“Hae Joo……”
Hae Joo was wearing a blouse beautifully embroidered with applique in a nude color.

The beauty close to madness overwhelmed Do Jun, leaving him spellbound.

He wanted to enjoy this extreme joy alone, but there were many eyes watching.

He was about to walk toward Hae Joo, tucking away his surprised emotion.

“Pak Do Jun, you’re the same.”
Blocking his path and asking for a handshake was Ji Min, who graduated from the same department.

She had vied with Do Jun for valedictorian and was successful in everything she did. Thanks to that, she had been promoted early to a manager in the Y Electronics Business Strategy Team, becoming the envy of her peers.

“Oh, it’s been a long time.”
Do Jun’s attention was fixated on Hae Joo, visible over Ji Min’s shoulder.

Ji Min, catching a glance in the direction of his gaze, showed a touch of disappointment.

“You used to at least say hello, but you’ve changed a lot, haven’t you?”
“I like the way I’ve changed, but you don’t seem to like it.”
“Honestly, your current expression and gaze… they’re really unfamiliar.”
Only then did Do Jun look directly at Ji Min.

His previously languid gaze was now filled with coldness.

“I’m a married man.”
“The catch is that I only found out recently. And through an article.”
“There were circumstances.”
“Everyone was talking about you before you arrived.”
“Is that so?”
“If I had known that you were married, it would have been nice.”
“Why would I?”
“Because I was curious about you.”
Ji Min had been consistently reaching out to meet up.

Since Do Jun had not responded at all, their occasional meetings had been with other alumni.

Even then, Ji Min had acted as if Do Jun was her boyfriend.

He hadn’t seen her for a year because he didn’t like that.

“I didn’t know that. Then, excuse me.”
Do Jun moved past Ji Min.

The place where his steps came to a halt was in front of Hae Joo.

After briefly greeting the alumni around him, he squinted one eye.

“What happened?”
“I was bored at home.”
“Why didn’t you call?”
“I did. Just to Manager Song.”
Regrettably, his efforts to avoid Hae Joo for the past two days had been in vain.

His expression was cold, and his voice was lower than the room’s temperature, but his gaze upon Hae Joo was passionate.

Once he faced her, his heart danced uncontrollably.

“When did you arrive?”
“About 30 minutes ago.”
“It must have been awkward.”
“I’m an actress, after all.”
Indeed, Hae Joo’s aura was different from at home.

It was an allure that no man could resist; it was innocent yet confident.

“Did the kids not say anything unnecessary?”
“Did Do Jun have a lot of popularity in the past?”
“…!”
“I heard that rumors even spread to nearby colleges and women…”
“Stop.”
Do Jun ordered a drink instead of alcohol.

He had to stay sober tonight, more than ever.

There were many eyes stealthily glancing at Hae Joo all around. They were classmates and at the same time, wolves to be wary of; they couldn’t let their guard down.

“Why do you look so serious?”
“It’s all in the past.”
“They said you were rude to girls?”
“Was I?”
“I heard you were only close with that sister among the group you hung out with.”
The person Hae Joo pointed out was Ji Min.

Do Jun glanced at those who had said all sorts of nonsense behind his back.

“I don’t know what you mean by ‘close’, but she just tagged along with the group.”
“Why are you so prickly. I was just asking.”
There were many among the alumni who, like Ji Min, came alone.

They couldn’t stick together just the two of them, so Do Jun got up and offered his hand to Hae Joo.

“I’ll introduce you to the kids.”
When Hae Joo stood up straight, he first looked for the group he used to be close with.

Despite their anticipation, they quickly made room. Attention was focused more on Hae Joo than Do Jun, filled with expectations.

“Ms. Hae Joo, please sit here.”
“Thank you.”
“The atmosphere of the gathering has brightened up thanks to Ms. Hae Joo!”
“You flatter me.”
The atmosphere quickly warmed up at Young Jin’s geniality.

Other friends also greeted Hae Joo and introduced their wives or girlfriends.

“It was surprising that Do Jun was married, but the fact that his partner is Ms. Hae Joo caused a stir among the alumni.”
This talk had been long awaited.

It seemed reasonable since Do Jun had been silent all along, even after learning late that he was married to Hae Joo.

He had never talked about marriage, so everyone believed he was single.

The aftermath of the scandal they heard about was quite significant.

“There can be such things between a man and a woman. The shock was more for Ji Min than us….”
Young Jin jabbed the friend who made a tactless remark.

Ironically, Do Jun was nonchalant, and Hae Joo sipped her drink and looked away.

Then, one by one, they began to confess their own stories that were close to being dramatic.

“Now that I think about it, I lived with my wife and reported our marriage afterwards.”
“Really?”
“Min Kyu even had a baby first! That too, around the time of his military discharge. I don’t know what he was thinking.”