{KOREAN-ENGLISH}
Joon So Min wore a red gown that shimmered faintly under the lights of the banquet hall. Her hair was pulled up neatly, a delicate necklace resting against her collarbone. She looked stunning, but her fingers trembled slightly against her clutch bag. These events always made her nervous,too many eyes, too many powerful people.
Beside her stood Lee Seo Jun, clad in a sleek black suit, expression unreadable but gaze quietly attentive.
"Are you okay?" he asked, leaning in just enough for only her to hear.
"Yes," she laughed softly, nervously.
Seo Jun glanced around. "The chef you told Yun Jun about,he was hired. I've heard good things."
So Min's smile faltered. She still hadn't told Seo Jun that the chef was her ex-boyfriend. She figured he wouldn't care,it was a fake relationship, after all. But now, standing beside him, guilt crawled into her throat like a thorn.
"Seo Jun, So Min!" came a voice.
It was Lee Yun Jun, walking toward them with a man behind him. So Min recognized the silhouette even before he stepped forward.
Jung Hyun.
"Our chef," Yun Jun announced proudly.
Jung Hyun stepped forward with a smile but it faded the instant he laid eyes on So Min... standing beside Seo Jun. His face stiffened.
"I see So Min hasn't introduced her boyfriend to you," Yun Jun teased. "So Min, why? I thought you two were friends."
So Min gave an awkward smile. The guilt hit again,why did she feel like she was cheating on someone she no longer loved?
"Hello, Mr. Lee," Jung Hyun said, bowing politely after a long stare.
"So Min didn't tell me," Seo Jun replied, his voice calm but cool.
"She likes to keep her life private. Isn't that right, dear?" Seo Jun added, smiling at her.
So Min nodded slowly, wishing the ground would open and swallow her.
"I'd love to try your food," Seo Jun told Jung Hyun with a faint smile.
"Yes, we're all having dinner," Yun Jun said brightly. "I'll greet the other guests. You two go ahead. I'll join soon."
"Sure, brother," Seo Jun said, placing a hand on So Min's back as he led her away.
Jung Hyun stood behind, staring at their silhouette as it disappeared.
"Let's go, Mr. Jung," Yun Jun said.
But Jung Hyun's eyes didn't move.
"How... how long have they been together?" he asked.
"Almost a month now," Yun Jun said. "Why didn't So Min tell you?"
"We hadn't seen each other in years... we only reconnected recently," Jung Hyun muttered.
Yun Jun said nothing more.
⸻
At the dinner table, plates were full and conversation mild.
"The food is quite delicious," Seo Jun said, placing his cutlery down.
"Thank you, Mr. Lee," Jung Hyun replied, though his smile was stiff. He hated seeing her with another man,this man.
So Min focused on her food, trying to act normal. But the tension clung to her like perfume.
Suddenly, she began to cough.
Both men immediately reached for water.
"Take this," Seo Jun said.
"Drink," Jung Hyun added.
So Min stared at both glasses for a second. She took Seo Jun's and drank.
Jung Hyun silently set his own down, face falling.
"Thank you," she whispered.
"Are you okay?" Seo Jun asked, worried.
"Yes. Excuse me," she said, standing quickly and leaving the table.
Jung Hyun watched her go, unaware of Seo Jun's icy glare locked onto him.
"Excuse me," Jung Hyun said to Yun Jun and followed.
"Is So Min okay?" Yun Jun asked.
"She's fine," Seo Jun replied, but his voice was tight.
He already knew where Jung Hyun was headed.
⸻
In the women's restroom, So Min washed her hands, calming her breath.
"...So Min," came a voice.
She froze. His reflection appeared beside hers in the mirror.
"Jung Hyun," she whispered, eyes wide.
"This is the women's restroom," she said sharply, turning.
"I needed to talk to you," he said, stepping forward.
"What are you doing?" she asked, stepping back.
"Why are you with him?" His voice cracked with jealousy.
"We'll talk outside. Someone might come in—"
"I don't care," he said, eyes locked on hers. "Are you really dating him?"
"Yes," she said firmly. "And it won't look good if you're seen here with me. I'm someone else's girlfriend now."
"Do you love him?" he pressed.
Before she could answer—
"What's going on here?" Seo Jun's voice cut through the room like a blade.
So Min's eyes widened in panic.
Jung Hyun quickly moved away from her.
"Nothing," she said quickly. "We were just talking."
She walked over to Seo Jun. "Let's go."
Seo Jun gave one last look at Jung Hyun before turning.
⸻
"We're leaving, brother," Seo Jun told Yun Jun.
"Why? What happened?"
"Nothing. So Min isn't feeling well."
Yun Jun turned to her. "Please take care."
So Min smiled weakly and nodded.
⸻
In the car, silence reigned.
"Are you angry?" she finally asked.
"Why would I be upset?" he said, turning to her.
His gaze made her shiver, and she looked away.
"How long were you going to hide it?" he asked.
"Hide what?" she turned to him again.
"That he's your ex."
Her heart stopped. He knew.
"I—"
"I don't care," he cut her off. "It's a fake relationship. You can do what you want but not when my family is around. Don't embarrass me."
Fake relationship.
The words stung more than she expected.
Seo Jun stopped the car abruptly.
She looked around. He was parked on her street—but not in front of her house.
"Get out," he said coldly, eyes on the steering wheel.
So Min stared at him.
He never looked back.
She opened the door slowly and stepped out.
The car drove off without pause.
Her legs trembled.
She wanted to cry but didn't.
Instead, she stood on the quiet street, the night air brushing her face like a cold reminder
She was falling for a man who only saw her as pretend.