Prologue

Han A-ri stood in her cluttered improvised art studio in her one-room apartment, surrounded by unfinished canvases and the faint smell of paint. She was hunched over her latest creation, a vibrant painting that was meant to capture the essence of nature's beauty. A-ri had poured her heart and soul into it, hoping it would be her ticket to success in the upcoming art competition.

Her phone chimed with the sound of an incoming email, and her heart skipped a beat. A-ri had been anxiously awaiting a response from the competition organizers. With trembling hands, she opened the email and scanned the words that dashed her hopes once again. Her artwork had failed to qualify, leaving her feeling defeated and dejected.

With a deep sigh, A-ri set her phone down on the cluttered table, feeling the weight of disappointment settling on her shoulders. The struggle to make a name for herself in the competitive art world was taking its toll. Financial instability was an ever-present cloud, casting a shadow over her dreams of artistic recognition.

Just as A-ri was lost in her thoughts, a loud knock on her apartment door interrupted her reverie. She quickly wiped her paint-stained hands on her apron and rushed to answer it, her heart sinking as she saw her landlord's stern expression.

"Miss Han, you're late on rent again," he said, his voice cold and unsympathetic. He even threw a letter detailing A-ri's overdue rent into her room. "If you can't pay on time, I'll have no choice but to evict you."

Forcing a smile, A-ri assured him that she would pay by the end of the third month. She picked up the letter and set it on top of the shoe rack. After the door closed, she slumped to the floor, feeling overwhelmed by the weight of her responsibilities. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she wondered how much longer she could endure this constant struggle.

As A-ri was on the brink of despair, her phone rang again. She saw that it was a call from her best friend, Park Na-yeon. The sound of Na-yeon's voice brought a small smile to her face, despite her tears. She answered the call, trying to sound composed, but Na-yeon immediately sensed her distress.

"A-ri, are you crying?" Na-yeon asked with concern.

"You know me too well, Na-yeon. But I'm fine, really," A-ri let out a snort of laughter, touched by Na-yeon's perceptiveness.

"You know I'm definitely not going to believe you, right?" Na-yeon said firmly. "Stay on the line. I'm coming over right now, and we're going to talk about what's going on."

"Okay, Na-yeon. I won't hang up. Thanks for always being there for me," A-ri chuckled softly, grateful for her friend's unwavering support.

"That's what best friends are for," Na-yeon replied with a hint of pride. "I'll be there soon. A-ri, fighting."

As the call continued, A-ri felt a glimmer of hope. Despite all the pressure and setbacks, she knew she had one person who believed in her. It was enough to give her the strength to keep going, to keep pursuing her passion, even in the face of uncertainty.

As A-ri remained on the call with Na-yeon, she heard the sound of car doors snapping shut, indicating that her best friend was on her way. Relief washed over A-ri, knowing that she would soon have Na-yeon's comforting presence by her side.

"Na-yeon, thank you for being here for me," A-ri said, her voice filled with gratitude. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

"No need to thank me," Na-yeon replied warmly. "You've always been there for me too, A-ri. We're in this together, right?"

"Right," A-ri affirmed, a small smile tugging at her lips. "So, what's for lunch today?"

"I'm thinking of some comforting jjajangmyeon," Na-yeon suggested. "How does that sound?"

"Perfect," A-ri said, her mood lifting at the thought of her favourite dish. "I'll prepare the table for us when you arrive."

"A-ri, did something happen with the painting competition? Is that why you were upset?" As Na-yeon drove through the busy streets of Seoul, she couldn't help but wonder what had caused A-ri to cry.

"Yes, I received an email just now, and my artwork didn't qualify for the competition. It's just... another setback, you know?" A-ri hesitated for a moment, unsure if she wanted to burden her friend with her disappointment. But Na-yeon's caring voice encouraged her to share her feelings.

"I'm so sorry to hear that," Na-yeon sympathized. "But remember, rejection is a part of the journey for every artist. Don't let it define your worth or talent."

"You're right," A-ri replied, her voice tinged with determination. "I won't give up. I'll keep painting and improving, no matter how many obstacles come my way."

"That's the spirit," Na-yeon cheered. "And if you ever need someone to remind you of your talent and resilience, you know I'll be here for you, right?"

"I do, Na-yeon," A-ri said, her heart swelling with gratitude. "Thank you for being my rock."

As Na-yeon's car approached A-ri's apartment building, A-ri could hardly wait to see her best friend. She knew that with Na-yeon by her side, she could face anything life threw at her.

The moment Na-yeon stepped into A-ri's small apartment, their embrace was filled with unspoken understanding and unwavering support. Over a comforting lunch of jjajangmyeon, A-ri felt the weight of her worries lift, at least for the time being.

As they chatted and laughed, A-ri knew that she was fortunate to have such a caring and compassionate friend like Na-yeon. She always believed that their friendship and the unexpected turn of events shortly would lead her on a path that would change her life forever.

With Na-yeon by her side, A-ri felt ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead, including the prospect of an unexpected contract marriage that would take her on a journey she never could have imagined.

As they enjoyed their lunch, Na-yeon excused herself to use the bathroom, leaving A-ri alone in the living room. On her way to the bathroom, Na-yeon noticed a letter sitting on top of A-ri's shoe rack. Her curiosity got the better of her, and she couldn't resist taking a quick look at the contents.

As she read the letter, Na-yeon's face turned serious. It was a notice from the landlord, reminding A-ri of her overdue rent. Na-yeon realized that this financial burden was the actual reason behind A-ri's tears. Not the disqualification of the art contest.

Feeling guilty for invading her friend's privacy, Na-yeon took a deep breath and decided to confront the issue. When she returned to the living room, she gently held the letter in front of A-ri, her expression apologetic.

"A-ri, I'm so sorry for reading this. I couldn't help myself," Na-yeon said, her voice soft with regret.

"It's okay, Na-yeon. You don't have to apologize," A-ri looked at her best friend, tears welling up in her eyes again.

"I know how much you value your privacy," Na-yeon said, her voice full of empathy. "But I can't bear to see you like this. Let me help you."

At that moment, Na-yeon felt like the bad guy and her heart ached for A-ri's pain. She had always been the one to support and encourage A-ri, but this time, she couldn't shield her from financial hardships.

"I promise I won't scare you with this anymore," Na-yeon continued. "I just want you to know that I'm here for you, no matter what."

"The truth is, money has been tight for me. I used most of my savings to enter the art competition, and now I'm struggling to pay the rent," As they both calmed down, A-ri took a deep breath and decided to be honest with Na-yeon.

"Oh, A-ri, why didn't you tell me?" Na-yeon asked, concern evident in her eyes.

"I didn't want to burden you," A-ri replied. "I thought I could manage somehow, but it's getting more challenging."

"You don't have to go through this alone, A-ri. We're best friends, and that means we share both the good and the bad," Na-yeon sympathized with her friend's situation.

"I appreciate your offer, Na-yeon, but I don't want to trouble you," A-ri felt touched by Na-yeon's words but hesitated to accept help.

"You're not troubling me at all," Na-yeon insisted. "We're like sisters, remember? If you need financial support, I'm here for you. We'll find a way together."

"Thank you, Na-yeon, but I'll figure something out. I can't let myself rely on others like this," A-ri shook her head, her determination shining through.

Na-yeon admired A-ri's resilience but didn't want to see her struggle unnecessarily. She remembered the topic she had been researching for her journalist job – the rising trend of contract marriages in Korea.

"You know, A-ri, there's something I've been working on for a story," Na-yeon said. "It's about contract marriages that have been emerging in Korea. People enter into temporary unions for various reasons, like financial stability or companionship."

"Contract marriages? You mean the one where two people decide to be together without a sense of love?" A-ri looked intrigued but still sceptical.

"It's not always about love," Na-yeon explained nonchalantly. "Sometimes, it's a pragmatic approach for people who need support or companionship in their lives."

"I'm not sure if it's the right solution for me. I can't imagine being with someone just for practical reasons," A-ri considered Na-yeon's words, her thoughts drifting to her situation.

"Understandable," Na-yeon said. "It's not for everyone. I just thought it might be worth considering, given your current situation."

"C-Can you explain more about how it works?" A-ri asked, curious to understand the concept better.

"Sure," Na-yeon replied. "In a contract marriage, two people agree to enter into a temporary marriage for a specific period, usually for practical reasons. They sign a contract with terms and conditions, defining the purpose and duration of the marriage."

Trying her best to understand everything that was told, A-ri listened intently as Na-yeon continued.

"The contract can cover various aspects, like financial support, living arrangements, and responsibilities during the marriage. It's a mutually beneficial agreement that allows both parties to fulfil their needs without the emotional complexities of a traditional romantic relationship. So in short, it's more like a business contract where both parties get what they wanted without extra benefit over the agreement."

"But isn't marriage supposed to be about love and a lifelong commitment?" A-ri asked, still unsure about the idea.

"Traditional marriages are indeed based on love and commitment," Na-yeon acknowledged. "But the world is changing, and people are seeking different ways to navigate their lives. Contract marriages offer an alternative for those who have specific needs but don't want the emotional entanglements of a long-term relationship."

A-ri mulled over Na-yeon's explanation. It was a lot to take in, and the idea of entering into a contractual union with someone was both intriguing and unsettling.

"I know it's a lot to process," Na-yeon said, giving A-ri's hand a reassuring squeeze. "Take your time to think about it. I'm here to support you no matter what you decide."

"W-Who said I'm marrying anyone, Na-yeon?" A-ri said, feeling bashful after all the talk about marriage. "I'll think about it, but for now, I-I need some time to figure things out."

"Haha, of course," Na-yeon laughed with a smile. "Just know that I'm here for you, and we'll navigate through this together."

As they sat together, the idea of contract marriages lingered in the air, leaving A-ri with mixed emotions. The concept seemed foreign and uncertain, but it also represented a potential solution to her financial struggles.