Two days later... L'Amour Couture, Velas High-End District.
The scent of fresh lilies filled the opulent VIP fitting room, decorated in white and gold. The walls were lined with floor-to-ceiling mirrors, reflecting the image of a tall man in an immaculate white tuxedo.
Ren.
He stood before the mirror as two skilled tailors meticulously adjusted the fit.
He looked majestic. Flawless. Like a prince pulled directly from a fairy tale. Except for the fact that his eyes were as cold and vacant as marble.
I sat with my hands tightly clasped on a velvet sofa in the corner. My role was merely a secretary, here to oversee the details. But an invisible hand seemed to be squeezing my throat. Every second I looked at him in that groom's attire, the agonizing reality dug deeper into my skin.
"Yurin."
Ren called my name through the mirror's reflection. His sharp eyes locked onto mine.
"Yes, Mr. President."
I scrambled to my feet, forcing my legs not to tremble as I walked over to him.
"Look at this. Does this tie match?" He adjusted his collar slightly, handing me a silver silk tie.
I reached out with trembling hands, taking the expensive fabric. I focused on knotting it perfectly for him, even as my fingertips were numb with cold. His cologne drifted into my senses.
The scent I used to be obsessed with... was now the scent of agony.
"It matches perfectly. You look flawless," I answered softly, forcing a painful smile onto my lips.
"Ms. Hana will undoubtedly love it."
"Is that right...?"
Ren looked down at me. His eyes rudely dissected my pale face.
"You don't look very happy that your boss is getting engaged."
"I... I am happy for you." I denied it quickly, erasing the hurt from my eyes.
"I truly am. Ms. Hana is a very lucky woman."
"Hmph."
He scoffed, seeing right through the lie. His large hand grabbed my wrist. He leaned down, whispering directly into my ear so only the two of us could hear.
"You are a terrible liar."
"Remember this, Yurin. This engagement is nothing more than a grand corporate charade."
"Hana is my bride in name only."
"But the person who will be crushed beneath my body every single night. The person who will moan my name until his voice goes hoarse..."
"Will always be you."
My face went entirely numb. Did he view me as nothing more than his secret plaything? Forever?
He released my wrist and turned back to the tailors, his tone returning to normal.
"I am going to try the next suit. Yurin, wait right here. Do not move. Do not let me out of your sight. Understood?"
"Yes, sir."
Ren disappeared into the inner fitting room, accompanied by the tailors.
Leaving me stranded in the center of the mirror-lined room, staring at my own pathetic reflection.
Standing amidst the wedding attire of others. The unwanted extra in the love story of the leading man and woman.
Click!
The door to the fitting room across the hall opened softly.
I glanced over, expecting another client. But the figure that stepped out made my entire body freeze.
A handsome man dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit that highlighted his pale skin. And a warm smile as sunlight.
"Mr. Zen?"I gasped, my heart plummeting. Was he insane?
Zen raised a finger to his lips. 'Shh...'
He checked his surroundings. Seeing no staff nearby, he walked directly toward me. His footsteps were completely silent.
"What a coincidence," he smiled, but his eyes betrayed a hidden thrill. "I had an appointment to try on my suit for the gala tonight."
"How... how are you here?" I stammered in a terrified whisper.
"If Ren comes out and sees..."
"I told you. I am always around you."
"I knew his schedule. I knew this was our only window to speak."
Zen didn't waste a second. He reached into his inner pocket and pulled out a small brown envelope, shoving it into my hands.
"Here..." He wrapped his hands around mine, securing the envelope.
"A forged passport. And a flight ticket to Zurich. It departs at midnight on the night of the gala."
"Guard this with your life. Your entire future is inside this envelope."
I gripped the envelope tightly. My hands shook so hard. I could feel the dampness of my own sweat.
The tangible proof of freedom was right here. It was no longer just a promise on a screen.
I looked up at Zen, staring deep into his brown eyes. The unspoken question that had long haunted me finally found its voice.
"Mr. Zen..."
"Yes?"
"Why... why are you doing this for me?" I asked, my voice shaking as tears welled in my eyes.
"We barely know each other. I am just a secretary... just..."
I swallowed the word 'toy' in self-pity.
"Why are you risking everything against a man like Ren... just to help someone like me?"
"What do you actually want from me? Or is it just pity?"
Zen paused, momentarily caught off guard by the barrage of questions.
His playful smile faded, replaced by an expression that was profoundly serious, deep, and strangely sorrowful.
He reached out, gripping both of my shoulders, squeezing gently to convey his sincerity.
"Perhaps because I cannot stand watching beautiful things be destroyed," he answered softly, the spark in his eyes dimming.
"And also..."
He leaned in closer, staring intently into my eyes as if trying to hypnotize me.
"I made a catastrophic mistake in the past."
"A long time ago, I stood by and let someone fall into hell. Because of my own cowardice."
"I let him face a brutal fate all alone. Until he was entirely shattered."
"I refuse to make that mistake twice... Yurin."
His voice trembled slightly. "Saving you... is my way of atoning for my own sins."
His answer was complex and laced with pain. As if a dark secret from his past remained locked away. I didn't fully understand it, but the raw sincerity in his eyes convinced me to believe him. To believe he was my final salvation.
"Thank you..." Tears pooled in my eyes, threatening to spill over.
"Thank you so much for not abandoning me."
"I will never abandon you, Yurin."
Zen gently wiped away a tear with his thumb.
"Do you remember the plan?"
"The night of the engagement. The second the lights go out, run to the fire escape on the third floor, west wing."
"I will be waiting for you there. The car will take us straight to the airport."
"YURIN! Where are you?! Get in here!"
Ren's furious shout echoed from the inner fitting room, violently severing our conversation.
I jolted, the blood draining from my face. My heart sank.
"Go!" Zen whispered with absolute urgency, giving my back a gentle push. "Hide the envelope and act normal. Do not give him a reason to suspect anything."
"I will see you at the gala."
He pulled away, slipping back into his own fitting room as swiftly as a shadow.
Leaving me standing with my heart hammering like a war drum.
I rushed over to the sofa and shoved the envelope deep into the hidden compartment of my leather bag. I drew a deep breath, wiping away any trace of tears. I forced my expression into a blank mask, even as my insides violently trembled.
"Right here, Mr. President! I am coming!"
I called back, desperately fighting to keep my voice steady. My heart pounded with a terrifying mixture of hope and blinding fear.
Five more days... Only five more days.
This game would finally end, and I would be free.
Or I would die trying.