Around lunchtime.

Su Jin, accompanied by her driver, headed to Han Kyung Department Store.

“Miss, we have arrived.”

The driver, with a mechanical voice, informed her as the car stopped in front of the department store.

Only then did Su Jin look through the car window at the department store.

Its exterior was noticeably more luxurious compared to other department stores.

“He’s working here.”

Su Jin twisted her lips upward, feeling a surge of excitement in her chest.

‘Then he might even aspire to a managerial position.’

Just the thought made her heart race.

The idea of marrying Dong Hun, whom she had been in love with for a long time, was thrilling enough. But knowing he was such a capable man made it even more exciting.

Su Jin took a couple of deep breaths and then turned to the driver.

“I’ll call you later. You might as well have lunch, driver.”

“Yes, understood.”

The driver respectfully nodded at Su Jin’s words.

Pleased with his response, she got out of the car.

With each step towards the department store, her heels clicked satisfyingly against the ground.

Just as she was about to pull out her phone in front of the building, she saw Dong Hun moving with his secretary.

“Dong Hun oppa!”

Without hesitation, Su Jin raised her voice.

At a traditional Korean restaurant near Han Kyung Department Store.

Dong Hun faced Su Jin with a visibly uncomfortable expression.

“I thought you would contact me first when you returned to Korea.”

Su Jin expressed her disappointment without reservation.

Dong Hun felt even more uneasy in a situation he already didn’t enjoy.

“I’ve been busy. I had to get used to the work after the sudden decision to take over the role.”

He spoke instinctively, wondering why he even had to explain.

Oblivious to Dong Hun’s discomfort, Su Jin was just happy that he was explaining why he hadn’t contacted her.

“Have you been well? Oppa, you’ve become even more handsome.”

Leaning forward, Su Jin became more assertive.

Feeling burdened by her approach, Dong Hun awkwardly smiled and took a sip of water.

His throat felt parched with increasing discomfort.

Unaware, Su Jin continued with her tactless questions.

“You’re staying in Korea for good, right?”

“Yeah. It’s time to fulfill my parents’ expectations and show filial piety, you know.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yes.”

“I see. But isn’t marriage the best way to show filial piety to parents?”

Hesitant at first, Su Jin couldn’t hide her inflated expectations.

Her intentions were too transparent, leaving Dong Hun momentarily speechless.

He had known about Su Jin’s feelings for a long time, but her direct talk of marriage caught him off guard.

An awkward silence enveloped them.

As Su Jin bit her lower lip in embarrassment, a server knocked and entered.

The table was filled with dishes, and the main course was placed in the middle.

“Have you contacted your sister?”

Su Jin broached the subject with a significant look.

Dong Hun, who had been drinking water at regular intervals, finally gave Su Jin his attention.

There was no hesitation in moving his lips.
“Su Yeon’s contact information had changed. I couldn’t reach her, but a few days ago, I happened to run into her at the department store.”

Unnoticed by Dong Hun, Su Jin bit the inside of her cheek.

It was the longest and most lively response she had given in their conversation.

But was that all?

A faint smile lingered on Dong Hun’s lips.

That fact reignited a dormant sense of inferiority in Su Jin.

She felt disgustingly filthy, but instead of showing it, she forced a brighter smile.

“Really? So, did you catch up after a long time?”

It was a clearly probing question.

But Dong Hun didn’t notice.

As talented as Su Jin’s acting was, Dong Hun always let his guard down at the mention of Su Yeon’s name.

That hadn’t changed since ten years ago, and it hadn’t changed now.

“No. Su Yeon seemed busy. We just exchanged greetings and parted ways.”

“Really? That must have been disappointing. It’s been so long since you saw your sister.”

“Exactly. I even gave her my business card and asked her to contact me when she’s free, but there’s been no word for days.”

A bitter smile played on Dong Hun’s lips.

He genuinely missed and felt disappointed by Su Yeon’s lack of contact.

Su Jin bit down harder on the inside of her cheek.

She felt not just filthy, but ashamed and miserable.

Though she tried to hide her feelings, her displeasure slowly began to show on her face.

Fortunately, Dong Hun was oblivious and continued eating.

Su Jin moved her chopsticks slowly.

She had come to see Dong Hun, dreaming of a poignant reunion after ten years, but the reunion she had hoped for was nowhere to be found.

This realization plunged Su Jin deeper into misery.

After lunch with Dong Hun, Su Jin returned home and slumped onto the living room sofa.

Her fingers nervously tore at her lips.

“Ten years after coming to Korea, he met Su Yeon before me.”