Gyeo Wool’s face sank heavily as she recalled the time when Tae Wook had proposed the contract.

It was an absurd proposal.

But it was also a sweet temptation.

The prospect of becoming his wife, even if only for a short period of three years.

With luck, she could end her secret crush and find true love.

She deliberated, but not for long.

Because she loved the man named Kang Tae Wook.

When Gyeo Wool signed the contract, things proceeded swiftly.

December 31st.

On that day, the expiration date of Chairman Kang and Tae Wook’s promise, the two held their wedding ceremony.

A wedding filled only with stand-ins.

[This is the timeline separator]

The next morning.

Gyeo Wool’s red compact car entered the parking lot of ‘The Space’ building.

“Hoo……”

She leaned her forehead against the steering wheel, letting out a deep sigh.

Having not slept at all, her condition was terrible.

“He’s not the type to back down quietly……”

Mad dog.

That was Tae Wook’s nickname.

His tenacity to see things through once he set a goal.

Knowing his personality, her anxiety grew like a snowball.

Gyeo Wool got out of the car and entered the company.

Except for Eun Young, the CEO, no other employees had arrived yet.

Through the glass-fronted CEO’s office, she could see Eun Young sitting with her head in her hands.

Gyeo Wool went straight into the CEO’s office and naturally lowered the blinds.

Eun Young stared blankly at Gyeo Wool’s actions.

“In case the employees see.”

The morale of the employees was already low.

It would be disastrous if they saw Eun Young struggling as she came to work.

“I hadn’t thought that far.”

Eun Young brushed back the hair falling on her forehead, looking embarrassed.

“Did something happen?”

“President Yoon called. He wants the construction payment by next week.”

“President Yoon? Even though he knows our situation……”

She thought if anyone wouldn’t press for payment, it would be President Yoon.

“I’m thinking of borrowing from a loan shark.”

Eun Young said resignedly.

“Not that again. Don’t you know how dangerous loan sharks are?”

“I’m just so desperate.”

Eun Young let out a long sigh.

Gyeo Wool understood Eun Young’s feelings. How desperate must she be to bring up loan sharks?

But still.

“Even if it comes to the last moment, you must never touch loan sharks. Understood?”

Gyeo Wool strongly advised.

If only her father hadn’t kept borrowing from loan sharks.

The incident of Tae Wook seeing her tears.

The signing of the contract.

These things would never have happened in her life.

“How wonderful it would be if a big construction contract fell from the sky.”

“They say wishes come true. Hang in there, elder sister.”

Gyeo Wool patted Eun Young’s slumped shoulders.

“Thanks for saying that, at least.”

“I’ll go see President Yoon now.”

“Would you? What would I do without you at times like this?”

“Have you forgotten that you gave me a job here when I was going through my toughest time?”

Gyeo Wool could never forget Eun Young’s help.

After her divorce, Gyeo Wool was struggling, drowning in lethargy to the point where even breathing was difficult.

At that time, she met Eun Young by chance.

And Eun Young reached out to her.

−Want to work at our company?

Architecture, landscaping, and interior design.

It was an unfamiliar field for Gyeo Wool, who had only worked as a secretary.

But with an attitude to learn, she worked like crazy at ‘The Space’. And gradually, she was able to escape from the painful shadow of sadness.

“Hearing you say that really makes me want to hang in there. Now go. I need to make some calls here and there to plead our case.”

Gyeo Wool left the CEO’s office.

She leaned against the office door, staring into space.

“The Flore Resort project, we need to secure it somehow……”

Right now, that contract was the only way to save the company.

Gyeo Wool’s shoulders felt heavy, as if bearing a thousand-pound burden.

.

.

.

The five-story building housing ‘The Space’ came into Gyeo Wool’s view as she walked with heavy steps.

Her expression darkened to the point of looking serious as she gazed at the building.

She was on her way back from meeting President Yoon.

−I’m not doing so well these days either. Even my employees’ salaries might be delayed.

−We’re about to contract for the Flore Resort project.

Gyeo Wool had tried to emphasize that while it was difficult right now, they would soon be able to arrange the payment.

However, President Yoon didn’t budge an inch.

He even snorted.

−Talk to me after you’ve inked the contract. Then I might be willing to extend the payment deadline a bit.

Elder sister will be disappointed…….

Thinking of Eun Young, who would be waiting with anticipation, made her feel very uncomfortable.

“Haah……”

Letting out a deep sigh, Gyeo Wool moved her lips around to loosen her stiffened facial muscles.

As if nothing had happened, she opened the company door with her usual expression and went inside.

Just as she put her bag down on her desk, a female employee scurried over.

“Team leader, the CEO said to come to her office as soon as you arrived.”

“A guest?”

Gyeo Wool looked towards the CEO’s office.

Through the half-lowered blinds, she thought she caught a glimpse of a man in a gray suit.

“Yes. He arrived about 30 minutes ago.”

“I see.”

Gyeo Wool went straight to the CEO’s office.

“CEO, you called for me?”

“Team Leader Han, come and greet our guest.”

It must be an important visitor.

It was rare for Eun Young to deliberately call Gyeo Wool to introduce her.

As Gyeo Wool moved towards the man, he also rose from his chair and turned around.

“Ah!”

Even before the man fully turned towards Gyeo Wool, her steps came to an abrupt halt.

A presence that filled the entire CEO’s office.

A man with a smile but piercing eyes that seemed to shoot through her.

Tae Wook was at ‘The Space’.

.

.

.

“This is CEO Kang Tae Wook of J Chemical.”

Eun Young introduced Tae Wook to Gyeo Wool.

“CEO, this is my junior colleague I mentioned, Team Leader Han Gyeo Wool. Our company’s growth in just a few years is largely due to our Team Leader Han’s efforts.”

Pride was evident in Eun Young’s voice as she introduced Gyeo Wool.

She must have been talking about Tae Wook and Gyeo Wool before Gyeo Wool entered the office.

Completely unaware that Tae Wook had been Gyeo Wool’s superior and husband.

“Pleased to meet you. I’m Kang Tae Wook.”

Tae Wook nonchalantly offered a handshake to Gyeo Wool.

Gyeo Wool’s gaze moved from Tae Wook’s outstretched hand to his deep eyes.

‘What are you trying to do?’

She asked with her eyes, her brows almost touching.

“I heard that she was the brain of ‘The Space’ and told CEO Bang I wanted to meet her. I didn’t know she was so young.”

This is ridiculous.

Tae Wook was acting as if he was meeting Gyeo Wool for the first time.

“How long should I keep my hand extended?”

He looked back and forth between his outstretched hand and Gyeo Wool’s face.

“Team Leader Han……”

Eun Young looked at Gyeo Wool in bewilderment.

Eun Young’s face showed both concern and dissatisfaction, as if saying, ‘Why are you acting so unlike yourself?’

Gyeo Wool had no choice.

She couldn’t pretend to know him when Tae Wook was acting as if they were complete strangers.

“I apologize for the late greeting. I’m Han Gyeo Wool.”

Meeting his direct gaze, she slowly extended her hand.

The moment she felt his large hand grasp her smooth, slender one.

She tried to quickly pull her hand away.

But far from being able to withdraw her hand, she couldn’t even move it as it was firmly gripped.

Let go of my hand!

Gyeo Wool widened her eyes provocatively.

“I heard you were in charge of the vertical garden at L Hotel?”

“He said he saw the interior there and wants to entrust us with the construction of their employee training center.”

Eun Young added to Tae Wook’s words.

What on earth is he planning?

She didn’t think he had come purely to request work.

“If we take on your project, we’ll be seeing each other often.”

For a moment, Gyeo Wool’s eyes filled with bewilderment.

So that’s it…….

−We’ll be seeing each other often.

The words Tae Wook had left as he left the house yesterday rang in her ears.

Her parted lips couldn’t make a sound.

He must have anticipated that she would reject his proposal.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have confidently thrown such a large construction project at Eun Young.

He knew exactly how to tie Gyeo Wool down firmly and strongly.

“I look forward to working with you, Team Leader Han.”

Gyeo Wool saw it clearly.

Beyond Tae Wook’s eyes, feigning curiosity and gladness, lay the smile of a strong victor.

[This is the timeline separator]

Tae Wook rose from his seat.

It had been about 30 minutes since Gyeo Wool was called to the CEO’s office.

“I’ll see you to your car.”

“No need. Let’s say goodbye here.”

Tae Wook offered a handshake to Eun Young in front of the CEO’s office.

“I’ll see you next Tuesday then.”

“Yes. Take care on your way up.”

After finishing his greetings with Eun Young, he deliberately only gave a slight nod to Gyeo Wool.

“My goodness… J Chemical…”

As soon as Tae Wook left the office, Eun Young muttered as if in a daze.

Then suddenly, she turned to Gyeo Wool standing beside her with a serious expression.

“What if this is a dream? Gyeo Wool, pinch me.”

“It’s not a dream.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

“Hahaha…”

Eun Young burst into hearty laughter.

Her laughter from happiness was so loud that employees looked at her, wondering what was going on.

“I said it would be nice if a big construction contract fell from the sky, but I didn’t expect my wish to come true so quickly. Gyeo Wool, we’re saved now, right?”

“……”

Gyeo Wool was in no state to match Eun Young’s mood, which seemed ready to soar to the heavens.

If ‘The Space’ ends up taking on this project as it is…

“Elder sister, just a moment.”

Gyeo Wool rushed out hurriedly.

Tae Wook was still in the parking lot.

As if he knew she would come out.

He was leaning casually against his black car.

Her feet, which had been running out frantically, came to a sudden stop.

Was it because of the sunlight shining behind Tae Wook’s back?

The background blurred, and only his figure stood out clearly, as if cut out three-dimensionally.

Wind blew between the buildings.

It playfully ruffled Tae Wook’s short hair as it passed.

Long, delicate fingers pushing back the disheveled hair on his forehead.

Even in the moment when she came out to confront him angrily, he was irresistibly charming.

Her pulse quickened, and her earlobes felt hot as if burned.

Thump thump!

Her heart swelled to the point of bursting with each accelerated beat.

At this rate, you’re properly crazy about this man named Kang Tae Wook, aren’t you?

Emotions that couldn’t be cut off, lingering stubbornly.

Gyeo Wool was now angry at herself, not at Tae Wook.

“I thought you’d come out later.”

His sarcastic voice broke through her reverie.