21.1

After dinner, the two went to the hotel suite where Seonkyung was staying. She had been staying in a state-of-the-art hotel with a fantastic view, located inside a skyscraper that Seonho had brought her to not long ago.

Chaeyoon was showing Seonkyung her jewelry designs saved on her phone.

“I think this will be my first proper piece.”

It was a set consisting of a net made of pearls used to hold notes or fix updos, hairpins, and a hair ornament shaped like a string of pearls.

“It looks like a hairpin.”

“That’s right. I made it thinking of Mrs. Ko. You know how Mrs. Ko often wears hanboks to official events.”

“Mrs. Ko?”

“When I went to study abroad, she offered to pay my expenses. She said she would become my first customer. What do you think, Vice Chairwoman? Would it suit Mrs. Ko well?”

Chaeyoon looked nervously at Seonkyung.

Despite her usual confidence, in moments like this, she seemed like a child anxiously waiting for test results, which made Seonkyung chuckle.

“It seems like it would suit her well. It’s unique, too. I’m sure Mrs. Ko will like it.”

“Really? That’s a relief.”

Chaeyoon clasped her hands to her chest, visibly delighted. Her radiant and lovely appearance made Seonkyung momentarily catch her breath.

Is it because she’s young, or because she handles jewels, that she shines so brightly?

Even Seonkyung, like Seonhoo, who was very successful and beautiful, usually didn’t notice anyone unless they were pretty. But Chaeyoon kept catching her eye.

They had been together enough time that some flaws should have been shown, but there were none. Instead, Seonkyung found her company comfortable and even fun.

It felt like chatting with a friend she got along with well. 

When was the last time I felt this way?

Chaeyoon had a knack for bringing back good memories from her younger days that she had long forgotten.

It’s a pity. Even if not a conglomerate heir, a near-conglomerate would have been nice.

Seonkyung had been repeating these thoughts for a while.

“Oh, it’s gotten very late. Then, have a good rest. I’ll be leaving now.”

“You could stay over if you want? There are plenty of rooms.”

“What?”

“We’ll see each other again tomorrow. It’s a hassle to go back and forth. If you need anything, you can buy it. Well, I can’t force you if you don’t want to.”

Though this itself sounded like coercion.

“No, I’d like that. When else could I stay at a place like this?”

Chaeyoon’s voice sounded unhesitant.

“Am I… not uncomfortable for you?”

“Should I find you uncomfortable?”

“It’s not that, but I know what people say behind my back, that I’m difficult to handle.”

“Really? I didn’t notice. I’ve had such a great time with you. You listen well to my stories, too.”

It wasn’t that Seonkyung was particularly trying to listen well; it was simply that Chaeyoon’s stories were interesting enough to keep her engaged.

Chaeyoon was knowledgeable, and she had a knack for articulating things in an engaging way. However, Seonkyung didn’t bother mentioning that.

“If you’re comfortable, that’s what matters. Then stay the night. If you need anything, just tell Secretary Jang.”

With those words, Seonkyung headed to her own bedroom.

***

“Pfft.”

After showering and lying in bed, Chaeyoon laughed, unable to believe she was actually ending her day like this.

She had been genuinely surprised when she first met Seonkyung. Not because Seonkyung had come looking for her, but because she was older than her mom, but Seonkyung was so young and sexy that she was surprised. She knew from newspaper articles and distant sightings that Seonkyung was glamorous, but in person, it was almost as if she was a glamorous vampire.

While talking with Seonkyung, Chaeyoon realized that she didn’t know the whole truth about her relationship with Seonho. Chaeyoon chose to reassure her with a mixture of truth and lies.

Joo-eun was right. She was good at deceiving others. Not that she lied all the time, but she’d lie if she needed to.

She knew that Seonho liked her and wanted to date her, but since they were just friends for now, it wasn’t entirely a lie.

Offering to guide her around London was a strategic move to showcase her strengths and make a good impression on Seonkyung. However, the time they spent together afterward was surprisingly enjoyable, almost like when she was with her mother.

She had thought Seonkyung would be a typical rigid conglomerate member, but her interest in fashion seemed to extend to antique jewelry as well.

There was a rumor that she only got into the business because of her conglomerate background and looks, but after talking to her, Chaeyoon realized she was confident and competent, and they communicated well.

By the time they had finished the auction preview and dinner, Chaeyoon’s impression of Seonkyung had changed.

“What shall we do for fun tomorrow? A musical would be nice, maybe grab a beer?”

Chaeyoon searched her phone for places to visit the next day.

“Should I tell Seonho?  Nothing happened, so maybe there’s no need. Why worry him unnecessarily?”

Then she remembered that Seonkyung and Seonho spoke in the same way and started laughing again.

“How can they be so similar? Is it genetics, or is it learned?”

From afar, she hadn’t wanted to encounter Seonkyung, thinking she was a typical conglomerate person. But up close, she was surprisingly charming.

Whether she was charmed by Seonkyung as an individual or because she resembled Seonho, Chaeyoon wasn’t sure.

***

Seonho’s body tensed as he looked at the photos of Chaeyoon with Seonkyung. As he scrolled, he saw pictures of them drinking tea, attending the auction preview, and having dinner.

“I told her not to go see Chaeyoon, but she went anyway?”

Seonho’s face was a mixture of annoyance and anxiety.

The last photo showed them entering the hotel together. No more photos after that, implying Chaeyoon had stayed the night there.

“Given she stayed at the Vice Chairwoman’s hotel, I’m sure there aren’t any problems.”

Junsu calmed Seonho down with his steady voice.

“I need to go to London.”

Seonho stood up.

“Trust Chaeyoon.”

“You want me to trust her?”

“Didn’t I tell you before? The Vice Chairwoman would take a liking to Chaeyoon.”

“Don’t you know my mother’s personality? She’d try to crush her as soon as she met her.”

“Don’t you think they look too close for that?”

Junsu tapped on the photo. Seonho looked at the photo again, considering this new perspective.

At first, Chaeyoon had appeared unfazed by the news that his mother had gone to meet her, but upon reviewing the photos again, Seonho noticed that they looked affectionately close. There was even a photo of Chaeyoon smiling.

“What’s this about?”

“Look at the Vice Chairwoman’s expression too. Doesn’t she seem relaxed and gentle?”

Junsu was right.

Seonkyung knew how to smile and laugh when needed, but Seonho knew well that it could be pretense. She was always tense, hiding her true feelings, but now she genuinely seemed at ease.

“It’s time for them to be asleep, right?”

“Wait. If there was a problem, Chaeyoon would have called.”

“Sure, Chaeyoon would call. Haha, I barely convinced her. If things go wrong, I might not even see her face again.”

Seonho felt a pain in his chest and clutched at his shirt.

Junsu looked at him with sympathy. 

How could one’s feelings and those of the involved party be the same?