People were bustling in and out of the mall, the air thick with chatter and the scent of fresh bread from a nearby bakery. But Soo-ji's nerves were already frayed, her eyes darting around until they finally landed on Seo-jun, who stood leaning against a pillar, checking his watch.
She hurried over, nearly tripping on her own feet.
"You're late," she said, but her smile broke through anyway.
"I told you I was busy today," Seo-jun replied, raising an eyebrow. "Why the sudden change of plans?"
"I can't explain now, just play along," Soo-ji pleaded, glancing over her shoulder.
Six men in black suits loomed behind her like a small SWAT team.
Seo-jun's face dropped. "You brought company?"
"No," Soo-ji sighed dramatically. "I brought the company."
She tilted her head toward the entrance, where Tae-hyun approached like a king, hands in his pockets, eyes sweeping over the mall like it was his personal kingdom.
Seo-jun groaned, scrubbing his face. "Why, Soo-ji? Why?!"
"I know. It's infuriating," she muttered, patting his arm. "Let's just get this over with."
"Mr. Tae-hyun, this is my best friend, Seo-jun," she said as they approached.
"We've met before," Tae-hyun said coolly.
"Yes. At the hospital," Seo-jun replied, forcing a tight smile.
"Hm. That must be it. Shall we?" Tae-hyun gestured to the mall entrance, not waiting for an answer.
As they walked in, people practically dove out of the way, whispering behind their hands, the stereotype of "men in black equals trouble" following them like a storm cloud. Meanwhile, Soo-ji and Seo-jun were wrapped up in their own world.
"You're already here, so why are you ignoring me?" Soo-ji said, peeking around to catch his eye.
Seo-jun exhaled, frustration poking through.
"Don't make me feel dumb, I have my reasons, okay?" she said, unintentionally pouting. "You won't get it."
"I'm all ears right now," he replied, sighing. "So, what's the reason?"
"First, we need to escape these people. But before that—what if I just buy a ton of stuff? No one likes a girl who spends too much, right? Maybe he'll get annoyed and leave me alone."
Seo-jun gave her a look. "He doesn't strike me as the type to care about that. It'll probably just feed his pride."
On cue, a voice echoed through the mall's speakers.
"Attention, all Velvet Loft staff, please report to the cashier unit immediately."
Soo-ji sighed. "Okay, plan B. I'll be cheap instead." She grabbed the closest thing—a fluffy pink doll with crooked eyes.
Moments later, everyone was gathered at the cashier unit like it was a field trip. The guards, Tae-hyun's shadow soldiers, stood in a line, bags in hand.
"Is everyone done?" Mr. Jun asked.
"Yes, sir," the guards echoed.
"Ms. Kim, is that all you're getting?" Mr. Jun turned to Soo-ji.
"Yes!" she chirped, hugging the doll.
"We should get something for Mr. Do-yoon too. Shopping would've been more fun with him around," Mr. Jun muttered, swiping Tae-hyun's black card with a flick of annoyance "That Min-jae sure knows how to ruin the atmosphere"
"Where's Mr. Tae-hyun, anyway?" Soo-ji asked.
"He had to leave for something urgent," Mr. Jun replied.
"Oh." Soo-ji hugged the doll tighter.
The cashier smiled brightly. "Congratulations, ma'am! There's a discount for being the first to buy this doll!"
"Really?" Soo-ji's eyes sparkled. "What's the discount price?"
"₩180 million, down from ₩230 million!" the cashier announced.
Soo-ji's jaw dropped. "What? For this ugly stuff" she flailed her hands "Is it made from, like, human parts?! I don't want it anymore!"
Mr. Jun chuckled. "It's fine, Ms. Kim."
"No, seriously, I don't want it!" Soo-ji protested.
"Apologies, ma'am," the cashier said sweetly. "But the mall's policy states that once an item is selected, it cannot be returned."
Soo-ji slapped her palms over her face. "This is the worst day ever."
Her cheap backup plan had officially gone down the drain, forcing her to pick up Plan A instead—embarrassment smacking her in the face like a treacherous wave.
"Thank you, ma'am." Mr. Jun said, gesturing toward the exit.
---
Outside, the humid afternoon air clung to them as Mr. Jun turned to her.
"We should have lunch before returning" he suggested.
"I'll pass," Soo-ji said, shifting the doll under her arm. "I'm having lunch with Seo-jun."
Mr. Jun tilted his head.
"I promised him," she added.
"That's fine, as long as you're safe," he said with a small bow.
"And…" Soo-ji took a deep breath. "I won't be coming back to the penthouse today. I'll be staying at Seo-jun's."
Mr. Jun's brow twitched. "I will inform Mr. Tae-hyun. Have a nice day, Ms. Kim."
He bowed again before walking toward the black car, the other bodyguards following him like shadows melting into the afternoon heat.
Soo-ji finally exhaled, turning to Seo-jun with a tiny victorious smile.
"Lunch?"
Seo-jun rolled his eyes but couldn't hide the smirk pulling at his lips. "You owe me a better explanation than 'just play along.'"
"Yeah, yeah," Soo-ji said, hugging the overpriced doll. "But first, you're paying."
"Whatever" Seo-jun said brushing past her.
"Hey! Wait up!" she called, playfully hooking her arm around his neck to hold him back.
"Hey! You're too rough," Seo-jun complained, swatting at her arm.
"Sorry," she teased, tightening her hold just a little, a mischievous grin on her face.