Chapter – 11
“…If that’s the case, then you’ll be the ‘gap’ [the one in the dominant position], O Ga-eun.”
“Alright!”
Ga-eun knew that the words “gap” and “eul” [dominant and subordinate positions in contracts] were meaningless in reality.
Still, she wanted, even if only in words, to experience being in the dominant position. Her life so far had always been that of the subordinate, and she was tired of it.
“Are you… really happy with that?”
Overwhelmed by Seok-jin’s gaze as he looked at her intently, Ga-eun found herself nodding without realizing it.
“If you want, I’ll make sure you can continue living as the ‘gap’ from now on.”
“That’s good… you can make me the ‘gap’ whenever I want, right?”
Ga-eun felt a slight burden as Seok-jin turned his head to look at her expressionlessly. She knew that as the subordinate, she would be no match for him.
Lost in his deep eyes, Ga-eun felt a dizzying flutter in her chest and quickly looked away.
Then Seok-jin asked Secretary Tak,
“Everything is prepared?”
“Everything has been prepared exactly as you instructed.”
“Good job.”
“Thank you.”
Seok-jin’s deep, cutting voice reminded Ga-eun of the charismatic president of Jusin Retail.
During the flight together, and over the few days in Bangkok, he had shown her a warm side—but now it felt like a dream.
If he continued to show that side every day, she would probably have to live in constant tension. In Bangkok, he had been so gentle…
Ga-eun wondered what his true self was really like. Suddenly, she became curious about this man.
Arriving at her house, Secretary Tak got out and opened the car door for Ga-eun.
“You should get out.”
“…I can open it myself, though.”
“O Ga-eun, you must never open the car door yourself from now on.”
Seok-jin, already standing outside with a stern expression, closed the door.
So much for him not being someone who easily got angry.
Ga-eun stepped out awkwardly, looking at the lit-up house and taking a deep breath. She was naturally nervous about how her mother would react.
“President, I’ll carry it.”
Although Secretary Tak tried to stop him, Seok-jin insisted on carrying the golden cloth-wrapped gift himself.
“It looks more natural if I carry it in.”
After speaking, Seok-jin grabbed the knot of the cloth and lifted it.
Ga-eun ran ahead and unlocked the gate with her keys.
“Please let me know when you’re finished.”
“I will.”
Ga-eun turned her back to Secretary Tak, who bowed deeply, and nodded in acknowledgment.
She walked slowly into the house, glancing back at Seok-jin following her. Even though she wanted to prolong the moment, the small yard made the walk short.
“Let’s go inside.”
“Aren’t you nervous?”
Unlike Ga-eun, whose eyes kept darting nervously, Seok-jin looked calm.
“Why wouldn’t I be? I’m visiting the house of the woman I love to ask for her hand in marriage—it’s natural to be nervous.”
“Love…?”
He didn’t joke about such things, and hearing such an awkward line from him made her chuckle.
“You don’t seem nervous at all.”
“If I were nervous, you would feel uneasy, so I’m trying to stay as composed as possible.”
His words flowed effortlessly, but Ga-eun felt her racing heart calm slightly at the sight of his carefully composed lie.
“Phew.”
She opened the house door. Usually light, the door felt unusually heavy, as if reinforced with steel.
“Mom…”
Mi-hee, standing at the living room table, looked up in surprise.
“…You’re here?”
“Good evening,” Seok-jin greeted in a pleasantly deep tone.
“Mother.”
The honorific came out as naturally as if rehearsed.
In contrast, her mother’s greeting wasn’t warm or welcoming—it was full of unease.
“Please accept this.”
“Oh, why would you bring something like this?”
“I should have delivered it before the driver left—my apologies.”
“No, it’s fine.”
Seok-jin bowed, and Mi-hee followed with a bow of her own.
“Please, lower your tone.”
“No, how could I? Please, have a seat.”
“Alright.”
Seok-jin and Ga-eun sat on the cushions. When her mother went into the kitchen, Ga-eun whispered softly:
“I don’t think my mom will approve…”
“Why would she not? Haven’t you seen the article?”
“What article?”
“The one saying my face can pass for a proper meeting with the bride’s family.”
Ga-eun couldn’t believe he could say such an embarrassing thing with a straight face.
“You’re amazing.”
“I’ve always been an impressive man.”
“What?”
Just then, the mother emerged from the kitchen. Ga-eun straightened up.
“I hope this is to your taste.”
Seeing her mother’s wary expression, Ga-eun felt a pang of guilt. At the same time, her mother’s habitual deference toward Seok-jin made her throat tighten.
What would it be like to marry genuinely for love, she wondered—not this staged contract marriage—where conversations were warm and easy, without the tension they were feeling now?
“It’s delicious,” Seok-jin said softly after taking a sip of omija tea.
Her mother’s relieved expression made Ga-eun feel a little heartache.
“Mom… I’m sorry. You must have been very surprised.”
“Yes…”
“I apologize.”
“Oh, no. Why would I…?”
Mi-hee waved her hands, flustered by Seok-jin’s polite apology while kneeling.
“I want to marry Ga-eun.”
Coughing in surprise, Ga-eun cleared her throat.
Looking up at her mother, she saw her face flushed as she struggled to maintain composure.
“I love Ga-eun very much.”
Ga-eun couldn’t help but smile at Seok-jin’s skilled lie.
“Marriage should be on a comparable level… You know this. Even if we try, it’s like the scale is tipped too far. Actually, it’s more like we couldn’t even get on the same scale,” her mother explained.
“It’s the heart that matters, isn’t it?”
“I understand what you mean, President, but while differences may be charming in dating, they’re not in marriage.”
Mi-hee’s eyes shifted to her daughter, reflecting her conflicted emotions.
“I want my daughter to become a wife and daughter-in-law who is loved and cherished.”
“That will naturally happen.”
“…Although my heart sank in surprise, I appreciate you coming first. I insisted on seeing your face, so I allowed you to come despite the inconvenience.”
“Please, speak comfortably.”
“I’m not in a position to lower my tone comfortably. I will convey my thoughts through our daughter.”
She tactfully expressed her refusal.
At first, Mi-hee had wanted to scold Seok-jin for making things so serious. It might have been curiosity for him, but for her daughter, their entire lives could be shaken by this.
Still, seeing the two of them sitting together, she couldn’t bring herself to say anything further.
“Mom…”
“It’s getting late.”
“I’ll come again as soon as possible. I was greedy today and came unreasonably. I apologize.”
“President, I’m sorry, but I hope we don’t meet like this again.”
“Mom?”
Ga-eun’s face showed clear surprise. Seok-jin, who hadn’t expected to be rejected so quickly in less than an hour, was equally stunned.
His fingers trembled slightly as he held the glass.
“Excuse me for a moment.”
He bowed, left the house, and headed toward the car where Secretary Tak was waiting.
“President?”
Secretary Tak, surprised by his early departure, got out immediately.
“The trunk.”
“Trunk? Why all of a sudden…”
“Open it.”
Tak opened the trunk, holding his breath, wondering if Seok-jin was hiding something secret. He watched curiously as Seok-jin took out a bag.
“Come here tomorrow morning,” he instructed.
“President? Are you planning to sleep here?”
“That’s the plan.”
“Sir, wouldn’t it be better to visit again another day?”
“If I leave now… there might not be a next time.”
Closing the wide-open gate, Seok-jin reentered the house.
He paused in his steps briefly. Why am I doing all this?
If she refused, he could have just found someone else.
People would call him a worthless man who dumped a girlfriend over financial differences—but soon, a few celebrity scandal articles could erase that.
All that remained was to get her approval.
“Since the marriage is already decided, I must keep my promise.”
Not understanding why he was acting this way, Seok-jin searched for a reason and continued walking.
Entering the house, he showed the bag to Ga-eun.
“Mother, it’s late, and it’s unsafe to go home. Please let me stay just for one night.”
Tonight, he had no choice but to be bold. That way, he could stay close to O Ga-eun.
