Still in front of the Han residence
The atmosphere was electric.
The three of them stood there, frozen in front of the Han residence, as if time itself had stopped.
Lee Tae Joon and Lee Jae Hyun locked eyes, both with the determined gaze of silent rivals, ready to face off without a word.
Between them, Yuri seemed to be searching for air — her eyes darting from one to the other, unable to break the tension.
Both men were still holding her hands, one on each side.
Finally, Jae Hyun broke the silence.
Lee Jae Hyun, in a calm yet sharp voice:
"Like I said, Yuri and I had plans. That's why I came to get her so early."
Tae Joon gave a small smile, his tone as composed as his gaze.
"That's really too bad, because today, Yuri and I are going to have dinner at my father's place."
A flash crossed Jae Hyun's eyes.
He tightened his grip on Yuri's hand slightly, without taking his eyes off Tae Joon.
"Really? Then I'll make it quick… though honestly, I doubt it. We haven't seen each other in months."
Another silence fell.
The two men stared at each other, like two lions sizing each other up before the attack.
Yuri literally felt trapped between their egos — and between their hands, refusing to let go.
They stayed like that for a few more seconds — a silent eternity.
Then Yuri let out a soft sigh, her lips forming a tired smile.
Han Yuri, in a calm but weary voice:
"What exactly are you playing at?"
She paused briefly, then added in a sharper, almost cutting tone:
> "Let go of me."
Both men turned to her at the same time, slightly surprised.
Their eyes searched to see which one she meant.
But Yuri looked at both of them, unwavering.
Han Yuri, voice trembling but firm:
"Both of you."
A short silence.
They exchanged a glance, hesitated for a moment… then slowly released her hands.
The tension snapped, like an elastic band letting go.
Lee Jae Hyun, in a soft voice:
"Yuri-ah… I'm sorry."
Yuri cast a quick glance at Jae Hyun, inhaled softly, then turned toward Tae Joon.
Her voice, low but steady, finally broke the silence:
Han Yuri:
"You go first. It won't take me long."
Tae Joon stared at her for a moment, still perfectly calm, before letting out a small smile.
Lee Tae Joon:
"Hmm… or we could change the plan."
He took a light, almost playful tone.
> "I heard a new restaurant just opened nearby. How about we all go together?"
He added with a mischievous grin:
"They say the food there is amazing."
He nodded with conviction, then continued in the same breath, in a slightly whining tone:
> "No, actually… that's a lie. I've already been there. And honestly, it wasn't great. Some dishes were too salty, others had… let's say, questionable flavors."
Han Yuri:
"Lee Tae Joon-ssi…"
But he went on, undisturbed:
> "You know that feeling when you eat something and there's a weird aftertaste left in your mouth?"
While Lee Tae Joon rambled on, Lee Jae Hyun watched silently.
His eyebrows raised slightly, a corner of his lips lifting — halfway between amusement and annoyance.
His gaze, calm but piercing, seemed to say: "Seriously, this is your rival?"
Han Yuri, sighing and cutting him off firmly:
"I have something to say to Jae Hyun oppa. In private."
A brief silence followed.
Tae Joon stared at her for a few seconds, expression neutral, before stepping closer.
But suddenly, his phone vibrated. He pulled it from his pocket and glanced at the screen.
His expression subtly shifted, more serious.
Lee Tae Joon, in a calm but tense tone:
"Yes? What is it?"
A short pause, his gaze frozen for a moment, visibly concerned.
Then he exhaled softly before continuing, more composed:
> "Alright, I'll be there right away."
He hung up, put his phone away, then turned to Yuri with a slight forced smile.
Lee Tae Joon:
> "I'll call you later then."
He cast one last glance at Yuri, then at Lee Jae Hyun — a brief exchange, yet charged with tension.
Without another word, Lee Tae Joon tilted his head slightly, a polite but distant gesture, before heading to his car.
He opened the door, settled in quickly, and started the engine.
A few minutes later
Nine One Hannam district, Seoul
In front of the private door of Lee Jae Hyun's penthouse, they stopped.
The cool morning breeze gently lifted strands of Yuri's hair, while Jae Hyun, with a casual gesture, placed his finger on the touch keypad.
A soft beep followed, then the mechanical click of the lock.
Just as he was about to enter, Yuri's voice rang out behind him:
Han Yuri:
> "You're still using the same code?"
Lee Jae Hyun (turning slightly toward her):
> "What do you mean?"
Han Yuri:
> "4417. As far as I remember, it's always been that.
And if I'm not mistaken… it's also your phone code.
It's not your birthday, right?"
She paused briefly, her eyes fixed on him with curiosity.
> "Oppa… can you tell me what this code means?"
She stared at him, waiting for an answer.
Jae Hyun remained silent, his gaze enigmatic, before finally giving a faint, relaxed smile.
Lee Jae Hyun:
> "It's just a code. Nothing special. I'm used to it, that's all."
Han Yuri, giving a half-convinced smile:
> "Really? Alright, if you say so."
He returned her small smile, then gestured for her to enter.
The penthouse interior was spacious, bright, with a discreet and orderly luxury that reflected his personality.
As they moved toward the modern kitchen, Jae Hyun turned toward her.
Lee Jae Hyun:
> "Do you want something to drink?"
(softly)
"Sorry… I wish I could have taken you to a nice restaurant, but…"
Han Yuri (sitting on the kitchen stool):
> "It's fine, coffee will do."
A few minutes later, the coffee was ready.
Lee Jae Hyun gently placed the cup in front of Yuri, who briefly looked up at him.
Han Yuri:
> "Thank you."
She brought the cup to her lips, took a sip, and then slowly set it down.
Jae Hyun sat across from her, watching quietly.
The silence stretched, heavy, almost suffocating… until he finally broke it.
Lee Jae Hyun (hesitant, low voice):
> "Yuri-ah… be honest with me.
Your father forced you to marry Lee Tae Joon, didn't he?
To distract from the scandal?"
Han Yuri lifted her eyes, calmly placing her cup down.
Her tone remained steady, but her gaze grew colder.
Han Yuri:
> "What makes you think that?
Didn't you ever consider… maybe I just found a man I feel comfortable with?"
Lee Jae Hyun:
> "No. Because I know you.
And he's not your type. He's immature, impulsive…
Yuri-ah, none of this makes sense.
And you're already talking about marriage overnight?"
Han Yuri cut him off immediately, without raising her voice.
Han Yuri:
> "If you say you know me so well, then you should know I never do anything without thinking.
Twice, three times, if necessary.
And who knows? Maybe my tastes have changed.
Maybe I just want to explore… something else."
Lee Jae Hyun took a deep breath, trying to stay calm.
He looked her straight in the eyes.
Lee Jae Hyun:
> "Yuri-ah…
If this is still one of your father's schemes, it's not too late to stop.
You don't need a marriage to fix your image.
People will forget the scandal eventually.
You're not the first celebrity to go through this, and you won't be the last."
Han Yuri gave a faint smile at the corner of her lips.
She murmured, voice soft but trembling:
> "One day…"
Then slowly looking up at Jae Hyun, she added:
"When, oppa?"
They stared at each other without a word.
A long, almost suffocating silence settled between them.
Then, with a sudden decisiveness, Lee Jae Hyun broke the silence:
Lee Jae Hyun:
> "Alright. If you really want to go all the way…
then marry me instead."
Han Yuri, surprised, widened her eyes slightly.
> "What?"
Lee Jae Hyun:
> "Marry me.
No one officially knows who you're dating yet, it's not too late.
Think about it…
You know as well as I do that it would make way more noise.
People have always suspected us anyway."
Han Yuri let out a small, nervous laugh.
> "That's true…
If we did that, it would surely attract even more attention.
Maybe even more than with Tae Joon.
We'd be a powerful couple, right?
A true power couple to relaunch my career."
She paused, then her tone softened. Sadness creeping in.
> "But oppa… it wouldn't be fair."
Lee Jae Hyun, frowning slightly:
> "Not fair? What do you mean?"
Han Yuri:
> "I mean… it wouldn't be fair to you."
(She took a deep breath.)
"You know, when I watch dramas…
there's always that moment when the male character loves the girl,
and the girl, instead of being honest,
pretends not to see it, just to avoid breaking what they have.
I've always said I hated that kind of girl."
She smiled sadly.
> "And yet… I think I'm starting to understand her."
Lee Jae Hyun looked at her, eyes tinged with sadness, as if he understood perfectly what she meant… but he chose to pretend he didn't.
Lee Jae Hyun:
> "Yuri-ah… I don't understand what you mean."
Han Yuri lowered her eyes gently, a faint melancholic smile on her lips.
> "I'm sorry, oppa.
I shouldn't have played the same game as those girls in the dramas.
It's sad, selfish… and it was surely hard for you."
Their gazes met, heavy with sadness. Yuri tried to flash a faint smile, almost against her will, while Jae Hyun seemed to understand without a single word spoken.
A few seconds that felt like an eternity passed. Each measured the depth of the other, as if this simple exchange could reveal truths they dared not voice. Then, almost imperceptibly, Yuri lowered her eyes, breaking the eye contact, letting linger in the air this bittersweet tension, full of unspoken words and restrained emotions.
To be continued