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Ironically, being too perfect was apparently a sin if it could be called one. Among the listed individuals, Guk, who stood out with his striking good looks, inevitably became the most talked-about figure.
It went without saying that all sorts of scandals clung to him like barnacles. Before long, the rumor solidified into an unshakable fact: “The main culprit is none other than Yoon Guk, the eldest son of HK Group.”
“You useless bastards! What the hell are you doing?”
Chairman Yoon, far from remaining calm as he watched his son—whom he once boasted as both his right-hand man and the face of HK—being torn apart by public gossip, exploded in rage. The story of him throwing objects off his desk in fury spread throughout the company like wildfire.
“Hey, can I talk to you for a minute?”
Late at night, Hyun-soo, spotting Yoon Guk entering the living room, called out to stop him. Guk, who had been about to climb the stairs absentmindedly, turned around at the sound of her voice and stared at her for a brief moment.
“It’ll just take a second.”
Hyun-soo added hastily, worried he might refuse to engage in conversation. After pausing on the second step, Guk descended back to the first-floor living room.
“What do you want to talk about?”
“Well, not here...”
Guk’s eyebrows twitched slightly—a sign he wasn’t particularly welcoming. Sensing his reluctance, Hyun-soo quickly pressed on.
“Uh, how about we go to my room?”
“...”
“It’s just that there’s no better place. Don’t get the wrong idea.”
“The wrong idea about what?”
“No, I mean...”
“I’m not into that kind of thing.”
“Well, good, but still… Are you coming?”
Facing Hyun-soo’s earnest gaze, Guk finally turned around and led the way toward her room. Relieved yet trembling with nervousness, Hyun-soo followed behind him, her heart pounding.
Walking down the dimly lit hallway, they soon arrived at Hyun-soo’s door. Guk opened it and stepped inside first.
The room was illuminated only by a single standing lamp, casting large, flickering shadows on the walls as they entered.
Turning to face Hyun-soo, Guk seemed even more intense under the faint light. His long, deep-set eyes appeared sharper than usual.
“What do you want to say?”
“Uh, well… Where were you just now?”
“What?”
“I mean, you’re not dressed like you came from the office.”
At her comment, Guk glanced down at his attire. Unlike his usual sharp suits, he wore a black t-shirt underneath a tracksuit, paired with a baseball cap he’d just removed. Shaking his damp bangs loose, he exhaled softly. His handsome forehead and neat brows were revealed, though his gaze remained dry and distant.
“Running. I went for a jog.”
“At this hour?”
“I’m busy in the mornings.”
“That’s impressive, considering how exhausting work must be.”
When Hyun-soo spoke with genuine admiration, Guk let out a derisive snort.
“What’s this about? Spit it out already. I want to shower.”
He wasn’t giving her any leeway. Tension gripped Hyun-soo, her palms sweaty and her back rigid.
“Lately, things have been tough for you, huh?”
Guk raised an eyebrow.
“What do you mean?”
“Well, because of those ridiculous rumors... It seems like you’ve got a lot on your mind…”
Isn’t that why you went running late at night? Because you’re frustrated?
“There’s nothing to worry about. None of it’s true anyway.”
“That’s true. But people can be so malicious.”
“They’re exhausting with their endless chatter.”
“Ah, yeah…”
An awkward silence enveloped them as Hyun-soo stumbled over her words. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed the silent sweep of the wall clock’s second hand. Time marched on relentlessly while she hesitated.
Tilting his head slightly, Guk looked down at her, his gesture urging her to hurry up. But the words wouldn’t come easily. She knew full well the weight of what she was about to say—and that once spoken, it couldn’t be taken back.
“Do I have to wait longer?”
His low voice echoed through the room. Hyun-soo wiped her sweaty palms on her clothes before looking up at him. Their eyes met.
“Remember what we talked about before? About Madam mentioning something regarding you and me?”
“So?”
“I want a clear answer about your reaction then.”
“A clear answer?”
“When it comes to dating or marriage… You acted like you weren’t opposed. Was that really how you felt?”
Guk fell silent for a moment. Swallowing his initial response, he simply stared at her. A spark ignited in his previously dry gaze, his eyes flashing briefly.
“And if that really was how I felt, so what? Why bring up old news now?”
Old news? Though it had happened recently, Guk spoke as if it were ancient history, his tone suggesting he’d already closed that chapter. Panic bubbled within Hyun-soo.
“But you haven’t properly heard me out yet.”
“What?”
“You need to give me a chance to respond. Right?”
At her question, Guk’s expression hardened subtly. He tightened his grip on the baseball cap in his hand.
“No. You definitely responded, Kim Hyun-soo.”
“Me? I did?”
“Yes.”
“No, when did I—”
“You said, ‘That’s absurd,’ didn’t you?”
“Yoon Guk, that’s not fair!”
“To you, it was something not even worth considering.”
“That’s not it! I was just flustered and didn’t know how to process it. It wasn’t because I disliked you. I swear, I’m being sincere. Please believe me.”
“Sincere?”
Guk narrowed his piercing eyes as he mulled over the word. Hyun-soo nodded fervently, her expression desperate, like a child afraid of losing their mother’s hand.
Why is she acting like this? Guk licked his lips, unsettled by Hyun-soo’s sudden confession. Something irked him—an invisible thorn lodged in his throat, causing irritation and unease.
Quietly, Guk stared at her. Under his intense gaze, Hyun-soo’s throat went dry. Suddenly, he grabbed her arms tightly, immobilizing her. Startled, Hyun-soo’s wide eyes met his as he tilted his head slightly.
“Kim Hyun-soo.”
“…”
“Where did you learn to zone out like that in front of someone?”
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry.”
“Enough with the stammering. Answer me. What made you change so suddenly?”
She couldn’t deny that her recent attitude shift stemmed from what she’d learned. But even undeniable truths, if they risked hurting someone, needed to be swallowed whole.
Guk wouldn’t want her lingering near him out of guilt. Even if forcing her to leave hurt worse, it would be better than letting her stay.
“Yoon Guk.”
“I’m listening.”
“I have a favor to ask.”
Startled, Guk furrowed his brow. What?
“Are you joking? What favor?”
“Just listen to me.”
“Why should I?”
“It’ll be my last request. My final one.”
At that, Guk’s scowl softened, and his piercing gaze locked onto Hyun-soo. The intensity of his stare made her tense involuntarily.
“Alright. Let’s hear it.”
“Promise me first that you’ll grant it.”
“…”
“Well?”
“Fine. Go ahead.”
It was essentially a promise to fulfill her request. Trembling, Hyun-soo’s lips quivered with a mix of joy and sorrow.
“Yoon Guk.”
“Yes.”
“Marry me.”
“…”
“Let’s get married. Marry me.”
The silent tick of the clock completed more than one full rotation as no reply came. Only silence and the faint sound of breathing filled the air. Unable to meet his eyes directly, Hyun-soo fixed her gaze on his red lips, then lowered it further to his Adam’s apple.
“You…”
At that moment, his Adam’s apple bobbed, and his low voice spilled out.
“Is this easy for you? All of this?”
Impossible. Hyun-soo shook her head immediately.
“Then it was difficult?”
She nodded.
“It was agonizing. This decision nearly killed me.”
For some reason, tears threatened to spill. He knew it too. He understood exactly how hard this decision was for her, even though she hadn’t said a word.
Her eyes reddened as she nodded again.
“Once I bring someone into my boundary, I never let go, no matter what.”
“…”
“If you become mine, even if you want to leave later, I won’t let you.”
“…”
“Even if I turn into a monster who wants to tear you apart, I’ll never let you go. Are you okay with that?”
Her vision blurred, and sure enough, tears began to fall. Nodding as she felt the droplets slide down her cheeks, Hyun-soo looked up as Guk lifted her chin with his hand. Their eyes met.
“Say it with words. I need to hear your voice.”
“…Yes. I’m okay with that.”
“…”
“So marry me. Let’s get married, Yoon Guk.”
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