contract (2)

Si Yoon searched nonstop and felt disappointed all the time in the week that followed her meeting with Woo Hyun. She went through a lot of job postings, went to interviews, and kept getting rejected. She felt burdened by every closed door, with her father's debt hanging over her like a heavy cloud. Somewhere she felt that woo hyun had a hand in her being rejected.

In search of greater possibilities, she thought of relocating overseas. But the harsh reality of her circumstances held her back. She was terrified of failing, and she lacked the funds for the relocation. Nobody wanted to lend her any money because of her father's debts. She couldn't easily remove the mark her past had left on her.

As she sat in her tiny apartment at the end of the week, tired and angry, her phone rang. There was a strange number on the screen. She let it ring and looked at it with a look of both resignation and fear. Her only opportunity to pick it up was on the final ring.

"Hello?" She spoke in a hesitant, nearly whispery tone.

Woo Hyun's icy, commanding voice said, "You took a long time to respond.I trust you've had time to consider my offer."

While she had prepared to leave his office during that last meeting, Woo hyun had given her a week to make her decision which enraged her even more considering the fact that she had already rejected his offer!

Si Yoon's heart was racing as she tightened her hold on the phone. "Mr. Woo Hyun," she said, a little hesitant in her voice. "I've been trying to find another way, but—"

''However, you've had no luck." Woo Hyun cut in, his tone disallowing any debate.

A deep stillness that seemed to last on forever was followed by a pause. Through the phone, Si Yoon could almost feel Woo Hyun's cold stare.

She had planned to run away but knew that she would easily be caught by woo hyun.

At last, he stated, "I want you to meet me." "Tomorrow night at the Echelon Hotel suite. We'll negotiate the details."

Shutting her eyes, Si Yoon's thoughts were racing. The final vestige of her pride struggled against the overpowering feeling of inevitable fate. "I'll be there," she said barely audible.

"Good," Woo Hyun replied. "Seven o'clock sharp. Don't be late."

Si Yoon's thoughts were muddled as she stared at her phone when the line went dead. She realized she didn't have much of an option, yet the choice weighed heavily on her. She had been driven to the verge of despair and was now positioned to jump into the abyss.

Si Yoon found herself standing in front of the Echelon Hotel the following evening. Her mind was racing with both terror and resignation, and her nerves were frazzled. Taking a deep breath, she entered and proceeded to the suite that Woo Hyun had designated.

Her nervousness was only increased by the lavish surroundings. It was a place of money and power, completely unlike anything she had experienced before. With her pulse pounding, she knocked on the suite door.

With a non-readable expression, Woo Hyun stood in front of her as the door opened. He moved out of the way to let her in. Woo Hyun's prominence was evident from the lavish suite. He gestured for her to settle into the cozy couch and then sat down across from her.

With a penetrating stare, Woo Hyun leaned back. "Let's not waste any more time. The agreement is straightforward. For the next two years, you will live with me and take care of my requirements. I will have you whenever i want."

His direct remarks made Si Yoon's stomach turn, but she pushed herself to calm down. "And if I refuse?"

Woo Hyun's gaze slightly narrowed. ''Then you need to pay the 10 billion won.''

Both knew very well that it was next to impossible.

He gave her a paper with the conditions printed in black and white. With shaking hands, Si Yoon accepted it and looked through the contents. Though she knew she had no other option, every phrase seemed like a nail in her coffin.

"I don't have much of a choice, do I?" Her voice was tinted with bitterness as she spoke.

Although Woo Hyun's demeanor was neutral, there was a glimmer of something—possibly satisfaction—in his eyes.

Si Yoon inhaled deeply and picked up the pen while trembling. With every penstroke, she felt a piece of her soul being crushed as she signed the document.

"Good," Woo Hyun remarked as he took the paper from her. "You'll move in tomorrow. Everything will be handled by Jae Won."

Si Yoon felt a wave of finality pass over her as she stood up. 

The reality of her circumstances enveloped her when she left the suite, like a heavy blanket. There was no going back when she traded herself to pay off her father's debt.