Seol-A awoke the next morning to a gray, overcast sky, the weather matching the storm of thoughts in her mind. She had barely slept, her mind replaying the conversation with Hyeon-Woo over and over. The thought of pretending to be his fiancée felt increasingly surreal, like she was living in someone else's drama.
She arrived at Hyun Group's headquarters early, determined to get a handle on her new role. Her usual routine was interrupted as she was met by Hyeon-Woo's personal assistant, Mr. Jang, who handed her a neatly folded envelope.
"This is for you, Ms. Kim," Mr. Jang said with a slight nod before quickly retreating back to his own duties.
Curious, Seol-A opened the envelope and found a detailed schedule inside. It included meetings, events, and even a list of social functions she would need to attend with Hyeon-Woo over the coming weeks. The list was daunting, and the realization of the sheer scale of what she had agreed to began to sink in.
The day was a whirlwind of activity. Hyeon-Woo was unusually distant, only occasionally glancing at her with a look that was both assessing and expectant. Seol-A tried to focus on her tasks, but every time she saw him, she was reminded of their new arrangement. She needed to master the art of deception, and it started with their first public appearance as a couple.
That evening, they were scheduled to attend a high-profile charity gala, a prestigious event known for attracting South Korea's elite. Hyeon-Woo had chosen this as their first outing to introduce Seol-A to his social circle, a move that made her feel like a pawn on a very public chessboard.
As Seol-A stood in front of the mirror, dressed in an elegant, midnight-blue gown that had been selected for her by Hyeon-Woo's stylist, she felt both nervous and exhilarated. The gown was stunning, but it felt like a costume — one that would need to be worn with the utmost confidence.
Arriving at the venue, Seol-A was struck by the opulence of the event. Crystal chandeliers bathed the room in a warm glow, and the guests, dressed in their finest, moved gracefully through the space. Hyeon-Woo was already mingling with a group of important-looking individuals.
When he finally approached Seol-A, his eyes softened slightly, and he offered her his arm. "Ready?"
She took a deep breath and nodded. "Ready."
Together, they moved through the crowd, and Seol-A quickly realized that maintaining their façade would require more than just following Hyeon-Woo around. She had to engage in small talk, smile genuinely, and project an image of a couple who were completely at ease with one another.
The evening was a blur of conversations, clinking glasses, and discreet glances. Seol-A found herself discussing everything from fashion to politics, all while trying to avoid the probing questions about their relationship. Hyeon-Woo was an expert at navigating these social waters, and he guided her through each interaction with practiced ease.
By the time the gala drew to a close, Seol-A was exhausted but relieved. They had successfully maintained their charade, but she could feel the weight of her new role pressing down on her.
As they left the event, Hyeon-Woo looked at her with a hint of satisfaction. "You did well tonight."
"Thank you," Seol-A replied, trying to match his level of composure. "It wasn't easy, but I think I'm starting to get the hang of it."
Hyeon-Woo's smile was faint but genuine. "We have a long way to go, but you're proving to be quite effective. Let's hope it stays that way."
As they walked to the car, Seol-A's phone buzzed with a message from her best friend. The text was a simple, "How's it going? Any news?" Seol-A hesitated before typing back a quick reply: "It's complicated. I'll explain later."
The car ride back was quiet, and Seol-A found herself lost in thought. The lines between her real life and the role she was playing were beginning to blur, and she couldn't shake the feeling that the hardest part was yet to come.
As Seol-A reached her apartment, she noticed a shadowy figure standing across the street, watching her intently. Her heart raced as the figure quickly vanished into the night. She couldn't shake the unsettling feeling that someone was keeping an eye on her — and that this was only the beginning of her troubles.