Hwi-gang’s sedan slid into the garage next to the supercar, and as he turned off the engine and unbuckled his seatbelt, Seol-ah quickly did the same. He got out first and walked around the car to open her door. Still in awe, she got out.
“Where are we?”
“Come inside.”
Hwi-gang extended his hand to her. Seol-ah hesitated for a moment but eventually took it. He led her through a door connected to the garage, and they began climbing a staircase lined with artwork that looked undeniably expensive, even to Seol-ah’s untrained eye.
‘This can’t be someone else’s house…’ she thought, her curiosity intensifying with each step. At the top of the stairs, they reached another door, which Hwi-gang opened with ease.
As Seol-ah stepped inside, her confusion only deepened. ‘Did he own this house?’
The room was dark, with heavy curtains drawn tightly, casting deep shadows across the room. The air was thick with mystery, and Seol-ah couldn’t shake the feeling that she was about to discover something significant.
“Where are we, Hwi-gang?”
Seol-ah asked again, her voice carrying a note of rising curiosity.
Instead of answering, Hwi-gang tapped something on his phone. Instantly, the thick blackout curtains parted, allowing sunlight to flood the room. He tapped again and a crystal chandelier hanging from the high ceiling lit up, illuminating the entire room. The sudden brightness caused Seol-ah to blink several times as her eyes adjusted.
When her vision cleared, she took in the sight of a tastefully furnished, luxurious living room that radiated warmth and elegance. Seol-ah turned to Hwi-gang, still processing the revelation.
“What… what is all this?”
Seol-ah exclaimed, covering her mouth with both hands, her wide eyes darting around the room in disbelief.
“This is for you, Seol-ah.”
Hwi-gang said softly, his voice gentle and sincere.
Tears filled Seol-ah’s eyes as she slowly realized the depth of his gesture. No matter how much people talked about the greatness of a chaebol, Seol-ah had never expected anything like this. She stood speechless, her mind overwhelmed by the sight before her. Tears streamed down her cheeks, unnoticed in her stunned state.
The living room floor was covered with a thick layer of red rose petals, and amidst them, a small path had been carefully arranged. An arrow made of white rose petals pointed the way, guiding her forward. The intoxicating scent of roses filled the air, mingling with the soft glow of the candlelight to create a dreamlike atmosphere.
Seol-ah took a shaky step forward, her heart racing, as Hwi-gang gently squeezed her hand. “Go on,” he whispered, encouraging her to follow the path laid out before her.
The air was filled with the sweet fragrance of roses as Seol-ah walked slowly along the path. The villa itself was enormous, its sheer size beyond her ability to estimate. The main living room alone was as large as a small apartment.
Everywhere she looked, intricate details and decorations adorned the space, but the rose-lined path commanded her attention, making it hard to focus on anything else. Something was hanging by the window, perhaps a piece of artwork or decoration, but she couldn’t tear her eyes away from the path.
As she reached the center of the living room, Seol-ah’s breath caught in her throat. In the middle of a large heart made entirely of pink roses stood a round glass table. On that table sat not one, but three small velvet jewelry boxes, each a deep shade of purple, like something from a dream.
The sight left her breathless.
Seol-ah’s heart pounded so loudly that she felt it would jump out of her chest. Drawn to the table like a moth to a flame, she knelt gently before it, her eyes fixed on the three small boxes. She hadn’t opened them yet, but her mind was racing with questions. What was inside? Why were there three of them?
Unbeknownst to her, each box held something significant: a ring, a car key, and a card key for the villa’s front door. But at that moment, Seol-ah only saw the elegant boxes and felt a rush of emotions so overwhelming that she couldn’t bring herself to touch them just yet. It was as if the entire world had shifted around her, and she was standing on the edge of something momentous.
“Hwi-gang…”
She whispered, wiping away the tears that were already welling in her eyes. She had realized that this was all part of Hwi-gang’s proposal, a moment she hadn’t expected to come in such a grand, beautiful way.
“Can I open them?”
“Of course,” Hwi-gang replied, his voice warm and reassuring. “They’re all for you. But before you do, could you look over here for a second?”
“Where?”
Seol-ah asked, turning to follow where Hwi-gang was pointing. Her eyes landed on the window, and there, displayed in big balloon letters, were the words: Please, Marry Me! Jin Seol-ah!
The moment she read those words, the tears that had been welling up spilled over, streaming down her face uncontrollably. It was overwhelming, beautiful, and impossible not to cry at the sheer emotion of it all.
Hwi-gang stepped closer, gently wiping away the last of Seol-ah’s tears with his thumb, his playful smile softening the emotional tension. He looked at her with such warmth and sincerity that Seol-ah could hardly breathe, feeling the full weight of the perfect moment sink in.
“You can’t open the boxes until you answer,” he teased, his voice warm but carrying the weight of a question he already knew the answer to.
She wiped her eyes once more and nodded, her heart full and overflowing with emotion. Though they had already talked about marriage, a proposal like this felt different—so much more meaningful and unforgettable.
Seeing her crying so much, Hwi-gang leaned closer with a playful grin.
“You cry a lot, huh? I don’t really like girls who cry all the time… Should I cancel the wedding?”
Even though she knew he was joking, Seol-ah hurriedly dried her tears and responded, “I don’t usually cry, okay? But just for today, I’m going to let myself cry as much as I want! I mean, who wouldn’t cry after such an incredible proposal?”
“Oh? So, my proposal was that perfect?”
Hwi-gang puffed his chest a little, clearly pleased with himself.
Seol-ah laughed through her lingering tears, her heart feeling lighter despite the overwhelming emotions.
“Yes, it was perfect,” she admitted softly, looking at him with eyes full of gratitude and love.
Seol-ah nodded enthusiastically and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him close. Hwi-gang laughed softly, but soon, he gently pulled her back just enough to lean in and kiss her. The sound of their lips meeting echoed softly through the large, beautifully decorated room, sealing the moment with intimacy and love.
Seol-ah was completely lost in Hwi-gang’s kiss, unaware that the entire scene was being recorded. A camera, discreetly positioned to capture everything except their faces, had been set up by Hwi-gang for her. He had plans to use the footage for future memories, but more immediately, it was intended for social media.
While researching proposals, Hwi-gang stumbled upon popular proposal videos on Instagram. He saw how celebrities proudly shared their extravagant moments online, and he wanted Seol-ah to have that same opportunity to showcase her unforgettable proposal. But his intentions weren’t just about creating a beautiful memory—they were also a subtle message to certain people, like Jung-jae and Kim Seol-ran. Even though their faces wouldn’t be visible, Hwi-gang knew that Jung-jae would instantly recognize Seol-ah and understand exactly what he had lost.
At this moment, Hwi-gang wasn’t just celebrating their love; he was also drawing a line between their future and everything that had tried to hold Seol-ah back. He wanted the world—and certain people in particular—to know that Seol-ah had moved on to something grand, meaningful, and deeply cherished.
As the kiss deepened and Hwi-gang’s body grew warmer with desire, he was the first to pull back, aware that there was still more to this moment. With a lingering sigh, he gently released Seol-ah’s lips and took a step away.
“Aren’t you going to open these boxes?”
He asked, his voice slightly husky but his focus steady on the moment at hand. Seol-ah, still catching her breath from the intensity of the kiss, smiled softly and turned her gaze to the boxes. The excitement and anticipation started building up inside her once again.
Hwi-gang took a deep breath, trying to steady himself.
“Don’t look at me with such expectant eyes; it might be nothing special,” he said, attempting to sound casual despite his own nerves. Seol-ah shook her head with a reassuring smile.
“Even if it’s just a cheap ring from a street vendor, it would still mean more to me than any expensive one. So, I won’t be disappointed, I promise.”
Her words made Hwi-gang’s heart swell with warmth. The sincerity in her eyes reminded him why he had put so much thought and effort into this moment. It wasn’t about the grandeur or the price—it was about their bond, their future, and what they meant to each other. He smiled, nodding slightly as if to give her permission.
“Then go ahead,” he whispered, his voice now tender, “open them.”