Chapter 06
Sahyuk stopped at the entrance to the party and extended his arm toward Seobin.
Following a step behind him, Seobin froze, glancing back and forth between his arm and his face.
She had come along almost absentmindedly after hearing it was a party hosted by Yoo Inha, but she still had no idea under what pretense she was supposed to attend.
Going as the reporter covering Kim Sahyuk seemed a little too much, yet showing up as his partner felt equally out of nowhere.
“…This is a little…”
She trailed off before she could finish, Wouldn’t this look strange? An awkward expression spread across her face.
“It’ll be easier for you to be my partner than Reporter Bae Seobin. For what we’re trying to accomplish.”
Looking down at her, Sahyuk’s eyes remained completely emotionless, unlike hers.
His calm, unconcerned attitude only made Seobin feel as though she was the one making a fuss. Heat rose to her cheeks.
Pouting slightly in embarrassment, she lowered her gaze and slowly slipped her left arm through his.
“Let’s go.”
Turning his eyes forward, Sahyuk’s lips curved ever so slightly.
Together, they walked toward the entrance.
Right.
It’s only linking arms.
Compared to everything she could gain by staying close to Kim Sahyuk, a few unnecessary misunderstandings meant nothing.
Remember your purpose. That’s why you’re here, Bae Seobin.
Repeating Sahyuk’s advice to herself, Seobin stepped into the party.
Even for an event supposedly held for a charitable cause, the VIP reception was extravagantly luxurious.
Blue lights drifted across the night sky to the house techno music selected by a famous European DJ. Beside the lounge, guests in swimsuits danced in the infinity pool, sending ripples across the shimmering water.
Several people, already thoroughly drunk, lounged together on sunbeds and cabanas, creating an unmistakably intimate atmosphere.
“When did you get back from the States? Why haven’t you been answering your phone? Been too busy dating?”
“Sahyuk, I’ve got a business idea I’ve been working on… Think you could get me into Meridian? Isn’t your uncle the owner? You should’ve told me sooner.”
The moment Sahyuk appeared, people quickly gathered around him, eager to exchange a few words.
The fourth-generation heir of Jeongho Construction.
The grandson of a former Minister of Justice.
The son of a real estate tycoon who owned skyscrapers throughout Gangnam.
Using casual greetings as an excuse, each subtly tried to ask favors of Noble Group’s youngest executive director.
Naturally, their attention shifted to the woman standing beside him.
“So who’s she?”
“Didn’t expect you to bring a woman.”
“I’ve never seen her before… or have I?”
Meeting their curious gazes, Seobin responded with a polite nod.
Their eyes immediately grew far more blatant.
They slowly looked her over from head to toe, openly admiring the black dress Sahyuk’s secretary had prepared for her.
Twisted smiles spread across their faces as they rolled their tongues against the insides of their cheeks.
Feeling increasingly uncomfortable under their attention, Seobin tried to remove her arm from Sahyuk’s.
Instead, Sahyuk tightened his arm slightly, pulling her closer.
“I’d rather avoid unnecessary interest.”
His cold words instantly froze the atmosphere.
The sudden tension caused Seobin’s fingers around his arm to tighten unconsciously.
Although he’d traded his suit jacket for a black shirt with several buttons undone, the overwhelming presence surrounding Sahyuk hadn’t diminished in the slightest.
“Come on, no need to get upset. Your girlfriend’s just so beautiful that I…” Kim Seokju started.
Before he could finish, Oh Jihan jabbed him sharply with his elbow.
“Haha. We were being rude. It’s just been a while, so we got a little excited.”
A slow smile appeared on Sahyuk’s lips.
“Fucking ridiculous.”
The quiet curse slipped from between his lips, drowned beneath the music.
Only Seobin heard it.
“Go enjoy the party. Looks like Yoo Inha put a lot of effort into it.”
Lightly patting Jihan on the shoulder, Sahyuk led Seobin past the group.
Sharp glares dug into his back.
“What an arrogant bastard.”
“That conceited prick. Couldn’t stand him even back then.”
The insults floated just low enough that they could be ignored if one chose to.
That was the unspoken rule of their gossip-filled world—say it loudly enough to be heard, but quietly enough to deny it.
Feeling the stares burning into the back of her head, Seobin glanced behind her.
Only after they had put enough distance between themselves and the others did she quietly release his arm.
Sahyuk spoke calmly.
“You’d better get used to this.”
She looked up at him.
Unlike his cold expression, his voice sounded oddly gentle.
“Gossip. Misunderstandings. Rumors.”
He paused.
“And scandals.”
“Ah…”
She was already familiar with those.
She had experienced all of them eight years ago, after her sister died.
Her expression softened into a small smile.
Turning toward him, she said,
“I’ll do anything if it helps me reach my goal.”
“Anything?”
She nodded lightly.
The night breeze gently lifted her hair.
Their eyes met.
They’re deep, Seobin thought as she looked into his eyes.
As deep and dark as the water my sister disappeared into.
For a brief moment, the noise of the party seemed to disappear.
Then—
“Ah, ah—mic test. Ah, ah… Yes! Everyone, may I have your attention, please?”
As the emcee stepped onto the stage and called for everyone’s attention, Sahyuk finally looked away from Seobin.
A crooked smile tugged at his lips.
“So you’ll even pretend to be my girlfriend?”
Seobin’s pupils trembled.
Pretending not to react, she turned toward the stage.
Sahyuk continued casually.
“You’d better be prepared.”
The emcee enthusiastically introduced the host of the evening.
At those words, a man rose from one of the luxurious cabanas built half a level above the outdoor lounge and walked toward the stage.
Yoo Inha.
Seobin’s gaze slowly followed him.
Even so, part of her attention remained fixed on Sahyuk.
“Please welcome Director Yoo Inha, the founder and future leader of the YOU Foundation! Let’s give him a big round of applause!”
As Yoo Inha stepped onto the stage, applause erupted throughout the venue.
Watching him with eyes as sharp as a hyena waiting beside its trap, Sahyuk slowly clapped as well.
Though reluctant, Seobin raised her hands and joined the applause.
At that moment, Sahyuk leaned close to her ear and whispered,
“When I say it…”
His voice was low.
“I really mean all of it.”
Startled, Seobin instinctively stepped away.
Sahyuk leaned back and chuckled quietly as he looked toward the stage.
Seriously…
Feeling as though she’d just been toyed with, Seobin shot him an irritated glare.
Meanwhile, at center stage, Yoo Inha began his opening remarks before the gathered guests.
“I’d like to sincerely thank everyone for attending the first event hosted by our foundation and for joining us for tonight’s closing party. The YOU Foundation was created to realize the social value of art—a dream I’ve held since childhood…”
Motioning to a passing server, Sahyuk picked up a glass of champagne from the tray.
He sipped it leisurely.
Unlike him, Seobin suddenly felt uncomfortable with everything.
The black dress that emphasized her figure.
The high heels she almost never wore.
The curious stares directed at her simply because she was standing beside Sahyuk.
But most of all…
She hated how easily a single sentence from him could shake her.
“I’m going to make a quick phone call.”
Needing a moment to catch her breath, Seobin turned away from Sahyuk and headed toward the back of the lounge.
Completely unaware that an even more dangerous encounter awaited her.
Sahyuk watched her retreating figure for a long time as she disappeared into the night.
