{KOREAN-ENGLISH}
Lee Seo Jun rolled his eyes dramatically.
"No way. I can't watch a movie in a room full of strangers," he said with that usual pride in his tone.
Joon So Min giggled, already expecting that answer. She knew him too well...he hated crowds, preferred privacy, and would rather book out an entire restaurant than eat around noisy tables.
"Let's do it anyway," she said brightly, grinning with a teasing glint in her eyes. She loved when she could twist his rules a little.
Before long, they were on their way to the cinema, with Seo Jun doing his best to pretend he was okay being in public. His discomfort was visible,but So Min enjoyed every bit of it.
"Wait here. I'll get the tickets," she offered.
Seo Jun nodded, staying back near the entrance.
Almost instantly, a group of girls nearby noticed him. His tall frame, flawless skin, and commanding aura drew attention like bees to honey.
"Wow... he's so handsome," one girl whispered, blushing.
So Min, while paying for their tickets, overheard them and chuckled softly.
One bold girl stepped forward. "Excuse me... are you single?"
Seo Jun, face blank and cold, looked her over before answering.
"No. I'm married to an amazing woman," he replied coolly, lips tugging into a faint smile.
The girl raised a brow. "That's too bad. She's not even here."
"Honey," Seo Jun suddenly called, eyes meeting So Min's.
So Min blushed, narrowing her eyes as she walked over.
"Our tickets ready?" he asked sweetly, his voice full of affection.
She nodded and handed them to him. The girls watching them sighed in defeat. One by one, they walked away,some glaring at So Min, others silently mourning their lost chance.
"Why'd you have to break her heart like that?" So Min whispered playfully.
Seo Jun smirked. "Because I want the world to know you're mine."
A blush crept across her cheeks.
"Let's just go inside. The movie's starting," she said quickly, flustered.
⸻
The film ended. But instead of watching the screen, Seo Jun had spent most of the time watching her,
her reactions, her expressions, the way she laughed softly.
"We should go to my place," he said casually as they stepped out.
So Min turned red immediately. "What?"
"You don't want to come over?" he pouted. "Or do you think I have evil intentions?"
She rolled her eyes, already seeing through him. But still, she nodded.
⸻
At Lee Seo Jun's residence, the couple entered unaware of an unexpected guest waiting inside.
"Young Master!" a maid rushed over.
"What is it?" he asked, confused.
"Seo Jun!" a feminine voice echoed.
A girl with short red hair stepped out wearing a stylish knee-length dress and high heels. She immediately threw her arms around him, completely ignoring So Min.
"Evelyn," Seo Jun muttered, frowning.
The girl turned and finally acknowledged So Min.
"Who's she?" Evelyn asked in English.
So Min understood perfectly,she had studied abroad and picked up enough English to follow.
"My girlfriend," Seo Jun responded in Korean.
Evelyn's face shifted in an instant, from confused to cheerful.
"You're so pretty!" she beamed at So Min, giving her a sudden hug. "You can call me Evelyn."
Soon the three of them were seated together, though Evelyn was clearly too close to Seo Jun for So Min's comfort.
"I met Seo Jun during a little vacation," Evelyn said with a coy smile. "I was running from an arranged marriage, and I hid in his hotel room. He was on a business trip in the U.S."
"Don't remind me," Seo Jun said with an eye-roll, as if the memory annoyed him.
"Don't be mean," Evelyn pouted.
"When are you leaving?" Seo Jun asked flatly.
"Wow, chasing me away already?" she said dramatically. "I just came to say hello. My father has a project in Korea, so I tagged along."
Evelyn got up and walked over to So Min.
"How do you deal with him?" she giggled, eyes twinkling.
So Min gave her a polite smile, but her eyes shifted to Seo Jun, who was already watching them both carefully.
Evelyn waved them good bye and left after giving one last look at Joon so min.
"Don't mind her," he said, walking over and pulling So Min to her feet. "Evelyn isn't dangerous. I only have eyes for you."
He leaned closer, his voice low and reassuring.
Before So Min could respond, he scooped her up in his arms and carried her upstairs. Her heart raced.
In that moment, she silently wished these warm, chaotic, beautiful moments would never end.
⸻
The next day, Joon So Min sat across from a surprising companion at a small Subway restaurant: Lee Jeong.
She was the last person So Min ever expected to see there, let alone eat with. A poised, classy woman like Jeong didn't exactly scream "fast food lover."
"You're not eating your sandwich," Jeong said.
"No, I am," So Min replied quickly, taking a small bite.
"I love this place," Jeong smiled. "Seung and I used to come here often when we were off work."
So Min blinked. She wasn't expecting such a down-to-earth confession.
"I asked you here for something," Jeong said, folding her hands over the table. "I want you to design my wedding dress."
So Min almost choked.
"Me?" she asked, wide-eyed.
"Yes," Jeong nodded with a gentle smile. "Seung proposed out of nowhere, but I've always dreamed of marrying him. And your designs... I've followed them since you were in the States. I even visited your shop once,when you and Seo Jun had that falling out."
So Min was still stunned. "I don't know if I'm the right person for something so important—"
"No. You are," Jeong said firmly. "Your work is art, So Min."
She reached across the table, eyes sincere.
"Will you design my dress?"