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“…You’re quite straightforward.”
Not just anyone would express concerns about how long a marriage might last when meeting their friend’s fiancé. Seul-young either had no tact, or she truly cared deeply for Sena.
“I just don’t want Sena to get hurt anymore.”
“I don’t want her to get hurt either. I also don’t believe our marriage will harm her.”
“Are you sure? No, are you confident?”
Seul-young’s counter-question made Joo-hyuk slightly uncomfortable. Who could guarantee the future?
“I can’t be certain, but I am confident. I promised to cherish her, so she won’t get hurt.”
Joo-hyuk’s firm expression and rigid tone prompted Seul-young to stare at him for a moment before breaking into a faint smile.
“If I offended you, I’m sorry. It’s just that it worries me to see my best friend marrying someone she’s only known for a short time.”
“My status is as solid as it gets.”
“Of course your status is impeccable. You’re the CEO of a major media company—almost everyone knows your name. But you can’t judge a person solely based on outward appearances, right?”
He couldn’t argue with that—it was true.
“It’s asking too much to trust me on such short acquaintance. But contrary to your worries, Seul-young, Sena and I are a good match.”
“A good match, you say?”
“Yes.”
“Are you saying Sena has feelings for you, Choi Joo-hyuk?”
“Not exactly, but even if she did, what’s the problem?”
“No, no problem at all!”
Seul-young’s eyes widened as she waved her hands dismissively.
“I’m just surprised, that’s all. She’s never shown interest in anyone before.”
Seul-young picked up her glass of water from the table and gulped it down hastily. After setting the glass back down, she wiped her mouth with a napkin.
“What about your feelings, Choi Joo-hyuk?”
“My feelings?”
“Do you like Sena—not just as a person, but as a woman? Can you cherish and love her as your wife?”
“Hmm…”
Seeing Joo-hyuk unable to answer immediately, Seul-young fell silent, lost in deep thought. Not long after, Sena returned from the restroom.
She was wearing a yellow dress that seemed specially chosen for the occasion, making her fair skin appear even brighter.
“Sorry. The restroom was crowded.”
“It seems a large group just finished. People were pouring out.”
“I see. If we’re done eating, shall we order some drinks? Seul-young, what do you want to drink?”
Sena asked brightly, her cheerful demeanor snapping Seul-young out of her thoughts. Startled, Seul-young managed an awkward smile.
“Coffee… I’ll have coffee.”
“Is something wrong?”
Seeing Seul-young suddenly flustered, Sena asked with concern.
“No, nothing’s wrong.”
“What were you thinking about so deeply? Did you two talk about me while I was gone?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. We were busy praising you—Choi Joo-hyuk’s throat probably hurts from all the compliments.”
“R-really?”
Watching Sena shyly lower her head and tuck her hair behind her ear, Joo-hyuk smiled brightly.
What are my true feelings?
The sudden question that had arisen during his conversation with Seul-young unsettled him slightly, but he didn’t let it show.
“You really didn’t talk bad about me, right?”
“What’s there to criticize? We were praising you the whole time.”
The two laughed as they looked at each other. To anyone watching, they appeared to be the perfect couple.
Unbeknownst to them, Seul-young still watched with a worried expression as they gazed at each other and smiled endlessly.
* * *
The wedding was held in grand style.
The whirlwind of preparations leading up to the ceremony—the media interviews, meetings with acquaintances—had all blurred together in a chaotic rush of time.
More than half of the guests filling the five-star hotel banquet hall weren’t there for Sena and Joo-hyuk, but rather for their parents. The couple felt less like the main characters of the event and more like mere decorations in the space.
Still, Sena was happy.
“Beautiful.”
Because Joo-hyuk was there, looking at her with eyes full of love.
When her aunt threw a fit, refusing to yield her place to Mrs. Oh, Chairman Kang reluctantly added two extra seats for the bride’s side: one for Sena’s aunt and uncle, and another for himself and his wife.
Though people whispered briefly at the sight of Chairman Kang’s family seated alongside Sena’s aunt’s family, only Chairman Kang seemed bothered by the murmurs.
Joo-hyuk had adamantly declined having a congressman connected to Chairman Choi officiate the ceremony, and this news only reached the venue on the day of the wedding. Chairman Choi couldn’t hide his displeased expression when he saw the high school teacher Joo-hyuk had chosen instead.
But Joo-hyuk showed no fear or unease. His confidence helped ease Sena’s nerves.
After what felt like an endless ceremony, the couple began thanking countless unfamiliar faces.
“Congratulations, CEO Choi. How wonderful to see such a beautiful bride by your side!”
“Thank you.”
“Chairman Choi and Assemblyman Choi must be so pleased.”
“I feel guilty for marrying before my second brother.”
“In this day and age, who cares about that? Congratulations, congratulations!”
Sena could tell these people were strangers because after each greeting, Joo-hyuk would subtly wrinkle his nose and smile at her.
And every time, she’d smile back at his expression.
By now, they could sense and understand each other’s emotions without needing words. It was strange how much they had grown to know each other in just three short months.
As he held her hand tightly with his large, warm palm, he suddenly let go when they encountered someone.
“It’s been a while?”
“...Han Gang-woon?”
The man called Gang-woon had sharp, piercing eyes and an overall irritable demeanor. Seeing Joo-hyuk’s surprise, he smirked crookedly.
“Why so shocked? You look like you’ve committed some crime.”
His words were clearly mocking.
Feeling uneasy, Sena quietly tugged on Joo-hyuk’s hand.
Only then did he snap out of it, gripping her hand firmly again.
“It has been a while. How long has it been?”
“It’s been over ten years. I last saw you at my parents’ funeral, right?”
“Yeah, that’s right.”
In the tense atmosphere, the two men locked eyes.
“Even though we were once close friends, hearing about your wedding through Chairman Joo-ho feels a bit harsh, don’t you think?”
“Sorry. It honestly didn’t cross my mind. Have you been keeping in touch with Hyung?”
“No, I recently met him when the chairman I serve had a meeting with your father. That’s where I saw him.”
“The chairman you serve?”
“You’ll find out soon enough. By the way…”
Gang-woon flicked his gaze toward Sena. When their eyes met, she felt a chill run down her spine.
His piercing, unkind stare was far from friendly.
“Congratulations, Sister-in-law.”
“Th-thank you.”
Sena managed to reply, barely holding back her discomfort.
The way he scrutinized her sent shivers down her spine, but she couldn’t show any displeasure toward someone who was supposedly Joo-hyuk’s old friend.
“You’ve found a beautiful wife. As expected of you, Choi Joo-hyuk, huh?”
“Give me your business card. I’ll contact you once I’ve sorted out my schedule.”
“No need for that. I’ll visit you soon enough.”
“Alright then.”
With that, they ended their conversation and exchanged a brief handshake before Gang-woon turned to leave.
“Are you okay, Joo-hyuk?”
Sena gently tugged at Joo-hyuk, who was staring blankly at Gang-woon’s retreating figure.
“Hmm? Oh, I’m fine.”
“An old friend you haven’t seen in a while?”
“Yeah.”
Unwilling to elaborate further, Joo-hyuk gave a short reply and fell silent.
It was then that the calmness of the wedding day, which had flowed smoothly until now, seemed to crack. An unshakable unease appeared to have unsettled Joo-hyuk.
Later, in the hotel suite where they would spend their wedding night instead of embarking on a honeymoon, he still remained lost in deep thought, unable to let go of his whiskey glass.
“Joo-hyuk.”
After finishing her shower, Sena emerged wearing a thin slip and gently hugged him from behind as he sat on the couch.
Though it was clear she was the only one who would dare such an action, Joo-hyuk flinched noticeably, the shock traveling through his arm to her.
“What are you thinking about so deeply?”
“Ah, nothing.”
“It’s our wedding night. Are you just going to keep drinking?”
“Not a chance.”
He pulled her onto his lap and buried his face in the nape of her neck, taking a deep breath.
As his warm exhale brushed against her skin, she shivered. The sensation made every hair on her body stand on end, ticklish and unsettling.
“That tickles.”
“Just a moment, just let me stay like this for a bit.”
Once the ticklish feeling subsided, Sena wrapped her arms around his neck and held him close, patting his back gently.
She didn’t know what was troubling him, but she hoped he could find comfort in her embrace. It was the only thing she could do, so she poured all her worry and love into slowly stroking his back.
“It still feels surreal that we’re married.”
Joo-hyuk looked up at her as he spoke.
“I never imagined I’d feel so comforted just by holding someone.”
“Did you know?”
She smiled shyly, meeting his gaze.
“This is the first time I’ve ever felt comforted being with someone too.”
He gazed at her softly before gently cupping the back of her neck and pulling her closer. Without hesitation or doubt, she leaned in, surrendering to his gentle tug.
The moment their lips met, a magical aurora-like glow seemed to envelop them both.
It was sweet, intoxicating, and left her breathless. Though her flushed face and heated body made her feel self-conscious, Sena couldn’t bring herself to pull away from him.
“Let’s move to the bed.”
With her arms wrapped tightly around his neck, he lifted her effortlessly, carrying her toward the bedroom where they would spend their wedding night—a night filled with excitement and anticipation.
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