The engagement party was just like what Daniel expected it to be elaborate, decorative, and filled with people pretending to care about their "love story."
Daniel stood tired next to Hana, both of them smiling so hard their cheeks hurt. They'd spent the last hour nodding politely as various business associates and family friends offered their congratulations. It was exhausting.
"So, how did you two meet?" asked a woman in a blue silk dress. She was the wife of one of the Kim Group's board members, though Daniel couldn't remember her name.
"It was arranged by our grandfathers," Hana replied flatly. "We're practically strangers."
"Oh." The woman's eyes widened. "How very... traditional."
"Yes, traditional indeed," Daniel said, swirling his champagne. "Nothing says traditional like being auctioned off to save a family from bankruptcy."
Hana's head snapped toward him, clearly not expecting him to put their situation so bluntly.
"I... well... congratulations again," she muttered before quickly excusing herself.
"Was that really necessary?" Hana asked gritting her teeth once the woman was out of earshot.
"Would you prefer I lie?" Daniel replied, taking a sip of his champagne. "Create some romantic story about how we met at a café when you spilled coffee on my expensive suit, and I was charmed by your clumsiness?"
"Actually, that's not bad," Hana mused. "We should have prepared something like that instead of making everyone uncomfortable."
"I don't see why we should make this easier for anyone." Daniel's eyes swept across the room, landing on his grandfather who was deep in conversation with Hana's grandfather. "They're the ones forcing us into this."
Hana followed his gaze. "They do look pleased with themselves, don't they?"
"Ecstatic," Daniel agreed. "Like they've pulled off the business deal of the century."
"Technically, they have." Hana twisted the engagement ring on her finger, a massive diamond that felt more like a shackle than a symbol of love. "Your family gets our patents, and my family gets your money. Everyone wins."
"Except us," Daniel muttered.
"Except us," Hana echoed.
A photographer approached them, camera raised. "Smile for the society pages!"
Daniel and Hana reluctantly leaned closer together, their practiced smiles returning. The flash went off, capturing what would appear to the world as a happy couple celebrating their engagement. As soon as the photographer moved on, they immediately stepped apart again.
"This is ridiculous," Daniel said under his breath. "I need some air."
"By all means, go." Hana said coldly. "I'm sure I can manage this dreadful crowd all by myself."
Daniel hesitated, then gestured for her to come. It wasn't her fault they were in this situation. "Fine. There's a terrace through those doors. We can say we wanted a moment to ourselves."
"How considerate," Hana replied.
They made their way through the crowd, occasionally stopping to acknowledge well-wishers, before finally escaping to the terrace. The night air was cool and refreshing after the stuffy heat of the ballroom.
"Thank god," Hana sighed, leaning against the stone railing. "I thought I would suffocate in there."
Daniel loosened his tie slightly. "Not enjoying your princess moment?"
"Very funny," Hana rolled her eyes. "I'm sure you're loving being the prince charming of this fairy tale."
"Hardly." Daniel moved to stand beside her, looking out at the city lights. "In case you haven't noticed, I want this marriage even less than you do."
"I doubt that," Hana said. "You have no idea how much I don't want this."
Daniel turned to study her profile. In the soft lighting from the ballroom windows, he could see what others found attractive about her. delicate features, bright eyes, soft hair that caught the light. She wasn't unattractive. In another life, perhaps he might have been interested. But his heart belonged to Amelia, even if she was gone forever.
"Why are you so against this?" he asked, surprising himself with the question. "Your family needs this merger. I get that you didn't choose me, but surely marriage to the Kim group's heir isn't the worst thing that could happen to you."
"There's someone else," She whispered.
"Oh." That, Daniel could understand perfectly. "Current boyfriend?"
"Not exactly," Hana replied. "It's complicated."
"Complicated enough that you'd rather spill spaghetti all over yourself than marry me?" The words slipped out before Daniel could stop them.
Hana's eyes widened. "How did you—"
"Ara talks a lot," Daniel admitted. "And Cedric listens. They've been comparing notes."
"Traitors," Hana muttered, but there was no real heat in her words. "Yes, complicated enough for that. What about you? What's your reason for not wanting this marriage?"
Daniel considered deflecting, but something about the night air and their shared predicament made him honest. "Same as you. There's someone else."
"Current girlfriend?"
"No," Daniel said, the familiar ache returning to his chest. "She's... gone."
Hana's expression softened. "I'm sorry."
They stood in silence for a while, two strangers bound by family obligations and shared reluctance, looking out at the city lights.
"We have to go back in, don't we?" Hana finally said.
"Eventually," Daniel agreed. "But we can take a few more minutes."
"A few more minutes," Hana nodded. "And then back to pretending."
Daniel raised his champagne glass. "To pretending, then."
Hana clinked her glass against his. "To pretending."
As they stood there under the stars, Daniel had the strange thought that at least they were honest with each other about one thing, neither of them wanted this marriage. In a world of fake smiles and business arrangements disguised as romance, there was something refreshingly straightforward about their mutual dislike of the situation.
It wasn't much, but it was something.
***
The rest of the engagement party dragged on for another two hours. Daniel and Hana played their parts, accepting congratulations, posing for more photos, and participating in all the expected rituals. By the time the last guest left, Daniel felt like he'd run a marathon.
"Excellent work tonight," Grandpa Kim said, clapping Daniel on the shoulder. "You and Hana looked perfect together."
"Thanks, Grandpa," Daniel replied, trying to keep the exhaustion out of his voice.
"The Yoons have invited us to their estate for brunch tomorrow," his grandfather continued. "We'll discuss wedding plans."
Daniel suppressed a groan. "Already? The engagement was just announced tonight."
"No time to waste," Grandpa Kim said cheerfully. "The merger papers need to be signed within three months, which means the wedding needs to happen before then."
"Three months?" Daniel's stomach dropped. "That's... soon."
"That's business," his grandfather corrected. "The sooner we secure the Yoon Group's patents, the sooner we can start developing the new technology line. Every day counts."
Daniel watched as his grandfather walked away to speak with the event coordinator. Three months. He had just three months before he would be permanently tied to Hana and the Yoon family. The reality of his situation was finally sinking in.
"Hey," Cedric appeared at his side, handing him a glass of water. "You look like you need this."
"I need something stronger," Daniel muttered, but he accepted the water anyway.
"Not a good idea," Cedric warned. "You have that meeting with the R&D team tomorrow morning before the Yoon brunch."
Daniel had completely forgotten about the meeting. "Cancel it."
"I can't cancel it. It's about the preliminary integration plans for the Yoon technology."
Of course it was. Everything in his life was now revolving around this merger. Daniel drained the water glass and handed it back to Cedric.
"Fine. What time?"
"Eight AM."
"I'll be there," Daniel sighed. He glanced across the now-empty ballroom where Hana was speaking with her friend Ara. She looked as tired as he felt.
As the cleanup crew began dismantling the elaborate decorations, Daniel made his way toward the exit. He noticed Hana doing the same, with Ara close behind her. They reached the door at the same time.
"Well," Daniel said awkwardly. "That was..."
"A disaster?" Hana supplied.
"I was going to say 'an experience,' but your word works too."
Hana almost smiled at that. "Goodnight, Daniel."
"Goodnight, Hana."
They parted ways, each resolving to break the engagement before the three months were up.