The next day at JaeJin Corp, an unsettling air hung over the building. As Jaekyung strode through the gleaming glass doors, he ignored the greetings from his employees. Their cheerful "Good morning, sir!" and "Welcome back!" faded into whispers as he walked past, his stride purposeful and commanding. The normally vibrant atmosphere felt stifled, shadows of uncertainty clouding the faces of those who dared to glance at him.
Rumors of the engagement announcement sent shockwaves through the office, leaving everyone stunned. Jaekyung was not known for relationships; his focus was always on business. The surprise of the news had rippled through the company, but he paid no mind to the whispers that followed him down the corridor.
He headed straight for the elevator, the weight of a thousand expectations pressing down on his shoulders. The atmosphere felt heavy as he watched the doors almost close, but at the last moment, Eunwoo, his secretary, rushed forward, narrowly slipping inside just before the doors sealed shut.
"Sir!" Eunwoo huffed, the urgency of the moment clear in his voice. He didn't want to lose his job, especially not on a day like this, he could never predict his boss's temperament .
Just as the doors closed, Eunwoo flashed him an nervous smile. "Good morning, sir!" he greeted, trying to infuse some positivity into the tense atmosphere.
"Let's skip the small talk," Jaekyung replied, pressing the button for his floor, his frustration bubbling just beneath the surface.
When the elevator doors opened on Jaekyung's floor, he stepped out, moving with a predatory grace. Eunwoo followed, apprehension building in his chest.
As they arrived at Jaekyung's office, and the moment the door clicked shut, Jaekyung began to pace back and forth, his long strides betraying his agitation while Eunwoo quietly followed. He rested his hands on the desk, feeling the smooth surface beneath his palms, and sighed heavily.
Eunwoo, recognizing the storm brewing within him, made his way to the corner of the office to fetch a glass of water.He returned, extending the glass toward Jaekyung, who looked up, his expression momentarily softening with gratitude.
"Thanks," Jaekyung said, taking the glass and settling into his chair, the weight of the world still pressing on his shoulders.
"Is there anything I can do to help?" Eunwoo asked cautiously, aware of his boss's growing agitation as he watched Jaekyung's stormy demeanor.
"I knew this day would come," Jaekyung muttered through gritted teeth, sighing and groaning in frustration. He ran a hand through his hair, an uncharastic sign of stress. "But not so soon. I need to get out of this engagement," he muttered, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "My father has pushed me into this ridiculous situation, and I can't just sit back and accept it. I need a plan."
Eunwoo regarded him with concern. "I know what you mean sir, have you thought about talking to him about it?"
"Talking is useless! My father won't listen," Jaekyung shot back, his voice tense. "I need to devise a way to convince him that I've moved on from this engagement. I need a fake fiancé—someone who can take my father's attention off me for good. The person should be a MAN. "
"A fake fiancé and a man at that?" Eunwoo's eyebrows shot up in surprise. That's quite a drastic measure, don't you think?, " He paused and then continued, "And why a man?
Jaekyung stood up and paced once more, the wheels in his mind turning quickly,he clenched his jaw, feeling the weight of the decision pressing down on him. "It's not just about the engagement," he explained, his voice calmer but laced with urgency. "If I can convince my father that I'm serious about a man, he might finally drop the idea of the marriage. It's a strategic move. Plus, it would shock him—he's always had certain expectations for me, and this would throw him off balance."
Eunwoo scratched his chin, considering the logistics. "But you'll need someone who's convincing. And have you thought about the kind of person you want to enlist?"
"That's the tricky part," Jaekyung replied. "I need someone who's middle class, not someone already in the spotlight. Someone whose background won't raise any questions or suspicion. A regular guy who can play the part well."
Eunwoo nodded slowly, piecing together Jaekyung's plan. "That way, you can manipulate the situation in your favor. And at the end of it all, you could pay him off and go your separate ways without any backlash."
"Exactly," Jaekyung said, a sense of determination rising within him. "I'll have to find someone discreet and dependable, someone who won't ask too many questions. If I can execute this plan correctly, my family will have no choice but to accept it."
Eunwoo glanced at him thoughtfully. "Where will you even start looking for someone like that?"
"You'll figure it out," Jaekyung said, confidence mingling with desperation. " Youcan network, ask around, or maybe even use social media discreetly. There has to be someone out there who will fit this role."
As Jaekyung continued to pace, formulating his plan, he couldn't help but feel a sense of urgency pressing against him.
Time is of the essence.
If he didn't act soon, the engagement might solidify in his father's eyes, and he'd be trapped indefinitely.
"Let's come up with some ideas for what you should say or advertise," he suggested to Eunwoo. "You should craft a post or something that attracts the right kind of people without revealing too much about the situation for now."
Eunwoo nodded, sounding more enthusiastic. "I can help you with that. We can brainstorm ideas for how to present this without making it obvious."
As they began to draft a plan, Jaekyung felt a surge of hope mixed with apprehension. This was a bold move, but it was the only way he could reclaim control over his life.
With a clear vision now forming before him, Jaekyung's determination to find the perfect fake fiancé solidified. He would navigate this charade carefully and, in the end, secure his freedom—no matter what it took.
Few moments later,Jaekyung and Eunwoo continued to deliberate, typing and researching potential options for their fake fiancé role, the atmosphere buzzed with focus and urgency. Ideas flew between them, yet nothing seemed quite right until Eunwoo's face suddenly lit up.
"I have an idea!" he exclaimed, grabbing his phone and quickly dialing a number.
"What is it?" Jaekyung asked, curiosity piqued.
Eunwoo didn't respond, his attention fixed on the ringing phone. It connected, and on the other end, the voice of his boyfriend, Jin, came through.
"Hey, babe!" Jin's cheerful tone cut through the ambient noise of his studio, where he was busy painting a mural.
"Jin, I need a favor. Can you give me Sangwoo's number?" Eunwoo said, urgency threading through his voice.
"Sangwoo? " Jin asked, his tone playful.
Eunwoo rolled his eyes, even though Jin couldn't see. "You know, your friend—the struggling artist! I need his number for a job."
"Yahh!, don't insult my friend like that!" Jin retorted, laughter in his voice.
"Come on! I'm serious! I could really help him out with this job I want him to take on," Eunwoo insisted.
"Alright, alright! I'll send you his number," Jin relented, still sounding amused. "But just remember, he's way more talented than you're making him sound!"
"Of course! Love you!" Eunwoo replied, grinning.
"Love you too! Talk later!" Jin said before hanging up.
A moment later, Eunwoo received a message with Sangwoo's number and quickly sent it to Jaekyung. "This might actually work," he said, turning to Jaekyung, who was still deep in thought.
"What do you have?" Jaekyung asked, intrigued as he received the message from Eunwoo.
"This Sangwoo I was just talking about,is Jin's friend—a talented but struggling artist who needs the cash and would fit the role perfectly," Eunwoo explained, enthusiasm bubbling to the surface.
"Perfect," Jaekyung replied, determination igniting in his eyes. "I'll contact him later then."
Jaekyung stretched his arms and leaned back in his chair, a ghost of a smile dancing on his lips as he regarded Eunwoo. The tension in the room felt lighter, as if the weight of the impending engagement had been partially lifted.
"You've done well, Cha," he said, his tone warmer than usual, a rare spark of approval flickering in his eyes.
Eunwoo let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. Relief washed over him in a tangible wave of satisfaction,his heart skipped a beat. "Really? Thank you!" Relief flooded through him, washing away his anxiety like a summer rain. It was hard to receive a compliment from Jang Jaekyung so he was really happy.
"Consider your salary increased," Jaekyung added, his voice steady but tinged with a note of sincerity. The words hung in the air, a reward for the effort and discretion he had shown.
Eunwoo felt a radiant smile spread across his face, his usual composed demeanor cracking just a bit. "I really appreciate it, sir!" he exclaimed, excitement bubbling within him.
With a bounce in his step, he practically bolted for the door. As he exited, he cast one last glance back, a grin plastered on his face, his spirit lifted. Jaekyung watched him go, a thoughtful expression settling in as he pondered the unfolding plan, knowing that this was just the beginning.
He briefly lingering on Sangwoo's number and saved it before he set his phone aside, a slight frown on his face suggesting a mixture of curiosity and apprehension. They had chosen Sangwoo to play the role of the fake fiancé, but Jaekyung didn't know anything about him except for the fact that he was an artist and was struggling to meet ends. He returned to his work, but the image of the number lingered in his mind, a reminder of the uncertainty that lay ahead.
.
.
.
.
In the evening, Jaekyung drove away from JaeJin corp into the city streets, the familiar route to his parents' house felt different this time—he was determined, but anxiety knotted in his stomach. He needed to address the engagement announcement from the day before, and he knew the conversation wouldn't be easy.
He parked the car in the driveway, gathering his thoughts before stepping out. As he approached the door, memories of family gatherings flooded his mind. Today, though, the weight of expectation felt suffocating. He rang the doorbell, and a maid opened the door with a polite smile as she recognized him.
"Good evening, Mr. Jk" she said, stepping aside allowing him to enter.
"Evening," he replied, stepping inside. The house was familiar, yet it felt heavy.
His father emerged from the dining room, followed closely by his mother. "Son, is that you?" his father asked.
"Yeah, Appa. I'm here," Jaekyung responded, the tension mounting in his chest.
"Honey, are you alright?" his mother asked, concern etched on her face.
"I need to talk to you both about the engagement announcement," he said firmly,his gaze lingering on his father's face .
His mother looked puzzled. "What about it? We thought you'd be happy."
"Happy? You made this decision without consulting me!" Jaekyung's frustration boiled over. "I don't want to marry that Soojin!"
His father crossed his arms, a stern look on his face. "This is an important opportunity for you, son. Soojin comes from a respected family; this could benefit your businesses because of her father."
"But what if it's not what I want?" Jaekyung shot back. "Your choice doesn't consider my feelings at all! I need to decide for myself."
"Jaekyung, you're being emotional," his father said, disappointment harsh in his voice. "This is about family legacy and community standing."
"Then what about my life?" Jaekyung's voice cracked with frustration. "I can't just live it the way you want me to!"
His mother stepped in, her tone urgent but gentle. "We want what's best for you. Have you thought about how this could be a great opportunity?"
"I can't live my life according to your plans!" Jaekyung felt anger rising in him. "I won't settle for a marriage I didn't choose!"
Silence fell as he caught his parents' worried gazes. Jaekyung continued, "I need space to think. You both have to respect my decision."
His father shook his head, disbelief in his eyes. "You really think just stepping back will solve this?"
"I know it isn't simple," Jaekyung replied. "But being forced into an engagement isn't the answer either. This is my life!"
"Please, Jaekyung," his mother pleaded, her voice softened. "We just want you happy. Family matters, and this connection is important."
"I understand," he replied, the pressure inside him swelling. "But I have to find my own happiness, not the one you envision."
With that, he turned and walked toward the door, feeling the tension clamp down around him. As he exited, he could hear them calling his name, but he kept moving. He needed to think without their pressure.
Outside, he took a deep breath, collecting his thoughts in the cool night air. Climbing into his car, he felt a small weight lift. He'd stood up for himself, but this was just the beginning.
Then his thoughts turned to Sangwoo, the stranger who might help him reclaim his autonomy. He grabbed his phone and dialed the number, heart racing. This time, he was choosing his own destiny. No one, not even his father, would take that away from him.
The call connected, and after a few rings, a soft, confused voice came through the line.
"H. . Hello? Sorry, who is this and how can I help you?"
Jaekyung hesitated, his breath caught in his throat suprised by the tone of the voice, unsure of how to respond.
To be continued...