<CHAPTER 01>

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She felt the gazes of passersby as she entered the restaurant with her limping ankle.

It wasn’t the first or second time she had received such looks, so Yeoreum’s expression didn’t change much.

She followed behind the staff member who guided her inside.

She walked with difficulty, her leg unable to move properly as she limped step by step.

The reserved seat was farther away than expected.

It would have been nice if they had been just a little considerate when making the reservation.

Yeoreum bit her lip tightly, forcing herself to suppress the bitterness.

As always.

Just like usual.

<b>”How would you like to order your meal?”</b>

<b>”I’ll order when my companion arrives.”</b>

<b>”Understood, ma’am. I’ll return once your companion arrives.”</b>

The staff member’s gaze briefly fell on Yeoreum’s ankle before pretending not to notice and turning away.

They might end up talking about her leg among themselves.

Why is she wearing heels when her ankle is like that?

She must be a strange person.

That’s probably what they’d say.

Yeoreum lowered her gaze to look at her own feet.

The shiny high heels caught her eyes.

They were a design she would never normally consider wearing.

Shoes prepared without consideration by Inha for this occasion.

It wasn’t the first time.

But today, she felt especially hurt by Inha.

Of course, someone like her shouldn’t even have the right to feel hurt.

<b>”Have you been waiting long?”</b>

A deep voice was heard at that moment.

Yeoreum raised her head from where she had been looking down.

Only after tilting her head back as if her neck might snap did she see the man’s face.

She stared blankly at him before hurriedly trying to stand up.

<b>”Ah, hello… hello—ah!”</b>

But perhaps it was because of the unfamiliar shoes.

Or maybe it was her troublesome ankle.

As she stood up too quickly, she lost her balance and tilted forward as if she were about to fall.

Her vision went dark at the thought of showing the worst possible impression on their first meeting.

This was a place where she absolutely couldn’t make a mistake.

<b>”Careful.”</b>

Thud.

Her body, which should have crashed to the floor, stopped midair.

It felt like she was dangling in the air as she slowly opened her trembling eyes to assess the situation.

A firm, unfamiliar arm was wrapped around her waist.

The man looked at her with a relaxed expression.

He was supporting her body with just one arm.

<b>”If you start off like this, it’s not fun.”</b>

He let out a small scoff, teasing her.

Blushing bright red, Yeoreum quickly pulled away from him and bowed her head.

<b>”I-I’m sorry. I stood up too quickly…”</b>

<b>”No need to apologize. That kind of enthusiasm is pretty interesting. Sit.”</b>

He spoke casually despite it being their first meeting and pulled out a chair to sit across from her.

Relieved, Yeoreum sat down as well.

She had been worried he might leave immediately because of what happened, but it didn’t seem like he was offended.

Forcing her trembling lips into a smile, she spoke brightly to lighten the mood.

<b>”You’re Kwon Sunjae, right? An executive at JM Group…”</b>

<b>”You did your research.”</b>

<b>”Ah… then what would you like to eat—”</b>

At the word “eat,” Sunjae let out a cold, mocking laugh without hiding it.

<b>”What?”</b>

<b>”You. Who else would it be besides you, kid?”</b>

Yeoreum’s eyelashes trembled as she looked at him.

<b>”Do you think I can enjoy a meal sitting across from someone as young as you?”</b>

<b>”I’d lose my appetite.”</b>

<b>”Isn’t it ridiculous? An old guy like me sitting here with a kid like you.”</b>

At his cold words, her lips pressed tightly together.

Sunjae let out a deep sigh and waved off the approaching staff.

The staff retreated again.

Yeoreum fidgeted with the hem of her dress, unsure of what to do.

But it didn’t seem like there was anything she could do right now.

His tone made it obvious he didn’t like this situation.

<b>”Your father is something else.”</b>

<b>”Is building connections with a presidential candidate really that important?”</b>

<b>”Important enough to drag me into this and make me go on a blind date with a kid who still smells like milk.”</b>

<b>”Ah… I…”</b>

<b>”What? Planning to introduce yourself?”</b>

<b>”This isn’t school.”</b>

<b>”Self-introductions? Fuck, kid. Just being here is already giving me a headache.”</b>

Ah…

Her lips shut tightly again.

This was bad.

It felt like he was abandoning even basic politeness now.

At this rate, no matter how hard she tried, she wouldn’t be able to win him over.

What should she do?

If she went back home like this, she would truly become nothing more than a useless shell.

<b>”…I heard I’m necessary for your company’s image.”</b>

<b>”So?”</b>

<b>”What are you going to do about it? Actually marry me?”</b>

<b>”…There’s no reason not to.”</b>

<b>”I came here fully prepared for that.”</b>

<b>”Ah. So the adopted daughter of presidential candidate Seo Hancheol enjoys this kind of marriage.”</b>

At his twisted words emphasizing “adopted,” emotions surged within her.

Beyond hurt, she even felt anger.

But she suppressed it.

If she had to marry anyway, she couldn’t ruin his mood.

She had to get a definite answer from him here.

<b>”Yes. I think marriage would be good.”</b>

<b>”I’m confident I can do well. Anything…”</b>

<b>”Anything?”</b>

<b>”Kid, do you even know what kind of person I am?”</b>

<b>”You shouldn’t say things like that so easily.”</b>

<b>”What you mean by ‘anything’ and what I mean by ‘anything’ are completely different.”</b>

<b>”Still… I can do it.”</b>

<b>”So let’s get married.”</b>

<b>”Honestly, it wouldn’t be bad for you either.”</b>

<b>”I’ll live quietly… it might even be more comfortable—”</b>

<b>”Kid.”</b>

Sunjae rested his chin on his hand and stared at her with dark eyes.

Just looking into his eyes felt like being pulled in.

Yeoreum swallowed dryly and pressed down on her dress for no reason.

<b>”When you can run cleanly, why bother getting your hands dirty?”</b>

<b>”Someone who belongs in clean water should stay there.”</b>

<I>I’m not doing this because I want to get married.</I>

<I>I have my reasons.</I>

Biting her lip firmly, she spoke again in a determined voice.

<b>”Just because it’s dirty water… doesn’t mean I can’t go in.”</b>

<b>”I’m not that clean.”</b>

<b>”I’m confident I can get dirty too.”</b>

Sunjae let out a small laugh, clearly amused.

<b>”Really? What kind of dirty?”</b>

<b>”That’s…”</b>

<b>”Do you even know what ‘dirty’ means?”</b>

<b>”Kid, then can you kiss me dirty right here?”</b>

<b>”…What?”</b>

<b>”Can you rub your lips against mine right here?”</b>

<b>”I… I mean…”</b>

Her mind went blank.

She had answered boldly, but she hadn’t expected him to demand a kiss on the spot.

Was he testing her?

<b>”This is the kind of guy I am.”</b>

<b>”Try it once, and if you’re still interested, tell me.”</b>

<b>”I’ll try to match your pace, kid.”</b>

He stood up and approached her in an instant.

His large hand lifted her chin.

It happened so quickly that she had no time to prepare herself.

But if this kiss could make him consider marrying her…

<I>It’s just a kiss.</I>

<I>I can do this thousands of times.</I>

Her trembling eyes slowly closed.

She heard him chuckle softly.

Then his voice came close to her ear.

<b>”You’re interesting.”</b>

In the next moment, his lips devoured hers.

Her eyes flew open at the sudden unfamiliar sensation.

At least there weren’t many people in the hall.

He invaded roughly, leaving heated traces everywhere inside her mouth.

His tongue moved aggressively, exploring and pressing.

Then he wrapped around her tongue and sucked on it.

The quiet restaurant filled with suggestive sounds.

Her first kiss was so overwhelming she couldn’t even process it.

He seemed to swallow everything about her whole.

Only after a long time did his tongue pull away.

He wiped her glossy lips with his hand and spoke in a lower voice.

<b>”If you’re already making that face, you’re in trouble.”</b>

<b>”Ah…”</b>

<b>”You said you could do it.”</b>

<b>”You said you could play in dirty water.”</b>

<b>”I-I can.”</b>

Her voice trembled.

He lightly tapped her cheek and leaned close to her ear.

<b>”Then enjoy it, kid.”</b>

b>”Smile.”</b>