Awkward Awakening

The morning light filtered softly through the curtains of Seo-yeon's living room, casting a warm glow over the peaceful scene. Seok-ho and Seo-yeon were asleep on the couch, curled up together in a protective embrace. Their faces, though soft with sleep, spoke of an unspoken connection, one that had deepened over the past few days.

The gentle hum of the maids entering the room to begin their morning duties broke the silence. When they saw the couple, still entwined in each other’s arms, they stopped in their tracks. The sight was unexpected but heartwarming, and for a moment, the maids exchanged knowing glances, a soft smile playing on their lips. They had watched Seo-yeon grow up, and now, to see her with someone who clearly cared for her so deeply, brought a sense of quiet joy to their hearts.

Determined not to disturb the couple, they tiptoed away, their expressions glowing with happiness.

The soft sound of footsteps, however, stirred Seo-yeon and Seok-ho awake. They blinked, still half asleep, before realizing their situation. Their eyes met, and in an instant, both of them shot up in embarrassment. Their cheeks flushed a deep red, and the awkwardness of the moment lingered between them. They shifted nervously, trying to act nonchalant, but their shy smiles betrayed the tender moment they had just shared. Neither could deny the growing connection between them.

A Father’s Opposition

Later that morning, Seo-yeon stood by the window, the phone pressed to her ear as she tried to steady her emotions. Her father’s voice boomed from the other side, cold and forceful.

“Seo-yeon, this is ridiculous. You can’t be serious about him! He’s not the right person for you. He doesn’t have the status, the background. You deserve someone better!”

Seo-yeon’s grip on the phone tightened, her hands trembling with frustration. “Dad, I’m not asking for your approval! I’m telling you that Seok-ho means everything to me. You can’t just tell me to forget about him because of his background!”

Her father’s anger was palpable. “You don’t understand! You can’t be with someone like him! You’re throwing everything away for someone who can’t offer you the future you deserve!”

Seo-yeon’s voice cracked with emotion, but she held her ground. “No, Dad. You’re the one who doesn’t understand. I don’t care about the future you’re trying to build for me. Seok-ho is kind, he’s hardworking, and he cares about me. He’s worth so much more than anything you can measure with status.”

A heavy silence hung between them. Her father’s fury simmered beneath the surface, but there was something else—a flicker of doubt. He knew deep down that he couldn’t force his daughter to live the life he envisioned for her.

Finally, his tone softened, though still laced with reluctance. “I won’t force you to break up with him, but I can’t approve of this. I need time to think.”

Seo-yeon swallowed hard, the weight of his disapproval pressing down on her chest. But she stood firm. Her love for Seok-ho was not something she could walk away from, no matter how hard her father tried to control her choices.

In the Office

The next day, Seo-yeon arrived at the office and was immediately struck by the sight of Seok-ho, standing at the reception with visible bruises on his face. His wounds from the previous night were still fresh, and the exhaustion in his eyes only added to the sense of unease.

Seo-yeon’s heart clenched as she took in his condition. Her colleagues noticed too, and hushed whispers began to circulate around the office. The sight of him battered and bruised sent a pang of guilt through Seo-yeon. She realized just how far Seok-ho had gone to protect her—and it wasn’t just physical pain he had endured, but the emotional weight of it all.

As she watched Seok-ho, guilt quickly gave way to concern, but another feeling crept into her mind—her secretary was missing. She hadn’t shown up for work that day, and Seo-yeon’s heart skipped a beat. The betrayal weighed heavily on her thoughts.

A Plea for Understanding

Later, Seok-ho took Seo-yeon aside, away from the office chaos. His face was still bruised, but his voice was steady as he looked at her with soft, pleading eyes.

“You can’t blame her completely,” he said gently, his voice almost apologetic. “She was just following orders from your father. She’s a good person, Seo-yeon. She didn’t have a choice.”

Seo-yeon was torn. She had every reason to be angry, every right to feel betrayed. But the sincerity in Seok-ho’s voice made her hesitate. He spoke highly of the secretary, describing her as loyal and hardworking—someone who had been caught in an impossible situation. He believed everyone deserved a second chance, especially when they made mistakes out of obligation, not malice.

After a long pause, Seo-yeon nodded, though her heart was still conflicted. “I’ll give her another chance. But only if she proves she can be trusted again.”

Seok-ho gave a small, appreciative smile. “Thank you. I know it’s hard, but you’re doing the right thing.”

A Visit to the Secretary

That afternoon, Seo-yeon and Seok-ho visited the secretary’s apartment. When they arrived, the secretary was waiting for them, looking guilty and remorseful. She greeted them with an overwhelming sense of shame, her eyes filled with tears.

“I’m so sorry, Seo-yeon,” she said, her voice breaking. “I never meant for any of this to happen. I’ve betrayed your trust, and I’ll never forgive myself for it.”

Seo-yeon’s expression softened, though disappointment lingered in her eyes. She spoke quietly, but with firmness. “You’ve caused a lot of damage, but I’m giving you a chance to make things right. Prove that you can be trusted again, and I’ll consider this behind us.”

The secretary nodded fervently, tears streaming down her face. “I will, Seo-yeon. I promise I’ll never betray your trust again.”

A Day Out Together

Later that day, Seok-ho and Seo-yeon found some time to be alone together. They wandered through the city, taking in the sights and enjoying each other’s company. The tension of the past few days seemed to ease, if only for a while, as they shared an intimate lunch at a small café.

As they walked hand in hand through the busy streets, Seo-yeon voiced her worries about her father’s opposition to their relationship. “I don’t know how to make him understand,” she admitted softly.

Seok-ho squeezed her hand, reassuring her with a gentle smile. “Don’t worry about that now. Whatever happens, we’ll figure it out. Together.”

In that moment, Seo-yeon felt a warmth spread through her, a sense of hope that she hadn’t felt in a long time. Despite the challenges ahead, she knew that with Seok-ho by her side, she could face anything.

Tending to Wounds

That evening, back at the house, Seo-yeon carefully tended to Seok-ho’s wounds. She cleaned and bandaged his cuts with a tenderness that seemed to speak volumes. The intimacy of the moment was undeniable, and both of them felt the deep connection between them growing stronger with every gentle touch.

The maids watched from a distance, exchanging knowing looks. They had seen Seo-yeon go through so much in her life, and now, they could see her with someone who truly cared for her. The warmth in their eyes reflected the silent approval they felt for the growing affection between the couple.

A Moment of Peace

As the evening drew to a close, Seo-yeon and Seok-ho sat together on the couch, the soft glow of the lamp casting shadows across the room. The weight of the day seemed to melt away as they leaned into each other, savoring the peace they had found in each other’s presence.

Seo-yeon rested her head on Seok-ho’s shoulder, her eyes closing as she allowed herself to relax. For a brief moment, everything felt right. All the troubles of the world seemed far away.

As the night stretched on, Seok-ho gently led Seo-yeon to her room, and they parted for the night. Their thoughts lingered on each other, the unspoken bond between them stronger than ever.