Marriage 2

Inside her meticulously organized office, Han Seoyeon sat at her desk, flipping through a stack of files. Her sharp eyes skimmed over reports and plans with practiced efficiency, but her mind kept drifting back to the conversation at breakfast.

Marriage, huh? What does that even mean for someone like me?

The question lingered as she leaned back in her chair, tying her hands together over her stomach. Her parents' words about love and promises had stirred something unfamiliar.

A soft knock interrupted her thoughts.

"Come in," she called, her voice steady as always.

Kang Joonseo, her assistant, entered with a clipboard in hand. The young man was as professional as ever, his suit perfectly tailored, and his hair neatly combed. He approached the desk and placed the clipboard down.

"These are the key points for today's meeting," he said, straightening his posture.

Seoyeon nodded and glanced at the clipboard but didn't reach for it. Instead, she asked out of nowhere, "Joonseo, what's your opinion on marriage?"

Kang Joonseo froze, clearly caught off guard. He blinked a few times before managing to respond, "Marriage, ma'am? I. uh. I don't know much about it."

Her sharp gaze fixed on him, her expression unreadable. "You don't know much about it? Aren't you at the age where people think about these things?"

"Well." He scratched the back of his neck, clearly uncomfortable. "From what I've seen, marriage is a promise. A commitment between two people to stay together, in happiness and sadness."

"In happiness and sadness?" she echoed, leaning back further in her chair. Her lips pressed into a thin line as she tried to process the idea. "What does that even mean? Why would anyone want to share sadness?"

Joonseo paused, clearly thinking hard about how to answer. "I suppose. it's about support, ma'am. About not having to face things alone."

She frowned, her confusion only deepening. "I've never needed that. A promise like that—it sounds unnecessary. Weak, even."

"Well." Joonseo hesitated, then gave a small, awkward chuckle. "Boss, maybe you should discuss this with someone who's actually married or in a good relationship. I don't think I'm qualified to explain it."

Seoyeon's brow twitched at his response, but she didn't reply. Instead, she turned her chair toward the large window behind her desk. The city skyline stretched out before her, a picture of ambition and progress.

Happiness and sadness together. she thought. What a strange concept.

For someone who had built her life on control and efficiency, the idea of willingly tying oneself to someone else—to promises and emotions—felt utterly foreign. And yet, she couldn't stop the faint, nagging curiosity that her parents had planted.

"Fine," she muttered under her breath, returning to her files.

Joonseo stood awkwardly for a moment before clearing his throat. "If there's nothing else, I'll prepare for the meeting."

"Go," she said curtly, her focus back on the documents.

As Joonseo left, Seoyeon let out a small sigh. Her parents had made it sound so simple, so natural. But for her, the concept of love and marriage felt like an equation that didn't balance.

ang Joonseo was still baffled. He sat at his desk, staring blankly at the computer screen, his mind racing. Why would President Seoyeon ask about marriage? Out of nowhere too.

Before he could make sense of it, a familiar voice called out.

"Yah, Assistant Kang! What are you doing?"

He turned to see Yuna, the great manager of Daheyon Corporation, standing at the doorway with her arms crossed. Yuna was every bit as stylish and composed as the president herself, dressed in a fitted suit that showcased her authority. But unlike Seoyeon's cold demeanor, Yuna carried a casual charm that put people at ease.

"Hi, Manager Yuna," Joonseo greeted, forcing a small smile.

Yuna raised an eyebrow, noticing his distracted expression. "What's with that face? You look like you've got something on your mind."

"Well." Joonseo hesitated, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. "It's not that I have something on my mind. It's just that President Seoyeon asked me about marriage today."

Yuna froze for a moment, then burst into laughter. She placed one hand on Joonseo's shoulder while using the other to cover her mouth, trying to stifle the sound.

"Wait, wait—what did you just say? The Han Seoyeon asked you about marriage?" she repeated, her voice dripping with disbelief.

"Yes," Joonseo replied, looking a bit sheepish.

"That Han Seoyeon?" Yuna asked again, as if she couldn't believe her ears. "The same person who's practically the ice queen of the corporate world? The one who's so cold her employees tremble at the sound of her name?"

"Yes, that Han Seoyeon," Joonseo said, nodding with exasperation.

"Hahahaha!" Yuna couldn't hold back her laughter anymore, doubling over. "Oh, this is too good. Marriage? From her? Are you sure you're not dreaming?"

Joonseo sighed, his nerves rising as Yuna's teasing intensified. "It's true! She really asked me. But it's not like I have any idea how to deal with it."

"Of course you don't," Yuna teased, pushing him lightly on the shoulder. "But still, it's hilarious."

Before he could respond, Yuna turned serious. "Okay, okay, leave this to me. I'll handle it."

"Wait, Yuna—" Joonseo tried to stop her, but she had already started walking towards Seoyeon's office.

She knocked on the door with confidence, and a familiar cold voice responded from inside. "Come in."

Yuna opened the door and stepped in, finding Han Seoyeon seated at her desk, her expression as calm and collected as always.

"Yuna?" Seoyeon said, immediately recognizing her.

"Yes, President," Yuna replied with a bright smile.

"Why are you here?"

"Oh, nothing much. I just wanted to check on you," Yuna said, leaning casually against the doorframe.

Seoyeon narrowed her eyes slightly. "Check on me? Is that supposed to mean something specific?"

"No, no, not at all!" Yuna waved her hands defensively. But then, with a mischievous glint in her eyes, she added, "Although, I did hear some interesting rumors about you."

"Rumors?" Seoyeon asked, her tone turning slightly sharper.

"Yes," Yuna said, grinning. "I heard that the cold princess of the business world is suddenly interested in marriage."

The room fell silent. Seoyeon stared at Yuna with her usual calm gaze, but Yuna didn't miss the faint flicker of annoyance in her eyes.

"Who said that?" Seoyeon asked coolly.

"Ah, who knows?" Yuna said, shrugging. "But I'm curious. Is it true?"

Seoyeon didn't answer immediately. Instead, she turned back to her files and said, "If you're done with your nonsense, get back to work."

"Cold as ever," Yuna muttered under her breath as she is in the office, still smiling.

Yuna leaned against the doorframe of Han Seoyeon's office, a playful glint in her eyes as she crossed her arms. "Hey, Seoyeon," she began, "you're all right and all, but I've been hearing some rumors about you."

Seoyeon didn't even look up from the document she was reviewing. "Rumors?"

"Yeah." Yuna smirked. "Apparently, you're interested in marriage."

The word made Seoyeon pause mid-motion. Her pen stilled over the paper, and she slowly raised her head to meet Yuna's gaze. "Marriage?" she repeated, her voice cold and steady. "You probably heard that from Joonseo, didn't you?"

"You're sharp as always," Yuna remarked with a grin. "But, come on, what's so shocking about it? The great Han Seoyeon interested in marriage? Spill it. What's the story?"

Seoyeon sighed, leaning back in her chair as she interlaced her fingers and rested them on her lap. "It's nothing. My parents suggested I get married. That's all."

Yuna tilted her head curiously. "Suggested? What, out of the blue?"

"They're worried," Seoyeon said plainly. "I've always been. independent. They're concerned I'll remain alone, and they won't be around to see what happens when the time comes. It's normal. Parents worry about their children being alone."

"Well, they're not wrong," Yuna quipped.

Seoyeon's eyes narrowed. "I'm not interested in such things," she said firmly. "Nor do I know much about them. Marriage, promises, a lifetime together, happiness and sadness shared—it's all. abstract. I don't understand it."

Yuna chuckled. "You, Han Seoyeon, the cold and unshakable CEO, don't understand the concept of marriage? Shocking." She sat on the edge of the desk, ignoring Seoyeon's faint glare. "Come on, though. You really don't know? We studied together for years, and I remember clearly that you rejected every single guy who even dared to approach you."

"Did I?" Seoyeon asked, her tone indifferent, though a hint of annoyance crept into her expression.

"Don't play coy." Yuna laughed. "You don't remember? There was that one guy who kept calling you sweet names in front of everyone. Oh, and the one who tried to leave notes on your desk every morning? You rejected him also."

afar in a luxury hotel room Jang Seokmin who was having cup of coffe i her room felt a chill out of nowhere "Is Yoonie thinking about me he proudly say rubbing his nose, whils she doesnt even remeber him 

Seoyeon gave her a flat look. "Are you done reminiscing?"

"Not even close," Yuna said with a mischievous grin. "It's funny, though. You probably remember less about your school life than I do."

Seoyeon didn't respond immediately. Her gaze dropped slightly, her fingers drumming against the armrest of her chair. "It was all. unimportant," she said after a moment.

"Unimportant?" Yuna echoed, raising an eyebrow. "Wow. Only you could say something like that with a straight face."

"It's true," Seoyeon said simply. "People, feelings. None of it mattered. And it still doesn't."

Yuna studied her friend for a moment, her usual teasing expression softening. "You know, Seoyeon," she said quietly, "it wouldn't hurt to let some of it matter."

Seoyeon didn't reply, and the room fell silent for a moment. Then, with a small sigh, she straightened up in her chair and picked up her pen again. "If you're done, get back to work. I have things to do."

"Cold as always," Yuna muttered under her breath, standing up and heading toward the door. Before leaving, she turned back with a grin. "But don't think you're getting rid of me that easily. I'm not done with this topic yet."

Seoyeon didn't bother to look up, her focus already back on her work. But as the door clicked shut, she leaned back in her chair again, her expression unreadable.

Marriage. She thought about the word, the concept, and her parents' worried faces. It felt distant, almost unreal, like something that belonged to someone else's life, not hers.

For a moment, she allowed herself to sit in the quiet, the weight of her parents' words lingering in her mind. Then, shaking her head, she returned to her files, pushing the thoughts away.