Min Young managed to snatch the actress’s dress. She watched contentedly from her car as the driver loaded the dress box into the trunk. Once the driver returned to the front seat and smoothly turned the steering wheel, Min Young leaned against the car window, recalling her encounter with Kang Woo at the boutique.

The successful men in her circle usually fell into two categories: those who treated their wives like maids and those with seemingly fine exteriors but messy private lives. After some digging, she confirmed that Kang Woo didn’t fit into the latter category. He seemed distant from nightlife, which was already a half-victory. Plus, during the luncheon, he seemed genuinely interested in Se Ah.

Remembering the moment Se Ah dropped the teapot, and Kang Woo instinctively lunged to save her, Min Young thought it was too spontaneous to be an act. He even risked scalding himself with hot water. Seeing the cool and composed man melt with a glance at Se Ah made her heart flutter too.

If only she could be the one to receive such adoring looks from him…

Lost in thought, Min Young elegantly crossed her legs, her straight-fit slacks rustling softly at her ankles.

How could she thaw this man of ice and make him hers? The thought of losing to someone like Ji Se Ah was a blow to her pride.

Her phone, tucked in her handbag, vibrated. Predictably, it was her ex-fiancé, Kang Hyun Tae, now of no significance to her. Comparing him to Kang Woo only diminished his worth further.

Answering the phone, Min Young ignored his ramblings and spoke up.

“Hyun Tae, I’m getting married soon. To a man far superior to you.”

Her face, clenched in resolve, bloomed with a venomous beauty.

“So, if you call one more time, Hyun Tae, you’re dead.”

A black sedan passed through the underground parking lot of the newlyweds’ home. Kang Woo got out and took the dress box.

He planned to have a fancy dinner with Se Ah in the next day or two, where he would present the dress to her.

A luxurious suite was also booked for the launch party night. He intended to spend a romantic evening there, and perhaps for a short while, indulge in something resembling a relationship.

‘I wanted to experience normal things like getting a job and falling in love. That’s all.’

Se Ah’s words from months ago nagged at him like thorns.

Until then, he thought Se Ah, like himself, was indifferent to love and relationships. Although Se Ah had confessed her liking for him once before the marriage, it hadn’t sounded sincere. Whether it was just a night’s attraction or something more insidious, he couldn’t tell.

However, having observed her for a long time, he deemed her suitable as a wife. And that night had indeed been intense.

Kang Woo hadn’t pursued relationships, not out of disinterest in women, but because his business success was paramount. The sense of accomplishment from his work was incomparable.

For instance, he was once dragged to a blind date where endless calls during dinner left the woman opposite him stone-faced.

Skipping the bothersome dating phase and going straight to marriage felt like a relief. It was selfish, but that was his truth.
In front of the house, Kang Woo’s lips curved into a slight smile. Shortly after he rang the bell, Se Ah herself opened the front door. Her face, peeking through the door gap, looked adorable.

“You’re early. Where did you go?”

“We can talk about that later. Where’s your mother?”

“She went to meet a friend and is staying over there. She told me to cover for her alibi.”

Kang Woo changed into slippers and stared intently at Se Ah, whose eyes darted around, seemingly embarrassed.

He decided not to rush things, although he could push forcefully if he wanted to. Like a beast that sneaks up and bites the nape of the neck unexpectedly. He wanted her to fall for him without realizing it, making it impossible for her to escape.

Kang Woo was surprised and slightly unnerved by his deep, intense obsession with her. It was more than the attachment he had felt for his mother in his childhood.

“Come inside. Why are you just standing there?”

“I was just admiring your face. It feels like we haven’t seen each other for a long time.”

“It’s only been two hours.”

“To me, it felt like two days.”

Se Ah’s reaction was predictable. She would probably think, ‘Is this man sane?’ But unexpectedly, her cheeks flushed with shyness, like a demure, bashful woman.

“The more I know you, the less I understand you.”

“What do you mean?”

“Sometimes you seem calm and stoic. Other times, you seem innocent and naive. It’s hard to define you.”

“Even if that’s true, you’re still harder to analyze than me. Even AI couldn’t do it.”

Se Ah’s voice brightened, indicating she didn’t mind the attention. While her pretty, neat expressions were lovely, her newfound boldness was also attractive. Kang Woo wondered what other sides of her he hadn’t seen yet.