WRL 1

Chapter 1. The Proposal

Each step she took sent a faint tremor through her lower abdomen. Every sharp click of her high heels echoed like a heated moan in her ears.

“Haah… haah…”

That day, she had breathed out in a way she never had before—burning, breathless. Never in her life had she responded so intensely. Each time his firm chest pressed against her, each time his large hand gripped her breast, a sharp thrill had shot through her entire body.

The warmth of that moment, and his gaze—hotter still—had refused to leave her mind ever since. It had already been months.

Pull yourself together.

Shaking her head, Taeyeon walked toward Executive Director Choi Hyunseo’s office. As she stopped in front of the door and straightened her clothes, her chest tingled again, and the memory of that night’s passion flashed before her eyes like a hallucination.

Every time their bodies collided, a sensation unlike anything in this world had wrapped around her. Even as she watched her legs tremble over his shoulders, she had wondered if it was real. That dizzying night.

She had never imagined that her long, unrequited love would lead so suddenly to a single night together. It had already been six months ago.

But he doesn’t even know me. Why did he call for me? He probably doesn’t even know I work at the same company.

Choi Hyunseo. The Executive Director of Miwoo F&C. Born with a silver spoon in his mouth, heir to the Miwoo Group, and a capable businessman. Talent combined with relentless effort had built him an unshakable position.

Organizing her thoughts, Taeyeon took a steadying breath and knocked.

Knock, knock.

“Yes. Come in.”

When she entered, the secretaries in the anteroom greeted her first.

“Hello. I’m Min Taeyeon.”

“You’re a bit early. The Executive Director is in a meeting right now. It should end within five minutes. He’s very punctual with his meetings.”

Taeyeon nodded.

“Would you like to sit here?”

The secretary in a neat navy suit gestured to a seat, but Taeyeon shook her head.

“I’m fine.”

She moved to the window and looked outside. Choi Hyunseo—a man known for handling everything flawlessly, admired by every employee.

His tall, striking appearance was undeniable, but more than that, he was impeccable at his work. He never tolerated corruption or unfairness, and he followed the rules to the letter. Even personnel decisions were made with strict fairness. No wonder every female employee had, at least once, wished to catch his eye.

Taeyeon was no exception. She had nurtured her one-sided love quietly for years. But he didn’t know her. Even if that night had happened, he probably didn’t even know she worked at Miwoo F&C. So why had he called her?

Was it about that night? Or something entirely unrelated? Why would someone of his stature summon a mere assistant manager from the PR team?

Soon, three executives exited his office, exchanging farewells. After seeing them out, the secretary called her.

“Ms. Min Taeyeon. You may go in now.”

“Yes. Thank you.”

Clearing her throat once more, Taeyeon walked in with measured steps. Inside, she saw Hyunseo standing by the window, his back turned.

Beyond the wide windows of the Gangnam high-rise, the boulevard and towering buildings stretched like a forest of steel. With scattered clouds filtering the sunlight, even his backlit silhouette looked breathtaking.

“Good afternoon, Director. This is Min Taeyeon.”

She greeted him, but he did not turn immediately. After a moment, he slowly faced her. The instant their eyes met, her face flushed.

Will he recognize me?
Does he remember that night?

But he merely curved his lips into a faint, businesslike smile and walked to the table.

“Please, sit.”

Though there was a sofa and tea table, he chose the long conference table and opened a file the moment he sat down, scanning the documents. Not exactly considerate behavior toward someone he had summoned.

Taeyeon sat across from him. He looked up.

“What would you like to drink? We have most beverages available.”

“I’m fine, thank you.”

He tilted his head slightly.

“I’m having something. Shall we have the same?”

“Yes. Thank you.”

Soon, iced peppermint tea was served. Her mouth had gone dry with nerves, and after a sip, the cool aroma cleared her head.

“How is it? Refreshing, isn’t it?”

His tone was direct, commanding—like a general expecting obedience. Taeyeon dipped her head slightly.

“Yes, it’s much better.”

“Right? I have a cup after long meetings.”

Why did he call me? Does he remember me at all?

Her questions swelled into expectation as she looked at him with hopeful eyes.

Then he spoke abruptly.

“Have you ever considered changing jobs?”

Changing jobs? Was she being dismissed?

Her face stiffened. He continued.

“What do you think about leaving Miwoo F&C and transferring somewhere else?”

“Am I… being asked to resign?”

Even a team leader could recommend resignation. Why would someone of his rank call in a junior assistant manager for that? She could already picture herself filing for unemployment.

Seeing her bite her lower lip in confusion, he tilted his head.

“I suppose you could take it that way. But that’s not it. It would be more accurate to call it a scouting offer.”

“A scouting offer?”

He—the Executive Director of Miwoo F&C—was making a scouting offer? Within the same company? Or had he started another business privately?

She hesitated, her fingers twitching—a nervous habit. When his eyes flicked to her hands, she clenched them into fists and asked,

“What are the conditions?”

“Good question. Living expenses will be covered separately, and your salary will be tripled. Any additional requests—you may name your price.”

It was an extraordinary offer.

“Would I need to live on-site?”

“Yes.”

“And what would I be doing…?”

“Raising a child.”

“Pardon?”

Recruiting someone from PR to raise a child?

“If this is for a housekeeper position—”

“A housekeeper? No. I’m scouting you for the position of my wife—the mother who will raise my child.”

Her mind went blank.

“A… wife?”

Was this a proposal?

“Are you… proposing—”

He raised his hand sharply, signaling her to stop.

“Let’s not jump to conclusions. This is not a proposal. As I said, it’s a scouting offer. Consider it a job. You would raise my child. Of course, you would also hold the position of my wife.”

The unmarried Executive Director had a child? A secret one?

He seemed to read her thoughts.

“Remember, this is a transfer. You would live as the biological mother of my child for life. If you wish to step down from the role of wife midway, you may. But you must work at least two years.”

Taeyeon felt dazed. The terms were shocking—but the content even more so.

“Do you already have a child?”

“The child will be born in a few months.”

So the mother existed.

“If the child isn’t born yet… then there is a mother.”

“Yes. There is.”

She studied his expression. Whether it was a woman he loved or a mistake from a fleeting night, the fact remained—there was another woman. And yet he was recruiting someone else to raise the baby? From among his employees?

Nothing about this made sense. She should have felt offended.

Yet the question that slipped from her lips was different.

“Then… would I be living with you?”

“Yes. With me and my child. You will raise the child and ensure there are no disturbances in our family or my private life. Publicly, the child will be known as ours. The birth will come first. The wedding ceremony after.”

It was absurd.

“If you accept my offer, these are the benefits.”

He slid a document toward her.

Inside were conditions any woman might find tempting—
All the privileges of becoming part of the Miwoo Group.

And most of all, becoming Choi Hyunseo’s wife.

But in exchange—

She would have to raise another woman’s child.