The Wedding Whirlwind

“Whirlwind.”

If the wedding could be summed up in one word, that was it.

Dragged here and there, and before she knew it, she was at the ceremony, facing Han Taeseok and reciting their vows.

“I vow to love only Park Jaekyung forever, to respect and trust him, and to fulfill my duty as his faithful partner, and I solemnly swear this.”

Watching the man recite the lines flatly, without blinking, Jaekyung felt no emotion.

‘I’m really marrying this man.’

She didn’t even think that.

Only the thought crossed her mind: ‘This is a sentence you can really say without any feeling. Is that why divorce rates are so high?’

“I, Park Jaekyung, take Han Taeseok as my partner….”

She had memorized the prepared vows in the waiting room and recited them flawlessly.

It was like reading a book—no more exciting than that.

Like reading a notice she’d glanced at while passing by.

Always loving, respecting, and trusting… none of these would actually be fulfilled.

Beyond fulfilling duty, these vows were nothing but scraps of paper.

After the wedding, there was a press conference.

Usually, only celebrity couples held post-wedding press events, but for marketing purposes—making the companies approachable to the public—Rewang and NI had to appear before the public.

She had to keep smiling at the camera lenses, to the point where the corners of her mouth twitched.

“Where are you going for your honeymoon?”

The question, like the one at the wedding announcement press conference, came from a pre-prepared guide.

Naturally, she expected Han Taeseok to answer, but he handed the microphone to Jaekyung instead, as if testing her.

Jaekyung took the mic, bowing slightly, and said, “Thank you.”

“We’ve decided to go to Northern Europe.”

“Why did you choose Northern Europe?”

“I’ve always wanted to go there, so Director Han prepared it for me.”

“So it’s a honeymoon gift?”

Ah, this question wasn’t in the guide.

Jaekyung hesitated, unsure whether to answer.

She made eye contact with Secretary Oh.

His expression was unreadable.

Then why had he told her to look at him when in trouble?

It wouldn’t help.

She had no choice.

“That’s exactly right. It’s a gift. The best gift of my life.”

She said it with slight embarrassment, and the reporters laughed.

The atmosphere was good.

She certainly thought so, but…

“Answering reporters like that? How irresponsible.”

“Thinking she’s a celebrity or something.”

“Tsk tsk, first day of the wedding… be careful from now on.”

“Yes… sorry.”

She bowed deeply, feeling as if she had committed a grave sin.

Once the press conference ended, she was called to a room on the fifth floor of the hall, marked with the Chinese characters for Gung-ho.

About a dozen NI group members were seated there: the chairman, director, contract company president, hotel president, food company president… just seeing them made her gasp for air.

All the same bloodline, their presence alone suffocated her.

They mocked and ridiculed anyone who answered without her presence, deeming it undignified.

“Secretary Oh, make sure the reporter who asked that question never sets foot in NI again.”

“Yes, understood, Director.”

“Jaekyung.”

“Yes.”

“I don’t know how Rewang taught you, but we’re different. We’ll assign someone to correct your tone, actions, everything. Also, disaster comes from the mouth. Always watch your words, and minimize unnecessary speech.”

“I will remember.”

“Go rest now.”

“Yes.”

Today they had become one family, yet she hadn’t even looked anyone in the eye, nor greeted anyone individually.

She was treated like a stray entering the house and sent away.

Jaekyung followed Secretary Oh down the corridor, looking out through the long row of windows.

She saw Han Taeseok talking with the chairman.

Reporters crowded around him, while no one was near her.

“Secretary Oh, are we going directly to Cheongdam?”

“Yes.”

“Then I’d like to see my mother.”

“Sorry, but it’s impossible. The director will go to the airport. He has a seven-day business trip to the U.S.

Superficially, it’s presented as a honeymoon, so it must appear that you are accompanying him.”

She hadn’t heard this before.

Earlier in the waiting room, she only knew he was busy.

So he would be away from home for seven days.

She had assumed the first night of the honeymoon would be modest, but, as expected, he didn’t disappoint.

“Jaekyung, refrain from going out for seven days. Stay only at the mansion.”

“The gallery…”

“Director Ji said you don’t need to come out for seven days. From now on, your daily schedule will be sent via email. Follow it exactly.”

“…Understood.”

Listening to Secretary Oh’s monotone, Jaekyung recalled her earlier answer about the honeymoon destination.

Northern Europe… a place she had once wanted to visit.

She had thought, “I’ll enjoy freedom before marriage!”—a childish idea.

But now, would she have the chance?

As Han Taeseok’s partner at NI, she might travel overseas with him on business.

It would happen frequently.

But that path would not be the life of a couple she truly desired.

◆

After going to the hospital and resting a full day, her cold miraculously improved.

She arrived at the convenience store slightly early and began organizing inventory.

A new event poster arrived with the turn of the month.

She noticed a familiar word and smiled.

“Northern Europe…”

It was an event where purchasing snacks and entering a social media contest could send one person to Northern Europe.

Jaekyung neatly flattened the poster and stuck it on the door.

“Does anyone actually win that?”

The store manager, cleaning the glass door, asked skeptically.

True… she had never paid attention to such events, so questioning the odds made sense.

“By the way, Jaekyung, you could take another day off.”

“Oh, I’m fine! My body was just tired from doing things I normally wouldn’t. I’m okay now. And you’ve been here all day; that must be tiring.”

“I appreciate it… If you’re sick, don’t hesitate to say so. Got it?”

Someone she barely knew, telling her to speak up if she was sick…

At the household, no one had ever said that.

If she were unwell, she had to hide it.

Never show weakness.

“Yes, thank you.”

Jaekyung sincerely thanked the manager, even if it were just politeness.

After the manager left, she wore her store vest and checked the small shop again.

She organized snacks, adjusted placement, and ensured everything was orderly.

Though she’d only done it a few days, she found she had a knack for it.

She briefly considered managing one or two stores herself, then shook her head.

No. She needed more experience first.

There were things she could do now that she might never get another chance at.

“…Huh?”

After completing one round and smiling in satisfaction, Jaekyung blinked at the black sedan with hazard lights across the street.

She recognized the car.

She had seen it for five years and had recently spotted it near the pharmacy crosswalk.

No way.

Why would he be here?

How did he know to come?

Her hands trembled.

Should she check? Look at the license plate?

Just then, the door jingled and someone entered the store.

Jaekyung jumped back, startled.

“Ah, welcome.”

“Just Marlboro, please.”

It wasn’t Secretary Oh, but a regular customer.

Jaekyung hurried to the counter, handed over a pack of cigarettes, and glanced outside again.

The car was gone.

Had she imagined it?

Or was it just a similar car?

Perhaps.

The car wasn’t one-of-a-kind.

Above all, Han Taeseok wouldn’t come here.

He wouldn’t come to see her…