The next day, Yuna arrived in front of Daehan Group ten minutes early.
The building towered over the center of Seoul, its glass walls reflecting the morning light. People entered and exited through the main doors in formal attire, moving with quick steps.
Yuna stood in front of the building, clutching the strap of her handbag tightly.
She looked down at her clothes. A white blouse, a black skirt, and shoes that were already slightly worn at the toes.
“It’s okay. I’m here to apologize.”
Yuna took a deep breath and stepped inside.
At the reception desk, she quietly said Noah’s name.
“I’d like to see Mr. Kim Noah.”
The receptionist looked her up and down before typing something into the computer.
“Do you have an appointment?”
“No. But Mr. Kim himself asked me to come.”
“Your name?”
“Yuna.”
The receptionist made an internal call. A few seconds later, a secretary came to escort her.
“Ms. Yuna? Please follow me.”
Yuna followed the woman into the elevator and up to the executive floor. The whole way, she tried to calm herself.
However, the moment the elevator doors opened, the atmosphere on that floor made her stop for a moment.
The spacious office area, marble floors, glass walls, and employees moving with serious expressions. There was none of the noise from a flower shop. Only a silence that made every one of Yuna’s footsteps sound far too loud.
The secretary stopped in front of a large door.
“Mr. Kim is waiting.”
Yuna nodded. “Thank you,” she said politely.
The door opened.
Noah sat behind a large desk facing the window. He was reading several documents and did not look up at all when Yuna entered.
Yuna stood a few steps away from the desk.
“I came as you asked,” Yuna said, a little nervous.
“Sit.”
Noah’s tone was brief and casual.
Yuna sat in the chair provided. She placed her hands in her lap.
Noah took a black folder from the side of the desk and pushed it forward.
The folder stopped directly in front of Yuna.
“Read it.”
Yuna looked at the folder, then at Noah.
“I came to apologize about yesterday.”
“I know.”
“And about your car—”
“Read it first.”
His tone did not change, but it was enough to make Yuna fall silent.
She opened the folder.
The first line she saw made her eyes widen.
“Temporary Girlfriend Agreement.”
Yuna frowned and turned to the next page. Several conditions were neatly printed on the paper.
Agreement period: six months.
Attend the family’s and company’s official events.
Do not reveal the relationship to outsiders.
Do not interfere in each other’s personal affairs.
Do not demand any genuine relationship after the contract ends.
Yuna read the last line again.
Then she looked up.
“Mr. Kim…”
Noah leaned back in his chair.
“Be my girlfriend for six months. This is the contract.”
Yuna stared at him without blinking.
“I’m sorry?”
“You heard me clearly.”
“I think I may have read it wrong.”
“No.”
“You want me to… be your girlfriend?”
“Pretend to be.”
Yuna quickly closed the folder.
“I think there’s been a misunderstanding.”
“Nothing is wrong, and everything is clear,” Noah responded quickly.
“I came because I wanted to apologize about your car.”
“I don’t need an apology.”
“Then why was I given this contract?”
Noah looked at her calmly.
“I need a woman to attend several official events with me over the next six months.”
“And you chose me?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re suitable.”
The answer was so brief that Yuna could hardly believe it.
“That’s it?”
“That’s sufficient.”
Yuna tightened her grip on the edge of the folder.
“Mr. Kim, I work at a flower shop. I’m not an actress.”
“I’m not asking you to act on a stage.”
“But this is crazy, and I don’t want to be involved,” Yuna refused.
“This contract is valid, and the payment is stated on the last page.”
Yuna immediately flipped to that page.
Her eyes flew open.
The payment for six months was more than she could earn in ten years.
Noah noticed the change in her expression but showed no reaction.
“You’ll be paid every month.”
“Why is the amount so high?”
“Because I want you to be available according to my schedule and my family’s.”
“And if I don’t agree?”
“You can leave.”
Yuna fell silent.
Noah rearranged the documents on his desk.
“But the claim for the car damage will proceed as usual.”
Yuna’s expression changed.
“The claim?”
“The insurance company will calculate the repair costs.”
“Mr. Kim… I can pay for the car. But it might take some time.”
“How long?”
Yuna lowered her head. She could not answer.
Noah watched her for several seconds. Not with sympathy, but as though he were waiting for someone to make a decision in a business matter.
Yuna had come with a sincere intention to apologize. She thought the problem was only about the scratched car.
Yet in less than five minutes, she was facing a contract that could change her entire life.
“Six months…” she whispered.
“That’s right.”
“And I have to attend official events with you?”
“Yes.”
“Nothing else?”
“Read the contract carefully. All the conditions are stated there.”
Yuna looked at the man in front of her.
Noah Kim did not look like someone offering a relationship. He did not look interested in getting to know her, either.
He spoke as though he were making a business proposal.
As if Yuna were not a woman sitting in front of him, but merely the easiest option to use.
The thought made her chest feel heavy.
She slowly closed the folder.
“I need time to think.”
Noah gave a slight nod. “Until this afternoon.”
Yuna immediately looked up.
“What? Th-this afternoon?” Yuna cried, staring at him in disbelief.
“I don’t like waiting.”
“You think this is a small decision?”
“No. That’s why I’m giving you until this afternoon.”
Yuna pressed her lips together.
This man was completely unreasonable.
She stood, holding the folder.
“I’ll read it first.”
“You can take the folder with you.”
Yuna stopped in front of the door.
“If I refuse, do I still have to pay for the damage to your car?”
“Yes.”
“What if I accept this contract?”
“Those are two separate matters.”
For the first time, Noah lifted his gaze and looked straight at her.
“Whether it’s good or bad, the choice is in your hands. You’re free to make the choice you think is best.”
Yuna could not respond.
She opened the door and left the office with heavy steps.
Only after the door closed behind her did she release the breath she had been holding.
In her hands was a contract offering more money than she had ever possessed.
But the condition was that she had to become the fake girlfriend of a man she had only met yesterday.
Yuna looked down at the black folder.
“Why did my life change because of one tiny scratch?”
Inside the office, Noah returned his attention to the documents in front of him.
To him, it was simply a matter that needed to be resolved.
His family needed a woman to bring to the Daehan Group anniversary gala.
Yuna needed money to pay for the damage to his car.
Everything seemed simple.
A contract.
Six months.
No feelings.
Noah signed the document in front of him and leaned back in his chair. The corner of his mouth lifted into a victorious smile.
“Grandpa… let’s see who comes out on top,” he murmured softly.