The following days were a whirlwind of tension and uncertainty. Seol-A and Hyeon-Woo were deep in their investigation of Jin-Seo Kim, trying to untangle the web of deceit that seemed to be closing in on them. Amidst the chaos, an unexpected call from Hyeon-Woo's grandmother brought a new layer of complexity to their lives.
Seol-A was in her apartment, poring over documents and trying to piece together the puzzle when her phone rang. It was Hyeon-Woo.
"Seol-A, my grandmother wants to see us," he said, his tone both weary and resolute. "She's invited us to her home for a family gathering."
Seol-A's heart skipped a beat. Hyeon-Woo's grandmother was known for her formidable presence and high expectations. The prospect of facing her under these circumstances was daunting. "When is this happening?"
"This weekend," Hyeon-Woo replied. "I know it's sudden, but it's important. We need to maintain the façade, and this is a key part of it."
The weekend arrived, and Seol-A found herself at the entrance of the grand Cha family estate, a sprawling mansion surrounded by manicured gardens. The air was thick with tradition and opulence, a stark contrast to the turmoil that Seol-A felt inside.
Hyeon-Woo and Seol-A were greeted by a stern-looking maid who led them through the lavishly decorated halls to a private sitting room. There, Hyeon-Woo's grandmother, Madame Cha, awaited them.
Madame Cha was an imposing figure, her presence commanding respect and attention. She was impeccably dressed in a traditional hanbok, her silver hair neatly styled. As Seol-A and Hyeon-Woo entered, she regarded them with a piercing gaze.
"Ah, Hyeon-Woo," Madame Cha said, her voice sharp but carrying an undertone of warmth. "And this must be Seol-A. It's a pleasure to finally meet you."
"Grandmother," Hyeon-Woo said, bowing slightly. "Thank you for having us."
Seol-A followed suit, bowing respectfully. "It's an honor to be here, Madame Cha."
Madame Cha gestured for them to sit, her eyes never leaving their faces. "I've been following the progress of your… engagement with great interest. And I must say, the company's recent troubles have been quite the talk."
Hyeon-Woo's face tightened, but he maintained his composure. "We're managing the situation, Grandmother."
Madame Cha's gaze softened slightly, but her tone remained firm. "I understand. However, I have some conditions for this engagement to continue. I want to ensure that it's as genuine as possible, even if it's only for show."
Seol-A's heart raced. This was the moment where their carefully constructed façade could crumble. "What kind of conditions?"
Madame Cha leaned forward, her eyes sharp. "Firstly, I want you both to attend a series of family gatherings and public events together. This will allow the family and our social circles to see you as a committed couple. It's essential for maintaining the illusion."
Seol-A nodded, trying to mask her anxiety. "Of course."
"Secondly," Madame Cha continued, "I want you to start planning for a traditional engagement ceremony. It's a significant event that will solidify your commitment in the eyes of our family and society."
Hyeon-Woo shifted uncomfortably but managed a nod. "We'll make the necessary arrangements."
Madame Cha's eyes twinkled with a hint of mischief. "And lastly, I want to see some genuine affection between you two. No more of this pretense. If you're to convince everyone, you need to show that you care for each other beyond the surface."
Seol-A's heart sank. This was more than they had bargained for. Genuine affection? Could she really pull that off, especially with the growing complications in their lives?
Madame Cha's gaze softened slightly as she looked at Seol-A. "I don't mean to make things difficult, but you must understand that maintaining the integrity of this engagement is crucial for Hyeon-Woo and our family."
Seol-A swallowed hard and nodded. "I understand, Madame Cha. We'll do our best."
With the conditions set, Madame Cha dismissed them, and Seol-A and Hyeon-Woo left the estate feeling the weight of their new responsibilities. The pressure to make their engagement appear genuine while navigating the ongoing investigation and personal feelings was overwhelming.
As they drove back to the city, Seol-A and Hyeon-Woo were silent, each lost in their thoughts. The rules set by Hyeon-Woo's grandmother were clear: they needed to deepen their façade and demonstrate genuine affection, all while dealing with the complexities of their situation.
Hyeon-Woo finally broke the silence. "We'll need to find a way to balance everything. It's going to be challenging, but we have to make it work."
Seol-A nodded, feeling a mix of determination and apprehension. "We'll get through this. Together."
Their journey was far from over, and the path ahead was fraught with obstacles. But as they faced the challenges of maintaining their engagement and unraveling the mystery of Jin-Seo Kim, Seol-A and Hyeon-Woo found themselves drawn closer together, both by necessity and by the genuine connection that was beginning to blossom between them.
The rules set by Madame Cha had added a new layer of complexity to their lives, but they were ready to face whatever came next, knowing that their partnership was the key to navigating the stormy waters ahead.