A-ri's heart raced as she knelt hidden among the bushes, her phone pressed to her ear. The sound of Na-yeon's apologetic voice echoed through the device, a chorus of storeys that only deepened the ache in A-ri's chest. Na-yeon had promised to be by her side, to provide comfort and support as she faced the man she was about to marry – a man she barely knew.
"I'm so sorry, A-ri. Something urgent came up, and I had to rush for an interview. I promise I'll make it up to you," Na-yeon's voice crackled through the phone, the genuine regret in her tone almost palpable.
A-ri clenched her free hand into a fist, her tears splashing onto the ground. She had hoped for Na-yeon's presence, for a familiar face to ease her nerves in this pivotal moment. But now, she was alone. Completely alone.
"I understand, Na-yeon," A-ri managed to choke out, her voice quivering. "Thank you for trying. Just… take care of your interview."
"A-ri, are you sure you're okay?" Na-yeon's voice carried a mix of relief and concern.
"I'll be fine. I've got this. Go ace that interview," A-ri mustered a weak smile, though Na-yeon couldn't see it.
"Okay, but A-ri, remember, fighting!" Na-yeon's voice was filled with determination.
"Fighting," A-ri repeated softly, but the word now carried an edge of frustration she couldn't hide.
As the connection ended, A-ri felt a sudden rush of panic engulf her. The weight of the situation bore down on her, and she felt as if the ground was giving way beneath her. She struggled to control her breath, her chest tightening, and her vision blurring.
Turning away seemed like the best choice – to escape, to avoid the confrontation altogether. But before she could even take a step, a voice broke through the turmoil in her mind.
"Well, well, well. What do we have here?"
A-ri's head snapped up, her tear-streaked gaze locking onto a figure standing a few feet away. It was him – Park Jin-ho, the man who had deceived her, who had manipulated her life into this chaotic mess.
Her initial instinct was to confront him, to demand answers, to unleash her anger. She stood up abruptly, her trembling hands balling into fists at her sides. Her body moved on its own, driven by a surge of determination and resentment. She took a step closer, her voice quivering but resolute.
"Mr Park, you—"
But before she could finish her sentence, Jin-ho skillfully sidestepped her, slipping past her like a shadow. A-ri stumbled, her heart pounding as she turned to face him, only to find herself standing right in front of the entrance to the Eternal Bond office.
A mixture of shock, frustration, and a fit of unexpected anger from Na-yeon's absence washed over her. How had she ended up here? Her initial plan had been to confront Jin-ho, not to inadvertently walk right into the lion's den.
A-ri's mind raced, her heart still racing from the encounter and her conversation with Na-yeon. She felt the panic rising, a storm of emotions swirling within her. She had to make a decision – retreat and find another way, or face whatever awaited her inside.
She took a deep breath, wiping her tears away with the back of her hand, and with a determined and furious expression, she pushed the door open and stepped into the office, her path uncertain but her resolve unwavering.
A-ri's heart raced as she stepped into the Eternal Bond office, her fury and panic momentarily overshadowed by the unfamiliar surroundings. The plush decor, the soft lighting, and the air of elegance seemed to mock her dishevelled appearance. She had stumbled into a world that was completely alien to her, a world that Jin-ho had ensnared her in.
As she took in her surroundings, a voice sliced through the tension, pulling her attention to the man who had led her here – Jin-ho. He stood there, his expression composed and his demeanour polished as if he hadn't a care in the world. She gritted her teeth, refusing to let him see how rattled she was.
"Ms Han, you certainly know how to make an entrance," Jin-ho remarked, his lips curving into a faint, almost mocking smile.
"Mr Park, I'm not here for pleasantries. Let's get to the point," A-ri's eyes narrowed, her grip on the strap of her bag tightening.
"Of course, Ms. Han. I admire your straightforwardness," Jin-ho replied smoothly, his gaze lingering on her as if he found her defiance amusing.
A-ri's mind raced as she recalled the circumstances that had led her to wear the dress she now had on. It was a dress she had worn during an art exhibition, a dress that held memories of recognition and success. Her painting at that exhibition had been a bold and vibrant abstract piece, a riot of colours and emotions. The canvas seemed to capture the tumultuous journey of her own life, a reflection of her struggles and triumphs.
The memory was a bittersweet one, a reminder of the artistic passion that had been pushed to the sidelines by the demands of her current situation. And now, here she was, wearing that same dress, ready to face the man she was about to marry under the most unconventional circumstances.
"I must say, Ms Han, that dress suits you quite well. A wise choice for a momentous occasion," Jin-ho's eyes travelled down to the dress, his gaze lingering on her form.
A-ri's cheeks flushed with a mix of anger and embarrassment. She hadn't chosen the dress – she had rummaged through drawers in a desperate attempt to find something suitable. And she had nearly failed. The dress barely fit her now, a testament to the weight she had managed to shed in her efforts to squeeze into it once more.
"Let's not waste any more time," A-ri retorted, her voice icy.
"Right, this way, Ms Han," Jin-ho's smile didn't waver as he gestured for her to follow him.
A-ri's footsteps echoed in the corridor as she followed Jin-ho, her mind racing with a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. She had been thrown into a situation she hadn't asked for, a tangled web of circumstances that had led her to this very moment. Her heart beat loudly in her chest, a mix of defiance and determination surging within her.
As they paused before the door, A-ri's fingers clenched around the strap of her bag, her nails digging into the fabric. She cast a glance at Jin-ho, his composed demeanour contrasting sharply with her inner turmoil. Her jaw was set, her gaze unwavering, as she steeled herself for what lay ahead.
Jin-ho's voice pulled her attention back, his words a reminder of the impending meeting. A-ri took a deep breath, her defiance still burning bright despite the uncertainty that gnawed at her. She nodded at his words, her lips pressed into a thin line.
"Mr Lee is waiting for you inside, Ms Han. I wish you all the best," Jin-ho's voice held a hint of formality, but his eyes seemed to hold a glimmer of curiosity.
A-ri's gaze lingered on him for a moment, her expression hard. She could feel the weight of his scrutiny, a reminder that she was an outsider in this polished world he belonged to. She didn't owe him anything, didn't owe this situation anything. Yet, here she was.
"Thanks for the encouragement, Mr Park," A-ri's words were laced with a hint of sarcasm, her tone a testament to her unwillingness to play along.
With those words, she pushed the door open and stepped into the room beyond. The door closed behind her, cutting off the corridor and the man who had led her there. A-ri found herself in a small, elegantly furnished room, the walls adorned with tasteful artwork that only served to amplify her sense of unease.
She took a moment to collect herself, her breathing steadying as she let her gaze sweep across the room. It was a momentary respite, a chance for her to gather her thoughts before facing the man who held the answers to her questions, the man she was supposed to marry.
A-ri's fingers brushed against the fabric of the dress she wore, a dress that held memories of a different time, a different life. She had worn this dress during an art exhibition, a time when her creativity had flowed freely and her talents had been recognized. The painting she had displayed then had been an abstract masterpiece, a riot of colours and emotions that had captured the essence of her journey.
But reality crashed back over her, a reminder that she hadn't yet managed to address her pressing financial problems. The weight of her situation bore down on her, threatening to suffocate her resolve. She had been juggling bills and stretching every Korean Won, barely keeping her head above water. This meeting with this Mr Lee was probably her last resort, a desperate move born out of necessity.
Closing her eyes briefly, A-ri acknowledged the fear that simmered beneath her determination. She had no choice but to face this head-on, to confront the man who held the key to her future. She couldn't afford to let panic dictate her actions now. Her grip on the strap of her bag tightened, a physical reminder of her commitment to see this through.
With her heart pounding, A-ri opened her eyes and took a step forward, her gaze fixed on the door that led to her uncertain encounter with a man unknown to her. She couldn't predict the outcome, but she was ready to face whatever lay ahead, armed with her defiance, her resilience, and the knowledge that she was fighting for more than just herself.