Na-ri entered the restroom quickly, her heart beating fast. She pulled out her phone and called Jin Woo again. No answer. She tried once more. Still nothing. She stared at the phone screen, then bit her nail nervously.
"Where was he? Was he okay?" She kept mumbling to herself.
Without Jin Woo showing up tonight, everything she had planned could fall apart. Maybe he was still feeling sick. That could be it.
She leaned against the sink and took a deep breath. "No," she thought, "I don't need to depend on anyone. Especially not someone like him. He had made it clear. We were using each other, nothing more. He didn't owe me anything, and he never promised to help me. He doesn't care."
She slowly put her phone back in her purse. Her eyes met her reflection in the mirror. Her face was glowing, her makeup was perfect, and her dress sparkled under the restroom light. Her beauty gave her a boost of courage.
With a deep breath, she turned around and walked out of the restroom. But as soon as she stepped out, she saw Tae Joon. He was leaning against the wall near the door, waiting.
She quickly looked away and tried to walk past him, pretending she didn't see him.
But he stopped her gently, holding her wrist. "Na-ri," he said softly, "can we talk?"
She didn't respond.
He pulled her a little closer but still gently. "Why have you been ignoring me all night?" he asked, trying to meet her eyes. "Why didn't you introduce me to your great aunt? She's my boss too, you know."
Na-ri stayed quiet, her face cold.
"Did I do something wrong?" he asked. "We just got engaged. We should have told our families by now. We should be planning things, not staying away from each other like strangers."
He let out a small sigh and tried to smile. "I know you've been stressed lately. The gala, your work... it's a lot. But I want you to know I'm here for you. I love you, Na-ri. I care about you."
That was it.
Na-ri snapped. Her eyes narrowed. A dry laugh escaped her lips. "You love me?" she asked, almost in a whisper.
She opened her purse and took out the engagement ring. Then she grabbed his hand and placed it there.
"I changed my mind," she said coldly. "I'm not marrying you. I'm ending this now. You and I have no future together."
Before he could say another word, she pulled her hand away and walked back into the gala.
Tae Joon stood frozen in the hallway, staring at the ring in his palm, shocked and speechless.
As soon as Na-ri stepped into the gala again, her phone rang. She looked at the screen.
It was Jin Woo.
Her heart jumped.
She quickly answered and whispered into the phone, "Where have you been?"
A calm voice came through the line. "Turn around."
Na-ri spun around slowly.
And there he was.
Jin Woo.
He stood tall and confident, walking into the hall like he owned the place. He wore a perfectly tailored black suit with a black shirt underneath. Even his bow tie was black. His hair was styled just right. He looked like he had just stepped out of a magazine cover.
Na-ri's heart skipped a beat. He looked so handsome. But something about him felt different tonight. There was something deeper in his eyes. Something she couldn't quite understand.
He walked up to her and smiled slightly. "Were you that worried about me?" he teased.
Na-ri rolled her eyes. "No."
"I knew it," he said with a smirk. "Just kidding."
Then his expression turned serious. "You look beautiful tonight, Na-ri."
She looked away, trying to hide the little blush that crept up her face.
Jin Woo leaned in slightly and said in a lower voice, "Don't worry. Your plan won't fail. I've changed my mind. I'll help you now. With everything."
Na-ri blinked, surprised.
He smiled. "Let's give them a show they'll never forget."