Dongbinggo-dong District – Min Hee's Room
Kim Min Hee stood facing Yuri. Sitting on the bed, Yuri kept her expression closed off, while Min Hee, shocked, struggled to find her words.
Kim Min Hee (hurried, almost incredulous)
– What? An arranged meeting? Why all of a sudden?
Han Yuri (calm, detached)
– Actually… my father had mentioned it a few months ago. I had refused. But… I've decided that now, I'll go.
A heavy silence fell. Min Hee finally sat beside her.
Kim Min Hee (hesitant)
– Actually, it might not be such a bad idea… Maybe if a couple rumor breaks out, people will pay less attention to the other scandal.
She paused, lowered her eyes for a moment, then abruptly turned her head toward Yuri.
Kim Min Hee (uneasy, choosing her words)
– I'm not saying you should do it just to cover up the scandal… I just mean that if people get another distraction… well, you know. But it might not work. It could even make things worse. It all depends on who your arranged meeting is with… unless it's someone really powerful.
Min Hee turned again to Yuri, her eyes gleaming with curiosity.
– Ah yes… do you know who your future husband is?
Yuri didn't answer immediately. Min Hee's insistent gaze weighed on her. Finally, in a calm voice:
Han Yuri
– It's Lee Tae Joon… the son of Lee Tae Kwang, CEO of Empire Group.
A silence settled.
Kim Min Hee (exhaling, as if everything was becoming clear)
– No wonder… your father wouldn't choose just anyone to marry his eldest daughter.
She stood gently, walked across the room, and stopped at her vanity. Her hands rested on the table, her back to Yuri.
Kim Min Hee
– Lucky you… With a husband like that, I'm sure he can protect you from anything. Even… the worst scandals.
Kim Min Hee (with a small bitter laugh)
– I bet your father already knows. Knowing him… I'm sure he realized that by starting another scandal, he'd divert attention from the rest.
Kim Min Hee (continuing, in a clear-headed tone)
– But it's not a bad idea… on the contrary, it's actually quite clever. In this industry, you can never be too nice.
(She turned to Yuri, fixing her gaze on her.)
– Especially since you've worked so hard to get here. So if you have to use someone to protect your image… then so be it. Sometimes, you have to make small sacrifices to get your happy ending.
The Next Day, 4:00 PM – Nari Garden (Day of the Arranged Meeting)
Yuri's black car stopped at the foot of a grand staircase. Her chauffeur immediately got out to open the door for her.
Han Yuri
– Are you sure this is the right place?
Chauffeur
– Yes, Mademoiselle.
Han Yuri
– Alright.
She stepped out slowly, casting a cautious glance around her. Then, with posture straight and determined, she began climbing the stairs, one step at a time. The wind played with her hair as she ascended.
At the top, the terrace unfolded before her: bathed in sunlight, bordered with colorful flowers, looking like something straight out of a romantic drama. Several set tables awaited… but all were empty.
At the far end, a man stood with his back turned, gazing at the city. His impeccable suit contrasted with his calm demeanor, as if lost in deep thought… or waiting patiently for a long time.
Han Yuri approached slowly. Her heels clicked against the floor.
At that moment, Lee Tae Joon turned. As if he had sensed her presence. Their eyes met, locking without flinching.
Han Yuri (thoughts)
This is the right decision… If I do nothing, all my efforts will have been for nothing.
She finally stopped in front of him. He was still watching her.
Lee Tae Joon (slight nod)
– Hello. I'm Lee Tae Joon.
Han Yuri (brief polite smile, hands folded in front of her)
– Hello.
(She glanced around.)
But… why is no one here?
Lee Tae Joon gave a small smile.
– My father said you were an actress. I thought it would be more convenient this way. Don't you agree?
He finally glanced away slightly, then stepped to the side. He lifted his hand politely, indicating the set table just behind them.
Lee Tae Joon
– Let's sit.
Han Yuri nodded gently. She moved forward and pulled out her chair, but before she could fully sit, Tae Joon made a small, quick motion: he slightly adjusted it for her.
Han Yuri (a whisper, almost cold but polite)
– Thank you.
She took her seat, crossing her legs gracefully, her bag beside her. Tae Joon sat as well, his back straight, movements calm and composed.
A few minutes later, they were quietly eating. Yuri toyed absentmindedly with her salad, her mind elsewhere.
Lee Tae Joon (murmuring, eyes fixed on her)
– That's strange…
Han Yuri immediately looked up, intrigued.
– What is?
He stared at her for a few seconds, as if hesitating to answer, his expression unreadable. Then, finally, he shook his head lightly.
Lee Tae Joon (slight smile, almost teasing)
– Nothing. So, you're an actress?
Han Yuri (lifting her chin a little, proud)
– Yes. You may have seen me in ads or dramas. It's not at all strange that you feel like you know me.
Lee Tae Joon (leaning forward slightly, calm tone)
– Actually… I've never watched your dramas.
Han Yuri (startled, eyes wide)
– Seriously? How is that possible? You know I'm one of the most popular actresses in Korea. I do a lot of ads too. Are you sure you don't recognize me?
Lee Tae Joon (shrugs, smirking)
– No, I've never seen you. Is that a crime?
Han Yuri (crossing her arms, slightly offended)
– No, no… It's just fascinating that someone in Korea doesn't know who I am.
(She looks away, taking a sip of water to hide her irritation.)
– Well… let's change the subject. What do you enjoy in life?
Lee Tae Joon (thinking for a second, playing idly with his knife)
– I like writing novels… but it's just a hobby.
Han Yuri (tilting her head, curious despite herself)
– Writing? So that's your dream?
Lee Tae Joon (nodding gently, eyes on the terrace)
– I wouldn't call it a dream. Let's just say I like imagining lots of movies in my head.
(A silence falls. Yuri studies him, eyes searching his face as if trying to read a hidden truth.)
Han Yuri (low but firm)
– Tell me the truth… Why did you come? Did your father force you?
Lee Tae Joon (calm, almost detached, setting down his fork)
– No. He just said that if I met you, he'd buy me a car.
Han Yuri (letting her fork drop, mouth slightly open)
– A car?
Lee Tae Joon (raising his eyebrows, playing innocent)
– What? Why are you looking at me like that?
Han Yuri (squinting, one eyebrow raised, staring at him intensely)
– Nothing…
Lee Tae Joon (tilting his head, amused)
– It's not just any car. It's the Batmobile. One of his friends apparently has one.
Han Yuri (letting out a small ironic laugh, shaking her head)
– Alright… Then, what do you think about the marriage?
Lee Tae Joon (a soft laugh, leaning back in his chair)
– Wait… Are you asking me to marry you?
Han Yuri
– What? No! I was just asking a question.
Lee Tae Joon (tilting his head slightly, a faint smile on his lips)
– Are you sure? Because if you are asking me… I'd say yes.
(Their eyes lock. A heavy, subtle awkwardness fills the air. Yuri briefly looks away.)
A few moments pass.
Lee Tae Joon seemed a little distracted, his gaze wandering without really settling anywhere.
Yuri noticed immediately.
Han Yuri frowned slightly, noticing his unease.
– What's wrong?
Lee Tae Joon (shrugs casually, but his tone remains calm)
– Ah, sorry… I'm having a hard time digesting whisky and soju together.
(Han Yuri blinked, mouth slightly open, astonished.)
– What? Whisky and soju? Those don't even mix!
Lee Tae Joon
– Yeah, I know…
Han Yuri (leaning forward slightly, outraged)
– Then why did you try?
Lee Tae Joon (perfectly detached air)
– I had soju, whisky… and I was bored.
(Han Yuri stared at him, incredulous. She slowly put down her fork, rubbed her temples, as if trying to comprehend this man's absurd logic.)
– So… you mixed the two just… to see what would happen?
Lee Tae Joon
– Yeah. Spoiler alert: it wasn't a good idea.
(Han Yuri rolled her eyes, exhaled deeply, then shook her head and crossed her arms.)
– …Alright. Let's change the subject. Do you like to travel?
Lee Tae Joon (raising an eyebrow, amused)
– Who doesn't like to travel?
(He paused, straightened slightly, but his face twitched in a subtle grimace.)
– But… I'm not allowed to set foot in Canada anymore.
(Han Yuri froze, fork suspended mid-air, eyes wide.)
– What?! Why?
Lee Tae Joon (suddenly diverting the conversation with mock seriousness, glancing around)
– Hmm… don't you think it's beautiful here? The atmosphere, the view…
Han Yuri (staring, eyebrow raised, voice sharp)
– How is it even possible to be banned from entering a country?
Lee Tae Joon (resuming his calm, almost mysterious tone)
– Don't worry… I haven't done anything illegal. Well, not technically. Let's just say Canada and I… had a minor disagreement.
(Han Yuri stared at him for a moment longer, then shook her head, resigned. She stabbed her fork into her salad, mumbling under her breath.)
– You know what? I don't want to know. Not a thing. Keep your secrets, international fugitive.
(She focused on her plate, while Lee Tae Joon's barely perceptible smile hinted he was amused by her reaction.)
– Alright. Let's eat.
(The meal continued in an odd, quiet calm, punctuated by a few stolen glances. Eventually, their plates emptied, and the floating tension lingered in the air.)
Han Yuri rose slowly, her movements measured. Her voice, calm yet firm, cut through the air:
– Thank you for the meal… but I think I'll be going now.
Lee Tae Joon stood as well, adjusting his jacket with a subtle gesture.
– Of course. Let's go, I'll see you off.
Han Yuri shook her head slightly, giving a faint polite smile.
– No, no… it's not necessary. My chauffeur is waiting downstairs.
Lee Tae Joon (without insisting, in an even tone)
– Alright.
Han Yuri
– Then I'll be going. I'll call you later.
(She tilted her head slightly, signaling the end of their meeting, then walked away, her steps echoing softly across the empty terrace. He remained still for a few seconds, his gaze fixed on her back as she gradually disappeared down the stairs.)
A few minutes later, in a flower-lined alley, Yuri pulled her phone from her bag. Her fingers trembled just slightly as she dialed a number.
Han Yuri (calm, controlled voice)
– Have you got the photos?
An indistinct voice replied from the other end of the line.
– Yes, post this photo tomorrow, with a caption that grabs attention.
She listened carefully, her gaze distant, then responded:
– Not yet. I don't want to reveal Lee Tae Joon's identity. Also, I'm not sure yet if I'm going to continue with him. For now… I just want to start with a photo that sparks curiosity. Like a teaser.
(Small pause, her tone grew colder.)
– I'll send the money as soon as it's published.
She ended the call. For a moment, she remained frozen, phone still in hand, as if the weight of her decision had suddenly fallen upon her. Then, in a determined whisper, she murmured:
– Yes… it's the right decision. One rumor must be diverted… with another rumor.
(Her gaze hardened, fixed on the horizon. The wind lightly lifted her hair, and a cold gleam passed through her eyes.)
To be continued