The Price of Happiness

✨ Author's Note – Espionage of the Heart ✨

Hey lovely readers! 💖

First of all, I'm so sorry for the delay! Life has been a little hectic, but I promise the wait will be worth it. 🚀

Here's the first chapter of Espionage of the Heart, and from now on, I'll be updating every Wednesday & Saturday with two chapters per week. If I can't post by Saturday, don't worry—I'll make it up with three chapters on Sunday! 📖🔥

This story is about secrets, betrayals, and a love that wasn't supposed to happen—but did. And now, there's no turning back. Are you ready to dive deeper? Because things are only getting more intense from here. 👀💥

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Thank you for your patience, love, and support! Your comments and reactions mean everything to me. Let's unravel this thrilling journey together! 💕

With love and excitement,

Penola.S ✨💫

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Andrea leaned back in her chair, satisfied with her small victory, watching Eunwoo as he resumed eating. The tension between them had changed—subtle, but noticeable. It wasn't the usual stiff silence or the cold detachment he usually carried. It was something else.

Something almost… comfortable.

She picked at her food, her gaze flickering to the silver band around her finger. The ring was still new, unfamiliar, but the weight of it was starting to settle in. She wasn't sure why Eunwoo had put it on her himself earlier, but the way he had done it—firm, decisive—made her stomach flip in a way she didn't want to analyze.

She tapped her fingers against the table before breaking the silence again. "So, Mr. CEO, what's next on the agenda?"

Eunwoo glanced at her, wiping his mouth with a napkin. "We're going shopping."

Andrea blinked. "We just got a dress and a ring. What else do I need?"

"Accessories," he said simply. "Shoes, a clutch, jewelry. If you're going to be my fiancée for the night, you need to look the part."

Andrea sighed dramatically. "You really take this whole fake engagement thing seriously."

Eunwoo stood up, adjusting his cufflinks. "I don't do anything halfway."

"Clearly," she muttered, finishing the last bite of her noodles before following him out of the restaurant.

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The grand entrance of the luxury shopping mall was a spectacle of polished marble, crystal chandeliers, and designer boutiques lining every corridor. The air smelled of expensive perfumes and fresh flowers, the kind of place where even breathing felt like it had a price tag.

Andrea stepped inside, slightly overwhelmed by the sheer opulence. She had been in high-end stores before, but this? This was on another level.

Eunwoo walked ahead with his usual confidence, barely acknowledging the extravagant surroundings. His phone buzzed in his hand, and without a second thought, he answered, his voice low and composed as he started speaking in rapid Korean.

Andrea rolled her eyes as she followed him into an exclusive designer boutique. A well-dressed female staff member in her mid-thirties, with neatly tied hair and a professional yet warm smile, approached them immediately.

"Welcome, sir and ma'am," she greeted in a soft tone, bowing slightly. "How may we assist you today?"

Eunwoo barely glanced up from his phone. "She needs a dress," he said, his voice impassive, before turning away and stepping toward the lounge area near the entrance.

Andrea exhaled sharply. Of course, he leaves me to do all the work.

The boutique was exquisite, with silk gowns and intricate embroidery on display, the price tags discreetly hidden—because if you had to ask, you probably couldn't afford it.

As Andrea started browsing through the dresses, the female staff member hovered nearby, offering polite suggestions. After a few moments, she hesitated, then leaned in slightly and spoke softly in Mandarin.

"Zhège nánrén shì nín de wèihūnqī ma?" (Is this man your fiancé?)

Andrea blinked, confusion flashing across her face. "Uh… sorry, I don't know Chinese," she admitted with a small, slightly apologetic but confident smile.

The staff member immediately straightened, her eyes widening slightly. "Ah, I see! My apologies, ma'am." She switched seamlessly to English, her voice warm but curious. "I was asking if he is your husband?"

Andrea almost choked. She quickly composed herself, clearing her throat as she avoided looking in Eunwoo's direction. "No, actually…" She hesitated for a fraction of a second before correcting, "Soon to be." Her voice was casual, but the way she fixated on the dress in her hands betrayed her unease.

The staff member's smile widened knowingly. "Ah, I understand."

Andrea forced herself to act nonchalant, pretending to examine the silk fabric of the gown in her grasp. But before she could say anything else, the woman leaned in slightly, lowering her voice like she was sharing a secret.

"You need to get his attention," she said in a hushed, conspiratorial tone.

Andrea blinked, startled. "What?"

The woman chuckled. "Men are always a little distant during engagement days. Business, stress, nerves—sometimes they forget to focus on their bride-to-be." She glanced subtly toward Eunwoo, who was still engrossed in his phone. "But I have an idea."

Andrea raised a brow, intrigued despite herself. "Oh?"

The staff member smiled, gesturing for Andrea to follow her toward the changing rooms. "Come with me. Let's try something special."

Andrea hesitated for a moment before sighing and handing over the dress she had been eyeing. "Fine. But if this backfires, I'm blaming you."

The woman only laughed, guiding her toward the elegant fitting area. As they walked, she selected a few dresses from the racks—one in deep red, another in soft champagne gold, and a third in midnight blue, all stunning in their own way.

"You should try all of these," the woman said enthusiastically, handing them to Andrea. "Something here will definitely catch his eye."

Andrea rolled her eyes but smiled slightly. "I doubt he even cares."

The staff member smirked. "Trust me, dear. Every man cares when it comes to the woman standing beside him."

Andrea swallowed at that, gripping the dresses a little tighter as she disappeared into the changing room.

Outside, Eunwoo remained by the entrance, still focused on his phone—unaware that things were about to change.

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The fitting room was lined with mirrors, golden sconces casting a soft glow that made every inch of the room feel luxurious. Andrea had lost count of how many dresses she had tried on.

One after another, she slipped into gowns of silk, lace, and chiffon—some too tight, some too loose, some too overwhelming with their extravagant designs. Each time she stepped out, Madame Lin, the ever-enthusiastic store staff, would shake her head thoughtfully, tapping her chin with an approving yet critical gaze.

Andrea sighed, exhausted, as she stood barefoot on the plush carpet, her patience wearing thin. "Madame Lin, I think I've tried half the store by now."

Madame Lin, a woman in her mid-thirties with an unmistakable air of expertise, simply smiled. "No, no, dear. I have one more." She turned, walking toward the back of the boutique where a special collection was displayed.

Andrea groaned internally but stayed put, rubbing her temples. How hard is it to find one good dress?

Moments later, Madame Lin returned, holding up a gown unlike any of the others.

It was a light red dress, elegant yet breathtakingly simple. The fabric was soft and flowing, the bodice hugging in just the right places before cascading into a skirt that felt weightless. It shimmered under the lights, delicate yet powerful.

Andrea raised an eyebrow. "Another red dress?"

Madame Lin gave her an amused look. "This isn't just any red dress. Trust me, ma'am. Try it."

With a sigh, Andrea took the dress and disappeared back into the fitting room.

As she slipped into the gown, the cool satin gliding over her skin, something shifted.

The dress wasn't overbearing like the others—it didn't try too hard to make a statement. Instead, it fit her perfectly, as if it had been designed just for her.

She fastened the back and exhaled, already expecting disappointment as she turned toward the mirror.

But the moment she faced her reflection, she stopped.

For the first time in the exhausting process, she was speechless.

Her long, dark hair fell in soft waves over her shoulders, framing her face just right. The red wasn't harsh—it was light, airy, almost ethereal. It didn't drown her but rather made her stand out. The gown flowed elegantly, hugging her waist in a way that made her look regal.

She looked…

Like a princess.

Madame Lin, standing nearby, watched Andrea's expression shift. A knowing smile formed on her lips. "Please, ma'am, at least look at the mirror once," she encouraged gently.

Andrea, still lost in her reflection, blinked.

"I… I already did," she murmured.

Madame Lin chuckled. "Then tell me, how is it?"

Andrea hesitated, studying herself closely. She had tried so many dresses that she had almost given up, but this one… this one was different.

Her lips parted slightly, her voice coming out softer than she expected.

"It's like… it—" She paused, as if struggling to find the right words, then finally breathed, "I… I love it."

Her fingers brushed against the fabric, smoothing over the gown with something close to pride.

Madame Lin's grin widened. "So, you think you look perfect in it?"

Andrea turned slightly, tilting her head. A small, satisfied smile curled at the corners of her lips. "I think…" she said slowly, still admiring her own reflection. "I look perfectly fine in this."

There was no hesitation in her voice now.

For once, she wasn't just tolerating a dress—she was owning it.

And as Madame Lin clapped her hands together in delight, Andrea knew one thing for certain:

She had found the dress.

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Andrea traced her fingers along the delicate embroidery of the red dress, still captivated by how effortlessly it transformed her reflection. But the spell broke the moment she turned to Madame Lin.

"How much does this cost?" she asked, half dreading the answer.

Madame Lin's warm smile never faltered. "Sixty thousand yuan."

Andrea felt her breath hitch.

Madame Lin, noticing her hesitation, quickly added, "That's around eight thousand USD, ma'am." This time, her tone was more serious, understanding the weight of the price.

Andrea's lips parted slightly in disbelief. Eight thousand? For a dress?

Sensing her concern, Madame Lin leaned in with a reassuring smile. "But I can offer you a 20% discount."

Andrea let out a small, breathy chuckle. "It's still too expensive."

Madame Lin gently clasped her hands together. "Ma'am, but it looks so good on you. You should buy it."

Andrea sighed. "Yeah, but…" She turned to the mirror again, running a hand down the silky fabric. When something makes us happy, it's just a price… right?

Madame Lin seemed to read her thoughts. "When we like something that truly makes us happy, then it's just a price," she said wisely.

Andrea smiled faintly at that. But as much as she adored the dress, she knew one thing for sure—it wasn't her money to spend.

"Yeah," she murmured, "but when it's your own money, you can buy anything. Not with someone else's."

Madame Lin's eyes softened at that, but she didn't press further. Instead, she nodded. "Then let's find something more affordable."

Andrea gave her a grateful smile before turning away, scanning the racks for something elegant but within a reasonable price range.

After trying on a few more dresses, she finally settled on a formal evening gown—sleek and sophisticated, with a subtle slit on the right leg. It was graceful, elegant, and safe.

She stepped out of the fitting room, the dress hugging her figure perfectly.

She smiled. But it wasn't real.

Unlike the red dress, which had made her glow with genuine excitement, this smile was practiced. Forced. A quiet compromise.

The moment Eunwoo looked up from his phone and saw her, he frowned.

"No."

Andrea blinked. "No?"

"It's not good," he said flatly, crossing his arms. "Choose something else."

Andrea let out a sigh, placing a hand on her hip. "Eunwoo, I—"

But before she could argue, he was already browsing the racks himself. His eyes scanned the selection with quiet focus, as if he were making a business deal rather than picking out a dress.

Then, after a few moments, he pulled out a dark blue off-shoulder gown. The fabric shimmered slightly, and the silhouette was sleek yet daring. Without a word, he handed it to her.

"Try this," he said.

Andrea hesitated, staring at the dress in his hands. Then she exhaled sharply and muttered, "Fine."

Her shoulders slumped slightly as she took the dress and disappeared into the dressing room.

Meanwhile, outside, Eunwoo made his move.

As soon as Andrea was out of sight, he reached into his wallet and pulled out a black card.

Madame Lin's eyes widened slightly as he held it out to her.

"Pack everything she liked," he said, his voice calm but firm.

Madame Lin blinked. "All the dresses?"

Eunwoo nodded. "And send them to the hotel."

The staff quickly moved to prepare the packages, but then Madame Lin hesitated. She glanced toward the dressing room, where the red dress Andrea had adored was still hanging.

It hadn't been packed.

Eunwoo's sharp eyes caught the hesitation. His gaze followed hers—landing on the red dress.

He tilted his head slightly. "That one."

Madame Lin looked at him. "This red one?"

He gave a single nod. "Yes. And the last few she tried."

Madame Lin smiled knowingly and gave a slight bow. "Understood, sir."

Moments later, Andrea stepped out of the dressing room in the blue gown.

The fabric draped elegantly over her shoulders, and the open-back design left just enough of her skin exposed. The deep blue complemented her complexion perfectly, making her look regal.

She stood before the mirror, adjusting the fit slightly before turning to face Eunwoo.

"Well?" she asked, her voice laced with exhaustion.

Eunwoo stood a few feet away, arms crossed, watching her with an unreadable expression. Then, after a brief pause, he took a slow step forward.

"It's fine," he said.

Andrea raised an eyebrow. "Just fine?"

Eunwoo's lips twitched slightly, the hint of amusement in his gaze.

"I'm tired of this drama," Andrea muttered, rolling her eyes.

Eunwoo, now circling around her, let his eyes roam over the dress once more. Then, just as he passed behind her, he murmured lowly—his voice teasing yet firm:

"It looks beautiful. Not bad, Hotshot."

Andrea blinked, turning her head slightly.

That nickname again.

She exhaled sharply, but a small smirk tugged at her lips.

"Whatever," she mumbled.

Little did she know, her perfect red dress was already on its way to the hotel.