A-ri's heart raced as she stepped into the room, her gaze immediately locking onto the man positioned by the window. All she knew was his title – Mr Lee. The man she was destined to meet, the one who had been unwillingly dragged into the same predicament as her. She observed him, taking in his tall and imposing figure wrapped in a sleek tuxedo. The fabric clung to his frame, emphasizing his broad shoulders and lean build.
However, it wasn't just his attire that caught A-ri's attention; it was the expression etched on his face. His brows were furrowed deeply, creating lines of annoyance and frustration on his forehead. She found herself intrigued by this unexpected display of emotion, a silent question forming in her mind.
"Is everything alright?" A-ri blurted out, genuine concern lacing her voice.
Eun-tae's gaze flicked towards her, momentarily taken aback by her candid question. He seemed to assess her, debating whether to share his thoughts. After a brief pause, he sighed, a wry smile gracing his lips.
"No, not really," he admitted a hint of resignation in his tone.
A-ri's eyebrows furrowed in response. She hadn't anticipated such openness, and it kindled her curiosity further.
"What's bothering you?" she inquired, her voice laced with empathy.
Eun-tae leaned against the window frame, his attention drifting to the world outside.
"Let's just say my dear uncle has an uncanny talent for meddling in my affairs without my consent," he mused, a mixture of irritation and acceptance in his voice. "Though I did give him a green light."
"Ah, family dynamics. They always manage to keep things interesting," A-ri replied with a sympathetic smile.
"You have no idea," Eun-tae chuckled, a hint of bitterness in his amusement.
"In a strange twist of fate, I can relate. An employee of the agency tricked me into this mess," A-ri revealed, allowing herself to share a piece of her story.
"Really? You too?" Eun-tae's eyebrows shot up in surprise.
"Turns out, my best friend's brilliant idea landed me right in this predicament," A-ri nodded, a rueful smile playing on her lips.
Their shared understanding of being deceived by those around them sparked a brief moment of camaraderie. Laughter bubbled between them, momentarily lightening the weight of the situation.
Just as their laughter subsided, the door swung open, and both A-ri and Eun-tae turned to see Jin-ho entering the room, a stack of papers in his hand.
"Good afternoon, Ms Han and Mr Lee," Jin-ho greeted with a nod, his voice adopting a formal tone that emphasized their roles as clients.
A-ri and Eun-tae exchanged glances, their amusement fading as the gravity of the situation settled back in. The stack of papers Jin-ho held was a stark reminder of the contract that loomed before them, binding them together in an arrangement neither had chosen.
"I've brought the contract for both of you to review. It outlines the terms and conditions of your agreement with Eternal Bond," Jin-ho announced, placing the papers on the table. The room seemed to constrict as A-ri's heart sank, the reality of their circumstances becoming palpable. She exchanged a knowing glance with Eun-tae, an unspoken acknowledgement passing between them.
Jin-ho's fingers expertly flipped through the stack of papers, his eyes scanning Eun-tae's application. He glanced up briefly, his gaze meeting Eun-tae's as he began his assessment.
"Name: Lee Eun-tae," Jin-ho started, his voice professional. Eun-tae's lips quirked into a faint smirk, a glimmer of amusement dancing in his eyes. "Age: 29. Occupation: CEO of the company, InnoArtTech."
"Well, that certainly would catch anyone's attention," Eun-tae's smirk melted into a mutter under his breath, a mix of wryness and resignation in his voice.
Jin-ho continued to read through the details, prompting Eun-tae's thoughts to wander – spoken and unspoken. How on earth did I end up entangled in this absurd situation? Thanks a lot, Uncle Ji-hoon. His annoyance simmered beneath the surface as he struggled to make sense of his uncle's intentions.
"Your application states that you are seeking companionship and a close friendship," Jin-ho's voice pulled him from his musings, and Eun-tae found himself brought back to the present. Jin-ho's words echoed the attributes Eun-tae had listed, a mixture of sarcasm and disbelief tainting his thoughts. Companionship and friendship? Right.
The irony of it all was not lost on A-ri, who observed Eun-tae's reactions with quiet amusement. She recognized the genuine surprise in his eyes, a stark contrast to the formality he seemed to exude.
"And there's one more detail your uncle included here. He mentioned that if the woman has an understanding and appreciation for art, that would be a plus," Jin-ho's voice broke through the air, interrupting Eun-tae's inner monologue.
"Art? Seriously?" Eun-tae's hand fell from his face, disbelief etched across his features. He muttered incredulously to himself, the sentiment both a thought and an exasperated comment.
A-ri's gaze shifted towards him, a flicker of amusement dancing in her eyes. He was a curious enigma – annoyed yet refreshingly candid.
A-ri's cheeks flushed with a mix of embarrassment and amusement, and she couldn't stifle a soft giggle. Eun-tae's reaction had been priceless, and she found herself sharing in the lightheartedness of the moment.
As the assessment of Eun-tae's application concluded, Jin-ho shifted his focus to A-ri's paperwork. Eun-tae's attention was drawn back to the woman across from him, a sense of familiarity tugging at his thoughts. There was something about her, something he couldn't quite place.
Jin-ho began to read through A-ri's application, and Eun-tae's curiosity deepened. He watched A-ri closely, noting the nervous flicker in her gaze and the subtle fidgeting of her fingers. Her application appeared straightforward, her occupation simply listed as "Artist." Eun-tae found himself raising an eyebrow at the apparent simplicity of it all.
As Jin-ho continued his assessment, Eun-tae's focus intensified, his curiosity pushing him to unravel the puzzle before him. He felt a strange sense of déjà vu, a fleeting memory tugging at the corners of his mind.
A-ri's gaze remained fixed on Jin-ho, her expression oscillating between anxiety and anticipation. Underneath the unassuming surface of her application lay a tapestry of aspirations and dreams that she was hesitant to reveal.
Eun-tae's interest peaked when Jin-ho inquired about A-ri's financial requirements. Leaning forward slightly, he observed A-ri's momentary hesitation before she responded. Her voice carried a soft undercurrent of embarrassment as she explained her need for financial stability to support her art.
She recounted her participation in an art exhibition and the excitement she had felt, only to receive a consolation prize. And then, she mentioned a specific painting she had created – a painting that held profound significance for her.
As A-ri spoke, Eun-tae's eyes widened imperceptibly. "Ephemeral Dreams." The name of the painting echoed in his mind, triggering a vivid memory of an art gallery. He remembered standing before the piece, captivated by its message and the emotions it had stirred within him. The unspoken understanding between him and the artist had left an indelible mark on his memory.
Eun-tae had purchased "Ephemeral Dreams" not merely for its aesthetic allure, but for the profound message it conveyed. And now, seated across from the artist herself, he felt an unexpected connection. A-ri had bared her soul through her art, and he had been privileged to glimpse its raw beauty.
As Jin-ho continued with his assessment, inquiring about A-ri's requirement for financial stability, Eun-tae's scepticism began to wane. Her candid response had revealed a vulnerability that was difficult to feign. He began to sense that there was more to A-ri than met the eye, a depth hidden beneath her seemingly straightforward request.
"And let's not forget the infamous 'three sizes' requirement, a favourite among our male clients," Jin-ho chuckled, his eyes dancing mischievously as they landed on A-ri.
"*Cough* Pardon me?" Eun-tae's surprise was palpable, his cough punctuating the unexpected comment. He quickly regained his composure, his cheeks slightly flushed as he cleared his throat.
"No worries, Mr. Lee. I was merely joking. I wouldn't delve into such personal details," Jin-ho's laughter resonated in the room.
Eun-tae managed a strained smile, his momentary embarrassment fading as the tension diffused. A-ri's cheeks were tinged with pink, and she couldn't suppress her nervous giggle. Eun-tae's reaction had been both unexpected and amusing, offering a lighthearted interlude amidst the seriousness of the situation.
As the assessment of their applications drew to a close, Jin-ho informed them that they had a day to consider their decision. With a wave of his hand, he signalled the end of the meeting, and A-ri and Eun-tae were free to leave the room.
Eun-tae rose from his seat, his gaze lingering on A-ri for a moment longer than necessary. There was an unspoken bond between them, a shared understanding that transcended the circumstances they found themselves in.
As they exited the private room, Eun-tae couldn't shake the feeling that this contract marriage might hold more surprises than he had initially anticipated. The connection between their souls, forged through art and shared experiences, had set an unexpected journey in motion.