PTC Chapter 3. Will You Marry Me?

They sat across from each other in silence, a teacup between them. Unspoken questions, heavier than the time that had passed, piled up, solidifying into a thick silence. 

The awkward atmosphere pressed down on Da-in’s heart, summoning memories of the past. This won’t do. Taking a sip of tea, Da-in spoke first.

“Why did you call me? We’re not exactly on tea-and-chatting terms, are we?”

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“You’re right, we’re not. But I have a reason. I know you’re not married.”

The last time she worked as his designated driver, she’d clearly stated that she was married, and even had a child. Yet, even though her lie was exposed, Da-in reacted nonchalantly.

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“Yes, that’s right. I’m not married.”

She hadn’t meant much by the lie in the first place, so she didn’t mind this casual confirmation. However, her cool demeanor crumbled at his next words.

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“Will you marry me?”

“Huh? What? Cough! Cough!”

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Startled, Da-in couldn’t stop coughing. The tea seemed to have gone down the wrong pipe. As she coughed, tears welling in her eyes, Seojun handed her a napkin. She covered her mouth with it, finally managing to stop coughing, her eyes now red.

“What? What did you say?”

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Swallowing her remaining saliva, she asked again, needing to confirm what she’d heard. In contrast to Da-in’s flustered state, Seojun’s voice remained calm. He spoke with the dry, detached tone of someone proposing a new business deal.

“It’s a three-month, ten-day contract. Let’s get married. We’ll divorce after 100 days.”

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He spoke with a dry, businesslike attitude as if proposing some new product contract.”

‘Wait, what? Marriage? Divorce? And what’s with the three months and ten days?’

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Da-in stared at Seojun with a confused expression. This wasn’t something she could just brush off. No matter how hurt Seojun was by their past, this was too much. What a humiliating proposal!

Seojun had made the offer knowing it would likely be rejected. He simply wanted to throw it out there. You left me like that, and this is how you’re living now? Desperate enough to work as a night-time designated driver. That money you value so much, I’ll give you plenty of it. Will you agree to even these absurd terms? These twisted thoughts had driven his words.

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Da-in appeared to think for a moment, then opened her mouth.

“Are you serious?”

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 How could you say this to me? Even if we broke up because we couldn’t be together…

“Of course, the only condition I can offer is money. A very large sum, for you.”

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Money. Such a dry, barren word to pass between them. Yet, the fact that she was reacting to it made the situation unbearably heavy.

“Yes, I’m serious. I’m not the type to joke around like this, am I?”

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That’s right. You weren’t the type to joke like this. You weren’t. Kang Seojun wasn’t that kind of man. Definitely not. But now? I don’t know. Is he mocking me? Laughing at me?

“I can give you as much money as you want. Even enough to buy a house in Gangnam.” 

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Da-in’s jaw dropped. There was no need to pretend. They both knew each other’s situations. That’s why they could never be close. Da-in nodded slowly.

“It’s true that I need money. That’s why I’m working as a designated driver at night. But I don’t think it’s something to be mocked for.”

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Seojun’s gaze remained fixed on Da-in, clinging persistently. Watching the tension gather around her mouth, he nodded.

Still trying to maintain your pride. Well, that’s more like the Park Da-in I know.

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“I’m not mocking you. I’m serious. You know how the men in my family have short lifespans, right? My grandmother says I’m going to die soon.”

“What?”

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Da-in’s surprised eyes turned toward Seojun. Dying? She had heard this kind of talk before. That Seojun might die soon. It was shocking just to hear it.

“But they say that if I get married for three months and ten days and then get divorced, my lifespan will increase. My grandmother is determined. So, I’m making this proposal to you.”

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“Three months and ten days, that’s 100 days. As a real married couple?”

“Is there such a thing as a fake married couple?”

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She had heard of it. A word that only appeared in historical dramas.

“Surely, you don’t mean like a… scapegoat or something?”

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“Well, if you must define it, it’s something like that. I’m not interested in that kind of thing, but my grandmother and mother are so insistent. It’s not like I can’t do it. What do you think? You need money, and I need someone to play the role of a wife for three months and ten days. It’s better than a complete stranger. We were compatible too.”

Seojun’s voice dropped low as he spoke the last words. Da-in felt her heart plummet. It was true. They were excessively compatible. There was the time they spent together, the trembling they felt at the peak of their passion, their beautiful and happy moments.

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However, it had all become a time of the past. Yet, sitting here facing each other, the long void between them disappeared, and the emotions of their early twenties were vividly revived.

Da-in glared at Seojun, her discomfort evident. Seojun calmly received her gaze, quietly watching her. Inwardly, however, he was seething with disbelief.

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‘Park Da-in, are you really in that bad of a situation? What kind of situation are you in to just sit there after hearing something like this? Shouldn’t you be slapping my face? I’m offering you money to be my wife for 100 days. You should at least poke my eyes out. That would be more like you, Park Da-in.’

All sorts of thoughts flashed through his mind, and his heart ached. He had asked, expecting her to refuse. However, an unexpected answer returned.

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“I’ll think about it.”

“What?”

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He thought he’d misheard. Think about it?

‘Is she really considering a 100-day marriage? Is she crazy?’

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The same feeling he had when he heard his grandmother’s words resurfaced. He thought it was crazy. He’d rather die early than have that kind of marriage.

And if he really had to die early, he had to admit he wanted to live with Park Da-in, even if it was only for 100 days. Of course, he thought it was impossible.

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But to be in this situation… Was it really fate? Why, of all times, when his grandmother was urging him to have a 100-day marriage, did he run into Park Da-in twice in a row? His mind was in turmoil.

Unconsciously, Seojun gripped Da-in’s hand tightly. His body reacted before his brain, driven by a desire not to let her go.

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“You’ll really think about it, positively?”

At his eager question, Da-in recoiled, answering, “I didn’t say I’d think about it positively. I just said I’d think about it.”

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She’s doing it again, making me anxious. It’s either yes or no. She’s making me cling to her. It would have been better if she just refused.

“Try to think about it positively. You won’t have to do night-shift driving anymore, and also…”

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“Also what? Aside from money, what is there between us? Even if I accept this, the only good thing is the money.”

Those words caused a crack in his heart. Nothing left between them but money? Well, it was true that they hadn’t seen each other in a long time, and wouldn’t have without this 100-day marriage proposal. He was so curious. How long did she date that senior? Why didn’t she look for him after they broke up?

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It was pathetic. Not cool at all. He thought he was pathetic. Hoping his ex-girlfriend would look for him after breaking up with the guy she was dating. What a trashy thought. Stupid Kang Seojun.

“Still, I hope you’ll think about it positively.”

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He ended up begging. Then, Da-in, who had been staring intently at him, took a breath and asked with a serious face,

“Do you really want to live that long?”

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Seriously?

“Would you prefer me to die quickly? It would be good to help out your ex and earn money at the same time, wouldn’t it?”

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“Your family still hasn’t escaped that superstition.”

“Let’s not talk about my family.”

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In truth, Seojun also disliked how his grandmother and mother were swayed by a shaman’s words. He had no intention of doing this ridiculous marriage thing.

Until he met Park Da-in.

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“Can I contact you sometimes?”

His pathetic cells, which had seemed dead, were revived, making him cling to her uncontrollably. Let’s live together for 100 days. He had been annoyed by women all this time. Well, only Park Da-in was an exception.

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“Contact me for what?”

She had the look of someone asking what reason he could possibly have to contact her. So, was he supposed to just wait idly until she made up her mind?

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“Well, we might end up living together as a couple, so isn’t it okay to at least contact each other?”

“I haven’t said I’ll do it yet.”

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“That’s why. Because you haven’t yet, I said ‘might.’”

Da-in stared at Seojun and quietly sipped her coffee. Bitter, sweet, and sad. The man she couldn’t forget came to her offering money if she’d play the role of his wife for 100 days. There wouldn’t be any feelings for her in his offer. He probably judged that she was better than a complete stranger because they were familiar.

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‘What was I hoping for?’