Truth Not Always Beautiful

A-ri and Eun-tae stepped out of the Eternal Bond office, the weight of the contract hanging over them like a looming shadow. Jin-ho's words reverberated in their minds – a mere day to deliberate on a decision that could reshape their lives. As they walked side by side down the corridor, a palpable silence settled between them, the gravity of their situation sinking in.

Eun-tae's thoughts were a tempest of conflicting emotions. On one hand, his rational side vehemently urged him to sever the ties. They were both ensnared by deception, and the prospect of a union neither desired was inherently unappealing. Eun-tae cherished his independence and autonomy, and the concept of relinquishing those values chafed at him.

However, as he contemplated sharing his intentions with A-ri then and there, a different sentiment tugged at his heartstrings. The unexpected bond they had forged over her painting, "Ephemeral Dreams," was a connection he hadn't foreseen. Meeting the artist behind the masterpiece he held dear had been an unexpectedly fulfilling experience. The thought of abruptly cutting those ties, even if they were reluctantly tied by an unwelcome contract, felt strangely disheartening.

Eun-tae clenched his fists by his sides, caught between his logical resolve and the inexplicable pull he felt towards A-ri. The shared understanding of their shared predicament and their mutual appreciation for art urged him to explore this connection further. He wanted to unravel the enigma behind the artist, to understand the person who had painted the masterpiece that had moved him.

As he steeled himself to communicate his decision to A-ri, her voice broke the contemplative silence.

"You know, this whole situation is quite absurd, isn't it?" A-ri's voice held a touch of amusement, her gaze meeting Eun-tae's.

"Absolutely absurd," he blinked, momentarily taken aback by her candid observation. A faint smile tugged at his lips as he nodded in agreement.

A-ri's laughter danced between them, and Eun-tae found himself chuckling along. It was an acknowledgement of the unpredictability that life often presented.

"You know," A-ri continued, her tone more earnest now, "maybe we could have lunch together. Just the two of us."

Eun-tae's eyebrows arched in surprise, his mind momentarily caught off guard. Her suggestion deviated from the scenario he had envisioned. He had prepared to decline the contract, yet A-ri's proposition introduced a new twist to his carefully considered plan.

"Lunch?" he echoed, his curiosity piqued. "Like, right now?"

"Yes, lunch. We could find a quiet place to talk, away from any distractions. Maybe we can brainstorm a solution together," A-ri nodded, her expression sincere.

Eun-tae scrutinized A-ri's eyes, searching for any hint of insincerity. Yet, all he found was a genuine earnestness, a willingness to address the situation head-on.

He deliberated on her proposal, his initial conviction waning. Her suggestion held an air of intrigue, a chance to delve further into the intriguing connection they had unexpectedly discovered. It wasn't a decision he had anticipated, but there was a part of him that was intrigued by the prospect.

"All right," Eun-tae finally conceded, a soft smile playing on his lips. "Let's do it."

"Wonderful! How about we meet at a little place I know? It's a cosy restaurant that serves delicious, simple Korean dishes. They make this amazing plate of dakgangjeong. It's a guilty pleasure, really," A-ri's face lit up with a relieved smile.

"Sounds perfect," Eun-tae agreed, feeling a glimmer of anticipation. The weight of the impending decision momentarily lifted, replaced by a sense of intrigue for the lunch meeting with A-ri.

"Come on, it's just a short walk away. Let's not waste any time!" A-ri's face lit up with excitement as she mentioned the dakgangjeong, and without further ado, she tugged on Eun-tae's arm, her eagerness palpable.

Eun-tae found himself chuckling at A-ri's enthusiasm, his curiosity piqued by her choice of restaurant. As they walked side by side, he couldn't help but notice the subtle bounce in her step, a stark contrast to the formal setting they had just left behind. There was a carefree energy about her that was contagious, and he found himself letting go of some of his reservations.

Within minutes, they arrived at the small restaurant A-ri had mentioned. True to her word, the place exuded a cosy charm, with the aroma of sizzling food wafting through the air. As they stepped inside, A-ri seemed entirely at home, her smile radiant as she greeted the staff with familiarity.

A-ri wasted no time in placing their order, the words flowing effortlessly from her lips as if she had done this a hundred times before. It was a routine born from her visits to the restaurant with her friend Na-yeon, and she momentarily forgot that this time, she was accompanied by someone new. She turned to Eun-tae, her eyes widening apologetically.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't even ask if you had any preferences. Would you like something in particular?"

"No need to worry. Just go ahead and choose. I'm sure whatever you recommend will be delicious," Eun-tae offered her an easy smile, his gaze warm and understanding.

Bashfully, A-ri continued with the order, her familiarity with the menu evident. Once they had placed their order, she led Eun-tae to a table by the window, the sunlight casting a gentle glow around them. Eun-tae's eyes swept over the restaurant, taking in the modest décor and the bustling atmosphere. It was a far cry from the luxurious 5-star establishments he was accustomed to, but he found a certain charm in its simplicity.

As they waited for their food, Eun-tae's gaze wandered, observing the mix of customers that populated the restaurant. There were families with children, couples engrossed in quiet conversations, and groups of friends sharing laughter. It was a slice of everyday life that felt both comforting and grounding.

When the dakgangjeong arrived at their table, the tantalizing aroma filled the air, eliciting appreciative smiles from both A-ri and Eun-tae. The plate was a masterpiece of crispy, golden-brown chicken pieces coated in a delectable sweet and spicy glaze. Eun-tae couldn't help but marvel at the dish, his mouth watering in anticipation.

Without further ado, they both dug in, the initial crunch of the dakgangjeong giving way to a burst of flavours that danced on their taste buds. Any lingering thoughts of the contract marriage had faded into the background, replaced by the simple pleasure of good food and easy conversation.

Eun-tae found himself savouring each bite, the taste of the dakgangjeong a far cry from the elaborate dishes he was accustomed to. There was a certain authenticity to this experience that he couldn't deny, a reminder that perfection wasn't always found in extravagance.

He glanced at A-ri, her eyes sparkling with delight as she relished the meal. For a brief moment, their eyes met, and a shared understanding passed between them. They were two individuals brought together by an unusual circumstance, finding a connection that defied the boundaries of their roles.

As the meal continued, Eun-tae's initial reservations had melted away, replaced by a sense of camaraderie and a newfound appreciation for the ordinary joys of life. The dakgangjeong, with its simple yet exquisite flavours, seemed to symbolize the unexpected bond that was forming between them.

"I must say, this dakgangjeong is even better than the one my friend and I usually have," By the time they had finished eating, both plates had been thoroughly cleaned, and satisfied smiles graced their faces. A-ri leaned back in her chair, a contented sigh escaping her lips.

"I have to agree. It's been a while since I enjoyed something this much," Eun-tae chuckled softly, his gaze fixed on the empty plate before him.

Their eyes met once again, and a shared sense of contentment settled over them. At that moment, the complexities of their situation seemed to fade into the background, leaving only the present and the connection they were forging.

A-ri and Eun-tae found themselves seated on a park bench, the casual conversation flowing between them like a gentle stream. The warmth of the sun, the soft rustling of leaves, and the easy camaraderie they shared seemed to create a bubble of respite from the weight of their situation. Eun-tae, however, couldn't shake the seriousness that lingered at the back of his mind.

He cleared his throat, his gaze shifting from the playful dance of sunlight to A-ri beside him.

"Ms han, I wanted to discuss something about—"

"Eun-tae, I need to be honest with you. The truth is, I need the money from this contract," A-ri was quicker, her voice gentle but earnest as she cut in.

Eun-tae's words faltered, the gravity of A-ri's confession taking him by surprise. He looked at her, his expression a mixture of curiosity and concern, urging her to continue.

"I know how this might seem, and you might think that I'm just like those money chasers out there," She continued, her voice tinged with a touch of vulnerability.

Eun-tae's brows furrowed in protest, his eyes conveying a sense of reassurance. He wanted to interject, to assure her that he never saw her that way, but A-ri's words flowed on.

"And I admit, I might have been tricked into this contract," A-ri confessed, a hint of frustration underlying her words. "But the truth is, I couldn't find a better option. My art, my dreams – they all require funding, and I've exhausted every other avenue."

Eun-tae listened in silence, absorbing every word A-ri spoke. Her honesty struck him, a stark contrast to the artifice and formality he was accustomed to. Her vulnerability made him acutely aware of the power dynamics at play, and he felt a sense of unease settle over him.

"I'm not trying to justify anything, Mr Lee. I just want you to know that this wasn't my first choice either," A-ri's voice softened, her gaze meeting his with a mixture of apprehension and understanding.

He nodded, a complex mix of emotions swirling within him. Her words painted a picture of desperation, of dreams deferred and sacrifices made. It was impossible to ignore the raw reality that lay beneath the surface.

"I guess it's ironic that in trying to escape my problems, I've walked right into another mess," A small, rueful smile tugged at A-ri's lips.

Eun-tae's lips parted as if to respond, but he found himself silenced by the weight of A-ri's honesty. He had seen vulnerability in business negotiations, but this was different – it was a glimpse into the human behind the façade, unfiltered and unguarded.

"Mr Lee, I didn't mean to burden you with all of this. It's just… well, let's not let this ruin our lunch. It was my idea, after all," A-ri's words seemed to hang in the air for a moment before she cleared her throat, her gaze averting slightly.

Eun-tae opened his mouth to respond, his thoughts a jumble of conflicting emotions, but A-ri's gentle smile stopped him in his tracks.

"Don't mind me too much, alright? I appreciate your company today," and before he could protest, she continued. "Actually, how about this? Let me cover the cost of lunch. It's the least I can do."

Eun-tae's initial impulse was to intervene, to assert himself as the man in this situation, but he hesitated. A-ri's words had a way of challenging his preconceptions, of nudging him out of his comfort zone.

"I…" he started, then paused, his gaze meeting A-ri's. "Alright, if you insist. And if there is a next time, it's on me."

"Deal. And thank you, Mr Lee."

As they wrapped up their lunch and prepared to leave, Eun-tae's mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. A-ri's honesty had left an indelible mark, and he found himself grappling with a sense of helplessness he had rarely experienced.

"Ms Han, can I offer you a ride home?" Before he knew it, the words spilt from his lips.

A-ri's initial response was a polite refusal, insisting that she could walk back. However, Eun-tae persisted, his determination unwavering.

"Just consider it a small favour," he said with a faint smile. "It's the least I can do after you treated me to this delicious lunch."

A-ri hesitated, her gaze meeting Eun-tae's. She could see the sincerity in his eyes, and a sense of gratitude washed over her. With a soft smile, she finally relented.

"Alright, Mr Lee. I appreciate it."

As they made their way to Eun-tae's car, A-ri couldn't help but reflect on the twists and turns that had brought them together. Beneath the weight of their decisions and the complexities of their circumstances, a connection was forming – one that transcended the superficial and ventured into the realm of genuine understanding.

And as Eun-tae pulled the car onto the road, A-ri's thoughts were a mix of uncertainty and curiosity, wondering where this unexpected journey would lead them next.