Juri

Shock coursed through me as my heart raced with adrenaline. Just moments ago, I had almost stumbled into the chaotic street. Now, staring up at him, my eyes surveyed every striking detail of his face.

Undeniably handsome, he had a sharp jawline reminiscent of a chiseled statue, heart-shaped lips that drew the eye effortlessly, and sharp eyes framing his piercing gaze. His flawless skin exuded a radiant glow, and the mole under his left eye was so perfectly placed it almost felt intentional. His black tailored suit fit him like it was custom-made, accentuating his elegant physique perfectly.

He slowly released his arm around my waist, and I immediately bowed and grabbed my shopping bags.

Not knowing what to do, I bowed again, but his voice broke through my shock with a deep, resonant English, "Are you okay?" His tone was firm yet sincere, demanding my full attention.

His voice caught me off guard.

Just then, the man beside him stepped forward. He, too, was exceptionally handsome. His doe-shaped eyes radiated warmth, framed by a two-block Korean hairstyle that gave him a youthful aura. Clad in a tailored grey suit, he was just as elegant as the man in front of me.

They assumed I was a foreigner, but this was far from new. Taking a deep breath, I summoned my confidence. "Actually, I'm Korean," I declared, my voice steady. Their eyes widened in surprise. The man in the grey suit chuckled softly and nodded, "Oh, our mistake. Please be careful next-"

Suddenly, a wave of panic surged through me as I remembered Juwon and Nari. I had to find them quickly. Interrupting him, I bowed deeply in respect and darted toward the restaurant, leaving them momentarily stunned.

Once inside, my eyes widened at the ambiance. The restaurant showcased a striking modern design, featuring sleek, curving navy-blue seating that formed an artistic centerpiece, blending seamlessly with round dark wood tables dressed in crisp white tableware.

Sculptural pendant lights illuminated the space, casting a warm glow and creating a luxurious yet futuristic atmosphere. A mix of plush beige chairs and intimate booth seating struck a perfect balance of comfort and sophistication. The flooring combined warm wooden tones with intricate patterned tiles, adding depth, while strategically placed greenery enhanced the inviting setting. Floor-to-ceiling windows flooded the area with natural light, making it feel airy and refined.

"Good morning, ma'am. How can I assist you?" the receptionist greeted me warmly as she noticed me.

"Ummm," I hesitated, "I'm here for lunch..." my hands fidgeted with the handle of my shopping bags. Why was I feeling so embarrassed?

The receptionist nodded and smiled. "Do you have a reservation?" My heart sank.

"Reservation?" I echoed, embarrassment creeping in as I realized I had overlooked that crucial detail on the website. I glanced past her into the restaurant, searching for Juwon and Nari, but I couldn't spot them. "Do you allow walk-ins?"

Her expression softened. "We do, ma'am, but we're fully booked right now. Weekends tend to fill up quickly."

Frustration bubbled up inside me.

"If you'd like," she added, "you can opt for the VIP section, but it will cost more." My heart sank even further as she disclosed the price-far more than I could afford at the moment. Defeated, I forced a weak smile and stepped back. My chance to uncover the truth about Juwon and Nari seemed to be slipping away.

"If that's the case, I'll cover the cost," a voice chimed from behind me. I turned, surprised to see the man in the grey suit stepping into the restaurant, followed closely by the man in black, his hands casually tucked into his pockets.

The receptionist smiled broadly and bowed, "Mr. Lee and Mr. Park, welcome," she addressed them with a level of respect that added to my confusion. The man in grey leaned closer to me, his demeanor unexpectedly warm, "Well? Do you want to join us?"

Between the two of them, which one was Mr. Lee and Mr. Park?

The man in black clicked his tongue in disapproval. "Taeho, you sound like a creep."

The man; who I now knew as Taeho, rolled his eyes but kept his gaze on me, waiting for my response. I bit my lower lip, feeling the weight of my desperation to learn what Juwon and Nari were discussing.

With unexpected determination, I nodded tightly and clenched my fists. "Yes, I'd like to join."

Taeho smiled, though I sensed the annoyance radiating from the man in the black suit.

The receptionist nodded, "Would you like me to keep your shopping bags?" she asked, staring down at the several bags I was carrying, and I nodded awkwardly.

As we walked past the reception, I was surprised to spot Nari and Juwon just a few tables behind the lobby. The wall separating the two areas had hidden them from my view earlier. Instinctively, I covered my face and shifted between the two men, eager to avoid detection.

There had to be a way for me to eavesdrop on their conversation.

Once we reached the VIP section, it was considerably quieter than downstairs. The exclusivity felt somewhat cliché, but perhaps that was precisely the point.

Taeho glanced at me as if he understood my thoughts. "A lot of business deals happen here, you know. From celebrities to businessmen."

I nodded as they led me to a spot, and we all took our seats. For some reason, the man in the black suit sat next to me, which was awkward. Taeho appeared much more approachable than him. The man folded his arms and deliberately looked away.

Taeho furrowed his brows and said, "Hey, don't be so cold. Let's introduce ourselves. I'm Park Taeho." I nodded in response.

My gaze fell on the man. Then he must be Mr. Lee.

He glared at me coldly and scoffed, "What? You expect me to reveal who I am? Fine, but before I do, why don't you explain what you did back there?" I tilted my head, caught off guard.

My gaze sharpened, "What?"

He leaned closer, and the scent of a rain-drenched cedar forest brushed through my nose. His scent didn't shout though, instead, it lingered in the atmosphere like a quiet authority.

He stared at me with cold, sharp eyes that sent chills down my spine, and my heart skipped a beat.

Who on earth was this man?

"How common do you think it is for a woman to bump into a man and stumble over? Not only that, but you also managed to get in because of us. What are you up to?" His voice was deep and stern.

I frowned, "I really did stumble--"

"That's not what I asked," he interjected.

I clenched my fists, "Why would I fake a fall? Do I look like the type? I only wanted to get in because--"

He lifted a brow and folded his arms in a silent challenge, "Because?" he prodded.

Noticing the tension, Taeho jumped in, "You guys shouldn't be fighting when you literally just met. Lee Sunjae, what's wrong with you?" I let out a scoff.

"Lee Sunjae..." I said, tasting the name as if it were a rare vintage.

He returned a frown and glared at Taeho, displeased that he had so easily given his name away.

Taeho only frowned back as I stared back and forth. They must've been close for them to communicate with their eyes like that.

The waiter arrived and smiled warmly. "Would you like to take your orders?" she asked, and I realized that there were menus on the table.

Taeho gave me an inviting smile, "Order whatever you want. It's on me." Lee Sunjae scoffed, "What is this? Love at first sight or something?" Disgust dripped from his voice, and Tae-ho shot him a glare.

I opened the menu and froze. What were these weird names? I thought about Juwon and felt my heart sink. He'd never brought me to a place like this. How could he take Nari here?

What was I even doing?

I blinked back tears and closed the menu. Taeho's eyes widened as I bowed and said, "I'm sorry. I don't think I should've come." I stood up, and both of them looked up at me. Lee Sunjae tilted his head with a satisfied expression. I had just met him, and already, I disliked him. Taeho stood as I walked away. "Wait, can we at least know your name?" he asked.

"I'm sorry," I replied again. There was no reason to give my name; we wouldn't see each other again anyway.

Bowing one last time, I dashed out of the place and headed down the stairs. When I reached the bottom, I quickly ran behind a wall to avoid them. It was next to the entrance and separated the lobby from the restaurant.

At least no one would notice me. The receptionist was further away too.

It's funny how I had initially come here out of hunger and ended up as an investigator..

What would have happened if I hadn't seen them? Would I have married a cheater, and would they have continued seeing each other behind my back?

Shaking my head helped me remind myself that I first needed to prove if what I saw was right.

The restaurant was large and busy, making it easy for me to reach that wall unnoticed. Once I was in position, I called Juwon.

Peeking my head around, I saw him engrossed in his phone. Nari glanced at it and scoffed, "Answer it later. You're with me. I don't want you distracted..." she said, pouting, and Juwon nodded, flipping his phone screen down.

He wore a serious look on his face while Nari battered her eyes. This was so confusing. Both of them had different demeanors.

I clenched my fists and hung up. Nari clasped her hands together, "So... are you really going to marry someone like her?" she asked. Juwon sighed, "I told you, I'm not changing my mind about her. I love her."

My brows lifted because I was torn. On one hand, Nari, who was supposed to be my bestfriend was apparently just a snake. And on the other hand, Juwon was defending me. How could he shamelessly say that after kissing her?

What a devious prick.

Suddenly, Sunjae appeared in front of me, looking confused. "What are you-"

I quickly grabbed his hand, pulling him toward my hiding spot. My fear of him blowing my cover outweighed any concern over what he might think of me.

He stared at me in shock. "You-"

"Shh," I said, placing my index finger against my lips as I peeked out again, completely ignoring his frown.

What on earth was going on with them?