A Real Married Couple - Chapter 34

Even if the atmosphere was uncomfortable and awkward, Hee Won wanted to spend time with Kang Woo’s friends.

That was all.

“Are you sure it’s alright?”

Seeing Hee Won’s determined look, Kang Woo finally nodded.

“Alright, if that’s what you want, let’s do it.”

Kang Woo took Hee Won’s hand and walked to sit at the table.

After pulling out a chair and seating Hee Won first, he spoke to his standing friends.

“Aren’t you going to eat?”

Surprised by Kang Woo’s words, his friends said.

“Huh?”

“Ah, right. We should eat.”

Kang Woo’s friends sat down at the table one by one.

Hee Won belatedly realized that they had been waiting on her cues as well.

“Hee Won, order anything else you’d like.”

They had waited at their seats for her to make a decision. Realizing their consideration, Hee Won’s heart fluttered.

“Alright.”

So she answered with an exceptionally bright smile instead.

The atmosphere became lively as if nothing had happened.

But in one corner of Hee Won’s mind, thoughts about Stacy and Kang Woo’s relationship still lingered.

[This is the timeline separator]

The next day.

After Kang Woo left for work, Hee Won had been sitting blankly in the living room.

She kept thinking about what Stacy had said yesterday, even though she tried to ignore it.

Recalling Kang Woo’s expression, she thought it was nothing, but the human heart doesn’t always obey one’s will.

Ding dong, just then the doorbell rang. When she got up and turned on the monitor, Secretary Ha was there as expected.

“Pull yourself together, Seong Hee Won.”

She gathered her thoughts again and again. What mattered now was the task at hand.

She decided to think about it later, focusing on successfully completing today’s event, gathering her thoughts over and over.

After all, today was her first official event as a member of the LS Group. Moreover, the outcome of this event could affect Kang Woo’s reputation.

“I need to focus more on successfully completing today’s event. I can ask about Stacy later, so stop thinking about it now.”

Hee Won cupped her cheeks with her palms and collected herself.

“Come in.”

As she opened the door, Secretary Ha entered and said.

“Are you ready?”

“Yes. I can leave right away.”

Hee Won finished speaking and picked up the coat she had placed on the living room sofa earlier.

* * *

Secretary Ha spoke to Hee Won, who was looking out the window.

“We’ll stop by the makeup shop first, then head to the chairman’s office.”

She checked Hee Won’s expression in the rearview mirror once more.

“Alright.”

But no matter how much she tried to focus, thoughts of Stacy and Kang Woo kept surfacing, making her heart uneasy.

Before she knew it, Hee Won arrived at the makeup shop with Secretary Ha. As they entered the building, a glamorously styled woman in her 30s greeted Hee Won.

“Madam, we’ve been waiting for you. Welcome.”

“Hello.”

As Hee Won greeted her, the woman guided her to a chair.

“I’m Director Rachel. It’s a great honor to be in charge of you today, madam.”

“Ah, pleased to meet you.”

Hee Won had received makeup before. Chairman Seong insisted on perfection, calling in professional makeup artists to the house whenever she had to attend matchmaking meetings.

This was her first time at a makeup shop. Feeling a bit embarrassed sitting bare-faced under the dazzlingly bright lights, Director Rachel smiled and spoke to Hee Won.

“I heard you’re attending a charity event today. Do you have a preferred style?”

“I think you would know better than me. I’d like to ask for your recommendation.”

Rachel had already heard rumors about Hee Won.

[Selling off a 22-year-old daughter from a tiny company. Is it a joke that Jinseong and LS are in-laws now?]

Most of the rumors about Chairman Seong were unfavorable. And people began to criticize Hee Won as well for securing the position of LS Group’s mistress at such a young age.

[That young thing must be a real piece of work. How else could she marry the notorious Cha Kang Woo?] [Or maybe she’s just a girl obsessed with money. You know how kids are these days.]

Hee Won carried labels ranging from Cinderella at best to the ultimate gold digger at worst.

But the Hee Won that Rachel met in person had a completely different vibe from the rumors. Hiding her thoughts, Rachel smiled at Hee Won and said.

“Alright, leave it to me.”

Rachel had only worked with chaebol families and top celebrities, and she prided herself on her ability to see through their true nature.

‘If this face is an act, she should be an actress, but I don’t think that’s the case.’

Rachel pondered as she worked on Hee Won’s makeup. And the more she conversed with Hee Won, the more she realized how different she was from the people she had met before.

Chaebol madams often had strong pride and a habit of looking down on others, whether consciously or unconsciously.

But Hee Won was humble and considerate of others.

It took less than 30 minutes for Rachel’s preconceptions to shatter.

“Would you like to open your eyes?”

Rachel’s voice calling Hee Won after finishing her makeup had changed significantly from before. There were no longer any impure thoughts in her eyes as she looked at her.

“You look beautiful.”

Hee Won opened her eyes and was speechless.

“…Is this really me?”

Rachel smiled at Hee Won’s words.

“You were beautiful to begin with, but today you’ll be the most beautiful of all.”

Hee Won stared blankly at the mirror. Her reflection looked like a different person.

Rachel’s lips curled up at Hee Won’s reaction.

“Are you alright? Please feel free to tell me if there’s anything you’d like to change.”

“What? No. It’s more than enough, it’s so pretty. I don’t look like myself. Thank you for making me look beautiful.”

Rachel’s face lit up with undisguised joy at Hee Won’s sincere words.

“I’m glad you like it. Now, let me help you change into your outfit. Please follow this staff member to the changing room over there.”

“Alright, thank you.”

Hee Won followed the staff member Rachel indicated to the changing room.

Meanwhile, a commotion suddenly broke out on the first floor of the makeup shop.

Secretary Ha, waiting in front of the changing room, was startled by a man who came up to the third floor where the VIP room was located.

“How did you come here? I was informed that you absolutely couldn’t make time today.”

“I managed to find a moment to drop by. Where is she?”

“She’s changing clothes now.”

“I see.”

The surprise visitor was none other than Kang Woo. He had come to see Hee Won without any notice.

“Please have a seat over here for now.”

Guided by Secretary Ha to the sofa, Kang Woo glanced at the changing room and said.

“Did you properly check the guest list?”

“Yes. I confirmed not only the invited list but also all accompanying persons.”

Today was Hee Won’s first official event.

Thinking that there should be no problems whatsoever, Kang Woo checked the situation more thoroughly.

“What about Jinseong Foods.”

“We received word that they won’t be attending. I contacted them again and conveyed that they won’t be allowed in if they say they’re not coming.”

“And?”

“They said they still won’t attend.”

Kang Woo, seated on the sofa, crossed his legs and folded his arms.

“Make sure no outsiders can get in. If anything even slightly unpleasant happens at the event, I’ll hold Secretary Ha responsible first.”

Secretary Ha chuckled at Kang Woo’s not-so-subtle threat.

“Alright. Do that. I also hope for today to be perfect.”

“How long has she been in there?”

Just as Kang Woo finished asking out of impatience, there was a click, and the changing room door opened.

“Director, I think this is too tight. What do you think?”

Hee Won came out pulling at her dress after changing.

But standing in front of Hee Won was not Secretary Ha, but.

“…Kang Woo?”

It was Kang Woo.

Hee Won was very surprised by Kang Woo’s appearance. In fact, she hadn’t expected him to come at all.

She had heard that his schedule today was so tight he wouldn’t even have time to eat.

But when Kang Woo was actually standing in front of her, Hee Won’s chest felt warm for some reason.

She said she hadn’t expected it, but realizing that she actually didn’t want to expect it for fear of disappointment, her emotions welled up even more.

“I heard you couldn’t come…”

But despite Hee Won’s words, Kang Woo just stared blankly without saying anything.

Moreover, the slight trembling in Kang Woo’s eyes was so subtle that she barely noticed.

As he said nothing, she approached him even closer.

Kang Woo seemed to come to his senses only when Hee Won came right up to his nose and replied.

“I was worried about you.”

“…I see.”

For a while after that, Kang Woo remained silent.

Up close, Hee Won thought Kang Woo seemed a little different from usual.

Somehow his gaze seemed hotter and more intense than usual.

Hee Won’s heart raced under Kang Woo’s piercing gaze.

Her face flushed.

“Kang Woo?”

Hee Won called out to Kang Woo, feeling embarrassed.

At the sound of his name, his eyes curved beautifully like a crescent moon.

To her eyes, it was a smile so pretty it was dazzling.

Thump thump, her heart began to race wildly like an unbridled colt.

“I always thought you were beautiful, but.”

He tucked her hair behind her ear as he continued speaking.

“Today you look truly beautiful.”

At Kang Woo’s words, Hee Won’s face turned as red as a ripe apple.