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“Certain topics, you know. Go on, tell me.”
“About Han. He asked how things were going, so I answered.”
“Ah, I see?”
Madam Jeon nodded as if she understood, though her suspicious gaze lingered. She quickly recovered with a smile and patted Hyun-soo’s back.
“If you’ve already had breakfast, let’s have some tea together.”
“Yes, thank you.”
“Let’s go.”
“Okay.”
Hyun-soo followed Madam Jeon toward the kitchen and dining room, but she couldn’t help glancing back at the staircase where Guk had disappeared.
“They say clothes are like wings. It’s a cliché, but it’s true.”
“Is that a compliment?”
“Of course. You look great, really.”
“Thank you. Stop before I get too embarrassed.”
Hyun-soo’s cheeks flushed slightly, and Han chuckled softly.
---
The founding anniversary event was held, as expected, in the grand ballroom of Hotel Onyx. After arriving, the two stepped into the elevator heading for the 12th-floor banquet hall.
Standing beside Han, Hyun-soo glanced at her reflection in the elevator doors and quickly looked away. The navy-blue dress with its soft curves felt foreign to her—it was her first time dressing up like this for an event, and nerves were getting the better of her.
“Nervous?”
“...A little.”
“You’re not a student giving a presentation. Just drink, eat, and clap when needed.”
“I guess. Do I look tacky?”
Hyun-soo’s question made Han look down at her. Smirking mischievously, he teased her.
“Oh, you’re so tacky I can’t even hang out with you anymore.”
She shot him a playful glare and lightly punched his arm—not hard enough to hurt.
When the elevator reached the banquet hall and the doors opened, Hyun-soo instinctively tensed up, ready to bolt, but Han stopped her. He bent his arm, offering it as support—an invitation to link arms. Hyun-soo hesitated, staring at his arm before meeting his eyes.
“What are you waiting for? Take it.”
“...”
“Are you rejecting me?”
Han frowned slightly. Hyun-soo didn’t respond immediately. While linking arms might seem trivial, being seen alongside the Yoon family at such a high-profile event meant risking association—and gossip. She preferred staying out of their spotlight.
Finally, she nodded—a refusal.
“I don’t want to either.”
“Huh?”
“My rejection stands too.”
Before she could protest further, Han grabbed her hand and looped her arm through his. With no choice, Hyun-soo followed him into the bustling hall.
Within fifteen minutes of entering, Hyun-soo had bowed dozens of times. Standing by Han’s side made it inevitable—people approached eagerly, greeting him without regard for age or gender. The crowd swarmed around them, making it nearly impossible to move forward. Some openly scrutinized Hyun-soo from head to toe, but the sheer immobility was more exhausting.
“Want a drink?”
“Yeah.”
Han handed her a glass of champagne after securing one for himself. They finally found a quieter corner. While Han downed his glass in one gulp, Hyun-soo stared blankly at the bubbles rising in hers.
“My brother’s having a rough time too.”
“Huh?”
“Guk Hyung. Over there.”
Han pointed with his empty glass. Sure enough, Guk was surrounded by a throng of people, like vultures circling precious treasure.
“At least I’m manageable compared to him—he’s probably suffocating under all that attention. Look, he’s stopping the elders from leaving again.”
Was Han smiling? His expression was ambiguous, leaving observers unsure. From afar, Guk commanded the crowd effortlessly.
As Hyun-soo watched, mesmerized by his aura, he raised his glass to sip—and caught her gaze. Startled, she froze. Their eyes met briefly—or so she thought—as he emptied his glass slowly.
Her grip tightened on the champagne flute, tension creeping over her. Eventually, he turned away, distracted by those pestering him. Strangely, she felt a pang of disappointment. Thirsty, she took a sip of champagne, accidentally spilling some on her dress.
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine.”
“Not worth chugging like that—it’s not that good. Here’s a handkerchief.”
Embarrassed, Hyun-soo wiped her dress with the handkerchief Han offered. She realized Guk must have just noticed her dressed up for the first time tonight. Did he think she looked alright? Or did he find her appearance odd?
“Stop wiping—it’ll wear out the fabric.”
“Oh, right. Thanks.”
“You’re supposed to wash it and return it neatly.”
“Ah, true. Sorry, I’ll do that later.”
“Just kidding. Why so serious?”
Hahaha, Hyun-soo laughed awkwardly. Her mind wandered elsewhere, leaving little energy to engage fully with Han. Sensing her distraction, he frowned slightly, running his tongue along the inside of his cheek as he studied her.
“Something feels off.”
“Suddenly, what is?”
“You, Noona.”
“What about me?”
“Don’t try to hold two rice cakes at once.”
“What?”
“Think about the rice cakes’ feelings too. Focus on one—pick just one to eat.”
Confused, Hyun-soo stared blankly at Han. Exasperated, he loosened his tie and sighed.
“I don’t even know what I’m saying. Forget everything I just said.”
“Do you mean you’re the rice cake?”
“Huh?”
“Are you implying I’m kneading you however I want?”
“Do you even understand what you’re saying?”
Hyun-soo fell silent, realizing how absurd her words sounded. Taken literally, it implied she had complete control over Han—which wasn’t true. What kind of relationship would that even suggest?
“Sorry. That was overboard.”
Han turned his gaze elsewhere. At that moment, Secretary Cho approached to relay a message.
“Master Han, Chairman Yoon is looking for you.”
“My father? Why?”
“I’m not sure... Seems there’s someone he wants to introduce.”
“Got it. I’ll go.”
Turning back to Hyun-soo, who was idly swirling her champagne, Han spoke.
“Noona, I’ll step out for a bit.”
“Where are you going?”
“Father called me. I’ll be back soon. Stay here.”
“Okay... Got it.”
Though reluctant to leave her alone, Han had no choice. Hoping to return quickly, he hurried off with Secretary Cho.
Left alone, Hyun-soo moved closer to the wall. The hum of conversations filled the room, masking any sense of emptiness.
Taking another sip of champagne, she scanned the surroundings. Suddenly, a particular scene caught her eye.
“...”
It was a woman—a stunning figure in a long red dress standing close to Guk, her hair flowing elegantly. She looked every bit like his partner.
Did Guk have a lover? Hyun-soo hadn’t considered it before, but objectively speaking, it was entirely plausible. He was the kind of man who naturally drew longing gazes.
Unexpectedly, Hyun-soo’s legs gave way slightly, causing her to stumble. Catching herself against the wall, she steadied her balance.
It was ridiculous. Why should it matter if Guk had someone? Yet, her heart sank inexplicably.
Forcing herself upright, Hyun-soo deliberately turned her gaze away. She didn’t want to confirm that someone else belonged by his side.
Downing the rest of her champagne in one gulp, she clenched the empty glass tightly and straightened her posture. A deep sigh escaped her lips, tinged with the sweet aroma of champagne.
Amidst the crowd, a group of people came into view. They’d been stealing glances at her ever since she arrived with Han, making her uneasy.
Summoning some unknown courage, Hyun-soo met their stares directly. The group alternated between chatting among themselves and bursting into loud laughter—clearly discussing her. There was no other reason they’d keep glancing back repeatedly.
Focusing on one man who kept turning to look, Hyun-soo locked eyes with him. As he finally faced her fully, lowering his champagne glass, something about his face seemed familiar.
Who was he? Who?
The man tilted his head, equally puzzled. Hyun-soo furrowed her brow, sifting through memories buried deep within.
Then, the lid of a long-sealed box broke open, spilling forth a name.
“Choi Cheol-ho.”
Her high school nightmare, Choi Cheol-ho.
An unwelcome reunion.
Choi Cheol-ho scowled, tilting his head uncertainly. Hyun-soo hoped fervently that he wouldn’t recognize her.
But fate had other plans. After muttering something to his companions, the entire group turned to stare at her. Dressed to impress, they sized her up and down, leaving an unpleasant taste in her mouth.
Unable to bear it any longer, Hyun-soo set her empty glass on a nearby table and turned to leave.
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