Year 2014
It was a beautiful winter night, the last night of 2014. Outside, snowflakes floated lazily past the frosted windows, but inside Min-jae's apartment, warmth wrapped around the two figures curled together on the couch. Only the glow of the Christmas tree and the flicker of a movie lit the room, while the scent of buttered popcorn lingered in the air.
Ga-young chuckled suddenly, breaking the soft silence.
Min-jae looked down at her. "Why are you laughing?"
She tilted her head up, her lips curved in a smile. "I just remembered something."
"What is it?" he asked, curious.
Her eyes narrowed mischievously. "Not telling you."
Min-jae raised a brow. "Why? Now I'm curious."
"No," she insisted with a playful shake of her head.
Leaning closer, he smirked. "Are you sure about that?"
She laughed. "Why are you so nosy today? I said I'm not telling you." She tried to get up, but Min-jae pulled her back, and she tumbled onto his lap.
"What's with you?" she asked between giggles.
"Last chance," he teased, fingers twitching. "Are you going to tell me, or should I tickle you?"
She burst into laughter as his hands brushed her sides. "Wait! Wait, wait—I'll talk!"
He froze, watching her with a quiet intensity.
"What?" she asked, catching her breath under his gaze.
Min-jae smiled faintly, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "If you keep smiling at me like that… I don't think I can control myself."
Her laugh came out airy and soft. "Unbelievable. Weren't you the same man who tried so hard to push me away?"
"I was a fool," he admitted with a chuckle.
Their eyes locked, and the air between them shifted. Slowly, almost hesitantly, Ga-young leaned in. Then like a spark to dry tinder, emotions flared. Their lips met, hungry and unrestrained, a kiss that felt like it had been waiting years to happen.
Min-jae's arms tightened around her waist, pulling her closer. Ga-young's hands slipped beneath his shirt, fingertips brushing against the hard lines of his abs—until suddenly, he stilled. He caught her wrist gently and pulled back.
"Let's stop," he murmured.
She looked at him, confused, searching for an answer.
Instead, he pressed a tender kiss to her forehead. "If we keep going, I won't be able to stop myself. And I don't want to be the one to break your rule."
Her eyes softened. "You… remembered?"
"How could I forget?" he said, brushing another strand of hair behind her ear. "You told me you didn't want to do anything before marriage."
Ga-young smiled, her cheeks warm. "So what now?" she asked with a pout.
Min-jae grinned. "Now… I'm hungry. You?"
"Yes," she laughed. "Ramen would be perfect."
"Then ramen it is." He kissed her briefly before heading toward the kitchen, leaving her with a racing heart and a smile she couldn't suppress.
---
Back to 2025
The clinking of glasses echoed in the luxurious hall, but Ga-young stood silently behind Min-jae, her presence as subtle as a shadow. Across the table, Yura's gaze kept flicking to her until she finally scoffed.
"Is she your bodyguard or something? Why does she keep appearing?"
"I told you," Min-jae replied, his tone edged with cold detachment. "This wedding is nothing but business."
Yura arched a brow. "And?"
"I can't strike a deal without my secretary. Surely someone with your experience knows that." He raised his glass casually, taking a slow sip.
Yura let out a dry laugh, leaning forward. "And I told you, I'm not interested in this marriage. Why are you so persistent?"
"Because," Min-jae said evenly, "I never lose a deal."
"I see." Her smile faded, replaced with a sharp edge. "Then this will be your first loss. Because I'm done here." She stood, her heels clicking against marble.
"Before you leave," Min-jae's voice cut through the air, calm but lethal, "I should mention… I recorded our conversation. Including the part where you begged me to find a way to call off the wedding. I believe this works as evidence."
Yura didn't even glance back. "Do whatever you want," she said coolly, and walked away.
Min-jae swirled the champagne in his glass, unbothered. "Did you get it?"
"Yes, sir." Ga-young handed him the recorder.
He slipped it into his pocket and stood. "Go home."
"Working hours aren't over yet," she objected softly.
His gaze flicked to her. "And who makes the rules?"
Silence.
"You've been standing all day. Go home. Rest." With that, he walked out, leaving her alone in the grand but suffocating silence.
Ga-young ran a hand through her hair, whispering under her breath, "Today has been… too much."
---
A few hours later, Min-jae stood in his father's office. The audio of Yura's betrayal echoed through the speakers before he paused it.
Chairman Hwan's face darkened. "Is this how low you're willing to go to prove a point?"
Min-jae didn't flinch. "I'll go lower if you keep forcing marriage on me."
"Is that a threat?"
"It's a promise."
Chairman Hwan's cold gaze slid toward Mr. Noh, who had been silent in the corner. "Take care of it."
Mr. Noh simply bowed.
Turning back to his son, the Chairman's voice hardened. "You have six months. Six months to convince me you're fit to take over K&H. Fail… and you'll marry whoever I choose. That's the deal."
Min-jae met his father's eyes, steel against steel, before bowing slightly. He turned and left without another word—his resolve unshaken, though the weight of the challenge pressed down on his shoulders.