PTC Chapter 9. Tilting Hearts

Da-in looked at Seojun and said.

“Are you some kind of magic wand? There are things even you can’t solve.” 

Seojun knew what she was referring to.

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“I can help with anything. The matter of your brother who went missing in Zambia, and the monthly rent you’re paying now. You could live more comfortably with your mother and niece. The contract marriage period isn’t that long anyway.”

Even as he said these words, Seojun felt uncomfortable. The fact that he had to emphasize the 100-day timeframe. Da-in quietly put down her fork and looked at him.

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“You hate me, don’t you? Don’t you resent me? For leaving you like that back then.”

These were words she didn’t want to bring up, but she had to address them. She wanted to know how Seojun felt.

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“Yes, that’s right. That’s partly why I’m making this proposal. I know this offer makes you incredibly uncomfortable. But Park Da-in, while you dislike it, it’s also an offer you’re tempted by, isn’t it?”

Da-in inhaled sharply. He’d seen right through her. She didn’t want to pretend otherwise.

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“That’s right. Then get me a job, too.”

“A job?”

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“Yes. Let me work as a furniture designer again. Preferably as a Modern Living designer. Guarantee me a lifelong position, regardless of the marriage.”

It’s a contract anyway.

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Their eyes met. Seojun readily agreed.

“It’s not impossible. No one will know we’re a couple publicly anyway. There’s no problem with you working as a Modern Living furniture designer. So, is that it?”

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“No. I need to think about it some more.”

“You’re really trying to squeeze everything out of this, aren’t you?” 

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Da-in nodded at Seojun’s words.

“Yes, that’s right. This is about marriage and divorce. I’m going to lay out all the conditions I can. It’s a deal where I get married, get divorced quietly, and receive alimony, right?” 

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“Yes. Ask for anything.”

Seeing that Da-in didn’t seem to want to continue eating, Seojun continued.

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“Is that all you’re going to eat? You usually have a good appetite, Park Da-in.”

“That’s true. I have a good appetite. But eating with you is extremely uncomfortable. I’ll get going now.”

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As Da-in tried to get up, Seojun replied.

“No. Stay a bit longer.”

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Da-in hesitated. 

“We might become husband and wife, so shouldn’t we at least be able to share a meal? If we can’t even do that, how can we live together? So wait until I’m finished. Have some dessert while you wait.”

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Da-in looked at Seojun, thought for a moment, and sat back down. She knew that sitting back down implied she might actually agree to this contract. Of course, Seojun knew that too.

Seojun slowly cut and ate the lamb chops, even finishing his drink. Da-in had a few bites of the tiramisu cake and coffee that came for dessert, then looked at Seojun sitting across from her.

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Seojun used to wait for Da-in to finish eating because she ate more slowly than him. Come to think of it, watching Seojun eat like this made her feel strange. Da-in handed Seojun a napkin.

“Did I get something on my face?”

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Seojun spoke naturally as he wiped his mouth and took the napkin Da-in offered. Even the simple act of handing over a napkin made him feel like Park Da-in was taking care of him as she used to, like a gentle spring breeze. Seojun smiled as he watched Da-in put her fork into the cake.

“The tiramisu here is quite famous. How is it?”

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“Delicious.”

“Really? Should I order another one?”

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“No. I really need to get back now.”

Even sitting face-to-face, they weren’t comfortable at all. Every moment reminded them of the reality between them.

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“Okay. Let’s get going. Next time we meet, let’s meet with our contract conditions properly sorted out. There’s no point in dragging this out.”

“Alright. I’ll do that. I’ll contact you.”

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When Da-in said this, Seojun shook his head.

“No. I’ll contact you from time to time. I can help you think through the conditions, can’t I? If I leave it to you and wait, who knows when you’ll do it.”

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“……”

Da-in froze, thinking that she might actually go through with this marriage disguised as a contract. Perhaps she felt that way because they had shared a meal together, just as Seojun had suggested.

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***

Seowoo was waiting for Heejoo at a restaurant. She had arrived later than their agreed time, but Heejoo hadn’t shown up either.

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“Oh, Seowoo! You’re here already? I was planning to arrive first.”

“No, I just got here too.”

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As they were exchanging greetings, Heejoo’s phone rang.

“Yes, Dad!”

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Heejoo’s father was Assemblyman Moon Changsik.  

―Are you meeting someone right now?

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“Ah, a friend. I told you, right? The daughter of the Modern Living CEO, Seowoo.”

―Oh, really? Dad just called because he wanted to hear your voice. Your birthday is coming up soon, so tell me if there’s anything you want as a gift.

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“Okay, I will.”

***

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After hanging up the phone, Moon Changsik called his aide. His serious face was a stark contrast to the one he had worn while talking to his daughter, Heejoo.

“What happened?”

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Aide Song Hoyoung had a grim expression.

“We haven’t found him yet.”

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“Does it make any sense that such important information fell into the hands of a mere employee?”

“Well… It seems the Taesung Group director took it with him to Zambia, but the USBs got switched, and that’s how it happened. They initially tried to get rid of the employee, but he ran away, and they don’t know where he went.”

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The problem was that the employee who should be dead was now missing.

“You said the employee’s name was Park Soohyuk, right? Didn’t he enter Korea? Do you know this isn’t a small matter if it gets leaked to the press? Keep an eye on his family as well.”

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“Yes sir, I understand.”

Moon Changsik sighed and stared out the window. Dark clouds filled the sky, as if it was about to pour.

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***

It was a languid holiday. Da-in was lying on the sofa after a long time, staring blankly at the sky beyond the window. She hadn’t taken a day off in ages because of work. But she decided to rest today. She planned to finalize the contract with Seojun.

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“Auntie, caramel.”

Sol approached Da-in, whispering in her ear. The child’s pronunciation was as sweet as caramel itself. 

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“Yes. Our Sol wants caramel? Let’s see if Auntie bought any caramels.”

Da-in opened the cupboard above the sink where she kept snacks. But there were no caramels.

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“What do we do? We ate them all.”

Sol’s face crumpled, and she whimpered.

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“Do you want some?”

Sol, with her big, round eyes, nodded vigorously.

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“Okay. Our Sol washed her face and ate her breakfast so well this morning, so she deserves a caramel. Auntie will buy you some.”

“Me too!”

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“Should we? Shall we go out together, Sol and Auntie?”

The supermarket right in front of their apartment building wasn’t far. Still, taking Sol, who was still toddling, would take a while, unless she carried her half the way.

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“Let’s go, Auntie.”

They held hands to the elevator, and then Da-in scooped Sol up in her arms and crossed the apartment complex. When they reached the supermarket, Sol excitedly grabbed a peach-flavored caramel.

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Someone was watching them from afar. And someone else was watching that person.

So, two different people were observing Da-in. One of them made a phone call.

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“Yes, Mr. Kang. Someone seems to be watching Ms. Park and the child. There’s a person observing them from behind.”

―What?

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Seojun, lost in thought for various reasons, had put a bodyguard on Da-in. He wanted to protect her for several reasons, partly out of genuine concern and partly because he worried his mother or grandmother might find out about the situation and send someone themselves.

‘But someone else is already tailing her? Why?’

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This was completely unexpected. Why would anyone be following an ordinary office worker like Da-in?

There are a lot of strange things surrounding Park Da-in. Both in the past and now. Unpredictable things. Would he be able to understand everything if they lived together?

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***

Seojun ran into Seowoo at the gate as he was coming home after finishing some work outside. His younger sister enjoyed a freedom that was completely different from his, despite being a daughter of the same family.

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He felt relieved that at least she could live freely, but sometimes he envied Seowoo because it felt like all the restrictions were piled onto him.

“Where are you coming from?”

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“Oh, brother!” 

Seowoo, getting out of her car, smiled brightly at Seojun.

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“Just meeting a friend, you know. You’re home early?”

“Yeah, I didn’t have much work, so I left early.”

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“Is it okay for the CEO to leave work so early?”

Seojun chuckled at Seowoo’s words.

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“Yeah, it is. It’s a company that runs even if I leave early. You want to take over?”