PTC Chapter 10. A Kiss is a Must

Seojun would occasionally say things like this: “I’ll give you the CEO position, so you can be the head of the family.”

Of course, Seowoo was appalled. She had absolutely no confidence in handling the attention from their grandmother and mother. Her older brother, Seojun, just dealt with it all because he was the older brother.

“No way. Why would I take on that responsibility? I’d rather just dress up and have fun. Oh, and Heejoo asked me to send her regards. She said you’re marrying her after your sham marriage ends, right?”

“What? What nonsense are you talking about?”

Seowoo briefly rolled her eyes at Seojun’s reaction. She thought things were already settled, but did her brother not know?

However, having heard her mother mention Heejoo to Seojun a few times, she calmly said, “Mom and Grandma seem to have it all planned out.”

“Seriously…”

Seojun was dumbfounded by the idea that a man who had never been married already had a second bride lined up.

Entering the house, Seojun headed towards the second floor. These days, his grandmother asked him almost daily when he was bringing home his 100-day bride. So he tried to avoid her as much as possible, but Soonja appeared.

“Grandma…”

He tried to greet her quickly and leave, but before he could finish, she called him.

“Seojun, come here. Wash your hands and come down.”

“What is it? Just tell me quickly.”

“I think it’ll be a long conversation. You have to have dinner anyway.”

It seemed he couldn’t avoid it. In that case, he had to face it head-on.

“Alright, I understand.”

With a small sigh, Seojun washed up and came downstairs. In the meantime, the table had been set again. Freshly made injeolmi (rice cake covered in soybean powder) was placed on one side.

“Grandma, did you make tteok (rice cakes) again?”

“Yes. I make them to keep myself busy. They’re delicious. Eat up.”

There was no one in the house who ate tteok, yet she always made them as a pastime. Seojun casually picked up the smallest-looking injeolmi and chewed it.

“Is it good?”

“Yes.”

“Eat a lot.”

“Grandma, I don’t eat a lot of tteok. You know that.”

“But you said it was delicious?”

“It’s delicious because you made it, but I don’t like it that much. So, if you’re making them for me, don’t make so many.”

Soonja nodded, used to hearing this. Then, she called Seojun’s name in a drawn-out way.

“Seojun…”

The affectionate tone was followed by the inevitable questions, which Seojun already knew.

“Grandma, I’ll answer everything you want to ask. First, I’ll bring that 100-day bride soon. She’s more resourceful and intelligent than I thought, so there’s a lot to discuss.”

“Really? Would such a resourceful and intelligent person agree to such a marriage?”

Her subtly probing question implied doubt about his claim.

“Yes. Even if I only live for a day, I’ll live with a resourceful and intelligent woman. So don’t worry, and you promised to say okay whoever I bring. No fortune-telling this time.”

“Oh, of course. The shaman said so. No need for fortune-telling, and it doesn’t matter who it is.”

After confirming once more, Seojun replied.

“Then that’s settled. I’ll bring her soon, so don’t worry, Grandma. I may not be good at other things, but I’m good at closing deals.”

“Deals?”

“Of course. What else would this be? What woman would mess up her family register by getting married and divorced? There are conditions, so we have to negotiate. If I don’t do it, you or Mom would have to.”

“That’s true.”

Soonja was about to get up, seemingly convinced, when Junghee arrived.

“Mother, it’s time for your medicine.”

“Oh, right. I keep forgetting.”

As Soonja took the medicine Junghee offered, she looked at Seojun. He had to be ruthless to carry on the family line. It would be disastrous if something happened to their unmarried third-generation only son, who hadn’t even had a child yet.

***

Heejoo sneaked into her house close to 1 a.m. after a long night at the club. Moon Changsik, her father, emerged from his study.

“Heejoo.”

“Oh my gosh! Dad.”

“Why are you so late?”

“Oh, well… Seowoo asked me to stay with her for a bit, and we talked for a long time.”
Seowoo, whom she hadn’t even met, was the perfect friend to use as an excuse in these situations. Her father held Seowoo’s family in high regard, so if Heejoo said she was with Seowoo, he wouldn’t say anything, no matter how late it was.

“How is Kang Seojun, the CEO of Modern Living, doing?”

“He’s doing well.”

“Good. There’s a connection between our families, and I think the CEO of Modern Living is a suitable match for you. So be prepared. When the time is right, I’ll formally propose the marriage.”

As expected, using Seowoo as an excuse allowed her to get away with going to the club.

“Yes, Dad. But you know, Kang Seojun really seems nice. He doesn’t seem to be seeing anyone.”

“Yes, I heard that too. No scandals either… He’s perfect as a husband for our Heejoo.”

Heejoo went to her room, elated. Moon Changsik, watching her go, sighed. Unable to sleep, he poured himself a glass of whiskey and took a sip.

Documents detailing all of his corrupt dealings had been leaked. And Park Soohyuk, the Taesung Group employee in the Zambian branch who had the information, had disappeared.

He had to find him, destroy the documents, and eliminate the employee, but he couldn’t find him anywhere. It was driving him crazy.

Even Park Soohyuk’s family claimed they didn’t know his whereabouts.

‘I wonder if he died in the desert somewhere? I wish he had.’

Moon Changsik’s sighs deepened.

***

After putting Sol to sleep, Da-in was trying to fall asleep in her bed late at night when she received a text message. A text message after midnight?

Asleep?

It was Kang Seojun.

Yeah. Asleep.

How can someone who’s asleep reply?

Da-in just sent back a series of dots in response to Seojun’s message. Then, he immediately called. Startled that someone might hear the ringing, Da-in quickly answered.

“Why are you calling at this hour?”

―Why? So you can think about the conditions before you go to sleep.

“I’ll think about it even if you don’t tell me.”

―No, you shouldn’t take too long.

“Alright, I get it, I’ll think about it.”

―Good. Then dream about our contract.
It sounded almost like he was telling her to dream about him.

“No way. Why would I dream about that? I plan on sleeping soundly without dreaming at all. And then I’ll bring you the contract conditions.”

―So you are going to do it. The contract.

Da-in remained silent.

―Okay. Then prepare the contract conditions carefully and call me.

“Okay.”

Da-in solidified her resolve. She didn’t know when her brother would return, but until then, she had to raise Sol well. She also had to take care of her mother, and her current temporary job wouldn’t cut it.

***

Da-in called Seojun two days later.

In the meantime, Seojun had called Da-in numerous times a day, but she hadn’t responded or mentioned anything about the contract discussion. Because Da-in’s call was so unexpected, Seojun abruptly stood up in the middle of a meeting.

“Please continue. I’ll be back after a short call.”

Stepping outside, Seojun asked.

 “I guess you’ve finalized your terms. That’s why you called, right? Park Da-in wouldn’t call me to joke around.”

―Yes, that’s right.

“Then we need to meet. Come to my office. I’m in a meeting now, so…”

―I can’t right now either. I’ll go after work.

“Okay. I’ll wait.”

***

After closing the store, Da-in stood in front of the mirror. With her hair tied back and wearing a black two-piece suit, she looked every bit like a furniture store employee. Or a secretary. Da-in sighed softly and headed to Seojun’s office.

It was her first time visiting the CEO’s office on the 10th floor of Modern Living’s headquarters. 

Knock, knock. 

She knocked on the door, but there was no response. Opening the door and stepping inside, she found the secretary’s office empty. Da-in passed through and knocked on Seojun’s office door.

“Come in.”

It was a casual, almost commanding tone, as if he expected no one but her at this hour. As she entered, Seojun gestured toward her.

“Sit.”

“Okay.”

“What are your conditions?”

Da-in showed Seojun the A4 paper she had brought.

“Here are my terms. Permanent employment, working hours from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. Overtime pay for weekends. And compensation for emotional distress.”

“8 p.m. to 8 a.m.?”

“Yes.”

“You want weekends included during those 100 days?”

“Yes. Give them to me.”

“You want one day off on the weekend to go out?”

She had nowhere to go on weekends anyway. She planned to tell her mother she had a 100-day overseas assignment. Still, she thought she should at least have Sunday, when everyone else was off, to herself.

“Yes.”

“That’s… I think we should be together more on weekends, but…”

As Seojun stammered, Da-in firmly stated.

“I can’t compromise any further. Either accept these terms, or we don’t do it.”

“If we don’t do this, aren’t you the one who needs the money?”

Da-in shook her head at Seojun’s words.

“No, I don’t need it. I might have to live in slightly worse conditions and not be able to spend money freely, but I don’t need it that much. Give me the weekends.”

“Fine. Alright. One day out of Saturday and Sunday. And I’ll give you overtime pay for the day you work.”

“What about the job?”

“As I said yesterday, I can guarantee you a permanent position.”

“Then that’s all. Those are my terms.”

“Okay.”

Da-in stared intently at Seojun. Suddenly, he grabbed her chin and kissed her. It was completely unexpected. Warm lips touched hers, and something soft pushed its way into her mouth.