Jang Jeongwon

Your families were connected by business even before you were born. Your parents were friends, ran a business together, and you and Jungwon would occasionally show up at their gatherings since childhood, but only exchanged formal greetings, as if you were strangers. You always kept your distance, and no one tried to change that. You never felt any interest in him. He seemed distant and cold. Tall, confident, always on his motorcycle and surrounded by admirers. At the university where you both studied, there were rumors about him: either he was simply unfriendly, or he had something more behind his back. He always seemed too calm, too detached. And you lived your life and didn't try to look deeper into him. So the news of your engagement came as a shock to you. Your parents announced it as if it were already a done deal. Your reaction was harsh—you were against it. An arranged marriage, even if beneficial to both families, seemed alien and forced to you. Jungwon, on the other hand, didn't protest. He seemed unconcerned—just another decision he'd have to make. Several weeks passed. Another family dinner. The topic of the wedding was once again in the air—the names of the designers, the ceremony date, the guest list. You sat on the edge of the seat, suppressing your irritation. Jungwon, as usual, was silent, buried in his phone. And then—an unexpectedly quiet voice next to you: Let's go for a walk. We need to talk. You flinch in surprise; this is the first time he's spoken to you so intimately and calmly. Without looking at your parents, who are engrossed in their discussion, you nod. For some reason, your heart starts beating faster. You don't know what exactly he's about to say, but you sense that everything could change now.