CHAPTER 12…………………………….
Suddenly, she wondered if Hyukjin might be trying to gain an advantage by exploiting her shortcomings.
Up until now, she had lived relentlessly, never having missed being top of her class even once.
This marriage was something she was doing for her own goals.
Putting aside how absurd his conditions were, she had already signed the contract.
She could no longer stand by and watch him toy with her heart as if it were a mere plaything.
Unlike a moment ago when she worried about breaking the contract, determination now surged within her.
Of course, having already greeted him earlier today, she thought it unlikely she would easily cancel the contract.
“I won’t be dragged around according to your will.”
The parts where she was lacking or weak could simply be filled, even now.
Having made up her mind, Seoyoung resolved to return the kiss to him just as he had taught her, like a diligent student.
Hyukjin, who expected her to only receive, flinched when Seoyoung gently pressed her lips against his and intertwined tongues with him.
Noticing Hyukjin’s surprise, Seoyoung gained confidence and became even more proactive. She pushed her tongue in as he had, wrapping hers around his.
Still awkward and clumsy, the kiss was slightly better than last time.
A smile appeared on Hyukjin’s face.
“You learn fast.”
Hyukjin’s hands tensed with a pleased smile.
After a long kiss, their lips parted, and Seoyoung breathed shallowly.
Though it had started boldly, he had once again taken the lead.
“As expected, you are a model student. As a teacher, it’s rewarding to teach someone like you.”
Seeing her flushed face from the heat, Hyukjin smiled lowly with satisfaction.
After Hyukjin left, Seoyoung called Chairman Park.
The sudden news of the marriage seemed to surprise Chairman Park, but soon he replied that he understood.
“Not bad, Seoyoung. Unlike your naive mother, even this old lady feels pleased. Never forget that just because you’re my blood doesn’t mean I’d simply hand over the company. For the company to keep growing, it should be run by someone capable, don’t you think? Carlos Hotel would have been yours if your mother were alive, so now, try to make it yours.”
After hanging up, Seoyoung sank into a bathtub she had pre-filled.
She sipped steaming green tea as usual and turned her gaze to the floor-to-ceiling window with a view of the Han River.
Her grandmother’s words, still exerting pressure, tightened Seoyoung’s chest.
Even among high-end villas that guaranteed privacy, the view had been her top priority when choosing a relatively modest one.
Watching the lights of the bustling city had kept her moving through long, grueling days, while also giving her a rare moment to breathe.
Although she lived alone without her parents, there was no time to feel lonely.
She had inherited her parents’ wealth and some insurance, but another relative had appeared suddenly after she was left alone, and it was a relief.
Thinking she had become an orphan, she had been saddened, but suddenly meeting her grandmother was both surprising and welcome.
However, her grandmother’s grief for her youngest daughter was brief, and judging by how she treated Seoyoung, she didn’t seem very affectionate.
“That’s why she ignored her daughter when she ran away for a man.”
Still, thanks to her grandmother, she could finish college in a better environment and reach her goals faster.
Although her busy life left no room for other thoughts, she could not completely shake off the loneliness of a home without her always-smiling parents.
Even meeting relatives from the Shinwha Group disappointed her.
Her grandmother’s intention might have been to strengthen her children by pushing them and making them compete, but Seoyoung disliked her method.
Even though financially stable, seeing family members constantly in conflict rather than harmonious made them seem unpleasant.
Rather than struggle amid that chaos, she preferred to stay busy and focused.
She could not afford to remain mired in sorrow forever.
Still, she vowed to claim the hotel that should have been her mother’s, both to honor her mother and soothe her own emptiness.
She devoted herself to work, leaving no room to feel lonely.
Yet at night, returning home to solitude, loneliness came in like the tide.
That was why she had chosen this villa.
Finishing work and enjoying a cup of tea while gazing outside had become her only pleasure.
Looking down at the buildings and apartments lighting up the dark sky, the cars driving along the Han River, Seoyoung let out a quiet sigh.
“I really don’t know what he’s thinking.”
Thinking of Cha Hyukjin, who remained unpredictable, she bit her lips.
The sudden retirement announcement from President Hong and the risk of losing the CEO position to Minhyung had forced her hand strategically.
She hadn’t expected that Hyukjin, whom influential people had eyed as a prospective son-in-law, would become her marriage partner so easily.
Though she had hoped desperately, it had proceeded far more smoothly than expected, leaving her somewhat bewildered.
The supposedly charming and gentlemanly man was surprisingly bold and forward when alone with her.
Beneath his enchanting smile, he remained unreadable.
Her renewed connection with her maternal family only occurred after her parents’ death, much like an unexpected twist of fate.
Bound by business ties, she had to remain alert and avoid being underestimated.
She worked tirelessly, as if navigating a jungle filled with predators, and achieved results.
Yet she always felt an emptiness in her heart.
Would her relationship with Cha Hyukjin, limited to a two-year contract, end up the same way?
“They say if the body follows, the heart follows too.”
Perhaps because she had kissed him twice, Cha Hyukjin kept lingering in her thoughts today.
She realized anew that a man who entered her life unintentionally was overwhelmingly difficult for her to handle.
“Hoo.”
She let out a long sigh.
Focusing only on the hotel work was challenging enough, and now having to worry about him as well was exhausting.
“Would it have been better if I had slept with him that day?”
Then she could have been certain whether he liked men or was just toying with her.
But she shook her head.
There was no need to do such a thing with a man she had just met, merely to find that out.
“As expected, things in life don’t go my way.”
She reflected on her previous optimism, thinking she could reach the CEO position after securing the Jeju land.
Her joy over the victory against Hanho Construction had made her forget, briefly, the cold and unpredictable reality of business.
And how naïve she still was.
Recalling how close she had come to missing her goal, Seoyoung bit her lip and then curved it into a small smile.
“At least I have hope again, so smile, Hyun Seoyoung.”
Though exhausting from the momentary confusion, the upcoming marriage announcement to Cha Hyukjin, followed by the soon-to-be-announced business agreement with Hanho Construction, would signal the end of the immediate trials.
The thought alone eased some of the tension she had carried.
Leaning her head back, Seoyoung slowly closed her eyes.
There was nothing better than finishing work and soaking in hot water.
On the day of the Carlos Hotel shareholders’ meeting
As Minhyung was about to enter the hotel conference room, he turned at the sound of someone approaching.
“Hyun Seoyoung. Long time no see. You look better than I expected.”
Though working at the same hotel, it had been a while since Seoyoung had seen Minhyung, who had always been busy with other matters.
Seeing Minhyung smiling confidently, seemingly certain that he would become CEO, Seoyoung returned a smile.
“Long time no see, Vice President. Thanks to you, I’ve been doing well.”
At Seoyoung’s bright greeting, Minhyung narrowed his eyes.
He had been eager to see her usually confident face clouded, but instead, she smiled radiantly.
