The (Im)Perfect Marriage

A man with glasses opened the curtains of the 5th floor of a building. He was stunned to find a large number of journalists waiting downstairs. He sighed in annoyance. "We shouldn't meet here." He approached the table in frustration. "You can't come out, Jay!" "Are you mad at me, Mr. Kim?" challenged the handsome man with the most radiant exotic face of the four in the room. Mr. Kim pulled up a chair. "No, I'm not. I'm just frustrated with the situation." "Denying various relationships with several female celebrities led the public to speculate that Jay Han is gay." "Jay Han allegedly often goes out with a young man. Are they dating?" "Jay Han is gay." Mr. Kwon added what he read from his tablet screen, which rewarded Jay's laughter. "So you believe all the ridiculous news?" Jay confirmed. "Then open up!" "I've been by Jay's side the most. But he's always working, sleeping, working. Occasionally, he drinks. But home seems to be his life partner," Manager Jo explained. "Already, right?" Jay straightened his seat. "How many times has Jo explained to you?" "We want you to answer." "Do I look like a gay person?" Then his face turned stern. "You can just deny it like you used to deny my dating rumors with many women!" Jay was about to lose his temper; even the management people who had worked with him for a long time still needed answers about the scandal involving him. After all, Jay couldn't possibly reveal any other facts that he kept tightly under wraps to prove all these allegations. Jay looked at the management people one by one sternly. "I'm still very attracted to women. I like women, satisfied?!" The man's chest rose and fell with emotion. "I guess I don't need any proof. Jo is already my daily companion." "Jo should know who the woman you're close to is. At least once. But Jo never found her. Isn't that right, Jo?" Mr. Kwon was confirmed to be met by the young man's stony face. "Should I do it?" "Of course. To prove it to us so, when we argue, we're ready." Jay folded his arms across his chest. "Are you asking for proof?" The round-eyed man chuckled. "How am I supposed to get a date if I keep working non-stop? Don't you realize you've been working me hard?" "You should be thankful that I've been in management for a decade!" sprayed Jay fiercely. "I'm not even complaining. I never go back to my hometown either. Only my parents come to Seoul occasionally. All I did for your slave contracts!" "I've never complained or denied it, but this time, I want you to clear up these rumors. Give me time to come back!" Jay got up from his chair. "Hey! Where are you going? There are so many reporters outside." "s**t!" Jay stopped walking and closed his eyes for a moment. "I want to go to the roof!" he concluded without turning around, leaving the rest of the staff in the room. The breeze greeted Jay on the rooftop. From up there, he could also see the crowd caused by the journalists. Some of them even got into arguments with the security guards. The man began to think hard. He had to find a place where he could calm down. A where no one would bother him. His hometown was Hoshi Village. Jay smiled as he got an idea. He dialed a number to contact his parents. However, he accidentally saw a name that triggered his smile. Hazel. Jay even laughed. He forgot that he still had his wife's contacts, whether they were legitimate or not. Jay remembered Hazel ten years ago, just before he started his career. Hazel was light-skinned, clean, and beautiful, with beautiful hazel-colored eyes. How is that woman now? Has she remarried? And has she become a great doctor? Could Hazel be working at a big hospital in Seoul? Jay rarely contacted his family. His work and demands left him with no time. But now was the time. Jay wants his return to be a special surprise for his family, especially for his parents. To make it all happen, Jay needed Hazel's help. "Hello?" Jay furrowed his brow as a soft voice from the other side greeted him. Was this his wife's voice? "Oh, hello. Is this Hazel?" "Who am I speaking to?" Hazel didn't keep her own husband's phone number. "I-I... I'm Jay. Han Ja-Yeon. I'm sorry that I just..." The phone call was cut off unilaterally. "s**t!" Jay cursed. "Why is she ignoring her husband?" If there was anyone Song Hazel wanted to get rid of the most right now, it was Han Ja-Yeon. Why did he come back after almost a decade of their marriage? Why did he have to contact Hazel in less than the allotted time? "Why did you come back?" "This is my hometown. Isn't it natural that I..." "Who let you in?!" screeched Hazel as Jay approached. Jay gasped as Hazel's attitude had gotten worse since ten years ago. But he didn't care and entered the room anyway. "They say my wife misses me." "And waited for me in the room," Jay continued in a whisper. "Are you out of your mind? It's been ten years and I've already decided." "Not yet! There are still two months to go before we're exactly ten. You can't make up your mind yet, Hazel." Instantly, Jay could see the hateful gaze of Hazel, who was cursing him. "Just because I didn't come back for ten years, you hate me so much?" "You're so stupid. Why do you have to ask?" Jay just laughed. "For ten years, I always sent your family money. I never bothered you. Didn't we agree not to interfere with each other's careers? What's bothering you?" Hazel clucked in annoyance. She was already having a hard time communicating with that jerk because of the tears that had accumulated in her eyes. Her feelings were mixed. "A-Are you okay?" Jay was slightly surprised and touched one of her arms. "Don't touch me!" Hazel turned around and left the room. As she left, Jay wondered what had happened. But he didn't want to lose track. Jay pulled his wife's hand until her body turned around, and they looked at each other. Jay led her back to the room despite Hazel's rebellion. "Why did you lock the door?!" Hazel looked angry. But she couldn't release his grip. Jay was strong. Instead of answering that question, Jay pulled her waist and kissed her. Even Hazel gasped in shock. She froze, her eyes wide as if she had never imagined this happening after ten years. Hazel tried to pull away, but the kiss made her heart pound. The rhythm quickened along with Jay's lust. Hazel tried to break away, but she felt trapped. "Stay with me tonight, Hazel. I'm in trouble." The man broke the kiss, and Hazel's breath caught. "And you're my wife." Hazel looked at her agitated husband and felt his high hopes for her with growing resentment in her heart. "Don't get your hopes up!" Hazel pushed the man's body away while she had the chance. She had a lot of resentment. "Haz..." Before she could finish her sentence, Jay stepped on something. He grabbed it, a crystal beaded bracelet with a butterfly pendant and two H and S beads. Was it Hazel's? Jay furrowed his brow. "I think I've seen it before. But where?"