“My elder sister says she wants to have a meal together since we couldn’t meet today.”

I was about to try and package it as if we were ordinary sisters, but I soon gave up. Somehow it felt like I would be lying to Do Joon.

“On the day we meet, if I don’t have any urgent appointments, I’ll go along.”

“You too, Do Joon?”

“Ah, of course I don’t mean I’ll eat with you.”

Do Joon continued speaking while pulling out and flipping through the paparazzi photos he had received so far on his phone.

“The guy always takes photos from this close distance. I think he must be constantly watching Jin Tae Jin.”

Tae Yeon nodded her head, agreeing with his opinion.

“What do you plan to do if you find out who it is?”

Do Joon slowly stroked his chin with one hand, falling into contemplation.

“First, I’ll lock them up in a cage and think about what to do.”

[This is the timeline separator]

As Do Joon was preparing for work, he reached for the tie he always wore, then hesitated.

He stared blankly at the tie placed beside him, then picked it up.

Tae Yeon, who had been waiting for Do Joon in the living room, carefully entered the dressing room when he didn’t come out despite it being time to leave.

“Do Joon, should I wait a bit longer?”

Then Tae Yeon noticed the tie Do Joon was holding and smiled brightly.

“That’s the one I bought for you, isn’t it?”

“That’s right.”

Although the pattern was a bit too flashy to wear to the company, Do Joon put it around his neck without hesitation.

Tae Yeon approached him and stretched out her arms.

“Let me do it for you.”

“I’d appreciate that.”

Do Joon slightly bent his knees to make it easier for Tae Yeon to tie his tie.

Something sparkled on Tae Yeon’s left wrist as she tied the tie. It was the watch he had bought for her.

“You seem to wear that watch often. Do you like it?”

“Of course. I thought it was flashy at first, but the more I look at it, the prettier it becomes.”

Finally, after tying the tie, Tae Yeon smiled broadly and expressed her delight.

“It suits you well, as expected.”

Do Joon glanced at the tie through the mirror and smiled, pulling up the corners of his mouth as if satisfied.

Do Joon wore the tie Tae Yeon had given as a gift.

Tae Yeon wore the watch Do Joon had bought her as a birthday present as they left the house together.

It was reassuring, for some reason.

[This is the timeline separator]

Tae Yeon’s phone lit up as she was preparing to leave work.

[Let’s meet this evening. Come to Hotel T.]

It was a message from Tae Jin.

Hesitating, Tae Yeon looked around and called Do Joon.

“Can you talk?”

-Go ahead.

“My elder sister wants to meet this evening. Should I postpone it if you have plans?”

-No. Let’s go together. Meet me in the parking lot in 10 minutes.

After finishing the call with Do Joon, Tae Yeon also sent a message to Tae Jin saying she would arrive on time.

As Tae Yeon was about to leave the office, Team Leader Park’s voice came from behind her.

“Jin, leaving already?”

It was well past the end of work hours. Tae Yeon turned around to look at Team Leader Park.

“Yes. Is there something?”

“I was thinking we could have dinner together.”

“Ah, I have prior plans today.”

“Really? With whom?”

Team Leader Park approached closer with a curious expression. After hesitating on how to answer, Tae Yeon eventually laid out the truth.

“I’m supposed to have dinner with my husband.”

“Ah, right. Jin is married.”

Team Leader Park clapped his hands once and spoke in a rather excited tone.

“You rarely talk about your husband, so I often forget you’re married.”

Thinking Do Joon might be waiting in the parking lot, Tae Yeon needed to wrap up the conversation quickly.

“You don’t show us pictures of your husband or give proper answers when asked what kind of person he is. Why do you keep him so hidden?”

“When did I ever hide him, Team Leader?”

“Everyone in our company says so. They wonder if you’re in a fake marriage or something.”

“What?”

Tae Yeon’s eyes widened at those words. Even knowing he couldn’t possibly be saying this knowingly, she couldn’t help feeling concerned.

“You don’t badmouth your husband, but you don’t praise him either, so it’s understandable they think that way.”

“My husband was on a long business trip.”

“Oh? Is he back now?”

“Yes. He came to Korea recently.”

“Huh. Must be nice. So what kind of person is your husband? Just tell me a little.”

It was a persistent face that seemed like he wouldn’t let her go unless she said something.

A man at the top of the food chain. A man lacking nothing.

A man who seems cold but has unexpected sides to him.

These were perfect descriptors to explain Do Joon, but because he was one of a kind in the world, she couldn’t speak carelessly.

“He’s handsome. Extremely.”

It was a statement made after much deliberation.

Just then, her phone vibrated in her hand. Glancing at it, the caller was Do Joon.

Showing the phone screen saved as “Husband” to Team Leader Park, Tae Yeon said,

“My husband is waiting for me. I’ll be going now, Team Leader.”

Leaving behind Team Leader Park, who wanted to hold her back out of curiosity, Tae Yeon hurried down to the parking lot.

“I’m sorry. Team Leader Park held me up talking, so I’m a bit late.”

“It’s fine.”

Seeing Tae Yeon fasten her seatbelt, Do Joon gently started the car.

Do Joon, who hadn’t seemed curious at all, glanced at Tae Yeon and opened his mouth.

“What did you talk about with Team Leader Park?”

“He was curious about what kind of person my husband is.”

“And?”

“Pardon?”

“What kind of person did you say I was?”

Though he was looking ahead while driving, all of Do Joon’s senses were focused on Tae Yeon.

Tae Yeon hesitated, fidgeting with her hands on her lap.

“You must have badmouthed me quite a bit.”

“No! How could I?”

“Seeing how strongly you deny it, I can’t help but become more convinced.”

“…I said you’re a handsome person.”

Do Joon’s eyes narrowed at the sudden praise of his appearance that flowed from Tae Yeon’s lips.

Only the regular tapping sound of his long index finger on the steering wheel echoed in the car.

As the traffic light changed right on cue, Do Joon stepped on the brake and slowed the car. At the same time, his head swiveled sharply.

“Tae Yeon Jin, you seem to really like handsome men.”

“What?”

“I have countless other good qualities besides being handsome, but you always only mention that.”

Even as he said this, the corners of Do Joon’s mouth were raised high.

Tae Yeon hurriedly began to explain why she couldn’t describe Do Joon any other way.

“If I gave a detailed description, I was worried the sharp Team Leader Park might figure it out.”

“There can’t be many men in Korea who are called handsome.”

“Oh? The light changed.”

Tae Yeon gratefully pointed to the traffic light that had just turned green. Do Joon started the car with a somewhat regretful expression.

“What’s your ideal type?”

“My ideal type?”

Do Joon nodded.

An ideal type asked between a married couple.

Finding this situation so funny, Tae Yeon inadvertently let out a chuckle.

“Why are you laughing?”

“I never expected to be asked this question by my husband.”

“I’m curious.”

“I’ve never thought about it.”

“You can tell me honestly. Don’t think about hiding it.”

“Really. It’s not some big secret, I wouldn’t hide something like this.”

There were many men who liked Tae Yeon, but she had never deeply considered what kind of man she liked herself.

“Then let’s do it now.”

“Do what?”

“Finding Tae Yeon Jin’s ideal type.”

Do Joon had a rather solemn expression. Then he bombarded her with questions.

“Do you prefer a manly face, or a soft face like a pretty boy?”

“You want me to choose?”

“If we eliminate options one by one, won’t we arrive at your ideal type?”

At those words, Tae Yeon fell into deep thought.

“I think I prefer the former.”

The corners of Do Joon’s mouth twitched at that answer.

That was a relief. If she had said she liked soft, pretty boy-like faces, the ideal type search would have ended right there.

Do Joon threw out the next question.

“Height is better the taller, of course. Do you prefer a caring man, or one who seems indifferent but looks after you?”

This time, Tae Yeon promptly gave an answer without hesitation.

“I think I like caring people. Someone who speaks nicely…”

She was rambling on but suddenly shut her mouth. Somehow, the ideal man she had just described seemed far from Do Joon.

“Why did you stop talking?”

“We’re already married, so what does it matter what my ideal type is?”

“It matters.”

“What?”

“I think it’s necessary information in the process of adjusting to each other.”

“My ideal type?”

It was an incomprehensible statement, but Do Joon was persistent.

“Also, what do you mainly look at when seeing a man?”

After pondering for a while, Tae Yeon belatedly realized why Do Joon was asking these questions so tenaciously.

“Now that I think about it, a man like you was my ideal type.”

“…”

He flinched, unsure if this was the answer he wanted. Glancing to the side, she saw him trying to hide an expression of joy.

‘How cute.’

Though he was much bigger than her and always had an expressionless face, he was a man who sometimes showed unexpected sides like this.

“Really?”

Though he knew, he seemed to want to hear it again as Do Joon’s monotone voice pierced Tae Yeon’s ears.

Whether it was true or not, Do Joon was her husband now.

It was time for a white lie for everyone’s sake.

“Yes, now that I think about it, that’s right.”

There was no reply. Fortunately, having heard what he wanted to hear, there were no more barrages of questions about ideal types.

Tae Yeon sighed in relief, stroking her chest.

If she had been oblivious, they might have endlessly played an ideal type World Cup game.

She enjoyed the not unpleasant silence passing between them while taking in the scenery flashing by outside the window.

‘He really is a possessive man.’

Thinking that he wouldn’t be satisfied unless even her ideal type was himself, Tae Yeon input one more piece of information about Do Joon.

Meanwhile, Do Joon’s car entered Hotel T.

After parking and as Do Joon was about to get out, Tae Yeon stopped him.

“I’ll keep a good eye on the surroundings while talking with my elder sister.”

“What do you mean?”

“Since there’s a high chance the paparazzi knows you, I think it’s better if I go alone.”

At those words, Do Joon pulled up the corners of his mouth and reached for the back seat.

Then he brought out a paper bag and waved it in front of Tae Yeon’s face.

“What is it?”

“Did you think I came without any preparation?”

Do Joon put down the paper bag and pulled at his tie. Then he started unbuttoning his shirt one by one. Tae Yeon suddenly turned her head away at Do Joon’s exposed skin and stuttered,

“Do Joon, what are you doing?”

“Taking off my clothes.”