Contract Love • Jihoon

02

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" We are getting married "

The room went silent for a moment. There is this unpleasant feelings in the air as she turn her head at the man next to her. She stares as her mouth wide open with so much shocked. Her eyes fills with question but he just ignored it and still tightly holding her hands.

" What?"

"Yes.. As you heard it.. I'm getting married with Secretary Lee. I hope this clears the rumour going around about me. And please don't just come here without notice.. I'm a busy person" 

" As about this matter.. I will bring her home soon so just don't tell anyone yet.. " he continued.

The old woman seem shocked but slowly her expression changed. She looks.. happy? 

" You must bring her home.. I'm going to wait for your call" She took her handbag from the table before making her way to both of them. She patted his back with a smile before turning her head at the woman next to him. 

" Good choice" she whispered at him as she walked away, leaving the room. 

After the old woman leaves, the air in the room shifted. Awkward.. It became really awkward. She look down at their hands still attached to each other, not knowing how to react. She's confused. Her heads fill with unanswered question. Her heart wanting to be with him but still not wanting to use him just for her personal feelings. It's hard.

She let out a deep sigh before slowly wanting to let her hands out from his grip. " Mr Park- "

" You... Did you already think about it?"

" About what?"

" The offer.. as you see, you don't have any options either.. My mother already know about it.. Do you think she will stay quiet?"

She shut her eyes close, tons of emotion rushed in. " Did do you do it on purpose?"

" I'm desperate.. You know that I don't have any options either. It's either a marriage or I will lose the company.. " He looked into her eyes, that fills with desperation.

" I promise.. Just for two years.. After that, you can do whatever you want"

Hani stay silent. She can feel herself slowly lost control over her feelings. " Did you think about this properly? Are you sure this is going to be the right decision?"

"Yes"

" Then, I will accept your offer.. I will marry you" She just announced her defeat over her own feelings. she can't believe herself for doing this insane choice but she just can't help it. How can her while the man the she loves is full with desperation begging for her to do it. 

He stood in front of her with a smile of relief. His face just a moment ago fills with anxiousness , now slowly fills with relief. His eyes that always seems cold and distant just softens. 

" Thank you.. "

She gave him a brief nod.

Oh,

Did he just smile? at her? 

She stood in awe at what she just see. The fact that he's smiling at her for the first time.

" You can leave first.. It must be shocking to do this decision in a day.. The rest I will handle it myself"

She rolled her eyes in silent. Did he just realized about that right now? 

" Yes.. I will send the rest of the schedule to you later.. I will take my leave" She bow before turning around to leave the office room.

-

" What did he say?!"

Hani took another sip of the beer can fast before she stares back at her speechless friend in front of her. Right now, she's at her friend house probably having a  sleepover there. She don't think she will be able to sleep on her own that day. There is too much things on her mind. too much. 

Hani let out a long sigh. 

" Are you crazy, Lee Hani? "

She averted her eyes from the angry friend. " Ji ah, don't get angry.. I know what did I signed up myself for"  she pleaded.

Hani offered her a reassuring smile and Ji ah just shook her head, still pretty mad. This felt like a fever dream still. The fact that soon she will be staying by his side as a lawful wife still didn't felt surreal. 

" I just .. are you sure you're going to be okey?"

" Of course" she chuckled. " It's not like he's some kind a bad person or something.."

" No.. that's not what I meant.. what I mean is , are you going to be okey because this is just a contract marriage... Are you sure he's not the same as the other bastards that I saw on the drama... Get married with someone else but turned out they have a secret lover in the back.."

Hani laughed at her friend's words. 

" Ji ah, I think you watch too much drama.." she cover her lips trying to stop herself from laughing again.

" there is no way he's like that.. If it is, then the rumors won't be here in the first place" 

" Oh right.. the rumor..-" 

" Let's just stop and get some sleep.. I think you're drunk.. " Hani cut her off. She stares at her friend's red face with a slight smile on her lips. Her hands fast stroking some of the hair that got into Ji ah's face away to the back. 

" Thank you for worrying about me" Ji ah just unconsciously hummed as a reply, too drunk to even care about her surroundings. Hani shook her head before immediately got up and carry Ji ah to the bed before she steps into the toilet.

She open the tap on the sink before washing her face with the cold water, which woke her up immediately. She stood in front of the mirror staring at herself . 

" Thank you" 

His smiling face suddenly went running back to her head. She can felt her cheeks go crimson. It's just unexpected. 

The cold man with a bad attitude suddenly asking for a marriage. And importantly, he's asking her without knowing her real feelings. In this kind a situation, it's normal for her to actually hoping for something. hoping that finally he can see her as a woman. but deep down, she knows that this is just a beneficial contract marriage to him. There's no way, he's going to see her more than that.

No more than that.