When Yu Ra woke up in the morning, Lee Hyun had already left for work, saying he had a breakfast meeting. She realized she hadn’t properly seen Lee Hyun off to work even once since getting married, only noticing this after coming to her in-laws’ house.

She worried if she might be criticized for it, but Mi Hee laughed, saying he was originally a guy who never said when he was coming or going, and that she could count on one hand the times she’d properly seen him leave for work.

Thanks to Mi Hee, Yu Ra went to work with a lighter heart and welcomed a pleasant guest early in the morning.

“Hello? I’m Team Leader Jin Yu Ra.”

“Hello?”

The exotic-looking violinist Yoon Ga Eun bowed her head shyly.

Her face looked even younger than on screen, to the point where she could pass for a high school student. As Yu Ra awkwardly watched her avoid eye contact, seemingly shy, Song Min Woo stepped in to ask for understanding.

“Please understand. This friend is very shy by nature.”

“It’s alright. Don’t worry about it.”

Yu Ra handed over some fragrant herbal tea and carefully mentioned future plans.

“First, we’re looking at the second half of this year. May I ask about Violinist Yoon Ga Eun’s concert schedule?”

“Here is the current concert schedule.”

While Yu Ra was looking at the schedule Min Woo handed over and deducing possible dates, Ga Eun, who had been avoiding eye contact throughout the meeting, spoke up.

“Um.”

Ga Eun, who seemed to have a rather introverted personality, hesitated after starting to speak. Yu Ra smiled and waited patiently.

“Yes, please speak freely.”

“Pianist Oh Se Jin.”

“Yes?”

“Is that person performing?”

As soon as she arrived at the company, her team members’ concern was also about the possibility of Oh Se Jin’s performance.

Though Baek Jin Ho had publicly mentioned contract termination, since nothing concrete had been done yet, she couldn’t give a definitive answer. As the situation clearly couldn’t continue, she answered based on what had been announced to the press.

“Currently, Songlim is considering canceling the performance.”

“Then, am I performing instead?”

Yu Ra wasn’t surprised by Ga Eun’s concern, as she had anticipated this issue.

In this situation, performing instead of Oh Se Jin would be burdensome for those involved. It was even more so since the media had already reported news of Oh Se Jin’s second-half performance.

That’s why both the team members and Yu Ra were extremely worried, knowing they would have difficulty recruiting artists right away. At this rate, not only would they fail to reclaim first place, but they might even have to give up second place.

However, she didn’t want to burden this delicate and introverted Ga Eun. As they were looking for an artist with experience who could handle any situation skillfully, Yu Ra carefully chose her words.

“You don’t need to mind. We’ll proceed with the schedule as you wish.”

“Then, I’d like to avoid that period.”

“Yes, we’ll adjust the schedule according to your wishes.”

Yoon Ga Eun’s face, which had looked a bit gloomy, finally brightened a little. Whether it was due to her introverted nature or concern about this issue, it was hard to grasp her personality. Whatever the reason, Yu Ra was grateful it wasn’t a refusal and looked at the schedule.

“Do you have any preferred dates?”

“As you can see, Ga Eun’s schedule is until September. We’d like to take a break and have a performance around the end of the year.”

It was Min Woo who answered.

“How long do you expect the break to be?”

“We’re thinking about two months.”

Yu Ra looked at the schedule and considered the event performances planned for the second half of the year as she spoke.

“Then, how about shortening the break a bit and having the performance in November, avoiding the year-end? So that the performance ends before the year-end.”

As Yu Ra cautiously spoke, Min Woo thought of the typical year-end performances. At the end of the year, every art center planned performances with numerous motifs.

Performances catering to families or couples are held, making every venue bustling at the end of the year.

“You have performances planned for the year-end, I see.”

“Of course, we’re also preparing performances targeting the year-end. But rather, since there are so many performances focused on families or couples at the end of the year, it’s a bit tricky to fill the seats.”

Min Woo fully agreed with Yu Ra’s words. Traditional classical performances were enjoyed by enthusiasts, not the general public. Moreover, at the end of the year, the trend of watching performances changes depending on who you’re with.

Unless you’re going to perform something a bit different and familiar, it’s better to avoid the year-end. Especially in Ga Eun’s case, as she preferred purely traditional classical music, the audience’s preferences were clearly divided.

Originally, they hadn’t considered a separate performance for the year-end, thinking to wrap up this year’s performances by September. It was decided based on Ga Eun’s opinion that she wanted to try it once since Songlim had made the request.

So he wanted to gauge the timing entirely based on Ga Eun’s opinion.

“Ga Eun, what do you think?”

“If that’s the situation, it’s better to avoid the year-end.”

Ga Eun also agreed in response to Min Woo’s question.

Once a clear answer came out, Yu Ra smiled with relief.

“Then, I’ll organize the details and send you the contract.”

“Yes.”

“Ga Eun, wait outside for a moment.”

“Okay.”

Min Woo, who was getting up, asked Ga Eun for understanding. Yu Ra showed her curiosity with a puzzled look at Min Woo’s behavior. As Ga Eun left the team leader’s office and the door closed, Yu Ra spoke first.

“Do you have something to say…”

“Is Oh Se Jin’s matter not going well?”

“Pardon?”

“You don’t look well.”

Yu Ra awkwardly covered her cheek with the back of her hand and smiled sheepishly.

Lee Hyun had been so demanding last night that she hadn’t gotten much sleep. She had been sensitive for days and hadn’t slept well, and yesterday’s events had compounded her fatigue, making her body feel like lead.

She had taken care with her makeup to not let it show, but it seemed to have been visible to Min Woo’s eyes. As it wasn’t a simple stress issue, she felt embarrassed and gave a vague reason as if making an excuse.

“It’s not at a level where things are or aren’t going well. Nothing has been clearly revealed yet, and the performance issue is still under discussion.”

“I see. I was worried something might have happened overnight.”

Yu Ra was uncomfortable with Min Woo being concerned about such a personal matter.

They had unexpectedly met at the honeymoon destination and had dinner together to build rapport for the contract, but that didn’t mean their relationship was close enough to worry about such issues.

Feeling that it was somehow going too far, Yu Ra politely apologized.

“I’m sorry for causing you concern with my personal matters.”

“No, that’s not why I said it. I didn’t mean to receive an apology.”

Sensing a slightly uncomfortable atmosphere, Min Woo seemed to hesitate as he was about to add something.

Yu Ra also didn’t find this conversation particularly pleasant. It was already unpleasant that her personal matters had been unintentionally exposed, and such consideration from a stranger she didn’t know well only increased her discomfort.

“I’m telling you just in case.”

“Yes, please go ahead.”

“If you need an artist to fill in for Oh Se Jin’s performance, please contact me.”

This unexpected goodwill made Yu Ra even more uncomfortable.

She knew it was good in many ways to build rapport with good management when looking for artists.

However, it was quite disconcerting to be offered help so readily after just two meetings and a first contract. It gave her an unpleasant feeling that something was fishy.

Such favors should have come from Baek Lee Hyun, not Song Min Woo. That was the intention behind the marriage, and Lee Hyun had acknowledged that part. She couldn’t help but wonder why he was being so considerate, and it wasn’t entirely welcome.

It couldn’t be helped, as she had lost face with those around her due to the scandal with Oh Se Jin. She didn’t want to be involved in such sordid scandals anymore, and above all, for the sake of her parents-in-law, she wanted to avoid such rumors.

“No, thank you. You must have had a lot to consider with this contract, and I don’t want to burden you further.”

“I have quite a wide network and know many artists. Don’t worry alone, please do tell me.”

“It’s alright. I’ll just gratefully accept your kind intentions.”

With the earnest refusal, Min Woo didn’t mention this issue anymore. Yu Ra led him to the reception room where Ga Eun was waiting.

“I’d like to treat you to lunch, but the timing is a bit awkward.”

“It’s fine. Please don’t worry about it.”

“Then, I’ll contact you again.”

Yu Ra bowed her head more politely than ever, armed with utmost courtesy.

Ga Eun kept her eyes closed, silently enduring the gaze directed at her.

Since childhood, Ga Eun had been used to receiving a lot of attention. Her pretty appearance, aloof expression, and an air of worldly indifference were enough to draw people’s attention. Additionally, her exotic looks due to her mixed heritage played a part.

As she started playing the violin and won many awards, the gazes around her became increasingly blatant. From obvious glances with clear intentions to envious looks filled with competitiveness. It was truly exhausting.

When she was younger, she would retaliate against each one, reaching the peak of her fussiness, but by her late 20s, she realized the futility of it all.

Since then, she no longer paid much attention and let it all slide, and now she could be indifferent even to passing glances.

However, there was only one person’s gaze that made Ga Eun sensitive and focused.

Ga Eun turned her head at the sound of the door opening. She narrowed her eyes at the sight of two people walking towards her, engaged in gentle conversation. The man she uniquely focused on, Song Min Woo, approached with a relaxed demeanor.

Song Min Woo naturally stood beside her and shook hands with Team Leader Jin Yu Ra standing opposite, while Ga Eun just nodded indifferently. She absent-mindedly watched the rapidly decreasing numbers in the elevator.

“Oppa.”

“Yes?”

“Do you like that woman?”

Despite the sudden question, the ever-smooth Min Woo tilted his head nonchalantly and gave an irrelevant answer.

“Yoon Ga Eun, what do you mean by ‘that woman’? That’s impolite.”

Ga Eun stared blankly at Min Woo as he lectured about manners. Her mood soured at his apparent deflection while clearly understanding the intent of her question. She found herself quite pathetic for harboring unrequited love for such a person and living with such turmoil.

The problem wasn’t Min Woo’s strange gaze towards Jin Yu Ra, but the fact that he had a girlfriend in the first place. And it was the nauseating Hye Rim, with whom he had maintained an ambiguous relationship for a whole decade.

“Tch, she’s older than me and married, so she’s a married woman. What’s the problem?”

“Then why do you call me ‘oppa’ when we’re the same age?”

She glared disapprovingly at Min Woo, who kept avoiding answering, and averted her gaze.

“Watch your words. She’s a person with a name, Jin Yu Ra, and a position as team leader.”

“And a person you’re interested in.”

“Why is the conversation going in that direction?”

As Ga Eun persistently probed, Min Woo unnecessarily chided her. Min Woo had an upright and strong personality, which meant he was a man who would never be unfaithful.

That was what made him attractive, and yet the fact that he cared for Ga Eun was also what stirred her heart. Those feelings that had developed became an unspoken monologue still wandering somewhere in Ga Eun’s heart.

If only the woman Min Woo had given his heart to wasn’t Ju Hye Rim, if it had been a woman who seemed decent even to her, she might not have been seething like this. Even now, a meaningless spite that had no purpose finally forced its way out of her lips.

“Why didn’t you meet a woman like her earlier, instead of a woman like Ju Hye Rim? Your eyes are just for show, I swear.”

“It’s not like that. And don’t speak carelessly about Hye Rim.”

The low voice that flowed out was still sweet, and the words he uttered still sharply clawed at Ga Eun’s heart. Ga Eun heard the mechanical sound announcing their arrival and snorted, leaving the elevator first.