Contract Marriage with a Male Friend - Chapter 17

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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#17

Sui set down the shopping bag with a soft thud on the dining table as she arrived home.

“I bought it for you. Working in such a gloomy atmosphere, I thought it’d be nice if you could have something sweet, even if just for a moment.”

What Ki Juwon had handed her was premium chocolate made by a renowned hotel’s pastry chef.
At a glance, it looked terribly expensive.
She certainly couldn’t have afforded it on her own salary.
Yet Ki Juwon presented it with the same casual nonchalance as if he’d picked up chocolate from a convenience store.
The sudden meeting was already unsettling, and seeing that only made her more aware of the gap in their lifestyles.
‘Then again, Dok Go Beomjin should be feeling uncomfortable too.’
His father was a lawyer at a major law firm, and his divorced mother came from a wealthy family and sent him considerable spending money, or so he’d once mentioned.
Thanks to that, the two of them had enjoyed snacks without limit.
Not expensive chocolate like this, but cheap chocolate and candy from the neighborhood convenience store—they’d been perfectly content.
Back then, they’d even talked about working at a chocolate factory together when they grew up.
Those days had been good.
Sui found herself smiling without realizing it, then gently slapped both her cheeks. Smack!
“There you go again, thinking about it.”
But what could she do?
From age sixteen until now, they’d been together the whole time.
This was the first time they’d gone so long without contact or been apart, so it was only natural that she kept thinking of him.
And besides… ‘that thing’ had happened too.
Still, Sui took her phone from her bag and tapped the screen.
But again today, there was no message from Beomjin.
“…They say he listens well to people.”
He was probably staying silent and doing his job so as not to interfere with her.
Waiting until she contacted him again.
…The stubborn fool.
‘I wonder if he’s eating properly.’
Did he tie his necktie right? Was he getting called out for dress code violations again?
What if he got held up by some charlatan on the street and was late for work?
‘Nowadays it’s not even religious groups—just random thugs picking fights, I heard.’
Surely he wasn’t caught up in something like that?
Sui’s expression darkened.
Beomjin was tall and well-built, so most people left him alone, but there were always some fools who’d pick fights with him just to prove their own strength.
Then her lips pressed together firmly.
Before, she’d only worried about things like that.
Now a different worry had crept in.
‘What if he’s seeing another woman?’
What if he was with her and doing what he’d done with Sui without any hesitation?
Even if that were true, she had no obligation, no right to stop him.
He was her friend.
Nothing more, nothing less.
That’s what she’d decided.
“I’ll wash away these tangled thoughts.”
Sui murmured this promise to herself as she headed for the bathroom.
Some song lyric about forgetting one love with another love surfaced in her mind, but she pushed it away deliberately.
Because this feeling wasn’t love.

***

Four more days passed.
After conducting a funeral for a person with no relations and leaving work, it was just after six in the evening.
She’d wanted to grab a quick convenience store meal as she had been, but tonight she had a prior engagement.
‘Will I be fine like this?’
Sui studied her reflection in the building’s glass and shrugged.
Well, she was in formal attire—that should be fine.
Sui headed to the Sky Lounge at the Sky River Hotel.
“I was told a reservation was made under the name Ki Juwon.”
“Yes, certainly. Allow me to show you to your table.”
The host greeted her with refined courtesy and led her to the innermost window seat.
Ki Juwon, already seated and gazing out at the night view, spotted her approaching and stood with a bright smile.
“Sui.”
“You arrived early.”
“No, I just got here myself.”
Their reservation was for seven. It was now 6:40.
She’d thought she’d arrived fairly early, but Ki Juwon had clearly come much earlier than that.
“Please, have a seat, Sui.”
As Sui sat down, Ki Juwon settled into the chair across from her with a soft chuckle.
“How have you been?”
“Oh, yes. Have you been well, sir?”
“I’ve been waiting for today alone. Ha.”
The sudden candor caught Sui off guard, and an awkward smile crossed her face.
She wasn’t sure how to respond.
Yet Ki Juwon’s expression remained untroubled.
“I heard you conducted a funeral today. I’ve always thought so, but you’re truly remarkable. I admire you.”
“That’s not it. Admiration isn’t—”
“How could one not admire it? A person born with others beside them leaves this world alone. To send off someone’s final moment—how is that not worthy of admiration?”
Though she knew he was trying to impress her with his words, she didn’t mind. It felt good.
It wasn’t often that someone truly understood the work she did.
“Hearing you say that makes me… happy. Most people look at me with prejudice.”
Questions about why a young woman chose to be a funeral director were merely the gentler version.
Some asked if there was something strange about her; others were suspicious that she might be stealing and selling the jewelry worn by the deceased.
Many dismissed her because of her education level and salary, and no small number of men had suggested she quit this work and become their mistress instead.
She’d even been called an unlucky bitch who moved ghosts around.
“Perhaps it’s because it’s fascinating and remarkable. Not everyone can do it, after all.”
Seeing Ki Juwon’s obvious effort to comfort her, Sui let out a small laugh.
Now that she saw it, there was something endearing about him.
“But may I ask why you chose this path? Ah, not for any particular reason—I’m just genuinely curious. Of course, if it’s difficult to answer, you don’t have to.”
Sui thought for a moment, then spoke.
“I’m not emotionally ready yet. Would it be alright to tell you later?”
“Of course! Until that day comes, I’ll do my best to make you feel comfortable around me.”
Sui drew in a soft breath at the sincerity in Ki Juwon’s eyes.
…Yes, this is how it should begin.
She couldn’t spend forever just with Dok Go Beomjin.
A true friend would genuinely celebrate when the other found love.
Before long, the food arrived.
The two of them ate steak with the night view as a backdrop, conversing easily.
Ki Juwon guided the conversation smoothly, keeping the atmosphere from becoming awkward, and Sui found herself far more at ease than before.
“…And that’s how I came to know Manager Oh. He’s a good man, isn’t he?”
“That’s right. You and the director both seem to have a lot to learn from.”
“I’d like to become that kind of couple too.”
Ah…
Sui blinked, at a loss for words, and Ki Juwon covered his mouth lightly and cleared his throat.
The tips of his ears had turned red.
“That came out wrong—but actually, it’s true. I want to be in a serious relationship with you. You might think it’s too soon, but I’m certain of it.”
Ki Juwon looked directly into Sui’s eyes as he spoke.
“You and I are destined, Sui.”
It was the first time she’d heard such a confession from a man.
Her chest tingled with something, while a heavy weight seemed to settle on her at the same time.
“I’m not asking for an answer right now. I just wanted you to know that I don’t take this meeting lightly.”
“…Yes, I understand.”
“By the way, the cocktails here are excellent too. Would you like to try one? There are some with lower alcohol content.”
“Yes, I’ll try whatever you recommend.”
Ki Juwon raised his hand lightly toward a staff member.
Sui could see he was being considerate so she wouldn’t feel uncomfortable.
‘He really is a good person.’

***

Black sedans filed into the Underground Parking Lot of the Sky River Hotel.
Screech.
“Executive Director Ahn Myeongjae is in a suite on this level, is he?”
“Yes, on the days he meets his mistress Ju Sohui, he always has a whiskey drink at the Sky Lounge bar before heading up.”
Beomjin let out a breathless laugh, incredulous.
“What, does he perform a ritual before committing adultery? How pathetic.”
He clicked his tongue and moved forward.
“Let’s go up.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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