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, and sharp eyes framing his piercing gaze. The mole under his right eye was so perfectly placed it almost felt intentional. His black tailored suit fit him like it was custom-made. 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 throught my shock with a deep, resonant English, "Are you alright?" 

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 with doe-shaped eyes that radiated warmth, clad in a tailored grey suit. 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, "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 and darted toward the restaurant, leaving them momentarily stunned.

Once inside, the sheer luxury of the restaurant hit me. The space showcased a striking modern design, featuring sleek navy-blue seating, dark wood tables, and floor-to-ceiling windows that flooded the area with natural light. It felt entirely 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. If you'd like, you can opt for the VIP section, but it will cost more."

She disclosed the price, and it was far more than I could afford at the moment. Defeated, I forced a weak smile. 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."

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, I did not consent to this."

The man, whom 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. "Yes, I'd like to join."

Taeho smiled, though I sensed the annoyance radiating from the man in the black suit. The receptionist offered to keep my shopping bags, and I handed them over awkwardly.

As we walked past the reception desk, my heart stopped. Just a few tables away, partially hidden by a decorative partition wall, were Nari and Juwon. Instinctively, I covered my face and shifted between the two men, using their tall frames to shield myself from view.

Once we reached the VIP section, the heavy silence felt entirely cliché.

Taeho glanced at me knowingly. "A lot of high-stakes deals happen up here."

We took our seats. To my dismay, the man in black sat directly next to me. His physical presence was suffocating. He folded his arms, deliberately averting his gaze with a chilling indifference.

"Don't be so cold," Taeho sighed, leaning forward. "I'm Park Taeho."

I nodded. My gaze shifted to the man beside me. Then he must be Mr. Lee.

The man in black met my eyes, scoffing softly. "What? Do you expect an introduction? Before I grant you that courtesy, why don't you explain your little performance downstairs?"

My gaze sharpened. "What?"

He leaned in closer. A faint scent of rain-drenched cedar forest brushed against my senses. It was subtle, expensive, and commanded absolute authority. His cold, dark eyes sent a violent shiver down my spine.

"How common do you think it is for a woman to blindly collide with me, only to use us to bypass security?" His deep voice was smooth, elegant, and entirely lethal. "What exactly is your angle?"

"I genuinely stumbled—"

"That wasn't my question," he interjected smoothly.

I clenched my fists under the table. "Why would I fake a fall? Do I look like a fraud? I only needed to get inside because—"

He raised a single, perfectly sculpted brow. "Because?"

"Please, you two," Taeho interrupted, shooting him a warning look. "Lee Sunjae, mind your manners."

"Lee Sunjae..." I said, tasting the name.

Sunjae shot a glare at Taeho who just chuckled and shrugged in return.

A waiter arrived, placing menus before us. Taeho offered a warm smile. "Order whatever you like. My treat."

Sunjae let out a dry, elegant chuckle. "What is this, Taeho? Love at first sight?"

Disgust dripped from his tone.

I opened the menu and froze. The foreign, wildly expensive names blurred before my eyes. A heavyweight crashed into my chest. Juwon had never brought me to a place like this. Yet, he took Nari here.

What was I even doing? Sitting with strangers while my life burned down downstairs?

I blinked back a sudden rush of tears and snapped the menu shut. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have come."

I bolted upright. Sunjae tilted his head, a look of refined satisfaction crossing his face. I despised him instantly.

"Wait!" Taeho stood up as I retreated. "Can we at least get your name?"

"I'm sorry," I threw back, already rushing down the VIP stairs.

Reaching the bottom, I ducked behind the heavy architectural partition wall separating the lobby from the dining room. Hidden from the receptionist and the crowd, I took a shakey breath. I had to prove what I saw.

Peeking around the corner, I dialed Juwon’s number.

Across the room, Juwon’s phone lit up. He reached for it, but Nari snatched his wrist, pouting heavily. "Answer it later. You're with me. Don't be distracted."

Juwon nodded, flipping the screen face-down.

My heart fractured. I hung up.

Nari clasped her hands together, her eyes narrowing like a snake. "So... are you really going to marry someone like her?"

Juwon sighed heavily. "I told you, I'm not changing my mind about Juri. I love her."

My jaw dropped. The sheer audacity. Was he defending me after kissing her cheek? What a devious prick.

"What on earth are you—"

A deep voice sliced through the air. I gasped, turning to find Sunjae standing right behind me, frowning in elegant confusion.

Before he could ruin my cover, I lunged forward. I grabbed his hand, violently pulling his massive frame into the cramped shadow of the partition wall with me.

Sunjae’s eyes widened in genuine, refined shock. "You—"

"Shh!" I slammed my index finger against my lips, completely ignoring his furious glare as I pressed my back against his chest to spy on the table. 

"Stay quiet!"