The Price of Pretending

Yuna’s fingers tightened around the contract folder as she stood frozen in the hallway, her back against the cool wall. What kind of man casually handed out marriage contracts like it was an office memo? Her heartbeat pounded in her ears. There was no way she could do this. Right?

Meanwhile, inside his office, Minjae watched his office door, recalling their conversation they just had. There was something satisfying about her shocked expression, but also... irritating. He didn’t like not being in control, and somehow, this whole situation was anything but predictable.

"You think she’ll agree?" Hyunwoo asked, walking in without needing to knock.

Minjae didn’t answer immediately. "She will."

Hyunwoo arched a brow. "Confident."

"She owes me." He leaned back, eyes still on the door. "And I always collect."

At home that night, Yuna sat at her family’s restaurant, watching her little brother, Kang Haru, sneak another scoop of ice cream from the kitchen.

"That’s your third one," she said, narrowing her eyes.

"Fourth, actually," he grinned. "But don’t tell Mom."

Her mom called from the back. "Tell me what?"

"Nothing!" Haru replied quickly, mouth full.

Her father laughed. "You two never change."

Yuna forced a smile, heart still tangled up in the ridiculous proposal Minjae had thrown at her.

Across town, Jiwoo met Hyunwoo for coffee. She had been trying to ignore the way her heart jumped every time he adjusted his glasses or looked at her with that steady, unreadable gaze.

"You really think Minjae would go through with a fake marriage?" Jiwoo asked.

Hyunwoo sipped his americano. "He already started."

Jiwoo’s brows furrowed. "Why her?"

He didn’t answer.

The next day, Yuna arrived at work with heavy steps. On her desk, an envelope with her name in bold script sat like a time bomb.

Inside was another message from Minjae.

Coffee. 5 PM. Rooftop Café. You know the drill. – KM

The memory of the first blind date crept in. She had walked out then. She wasn’t sure if she could again.

At exactly five, Yuna stepped out of the elevator and into the rooftop café. The city glowed behind her, the tables pristine, empty.

Not a single customer.

Minjae sat alone at the same table, flipping through his phone. When he saw her, he stood and gestured to the seat across.

"You bought the entire café?"

"Privacy," he said simply.

She sat down, carefully. "This isn’t a normal coffee meeting."

He pulled the contract from a folder, placing it between them.

"Read the terms. It’s a one-year deal. Appear together at company events, two dinners with my grandfather a month, no actual romance required."

Yuna stared at him. "And if I say no?"

Minjae leaned in slightly. "Then I’ll make sure your lie follows you through every design firm in Seoul."

Her eyes widened. "You wouldn’t."

He held her gaze. "Try me."

She looked at the contract, then at him. Cold. Calculating. But also... desperate in a way he didn’t want to admit.

Yuna slowly picked up the pen.

"I want two clauses added."

He blinked. "Go on."

"One: You never interfere with my work. Two: When this ends, it ends. No retaliation."

A smirk curled on his lips. "Deal."

She signed.

He signed.

The wind blew softly as the city lights flickered.

"Welcome to our marriage," Minjae said, offering his hand.

Yuna shook it with a shaky breath. "You’re going to regret this."

"That makes two of us."

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***