MBWI 10

Chapter – 10

“I think my heart just skipped a beat.”

“Excuse me?”

“If this were real, I would have thought, is there really such a reliable husband in the world? But, President Joo?”

Ga-eun frowned slightly as she asked.

“Go ahead.”

“Wouldn’t your family oppose me? Usually… I mean no offense… but people like you usually marry within your own social circle. I feel like there must be chaos over there right now.”

“Thanks to your situation, things have actually become easier.”

“My situation?”

She couldn’t understand how her situation could possibly be helpful.

Seeing her still frowning in confusion, Seokjin began to explain.

“Your current unemployed status is actually improving my image. No matter how much times change, there’s something people always like—true love.”

“Huh?”

“It created an image that I love only one woman regardless of conditions or background. And according to a report from the Jushin Economic Research Institute, that image could even lead to a rise in Jushin Retail’s stock price… and increased sales.”

A scandal serious enough to be analyzed by an economic research institute…

This was definitely a strange world.

She thought it would be best to save as much money as possible and separate from Joo Seokjin as quickly as she could.

If even their relationship was being analyzed, then every single thing she did during marriage would probably become research material too.

“I guess I should consider that a relief? I thought maybe your parents would show up, hand me an envelope of money, and ask me to break up with you.”

“My parents are not the kind of people who spend money on things like that.”

“That’s the most disappointing thing I’ve heard recently. If they offered money, I was planning to pretend to resist and then accept it.”

“Do you like money that much?”

“Is there anyone who doesn’t?”

Someone born rich like him would never understand.

That money could buy happiness.

As far as Ga-eun remembered, her parents had worked incredibly hard without ever really resting.

Yet somehow, their family was never financially comfortable.

She had to add her part-time job earnings just to barely afford tuition each semester, and whenever she went to a restaurant or café, the first thing she checked was always the price.

“I’ve never seen anyone who doesn’t like money.”

“President Joo, do you know what I want to do the most?”

“What is it?”

“I want to go to a department store and just say I’ll take this without even looking at the price tag.”

After finishing her part-time job and passing by dark department stores late at night, she often imagined it.

Someday she would walk in, pick out whatever she liked, and pay in full without worrying about the price.

That thought had kept her going.

“So when you asked me to marry you, I was honestly tempted for a moment. I thought, if I stay next to this man, I’ll never have to worry about money.”

“That may be the only thing I can offer you.”

“That’s enough. As long as money between us is clear, that’s all we need. But… you’re not going to make it impossible for me to get divorced later, right?”

“Not for the time being.”

“I’d appreciate it if you could make it happen as soon as possible.”

At her words, Seokjin’s eyebrows curved downward.

Was he offended that she was talking about divorce right after agreeing to marry?

Even if he was, it couldn’t be helped.

This was a transaction, and in transactions, clarity was important.

“How soon are you talking about?”

“While I’m still young and full of energy.”

“…Are you not interested in something like a lifelong position?”

“A lifelong position? What a terrifying thing to say… President Joo, I want to save a lot of money, let my mom live comfortably, and then lie on a Maldives beach flirting with a handsome guy.”

Ga-eun winked playfully at him.

From now on, she planned to play the perfect wife—so perfectly that even Joo Seokjin would be impressed—just to achieve that goal.

* * *

Even if their relationship was contractual, he found it remarkable that she could casually talk about divorcing him and flirting with another man afterward right in front of him.

But perhaps having such a goal was what helped people endure extreme situations.

“Do you know how I raised you when we don’t even share a drop of blood?”

“Don’t overdo it. If the youngest outshines his older brothers, it looks bad.”

“Young master, you know we’d be more comfortable if you married someone of equal status.”

From the woman he called “mother” in public to his brothers and sisters-in-law…

They were people who spoke elegantly while constantly preparing to stab each other with invisible needles.

In public they were a harmonious family, but in private they pointed blades at each other.

That was the biggest reason Seokjin had vowed never to marry someone he truly loved.

“I hope I can be of great help to your plan.”

“In that case, let’s first decide my base salary. As for additional allowances, we can adjust those after I experience things myself… how does that sound?”

“Sounds good. But are you particularly sensitive about words like salary and allowance? You seem very focused on money.”

Money was something he could give as much as he wanted.

But why didn’t he want to give it easily to her?

Imagining her smiling with another man using money that came from his pocket made him feel strange.

What was this uncomfortable feeling?

“What else do we even have besides money? We’re not marrying for love, and it’s not even because our conditions match.”

“Of course, but…”

“I just need to receive money properly and save it carefully. And you receive my support as a wife and achieve what you want.”

She had a stronger business mindset than he did as an actual businessman.

“Then I look forward to working with you.”

“Yes, boss. Just give the orders.”

“Anything?”

“Of course. But before that, you should pay me first.”

Ga-eun held out both hands.

This woman really knows how to calculate things, he thought.

For some reason, Seokjin had a pleasant feeling that they might actually be compatible.

* * *

When they arrived at the airport, Ga-eun took sunglasses out of her bag and put them on.

Seokjin tilted his head.

“Why the sunglasses?”

“People will stare at me outside. I need to hide my face.”

She used to be someone only acquaintances recognized, but now her face was circulating online.

She wanted to hide as much as possible.

“You don’t need to worry about that.”

“How can I not worry? Airports are full of people.”

“We’ll be exiting through the business aviation center.”

“The business aviation center? Isn’t that still the airport?”

“It’s a private terminal for private jets. You won’t run into crowds there.”

“Oh… places like that exist?”

Relieved, Ga-eun took off her sunglasses.

She had been worried about people whispering about her, so this was a relief.

“And not many people remember your face anyway. You look a bit different in person than in photos.”

“What did you say? What’s wrong with my photos? I look pretty!”

“Anyway, you don’t need to cover yourself up.”

This should have made her happy, but somehow it felt strange.

After leaving the airport quickly, they got into Secretary Tak’s car, which was already waiting.

“I can just take a taxi.”

“Are you suggesting we go separately?”

“Well… we’re going to different places, aren’t we?”

Secretary Tak had already been going back and forth between Seoul and Bangkok. She didn’t want to burden him further by making him drive her home too.

“Why would we go to different places?”

“Well obviously. I go to my house, and you go to yours.”

“We’re going to your house.”

“My house? Why?”

She couldn’t understand.

Wait.

Don’t tell me…

“Shouldn’t we get your family’s approval for the marriage first?”

“Now? Right after we just arrived?”

“Your mother must be just as shocked as we are. Shouldn’t I explain the situation and ask for her understanding?”

“…That makes sense.”

It was true that explaining things together would be better than her trying to explain everything alone.

But was it okay to go so suddenly?

“Sir, as instructed, I already informed Ms. Oh’s family.”

“…Thank you, Secretary Tak.”

Ga-eun smiled as she thanked him, but Seokjin muttered coldly:

“I feel like the person being thanked is the wrong one…”

“Yes yes, boss, thank you very much. I’m so grateful I could shout hooray.”

“Then do it.”

“…What?”

Making jokes with someone who took things seriously had been her mistake.

She wondered if she really had to shout.

At that moment, laughter came from the driver’s seat.

Seokjin frowned slightly.

“Ahem, sorry. I just remembered something funny from earlier.”

“Laughing is good. Secretary Tak, does President Joo usually scold you for laughing?”

“Ms. Oh—”

“President Joo, I’m asking an important question right now.”

“How is that important?”

“It is. It would be a problem if my employer loses his temper all the time.”

“Our president is not like that,” Secretary Tak quickly said, worried they might argue.

But Ga-eun crossed her arms and stared at Seokjin, determined to take the upper hand.

Seokjin’s gaze toward her was equally firm.

“Ms. Oh.”

“Yes, President Joo.”

Despite his low, calm voice, she responded in the same tone, refusing to back down.

“In this contract, I am in the superior position—the one paying the allowances.”

“So?”

“I’ve told you several times I don’t like jokes.”

“You did. But President Joo?”

Ga-eun smiled slightly.

His eyes narrowed.

“Why do you think you’re the one in the superior position? What if I decide to cancel this marriage?”

“A verbal contract is still a contract.”

“I know. I just want to make one thing clear.”

She looked straight at him.

“Who exactly is the one in the superior position?”