The Heir Who Chose Me

CHAPTER FIVE:THE RULES OF THE GAME

Yuna was still staring at Ji-hoon's hand when he finally let go.

She looked down at her own fingers, then back at him.

"Did we seriously just agree to get married?"

Ji-hoon slipped his hand into his pocket like it was nothing. "It appears so."

"You say that like we just agreed to have lunch."

"I don't usually have lunch with people I've known for two days."

"Good. At least you realize how ridiculous this is."

"I never said it wasn't."

Yuna rubbed her forehead and let out a long breath. She came to the agency this morning worried about losing her career. Now she was leaving with a marriage proposal from a man she barely knew. Her life had officially turned into a drama.

"Wait, we haven't even discussed how this is going to work," she said, following him.

"We can discuss it tonight."

"Tonight?"

"My lawyer will prepare the contract."

She stopped walking. "You already have a lawyer ready for this?"

"I have lawyers for almost everything."

"Of course you do." She muttered something under her breath.

"What did you say?"

"Nothing."

"You called me insane."

"I was being polite," she said, and that actually got a small smile out of him. It was strange seeing him smile. His whole face softened and for a second she forgot he was the same man who'd walked into her agency and taken control of everything in five minutes.

She cleared her throat quickly. "Where are we even going?"

"My house. My grandfather will want to meet you."

"Already? Like now?"

"He doesn't like waiting."

"Neither do you."

"True."

Yuna looked down at herself — cream blouse, tailored black trousers, heels. Professional enough for a meeting, but not for meeting the head of the Han family. "You want me to meet your grandfather dressed like this?"

Ji-hoon glanced at her, head to toe. "You look fine."

"That's not reassuring at all. I'm about to meet the man who controls your entire life."

"He doesn't control my life."

She gave him a look. "Really?"

He gave her a look back.

"Fine, maybe a little," she admitted.

They took the elevator down to the lobby where a black car was already waiting outside.

"That's yours?"

"Yes."

"Of course it is," she mumbled and opened the passenger door herself. The driver glanced in the mirror. "Good afternoon, sir."

"Afternoon, Lorenzo."

So he had a driver. Of course.

As they drove away from the agency, neither of them spoke for a while. Yuna watched the city pass by, then finally turned to him.

"Can I ask you something? Why me? You've asked that already? And you gave me a vague answer."

Ji-hoon kept looking out the window. "I need someone I can work with."

She laughed quietly. "That's literally the least romantic proposal I've ever heard."

"It's not supposed to be romantic."

"I know. I just want to understand."

He was quiet for a few seconds. "I don't trust easily."

"And you trust me?"

"No."

"Wow."

"I said I don't trust easily. I didn't say I didn't think I could eventually trust you," he said, and that caught her off guard. She smiled a little despite herself.

"You really don't know how to say nice things, do you?"

"I wasn't trying to."

"I know."

The Han residence was bigger than Yuna imagined. She'd seen pictures online — everyone had, the Hans were practically royalty — but pictures didn't prepare you for the actual place. Long driveway lined with trees, staff waiting near the entrance.

"Do they know I'm coming?" she whispered.

"Yes. I told my grandfather."

"That isn't what I asked. Do THEY know?" She nodded toward the staff.

"They know you're coming," he said, and her stomach tightened. She suddenly became aware of everything — her hair, her clothes, her shoes, even how she was standing.

"Relax," Ji-hoon said.

"Easy for you to say. They're not gonna eat me, right?"

"You've watched too many dramas."

"I'm an actress, it's literally my job."

Inside, a woman in her fifties approached with a warm smile. "Master Ji-hoon."

"Mrs. Park." Her eyes moved to Yuna, surprise flashing before she bowed politely. "Miss Lee."

"Hello," Yuna said.

"Your grandfather is waiting in the study," Mrs. Park said.

As they walked away, Yuna leaned closer. "She's nice."

"She is."

"Good. At least someone here likes me."

"You haven't met the rest."

"That wasn't reassuring, Ji-hoon."

His grandfather was behind a large wooden desk. The old man looked up and his eyes went straight to Yuna, examining every detail.

"Grandfather, this is Yuna Lee," Ji-hoon said.

Yuna bowed. "Chairman Han, pleasure to meet you."

"Come closer."

She did.

"You're an actress. You're the woman in the recent scandal."

Her smile faded a bit. "Yes."

"I've seen the reports. You're not frightened?"

"Should I be?" she said, and the old man actually laughed.

"Interesting." He gestured to the chairs. "Sit."

They sat side by side. His grandfather looked between them. "So this is the woman you've chosen."

"Yes," Ji-hoon said.

"You're willing to marry him?" he asked Yuna.

She hesitated. It suddenly felt very serious. "Yes."

"For how long?"

"One year," Ji-hoon answered quickly.

Yuna looked at him — that wasn't exactly what they'd agreed — but she didn't correct him.

"You understand what marrying into this family means?" the old man said to her, his voice serious now. "We don't live a quiet life. Everything becomes news. Every mistake becomes gossip. Every relationship becomes a weapon. You're already famous, that won't protect you."

"I know," Yuna said quietly. "And I still want this."

The old man studied her for a long moment, then smiled. "Perhaps you're stronger than I expected."

"Then you approve?" Ji-hoon asked.

"I said she's interesting," his grandfather replied, then looked at Ji-hoon sharply. "You have one year. Build your company. And don't come running back to Han Corporation when things get difficult."

"I won't."

"Then I'll allow the marriage."

Yuna let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. Just like that. Married.

Outside the study, she whispered, "Well, that was terrifying."

"You handled yourself well."

"Was that a compliment? I might have to write it down, they seem rare."

"You talk too much."

"And you're too quiet. Maybe that's why this will work."

They were walking down the hallway when a woman's voice stopped them.

"Ji-hoon."

They turned. A beautiful woman stood near the staircase, polite smile but cold eyes. She looked at Yuna, then at Ji-hoon.

"You didn't tell us you were bringing someone home."

"I don't need to inform you of what I do," Ji-hoon said, his face suddenly unreadable.

"You're still as rude as ever," she said.

"And you're still a full-time housewife."

Her expression hardened. "Mind your words, there's an outsider here."

"This is Yuna Lee, and she's not an outsider," Ji-hoon said firmly, and then — so unexpectedly Yuna almost pulled away — he reached for Yuna's hand and held it.

"This is my fiancée."

Yuna's heart skipped. Fiancée. It sounded so much more real when he said it out loud.

The woman's smile disappeared for half a second before she recovered. "Congratulations."

There was zero warmth in her voice.

Ji-hoon squeezed Yuna's hand once. "Come on."

Yuna waited until they were out of earshot. "You could have warned me you were gonna call me that."

"You are my fiancée now."

"That's gonna take some getting used to."

Neither of them noticed their hands were still intertwined.

And neither noticed the woman watching them from the staircase, phone already to her ear.

"I need you to find everything you can about Yuna Lee," she said quietly. "Everything."

Inside the car, Yuna finally looked down at their joined hands. Ji-hoon noticed and slowly let go. Neither mentioned it, but the silence between them had changed completely.

The contract wasn't even signed yet, and already pretending to be married felt way more complicated than either of them expected.