As the sun dipped behind the horizon, casting an amber hue over the Sokcho Hotel lobby, the grand entrance was lit by soft, golden lights that flickered like stars. Tae-Mu strode in with an effortless grace, his impeccable suit and confident smile capturing the attention of everyone in the room. Yoo-Ra and her Gossip Gals, who had been buzzing with gossip and anticipation, froze as they saw him. The air crackled with excitement as he approached them, each step deliberate and charming.
"Good evening, ladies," Tae-Mu greeted, his voice like a velvety caress. "It's an honor to finally meet you all."Yoo-Ra's eyes widened with admiration, and her friends leaned in, hanging on his every word. Tae-Mu's charisma was palpable, and he knew exactly how to captivate his audience. "I must tell you," he continued, his gaze drifting affectionately toward Ha-Ri, "my affection for Ha-Ri is as endless as my wealth. And as enchanting as this evening is, it pales in comparison to my feelings for her."The Gossip Gals exchanged awestruck glances, their approval visibly warming like pink neon lights. They were enraptured by Tae-Mu's every word, each sentence drenched in romantic allure. For a fleeting moment, they all wanted to live vicariously through Ha-Ri's fairy-tale romance.Dinner unfolded like a scene from a grand romance novel. Tae-Mu regaled them with tales of his and Ha-Ri's supposed journey together, his words mingling truth with fiction to craft an irresistibly charming narrative. His performance was flawless, leaving Ha-Ri both impressed and slightly unnerved. When the evening drew to a close, Tae-Mu made a show of booking a suite at the hotel, ensuring that their façade of a perfect couple remained intact.The night was restless. The suite's plush bed seemed too large for its two occupants. A playful argument erupted over who would sleep on the couch, and Ha-Ri's worries about the ruse weighed heavily on her mind. "Tae-Mu," she finally said, her voice a mix of concern and curiosity, "what happens when you run into Min-Woo again? Won't it be awkward?"Tae-Mu's expression shifted to one of contemplative seriousness. "Are you more worried about Min-Woo's reaction, or are you concerned about our own situation?" he asked, his eyes searching hers.Caught off guard, Ha-Ri hesitated before admitting, "I'm over my crush on Min-Woo. But I'm worried you're too good for me."Tae-Mu's eyes softened with genuine emotion. "I'm relieved to hear you've moved on. I wouldn't want my (fake) girlfriend to be interested in someone else," he teased gently.Morning arrived with a fresh wave of excitement. Tae-Mu and Ha-Ri appeared at breakfast in matching outfits, turning heads and sparking whispers. Their plan was initially to head back to Seoul, but Tae-Mu canceled his meetings, much to Ha-Ri's astonishment. He was determined not to let Min-Woo get any one-on-one time with her.Their day took a turn for the dramatic as Grandpa's yacht pulled into the marina. The Gossip Gals were practically starstruck, their envy evident as they boarded the opulent vessel. Onboard, they eagerly probed for details about Ha-Ri and Tae-Mu's love story. Tae-Mu drew upon his real feelings, weaving a tale that left Ha-Ri in awe of his acting skills. Yoo-Ra and Min-Woo watched from the sidelines, their jealousy simmering like a pot on the verge of boiling over.A private confrontation between Tae-Mu and Min-Woo followed. Min-Woo, brimming with protective zeal, challenged Tae-Mu. "I don't trust you," he said, his voice laced with concern. "You think you can just play with Ha-Ri's emotions because you have money?"Tae-Mu's response was calm but steely. "Do you think so little of Ha-Ri that you believe the only reason I'd be interested in her is for sport?" he countered. "Do you really think so poorly of her?"While the two men bickered, Ha-Ri was struggling with sea sickness. The waves had taken their toll, and she stumbled, feeling faint. Tae-Mu, noticing her distress, insisted on driving her home, his concern evident.Their journey back was marked by Tae-Mu's unwavering attention. His love languages—quality time and acts of service—shone through as he rearranged his schedule to be with Ha-Ri. "I canceled my meetings because I wanted to be here for you," he said softly. "Take all the time you need to think about my feelings."But Ha-Ri's insecurities lingered. The contrast between Tae-Mu's opulent displays and their quieter moments made her question their compatibility. She found solace in the simple, personal moments, like when Tae-Mu suggested matching outfits or remembered her love of dolphins.Meanwhile, Grandpa's discovery of the Sokcho photos led to a dramatic showdown at the office. Grandpa stormed in, convinced that Tae-Mu was cheating on Geum-Hee. Instead of clarifying, Tae-Mu fibbed, claiming he had ended things with Geum-Hee. Grandpa's fury was explosive, culminating in a comical chase through the office, cane in hand.Young-Seo, on her end, was grappling with her own confusion. Her drunken night with Sung-Hoon had left her with fragmented memories. Her embarrassment led her to flee, leaving Sung-Hoon hurt. Their confrontation in the parking garage was both awkward and revealing, as Young-Seo admitted her lapse in memory, and Sung-Hoon expressed relief and affection.As the week progressed, Tae-Mu's patience wore thin. He decided to pop in on the filming of Ha-Ri's product promo, hoping to catch a glimpse of her. However, his presence made Ha-Ri visibly uncomfortable, leading to a minor mishap in the kitchen. Tae-Mu, undeterred, cornered Ha-Ri, insisting on a clear answer to his confession.Ha-Ri, torn between her feelings and her fears, tried to reject him but failed to hide her true emotions. Tae-Mu, determined and sincere, promised not to let her fears dictate their future. When Ha-Ri leaned in for a kiss, it was a mixture of awkwardness and passion. Yet, her anxiety made her pull away, declaring the kiss a mistake.Young-Seo and Sung-Hoon, meanwhile, were navigating their own rocky start. Their first attempts at dating were a mix of comical missteps and tender moments. Young-Seo's disastrous cooking and Sung-Hoon's misguided hiking trip were both endearing and frustrating, their connection growing despite the bumps along the way.Tae-Mu was not about to let Ha-Ri's hesitation stand in his way. He devised a playful plan to win her back, using the guise of a "penalty fee" for their failed kiss to arrange another date. They ventured to an indoor theme park, where they shared cute moments and matching headbands. But it was their heartfelt conversation over a meal that truly deepened their bond.When Ha-Ri's parents fell ill, Tae-Mu took swift action, moving them to a VIP suite. Ha-Ri's parents mistook him for a coworker, leading to some humorous misunderstandings about her job. As Tae-Mu and Ha-Ri left the hospital, their playful banter about her talking behind his back led to a demand for another kiss.But before they could resolve their feelings, Min-Woo intervened, mistakenly thinking Tae-Mu was being forceful. His attempt to protect Ha-Ri resulted in a punch and a heated confrontation. Despite Min-Woo's misguided interference, Ha-Ri's feelings for Tae-Mu were undeniable. She confessed her jealousy over his blind date and her love for him, leading to a dramatic and passionate reunion on a pedestrian bridge.As they stood on opposite sides of the bridge, Tae-Mu warned Ha-Ri that she should be prepared for him to never let her go if she approached. Undeterred, Ha-Ri walked confidently toward him, grabbing his lapel and pulling him in for a kiss that was both tender and intense.
