MBI08

Chapter 8

Gaeun and Seokjin spent the morning exploring the Dawn Temple and wandering through the nearby sights.

Since it was on the opposite side from the palace, there weren’t many tourists around today. The quiet gave them the luxury of strolling at their own pace, taking in the surroundings without rush.

As evening fell, they boarded the reserved dinner cruise. Sitting together on deck, feeling the cool river breeze, Seokjin leaned slightly toward Gaeun and whispered.

“Don’t expect too much from the food.”

“Excuse me? I care about the food above all else.”

“Then… as an apology, I’ll give you the hotel buffet voucher next time.”

“Oh! If you offer it, I’ll gladly accept.”

Gaeun had heard that securing a reservation at that hotel buffet was notoriously difficult. A pre-reserved voucher was a coveted gift—a perfect token for a wealthy sponsor who didn’t mind footing the bill.

She imagined herself, dressed elegantly with her mother, dining at the hotel with the voucher Seokjin had promised. The thought made her smile instinctively, even imagining the blandest shrimp tasting rich and succulent in her mind. It was a surprisingly pleasant daydream.

“Thank you for agreeing to such a troublesome request.”

“Honestly, it’s more fun doing this together than wandering alone.”

“Is that so?”

“Of course, if I were alone, I’d eat and drink whatever I wanted without restraint. But this way…”

Seokjin chuckled as he watched Gaeun peel a slightly chilled lychee and pop it into her mouth, covering his smile with his hand.

Had something spilled on my face? Gaeun brushed her cheek absentmindedly, unable to check without a mirror.

“Your cheeks look like a squirrel’s.”

Seokjin pointed at her cheeks.

“Oh.”

She quickly chewed the lychee, spitting the seed into a tissue. First time seeing someone eat lychee? And why laugh so hard about it?

“The Dawn Temple,” Seokjin said, pointing.

Gaeun looked in the direction he indicated and let out a short, astonished gasp. Bathed in evening lights, the temple exuded a beauty that was entirely different from its daytime charm.

“Thanks for telling me about the dinner cruise.”

“I’m glad you’re satisfied.”

“Yes… though the food isn’t great.”

Their eyes met briefly, and they laughed together. Alone, the experience might have been lonely or frightening.

Though Gaeun felt a twinge of guilt toward Seokjin, she was secretly relieved that she had insisted on a fully private trip—leaving the money he had exchanged untouched, avoiding contact with his assistant. Otherwise, she might never have found such a perfect travel companion.

After her morning massage, Gaeun emerged from the spa. Perhaps because she was the first client of the day, the masseuse’s hands were unusually strong, and the fatigue in her body seemed to lift as if it were weightless.

Tomorrow, I should bring Mr. Joo along, she thought. He might enjoy a massage just as much. Smiling at her own indulgence, she resolved to spend a little more freely than planned.

With that generous mindset, she bought two coffees at a café right outside the massage shop—one for herself, one for Seokjin—before returning to the hotel.

“Huh?”

Seokjin was pacing nervously in the lobby, as if waiting for someone.

“Gaeun Oh.”

It seemed he had been waiting for her.

Why? Ah, probably for urgent cash. If she had known, she could have given him some money earlier. Blaming herself for her short-sightedness, she approached and handed him the coffee.

“I was waiting.”

“How much do you need?”

“Excuse me?”

“If you tell me how much you need, I can give you the money.”

Despite her offer, Seokjin’s expression remained tense. Had he broken something in the hotel? The thought of losing even his emergency funds made Gaeun’s head swim.

“Let’s go up to the room first.”

“Yes.”

Watching his anxious glances around the lobby, Gaeun’s suspicions about a potential hotel mishap grew stronger. Perhaps together they could assess and resolve the situation.

In the elevator, Seokjin took the lead, walking briskly ahead. How big a mistake must it be for a wealthy man to panic like this? Did he tear down a wall? Gaeun’s worry deepened.

“Let’s get inside.”

“Yes.”

Once in the room, Gaeun’s eyes fell on a familiar face.

“Good morning.”

It was Tak Jihoon, Seokjin’s assistant. Gaeun felt a surge of relief, almost wanting to shout. If Tak had come, the problem must be serious—but now it was no longer her responsibility. She could leave Seokjin in his assistant’s capable hands and enjoy the rest of her trip.

“Yes, hello.”

“Please, have a seat.”

“Me too?” Gaeun asked, surprised.

Why should she sit? They were no longer a team, merely strangers. Ah—Tak was probably here to settle Seokjin’s borrowed money. Of course, she should be at the table.

“I’ve already briefed the boss. Gaeun Oh, you should see this first.”

Tak handed a file toward her.

“What is this…?!”

Gaeun’s pupils widened as she saw the printed articles.

[Modern Cinderella: Who Is Seokjin Joo’s Fiancée?]

Beneath the cringeworthy headline were several photos: Gaeun and Seokjin entering the hotel, having breakfast, sightseeing—all captured from angles that suggested intimacy. Anyone could assume they were a couple.

“According to airline staff, the two displayed affection openly, sitting side by side… placing food on each other’s plates… their eyes dripping with love.”

Gaeun’s mundane act of handing him a piece of papaya was now described as “dripping with love.”

Additionally:

“An insider claims Seokjin Joo prefers modest dates to accommodate his girlfriend, who is a civilian…?”

Gaeun blinked incredulously at Seokjin, who had his eyes tightly shut, lips pressed firmly.

“A Korean reporter was staying at the same hotel on vacation. With little news lately, they targeted the boss.”

“But in dramas, the characters call the media to retract articles. Have the articles been removed?”

“They were posted suddenly around midnight; there was no time to act. I apologize.”

“Then a clarification saying it’s a misunderstanding should suffice.”

Relieved, Gaeun thought it would be easy to quell. But Tak handed her another article.

[Seokjin Joo to Wed in September]

“Apparently, a hotel staff member leaked the date the boss reserved the wedding hall.”

“Reserving it under my name was a huge mistake.”

“Exactly… when you suggested we reserve under my name—no, never mind.”

Seokjin’s sharp gaze silenced Tak.

“Ah… so the boss is planning to marry. What should I do? I’ll tell the fiancée that this is a complete misunderstanding!”

Apparently, after some fiancée interviews, he had found a woman he deemed perfect. Reserving the wedding hall in September suggested urgency. The bride must be extraordinary if Seokjin looked so serious.

“There’s one serious issue,” Tak said.

“Don’t worry, Mr. Joo. I’ll personally meet the fiancée and clarify.”

“Actually… Gaeun Oh, the boss…”

“There’s no fiancée.”

“Pardon?”

No fiancée, yet a wedding hall is booked and a date set?

“Tak, explain.”

“Yes, sir.”

Seokjin rubbed his forehead, rose, and gazed out the window, arms crossed.

“Do you remember what happened at the hotel?”

“…Yes.”

It would be strange if he didn’t. Who could forget a bizarre “fiancée interview”?