WRL 2

Chapter: 2

 Birth Travel

When Taeyeon couldn’t clearly judge what was what, there was only one decision she made: postpone it. It was a good choice—giving herself time to make a more favorable decision. Until now, she had rarely lost anything by postponing. She believed that prudence was an essential virtue in social life.

“I’ll think about it.”

Hyunseo looked straight at her and nodded.

“Think it over carefully. It might be a good opportunity, or it might not. In my opinion, it would be a good opportunity for Ms. Taeyeon. Your mother is ill, isn’t she?”

Her mother’s kidneys were failing, and she was undergoing dialysis. Because of that, hospital bills, medication costs, and other additional treatment expenses required a great deal of money. Despite earning a high salary at a large corporation, Taeyeon had even worked part-time at a cocktail bar late at night.

Even so, Taeyeon felt the widening gap in status between herself and Choi Hyunseo. Standing before him, she couldn’t help feeling more and more insignificant. Even if it wasn’t her fault, even if poverty wasn’t something to be ashamed of, the feeling in this moment was unavoidable.

“Did you look into everything about me?”

“When making a scouting offer, it’s basic to look into the other party. From what I see, my conditions could be quite good for Ms. Min Taeyeon. There wouldn’t be anything that would create a bad public image, would there? If fulfilling the contract becomes difficult, I’ll provide additional compensation.”

Unlike his thoroughly businesslike voice, the terms were unconventional. He was asking her to become his wife—not even calling it a contract marriage, but using the word job transfer as if it were purely professional.

“I hope you think it over carefully and make a good decision.”

That night, Taeyeon couldn’t sleep. Choi Hyunseo—the man she had secretly loved for a long time yet couldn’t even dare to look at. It had been six months since that unbelievable one-night encounter with him. Not only did he fail to recognize her, he probably never even imagined she worked at the same company.

And yet today, he had suddenly summoned her and offered her a job transfer. A job to raise his child.

His eyes had looked as if he didn’t remember that night at all. Perhaps he did remember. But since he hadn’t mentioned it, maybe he had considered it not even worth bringing up.

After two days of deliberation, Taeyeon went to see him. Her mother’s condition had worsened, and even more hospital expenses were needed.

But setting aside family circumstances and all other surface-level reasons, she wanted to try living with Choi Hyunseo at least once. Even if it was a marriage like a workplace arrangement, she wanted to experience it with the man she had loved in secret without ever confessing. When she went back to see him, he looked at her with a relaxed expression, as if he had expected her.

Standing before him, Taeyeon clasped her hands together and pressed her invisible thumbnail against her index finger as she spoke her decision. She felt like a naive schoolgirl standing before a student teacher.

“Director, I will transfer.”

“Good. I believe you’ve made the right decision. I think it’s the best decision for both your mother and you, Ms. Taeyeon.”

He reacted as if a prepared contract had just been successfully concluded. It was the proper demeanor of an employer hiring an employee to perform the role of wife.

“Director, then what should I do first?”

“Submit your resignation letter. And I’ve just transferred the contract deposit.”

Her bank notification chimed immediately. A large sum—money she couldn’t even imagine touching—had been deposited. Seeing the notification on her phone, Taeyeon unconsciously let out a sigh. The deposit meant the contract was finalized, and from now on, she had to faithfully carry out her duties.

So what mattered now was the next assignment.

“I’ll submit my resignation to the department right away. And then?”

“Until I call you again, eat well, rest well, and live on the money I’ve sent.”

Though the task was to rest and relax, it felt rather uncomfortable. Taeyeon looked at him with a worried expression.

“My mother will worry. If I keep not working, she’ll ask where the hospital bills are coming from.”

In the world, her only family was her mother and herself. It wasn’t something she could simply lie about. Unlike the anxious Taeyeon, Hyunseo solved the problem simply.

“I’ll send someone to assist your mother. Tell her you’re going on a business trip to an overseas branch. For about three months.”

“Am I really going abroad?”

“Do as you wish. I can send you overseas, or you can stay somewhere people don’t frequent. You’re seven months pregnant now, so in three months you’ll give birth. That way, you won’t have to show your growing belly to anyone close to you.”

In short, he was telling her to hide until the baby was born. That meant staying somewhere out of sight. After a brief thought, Taeyeon agreed. He truly was a smart man.

“If possible, I’ll go abroad. I can enjoy myself to the fullest and come back.”

“Avoid SNS as much as possible, and think of yourself as pregnant. There’s no need to wrap anything around your belly to make it obvious, but I’d prefer you avoid contact with people as much as possible. And as stated in the contract, let’s not ask unnecessary questions. Do you have any additional requirements?”

He meant she shouldn’t ask about the baby to be born or about the baby’s biological mother. Even if she knew, nothing would change. This was business, and she had been paid for it. Naturally, she had to meet her employer’s conditions.

The only thing she was curious about was…

“Director, then will we be living as a normal married couple? I mean…”

She didn’t even fully realize what she was asking. But Hyunseo understood exactly.

“For example, are you referring to marital relations? It’s true that we must present a perfect image as a married couple publicly. It probably won’t be easy. My mother had rather high expectations for her daughter-in-law. That doesn’t mean you’re unqualified, Ms. Min Taeyeon. It’s just that my mother has firm standards for her future daughter-in-law.”

Even without him saying it, she knew. Rumors were widespread about the expectations Mrs. Oh Jinhee had for her son. There would likely be enormous opposition and pressure even before the wedding. She felt her breath catch.

She must not have hidden her expression well.

“Assistant Manager Min, are you that worried?”

“Ah, Director, if I can’t endure it well, what happens?”

“I’ll act as a mediator as much as possible. I’m not sure what you mean by not enduring it, but the contract period is at least two years. However, if you’re treated severely, file a claim for damages. I’m fully willing to pay.”

In short, if her in-laws treated her badly or hurt her emotionally, he would compensate her with money. But if she thought of it not as a marriage about love, but as a job, perhaps it was manageable.

Even as she called it work, her heart wandered somewhere between subtle expectations and love for him. Acknowledging that, Taeyeon signed the documents.

Hyunseo placed the papers in his desk drawer and locked them with a key. The click of the lock sounded like the locking of Choi Hyunseo’s heart. Bowing her head with a heavy heart, Taeyeon heard him ask:

“Where would you like to go?”

“Europe. I’ve never traveled.”

“Then we’ll do that. Not somewhere dangerous. When I contact you, you must return immediately. To give birth.”

“Understood.”

“This contract must not circulate outside, so please manage it carefully.”

“Yes.”

Even so, Taeyeon couldn’t stand up right away. She thought he might say something else—about that night six months ago. But he looked at her as if puzzled and asked,

“Is there something you want to say?”

“No. There isn’t, Director.”

“Then take this.”

He held out a card.

“Use this for travel expenses and living costs from now on. Your salary will be paid separately.”

“Thank you.”

“Ah, and the family relationship will be arranged simultaneously with the birth.”

“Yes.”

Though dazed, worry and expectation swirled within her. She couldn’t quite grasp what this contract and transfer truly meant. Solving lodging and meals at the workplace, caring for a baby, and being Choi Hyunseo’s wife for at least two years. In her heart, it was a workplace she wanted to stay at for a lifetime.

After work, as Taeyeon set the table for her mother, she said,

“Mom. I think I have to go abroad.”

“Abroad?”

Kyungja, her face dry and worn, looked at Taeyeon with concern.

Because of the rooftop room’s west-facing window, evenings were unbearably hot. Taeyeon turned on the old air conditioner that hummed softly and placed the spoon down.

“Yes, Mom. That’s how it turned out. Come eat.”

“It’s low-sodium, so it doesn’t taste very good.”

“I know. Even if it doesn’t taste great, what can we do? Let’s try it.”

After taking a bite, Taeyeon smiled brightly.

“It’s still good, Mom. The shiitake mushroom aroma is wonderful. Hurry and eat.”

As Taeyeon handed her the spoon, Kyungja smiled and lifted it.

“Yes. My daughter prepared this, so I should eat well and stay healthy. If Mom’s gone, you’ll be alone, Taeyeon.”

“Mom, don’t say that. But Mom, when I go on this business trip, I might not be able to stay in contact often.”

“In times like these? You can just send a message.”

“Right, Mom? I’ll message you, so eat well by yourself and go to the hospital properly. If anything difficult happens, call Chohui. You said she’s like a daughter too.”

“She works and stays busy. Can she take care of her friend’s mother too?”

At her mother’s words, Taeyeon nodded. That was true. She felt sorry asking Chohui to look after her mom.

“Then ask Noeul oppa, Mom.”

“Yes. That might be better. I’ll ask Noeul. Don’t worry too much. Noeul likes you, so he’s always willing to do anything for you. At this rate, it would be nice if Noeul became my son-in-law.”