IDMPYU 44

44. Come Stand By Me

Ji-hyun couldn’t hide her nerves as she stared at the hotel where the party was being held.

“This is the kind of scene you only see in dramas…”

But she’d come anyway. Ji-hyun clenched her fists in an attempt to hide her trembling. The whole situation felt unreal. Today was the Shinyang ES party hosted by Myung-ho.

Just this morning she’d been carrying a simple canvas tote, but now the luxury-brand mini clutch in her hand blurred her sense of reality.

As she stood staring blankly at the symbol on the clutch, Seung-ho walked past her and turned to face her.

“What are you doing just standing there?”

“N-nothing.”

Ji-hyun looked up—and her breath caught in her throat. Just seeing him made her shoulders tense up. A few days ago, he had wrapped his hand around that very spot while helping her pick out a dress. His eyes had been cold as he reached for the black dress, rebuking the staff.

“Some ‘fashion insight’ you’ve got…”

The manager’s eyes had trembled at his icy tone. Ji-hyun only found out later that this was a manager notorious for discriminating against customers.

But it didn’t end there.

Seung-ho had personally picked out her shoes, and even the clutch she now held. The staff, all wearing white gloves, exchanged uneasy glances, but not one of them dared stop him.

“You memorized the profiles of the party attendees, right?”

Standing slightly slouched with his hair slicked back and dressed in a tailored suit, Seung-ho looked like the star of the night.

The suit emphasized his physique and gave him an effortlessly refined appearance. Even the same-brand cufflinks subtly peeking out from his sleeves made his smallest gestures appear elegant.

Ji-hyun recognized the brand. It was the same suit line worn by Mi-ri’s favorite actor—well known for only looking good on people with exceptional builds.

So Ji-hyun could say with confidence: Seung-ho wore it better than the actor. When she didn’t answer right away, a faint frown creased his otherwise perfect brow.

“Are you even listening?”

Snapped out of her thoughts, Ji-hyun’s gaze flickered. Compared to Seung-ho’s calm and relaxed demeanor, she was a bundle of nerves—she felt utterly small in contrast.

“Y-yeah. Of course.”

“Doesn’t sound like it.”

“No, I heard everything.”

He still looked unconvinced, but didn’t press further. Then, just a few steps ahead, he stopped walking and glanced back at her, displeased.

“Did you do something wrong to me?”

“What?”

Confused, Ji-hyun tilted her head. Seung-ho gestured beside him with a flick of his chin.

“Don’t walk behind me. Come stand next to me.”

“…What?”

“You’re not my servant. Why are you walking behind me?”

If I’m not a servant, then what am I?

Just as she hesitated, he walked over to her. The soft scent of mint clung to him as he stopped by her side.

“You really have a knack for irritating people…”

Ji-hyun touched her cheek with the back of her hand, feeling the heat rise again.

“This dazed wandering ends here. Once we’re inside, keep your head straight.”

Seung-ho leaned close and murmured in a whisper before straightening his back. Ji-hyun looked up at the unfamiliar man now standing beside her.

Gone was the cocky, disheveled guy from earlier. In his place stood a man of innate grace and arrogance.

At the entrance, staff were checking invitations one by one. But the moment they saw Seung-ho, they opened the doors without question.

Ji-hyun recalled the last words he whispered to her:

“Tonight, you’re my partner.”

All eyes inside turned to the pair that had just entered. People looked at Seung-ho with admiration and excitement. Toward Ji-hyun, they cast curious and puzzled glances: Who is she?

“Hey, look who it is! Isn’t that my little brother, Seung-ho?”

A booming voice called out from across the room. It was Myung-ho, holding a martini with olives.

His voice was warm, but his expression toward Seung-ho was anything but welcoming. Once the crowd’s attention dispersed, Myung-ho showed his true, snide face.

“What brings you here? Did I send you an invite? Or did Director Yoon take the liberty?”

He was blatantly saying Seung-ho wasn’t invited. But Seung-ho didn’t so much as blink.

“Didn’t know I needed one. I just heard the major shareholders were all welcome, so here I am.”

“Oh, is that so? Good to know. I almost fired the wrong staff member.”

Myung-ho sipped from his martini glass with thinly veiled hostility. Seung-ho smirked. He knew exactly how to provoke his brother. With someone this dull, subtlety was a waste.

“I get what you’re trying to do, but don’t you think it’s a little cliché?”

“Classic never dies, right?”

Seung-ho’s dry gaze passed over Myung-ho’s greasy smirk and fixed on the chandelier above.

“Too vulgar to be called classic.”

“What did you just say?”

The smirk vanished. Myung-ho’s forehead bulged with veins. But Seung-ho simply turned slightly to Ji-hyun and said quietly,

“Get me a glass of champagne.”

There were plenty of servers around, but he asked Ji-hyun anyway—on purpose.

While he dealt with Myung-ho, he wanted Ji-hyun to circle the room and observe the guests.

Ji-hyun nodded and stepped away. Watching her walk off, Myung-ho whistled, obviously impressed.

He seemed to have completely forgotten the time he got burned trying to make a move on her back at the mansion. He couldn’t take his eyes off her.

“Who’s she? Some up-and-coming actress? You never cared about women, but I guess you’re no exception.”

Seung-ho suppressed a bitter laugh. Even now, all his brother cared about was eyeing women. It disgusted him.

Ji-hyun made her way through the crowd with a sigh. Just being associated with Shin Seung-ho drew all kinds of attention she didn’t want. When she was with him, people at least pretended to be polite. Now that she was alone, their stares were overt and shameless.

Sweat slicked her palm against the clutch. But she couldn’t just keep her head down.

Ji-hyun steadied herself and looked around, enduring the unfamiliar attention. The guest list was larger than expected.

From politicians seeking campaign donations to lawyers looking to expand their networks—everyone was busy shaking hands and putting on smiles.

Time to head back now?

Ji-hyun had taken in enough to identify most of the key figures. And she was worried about Seung-ho.

What must it feel like to raise a sword against your own family?

It was unimaginable to her. Just as she turned to head back, she unexpectedly ran into a familiar face.

“Choi Ji-hyun?”

“Ha-jun? What are you doing here?”

Ha-jun stared at her in shock.

Ha-jun had come to the party as Min-woo’s guest. But it was just as dry and tedious as law school. Seung-ho hadn’t shown up yet, and the wait made Ha-jun anxious. He downed two glasses of champagne.

“Dude, that’s not kid’s juice. Just ’cause it’s sweet doesn’t mean it won’t hit you.”

Min-woo took the glass from his hand.

“For someone who acts all grown up, you’re still a total rookie.”

Ha-jun scowled.

“Rookie?”

“What’s the point of being smart if you can’t even act natural at an event like this? You stick out like a sore thumb.”

Min-woo chuckled. Ha-jun couldn’t argue. He was right.

Others their age were mingling comfortably, chatting, and enjoying the party. Meanwhile, he felt awkward and out of place.

“You know you need to get used to this kind of stuff, right?”

Of course he knew. His father expected him to attend events like this.

“I don’t know…”

My friends wouldn’t even know what this kind of party is…

He thought of Mi-ri and Ji-hyun. He was glad their lives hadn’t been swallowed up by this glittering nonsense.

Then, Min-woo nudged him and pointed.

“Seung-ho’s finally here.”

“How can you tell?”

“Because everyone starts whispering like that when he shows up. See?”

“Wow, the great lead actor has arrived.”

Ha-jun scoffed. But Min-woo’s face suddenly went pale.

“I’d better go check if Myung-ho is stirring up trouble. Probably won’t amount to anything, but still. You stay here. If Seung-ho gets pissed, he might just leave.”

“What? Wait—Min-woo!”

But Min-woo had already disappeared into the crowd. Ha-jun felt suffocated. The collar of his shirt clung to his neck as he tugged at it and headed in Min-woo’s direction.

Just then, a familiar silhouette caught his eye.

A black dress flowing elegantly, pale skin, long light brown hair, and large eyes looking right at him.

It was Ji-hyun.

“Seeing you here is a real surprise. What brings you?”

Clearly happy to see him, she smiled. Ha-jun felt like he could finally breathe.

“Shouldn’t I be the one asking that?”

“Oh…”

A trace of awkwardness crossed Ji-hyun’s eyes.

“I’m here for work.”

Her smile faltered slightly.

Work—so she came with Seung-ho.

Ji-hyun peeked around and gave a quick bow.

“Ha-jun, I should get going. It was nice running into you.”

“Wait, Ji-hyun.”

Ha-jun quickly grabbed her wrist. He didn’t want her to leave—not yet. He wanted to tell her how beautiful she looked today. That he didn’t want this moment to end…

But just as he opened his mouth, a shadow loomed behind him.

“Mind letting go of her wrist before we continue? You’re not some thug, are you?”

The deep, gentle voice was calm—yet icy and unmistakably threatening.