The thing about Seo Yeon Jae was this: he didn't do people.
Not the flirty kind, not the clingy kind, and definitely not the blind-date-on-a-Tuesday kind. But somehow, here he was — standing outside a rooftop café in Apgujeong, with his hood up, headphones in, and his phone buzzing with the words:
"Don't forget to scowl. You're supposed to reject her."
– Jiho
Yeon Jae sighed. He hadn't even met the girl yet and already regretted his life choices.
---
It started three days ago, with a text from Jiho that said:
"I need a favor. Like, a big one."
That was how all his problems usually began — with Jiho and his quiet, polished voice pretending to be in control when he was actually panicking.
Yeon Jae had shown up to Jiho's apartment thinking it was another business emergency. Maybe one of VYRE's new lines flopped or a model quit last-minute. He didn't expect a full-on PowerPoint about "Strategic Dating for Brand Reputation Recovery."
"You want me to go on blind dates?"
"Yes."
"For you?"
"Yes."
"Are you drunk?"
"Unfortunately, no."
---
VYRE's numbers were down. People were starting to whisper. The chairman — Jiho's father — thought a public love life would distract everyone from the mess. Seven blind dates, one 'chosen girl,' a PR-ready romance. Soft launch on socials. Public hand-holding. Maybe even a street-style collab drop called "LOVED BY VYRE."
Romantic? No.
Effective? Sadly, yes.
Only problem? Jiho already had a girlfriend. A secret one. One he couldn't risk exposing.
So, naturally, he turned to his best friend.
"You just have to reject them. All of them."
"Why me?"
"Because you're rude, cynical, and allergic to dating. It's believable."
"Charming."
"If it's just rejecting you can do it too." Yeon Jae scowled.
Jiho cleared his throat. "Uhhh… well your sister in law doesn't allow it."
Yeon Jae nearly choked on his coffee. That cold person in front of him taking his girlfriends side. Then he folded his arms and leaned against the kitchen counter. "Give me one good reason."
Jiho didn't miss a beat.
"I'll make you fifteen raspberry pies."
Silence.
Yeon Jae narrowed his eyes. "Homemade?"
"I'll wear an apron."
He sighed. "I hate how well you know me."
---
Back in the present, the door of the café swung open. A girl in designer denim and red lipstick waved him over. Yeon Jae gave her the world's most underwhelming smile and trudged in like he was being dragged to a tax audit.
He didn't plan to remember her name.
Or the next one's.
Or the next five after that.
He just wanted to get this over with, eat pie, and disappear back into the comfort of shooting portraits in silence.
But fate — because it always had a flair for bad timing — had other plans.
And those plans?
Had auburn hair, hazel eyes, and a proposal he wouldn't be able to walk away from.
---
End of Chapter 1
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