Chapter 2
“I didn’t know I was supposed to answer what you wanted.”
He was still kind to Ha-eun, but just as much, he was indifferent. His casual dismissal of their conversation showed no regard for the small sting his words caused her.
“How about playing ‘Twenty Questions’? Is that too much?”
“Not really. What are you curious about?”
“If I ask, will you answer everything?”
Ha-eun asked back, masking her emotions as if it were all routine.
“Let’s start with your questions first.”
As she did every birthday, Ha-eun teased Jung-ho with trivial, playful chatter. Her face, carefully concealing her true feelings, looked convincingly composed. Luckily, he wouldn’t notice; she hoped her heart would remain hidden until the very end.
“I’ve come up with something I want as a gift.”
“Now that you’re all grown up, you’re asking for a gift?”
“Will you give it to me if I ask?”
“Of course I will, especially since it’s Ha-eun herself asking.”
Jung-ho’s voice accepted lightly, almost casually.
“Do you even know what you’re asking for?”
Meeting his gaze, free of suspicion, Ha-eun barely managed to lift the corners of her mouth.
This was Ha-eun’s small act of revenge—a last indulgence of lingering attachment under the guise of a trivial “revenge,” before relinquishing her title as Cha Jung-ho’s fiancée.
She still didn’t know what his reaction would be. If she spoke now, would he show shock? Or… something else?
“Can you… hug me?”
“Wait, what are you…?”
Ha-eun asked with a nonchalant expression, gazing quietly across the table.
“I mean it literally. Or… would it be okay even if my first time is with another man?”
Jung-ho slowly set down his glass. His face had turned cold, as if struck by a sudden shock. The gaze he cast through the air was unusually sharp.
Had her boldness caught him off guard?
For a long moment, he said nothing, just stared. Then, without warning, he grabbed Ha-eun’s wrist and led her out of the restaurant. The way he pulled her toward the elevator was decisive, leaving no room for hesitation.
Ha-eun had anticipated at least part of this reaction, so she quietly followed. Once in the elevator, Jung-ho pressed the top floor button and suddenly turned toward her.
“Now, tell me. What exactly are you thinking?”
“I already told you—it’s a gift I want.”
Ha-eun met his sharply raised eyes without fear, challenging him openly.
“Ha-eun, there are things you should say to me.”
“Who says ‘oppa’? You’re not even related by blood.”
“…You really…”
“It’s true. Since when was I your older brother?”
She glared at Jung-ho, six years her senior, without uttering another word of concession.
“I’ve watched you grow up, so what’s changed?”
“It has. You’re my fiancé—can’t I ask for this much?”
Jung-ho sighed lightly, staring at her as if to say, How long did you think this attitude could last? Then he fell silent.
The elevator fell into a brief stillness. The chilled air created an almost palpable tension, strings pulled tight to the point of snapping, filling the confined space with an electric charge.
But the alarm signaling their floor’s arrival ended the brief standoff. Jung-ho, still holding her wrist, led Ha-eun down the wide corridor.
Ha-eun followed quietly, watching his indifferent back. She had thrown the bomb, and now there was no thought of fleeing in fear.
‘Where exactly… am I?’
By the time she regained focus, they had entered a room. As Ha-eun stepped into the living area, she immediately realized this was no ordinary royal suite.
The usual hotel ambience was absent. This space seemed to be one Jung-ho used when he didn’t go back to his main residence. Its stark black-and-white color scheme and minimalist interior resembled his office more than a luxury suite.
Though he was only her fiancé in name, this was the first time she had seen Jung-ho’s personal environment. Ha-eun furrowed her brow at the unfamiliar surroundings, sensing something slightly unsettling.
The space reminded her of an office she had visited before. There was no warmth of human presence; it could have been mistaken for a model house.
“Do you live here?”
Ha-eun asked, curious, as Jung-ho removed his jacket.
“Not often. About half the month.”
“Half the month? That’s almost living here.”
“What choice do I have? The company is nearby.”
He answered simply, loosening his perfectly tied necktie.
“I didn’t know you were a workaholic too, oppa.”
“At least I’m more normal than Ha-eun, I think.”
He unexpectedly mentioned his third brother’s name. Ha-eun frowned sharply, clearly annoyed.
“Why suddenly bring up someone else’s brother?”
“What, are you shielding him as family in front of me?”
“It’s just because you’re an actress. That doesn’t make you a workaholic.”
She could only think, You’re the one who caused a scandal on your fiancée’s birthday.
“And yet you insist on drawing a line, claiming we’re not even related by blood.”
“A fiancé isn’t the same as a brother. Totally different.”
Hearing her quietly add that she wanted a hug, Jung-ho pressed his fingertips against his forehead, looking as if to wonder how to handle this little mess. Ha-eun understood just enough to know he hadn’t brought her here impulsively out of anger.
She knew him well—after all, he had watched over her since childhood. Even if she left now, he could pretend not to know. Though he didn’t see her as a woman, he was unusually tolerant of her. Yes, she knew this very well.
“May I sit?”
“Of course. Why would I stop you?”
Determined not to regret this decision, Ha-eun lifted the corners of her mouth, sitting down on the sofa in the center of the living room.
Perhaps because of the tension between their playful banter, Jung-ho leaned against the wall, watching her, then gave a faint smile.
“Ha-eun, are you… nervous?”
“I’m not. Who would be nervous…”
Her pride pricked, Ha-eun bit her lower lip.
“If you’re scared even now, say so. It’s okay.”
“Do you dislike me that much, oppa?”
“I could never dislike you. You’re my most cherished younger sister.”
Ha-eun felt all lingering attachment vanish. No matter what she did, she could never become “a woman” to Cha Jung-ho.
“Then do it. I’ve already mustered the courage to ask.”
“Hah… I don’t know what kind of courage that is, but don’t regret it later.”
Jung-ho added that final warning, as if he had given up persuading her.
“Don’t worry. I won’t resent you, oppa.”
If anything, the opposite might happen. If she unexpectedly upended this long-standing engagement, he might resent her instead. But perhaps that was for the best. As a reward for years of unrequited feelings, this was acceptable. At least this relationship could finally reach its end.
Suddenly, his usual composed attitude changed. Jung-ho approached as if to overwhelm her, and Ha-eun stumbled backward, sinking onto the sofa with wide eyes.
“W-what… is this?”
His gaze, brimming with emotion, filled her vision.
“I didn’t expect to be this surprised.”
Jung-ho looked down at her, holding her in place.
“You did it without saying a word, oppa!”
“If you’re this scared, how could anything happen?”
He murmured teasingly, smiling silently. Ha-eun blinked slowly, dazed, as she noticed his faintly upturned lips.
