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Joo-Hyuk parked his car in front of the newly opened hotel that had recently invited various dignitaries and journalists for its grand opening. However, he hesitated for a moment before getting out, exhaling a deep sigh.
The thought of his father’s words echoed in his mind: “Go meet her. If you marry this woman, I’ll let you do as you wish.”
“You mean… you’ll finally allow me to move Mother’s remains to the family burial ground?”
“Yes, I promise.”
“Until now, you’ve always refused. Why are you suddenly pushing me to marry this woman? And what kind of background does she even have?”
“It’s not about who she is—it’s about her family’s standing.”
Her family’s standing…
From what Joo-Hyuk had heard through his older brother, the woman’s family wasn’t particularly impressive—a mid-sized company involved in small-scale government contracts.
He couldn’t understand why his father wanted him to marry into such an unremarkable family or why he was offering to fulfill his long-standing request regarding his mother’s remains—especially on his birthday, of all days.
Realizing the appointed time was approaching, Joo-Hyuk stepped out of the car. After handing his keys to the valet, he entered the hotel. The faint smell of fresh paint greeted him, characteristic of a new building.
The café on the first floor was surrounded by large potted plants, creating the atmosphere of a greenhouse.
As Joo-Hyuk scanned the area upon entering, his eyes landed on a woman sitting alone with a glass of water in front of her. She appeared dissatisfied, her brows slightly furrowed.
She had delicate features and a slim figure. Despite likely living comfortably as the daughter of a mid-sized enterprise owner, there was a shadow of sadness lingering on her face.
“Miss Kang Sena?”
Approaching her and calling her name, she looked up in response.
Up close, Sena was even more beautiful and captivating than from afar. Her large eyes sparkled beneath long lashes, framed by deep double eyelids. Her nose was perfectly proportioned, her cheeks tinged with a peachy hue, and her crimson lips drew his gaze.
Outwardly, she passed with flying colors. No—she appealed to him far more than he had anticipated.
“Am I late?”
Concerned by her stern expression and furrowed brows, he checked his watch, but it showed the exact agreed-upon time.
Then what could be bothering her?
Joo-Hyuk tilted his head slightly.
“No, it’s not that.”
Sena rose slightly from her seat to greet him.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Choi Joo-Hyuk.”
“I’m Kang Sena.”
“I can’t pretend I’ve heard much about you,” Joo-Hyuk said as he sat across from her.
It was true—he had only learned her name moments before leaving for this meeting. He assumed she was in a similar situation, knowing little more than his name.
However, when she lifted her head to look at him after lowering it briefly, her gaze carried a silent rebuke, as if to say such a remark was impolite.
Taken aback by her cold reaction to his half-joking comment, Joo-Hyuk’s brows twitched slightly.
A change in atmosphere was needed.
“Shall we order something to drink?”
“Yes.”
At her response, he raised his hand to signal the waitress who had been observing them closely.
“What would you like to drink?”
“An Americano, please.”
“The same for me.”
Joo-Hyuk handed the menu to the waitress and watched her retreat for a moment before turning back to Sena.
“This sudden arrangement must have caught you off guard.”
With one hand resting on the white-clothed table, he spoke.
“If this marriage isn’t something you want, just say so. I’ll tell the elders that it’s because I don’t approve of you.”
Regardless of why Sena had come here, her reactions and expressions so far made it clear that she hadn’t come willingly.
The thought that she, like him, might be here against her will stirred a sense of guilt within him.
After all, his father wielded enough influence to manipulate mid-sized company owners. If this marriage was being pushed by his father, he at least wanted to give her an excuse to escape.
Though he found her appealing, deciding on marriage after just one meeting wasn’t appropriate for either of them. Besides, unlike him, she might not find him agreeable.
“I don’t want to, but…”
After a long pause, Sena finally spoke.
“But…?”
“There’s nothing I can do about it.”
“Ah.”
With that single exclamation, Joo-Hyuk conveyed his complete understanding.
Sena didn’t blush with embarrassment or show anger toward the absurdity of the situation. Her monotone response left a strong impression, prompting a faint smile to appear on his lips.
Though she seemed resigned, her demeanor suggested she still intended to take control of the situation. It occurred to him that she might also have some sort of agreement or deal with her parents, much like he did.
“What kind of marriage do you desire?”
“Huh?”
“I’m asking if you’ve ever dreamed of a particular wedding.”
“Well… I haven’t really thought about it.”
“What about a honeymoon destination?”
“A honeymoon… destination? Hmm…”
She hadn’t considered weddings or honeymoons at all? Was she perhaps someone who valued independence or opposed marriage altogether?
The possibility that she might be choosing this marriage against her beliefs weighed heavily on Joo-Hyuk’s mind as he gazed at her pensively.
“Come to think of it, it might be strange to think about honeymoon destinations without even considering a wedding.”
“What about you?”
“Hmm… Capri?”
“Capri?”
“It’s an island in southern Italy.”
“I know that.”
“I visited once before. It’s small, quiet… and above all, the color of the sea is breathtakingly beautiful.”
Joo-Hyuk imagined going to Capri with Sena and thought it would make for a pretty nice picture. He pictured her calm demeanor breaking into awe and smiles as she gazed at the emerald waters.
It wasn’t a bad combination.
She was appealing both in appearance and personality. Though they hadn’t talked much, her composed nature impressed him. She also seemed to have a strong sense of determination.
What would she be like in bed?
Damn it. What am I thinking about on our first meeting? Snap out of it, Choi Joo-Hyuk.
Shaking off his inappropriate thoughts, he noticed her delicately examining his face, piece by piece.
“Stop staring. My face might wear out.”
Caught off guard, Sena quickly raised her cup to hide her reddening cheeks and took a sip of water.
“So… are we getting married?”
“For now, let’s just meet for a while.”
Though he had suggested imagining a honeymoon destination, he took a step back.
“Do I not appeal to you?”
“Not at all. Like you, I’m not in a position to say whether I like or dislike this marriage. Let’s date while preparing for the wedding.”
“Date?”
“I mean, let’s get to know each other. No hidden meaning.”
“What if we don’t end up liking each other?”
At Sena’s question, Joo-Hyuk stared at her face for a moment.
Not liking her? That wouldn’t happen. She had already won him over. Initially, he had felt frustrated and anxious about marrying someone he didn’t know, but meeting Sena had brought him relief.
“Are you asking me this?”
“Huh?”
“Don’t worry. As things stand now, you’ve quite captured my interest.”
Enough to look forward to their wedding night.
A sudden thought struck him like a small stone tossed into his chest. For now, it created only gentle ripples, but he knew it might grow into a tsunami that could overwhelm him someday.
Yet, why did he feel so inexplicably happy? It felt like he had received the best birthday gift ever.
“The opposite could happen too, you know.”
“Let’s not worry about either scenario. I’m not that picky. Your tea will get cold.”
He smiled brightly and raised his teacup.
Watching her lift her cup to her lips with a faint smile, he thought:
This marriage might turn out to be quite happy.
---
“What are you thinking about so deeply?”
Sena, who had been walking hand in hand with him, stopped and looked up at Joo-Hyuk. Her slightly protruding belly, adorned with her gentle touch, made her look even more lovely. Under the high, clear autumn sky, her smile sparkled like sunlight.
“Nothing much.”
“What is it? I’m curious.”
“I really wasn’t thinking of anything special.”
“Then why were you smiling like that?”
“Was I smiling?”
At his question, Sena nodded with a grin.
“You were smiling like someone lost in a happy daydream.”
Isn’t it said that love is like a sneeze—you can’t hide it? The scent of coffee wafting from a nearby café must have reminded him of their first meeting, causing an involuntary smile to form on his face.
“What is it? Can’t you tell me?”
“I was thinking about the day we first met.”
“Huh? Suddenly that day?”
“Yeah. I had a hunch back then.”
“About what?”
“That our marriage would turn out to be quite happy.”
Hearing his answer, Sena blushed and shyly smiled.
“To be honest, I think I felt the same way.”
“You did?”
“Yes. I thought marrying you might actually turn out pretty well.”
“A match made in heaven.”
Joo-Hyuk beamed, pulling her into his arms and kissing the top of her head.
Who could have imagined it? Two people brought together by external circumstances had now become each other’s rock and source of love. He didn’t want to dismiss it lightly with words like “fate.”
He didn’t know what divine plan had led him to meet Sena, but if there was some greater purpose behind it, he vowed to cherish and love her with every ounce of his being until his dying day—and even beyond.
[Main Story End]
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