Mine, Again Chapter 5

It was saturday. There was no contact from Ryu Sung-woon.

 

Was it going to end like this? Honestly, she had no great expectations. It was merely a desperate struggle on the edge of a cliff.

 

With my circumstances, he wouldn’t even spare me a glance, let alone consider marriage.

 

He must have already figured out that she had been registered under Song Won-sik’s family registry when she was twenty. That she had a biological mother elsewhere.

 

That’s why I wanted complete freedom with my mother, not money….

 

She was not naive enough to think that money would solve everything. To escape from Song Won-sik’s grasp with her mother, she needed power strong enough to blind his eyes. Someone like Ryu Sung-woon of Yuseong.

 

Giving up was easy. She was in no position to hope for anything, so she dared not even feel disappointed.

 

Su-hwa got into the car assigned to her by Song Won-sik, which came with a chauffeur and a watchful escort, and headed to the hotel. The same private restaurant room as a week ago. President Park, who had been seated first, stood up hastily.

 

“Welcome, Su-hwa.”

 

“Yes, President Park. Have you been well? I apologize for last time.”

 

Su-hwa bowed politely. When she lifted her head, President Park, with a grin stretching to his ears, waved his hand dismissively.

 

What was this? She had heard that he had been furious.

 

“There’s no need to apologize between us. Chairman Song Won-sik explained everything. That day, you suddenly got your period and left out of embarrassment.”

 

“…Yes.”

 

Her face flushed with heat.

 

Even as an excuse, how could he say such a thing?

 

But she remained silent, nodding as she took a seat. After all, her feelings were of no importance in this situation.

 

“I will bring out the meal now.”

 

Soon, the servers began bringing out the course dishes. Their polished smiles were familiar. Su-hwa also skillfully lifted the corners of her lips.

 

“I wondered if you ran away because of our age difference.”

 

A thick piece of steak, dripping with juices, disappeared into President Park’s mouth. As he chewed, his gaze settled on Su-hwa’s chest.

 

Gulp. It felt as if the chunk of meat had gone down her own throat. Her body stiffened with unease.

 

“After hearing Chairman Song’s explanation, I realized it was just a misunderstanding. Ah, should I start calling him father-in-law now? Haha.”

 

“Thank you for understanding.”

 

The meal passed without meaning. President Park went on about himself and listed the things Su-hwa would enjoy after their marriage. But none of it entered her ears.

 

Still, she smiled. She nodded and responded shyly, just as Song Won-sik had taught her.

 

Until he said something as dessert was being served.

 

“What do you mean…?”

 

“Ahem. I mean, let’s move to a room for the second round.”

 

“A room…?”

 

They were already in a private room in the restaurant. In the hotel building, the only other rooms that could be referred to as such were guest rooms.

 

“Well, these days, spending the night together before marriage isn’t a big deal. Since both families support our union, there’s no need to delay the wedding night.”

 

President Park averted his gaze from Su-hwa’s pale face. He had no expectations that she would like him. But after marriage, she would belong to him.

 

A pretty doll meant to satisfy him in bed every night. That was enough. It was a dream he had harbored ever since seeing her smiling on screen.

 

“No one will invest in Soul Entertainment as much as I will.”

 

Chairman Song Won-sik had practically auctioned off Su-hwa’s hand in marriage by discussing investment amounts. Many who admired her had bid, and he had simply offered the highest amount.

 

Thus, he was entitled.

 

“I wasn’t going to put it this bluntly, but well, calling it an investment is just putting it nicely.”

 

President Park openly scrutinized Su-hwa, discussing her value as if negotiating a transaction.

 

She had tried to run away from him once before. He would make sure she never dared to do so again. This time, he would force her into submission.

 

“If you understand, let’s go up to the room now.”

 

“….”

 

Su-hwa froze. As President Park pushed back his chair and stood up, a ringing noise echoed in her ears. It felt like she was submerged underwater—unable to hear anything.

 

No, it was like the eerie scraping sound when a heavy door was forced open. The screech of the chair against the floor reverberated like a scream in her ears.

 

“Get up. Come on now. You can’t already be weak in the knees.”

 

“W-Wait a moment.”

 

Su-hwa’s wrist was yanked roughly. Her legs, devoid of strength, faltered, unable to support her weight.

 

Just as she was about to be dragged away powerlessly—

 

Bang! The door burst open with a loud noise.

 

“What the hell?”

 

Smack! Someone immediately knocked President Park’s hand away. Her wrist, which had been gripped so tightly that circulation was nearly cut off, was freed.

 

“W-Who the hell are you?”

 

Su-hwa blinked through her blurry, tear-filled vision.

 

A vague silhouette. But the voice was unmistakable.

 

“I’m a fan of Song Su-hwa.”

 

Ryu Sung-woon. His broad back stood protectively in front of Su-hwa.

 

“A fan? Do you even know where you are?!”

 

***

 

The sudden intruder made President Park erupt in anger. And to make matters worse, he claimed to be a fan of Song Su-hwa. He had only just managed to have her to himself.  

 

“Would you be willing to spread the word?”  

 

Sung-woon handed his business card to President Park. His firm attitude left no room for refusal. Unconsciously, President Park accepted the card with both hands.  

 

“That Yuseong has finalized its investment in Soul Entertainment.”  

 

“Y-Yuseong?”  

 

President Park’s eyes widened as he checked the card.  

 

Ryu Sung-woon of Yuseong Group.  

 

It was a name he was very familiar with. The social circles they moved in were vastly different, so he had never had the chance to see him in person. But there was no way he could mistake the name of Yuseong Group’s heir.  

 

However, this was absurd.  

 

Just as he was about to take a bite of a meal he had painstakingly prepared, Ryu Sung-woon appeared. Seeing Su-hwa hidden behind Sung-woon’s back, rage surged within him.  

 

He had put in so much effort to arrange this meeting!  

 

“Hmph. What nonsense. Investments are open to anyone qualified. Besides, this is a matchmaking meeting between Song Su-hwa and me.”  

 

President Park turned his body toward Su-hwa. He had come this far—there was no way he would give up now.  

 

“We have already confirmed our feelings for each other. With our families’ approval, we have even promised to marry. Don’t interfere.”  

 

“Interference, you say? Let’s ask if the other party feels the same way.”  

 

Sung-woon, who had been standing with his back to Su-hwa, stepped aside, creating distance. Now, nothing was blocking her from view.  

 

“Is what he said true, Miss Song Su-hwa?”  

 

“…Ah.”  

 

Something felt strange. Just moments ago, everything had been a blur. But now, everything before her eyes was crystal clear.  

 

President Park, fuming with a flushed face.  

 

Ryu Sung-woon, standing beside him.  

 

He was asking her about her intentions regarding marriage.  

 

“I…”  

 

Someone was asking for her opinion. Just that alone made her feel like she was being treated as a person. She was no longer afraid of President Park, who had been trying to drag her along like livestock.  

 

“I’m sorry.”  

 

Su-hwa lowered her head, making her stance clear. She discarded the stiff, forced smile she had been wearing.  

 

“I… don’t want to marry you.”  

 

Had she ever truly spoken before?  

 

The words came out in broken syllables, like a child learning to speak for the first time. Su-hwa bowed her head even lower.  

 

“S-Su-hwa!”  

 

“I’m really sorry.”  

 

President Park lost his composure at Su-hwa’s rejection.  

 

That pretty-faced bastard had barged in claiming to be a fan, only to ruin his matchmaking meeting?  

 

Something was off.  

 

There was no way Yuseong Group’s heir would do something like this. What was so lacking in his life that he would act this way?  

 

“Investment, my ass. Yuseong Group? That’s a joke. You’re an imposter, aren’t you? That business card must be fake, too. Where the hell did this crazy bastard come from?”  

 

Yes, this guy had to be a con artist.  

 

His vision turned red with rage, and President Park grabbed Sung-woon by the collar and shook him violently. Startled, Su-hwa urgently grasped President Park’s arm.  

 

“President Park, p-please let go.”  

 

Her face had gone pale. Ryu Sung-woon was not someone whose collar could be grabbed so carelessly. No, he was someone who should never be touched in that way.  

 

What if he got offended and turned his back on her?  

 

Contrary to her worries, Sung-woon brushed President Park off as easily as if he were handling a child. As he tugged his disheveled tie loose, a faint smile curled on his lips.  

 

“You guessed right. I thought I’d try being a crazy bastard for once.”