Click – Click –

As soon as the photographer pressed the camera shutter, the lights installed outdoors flashed repeatedly.

In a garden beautifully decorated like a painting, Tae Yeon stood in a white wedding dress, looking somewhat tense. Thanks to the snow that fell last night, the garden was covered in a layer of snow, adding to the charm.

Next to Tae Yeon, Do Joon stood expressionless, looking as if he would devour the camera.

They were taking wedding photos that would remain as lifelong memories, but there was no trace of excitement or elation in either of them.

It just felt like they were wearing ill-fitting clothes, giving off a sense of disharmony.

There was no attempt from the groom to soothe the nervous bride.

“Alright, groom, bride. Look over here again.”

The photographer, more famous than celebrities, kept exclaiming in admiration as he looked through the camera lens.

It was because the man and woman in front of him were far more stunning in person than any actors he had ever met.

Their harmonious features, clearly crafted by God over many years, were captured elegantly no matter how the camera shutter was pressed.

“They are more perfect than any models I have ever photographed, right?”

Wanting to capture even one more shot, the photographer was captivated as he clicked the shutter.

Although Do Joon was very tall, Tae Yeon maintained a slender figure next to him, not being overshadowed at all.

Their appearances were so flawless that there was no need to verbally praise them, but one thing didn’t sit well with the photographer.

He was dismayed that Tae Yeon’s beautiful face wasn’t being captured by the camera due to her nervousness.

And unlike newlyweds about to get married, they were treating each other as if they had just met today, which was also evident in the photos.

“Many grooms and brides get nervous when taking photos.”

The photographer took his eyes off the camera lens and looked at the perfect couple in front of him.

“Just act like you normally do when you’re together. Pretend I’m not here.”

“Yes. Of course.”

At the photographer’s request, Do Joon nodded once, still expressionless.

The photographer clapped his hands with a big smile, looking excited as he anticipated the couple’s poses.

Just standing there awkwardly, the two of them looked stunning enough to take one’s breath away, and the photographer was thrilled to be able to capture them with his camera.

An affectionate pose, especially if he could capture a photo of the couple looking at each other deeply…

It would surely be more exquisite than any other photoshoot he had done in his life.

Confirming that the photographer was waiting patiently, Do Joon shifted his gaze to Tae Yeon standing next to him.

And he spoke in a low voice that only she could hear.

Do Joon’s deep baritone voice rang in Tae Yeon’s ears.

“We need to finish this shoot quickly so we can proceed with the next schedule.”

“Yes.”

“I’m sure you’re well aware that we don’t have much time to waste on a shoot like this, Jin Tae Yeon.”

Of course she knew, but it was really hard to adapt.

Because it hadn’t even been five minutes since she had faced this man who would become her husband, standing next to her taking wedding photos.

There wasn’t even the usual matchmaking meeting before the wedding.

The family elders made a few phone calls and exchanged photos, then suddenly announced that the marriage had been arranged.

“Sigh.”

Tae Yeon let out a deep sigh and straightened her back again.

It was a cold winter, but an outdoor shoot was taking place because the photographer said the garden of the villa was so beautiful that they wouldn’t regret capturing it in photos.

Tae Yeon’s fingertips were trembling slightly, but Do Joon acted as if he didn’t notice, not even asking if she was okay.

That’s just how their relationship was.

A relationship where they each stood in the position they needed and did only what was required.

And they had to cover it up with perfect acting so that no cracks would form in that relationship.

Especially for Do Joon and Tae Yeon, for whom appearances were everything.

At that moment.

The snow, which seemed to have stopped, began falling again.

At first, it fluttered lightly, but soon grew in size and started falling as large flakes.

Do Joon glanced at Tae Yeon, whose arms were bare in this cold weather, then raised a hand to stop the photoshoot.

“Let’s wrap it up outside.”

And after a brief hesitation, he added.

“My wife looks very cold.”

“Then let’s go inside the villa and continue the rest of the shoot.”

At those words, the photographer clapped his hands, looking overjoyed as he packed up the equipment.

It probably wasn’t a sincere remark from Do Joon out of consideration for Tae Yeon.

He seemed too cold to show such thoughtfulness, and it was too short a time for any connection to occur between them.

As the photographer gathered the equipment, Do Joon took the lead.

Although covered with a thick shawl, the wedding dress was so thin that Tae Yeon’s lips were trembling slightly.

As Tae Yeon, who had put on the wedding dress with the help of an assistant, was about to move.

Do Joon, who had been walking far ahead, stopped as if something displeased him and approached Tae Yeon again.

And he unbuttoned the suit jacket he was wearing, took it off, and held it out to Tae Yeon.

As Tae Yeon stared blankly at the jacket, Do Joon uttered a word indifferently.

“Put it on.”

“Ah, I’m fine.”

“I don’t think a bride whose lips have turned blue should be saying that.”

Tae Yeon had no free hands as she was holding the bouquet in one hand and the hem of the wedding dress in the other.

Glancing at her, Do Joon took long strides to approach her.

Then he placed his jacket on top of the shawl covering Tae Yeon’s shoulders.

The photographer didn’t miss that moment and quickly picked up the camera again. And he made a typical request that is always made during wedding photoshoots.

“The scenery is so beautiful right now. Would the two of you like to kiss up close?”

“Pardon?”

Tae Yeon asked a short question in surprise. Do Joon’s face was filled with annoyance.

After a momentary contemplation, he seemed to have made a decision.

As Tae Yeon pressed her lower lip with her teeth in embarrassment, Do Joon, as if his patience had run out, grabbed her slender arm with his large hand and turned her around.

It might have looked like a very forceful groom to others, but to Tae Yeon who knew his true intentions, it was a miserable experience.

Wanting to live a life without blemish, hoping that it would continue to be perfect in the future.

That was Do Joon’s mindset in agreeing to this marriage.

They didn’t even have time for a wedding ceremony, simply doing a brief wedding photoshoot and replacing it with a meal with the family elders. The photoshoot had to be done for distribution to the media, so it couldn’t be omitted.

Rather, Tae Yeon was also relieved. If she could obtain this absurd institution called marriage with just this short photoshoot.

In the garden of the villa where snow was falling heavily, the man and woman were looking at each other with trembling eyes.

If they were getting married out of love, this moment might have been as beautiful as a fairy tale. But it wasn’t for Tae Yeon.

She was already flustered taking wedding photos with a man she was seeing for the first time in her life today. And on top of that, a kiss.

Feeling Do Joon’s gaze burning into her, Tae Yeon slowly raised her head.

For eyes belonging to a man taking wedding photos, they were terribly cold. But she knew very well the meaning contained in those eyes.

Hoping that this shoot would proceed without any noise. So focus only on what needed to be done quickly.

Tae Yeon’s long eyelashes fluttered as she looked at Do Joon’s face, which was like a sculpted masterpiece.

Looking into Do Joon’s deep eyes, it felt as if her whole body was being sucked in.

‘Is he really going to kiss me?’

As if answering that thought.

Do Joon approached closely with an expressionless face and tilted his head.

The distance between their faces was a mere 10 cm.

Tae Yeon flinched and tensed up in surprise. Seeing her reaction, Do Joon laughed dryly.

‘Does he find this situation amusing….’

As if reading Tae Yeon’s mind, Do Joon spoke in a low voice. A small voice that no one else could hear.

“It’s just one of the necessary steps we have to take standing in this position.”

It meant that it was simply an extension of acting with no feelings attached.

So don’t even start to have any misunderstandings.

Soon, Do Joon’s lips descended upon Tae Yeon’s. Unlike his icy cold gaze, his breath was hot and his lips were soft.

The camera shutter clicked repeatedly like cheers.

And just like that, their lips that had been touching for a very brief moment separated again as if nothing had happened.

“Wow! If you hang this photo up huge in your newlywed home, you’ll be satisfied. It’s the most perfect result among the photos I’ve taken!”

The photographer seemed quite pleased with the reaction, and Do Joon stood up straight with a confident face. And he smiled faintly at Tae Yeon.

It wasn’t a bright smile, just a faint one, but he looked like a completely different person compared to when he had a blank expression.

“Then let’s wrap up the photoshoot here.”

To go inside the villa, Do Joon glanced down at his arm as if telling her to link arms. Tae Yeon held his arm with a forced smile.

It was the path to meet the family elders waiting for them inside. Their steps were filled with strength.

2 years. That was the duration they had to act out this absurd fake marriage.

But fortunately, as soon as this event ended today, Do Joon was scheduled to go straight to the U.S. branch.

Before he returned, Tae Yeon planned to disappear without anyone knowing.

And that plan seemed perfect.

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Rrrrrr.

The alarm rang from the cell phone placed by the bedside.

It was that dream again.

Tae Yeon slowly opened her eyes and stretched. On the bedroom wall, the result of that day from the dream just now was framed in an acrylic and hung.

She was in a terrible mood.

“Ha. Why did I have to dream about that on a day like this.”

The unpleasant feeling didn’t go away even while showering.

For some, the wedding photoshoot would be a truly precious memory in life, but it wasn’t for Tae Yeon.

It was the day she was most nervous, and a moment she wanted to erase from her life.

She had that dream about the wedding photoshoot quite regularly. It was the worst nightmare for Tae Yeon compared to any other dream.

And the days she had that dream were always unlucky.

“Please, not today….”

Tae Yeon scanned the newlywed home, which was too spacious and quiet for living alone, then stepped out the front door.

It had been a year and a half since the wedding ceremony.

It meant that this absurd play would have its curtain call in 6 months.

Excited by the hope that she only needed to endure 6 more months, Tae Yeon started the car.

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Not only did she have a dream that dampened her mood, but it was also a day with light drizzling rain.

The amount of rainfall wasn’t much, but the humidity was so high that a stuffiness was felt throughout the body.

Perhaps because of the rain or traffic congestion, Tae Yeon barely made it to the office right at 9 o’clock.

Despite getting her hair done, it clung to her face due to the dampness, making her appearance terrible.

Without even having time to check her face in the restroom, Tae Yeon entered the office.

“Tae Yeon, you always come early, but why did you arrive right on time today?”

“It’s still okay, right?”

“Yeah. I heard he arrived at the director’s office.”

Everyone had a visibly nervous look on their faces as they stared at the entrance.

At that moment, Choi Yoon Ji, the assistant manager, rushed in and raised both arms to express excitement with her whole body.

“Assistant Manager Choi, what’s going on!”

“It’s no joke.”

“What is?”

“I just saw the director.”

At those words, everyone’s attention was drawn to Yoon Ji. Yoon Ji covered her mouth with both hands and made an ecstatic face.

“I thought some actor had visited our company, you know?”

“Eh. Are you sure you saw the new director?”

Yoon Ji nodded vigorously and shouted.

“It’s unbelievable. I’ve never seen such a handsome man in my life. Seriously!”

Regardless, Tae Yeon hurriedly put down her bag and checked her attire.

The moment she was about to look in the mirror.

Tap, tap. The sound of dress shoes was heard from the hallway.

The employees of KK Food’s new business team all exchanged glances and straightened their postures even more.

And soon, the door to the new business team’s office opened. Tae Yeon, who was looking down at the floor, first saw a well-polished shoe tip enter her field of vision.

“Nice to meet you.”

‘Huh?’

It was a voice she had heard somewhere before.

‘Where have I heard it.’

While Tae Yeon tilted her head.

Yoon Ji, who was standing next to her, poked her. Tae Yeon slowly turned her head and asked with her mouth.

‘What?’

‘Did you see his face?’

Just how handsome was this new director for this commotion.

Tae Yeon slowly raised her head. Her eyes met those of a man who was staring at her intently and obsessively.

“…..”

It was a familiar man. Because she had seen his face this morning. Not in person, but in her dream.

The other person seemed to recognize Tae Yeon as well, as he raised one corner of his mouth with an intrigued expression.

“I will be leading the new business division of KK Food from now on.”

He paused for a moment before saying his name.

Still fixing his gaze on Tae Yeon, Do Joon continued.

“Cha Do Joon.”

“Welcome, Director.”

Team Leader Park clapped his hands until his palms wore out, and everyone except Tae Yeon greeted Do Joon with a bright smile.

‘No way.’

Tae Yeon made a shocked face and closed her eyes tightly before opening them again.

This might also be an extension of the dream. It had to be.

Because there was no way her husband, who was supposed to be in the U.S., would suddenly appear here.

She hoped to quickly wake up from this terrible nightmare.

However, Tae Yeon’s wish was shattered by Do Joon’s voice that followed.