Chapter 14
In just a few days, Haru had earned two new titles:
The exclusive translator for Flex, and Cha Seung-jae’s girlfriend.
Today was her work-from-home day, so she finished her translation tasks early and got ready.
Because today was the day of her first date with her contract boyfriend.
While she was in the middle of getting ready, her phone rang.
Seeing Da-in’s name, Haru immediately answered the call.
“We work at the same company now, but I haven’t even seen your face. We need to celebrate your acceptance. How about dinner tonight?”
“I already have plans.”
“Don’t tell me you’re still working that part-time job?”
“No. It’s not work.”
Haru’s drawn-out voice made Da-in suspicious.
“What’s with that tone? Why so shy all of a sudden? Are you going to meet a guy?”
Like a ghost. You really can’t hide anything from an old friend.
“I’ll tell you later.”
“So there is something. Why later though?”
Haru brushed off her friend’s curiosity and ended the call.
Her reflection in the mirror caught her eye.
What the—why are your cheeks so red? Why are you really being shy?
“Get a grip. This is just a contract!”
Every time she thought of him, her heart would flutter, and she had to calm herself down.
But still—how could anyone not feel excited before a first date?
The meeting place today was, once again, the Sylas Hotel.
While cutting into her perfectly cooked steak, Haru asked curiously,
“Why do you keep wanting to meet at this hotel? Last time it was the café here, and now it’s the restaurant.”
“It’s a strategic spot. Important people show up here often.”
The hotel run by Lee Han’s mother, Hwaran, and the very same place frequented by his long-time headache, Byeol-na.
It was the perfect location for his purposes.
As Haru nodded in vague understanding, Lee Han placed a piece of steak he had cut onto her plate.
Whether it was ingrained manners or not, Haru thought—So this is what dating feels like.
“Eat a lot.”
“Okay.”
When she had been juggling part-time jobs, she often filled her stomach with nothing more than kimbap or bread.
But whenever she was with this man, she ended up eating luxurious, high-class food like this.
Haru, who had once thought contract dating was a losing deal, decided to change her mind. The food alone made it worth it.
“We’ll be seeing each other often from now on. Haven’t you ever wanted to do something with a boyfriend?”
Chewing thoughtfully, Haru came up with an answer quickly.
“Ordinary dates. Just eating good food like this, chatting, walking side by side. Things like that.”
“Anyone can do those things. Why not aim a little higher while you’re at it?”
Haru chuckled softly.
She set down her cutlery and took a sip of wine.
“Well…”
Of course she had things she wanted to try.
She had watched countless melodramas and romances, and imagined dating plenty of times.
Eating ramen by the Han River, going on a spontaneous day trip, putting a love lock on Namsan Tower. Being dropped off at home and kissing in the car. Spending a passionate night together in a hotel suite.
But those were things only a real boyfriend would do.
They were impossible to picture with this man.
Shaking her head lightly, she tried to banish those thoughts.
Maybe he noticed, because his expression turned dissatisfied.
“So you don’t believe me when I say I’ll do anything for you.”
“Why would you even say that? You don’t know what I might ask.”
“Do I seem like someone who can’t handle it?”
His raised eyebrow and lopsided smirk brimmed with confidence.
As if to say, Whatever you want, I can do it.
“Fine. I’ll think carefully about what I want.”
“But you have to be serious about it too, Miss Dan Haru.”
“Of course. When I commit, I do it properly.”
He nodded and speared a bite-sized piece of steak, holding it up to her.
Haru’s eyes widened at the meat suddenly offered in front of her lips.
When he tilted his head as if urging her to hurry, she awkwardly opened her mouth.
“At this rate, someone’s going to notice. You’re being too unnatural.”
Haru smiled sheepishly and chewed the steak.
“We’ve only met a few times. We’re not even close yet.”
“That’s the problem—we’re not close enough.”
With that, Lee Han suddenly stood and moved to sit beside her.
“What are you doing? Why are you here?”
“Because nothing helps closeness like skinship.”
Smiling slyly, he rested a hand on her shoulder.
Immediately, a fresh, cool scent hit her nose.
The unexpected contact froze Haru in place, even stopping her chewing.
“Um, Seung-jae-ssi. Let’s just finish eating first…”
“When you’re with someone you like, food is the last thing on your mind.”
He lifted his hand from her shoulder and tucked her hair behind her ear.
Every spot he touched sent shivers through her, as though her cells were too eager to react.
“By the way, the woman who just sat down at that window table—that’s our target.”
“What?”
“Act natural.”
Forcing a smile, Haru glanced over in the direction he indicated.
It was the woman who had glared at her during the blind date.
So that’s the stalker who keeps chasing him.
Suddenly parched, Haru grabbed her wine glass and drank.
The moment she set it down, Lee Han’s fingers brushed her lips.
Wiping away the red stain that lingered there.
“Hhh—”
“If you react like that, you’ll get caught. Her eyesight is practically hawk-level.”
Sure enough, Byeol-na’s eyes were fixed on them.
“She can probably read your expression even from here.”
Taking a deep breath, Haru forced herself to look at him with a smile.
She even reached out to brush imaginary dust from his shoulder.
“You’re doing well.”
But the problem wasn’t being caught. It was how close he was sitting.
Her nerves were so frayed she could hardly breathe. At last, she waved the white flag.
“I’m just going to the bathroom for a moment.”
“Go ahead.”
As he returned to his seat, Haru stood and walked away.
She needed to calm her racing heart and cool her flushed cheeks.
At the mirror, she turned on the cold water full blast.
The icy wetness against her cheeks finally helped her regain some composure.
Why was she more nervous now than at her job interview? Was she really showing her inexperience this much?
While checking her reflection, the sharp sound of high heels echoed against the tiles.
Soon, a tall woman in a leather dress entered her view.
Her height, already considerable, was made strikingly taller by killer heels.
It was the woman he had just pointed out—the target.
Now that Haru saw her up close, she recognized her as a model she’d seen on TV.
Looking down at Haru, Byeol-na’s sharp gaze made her instinctively want to look away.
But she quickly reminded herself of her role. She couldn’t let this woman look down on her.
As if in a show of dominance, Byeol-na thrust out her chest.
If that was the game, Haru wasn’t going to lose.
Pretending to adjust her clothes, she straightened her back.
Clearly, Haru had won this round.
Byeol-na’s frown betrayed her irritation. She pulled out a lipstick from her pouch.
“How long do you think this little relationship will last?”
Her face, painted with bright red lipstick, looked venomous.
“Three months at most? Or maybe just one?”
A mocking laugh followed.
Wrong. The contract was five months.
Either way, Haru couldn’t afford to lose ground here.
“In a month, do you think he’ll be with you?”
Byeol-na looked genuinely startled by Haru’s retort.
Her hand slipped, smearing the lipstick outside the lines of her lips.
“We’ll see. In a month—or after that—let’s see who’s standing by his side.”
With a triumphant smile, Haru walked out of the restroom, leaving her rival behind.
