sipped his wine.

“Make one thing clear.”

“What?”

“If I comply with your wishes, will you let me keep my job? No changing your mind later.”

He chuckled mockingly. “Shall we draw up a contract?”

It was pure sarcasm.

“Your promise is enough. You always keep your promises, don’t you?”

She recalled an old interview where he’d said breaking promises was despicable, vowing always to honor his own.

Little did she know she’d use those words against him someday.

Seok-kyung stared at her intently before pulling out his phone and making a call.

“To HR: Starting tomorrow, transfer Lee Eun-chae from the planning department to full-time status.”

What? What?!

Stunned, Eun-chae nearly toppled her chair as she shot upright.

But Seok-kyung continued speaking into the phone.

“Creating a justification for this is Secretary Won’s job. Do I really need to spell it out for you?”

And with that, the call ended.