Contract Marriage with a Male Friend - Chapter 39

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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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#39

Su Ui cast a sharp glance at Beom Jin, who had wrapped an arm around her shoulders while covering her swollen lips with the back of his hand—her face flushed red. But the moment passed quickly.
The moment she stepped into the living room, Su Ui’s eyes went wide.
“What… what is all this?”
Employees in uniforms, white gloves on their hands, stood waiting at intervals.
Mannequins arranged at equal distances.
Before them, handbags, shoes, and scarves were displayed, and spare clothing hung on racks on either side.
Their ordinary living room had become a department store showroom.
“We said we’d pick out what you’d wear to tomorrow’s party.”
At Beom Jin’s words, Su Ui was rendered speechless.

“Let’s choose an outfit on Friday.”
“We’ll have to go to the department store, right?”
“No. You can just come home from work.”
“What do you mean?”
“You’ll find out on Friday.”

When he’d said it like that, she’d assumed he meant borrowing from her existing wardrobe.
‘I never thought he’d bring an entire department store into the apartment.’
While she stood there too stunned to speak, Beom Jin seemed perfectly at ease, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
‘He really is a Chaebol.’
An inexplicable distance settled over her, leaving a bitter taste in her mouth.
How many more moments like this would she have to face?
Each time, she’d feel this way, and each time she’d have to hide it. Just like now.
‘Can I really do this?’
The bigger thought had been that she’d merely be Beom Jin’s childhood friend playing his wife for a year.
But the real resolution she needed to make was to live as part of the Kangho Group chairman’s family.
Beom Jin had said that his presence by her side would be enough, but how could it be that simple?
Reality would surely be different.
“Please feel free to look around, ma’am. Should you require any assistance, please don’t hesitate to let us know.”
This was exactly what she meant.
‘M-ma’am?’
They already viewed her as the wife of Beom Jin—that is, as the wife of Beom Jin, executive director, grandson of Chairman Beom Jin of the Kangho Group.
It was only Su Ui who felt awkward in this situation.
Beom Jin took hold of her hand, interlacing their fingers, and gently drew Su Ui forward.
Half-dazed, she followed him as they began examining the clothes the mannequins wore and those hanging on the racks.
“This one’s too revealing. This one’s hemline is too short—it’ll be uncomfortable to move in. This one has no exposure but clings too tightly to the body.”
With each garment Beom Jin flipped past—whoosh, whoosh—she could feel the tension ripple through the employees standing behind them, their smiles remaining courteous.
“This one makes Su Ui’s face too bright. This one makes Su Ui’s skin too prominent. This one shows Su Ui’s figure too much.”
“Why? They’re all beautiful.”
“It’s fine if you wear it when it’s just the two of us.”
Her face burning with embarrassment, Su Ui glanced at the employees, but their eyes remained fixed on the floor.
“…….”
Su Ui drew her lips tight and breathed deeply.
The reality of living as Beom Jin’s wife for one year was beginning to sink into her bones.

***

“That dress makes you look too beautiful—I’m not sure about it.”
“Don’t push it. If you keep going like this, we’re not shopping together anymore.”
Beom Jin fell silent at once.
By settling on a tastefully modest one-piece dress, the shopping spree that had unfolded in their living room finally came to an end.
“I’ll have my director choose the rest for you.”
“How about we pair this bag and necklace with it? The size is modest and not burdensome at all—a simple yet elegant look that would showcase your refined presence perfectly.”
“That one accentuates Su Ui’s neckline too much, so—”
“Yes, that sounds lovely!”
Su Ui clapped her hand over Beom Jin’s mouth before he could refuse and quickly nodded her head.
“I really love what your director has chosen. Let’s go with that. Could you help me pick shoes as well?”
“Then—these are this season’s latest. They’re comfortable to wear while making the legs look absolutely stunning—”
“Perfect! I’ll take them.”
The employee, reading Beom Jin’s reluctant nod from where his mouth had been silenced by Su Ui, bowed in relief.
“It’s been an honor to serve you both. Should you need anything in the future, please don’t hesitate to contact us.”
The people and merchandise, moving with synchronized precision just as they had upon arrival, vanished from the apartment in an instant.
After seeing them off and stepping back inside, Su Ui gazed at the living room, now restored to its pristine state, and released a long-held breath.
“Sigh…….”
So this was how you could shop.
Today it had been clothing, accessories, and bags.
If she wished, they could probably bring the entire food section into the apartment as well.
“Was it really that exhausting?”
“Are you serious?”
Su Ui gently pushed away Beom Jin’s shoulders as he tried to pull her close, her eyes hardening.
“Don’t do that again.”
“What did I do?”
“They were all uncomfortable.”
“You don’t need to worry about that. It’s their job.”
For a moment, Su Ui’s words caught in her throat.
“I know it sounds harsh.”
Beom Jin gently caressed her cheek and met her eyes.
“But preparing what a client wants, receiving their evaluation, and then refining their preparations to better match the client’s preferences next time—that’s their job, and it’s their pride.”
Her amber eyes widened.
“Simply saying ‘it’s fine’ would actually be disrespecting them.”
“……I hadn’t thought of it that way.”
“You’ll get used to it soon enough.”
Beom Jin pulled Su Ui into his arms and stroked her hair with his large hand.
“It won’t be an easy path. But I want you by my side through it all.”
She bit her lip firmly.
Perhaps, perhaps even now—
‘Maybe I should find someone who could play this role better than me.’
Someone more similar to him, someone who wouldn’t crease this side of him.
But the moment she imagined another woman becoming Beom Jin’s wife instead, kissing him, falling asleep beside him, held in his arms like this……
Her aching heart began to throb painfully.
‘Beom Jin has probably struggled adjusting to me this whole time too.’
Right. So this time, it was her turn.
Beom Jin had stood by her side so she would never be alone. Now it was her turn to step into his world.
Because they were friends.
Because they would be together for life.
With that resolve, Su Ui rested her head against Beom Jin’s chest and closed her eyes.
The warmth enveloping her back soon spread through her entire body.
‘I’m the one who agreed to this contract. So I have to do it well.’

***

The party invited by Han Jung O and Heo Dong Hoon was held in the Ruby Hall of the Sky River Hotel.
Beneath dazzling chandeliers, elegantly dressed men and women held crystal glasses as they conversed in small groups.
“I hear the Middle East contract is proceeding positively?”
“How did you know that? You certainly have fast ears.”
“My father is overseeing the related matter. It’ll come up at the next deliberation committee meeting.”
“Really? Could I learn more details?”
Most of the attendees were third and fourth generation from the business and political circles, and the purpose of this gathering was to further expand the status, power, and wealth they already held.
Concealing their true intentions behind laughter, their eyes evaluated one another—until suddenly, all eyes turned in one direction.
“Hey, hey. There’s Beom Jin Beom Jin.”
“Wow, he actually came? The way he usually acts, you’d think he’d never show up to something like this.”
“Did my eyes deceive me? Is Beom Jin actually smiling? That guy doesn’t smile like that, so tenderly—”
“Love is truly terrifying, isn’t it? Even the great Beom Jin has been transformed.”
Beom Jin paid no attention to the eyes converging upon him. His attention was entirely on the woman standing beside him.
“Don’t stray from me. Not for a second.”
“How many times do you think you’ve said that?”
“I mean it, darling.”
Beom Jin wrapped his arm around Su Ui’s waist and pulled her closer, whispering into her ear.
“These bastards looking at you—I’m about to lose my mind holding back.”

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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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