They arrived at a cozy, upscale restaurant. Junho held the car door open for Yoona, placing one hand over her head to ensure she wouldn't bump it on the car's opening while extending his other hand to help her out. Yoona, taken aback by his unexpected kindness, cautiously accepted his helping hand, feeling a sudden surge of electricity course through her at the contact. The warmth of his touch sparked an unexpected flutter in her chest, leaving her momentarily breathless. She quickly stepped away, trying to maintain her composure.
They sat at a quiet corner table, the dim lighting creating an intimate atmosphere. Junho ordered a bottle of wine, and they sat in awkward silence for a moment, each trying to figure out what to say.
"So," Yoona began, determined to keep the conversation professional. "About the deal I—"
Junho held up a hand, cutting her off. "Let's not talk about business tonight. Just dinner, remember?"
Yoona pursed her lips, not liking how easily he could disarm her. "Fine. What do you want to talk about, then?"
He leaned back in his chair, he seemed to be studying her with those piercing eyes. "Tell me about yourself. The real Yoona Lim, not the youngest CEO of a private art seller auction house."
She scoffed, but there was a hint of a smile on her lips. "You think you can handle the real me?"
"I'd like to try," he said softly, his gaze unwavering.
“Go on then. Shoot me a question,” she dared.
Junho, surprised by Yoona's easy smile, decided to take a leap, “When you're not navigating the high-stakes world of art, what do you do for fun?"
Yoona, caught off guard by the genuine curiosity in his eyes, found herself relaxing. "I love to bake. Think of any dessert, I can make it—it's my way to unwind."
Junho's surprise was genuine. "That's interesting. I wouldn't have pegged you for a sugar-dusted connoisseur."
That got her really intrigued. “Really? Then, what would you pegged me for?”
“I thought you’re the sporty type. Like tennis or golf kind of sporty.” he answered.
Yoona laughed, a warm, melodic sound at Junho's assumptions about her hobbies. "Golf. I tried it a couple of times but my friends practically have to bribe me to come. You got it completely wrong with tennis… and I run, though only every weekend and 1-hour max. That is about the extent of my supposed sportiness. Appearances can be deceiving, I guess.”
She took a sip of her wine. “What about you? Let me guess, car racing or perhaps something like polo or golf too?"
"Actually," Junho chuckled, a hint of self-deprecation tinging his voice, "nothing quite so glamorous. Hiking. Every weekend or whenever my schedule permits. It's a way to escape the city's clamor, I suppose. And photography is more of a recent hobby. A way to capture the quiet beauty in unexpected places."
The conversation flowed naturally, veering into lighter topics. Yoona spoke fondly of her fluffy Bichon Frisé, who shed enough fur to knit a winter coat. Junho countered with tales of his four mischievous cats, each with a distinct personality that kept him entertained.
As the main course arrived and with her 3rd glass of wine, a deeper vulnerability peeked through Yoona’s carefully constructed facade. The conversation veered into more intimate and personal territory, and she felt an unusual urge to share more of herself with Junho. Taking a deep breath, she allowed herself a moment of introspection, wondering if perhaps, just this once, she could let her guard down.
“Some days, being the youngest CEO in this industry feels like an endless uphill battle,” Yoona began, her voice tinged with fatigue and determination. “I constantly have to prove myself, fight for respect in a field dominated by men. Working extra hard. It’s been that way since I was young. My father was a passionate painter in our small town, and my mother was a house cook. They struggled every day just to make ends meet and send me to school. I knew early on what financial hardship looked like. So, I worked hard to get every scholarship I could.”
Junho listened intently, his eyes never leaving hers, sensing the depth of her words.
She continued, “Starting from elementary school, I was always a scholarship student. But despite their struggles, my parents tried their best to give me a normal, happy childhood. On the rare times that they have extra money, they would buy me toys or treat me to amusement parks. We always made it a point to visit museums on special occasions because my father loves art so much. I think that’s how I got my love for art as well… because of him. And baking, well, that’s something I got from my mother. They’re the reason I wanted to succeed quickly, to give them a better life.”
Yoona paused, her eyes reflecting the weight of her journey. “I had to maneuver myself through an industry predominantly led by men. I had no connections, no shortcuts. All I had was my relentless focus and, I guess, a cold exterior. There was no time for anything else, no real connections besides my family and a handful of trusted friends.”
Her gaze drifted momentarily, as if pulled back into a distant memory. “There was a time,” she continued, her voice tinged with regret, “when I almost lost my scholarship. I was distracted for just a moment, caught up in something I shouldn’t have been. Seeing my parents’ disappointment, the sadness in their eyes… it was the first time I had ever seen them like that. I vowed then and there to spend my life making up for that misstep.”
Junho watched her closely, captivated by her eloquence and the vivid imagery of her past. It felt as though he was there with her, experiencing her struggles and triumphs firsthand.
“I’ve somehow reached that point,” she continued, a proud smile breaking through her seriousness. “I’ve given them a comfortable life. My parents now manage a chain of art cafes in the countryside, which are quite popular with tourists. They’re finally living comfortably and doing what they love. That makes it all worth it.”
Junho found himself deeply moved by her story, a newfound respect blossoming for the woman across the table. He saw a different side of Yoona Lim—a woman with dreams, insecurities, and a fierce determination to succeed. “You’re incredible, Yoona. What you’ve achieved, and the way you’ve honored your parents, is nothing short of inspiring.”
“Thank you,” her voice almost inaudible.
Despite his genuine admiration, Junho sensed something was off. Even with all her triumphs, there seems to be a lingering sense of emptiness in Yoona’s eyes, a craving for something else, something more.
It could also because of the wine, but Junho decided to reciprocate her openness. "You wouldn't believe it, but the pressure to live up to my family name is immense, especially because I am the offspring of a mistake. Every decision I make is scrutinized, every action weighed against generations of expectations. It still feels like I have to fight for my place in the family everyday for respect and affection."
He reached for his glass of wine but didn’t move it. His arm stayed stretched. "That’s the reason I'm so fixated on the Salvation necklace."
Yoona leaned in, a flicker of curiosity dancing in her eyes. "A reason beyond its monetary value, I presume?"
Junho met Yoona’s gaze, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. He began “I have this favorite story, one my grandma Anna would tell me as a child. She is my mother’s mother, and was the closest person to me. She never treated me differently and always made me feel special.”
Junho continued, his voice softening. "The necklace was a gift from a lowly jewelsmith to our ancestor, Rahee, the Duchess of Joseonburg in the 1700s. The duchess and the jewelsmith fell deeply in love, but their relationship couldn't survive due to their social statuses. It broke the spirit of the duchess that she almost took her own life. That necklace was his farewell gift to her. The necklace reminded her of him and the love they shared so it became her inspiration to go on with life. That's why she called it the Salvation Necklace. Because it—he—saved her life.”
Yoona listened intently, captivated by the tale. Junho’s voice carried a wistful nostalgia as he continued.
"My grandmother believed in that story deeply. She always said it reminded her that even in the grand tapestry of life, true love can bloom in the most unexpected places. I have been surrounded by failed relationships throughout my life—my father and mother, and my grandma had a string of lovers, each ending in heartbreak. Despite it all, she never stopped believing in love. Her last husband, my ex-step-grandfather, turned out to be a scum, though. He sold the necklace without her knowledge, which is how it eventually ended up at your gallery."
Junho paused, his expression a mix of sorrow and tenderness. "Losing my grandmother and losing the necklace felt like losing love entirely. That necklace had been with our family for centuries. It wasn't just a piece of jewelry; it is a reminder of my childhood, my grandmother’s warmth and our faith in love."
Yoona's heart ached for him. She saw Junho in a completely different light, no longer just the arrogant businessman but a man who had experienced profound loss and longing.
After a moment of silence, Junho looked into her eyes intensely and said, "I'm not telling you this to persuade you to give the necklace back. It just felt right to share it with you, here, now."
Yoona was moved by his honesty and vulnerability. She realized there was much more to Junho than she had initially thought, and for the first time, she felt a genuine connection with him.
“I understand.”
The night deepened, filled with stories whispered across the table. Yoona and Junho, their initial wariness replaced by a tentative understanding.
By the time they finished their dessert, Yoona and Junho were quietly surprised by the depth of their conversation. Despite their initial clash, they seemed to share some similarities about their own passions and burdens. While they still got under each other’s skin sometimes, there was no denying the bond forming and attraction simmering beneath the surface.
As they strolled back to his car, a comfortable silence settled between them, punctuated only by the rhythmic click of their heels on the pavement. The city lights shimmered around them, casting a warm glow on their faces. Junho stole a glance at Yoona, her profile glistened in the moonlight. In that quiet moment, a feeling bloomed in his chest—a sense of connection, a warmth that transcended the initial animosity. Maybe, just maybe, this wasn't just another night settling business deals.
"Thank you for tonight," she said as they pulled out in front of her apartment building.
"No, thank you," he replied, his voice equally soft.
They exchanged smiles then Yoona climbed out the car and walked into the building. As she press the elevator buttons to the 30th floor, she couldn't help but smile. Maybe dinner with Junho Lee wasn't such a bad idea after all.
waiting for your update chingu...hehe
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