Shin Ha-Ri had always believed that life moved in predictable rhythms, but recent events had shattered that illusion. Nursing a quiet crush on her male friend, Lee Min-Woo, had been the extent of her romantic drama. However, her heart broke when she discovered he had a girlfriend. The revelation had left her feeling hollow and dejected.
To cheer herself up, Ha-Ri met her best friend, Jin Young-Seo, for a much-needed heart-to-heart. They settled into their favorite café, the cozy ambiance a welcome respite from the chaos of their lives. Young-Seo, the daughter of a powerful chaebol family, had her own troubles. She was grappling with her father's incessant matchmaking attempts. This time, he had set up another blind date, and Young-Seo was desperate for a way out."Ha-Ri, I need a huge favor," Young-Seo said, her eyes pleading. "My father has set me up on yet another blind date, and I just can't go. Can you take my place?"Ha-Ri's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Me? Pretend to be you? Young-Seo, that's crazy!"Young-Seo leaned in closer. "Please, Ha-Ri. I'll pay you. I really need you to do this for me."Ha-Ri sighed, considering the proposal. She was strapped for cash, especially after her recent financial woes. "Alright, I'll do it. But only because I need the money."Young-Seo's face lit up with relief. "Thank you so much! Just be yourself, but, you know, try to be a bit off-putting so he'll lose interest."With a plan in place, Ha-Ri prepared herself for the blind date. She decided to exaggerate her personality, hoping to be the worst date ever and get rejected. However, when she arrived at the upscale restaurant, she was stunned to find her date was none other than Kang Tae-Moo, the new CEO of the company where she worked. Her jaw dropped as she recognized him, and she struggled to maintain her composure.Tae-Moo, with his sharp suit and commanding presence, was a sight to behold. He seemed indifferent, almost bored, as he looked at her. Determined to go through with the plan, Ha-Ri unleashed her inner wild child. She spouted nonsense, exaggerated her quirks, and even claimed she had breast implants named Rachel and Samantha.Despite her antics, Tae-Moo remained unfazed. In fact, his interest seemed piqued by her boldness and eccentricity. The dinner went on, with Ha-Ri pulling out all the stops to be as off-putting as possible, but nothing seemed to deter Tae-Moo.The next day, as Ha-Ri was nursing a mild hangover from her victory celebration with Young-Seo, her phone buzzed. It was an unknown number. She answered hesitantly, only to be greeted by Tae-Moo's calm and authoritative voice."Miss Jin, I would like to discuss our future," he said, his tone serious.Ha-Ri's heart pounded in her chest. "Our... future?""Yes," Tae-Moo replied. "I'd like you to marry me."Ha-Ri's mouth went dry, and she nearly dropped her phone. "Excuse me?"Tae-Moo continued as if he hadn't just dropped a bombshell. "I've thought it over, and I believe a marriage would be beneficial for both of us."In a panic, Ha-Ri rushed to Young-Seo's apartment. She needed to discuss this bizarre turn of events with her friend. As she burst through the door, Young-Seo looked up, concern etched on her face."Young-Seo, he... he proposed!" Ha-Ri's voice trembled with the weight of her revelation.Young-Seo's eyes widened in shock. "What? Already? What did you say?""I didn't say anything. I was too stunned. I mean, who proposes after one date?"Young-Seo bit her lip, thinking. "This is serious, Ha-Ri. Tae-Moo isn't just anyone. He's the CEO of your company. This could complicate things at work."Ha-Ri buried her face in her hands. "I know. I was just trying to help you out. I never expected this to happen."Young-Seo sighed, reaching out to squeeze Ha-Ri's shoulder. "We need to figure out what to do. Maybe you should tell him the truth."Ha-Ri shook her head vehemently. "No, I can't do that. It would ruin everything. He might fire me, or worse, he'll think we're playing some kind of game."Young-Seo nodded slowly. "You're right. But you can't ignore his proposal either. You'll have to talk to him."The following day, Ha-Ri met Tae-Moo at a chic café, her nerves frayed. She sat across from him, her fingers tapping anxiously on the table."Mr. Kang, about your proposal..." she began, her voice unsteady.Tae-Moo's intense gaze didn't waver. "Yes, I've thought about it. Marrying you would solve many problems for both of us."Ha-Ri swallowed hard. "But we don't know each other. And I was pretending to be someone else."Tae-Moo leaned forward, his expression serious. "I know who you really are, Shin Ha-Ri. And I'm still offering you this proposal. It's a business arrangement. We both gain something from this."Ha-Ri was taken aback. He knew her true identity and still wanted to proceed? "What exactly do you gain from this?""A stable relationship that keeps my grandfather off my back and lets me focus on my work," Tae-Moo replied matter-of-factly. "And you get financial security."Ha-Ri hesitated, weighing her options. The offer was tempting, but the risks were high. "I'll need some time to think about it."Tae-Moo nodded. "Take all the time you need. But know this, Shin Ha-Ri: I'm serious about this arrangement. I believe it can work."As Ha-Ri left the café, her mind swirled with confusion and uncertainty. Her life had just become infinitely more complicated, and she wasn't sure how to navigate this unexpected proposal. The weight of Tae-Moo's offer lingered in her thoughts, the potential consequences and benefits dancing through her mind. She knew she had to make a decision, but for now, all she could do was try to find some clarity in the midst of the chaos.
