Heejin swept into the opulent five-star restaurant, her designer heels clicking on the polished marble floor.

Hana trailed behind her, her eyes fixed on the floor, her expression a mask of quiet resentment. Seokmin, sensing the tension, walked beside Hana, his eyes darting nervously between her and Heejin.

As they were escorted to their table, Heejin's gaze swept the room, her eyes lingering on the other diners before finally coming to rest on Seokmin. Her smile, bright and artificial, made Hana's stomach twist with anxiety.

The three of them sat down at a table set with fine china and crystal glasses. Heejin's eyes sparkled with a calculating glint as she asked,

"Do you guys mind if I order for the three of us?" Her voice was honey-sweet, but Hana detected the underlying steel.

Hana's jaw clenched, her teeth grinding together in frustration. She knew her mother's tactics all too well.

Seokmin, sensing the tension, hesitated for a moment before nodding his agreement. Heejin's smile grew wider, her eyes flashing with triumph.

With a flourish, she ordered the most expensive dishes on the menu, her voice dripping with condescension.

Hana's eyes rolled heavenward, her mind racing with the knowledge that they would never be able to finish the extravagant meal.

As the waiter departed with their order, Heejin's gaze settled on Seokmin, her eyes probing for weaknesses. Hana felt a surge of protectiveness towards him, her instincts screaming at her to shield him from her mother's manipulation.

The silence that followed was oppressive, the air thick with unspoken tension. Hana's eyes met Seokmin's, and for a moment, they just looked at each other, a silent understanding passing between them.

Finally, the waiter returned with their food, and Heejin's voice cut through the silence, her tone dripping with entitlement.

"Get the check," she instructed the waiter, her eyes never leaving Seokmin's face.

The waiter's prompt departure seemed to signal Heejin's shift into interrogation mode. Her gaze snapped back to Seokmin, her eyes narrowing into slits as she called out his name.

"Seokmin." Her voice was low and husky, with a hint of command that made him sit up straight.

Seokmin's eyes jerked towards Heejin, his expression guarded as he sensed the sudden tension.

Hana's anxiety spiked, her heart racing with anticipation as she wondered what her mother was plotting.

Heejin's eyebrow arched, her eyes glinting with a mixture of curiosity and disdain. "What do you do?" she asked, her tone dripping with condescension. Seokmin's smile was cautious, his eyes darting towards Hana as if seeking reassurance.

"I'm a photographer," he replied, his voice measured, a hint of pride creeping into his tone.

Heejin's head tilted, her eyes feigning interest. "How much do they pay?" she asked, her voice laced with a subtle disdain, as if the very notion of Seokmin's profession was beneath her.

His gaze flicked towards Hana, and for a moment, they just looked at each other, a silent understanding passing between them.

Hana's apologetic look spoke volumes - she was sorry that her mother was putting Seokmin on the spot, sorry that she couldn't protect him from Heejin's venom.

Seokmin's eyes softened, his expression a silent promise that he could handle whatever Heejin threw their way.

His gaze flickered back to Heejin, but he hesitated, his lips parting as if to respond. However, Heejin didn't give him a chance, her voice cutting in with a sharp edge.

"Like, for a photo or a month?" she pressed, her eyes glinting with a mixture of curiosity and contempt. "How much do they pay?" she repeated, her tone dripping with disdain.

His eyes dropped, a small, self-deprecating smile playing on his lips. Heejin's gaze snapped back to his face, her eyes narrowing as she sensed his unease.

"What? Is it that disgraceful?" she asked, her voice laced with mockery, her words designed to wound. His eyes flashed back up to hers, a hint of defensiveness creeping into his expression.

Heejin's gaze shifted, her eyes locking onto Hana's face, where a pleading expression had taken hold.

Hana's eyes begged her mother to stop, to cease her relentless probing and leave Seokmin alone. But Heejin's face remained impassive, her expression a mask of polite interest that belied the venom lurking beneath.

Heejin's gaze lingered on Seokmin, her eyes searching for any sign of weakness. "Okay, forget it," she said finally, her voice dripping with dismissal.

"Where do you stay?" she asked, her tone abrupt, as if the answer was of little consequence.

Seokmin's response was hesitant, his eyes darting towards Hana before returning to Heejin. "Uh...I recently moved to Ulsan..." he said, his voice trailing off as he added the area where he lived.

Heejin's nod was perfunctory, her expression a mask of fake admiration. "We live in Busan, obviously," she said, her voice laced with a subtle superiority.

She named the upscale neighborhood where they resided, her tone implying that it was the epicenter of refinement and sophistication.

Seokmin's smile was polite, but his eyes betrayed a flicker of annoyance. Heejin's gaze snapped back to his face, her eyes narrowing as she asked, "How far is Ulsan from Busan?"

Seokmin's hesitation was brief, his response tinged with a hint of uncertainty. "Uh...approximately...40 kilometers," he said, his eyes locking onto Heejin's as if daring her to challenge his answer.

Despite his growing irritation, Seokmin's smile remained firmly in place, a mask that hid his true emotions.

But Hana saw the tension in his shoulders, the faint crease between his eyebrows, and she knew that her mother's inquisition was taking its toll on him.

Heejin's gaze lingered on Seokmin, her eyes glinting with a calculating intensity. "And from Yongin to our house?" she asked, her tone innocent, but her intentions far from it.

Hana's patience snapped, her anger boiling over. "Mom!!" she exclaimed, her voice rising in protest. "Can't you just stop?" she pleaded, her eyes flashing with frustration.

Heejin's expression transformed, her face a mask of feigned innocence. "What? He should know the distance between us, right?" she asked, her tone dripping with saccharine sweetness.

Hana's retort died on her lips as the waiter interrupted, his timing impeccable. "Ma'am, check," he said, his eyes locked onto Heejin's expectant face.

Heejin's gaze flicked towards Seokmin, her finger stabbing towards him. "Give it to him," she instructed the waiter, her voice dripping with condescension.

The waiter's polite smile faltered for a moment before he handed the check to Seokmin. As he departed, Hana's anger erupted. "Mom, this is too much!! You invited him, so you should pay!!" she exclaimed, her voice rising in indignation.

Heejin's frown deepened, her eyes narrowing as she watched Seokmin scan the check. "So he can't even afford the food we ate?" she sneered, her voice laced with disdain.

"I cant believe it, what is he upto?" she muttered, her gaze raking over Seokmin's face as if searching for some hidden flaw.

Seokmin's sudden departure was a welcome reprieve from the suffocating tension. "Excuse me, I'll go check on Pluto once," he said, his voice a gentle interruption to the strained atmosphere.

As he stood up from his chair, Hana's eyes met his, a silent apology flashing between them. "Seokmin, just give us five minutes," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the din of the restaurant.

Seokmin's nod was almost imperceptible, but Hana saw the understanding in his eyes. He turned to leave, and Hana's gaze followed him, her heart heavy with emotion.

As soon as Seokmin was out of earshot, Hana's mask slipped, and she turned on her mother, her eyes blazing with anger.

"What are you trying to prove!?" she exclaimed, her teeth gritted in frustration, her voice low and venomous.

Heejin's expression remained serene, but Hana saw the faintest glimmer of satisfaction in her eyes.

It was as if she had been waiting for Hana to lose her temper, to react to the carefully crafted provocations.

Heejin's words cut through the air like a knife, her eyes glinting with a cold calculation. "That he is after your money," she stated, her tone devoid of emotion.

Hana's laughter was a harsh, mocking sound, her eyes flashing with irony. "Do you think love and marriages are a joke!?" Heejin exclaimed, her face twisted in a frown, her voice dripping with self-righteous indignation.

The hypocrisy was staggering, and Hana couldn't help but scoff at the woman who had walked away from her own marriage, now lecturing her about the sanctity of love and matrimony.

"How much should one analyze before getting married!?" Heejin's voice rose, her words tumbling out in a torrent of criticism.

"Without even considering his background and financial status..." Heejin's voice trailed off, her eyes flashing with disapproval, but Hana just laughed, the sound bitter and mocking.

The irony was too rich to ignore - her mother, the divorcee, lecturing her about the importance of financial security in marriage

"You considered everything and got married, right?" she asked, her voice laced with sarcasm.

"Did that stop you from getting a divorce?" The words hung in the air, a challenge that Heejin couldn't ignore.

For a fleeting moment, Heejin's composure cracked, her eyes flashing with anger and embarrassment.

But she quickly regained control, her mask slipping back into place.

"My failed marriage does not give you a reason to love someone random," Heejin spat, her teeth gritted in frustration. The venom in her voice was palpable, her words dripping with disdain.

Hana felt a sting from the jab, but she refused to back down. Heejin's parting shot, however, was a low blow. "At least I'm crying in a mansion," she sneered.

"You'd grieve on the roads if you marry him." The words were a cruel reminder of the vast economic chasm between Seokmin and their wealthy family.

Hana's eyes rolled heavenward, her anger simmering just below the surface as she struggled to maintain her composure.

She took a deep breath, her gaze drifting towards the direction Seokmin had departed, her heart eager for his return.

But he was nowhere to be seen, and Hana's anxiety began to simmer, her mind conjuring up worst-case scenarios.

She wasn't worried about the bill; her concern was for Seokmin's emotional well-being. Had her mother's vicious words cut too deep?

Heejin's voice cut through Hana's reverie, her tone dripping with disdain. "What? He must've left long ago," she said, her eyes glinting with malice. "Pay the bill and come. Let's go home."

She didn't bother to look at her mother, her gaze still fixed on the entrance, willing Seokmin to reappear.

Just as Heejin's words hung in the air, Seokmin reappeared, his face flushed as he hurriedly apologized. "I'm so sorry about that," he said, his eyes darting towards Heejin before settling on Hana.

With a swift motion, he placed a wad of cash on the table, his fingers brushing against the check as he called out to a passing waiter. "Excuse me, could you please collect the check?" he asked, his smile polite but strained.

Heejin's eyes narrowed, her gaze fixed on the cash as she spoke up. "Uh, Seokmin...that's the usual amount of tips the waiters get here," she said, her tone dripping with disapproval.

But Seokmin just smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Um...that's the tip," he said, his voice gentle. "I've already paid the bill." The waiter returned, bowing slightly as he collected the cash, his face breaking into a warm smile.

As the waiter departed, Seokmin's gaze shifted to Hana, he flashed her a reassuring smile, which she returned, despite of guilt eating her up.

Heejin's eyes widened in surprise, her gaze fixed on Seokmin as if she was seeing him for the first time. But Seokmin just chuckled, his smile self-deprecating.

"Oh, don't mistake me for some rich guy," he said, his voice laced with amusement. "I was skeptical about paying the bill. It was my monthly salary." The revelation hung in the air, stunning Heejin into silence.

Hana's eyes went wide, her face reflecting her guilt and embarrassment since it was her mother who had initiated the meeting.

Seokmin's gaze met Hana's, his eyes sparkling with warmth. "Luckily, I received my salary yesterday," he said, his smile softening.

"I managed to pay it by sheer luck today." His eyes never left Hana's face, and she felt a flutter in her chest as she absorbed his words.

But then Seokmin's expression turned determined, his voice filled with conviction. "But five years later...it'll be because of my hard work," he said, his smile blazing with confidence.

Hana's lips curved upwards, her heart swelling with pride and admiration for Seokmin's resilience. And then, as if to prove a point, Seokmin added, "And, it's approximately 240 kilometres from Yongin to Busan."

The correction was subtle, but it spoke volumes about Seokmin's character – he was a man who stood up for himself, without being confrontational.

Seokmin's smile grew, his eyes sparkling with a quiet confidence. "I paid today's bill with my entire monthly salary," he said, his voice tinged with a hint of pride, "but after I set up my own studio, I may earn this money in an hour." The statement hung in the air, a testament to Seokmin's ambition and drive.

Heejin's expression remained skeptical, but Seokmin's smile never wavered. "You're measuring the distance between us in kilometers," he said, his voice taking on a philosophical tone.

"But I measure it with time. Your distance will never change," he said, his gaze locking onto Heejin's, "but my time will."

The words were a subtle rebuke, a reminder that while Heejin might see Seokmin as inferior, he was a man with a vision, a man who was determined to bridge the gap between them, not with wealth or status, but with hard work and dedication.

Seokmin's gaze shifted to Hana, his eyes locking onto hers with a gentle intensity. "Hana, whatever your mom said, it's true," he admitted, his voice low and sincere.

"I really am a poor guy." His words were laced with a hint of self-deprecation, but his eyes sparkled with a warm smile.

Hana's expression remained worried, her brow furrowed in concern. Seokmin's smile faltered for a moment, but he continued, his voice filled with a quiet pride.

"All I have is a few acres of farm my Dad left for me," he said, a chuckle rumbling deep in his throat.

Hana's frown deepened, her eyes searching Seokmin's face as if seeking reassurance. She was worried that he might feel inadequate, that he might leave her now that his financial situation was out in the open.

Her heart ached at the thought of losing him, and she waited with bated breath for him to continue, her eyes never leaving his face.

Seokmin's eyes burned with conviction as he spoke, his voice filled with a quiet passion. "But...if you're with me, I feel like I can manage everything," he said, his words dripping with sincerity.

"In fact, I feel like...I'll win over the world." His smile was radiant, illuminating his entire face as he gazed at Hana.

Hana's frown began to lift, her eyebrows relaxing as she absorbed Seokmin's words. Her eyes locked onto his, and for a moment, they just stared at each other, the world around them melting away.

Seokmin's gaze flicked towards Heejin, a fleeting glance that acknowledged her presence before dismissing it.

He turned his full attention back to Hana, his eyes burning with a fierce devotion. The air was charged with tension, the silence between them thick with emotion as Seokmin waited for Hana's response.

Seokmin's voice was barely above a whisper, but it carried the weight of a thousand emotions.

"Hana..." he started, his eyes locked onto hers, an anticipating smile spreading across his lips like a sunrise.

The air seemed to vibrate with tension as Seokmin took a deep breath, his heart pounding in his chest like a drum. But his face remained calm, serene, as if he was asking her the most mundane question in the world.

"will you marry me?" The words hung in the air, suspended in time, as Seokmin's eyes bored into hers, searching for a glimmer of hope, a spark of acceptance.

The world around them melted away, leaving only the two of them, suspended in a sea of uncertainty, waiting for Hana's response.

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