EM 18

EM

Chapter 18…..

As soon as Taejun entered the restaurant, he stared straight at Seungah.

He often acted like this even at the company. Even though they had broken up, why did he still make her so conscious whenever he was nearby? Just seeing his face now seemed enough to give her a headache.

He made a gesture as if he was about to speak to Seungah, then stopped himself.

Miyeon was next to Seungah, and his coworkers were beside him.

“So shameless, yet cares way too much about what others think.”

Taejun’s group took a seat not far away, and their conversation was clearly audible.

Deputy Manager Yoon spoke while looking at Taejun:

“By the way, Manager Kim has changed a lot since he got engaged.”

“That’s true. He was already handsome, but now he even has that luxurious air. I keep staring.”

Even the female employee sitting nearby praised him, and Taejun smiled humbly.

“Does it show? I only changed a few outfits.”

“But those few pieces aren’t cheap—they’re luxury brands. I couldn’t even touch them.”

Since distributing the wedding invitations, Taejun had been paying more attention to his appearance. From shirts and shoes to watches and accessories, he was gradually replacing them with expensive items, as if his future wife were picking them out for him.

The employees around him envied it greatly, and even the coworker Taejun had brought along was one of them.

“I saw the photo you showed earlier. Your fiancée is really beautiful.”

“I hear that a lot.”

“Wow… she must be stunning.”

Seungah covered her mouth with water. Suddenly, the braised hairtail she was eating didn’t taste as good as before.

She had wanted to enjoy bragging.

Taejun happily left his coworkers to talk about his fiancée while Seungah left the restaurant with Miyeon.

Without hesitation, Miyeon spoke.

“Taejun really needs to have his spirit crushed. Look, Seungah, just get engaged already!”

“And then what? So I can brag like Taejun?”

“Why not? Think about who Louis Han is. He’s the heir to the Hanul Group. Taejun would be furious if he found out.”

It made sense. She wouldn’t just sign a contract impulsively to spite Taejun, but…

She also felt a bit unfair. She had to think of Taejun as having nothing to do with her now, yet the lingering effects he left made her hesitate even with other men.

“I know this is a tempting contract, though.”

“Your head knows, but your heart can’t quite accept it, huh?”

“To be honest, after breaking up with Taejun, I’ve been reluctant to get involved with men.”

She had thought Taejun might be the last man in her life, not only when she was considering marriage but even after they broke up. She never imagined meeting anyone else again. Whether pretending to be a fiancée or genuinely dating someone, the thought was daunting.

Besides, she hadn’t known Eugene for very long. Just thinking about being tied to him by a contract made her chest feel heavy.

“What would you do, Miyeon?”

“I’d go straight for it!”

Miyeon leaned forward eagerly.

“Think about who Louis Han is and what kind of family he comes from. Use this opportunity!”

It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The economic benefits from being tied to Eugene would be beyond what Seungah could currently predict. Even attending the party, she had received a dress and jewelry of unimaginable value.

“Seungah, pull yourself together and go straight for it. For you and your family!”

“Our family…?”

“Yeah. If it’s hard to decide, why not visit your mom? You haven’t seen her in a while.”

“I actually took a day off tomorrow for my grandmother’s 80th birthday.”

“That’s perfect! Visiting her will strengthen your resolve.”

Miyeon didn’t say it outright, but the meaning was clear. Seungah’s family had lived lives that couldn’t be easily approved of.

Her mother had been busy repaying debts left by her father, her grandmother never rested comfortably, and her younger sibling had suffered emotionally from a young age.

Thinking of her family, Seungah wanted to make them happy no matter the cost. And money was essential for that happiness.

Miyeon changed the topic slightly, speaking cheerfully.

“Ah, when will I meet a good guy! I wish handsome men would just fall from the sky!”

“Isn’t that a little scary?”

“Scary? If they fall into my arms… hmm…”

Miyeon suddenly stopped talking as they turned a corner in the company hallway.

A tall man was standing in front of Seungah.

His chest was broad, revealing his strong build even outside his shirt. His tie knot was perfect. Even without looking at his face, it was obvious it was Eugene.

Miyeon froze in surprise and raised her fists defensively.

Eugene spoke:

“Deputy Manager Choi Seungah? Come to my office for a moment.”

“Yes, Director.”

He turned and walked ahead, and as Seungah followed, Miyeon grabbed her shoulder.

Clenching her fist, she mouthed:

“Fighting!”

Was she encouraging her or putting pressure on her?

Seungah, fueled by Miyeon’s energy, headed toward Eugene’s office.

In the office, Eugene was organizing documents and asked:

“You took a day off?”

“Yes.”

“Anything wrong?”

“Personal matters.”

“Personal matters?”

He studied her face.

“You’re not sick, are you?”

“Sick? You saw me at the party, right? My appetite is strong. I’m hardly someone who would be sick.”

Seungah hesitated, not ready to mention her family to Eugene yet.

“If not sick…”

Eugene nodded and continued.

“Take good care of your personal matters.”

“Yes.”

“…”

Was that it? That was the reason he called her to his office?

It couldn’t be. Eugene hesitated slightly before asking:

“Don’t you have anything to tell me?”

“Shall I leave now?”

His brusque response made Eugene raise an eyebrow. He gently brushed the hair behind her ear and said:

“I mean, is there nothing you want, need, or are curious about me?”

Seungah responded mechanically:

“I do not understand the intent of the question.”

Eugene chuckled softly, his eyes curved beautifully in a way that made anyone watching feel good.

“It seems a mansion alone isn’t enough to compensate for having your year, Seungah.”

Ah, it was about the contract.

The reason they had gone to the party last weekend was for her to experience what it would be like to be Eugene Han’s woman—a kind of warm-up for the contract.

Even after successfully attending the party, he hadn’t said a word about it, so he was now asking if she had any additional thoughts.

In truth, she didn’t have anything more to say. She simply couldn’t give a definitive answer yet.

“I need a little time.”

Eugene studied her with a steady gaze.

She couldn’t guess what he was thinking.

The only thing she could sense was that his gaze was on a completely different level from Taejun’s.

“Comparing the two is pointless from the start.”

Was he frustrated that she was delaying signing the contract? Just as she pondered, Eugene suddenly pressed his lips to her forehead.

Her eyes went wide.

“Were you just planning to toy with me?”

“Toy with you? I thought maybe I’d try a charm tactic.”

“You mean you’re trying to seduce me to sign the contract?”