The next day, Gi Tae was sitting in the back seat of a sedan with his legs crossed, his gaze fixed on his cell phone.

His plan to go see her right away due to a prior commitment had fallen through.

On the off chance, his gaze kept turning to the screen, but she never contacted him first.

“Sir, we’ve arrived.”

At the driver’s words, Gi Tae put his phone inside his suit jacket and got out of the car. Right in front was a wedding hall building.

B&D Wedding Convention.

It was a wedding hall located in the center of Seoul, famous for being difficult to even book despite paying to use it.

The interior boasted the maximum capacity to accommodate a large number of people, and the luxurious wedding hall had long captivated the eyes of those who loved to show off.

It was also famous for being chosen by many well-known domestic celebrities, entertainers, and recognizable chaebol families.

Groom: Kim Ju Hyeok
Bride: Park Se Hee

Contrary to Gi Tae’s expectations of a simple wedding due to Ju Hyeok’s personality, it was prepared quite grandly. Dumbfounded, Gi Tae chuckled and scanned the familiar names before moving on. Ju Hyeok stood out even from afar.

“Thank you for coming, sir.”

“Oh, don’t mention it. Of course I had to attend Kim Ju Hyeok’s wedding.”

Ju Hyeok was sporting a bright smile, his hair done more than usual and dressed in a suit, looking busy expressing his gratitude to the guests. His voice and expression, more excited than usual, clearly showed who the new groom was.

Spotting Gi Tae, Ju Hyeok waved his hand and greeted him first. As Gi Tae approached, Ju Hyeok greeted him in a louder voice than usual.

“Hey, Han Gi Tae! You came?”

“Yeah. Congratulations.”

“Thanks!”

Upon closer look, it was more extravagant than ever. Gi Tae let out a small laugh and delivered a jab to the excited Ju Hyeok.

“I thought you wanted a simple ceremony.”

“Ah, about that…”

He had repeatedly said he wanted to have a small, intimate wedding with only close acquaintances. Despite those words, he was now having a very grand wedding, and he seemed embarrassed himself as he scratched his neck and whispered softly.

“Father said he could understand everything else, but he couldn’t back down on the wedding venue and insisted it had to be here. He said there would be many people to invite and many eyes watching.”

“Since when did you listen to such things?”

“Well… He’s turning a blind eye to everything else. The business, the marriage. So just this once, I decided to follow Father’s words. I thought it would also be a good memory for Se Hee.”

Ju Hyeok grumbled in dissatisfaction and glanced at his father, Representative Kim, who turned his head as if by magic. As their eyes met, Ju Hyeok smiled brightly as if he had never expressed any discontent.

Seeing Ju Hyeok like that, Gi Tae let out a small laugh and spoke first to Representative Kim.

“Representative Kim, it’s been a while.”

“Oh, yeah. Gi Tae, you came.”

As the father of his friend, Gi Tae greeted him first respectfully. In return, he looked at Gi Tae with a smile resembling Ju Hyeok’s.

“Kim Ju Hyeok, you should take after Gi Tae a little.”

“You’re going to say that even at the wedding hall?”

Unlike how he fondly looked at Gi Tae, Representative Kim spoke bluntly to his son. Ju Hyeok also openly frowned and shook his head.

Ju Hyeok’s father had a strong attachment to ‘Seoul Ilbo’, which he had grown to the largest scale in the country. As a result, he always nitpicked about not being able to pass the business down to his son.

Between Representative Kim, who emphasized inheriting the business, and Ju Hyeok, who blatantly refused and rebelled, there was a strange familiarity. It was a curious relationship no matter how many times one saw it.

“Look at Gi Tae, you rascal. Inheriting the family business and establishing himself solidly. Doesn’t Chairman Han praise him endlessly?”

“Ah, I’m satisfied as a veterinarian. What’s the big deal about that?”

“This kid, seriously. A man with no ambition.”

Ju Hyeok brushed off the topic, saying they shouldn’t create any uncomfortable situations.

As a result, the conversation flowed back to Gi Tae’s recent status. Representative Kim, who had been lavishing praise upon hearing that the gallery business was doing well, left to greet people, but not before suddenly punching Ju Hyeok’s head with his fist.

“Ah… You shouldn’t have called me on my wedding day of all days.”

Representative Kim always praised Gi Tae, saying he wished Gi Tae was his son whenever he saw him. He never expected him to bring up that topic even at the wedding.

Ju Hyeok held his aching head and glared at Gi Tae. Strangely, it felt more irritating because there was nothing to criticize about the perfectionist.

Gi Tae, who shrugged his shoulders as if it didn’t matter, was glared at by Ju Hyeok for a long time. It felt annoyingly detestable.

Putting on an unconcerned expression, Ju Hyeok took his gaze off Gi Tae. He couldn’t ruin his mood on such a good day.

Pulling a face as if he had forgiven him this once, Ju Hyeok grabbed Gi Tae’s wrist and led the way. It was in the direction of the bride’s waiting room.

“You should greet Se Hee too.”

Is that a good idea? Gi Tae chuckled at Ju Hyeok’s side profile as he walked ahead. His sudden smile after being scolded by his father was out of place.

They soon reached the bride’s waiting room.

It was a face he hadn’t seen in a long time. In fact, they had known each other for nearly 10 years.

Gi Tae had blatantly caused a breakup whenever Ju Hyeok arranged a meeting during that time.

He didn’t expect the two of them to date for 10 years, let alone get married. Who knew Kim Ju Hyeok would be so devoted?

Upon entering, a woman in a white wedding dress was smiling brightly.

Spotting the two of them, she greeted them first.

“Oh my, Gi Tae! It’s been so long!”

“It has. Congratulations on your marriage.”

“Thank you.”

The smile she wore, as if she was happy, somehow seemed to resemble Ju Hyeok’s as well. After sticking together for so long, even their smiles had become identical.

Gi Tae gazed at Ju Hyeok with a knowing look. Ju Hyeok was simply beaming with joy, not even noticing his friend’s gaze.

“Aren’t you tired from waking up early in the morning?”

“No, why would I be tired on my wedding day? Everyone does this much, getting dressed and having makeup done.”

Unable to contain himself, Ju Hyeok, who had been chatting with the bride for a while, approached Gi Tae again.

“Are you happy?”

“Of course.”

Gi Tae chuckled as if asking what wouldn’t make him happy, and Ju Hyeok suddenly brought up an unexpected topic.

“Han Gi Tae. You really have to marry someone you love no matter what. Not like what our father and your family are forcing, looking only at the family background…”

Gi Tae openly frowned at Ju Hyeok, who was trying to continue his previous nagging. He was about to interrupt and say enough, but Ga Eul’s question from before suddenly came to mind, stopping his action.

Why are they so obsessed with marriage?

−Sir, are you going to marry Cha Hye Su…?

The innocent face that had asked that question came to mind.

At that time, he had answered indifferently, thinking what kind of question she was asking. Did she ask with ulterior motives?

Ga Eul’s question suddenly felt new. Gi Tae, who recalled the kiss he had passionately responded to yesterday, let out a small laugh. No matter what he thought of, his thoughts kept leading in that direction.

“Is that so?”

He gave a somewhat docile answer to Ju Hyeok, who was waiting for a response. It seemed like it wouldn’t matter if he married someone unrelated to business.

Then, Ju Hyeok widened his eyes and asked again.

“What? You agree that marriage should be with someone you love? Are you sympathizing with what I said right now?”

“Yeah. If you say so, then I guess it is. I’m going.”

“…”

Gi Tae chuckled and turned his body, leaving the dumbfounded Ju Hyeok behind.

Even seeing Gi Tae turning to leave the bride’s waiting room, Ju Hyeok only widened his eyes.

He even pulled up his glasses that had slightly slipped down his nose bridge, wondering if the person he was looking at was really Han Gi Tae.

He was a friend who thought of marriage as an extension of business. The remark that he would marry a woman he didn’t even love came to mind again, and Ju Hyeok had been worried and carefully brought it up…

He had been determined to fix his mindset and had been waiting for this, but for some reason, he readily agreed.

‘What’s going on? Did he eat something wrong?’

Ju Hyeok shook his head and quickly approached Gi Tae.

“Hey, did you mean what you just said? It’s not something you blurted out because you were annoyed by my words, right…?”

“Who knows.”

“I don’t interfere with other things, but I want you to push ahead with the marriage according to your own will. I’m saying this all for you.”

“…”

Ju Hyeok, who had hurriedly followed alongside him, asked. Gi Tae just shrugged his shoulders ambiguously.

Ju Hyeok openly frowned. He tried to ask again, but Gi Tae wouldn’t stop walking, so the conversation didn’t continue at all. Ju Hyeok asked in annoyance.

“Hey! Where do you keep going?”

Gi Tae rummaged through his jacket and took something out. Ju Hyeok’s gaze turned to it.

Gi Tae, shaking a white envelope, opened his mouth.

“To give your wedding gift.”

The envelope looked quite thick and maintained its stiffness even when shaken. Ju Hyeok, who was about to sternly nag him to think about it properly, had his expression soften in an instant.

Although he didn’t want money, Ju Hyeok was touched by his friend who was generously giving a large sum for his wedding. He stopped trying to pester him about marriage and embraced Gi Tae’s shoulder.

“Alright, I should let you go since you want to leave.”

Ju Hyeok, who didn’t block Gi Tae’s path and freely let him go, waved his hand with a smile.

* * *

“What? Yoon Ga Eul, you seem to be doing well today, huh?”

At that moment, Ga Eul was having a drink with Ju A and Do Jin.

As usual, it was a glass of soju at a meat restaurant. However, Ju A’s eyes sparkled as she said she wanted to drink a bit differently since it had been a while, so they ended up adding beer to make somaek (soju+beer) as well.

A proper drinking party was unfolding. Ga Eul sipped the somaek Ju A had made and handed to her. Today, she was going to drink everything she was given.

Putting down the glass, Ga Eul briefly gazed at her quiet phone.

‘… Why isn’t the sir saying anything?’

There was no contact from him, whom she thought would contact her right away. Every time she received a message and checked it in a hurry with a pounding heart, they were all from Yeon Woo.

‘I thought he would contact me right away today…’

She was afraid to even answer the phone, so how could she call him first?

Ga Eul pushed her phone far away. Her anxious and impatient heart made her hands automatically accept the alcohol. She wanted to get drunk on alcohol today, feeling uneasy and trembling.

“Yes, yes. I like seeing you drink well.”

“Ga Eul, take it easy.”

Ga Eul shook her head at Ju A, who was praising her, and Do Jin, who spoke worriedly.

“It’s okay.”

“Is Ga Eul a little kid? She says she wants to drink, so why are you stopping her, oppa? It’s not like we’re forcing her.”

Ju A, who seemed very satisfied with Ga Eul’s answer, raised her beer glass.

“Cheers, cheers.”

Three beer glasses clinked, making a refreshing sound. Even Do Jin, who sighed, eventually joined in.

Although he was concerned about Ga Eul, who seemed to be rushing and not backing down today, he couldn’t stop her when she said she was fine.

“Ga Eul’s painting received a pretty good response at the exhibition.”

“Really? I heard from the gallery owner that a painting was sold. I went home early that day.”

“Oh, don’t even mention it. Where would our department’s top student go?”

“Right. But Ga Eul’s painting seemed a bit different.”

“… How was it? I tried something different from usual…”

“It felt different from what I was used to, so at first, I thought it wasn’t your painting, but I actually liked it because it was refreshing.”

Ga Eul’s expression visibly brightened. She was so happy that they recognized the part she had challenged herself with and gave a positive evaluation.

The drinking party gradually deepened. The amount of alcohol exchanged also gradually increased.

This time, good news flowed from Do Jin.

“Actually, I received a call from Soom Gallery. I told them I would think about it…”

At Do Jin’s words, spoken as if shy, Ju A suddenly interrupted and exploded in anger.

“What? What is there to think about? You should say you’ll sign the contract right away!”

“Is it polite to interrupt when oppa is speaking, Baek Ju A?”

“I’m the only one who didn’t get a call! I’m so jealous, hmph!”

Ga Eul burst into laughter at Ju A’s complaint.

The grill and alcohol warmed her entire body, and laughter began to flow out as her mood lifted.

Laughter kept spilling out. She knew she was drunk, but she thought it would be okay for just one day and kept drinking.

* * *

As soon as Ju Hyeok’s ceremony ended, Gi Tae left the wedding hall and got into the car, picking up his phone. His brows furrowed when the other person didn’t answer right away despite the long ringtone.

‘… Yoon Ga Eul.’

It’s getting boring if she keeps doing this. Does she think she can avoid it?

She never contacted him first, and she wouldn’t answer when he called, so he slowly became irritated.

Just as he was about to hang up, thinking he should go straight to the annex, the call was finally connected.

“…”

However, no discernible voice came through. Gi Tae, frowning, called her name first.

“Yoon Ga Eul.”

Instead of Ga Eul’s answer, loud music and the voices of several people, as if outside, came through the receiver in a noisy mix.

When Gi Tae called her name again, a woman’s voice other than Ga Eul’s finally answered after a long time.

“Hello, I’m Ga Eul’s friend. Ga Eul is quite drunk right now…”

“… Ha.”

Gi Tae sighed and switched the phone to his other ear before speaking again.

“Where are you?”

.

.

.

Following the given directions, he arrived at a run-down meat restaurant. Inside, Ga Eul could be seen leaning her head against the wall with her eyes closed, as if asleep. Her face was flushed red in the midst of this.

Gi Tae, who stopped for a moment in disbelief, immediately approached the table.

“I will take her.”

“Ah, yes.”

Gi Tae turned his back on Ju A, who was answering awkwardly, and lifted Ga Eul into his arms.

Yesterday it was a kiss, and today she got dead drunk, making him come to get her.

Gi Tae, who had lightly lifted Ga Eul into his arms, was about to turn and leave the meat restaurant with a small laugh.

Tak, Do Jin, who had been silently standing next to Ju A, suddenly grabbed Gi Tae’s arm.