Love Wrapped in Gifts
Mutual gazes crossed dangerously.
Taking advantage of the car’s sway, Tae-yeon slipped her hand free from Hyun-seo’s.
She let out a tiny sigh, and Hyun-seo found it adorable.
That was why he’d indulged her.
He wanted to hear more of that clingy sound, but he could listen to it anytime.
Today he’d give her the gift that would make her mouth drop open.
Parthe Maison Cheongdam was packed with gems that spun the eyes—luxury jewelry brands at their finest.
Tae-yeon had visited the boutique years ago when she worked in PR, yet nothing had ever caught her eye.
She never thought she could even want something so expensive.
Her brain simply refused to register anything she couldn’t afford.
She remembered clearly that nothing had ever tempted her.
But today, Choi Hyun-seo had brought her here, promising to buy whatever she wanted.
He stepped inside without hesitation.
Tae-yeon hesitated at the entrance, and the staff immediately came forward.
The manager in his perfectly pressed uniform greeted them with graceful politeness.
“Director, welcome.”
They were led to the display cases, yet everything appeared unreal.
Seeing diamonds worth hundreds of millions made Tae-yeon wonder if even a single necklace was enough to pay for an entire house.
She imagined wearing something like that around her neck and shuddered.
“Recommend something suitable for her.”
“Of course. Do you have any specific preferences? Necklace, bracelet, ring?”
The manager’s smile was warm and knowing as he glanced at her.
Tae-yeon braced herself inside, certain she could accept what he offered.
Gold, of course. She had no idea how much it would cost, but gold was always safe.
“Gold would be perfect.”
“Gold? Which piece? Necklace, ring, bracelet?”
She thought carefully.
Ring, earrings, necklace, bracelet. Which one would suit her best?
“The necklace.”
“A necklace? All right. How about this one?”
The thick chain was shaped like a leopard’s tail curling around the throat.
When the manager quoted the price, Tae-yeon nearly jumped.
Even if it were only the design, pure gold shouldn’t cost that much.
She had no intention of spending her own money on it.
Was he really giving it to her? After all the tantrums she’d thrown?
Tae-yeon stared with wide eyes.
The manager continued smoothly.
“This is a sample. If you choose it, we’ll contact you as soon as the full pieces arrive.”
She shook her head slightly, polite but uneasy.
She didn’t know if accepting would bring future trouble.
How many more slaps would she have to eat?
She’d already swallowed one.
Changing her mother-in-law’s stress into a gold necklace?
While she hesitated, the assistant showed her more necklaces.
Every single one was breathtakingly expensive and dizzying to look at.
She’d been staring for a long time when Hyun-seo pointed to the heavy piece he’d shown her earlier.
“Let’s go with this one. You don’t seem to want anything else.”
“No! I want to see more.”
She wasn’t ready to decide after only one look.
There would be another chance someday.
But Hyun-seo shook his head.
“I like it. Order this.”
“Understood.”
With those few words, the choice was made.
She still wanted to see more…
After the total was calculated, Hyun-seo stood.
Tae-yeon rose with him without thinking.
She’d probably never have chosen anything herself after staring all day.
That he’d picked and paid was fortunate.
Realistically, the price was far beyond her means.
He’d shown her and let her choose, yet the calculation still fell outside her range.
Tae-yeon still didn’t feel the necklace belonged to her.
When they stepped outside and settled back into the car, the bouquet of flowers caught her eye.
She lifted it carefully and admired it.
The large hydrangea at the center surrounded by delicate blooms brightened her mood instantly.
At home she placed the bouquet on the second-floor console and greeted Hyun-seo.
“The flowers are so beautiful.”
She spoke with warmth in her voice.
Hyun-seo answered calmly.
“I’m glad you like them.”
“Why did you buy them?”
She hadn’t heard why he’d come all the way to her family home to get flowers for an employee.
Flowers felt completely out of place on Choi Hyun-seo.
Just like the gold necklace.
Yet there must have been a reason.
Flowers were different.
They carried an indescribable warmth that drifted on the scent.
“A promotion gift. You’re now a manager.”
“Ah.”
Tae-yeon nodded at him.
A room-corner manager promotion was still a promotion, she supposed.
Hyun-seo watched her holding the bouquet, mouth slightly open, nodding with gratitude.
It looked heartbreakingly sexy to him.
Lips parted in surprise, smiling, answering, speaking.
He wondered what men thought when they saw those lips.
His expression grew stern.
“Flowers are one thing, but the atmosphere feels a little harsh. I wish you’d smiled more.”
Hyun-seo’s eyes sharpened as he looked at her.
“Are you serious? You think smiling is better than a gift?”
“No, I do like gifts.”
She turned the conversation away, still feeling the bouquet and the necklace flying out of her hands.
Hyun-seo’s brows drew together.
“Min Manager, you seem very dissatisfied with the work environment.”
Tae-yeon held the bouquet quietly and closed her mouth.
It stung.
She’d let him fill her heart with flowers and the necklace, then the last word was always about the work environment, about being a manager.
It sounded like a warning not to dream.
Just then, Yun-woo’s crying cut through the air.
“Understood. I’ll be careful. Yun-woo is crying. I have to go down.”
She hurried away, and Hyun-seo felt an inexplicable heaviness in his chest.
He couldn’t understand why Tae-yeon’s moods and expressions were so easy to read.
When she approached, calling Yun-woo’s name, the baby’s sobs stopped instantly.
“Sigh, she really ignores him lately. Only looks for Mommy.”
“Really? You came to find me, our Yun-woo?”
“Mommy’s here. Mommy will hug you. Close your eyes.”
She held him for a long time, stroking his back until his big black eyes grew heavy with sleep.
When he finally fell asleep in her arms, thoughts of Hyun-seo didn’t cross her mind once.
But Hyun-seo was stunned.
As time passed, his laughter grew bitter.
“He spent so much care on the flowers and the necklace, yet he didn’t even register that I left. How long ago was it…?”
She showered, changed her clothes, and locked herself in the study.
“Even if you ignore people, there are limits.”
After Yun-woo’s cries finally quieted, Tae-yeon returned upstairs.
Hyun-seo went straight to the bedroom.
She looked at him with eyes full of questioning.
“Director.”
The woman who had whimpered under his touch in the car moments ago now acted as if nothing had happened.
“Acting is quite good. But it didn’t look like acting. You were too sincere.”
Why bring up the family home again?
In the car he’d said nothing; she’d simply let it go.
He had a long memory.
“In any case, you weren’t sincere in front of my mother either. So I played along with the act.”
“If we were truly married, would you have said that?
With love?”
“Yes.”
She answered calmly.
The word “love” from Hyun-seo’s lips brushed her heart gently.
“If we were truly married, you would have heard that line naturally. But even though it isn’t true for me, it is true for Yun-woo. He is Yun-woo’s father. He comes home so late every day and barely sees the child grow. Wouldn’t you regret it later? If I were truly a wife you loved, I would have said much more.”
Without realizing it, she spoke from the heart.
She thought he might accept it.
Hyun-seo nodded slightly.
“All right. Let’s stop playing the ‘loved wife’ role. From now on, what I say is about our reality. I clearly told you not to see Shin Noel. This is a breach of contract.”