Chaewon, sitting in the back of a taxi, leaned against the seat and gazed out the window.

Drip, drip. The light rain was scattering across the glass.

‘Didn’t you know? It’s the director’s birthday today.’

‘We’re keeping the office celebration minimal and will try to let him leave early, so you two can enjoy your day together!’

Despite repeatedly saying it wasn’t necessary, the assistant insisted with a laugh, as if to show her consideration.

Checking the time, Chaewon wondered how he was spending his birthday. Surely, he would have spent a pleasant time with his company colleagues.

After work, he could be with close friends. Or perhaps with his grandmother.

“…No, that’s not it. His grandmother would expect him to be with me, right?”

She speculated he might be with his friends. But considering his personality, it didn’t seem like he’d have many friends.

Knowing it wasn’t her place to care about his birthday, especially not as his real girlfriend, Chaewon couldn’t help but be bothered by it.

Biting her lip, she finally decided to check on him, taking out her phone.

Beep, beep.

Soon, his voice was heard.

“It’s me.”

Yes.

Thankfully, there was no silence hinting at something being wrong, but rather loud music in the background. Chaewon adjusted her phone.

“Where are you?”

At the gym.

“The gym?”

She had assumed he’d be with friends or out celebrating his birthday.

Spending his birthday at the gym seemed unexpectedly lonely. But, of course, that’s what she should have expected. He’s just the type to have no friends.

Why? Is there a problem with being at the gym?

“Of course, there is.”

Why?

Suddenly, she wondered if she was intervening too much, especially since she had no reason to celebrate his birthday. Searching for an excuse, Chaewon said with a hint of sadness.

“We need to retake the photo… I really didn’t like the one we took this morning. I looked all puffy and horrible. I can’t bear to keep such an unflattering photo. Photos should be taken in the evening. So…”

Didn’t you say this morning’s photo was fine?

“No, it’s really bad. I was puffy and it’s a mess. I can’t stand to have such an ugly photo. It’s always best to take photos in the evening. So…”

She ended up asking to meet him.

Where are you?

“I’m on my way to meet No Jaemin. He’s drinking alone… I’m thinking of calling Gorona too.”

You must be tired. Planning to drink as well?

“I’ll try not to drink much, but my condition is indeed the worst, thanks to you.”

Text me when you arrive. I’ll come and get you.

After ending the call, Chaewon felt strangely relieved at the prospect of meeting him.

She thought avoiding him would calm her heart, but agreeing to meet brought a sense of relief.

“Just taking a photo…” she tried to convince herself, but deep down she knew.

It was all just an excuse.

Sighing softly, Chaewon turned her gaze back to the speeding landscape outside. The rain streaks on the window grew more prominent with each drop.

Lona, nibbling on a slice of peach, hummed as she wrote.

“If we’re going to marry within a month, it’s tight, so maybe do the wedding shoot after the wedding? Hmm… I need to visit the dress shop this weekend.”

Chewing the sweet peach in her mouth, Lona meticulously checked her wedding checklist. Despite the busy schedule of planning a wedding in a month, a task usually spread over at least three months, her heart was full of joy.
I can’t even begin to describe how much I’ve dreamed of this moment.

“Right! Someone to catch the bouquet!”

Suddenly remembering, Lona hastily took out her phone to look up the names of her unmarried friends.

“Ah, yes. I should ask her.”

After swallowing the peach she was chewing, Lona quickly dialed her friend’s number.

“Hey Shin-young, it’s me, Lona. Yeah, doing well?”

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Lona’s face turned pinkish as she said,

“Actually, I’m getting married soon.”

Hearing her friend’s surprised voice, she giggled.

“It’s kind of rushed. Within a month? Yeah, I’ve been looking at wedding venues. Mm-hmm. Oh, and that’s why I called – can you catch my bouquet?”

While chatting and receiving congratulations, several text messages came in on her phone.

Glancing briefly and about to return to her call, Lona sat up straight upon realizing the sender was the private investigator.

“Ah, Shin-young, sorry, I’ll call you back in a bit. Yeah!”

After ending the call with her friend, Lona hurriedly checked the incoming texts.

“What’s this about at this hour?”

Muttering, she opened the messages and immediately stiffened at the first photo she saw.

“…What is this?”

Despite having spoken to Jaemin earlier and believing he was at home, the photos showed him happily drinking with Kim Hee-ju.

All the photos captured Jaemin smiling.

Lona, incredulous, double-checked the date and time stamped beneath the photos.

“Ah… So they’re drinking together right now?”