“Marriage Blue”
Episode 26 | Rising Conspiracy
김여주
Hey—I'm here, aren't you going to welcome me?
After our relationship, which wasn't even a casual fling, developed into a romantic one overnight, we no longer hid our affection. In fact, you could say that not hiding it was the problem.
I slipped my arm behind him as he cooked in the kitchen and wrapped my arms around his waist. Then, he stopped what he was doing, turned around, and looked at me.
박지민
I didn't know you were here. I couldn't hear anything all the way to the kitchen.
김여주
By the way, what were you doing?
I glanced at the cutting board and the half-sliced vegetables visible behind him and asked. He turned halfway and pushed the vegetables he was slicing into a bowl with a knife.
박지민
I was cooking to feed you.
김여주
Is it a hamburger steak?
"Yeah. You said you wanted to eat this a few days ago." He washed his hands, held out the bowl to me, and asked, "Would you like to try it together?" I nodded slightly in response.
박지민
Okay then—let's wash our hands first and put on gloves.
I quickly rolled up my dress shirt sleeves and started washing my hands at the sink. He took out disposable gloves from the drawer.
After I finished washing my hands and drying them with a towel, he personally put disposable gloves on them, and only put them on after taking care of me.
박지민
Try massaging it with your hands.
김여주
Huh? Heh, it feels a bit weird. It's so soft...
As I kneaded the vegetables and minced meat inside the transparent bowl with my hands and giggled, saying it felt strange, he suddenly kissed me on the cheek.
김여주
What's up, suddenly...
박지민
Because it's pretty.
At him, who said I was pretty so casually, I naturally widened the corners of my mouth.
박지민
Hurry up and massage it. Let's finish quickly and eat dinner.
김여주
Yes, yes. I understand.
Meanwhile, Chairman Park's mansion
권우현
Thank you for the invitation, Chairman.
I took a sip of the warm black tea and set the cup down. Chairman Park, standing before me, was staring at me without filter.
박 회장
I looked it up, and I heard it's quite famous in the industry.
권우현
No. Since our industry is quite large, it seems the rumors have been exaggerated.
Chairman Park, who had been chuckling with satisfaction, crossed his legs, supported them with his clasped hands, and spoke.
박 회장
Team Leader Kwon seems surprisingly naive.
권우현
yes?.
"Do you think someone of the caliber of a major corporation would have recognized you based on rumors?" At those words, I couldn't help but instantly harden my expression.
박 회장
I'll get straight to the point. Team Leader Kwon, I've done a bit of a background check on you.
This bewildering situation. What could they possibly gain by investigating me? I bit my lip hard for no reason and lowered my gaze.
박 회장
You look like you're very surprised.
권우현
Honestly, I'm a bit taken aback. What reason would there be to investigate me?
권우현
I'm an ordinary office worker.
Hahahahaha!! Chairman Park begins to laugh hysterically. Wiping away the tears welling up in his eyes from laughing so hard, he says...
박 회장
An ordinary office worker wouldn't marry the youngest daughter of the NC Group.
Startled by the sudden sinking of my heart, I looked up at Chairman Park with fierce eyes.
박 회장
Didn't I tell you earlier that I investigated Team Leader Kwon?
권우현
… What do you want from me? There must be a reason you're doing a background check and saying things like this.
박 회장
He has a girlfriend. Kim... was it Yeoju? I know him a little.
The mention of Yeoju made me even more on edge, and thinking that there was no need to listen to them anymore, I got up from the sofa.
권우현
I don't think I have anything more to say to Chairman Park. I will be going now.
Just as I was about to turn around and leave, I stopped in my tracks at a short but powerful remark from Chairman Park.
박 회장
It looks like my son and Kim Yeo-ju are meeting.
권우현
… What did you say?
박 회장
I know. That you are marrying the youngest daughter of the NC Group not because of love.
My fist automatically clenched tight. Just how much, and from what point, does he know?
박 회장
I heard your mother is very ill. Isn't that why you're getting married? Because the youngest daughter of that family likes you.
권우현
… What do you want to say to me?
박 회장
The one you truly love is Kim Yeo-ju. If you just do as I say, I won't worry about anything between you and Kim Yeo-ju, let alone your mother's hospital bills.
권우현
……
박 회장
Of course, keep your mouth shut to the NC Group as well.
It was an irresistible temptation. However, since I didn't know what Chairman Park intended to ask of me, it was difficult to readily agree.
박 회장
Don't be scared. All I have to do is say a word.
권우현
… just a word?.
박 회장
About the past, haha.
Chairman Park smiled as he gazed intently with the most benevolent face in the world. That smile was so terrifying it gave me goosebumps.
권우현
… … What should I say?