Chaebol Fate

THE PERFORMANCE

Wanting to put on the performance of my life to take the heat off of the state of our marriage and quell the urges from our parents to have a baby, I went shopping. The goal? Find a sexy outfit that turns heads and refocuses the media's attention on my fashion sense instead of my relationship with Jimin. I hired a hairdresser and makeup artist to come to the condo for both Jimin and me to make sure we both looked our absolute best.

Jimin claimed that I was going overboard, but I insisted that it was necessary to get our parents off our backs and buy us some time before they brought up the topic of babies again. It would be quite difficult for us to start a family considering I refused to have sex with Jimin.

When I had finished getting ready and headed out to meet Jimin who had been patiently waiting for me, the expression on his face upon seeing me was one of extreme disappointment. My silver lame backless dress had a sexy, plunging cowl neck halter on top, a low scoop in the back, and an asymmetrical skirt with a slit up to my hip.

He shook his head. "No. No way in hell you're going in that getup!"

"You're opinion is duly noted and dismissed as irrelevant."

"You're my wife. I will not have my wife go out dressed like a high-class call girl."

"Being my husband does not give you the right to dictate how I dress."

Jimin clenched his jaw like he often did when I let him know I would not submit to him. "Fine. Have fun cleaning up the PR mess you are going to create."

"You forget. I am seen as a fashion trendsetter. I have nothing to worry about."

We arrived at the gala and immediately the cameras on the red carpet turned toward us and started flashing like crazy. We were a hit-or at least I was. I smiled a huge grin and raise my eyebrow at Jimin. He looked at me with anger in his eyes. I leaned and whispered in his ear, "Smile, Jimin. We need to put on a show. Take your anger out on me later, if you must."

We paused and posed for the cameras with huge smiles, then he took my hand and led me into the venue. All eyes were on us when we entered. Jimin led me around the room as we mingled. We fielded questions about our honeymoon, work, and our plans for the future. Once we had finished with our round of pretending to be in love, Jimin excused himself. "I'm going to go get another drink from the bar. I'll see you at our table once dinner is served."

I nodded and headed outside to the balcony for some fresh air. Only a few guests were there and they were all deep into conversations with each other, allowing me a much-needed reprieve from the barrage of questions.

"Ji-Hye?" I heard a man's voice call to me. I turned around and saw it was Jimin's friend, Taehyung. "I thought that was you. Wow! You look amazing!"

"Thank you, Taehyung. You look handsome tonight. Where's Ae-cha?"

"We uh... we parted ways. I came alone tonight."

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. I thought for sure Jimin and I would be receiving a wedding invitation from you two in the next few weeks."

"Yes, well, apparently my refusal to accept the position her father offered me at his firm led to her refusal to marry me. Being an environmental lawyer wasn't good enough for her or her family. My disinterest in corporate law was a sign of my lack of ambition."

"What? That's ridiculous! I'm so sorry to hear that. I have to say I am tired of parents trying to dictate our lives. Being an environmental lawyer is noble. You are making a difference, Taehyung."

"I like to think so."

"Don't just think. Know. It's people like you that make this world a better place."