Chapter 48
[I’ll be honest with you. I’m interested in you, Ha Yoon-jae.]
Those were Da-hee’s words from several years ago, when she’d gone to meet Yeong-do for a business collaboration.
Even as she shook his hand, she gave a bright, pure smile — the kind of expression that exuded the ease of someone who had always been loved wherever she went.
Yoon-jae, who had been listening quietly to this forthright confession — the kind that could only come from a woman who had never once been rejected — finally replied.
[Is that supposed to be part of the contract terms too?]
His voice was the coldest in the world.
Da-hee was momentarily speechless, and he added,
[Then try your best.]
It was an absurdly insulting tone.
So detached that she wondered if he even possessed emotions at all.
In that instant, the affection that had been burning in her heart turned completely to ash.
And now, years later.
That same man, who had always been cold and prickly, suddenly looked alive.
As he moved forward, leaving so many people behind, there was something desperate about the way he walked.
When Da-hee heard someone call him “newlywed,” she realized — the direction he was heading in led to a woman.
She stared blankly and asked the man next to her, Ju-ho,
“Her? She’s the woman?”
She pointed toward a woman entering the hall — someone completely opposite from what Da-hee had imagined.
How could she notice her at a glance among so many people?
Was it because she was dazzling? Too unusual?
No — in fact, the woman was much simpler than expected.
Her hair was neatly tied back, without a single loose strand, held in place by a simple pin. Her outfit was a clean, minimal two-piece, accented only by a small clutch.
And yet, she radiated a vivid, dynamic energy that seemed to illuminate the entire room.
Her bright smile and steady gaze reminded one of sunlight itself.
In that sterile, formal space, her presence shone all the more — at least, in Ha Yoon-jae’s eyes.
That sunlight drew him toward her as if by gravity.
“Ha Yoon-jae!”
She was the first to notice him and waved brightly, calling out his name.
Her mere presence already drew everyone’s attention — now, even sharper, more envious gazes followed.
But she didn’t care. She approached him without hesitation, standing before him with a cheerful glow.
“I was just about to call you — how funny that we ran into each other here!”
Her eyes sparkled, pure and unguarded.
All Yoon-jae could manage to say was—
“Your eyes.”
“Oh, they’re fine now! I don’t even need sunglasses anymore — I can see perfectly. I went to the hospital and everything.”
Even with those short words, she gave exactly the answer he’d been hoping for.
Then, she looked around the place with a bright grin.
“Feels like I’m a celebrity here.”
The corners of her lips lifted playfully at the curious gazes directed her way.
“It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”
Indeed, it had been a full week — the first time he’d seen her eyes without the sunglasses she’d worn after LASIK surgery.
“Ha Yoon-jae?”
She called again when he didn’t respond, staring at her silently.
When she waved her free hand to get his attention, his mind finally came back to him — though his heart was still pounding wildly.
“How did you even get here?”
He asked, his voice the only thing steady.
She shrugged lightly.
“I was going to call, but I figured you’d tell me not to come. So I just did.”
“……”
“It’s not the kind of invitation you can easily turn down, you know? Even if not for now, it’s good to show up for later.
And honestly, not telling me was your mistake. You’ll just make people misunderstand.
What if I found out later and spit in your coffee, huh?”
It was such a her-type of complaint — blunt, funny, and true.
After all, the chairwoman, Han Myeong-sook, had personally asked her granddaughter to meet him, showing just how much interest she had in Yoon-jae.
He hadn’t wanted to drag her here to become a spectacle. Yet here she was — calm, radiant, stunning.
“Ah, by the way, Eun-se helped me get here.”
“You’re that close with Ha Eun-se now?”
“She’s adorable! Like a kitten. Oh — right, I have something for you.”
Ignoring his disbelief, she took something out of her bag — a small object wrapped in fabric no bigger than her finger.
It was a tie pin, elegant and sophisticated.
“Can I put it on?”
Even before he could answer, she was already tugging his tie closer, smiling as she fastened the pin.
The people nearby — watching the unmistakably affectionate scene — were visibly stunned.
No one had asked, but everyone knew.
That woman — she was the woman.
The one who had suddenly appeared beside Ha Yoon-jae.
“And? Pretty, right? Do you like it?”
Though she was technically asking about the tie pin, the way she looked up at him — bright eyes gleaming — made it feel like she was slicing right through his heart.
He couldn’t help it.
“It’s beautiful.”
Her face lit up.
“Right? I picked well, huh? Actually, your sister picked it. It’s a matching set — with my hairpin.”
She pointed to the pin in her hair, smiling.
For a moment, Yoon-jae’s mind went blank.
It wasn’t just that she looked different without glasses — it was her eyes themselves, unclouded and brilliant, that stirred him.
“Am I too late?” she asked softly.
Late, early — none of it mattered anymore.
He reached out a hand toward her.
“Perfect.”
More than enough — utterly perfect.
Her eyes curved like crescents as she placed her hand in his, smiling tenderly.
Anyone could see how affectionate they looked together.
<We will now begin the main event. Guests, please take your seats…>
The announcement signaled the start of the charity auction.
The auction wasn’t stiff or overly formal.
All proceeds would go to charity, and most items were from the Eun-yang Foundation’s collection. There were even upper limits on bids to prevent excessive competition.
It was meant to be fun — and it was.
Of course, Yoon-jae had no intention of participating.
But she did.
Her eyes sparkled as she wandered through the displays.
‘These are all from the chairwoman’s personal collection?’
Some of them were more luxurious than what you’d see at a real auction.
She looked so fascinated, like a curious deer, that she didn’t even notice the stares following her.
Yoon-jae quietly handed her a small card.
“What’s this?”
“A bidding card.”
She tilted her head. “I can join?”
“It was in your invitation — it’s yours.”
The card number matched her invitation code, meaning she could bid freely.
She studied the card curiously, then narrowed her eyes.
“Who’s paying for it?”
A perfectly her question.
He chuckled softly. “Not you.”
“Got it! Then just trust my taste.”
From that point on, the auction might as well have been her playground.
She wandered from table to table, admiring every item as if she were an art curator.
And somehow, wherever she went, she drew people in — chatting, laughing, explaining little things with such bright enthusiasm.
She was light itself.
Light untouched by shadow — so radiant it made even the onlooker feel illuminated.
“Ha Yoon-jae!”
She called again, without hesitation, and hurried to him.
Standing by his side, she chattered happily.
“What do you think of number four? The cap price is about this much, so if we go a bit higher — maybe 4.5? That should work.”
Her ease with him was unfamiliar, yet he didn’t mind.
He watched quietly before murmuring, “You seem to know your stuff.”
“Well, rare things are limited, and plenty of people want them — that’s how auctions work.”
“You’ve done this before.”
“Not often. Just when there’s something I really want. Oh — that one looks nice too.”
“‘Sometimes,’ huh.”
He spoke softly, but she didn’t catch it.
Instead, she whispered, covering her mouth playfully.
“This place is like another world. But you know, I think the chairwoman kept the really good stuff hidden.”
“Hidden?”
“Yeah. There’s nothing ugly here.”
It slipped out — the kind of thing she said naturally, without thinking.
Their quiet closeness made Yoon-jae lower his head slightly and ask,
“Is that a habit of yours?”
“What is?”
“Judging what’s beautiful or not.”
“Huh?”
Before she could answer, the chime rang again —
Ding-dong-dang-dong.
<The auction has ended. Thank you for your participation. Results will be announced shortly…>
The lights brightened, signaling the close of the event.
“……!”
Suddenly, the short distance between them became all too noticeable.
Startled, she stepped back quickly. Maybe she’d gotten too carried away.
“I’ll just… run to the restroom.”
A little embarrassed, she turned before waiting for his response.
Her cheeks felt warm, and she pressed them lightly with her hand.
“Too handsome for no reason,” she muttered, straightening her back as she hurried off.
“Ah…”
Maybe it was because her attention had finally settled again — a sharp pain suddenly crept up from her heel.
‘Definitely blistered.’
The heels hadn’t been comfortable from the start, but the excitement of the evening had kept her from noticing.
Now, the throbbing ache wrapped around her feet.
She glanced down, took a tentative step—
Step.
Her stride was hesitant, uneven.
‘Would’ve been better if I hadn’t noticed…’
Once she realized it hurt, the pain only grew sharper.
Leaning on the wall, she shuffled along, looking for a place to sit when—
Swish—
A familiar hand appeared before her.
“Take it.”
She blinked — she hadn’t even seen him approach.
“How did you—”
“Why wouldn’t I?” he interrupted, gently taking her hovering hand in his.
Her heart skipped.
Between the warmth of his touch and the sincerity of his words, she was stunned twice over.
“You’re walking like a newborn giraffe.”
