Chapter 32
After an awkward dinner with her father, Hayun entered her room, lost in thought.
The idea that she would be working, and doing something she loved—it felt like a dream. Yet, ever since earlier, she couldn’t shake the image of Geonhyung, who had been seeing her off today.
“…Could it really be because of Geonhyung?”
Hayun blushed shyly.
Although she said “could it be,” somehow her life had been gradually changing ever since she met Geonhyung.
Bzzz.
Just then, her phone on the dressing table vibrated loudly. The name on the screen was clear: Choi Geonhyung.
How did he know what she was thinking? Hayun smiled faintly and was just about to answer the call when—
“Hayun, we need to talk.”
The bedroom door flung open without warning, and her mother appeared. Startled, Hayun quickly hid her phone behind her back, having just pressed the decline button.
“Ah… Ah, yes!”
“…Why are you so surprised again?”
Her mother cast a suspicious glance. Hayun’s room could only be locked from the outside, and her mother often appeared without notice.
Hayun had grown fairly used to it, and even if she were startled, she rarely showed it. Her mother always came up with some excuse to grab her, as if catching a mouse.
“What did you do wrong this time to be so startled?”
Her mother’s eyebrows furrowed fiercely. Hayun tried to change the subject.
“No, I was just thinking about what my father said. But what did you want to talk about…?”
“…What’s that?”
“Ah, it’s nothing…”
But her mother’s sharp gaze caught on Hayun hiding something. Shaking her head, Hayun couldn’t stop her mother from snatching the phone from her hands.
“I knew it. What did I tell you?”
Her mother expertly unlocked Hayun’s phone. She already knew all her daughters’ passcodes and frequently monitored them.
“…Why? You didn’t answer the call?”
Her mother noticed the missed call from Geonhyung and raised one corner of her mouth.
Hayun stammered, trying to explain.
“I, um, I was told not to make noise by talking on the phone at night…”
That wasn’t the main reason. She simply didn’t want anyone to find out she had been talking to Geonhyung. It wasn’t embarrassment or shame exactly; it was something different.
She wanted to keep anything between them private, precious. From the start, she had told him not to send messages unless absolutely necessary.
“You reject calls, don’t read texts, and only say what you need to. No wonder CEO Choi isn’t falling for you.”
Sure enough, as her mother rifled through Hayun’s phone, she spoke in a teasing tone.
“You tried everything, thought nothing would work, and even that ‘two or three days’ trip’—you sent him back after just one day…”
Her mother tossed the phone back. Hayun lowered her head, staring blankly at it. With a tone that seemed almost pitying, her mother added one more comment.
“Instead of thinking about working, why not try keeping CEO Choi’s attention? That’s the man father was cautious about—he only cares about money. I guess father finds him unsettling too.”
Clicking her tongue, her mother left the room.
Hayun’s employment was decided quickly. She got a position as a trainee and assistant at a famous florist’s studio.
Even getting the job was exciting, but working with flowers—Hayun was thrilled. She arrived at the studio full of anticipation, though perhaps her expectations had been too high.
“You’re Professor Nam Myungshin’s daughter, right?”
A woman was left alone at the studio to greet her. She felt a bit cold, but Hayun bowed politely.
“Yes! Hello, my name is Na Hayun!”
“Just call me Senior Kim. You’re probably not really here to work anyway.”
At last, Hayun realized the source of the cold demeanor.
Indeed, someone with no experience suddenly showing up using their father’s name might cause irritation.
Sure enough, Senior Kim sighed, muttering.
“I heard you’ll only work as an intern until marriage? Then why exchange names for a fleeting connection?”
Though the words were harsh, Hayun couldn’t back down. No matter what others thought, this was a rare opportunity she had to hold onto.
Biting her lip, she smiled brightly and spoke again.
“No! I may be an intern, but I’ll continue working even after marriage.”
She hoped Geonhyung wouldn’t object.
Saying it cheerfully, she realized afterward that she somehow believed he would agree if she decided on it herself.
Of course, her father had mentioned someone else.
“…But mother said father also finds him unsettling.”
Since there was still no word, perhaps her father thought Geonhyung was the best option.
Still, she wondered what kind of person could make her father uneasy.
Lost in thought, Hayun was brought back to reality by a voice in front of her.
“…Are you serious?”
Senior Kim squinted at her. Hayun clenched her fists and nodded firmly.
“Teach me everything. I’ll work hard and learn.”
“Huh?”
Senior Kim, looking amused, crossed her arms and thought for a moment. Seeing Hayun so serious, she spoke again.
“Do you have the stamina for this?”
“I-I’m fine! I have friends who are florists, so I’m not completely unfamiliar.”
Hayun nodded eagerly. She may have looked weak now, but she had once spent her youth running through mountains and forests. She was confident in her stamina.
“Alright then. The flower market opens at midnight. Your job as an assistant and intern is to procure the plants and materials according to the teacher’s schedule. Today you’ll just observe, and the day after tomorrow, you’ll start early in the morning…”
“I’ll be ready tonight!”
Senior Kim stared at her. After a moment, she turned around and added:
“…You’re going to be moving things and cleaning in that outfit? What do you think you’re doing?”
Was she telling her to go home? Hayun tilted her head, wearing a neat skirt suit—dressed carefully for her first day at work.
It was clearly unsuitable for physical labor.
‘But…’
Hayun hesitated. She felt she shouldn’t leave just yet. Somehow, Senior Kim’s eyes seemed slightly softer.
“If you’re working, get moving. There’s a lot to do, and you’ll be exhausted.”
“…Yes?”
As expected, Senior Kim added sharply. Hayun stared blankly, and Kim muttered, “I’ll give you work clothes. Also, from now on, I’ll speak casually to you. That’s okay, right?”
“Yes!”
She seemed surprisingly kind.
Smiling, Hayun quickly followed behind her senior.
From then on, it was chaos. Just as Senior Kim had said, there was an endless stream of tasks—cleaning, organizing, checking supplies, and arranging tools.
“Na Hayun, let’s eat lunch. I brought this with mine… want some?”
“Ah, thank you.”
After working busily for a while, it was finally lunchtime. Senior Kim handed her a lunchbox she had bought nearby.
“You’re not upset about handling flowers, are you?”
Hayun tilted her head. She was exhausted just following the tasks, so she hadn’t even thought about it.
“No, not at all… I don’t mind. I like all plants.”
“Oh? What was your major?”
“Horticulture…”
“Horticulture? Isn’t that like botany?”
“Yes. I know it’s not directly related to being a florist, but I’m not completely unfamiliar with plants…”
So it wasn’t entirely unrelated. Senior Kim nodded.
“The teacher doesn’t like to use many people. But this job takes physical effort, more than people think. So all the small tasks are ours.”
Her tone wasn’t particularly gentle, but Hayun felt proud being included in “our” work.
“If you’re hungry, eat from there. Eat when you can—keep your energy up.”
Kim pointed to a pile of snacks. Hayun’s eyes widened.
“…That much?”
“…I guess I bought a bit more than usual. So eat up.”
Kim averted her flushed face. Deliberately preparing lunch and drinks for her seemed thoughtful.
“Eat quickly and take a breather. Normally, we could start late on flower market days, but today a client is coming, so I’ve been here since morning. It’s exhausting.”
“A client?”
“Yes. Now I understand why you came to our studio…”
“Huh?”
“You said you graduated from XX University’s Horticulture Department, right? Our teacher is from the same university.”
Hearing her familiar university name, Hayun froze. So that must be why her father had chosen this place.
At that moment, a man’s voice came from the studio entrance.
“…Is anyone here?”
“Oh, you came. Come in!”
Smiling, Senior Kim invited him in. A man peeked into the office.
“Hello! Oh?”
Suhyeok looked surprised, staring at Hayun.
