“Min Daeri, did you receive all the raw material export/import data from Sales Team 1?”

When Suji didn’t respond, Han Daeri sitting next to her gave her a nudge.

“Huh?”

As Suji startled and asked what was wrong, Han Daeri nodded towards Kim Gwajang’s desk.

“Kim Gwajang is asking you something.”

“What?”

Suji stood up in surprise.

Kim Gwajang looked at Suji with a strange expression and repeated:

“I’m talking about the raw material export/import data.”

“Ah. I received it yesterday and organized everything.”

Suji quickly found the documents at her desk and went to Kim Gwajang’s seat.

“Here it is, sir.”

Kim Gwajang took the documents, placed them on his desk, and looked up at Suji over his glasses.

“Min Daeri, is everything alright at home?”

“Pardon?”

“You’ve been spacing out since this morning. It’s not like you, that’s why I’m asking. Is something wrong?”

“Ah, no. I’m sorry.”

“No, I’m not scolding you. I’m just worried. You’ve never been like this before.”

“Actually… I’m feeling a bit under the weather. That might be why.”

“Is that so? Then why don’t you go home early today?”

“Ah, no. I’m not that sick.”

“I said go home. We have a meeting first thing tomorrow morning, so don’t push yourself. Wrap up what you’re doing and go home. Understood?”

“Ah, yes. Thank you, sir.”

Suji bowed to Kim Gwajang and returned to her seat.

It was the first time.

For Suji to be this distracted during work hours.

She really was feeling under the weather, but the real reason was Juwon.

She hadn’t been able to sleep properly for days since the alumni gathering on Saturday.

Every time she closed her eyes, thoughts of Juwon flooded in.

She kept thinking about Juwon’s back as he turned and left that night, unmoved by her tear-filled face.

She cried, feeling hurt that he could act that way when they met after 3 years.

While she hadn’t gone a single day without thinking of Juwon for 3 years, it seemed he hadn’t at all, which pained her heart even more.

Tossing and turning all night, Suji couldn’t sleep, and the insomnia continued until yesterday, Tuesday.

Last night, she finally drank alcohol she couldn’t handle well at 11 PM, and fell asleep leaning on the sofa. She woke up feeling chills in the morning.

Suji finished up her work, said goodbye to Kim Gwajang, and left the office.

As she went down in the elevator, Suji thought this couldn’t go on.

She felt like she’d go crazy if she didn’t meet Juwon and say something.

But remembering Juwon’s attitude that day, she figured it wouldn’t be easy to talk one-on-one.

After getting off at the underground parking lot, Suji sat in her car lost in thought for a while.

Then she sent a message to Hui Young.

– Hui Young, do you want to have dinner with me after work if you’re free? My treat.

– Oh, really? I happen to be free today, that’s great! Where should we meet?

– I’m finishing early today, so I’ll come to your company. Can you send me the location?

– Okay. I’ll send it right away.

Soon after, Hui Young sent the company location, and Suji started the car right away.

* * *

“Huh? You’re going to Seon Mi’s wedding too?”

Hui Young’s eyes widened as she was drinking coffee.

“Yeah. I think I’ll be able to make time, so I’m planning to go.”

Hui Young put down her coffee cup with a pleased expression.

“That’s great. Everyone will be so happy to see you.”

“Yeah. I guess I haven’t shown my face much, have I?”

“Come on, it’s because you’ve been busy. That’s all.”

Suji fiddled with her coffee cup and asked quietly:

“Will everyone who came to the reunion be at the wedding too?”

Noticing her tone, the perceptive Hui Young glanced at Suji and said:

“You… You’re asking because of Juwon, aren’t you?”

Suji chuckled and replied:

“I can’t deny it.”

Hui Young looked at Suji with a troubled expression and said carefully:

“But, Suji. Did you know… Juwon has a girlfriend?”

Suddenly, Suji’s face froze.

“You didn’t know either? Well… We only found out on Saturday. They haven’t been dating long.”

Suji tried to compose herself and nodded.

“Oh… Is that so? Not long?”

“Yeah. But… It seems Juwon is quite serious about it. He even mentioned marriage.”

“…”

Suji’s hand holding the coffee cup trembled slightly.

“He’s talking about that when they haven’t been dating long?”

Suji tried to sound nonchalant, but a slight tremor was evident in her voice.

“Yeah. That’s why we were all so surprised.”

“I see.”

Suji bit her lip lightly and remained silent for a while.

Finally, she looked at Hui Young and said:

“But… I’ve heard that no one really knows until they enter the wedding hall, right?”

Hui Young’s eyes widened at the unexpected remark.

“Well, that’s true, but…”

“We’ll see whose hand Juwon is holding when he enters the wedding hall…”

Hui Young’s mouth opened slightly at Suji’s chilling tone.

* * *

Ina took a big spoonful of cherry-flavored ice cream and put it in her mouth.

“Mm. Delicious.”

Juwon chuckled as he watched Ina shiver from the deliciousness.

“Still, eat slowly. You’ll get a headache if you eat too much at once.”

“It’s okay. Ice cream tastes better when you take big spoonfuls.”

As Ina took another big spoonful, Juwon smiled with a helpless expression and asked, resting his chin on his hand:

“Have you thought about going to the wedding together on Saturday?”

“Hmm…”

As Ina paused with the spoon in her hand, deep in thought, Juwon smiled and said:

“If it’s burdensome, you don’t have to go. We can meet my friends another time.”

Ina blinked at Juwon and shook her head.

“No, it’s not burdensome. I want to meet your friends too. It’s just…”

“Just?”

“I’m worried about what to wear. I want to look pretty.”

Juwon touched Ina’s cheek and said in a soft voice:

“You shouldn’t look too pretty. You can’t outshine the bride, you know.”

Ina’s mouth opened slightly, and she quickly glanced at the next table.

Fortunately, it didn’t seem like the couple at the next table had heard Juwon’s doting remark.

“Really… Don’t say things like that. It’s so embarrassing.”

As Ina whispered to Juwon, he tapped her nose and laughed.

“What’s wrong with calling something pretty when it is?”

“Oh, geez. Really.”

As Ina looked at Juwon with an exasperated expression, he took her hand and said:

“Then shall we go to the department store after this?”

“Department store? Why?”

“You said you wanted to look pretty. I’ll buy you a nice outfit.”

“Huh? No, you don’t have to buy me anything.”

“I want to buy my beautiful girlfriend some clothes. So let’s go, okay?”

Ina nodded as if entranced by Juwon’s sweet voice.

“Okay. Then I’ll buy you a nice outfit too.”

“No need. I have plenty of clothes. Let’s just go for now.”

Juwon stood up and interlocked fingers with Ina.

Soon after, the two parked at the department store and took the elevator hand in hand.

They got off on the 4th floor where the women’s clothing section was and looked around slowly. Ina stopped in front of one store.

As she looked at the wine-colored dress the mannequin was wearing, Juwon looked at the mannequin and asked:

“Do you like this one?”

“Mm, it looks pretty and neat to me. What do you think?”

“Yeah, it’s pretty. Want to go in and try it on?”

“Should we?”

The two entered the store, and soon Ina came out after changing.

“How is it?”

As Ina asked while looking in the mirror, Juwon put his hand on her waist and said:

“It’s so pretty.”

Ina smiled shyly at Juwon’s smile.

After making the purchase and coming out, Ina suggested going to the men’s clothing section, but Juwon shook his head.

“I really do have a lot of suits. We don’t need to buy anything for me.”

“Then can I at least buy you a tie?”

After Ina insisted, holding Juwon’s hand that was trying to refuse, they entered the tie section.

With an excited expression, Ina picked out a few ties and started holding them up to Juwon’s neck.

“The customer is so handsome that everything looks good on him.”

The store employee standing nearby smiled and said to Juwon.

Hearing this, Ina looked up at Juwon with a proud feeling.

‘Of course! Whose boyfriend is he! Our Juwon looks good in everything.’

As Ina gazed at Juwon with a pleased expression, she suddenly remembered what Ye Jin had said.

She had said she was looking forward to how radiant Juwon would be when he entered as the groom…

As soon as the words ‘groom’s entrance’ came to mind, she immediately imagined Juwon in a splendid tuxedo.

Ina’s face flushed as she pictured Juwon walking down the aisle like a model in that tall and handsome figure.

“What’s wrong?”

Juwon asked, looking down at Ina whose cheeks had suddenly turned red, and Ina quickly shook her head.

“Huh? It’s nothing.”

Then Ina handed the navy tie to the employee, saying she would buy this one.

“You didn’t have to buy it, but thank you. I’ll wear this on Saturday.”

“Okay.”

Ina replied with a smile.

* * *

Saturday arrived.

Ina couldn’t sleep well the night before, feeling nervous about meeting Juwon’s college friends.

So as soon as she woke up at 9:30, she immediately put on a face mask.

After confirming her face was moisturized, she took a quick shower.

Ina put on the dress Juwon had bought her yesterday, then sat at her vanity and carefully applied her makeup.

As she was almost finished getting ready, she received a call from Juwon.

“Hello?”

– I’ll be there in about 10 minutes. Want to come down?

“Okay. I’ll be right there.”

After hanging up, Ina sprayed perfume on the back of her neck and wrists, then put on her coat and stood up.

She put on her handbag and went down to the first floor just as Juwon’s car pulled up and stopped.

Ina opened the passenger door and got in, and Juwon smiled brightly as he gazed at her.

“Our girlfriend looks so pretty.”

Ina’s heart fluttered at the words of the handsome Juwon in his black suit.

“Our boyfriend looks so handsome too.”

As Ina smiled and spoke, Juwon pointed to his lips and said:

“Then give me a kiss.”

“No way. My lipstick will get on you.”

“I can wipe it off.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Juwon leaned in and gave Ina a quick peck on the lips.

And sure enough, bright pink lipstick was left on Juwon’s lips.

“Oh, really.”

Ina shook her head as if she couldn’t handle him and wiped Juwon’s lips with a tissue.

Juwon smiled as he looked at Ina, then started the car.