CHAPTER 16……………………………………….
“Did you enjoy your meal?”
Leaving her own car in the parking lot, Seoyoung turned her head toward Hyukjin, who was driving and looking straight ahead.
“Yes. What about you, Mr. Hyukjin?”
“I enjoyed mine as well. Just as you said, it’s a place worthy of its reputation. The elders seemed satisfied too.”
At his words, Seoyoung’s eyes softened with a smile.
Since she had paid attention to everything in that place, from the food to the interior design, compliments about it always made her feel good.
“Anyway, the wedding is only a month away. Will you have enough time to prepare?”
This was exactly why she had purposely left her car behind and ridden with him.
She needed to discuss not only the wedding preparations but also work-related matters.
“I don’t think there’s much for me to do, is there?”
Based on Chairman Cha’s suggestion, they had decided to live in the annex of his family home for a year after the wedding before moving out. Hyukjin had told her she could handle the furnishings and interior however she liked.
When Seoyoung expressed concerns about being busy with hotel work, Mihyun volunteered to help.
She offered to take on the role of a mother for Seoyoung, who didn’t have one.
Since she never expected Jinkyung to help, she was deeply grateful for Mihyun’s thoughtfulness.
Seoyoung gladly accepted her offer and decided to discuss the interior and furnishings with her later. Chairman Park said he would take responsibility for the household items and the rest of the wedding goods, telling her to buy whatever she wanted.
He even said he would gift her part of his hotel shares as a wedding present, which made Jinkyung’s expression noticeably twist.
The sister who never once visited her only sibling had endless greed.
Seeing the greedy and cold Jinkyung’s distorted expression brought Seoyoung a small joy.
“As for the newlywed home, my mother and you can handle the details. For us, we just need to pick out the rings and the wedding dress, right?”
“Yes. And we also need to decide on a honeymoon destination…”
Thinking of her college friends who were busy preparing for their weddings, she mentioned the honeymoon without much thought, then immediately pressed her lips shut.
Since this was a contract marriage, was there even a need for a honeymoon?
Once they began their business collaboration with Hanho Construction, just managing the work would already keep them busy.
They weren’t truly getting married—so why bother?
Reminding herself of why she agreed to the marriage, she decided she would suggest not going.
As the light turned red, Hyukjin stopped the car and looked at her.
“Why did you stop mid-sentence? Where do you think we should go for the honeymoon, Ms. Seoyoung?”
“Are we… actually going on a honeymoon?”
Her eyes widened in surprise.
“If we’re getting married, of course going on a honeymoon is natural, isn’t it?”
One eyebrow raised, Hyukjin responded as if her question was the odd one.
“But we…”
Seeing his displeased expression, she swallowed the words we’re a contract couple.
Hyukjin curled one side of his mouth and continued instead.
“It’s a contract, yes, but I said we would live as a married couple like anyone else. Did you forget?”
“Well, yes, but… We’ll be even busier with work…”
“If you give instructions on what needs to be done, the team will handle it. If they can’t manage just because we’re gone for a week, then what kind of organization would that be?”
He wasn’t wrong, and Seoyoung had no choice but to nod.
“I let my impatience get ahead of me. You’re right.”
It wasn’t that she wanted to avoid going—she simply didn’t want to unnecessarily lengthen the time they would spend alone. And she didn’t want to undermine their employees in the process.
The light turned green.
It was a relief—not having to meet his eyes made it easier to hide her thoughts.
But Hyukjin didn’t let it slip.
“What is it? Do you not want to go on a honeymoon?”
His words pierced her thoughts, and her eyes widened.
“No, it’s not that, I just…”
“Good, then it’s settled. I don’t want to waste time on a long flight, so let’s go somewhere close—maybe a Southeast Asian resort—to rest for a bit.”
“…All right.”
In the end, not only were they going, but the destination was more or less decided.
I’ve been busy all this time. Maybe taking a break wouldn’t be so bad.
At that moment, she still believed the honeymoon would be nothing more than a short break.
She had no idea what would happen when the day finally came.
Satisfied with her answer, a faint smile appeared on Hyukjin’s lips.
Carlos Hotel, 3rd Floor Convention Center.
There was little time left before the business partnership signing ceremony between Hanho Construction and Carlos Hotel.
Jinho stood by the entrance, anxiously waiting for Seoyoung, who still hadn’t arrived.
“Why isn’t she answering her phone?”
He tried calling again, but she still didn’t pick up.
“She’s not here yet?”
Hyukjin stepped outside and looked around as he asked Jinho.
“No. She always keeps her appointments… I’m worried something might have happened.”
Jinho glanced at his watch anxiously.
Just then, the elevator doors opened.
Both men turned their heads.
But the person who stepped out wasn’t Seoyoung—it was Minhyeong, who wasn’t even supposed to come.
“What are you all doing out here? You can’t be waiting for me. What happened?”
Smiling broadly, he looked puzzled as he glanced toward the grand ballroom where the ceremony would be held.
“Director Hyun hasn’t arrived yet,” Jinho said.
At that, Minhyeong checked his watch with a troubled look.
“Seriously? Isn’t it almost starting time? Oh Manager Oh, do you know where the director is right now?”
“Well… she’s not answering her phone either…”
Still troubled, Jinho looked toward the elevator again.
He seemed to be hoping she would show up at any moment, and Minhyeong clicked his tongue.
“She’s not showing up without a word at such an important event? Good thing I came. What would you have done if the event fell through with the reporters already here?”
Clicking his tongue again, he shot Jinho a reproachful look before turning to Hyukjin.
“In that case, let’s proceed with the ceremony with me instead of Director Hyun. There are reporters waiting—wouldn’t that be better, Executive Director Cha?”
Raising his eyebrows, he pushed the idea onto Hyukjin, and Jinho felt his mouth go dry.
It was clear Minhyeong was trying to take credit for Seoyoung’s work, and Jinho’s gaze trembled with anxiety as he looked at Hyukjin.
“This collaboration was negotiated with Director Hyun. We can’t do that. We’ll wait 30 minutes to see if something has happened.”
Relieved, Jinho let out a long breath. Minhyeong, however, frowned.
Still, he reluctantly nodded.
“Fine. But if she still doesn’t show up after 30 minutes, I’ll take her place. As vice president, it’s better for our company’s credibility anyway.”
Declaring it as if it were final, he entered the grand ballroom without waiting for a reply. His retreating back looked far too pleased.
Inside, the grand ballroom was buzzing with restless voices.
Thirty minutes had passed—and then another ten. Yet the key figure, Hyun Seoyoung, still hadn’t appeared.
“Something must’ve happened. Looks like the ceremony won’t happen today.”
A reporter frowned at his watch.
“We’re wasting the whole day at this rate.”
“They should at least tell us what’s going on. This is ridiculous.”
The others grumbled silently, unable to voice their complaints openly.
The event had drawn extra attention since the recent wedding announcement.
It was the first chance for reporters to photograph the two public figures together, so more journalists than usual were present.
Unable to watch the growing unrest any longer, Minhyeong got up and stepped toward the reporters.
