Next day Mr. Park call Mr. Lee
Mr. Park wasn't the type to ramble. "We'll be visiting tomorrow to discuss the engagement," he said over the phone, calm as ever.
Mr. Lee nearly dropped his phone. "T-Tomorrow? Oh yes, yes, of course! We'll be ready!"
He hung up, face shining brighter than a chandelier. "Minjun! Get up! They're coming tomorrow!"
Minjun peeked through his sheet mask. "Who's coming?"
Mr. Lee grabbed his son's shoulders dramatically. "The Parks, Minjun! They're coming with an official proposal!"
His father nodded, flushed with glee. "They're coming tomorrow. For you. We did it, Minjun. You're going to be the daughter-in-law of the Park family!"
Minjun rolled off the couch, already imagining the headlines. "Correction: I'm going to be their son-in-law. But yes, finally!"
---
The next day, the Park family arrived—and they didn't come lightly. They came in style, power, and weight. Dozens of assistants followed them, arms brimming with lavishly wrapped boxes, velvet suitcases, and towering gift baskets.
Mr. Lee's drawing room transformed into a luxury exhibition. Jewelry sets sparkled under the chandelier. Imported sweets, rare wines, and designer fabrics piled high until one of the sofas disappeared entirely.
"Oh, you really didn't need to—" Mr. Lee said, his eyes greedily scanning every golden box.
"We insist," Mr. Park replied politely. "This is our son's engagement. We don't hold back when it comes to family."
Minjun was practically glowing, one hand fluttering to his chest like he might faint from joy. "It's all so… so beautiful."
Minjun looked like he might cry. "They brought Versace linens. Appa… this is it. I'm ascending."
In the corner, Eun-Kyung glanced around and sniffed. "This beige theme is depressing. A house should sing joy."
Baek Hyun chuckled. "We're here to talk marriage, not repaint their living room."
Mr. Park cleared his throat. "Let's discuss the ceremonies. We propose the engagement in ten days. Then the wedding… in a month and a half."
Mr. Lee clutched his heart. "Perfect! That gives us time, and yet not too much time."
Minjun smiled sweetly at Taehyun, who looked like he'd rather be anywhere else. "I'm really looking forward to it."
Taehyun forced a polite smile. "Same."
Taeho leaned in and whispered, "You look like you just swallowed a cactus."
"Correction: I am the cactus," Taehyun whispered back.
---
The next morning was chaos. Bags flew. Schedules clashed. And in the middle of it all…
"Why are we doing this again?" Taehyun asked, pulling a hoodie over his head.
"Because you can't show up to your engagement looking like sleep deprivation," Eun-Kyung snapped. "You need clothes, shoes, and a face."
"I have a face."
"Not one we can present in public."
"I'm not even the bride," he mumbled.
"We're ALL the bride in this house," Taeho grinned, throwing an arm around his shoulder.
Taeho skipped in wearing a bright floral blazer. "Let's go, people! Fashion waits for no one!"
Haru was standing at the edge of the room, arms crossed. "I refuse. I have three weeks' worth of paperwork sitting on my desk."
"Uncle's coming," Eun-Kyung said casually.
Haru blinked. "Wait—Sunbae?"
"Yes."
"…Fine. I'll come. But I'm not happy about it."
Taehyun snorted. "You look thrilled."
---
The mall had been cleared. Not a soul in sight—except the staff, who stood lined up like soldiers awaiting royalty.
Being the heir of Korea's number-one business empire had its perks. And its inconveniences.
As the four of them walked into the luxury mall, heads turned—even the mall owner came down to bow. "Young Master Park! It's an honor."
Taehyun gave a half-smile. "We're just here to shop."
Taeho skipped ahead, already picking out patterns. "You have no taste. I'm dressing you."
"You dress like a neon K-drama side character."
"That's called style."
Taeho twirled dramatically. "We need suits, silks, sparkle, everything. My brother is getting fake-married!"
"It's not fake," Taehyun said.
"It feels fake."
Taehyun sighed. "That's because you're dramatic."
Haru stayed close to the uncle, trying to look indifferent. "What do you think of velvet cuffs?" he asked, just loud enough for Uncle Sunbae to hear.
Taehyun leaned toward him, "You're blushing."
"I'll resign."
"Noted."
In the distance, Minjun's calls kept pinging Taeho's phone. Taeho rolled his eyes. "Minjun wanted to come, but I told him I wanted alone time with my real brother."
Taehyun laughed. "You're so dramatic."
---
Minjun, stuck at home with Mrs. Park, was not happy.
He wanted to shop too—but Taeho had sweetly said, "Let me spend time with my brother."
Minjun had no choice but to agree.
He smiled. "Okay, I understand."
But his inner voice hissed: Just wait till we're married, Taeho. Then you'll see who makes the rules.
---
Back at the mall, the group was enjoying themselves. Eun-Kyung picked suits while Uncle Sunbae offered surprisingly good fashion advice.
Taeho paraded through the dressing area in outfit after outfit.
"I want this one in every color."
Taehyun was holding three bags already. "You're not the one getting engaged."
"Exactly why I need more outfits. The camera will love me."
As the assistants fluttered around them, Taehyun paused.
A chill ran down his spine.
Someone was watching him.
He turned subtly.
Nothing.
Just the glass walls and the sparkling floors.
He shook it off—but the feeling clung to him like fog.
---
The next several days passed in a blur of event planning. Decorators, caterers, florists—each one ushered in like royalty to the Park estate. There were meetings over menu tastings, fabric samples, and seating charts.
Taeho kept "accidentally" listing himself as Taehyun's fiancé on the guest cards.
Haru threatened resignation three times.
Minjun called every other hour to "check on things," sounding increasingly possessive.
Taehyun stayed quiet.
A strange tiredness clung to him. He moved, he smiled, he agreed—but a heaviness pulsed under every breath.
---
Then, the engagement day arrived.
The venue was breathtaking.
A crystal-draped garden villa, lit in warm golds and soft pinks. Flower arrangements curled like sculptures around the pillars. A string quartet played in the background. Even the napkins looked expensive.
Guests murmured in awe.
"That's the Park family for you."
"They turned a garden into a royal ballroom."
"It's just the engagement!"
Mr. Lee stood near the entrance, glowing brighter than the chandelier above him. "This is perfection. PERFECTION!"
Minjun arrived in an embroidered cream vibrant suit , practically floating. "Do I look husband-worthy?"
Mrs. Park blinked. "You look… bright."
"I'll take that as a yes."
The Park siblings arrived late, as always.
Taeho looked radiant in pastel green. Taehyun wore a midnight blue suit that made everyone turn their heads.
Even Eun-Kyung looked impressed. "Not bad, cactus boy."
Chaos followed.
Taeho accidentally tripped on the floral arch, knocking over half the backdrop.
A child fell into the dessert table.
Baek Hyun had to wrestle the mic away from an overly enthusiastic aunt.
Through it all, Taehyun remained silent. Smiling. Posing. Holding hands.
But inside, he was spiraling.
---
That night, back home, he sat on the edge of his bed, tuxedo half-peeled off, staring at nothing.
The lights were dim. The room, quiet.
He lifted a hand to his lips.
A memory bloomed—unexpected and unwanted.
Vasilliy.
The memory of his kiss. Of how firm, how warm, how certain it had felt.
He could still feel the weight of Vasilliy's touch, the electricity of it, how it burned through his veins like wildfire.
Taehyun clenched his jaw and shook his head.
"No," he whispered.
He forced the image into the back of his mind, burying it deep beneath obligations and responsibilities.
You're not coming back. You're gone.
And yet…
The silence whispered otherwise.
---
Far away, in a shadowed underground room lit only by a single hanging bulb, a man sat on a velvet armchair, hidden in half-darkness.
Another man—young, bloody, on his knees—cried and begged.
"I didn't mean to—I just gave them one file! Please, it was a mistake!"
The man in shadows said nothing. His fingers curled on the armrest.
A second figure stood beside him, face unreadable.
The man on the floor shook. "I have a family—"
The seated man finally spoke.
"Kill him."
His voice was flat. Cold.
"And sell his organs while he's alive. Send his head to the gang who hired him."
"No—NO PLEASE—!"
Screams echoed. Blood spilled. The shadowed figure didn't flinch.
Then his phone rang.
He answered.
Silence.
Then a voice from the other side said something.
His jaw tightened.
Veins pulsed in his neck.
He crushed the phone in his hand and hurled the remains against the wall.
The other man beside him stepped back. "Boss?"
The shadowed man stood slowly, his dark eyes glowing with fury.
"Let them enjoy their little fantasy," he growled. "Because soon... I'll end it."
---
TO BE CONTINUED
Author's Note:
Hey lovely readers!
I've just made a little change in my writing style starting from this episode—trying something new to make the story feel more alive and natural. I really hope you enjoy it!
Let me know your thoughts, I'd love to hear your opinions!
With love,
Irmak Kelebek