CHAPTER 25…………………………………………….
“This is a photo studio, isn’t it?”
“That’s right.”
“Why photos all of a sudden?”
“Isn’t the weather nice?”
What does nice weather have to do with taking pictures?
Chohi tilted her head at Dowoon’s words but didn’t say anything further.
Perhaps interpreting her silence as agreement, Dowoon opened the door and stepped inside. The photographer, who had been resting inside, immediately stood up to greet them.
Dowoon casually approached him and exchanged a few words. Soon, the photographer busied himself preparing the camera. Watching this, Chohi leaned toward Dowoon and whispered:
“You’re not seriously going to take our picture, are you?”
“Why else would we come to a photo studio?”
“I wish you had told me in advance. If I’d known, I wouldn’t have come dressed so casually.”
Chohi adjusted her simple attire as if slightly disappointed. She wore a pale sky-blue dress, modest and unadorned.
Dowoon looked at her curiously.
“You look no different than usual.”
“You’re teasing me, right?”
Chohi gave him a slight scowl, but Dowoon just shrugged as if he meant it sincerely.
“Then why are we suddenly taking pictures?”
“I told Minamoto that we are married, but on paper, it’s not official.”
“And so?”
“In case anyone doubts us, I thought we might at least show a wedding photo.”
“Hmph. In other words, it’s just a prop to make the deception more convincing.”
Chohi nodded, as if she finally understood. Dowoon raised an eyebrow at her reaction, surprised it was so predictable.
“Not going to argue that my idea is strange?”
“I actually think it’s quite plausible.”
“Unexpected. I thought you’d argue with me no matter what I said.”
“That’s only because you usually say absurd things.”
Was she assuming he’d deliberately want to be contradicted? Chohi narrowed her eyes at him in disbelief. As always, Dowoon remained unphased, smiling faintly as he curled the corners of his lips.
“Well, our thoughts coincide. Tomorrow, the sun will rise in the west.”
After clearing up the misunderstanding while walking downtown earlier, Dowoon seemed noticeably more smug.
Chohi glared at him, but her heart felt much lighter than yesterday.
She hadn’t expected their fight to affect her so much.
Yet now that they had reconciled, both her body and mind felt so unburdened.
The photographer, apparently ready, called them over. Standing side by side, they posed, but the photographer kept frowning, seemingly dissatisfied.
“Why the long face?”
“I said it’s a wedding photo, but it looks too empty.”
Indeed, they weren’t properly dressed for a wedding. While both wore Western-style suits, it wasn’t a formal white wedding dress or a traditional Korean wedding outfit, so it looked awkward.
Even a fake wedding needs the proper presentation.
“We should have worn something more extravagant.”
“Hm. Wait a moment.”
“Where are you going?”
“I’ll be back soon.”
Without giving Chohi a chance to stop him, Dowoon hurried out of the studio.
A few minutes later, he returned, catching his breath. His heavy breathing suggested he had run.
“Here, madam.”
With that, he handed something to Chohi. Her gaze fell to the bouquet of white lilies in his hands.
“…These are flowers?”
“A wedding photo should have at least one bouquet. Take them.”
Chohi slowly raised her hands and accepted the flowers.
It was the first time anyone had given her flowers.
No, she couldn’t even recall ever receiving a gift before.
A bright smile unknowingly spread across her face as she inhaled the rich floral scent.
“Oh my.”
Overjoyed at the unexpected gift, Chohi looked up at Dowoon. He seemed breathless from running, his ears flushed.
“They’re so pretty.”
“…I know.”
“Thank you, Dowoon.”
Click—!
The sound of the camera shutter brought their attention back.
“Much better with the flowers. Now, pose again.”
The photographer gestured, and the two stepped in front of the camera once more. Seeing Chohi awkwardly holding the flowers, he frowned and waved his hand in dissatisfaction.
“Did you two meet yesterday? Why are you standing so far apart?”
Instead of Chohi, Dowoon stepped closer, closing the distance. She flinched at his sudden approach.
He raised an arm, carefully wrapping it around her shoulder. Almost as if holding her in his embrace, every nerve in Chohi’s body felt focused on his touch.
She even felt the firmness of his chest behind her back.
Thump, thump, thump.
They were so close that it felt like he could hear her heartbeat. The rich scent of flowers made her head spin.
Chohi shook her head slightly to regain composure.
“Don’t blink at me. Ready?”
They faced forward at the photographer’s command.
“One, two, three!”
Click—!
Several more shutter sounds followed. Chohi forced a smile, tense to the point her lips felt like they might twitch.
The long photo session finally ended. Dowoon paid the photographer, and they headed outside.
They left the studio and walked to a nearby building. The buildings in the new city were all ostentatious, competing with each other. This one, especially, looked as if it had been plucked straight from Europe.
“Aren’t we going home?”
“You didn’t eat breakfast because of me, right? You always say you need three meals a day.”
“You mean… you were worried I’d starve?”
“It was quite a memorable statement.”
“That was just me being obstinate. Please forget it.”
Chohi flushed and followed Dowoon into the restaurant. Despite being midday, the lighting was dim, and the tables were spaced for private conversations.
After speaking briefly with the staff, Dowoon was guided to a quiet window-side table, as if he were a regular.
Other tables were filled with couples enjoying daytime dates. Chohi’s face involuntarily tightened.
Was he familiar here because he came often with other women?
Her excitement from taking photos moments ago had vanished.
Why did she feel this way?
Whether Dowoon dated other women here was none of her business. She wasn’t even his real wife—just a contract partner. Her jealousy was presumptuous.
And she knew about his womanizing ways. She had even seen him with someone else once before.
She was nothing to him. That was clear. But still…
Her throat felt dry and tight.
It was all because of Dowoon’s lies. Yes, lies.
He was deceiving her even now, pretending it was ordinary business while threatening the police, and even lying about their marriage. A master at deception.
His outward appearance never matched his inner self, and it was disappointing.
So the frustration she felt now wasn’t about him seeing other women—it was about his lies.
Yes, disappointment over lies.
Chohi rationalized her irritation, but even that didn’t fully ease her feelings.
She picked up the menu to distract herself. Though written in English, she couldn’t understand a word. Dowoon took it from her and closed the cover.
“I’ve already ordered. You don’t need to look.”
“You ordered? We just sat down.”
“I told the waiter in advance.”
Of course, he said, making Chohi’s mood even gloomier.
“You seem very familiar here.”
“Basic stuff.”
Unlike Dowoon’s composure, Chohi felt troubled.
How many women had he brought here? Where did she rank among them?
Did he give them flowers too?
Her dry throat made her gulp down water.
“Basic stuff,” Dowoon repeated calmly.
After walking downtown and hearing Chohi’s true feelings, his persistent headache of the past two days had completely vanished.
For the first time in two days, his mind felt clear, and he unconsciously felt good.
Maybe that’s why…
He simply wanted to enjoy the best food in the best place with Chohi.
Yet she remained unusually quiet.
She should have said at least a few words by now.
“Seeing it as basic, do you come to places like this often?”
“Well, I travel around for business.”
Though this restaurant was new to him, he’d been to similar places many times.
“Oh, for business?”
“Yes. Why?”
“Just be honest with me. Where do I rank…?”
Chohi trailed off. Dowoon didn’t understand her meaning at first. Then slowly, his smile faded.
Could it be…
“Do you think I’ve been here with other women?”
“You’ve met other women before. We’re not a real couple anyway. I’m just curious.”
Dowoon froze.
So she thinks he brought her to a place he’d been to with other women?
He couldn’t figure out how this misunderstanding started.
Chohi’s expression hardened, as if she were trying to hide disappointment.
“From before, I’ve wondered… do you really think of me as just a flirt?”
“You were with other women before, after all.”
Her face revealed regret for saying that. She hadn’t meant to.
“Other women?”
Dowoon frowned. When was he ever with other women?
He hadn’t even glanced at them. Chohi herself had only tried to use him.
“Oh, no. Forget it.”
“What exactly did you see?”
“Just by chance. That’s all.”
“Did we… see each other before?”
“Well, actually… Hong, ah—”
Chohi suddenly widened her eyes, realizing something.
