Chapter 6
Marriage Contract (1)
* * *
Bora stepped into the lobby of Gangsan Construction’s headquarters with slightly nervous steps.
“Wow, it’s really big.”
Even from the outside, the building was imposing, but stepping inside, she was struck by the luxurious and spacious interior.
“Um, I have an appointment with the CEO.”
She spoke to the desk staff on the left side of the lobby. The staff member, smiling politely, immediately made a phone call somewhere. Then, she stood up and escorted Bora to the elevator that would take her directly to the CEO’s office.
“This elevator goes straight to the CEO’s office on the 28th floor.”
“Ah, thank you.”
Bora bowed respectfully. The desk staff’s suit had not a single wrinkle.
“Big companies, huh… everyone looks perfect.”
Bora marveled at everything as she took a deep breath and stepped into the elevator.
“Is my makeup too much?”
She was used to wearing only nude-toned makeup, so the tiny glitter under her eyes felt a little excessive. Bora adjusted her appearance one last time while looking at the large mirrors on both sides of the elevator.
Ding.
The heavy doors opened to reveal a hallway with luxurious marble flooring. Every step Bora took echoed with the sound of her heels.
“I’m here to see CEO Han Kang-yoon.”
As she walked down the hallway and entered a transparent automatic door, the secretary at the entrance stood and greeted her.
“Hello. The CEO has been expecting you.”
The secretary then knocked on the closed office door.
“CEO, the guest has arrived.”
“Please let them in.”
“Shall we go in? What would you like to drink—coffee, tea, juice, or if you have a preferred brand, I can get it for you.”
“Oh, no, that’s not necessary. Just some cold water is fine.”
“Yes, understood.”
The secretary bowed respectfully and opened the CEO’s office door. Bora returned the bow and stepped inside.
As soon as she entered, she heard Kang-yoon’s familiar, calm voice.
“Thank you for coming all the way here.”
“It’s nothing. We’re still in Seoul, after all.”
She said it casually, but she was actually a bit parched from having to change trains twice on the subway. The skyrocketing fuel prices had made her leave her car at home months ago. She was struggling financially to the point of considering selling her first car—the first one she had bought with her own money—but she couldn’t bring herself to part with it, so it remained safely parked.
“Please, have a seat.”
Kang-yoon, sitting behind a large mahogany desk, stood and walked toward the sofa.
‘Why does he look like that just walking?’
Even though he was simply getting up and walking, the sunlight streaming through the window behind him highlighted his figure as if he were walking a runway. Bora’s lips parted slightly in awe.
“Why? Is something on my face?”
Seeing Bora staring at him blankly, Kang-yoon touched his chin, slightly flustered.
“Huh? Oh, no. Nothing.”
Just then, the secretary returned with cold water with a lemon slice for Bora and a cup of dark liquid for Kang-yoon.
“What’s that? Coffee?”
Bora eyed the pitch-black liquid suspiciously—it looked more like a poison than coffee.
“I’m not sure, but they said it’s a health tonic.”
“You drink it without knowing what it is?”
“I assume it’s not something meant to kill me, so I drink it.”
“Who made it?”
“It was prepared by my elder aunt for me and my brother.”
“Oh…”
The secretary apparently brought this herbal medicine in pouches every morning, warmed up. Bora recalled taking herbal medicine for a few years as a child for weak bronchial health. It had always been so bitter that she would throw a fit every time she had to drink it. Watching Kang-yoon down it without even flinching, she took a sip of her cold water. The cool water soothing her throat finally eased her thirst.
“Shall we start with the contract?”
“Ah, yes.”
Indeed, the reason Bora had come to Kang-yoon’s company was to draft their marriage contract. With too many eyes outside, it was difficult to have a private conversation, so his office was the perfect place.
“I’ve prepared a rough draft. Take a look and let me know if there’s anything to correct or add.”
“Yes.”
Bora took the paper Kang-yoon handed her.
〈Marriage Contract〉
This contract pertains to the terms of the marriage and is carried out through mutual agreement between Han Kang-yoon and Yoon Bora.
Article 1 (Contract Period)
The term of this marriage contract is three years from the date of signing. If the contract must be terminated earlier due to unavoidable reasons, the party responsible for the termination bears all related losses.
Article 2 (Contract Terms)
a. During the contract period, Han Kang-yoon shall take responsibility for Yoon Bora’s debts under his name to ensure that her business operations proceed without issue.
b. Yoon Bora shall do her utmost as a daughter-in-law to Han Kang-yoon’s grandfather, Han Tae-soo, and elder aunt, Jin Hyun-sook. She shall also gather all possible information regarding Han Kang-yoon’s biological mother, his birth, and his life up to the present.
c. Han Kang-yoon and Yoon Bora shall not let anyone know that this marriage is a contractual arrangement. Therefore, they must maintain a marriage that appears completely happy to outsiders.
d. Han Kang-yoon and Yoon Bora shall do their best as partners and respect each other.
Article 3 (Consultation and Adjustment)
The contents of this contract must be adhered to for the maintenance of marital life and may be amended, added to, or removed through mutual consultation if necessary.
Article 4 (Contract Termination)
This contract concludes after three years. If both parties wish to continue, further discussion will be based on this contract.
Bora carefully and repeatedly skimmed through the clearly written contract.
“Hm… it’s all fine, but shouldn’t the exact amount that Han Kang-yoon is supporting be specified?”
“Agreed. We can calculate the exact figure later and include it.”
“And my responsibilities feel a bit vague. Compared to the amount Kang-yoon is providing, it feels like I’m getting off easy…”
Bora’s brows furrowed slightly. Kang-yoon quietly watched her profile as she examined the contract. Her long, thick eyelashes flickered, the glitter under her eyes catching the light as if tears were about to form. The bridge of her nose was smooth and sculpted, making her face look three-dimensional even from the side.
‘No wonder Han Kang-moon would be completely smitten by her.’
If Jin Hyun-sook hadn’t told Kang-moon yet, he would have teased Kang-yoon every time he saw him, asking, “Are things going well with that candidate woman?” If he knew Kang-yoon had gone on a formal meeting with Bora, he would have gone ballistic—but for now, he showed no reaction, as if unaware.
‘I wonder how Kang-moon would react if he found out I’m marrying her.’
Unlike Kang-moon, who had always gotten whatever he wanted as a child, Kang-yoon instinctively gave up things he wanted if Kang-moon asked for them. And now, for the first time, Kang-yoon was about to claim something Kang-moon wanted for himself. Just that thought made his heart race. Seeing Kang-moon throw a fit would be thrilling. If he knew that Jin Hyun-sook had arranged this meeting, he’d be even more infuriated. Kang-yoon’s lips curved slightly in a smirk.
“And… um, are you listening to me?”
Bora waved her hand in front of Kang-yoon, who seemed lost in thought, not paying attention to her words.
“Oh, yes. Sorry, I was thinking about work for a moment.”
It was a hastily made excuse, but Bora opened her mouth again as if saying, ‘It happens.’
“Alright then, shall we sign the contract?”
“Ah. I haven’t written it yet. There’s something we need to discuss first.”
“What is it?”
Bora lightly pressed her slightly rumbling stomach with her hand. Maybe she was nervous about coming to Kang-moon’s company and had skipped breakfast. She made a slightly louder noise on purpose, wondering if Kang-yoon might have heard her stomach growl.
“Even if it’s a contractual marriage, our married life will be at the main house, and there are dozens of eyes and ears in the house.”
“Yes… I’ll make sure no one finds out it’s a contractual marriage. Then, should we decide on our terms of address too? Mr. Han Kang-yoon, Ms. Yoon Bora… we can’t keep calling each other that forever.”
“The terms of address sound good. You mean, ‘honey,’ ‘darling,’ that sort of thing?”
“Yes… ‘honey,’ ‘darling’… it feels a bit embarrassing, but isn’t that how we should address each other after marriage?”
“Sure. Let’s think about that. By the way, even if it’s a contract and we’re providing for each other’s needs, there’s still one major thing that needs to be handled in a married life.”
“The major thing in married life?”
Could it be… the thing I’m thinking of? Bora’s pale face suddenly flushed with embarrassment.
