Chapter 99 - The First Love, not the Last

Of all the things Ye Rim could have done, that was the most unexpected. She simply acted like a good friend, caring and cool, who even offered to take Jun Hyeon's things to the clinic. But, for all intents and purposes of this experiment, she was a friend, not his employee. And that's not why he asked her to pick him in his car, in first place. He could just take a taxi home.

Now the doctor was there, abandoned by her, which disappeared into the crowd as soon as Na Ra started to become annoyingly insistent about giving him a ride. For a brief moment, almost a split second, Kim Jun Hyeon thought he saw in the eyes of that crazy singer a bit of jealousy. But soon she praised Na Ra for her shoes and was gone, in a very strange way.

And Na Ra stared at him expectantly, while he tried to see Ye Rim in the crowd, to no avail.

Dr. Kim really didn't expect to see Na Ra of all people there.

Na Ra, his first love.

Na Ra, the girl whose heart he broke.

In recent times, it was even difficult to see her. He was sure he was very much to blame for all the hurt that has been created between them over the years. And Jun Hyeon definitely felt that Na Ra should move on. They never really managed to have a relationship after that fateful night. Years passed and apparently they seemed to be caught in a spell that put them in limbo: between what did not happen and what could have been.

Only, Kim Jun Hyeon couldn't stare at her without feeling guilty.

"How unusual. Did you get my schedule from my secretaries?" the doctor really hoped she wouldn't lie about it as they headed for the airport exit.

"No, your secretaries are as loyal as if you were Joseon's Sovereign King! I think when they make a mistake, they scream on their knees: Jeonha! Don't forgive us! We deserve to die!" she laughed at her own joke, walking beside him. Why was he getting angry with Na Ra?

He snorted in agreement, but when he left the building, Dr. Kim turned to his ex-girlfriend, "And what is the reason for coming?" 

"Jun Hyeon!" the woman used a playful reprimand tone, trying to charm him. "Gosh, you did a lot of shopping! Are those all gifts? Mrs. Go is just as lucky to have a son as you are ... you really spoil her!" She pointed to the spot where her car was parked, "Come on, it's over there."

'Well, she's ignoring that these bags are from a brand that my mom doesn't particularly like. She knows it very well, given that Na Ra is the one who makes the events for my mother's company and also for the Ji Hyeon Foundation. But she decided to play dumb. She's really elegant, but didn't miss the opportunity to sting me, ' he thought, but stopped before going further.

"Na Ra, I'm really tired, and whatever it is, couldn't it be at another time?"

But she looked at him with her beautiful eyes, while it was clear to him that her head was fuming and working at full speed.

"I guess so, you even called your new friend to come and pick you up. Or did she come like me, without an invitation?"

The plastic surgeon almost laughed, thinking how hard it was to have Ye Rim's time,

"No, it definitely wasn't like that," and then he thought of this supposed coincidence of his ex showing up at the airport today, on his return to the country. With a sigh, Dr. Kim asked, as he walked behind her, pushing the cart with his luggage,

"Na Ra, what are the plans?"

"Well," she started excitedly, "We can have brunch at a hotel, and you tell me about the lectures in Zurich! I'm so excited! I know they were in high demand after you published your new method."

' And that will lead to a situation that I definitely don't want, today of all days. It has cost me enough to remember Ji Hyeon's suffering for all the last week, ' Kim pondered,

"In Ra, today is definitely not the right day for a chat, I'd better get a taxi."

This time, he felt that she got cold as ice at his side. But Kim didn't even feel bad about it. She had come here for a purpose. Somehow she heard about Ye Rim, and it was so pathetic that he couldn't accept being part of this scam. 'Fool, she doesn't even imagine that I would never be in a real love relationship with Ye Rim. ' Furthermore, the sooner the doctor sent her away, the less time she would be ridiculously exposing herself in such a role.

Kim Jun Hyeon certainly didn't want to lose the respect he had for her.

However, Na Ra hit him with a merciless card. Spinning on her high heels, she stared at him coolly, and said,

"Well, Jun Hyeon. I don't know the reason for this cold treatment, but if you prefer it this way, I'll be straight to the point. I want to talk to you about the Ji Hyeon Foundation Annual event. There is little time left, but you have been very busy lately, according to your secretaries. You ignore my calls, and you make the worst excuses for my messages. However, … this event. It's important to me, as much as it is for you. We've been doing this together since the first year. Ji Hyeon was and is very important to me, and my company has always made a point of doing this fundraising event. So don't ignore me, and we'll talk along the way, since you're so out of time."

"Wow!" He wouldn't admit defeat, but when she opened the trunk, waiting for his initiative, he knew he owed that to her. 

This, however, did not improve his mood. The fact that she rub it in was not fair, either. In fact, they didn't need to discuss the event in detail every time, did they?

Suddenly, Jun Hyeon felt that this strategy always worked, when it was Na Ra talking about how committed she was to the Ji Hyeon Foundation fundraising event.

Getting into the car, he tilted the seat and closed his eyes. Jun Hyeon really preferred that she was handling this with the Foundation's marketing department.

Na Ra drove a few minutes in silence, until she said,

"I'm sorry I came, it seems that I ruined your triumphant arrival. Who is she? I certainly don't know her."

"I told you, a friend. Not a girlfriend, past, present or future. A friend."

"Now I'm the one who says it, WOW!"

The thought that he had previously refused, but had returned many, many times during the trip, now seemed like a stupid idea. Ye Rim singing at the event organized by Na Ra.

That would be awful. He had already realized that Na Ra decided that Ye Rim was a rival.

' Why are women like that?'

"Is talking about Ye Rim on the topic of our meeting? I think not. I don't really need a brunch, so we can work out the essentials now, right?"

She wanted to talk about business, right? Then they should be professionals. It had nothing to do with the fact that he was irritated that she somehow misjudged Ye Rim.

' But why the hell does everyone judge you so strangely, girl? '

His daydreams were cut off by Na Ra's acid voice.

"Okay. Let's go to the main subject. I want you to go to the Fashion Ball with me."

"Haha. Don't dream that big."

She glanced at him blankly, fulminating him with her stare, but he kept a cool facade.

"I don't know what's biting you lately, but it's essential. There, we will have the chance to be introduced to Ms. Vera Ming, a Chinese philanthropist who is very friendly with stylist A. Zhang. And we are going to convince her to donate part of her annual budget for social purposes to the Ji Hyeon Foundation. I've already worked with your marketing people, but if you talk to her… If you dance a dance with her!"

He couldn't believe what he just heard,

"What do you mean by 'dance'? What is it, if I dance, will she donate?" It was a little nonsensical.

"Don't be silly, Jun! You shouldn't deny a dance to a woman who can donate millions to our cause. Your project to create a wing for long-term treatments can get off the ground."

The doctor truly wanted to believe that a dance could do that. He hadn't danced in a long time. His dance partner had died, and he totally lost his wish to dance.

"That plan of yours doesn't seem the most assertive."

"You know as much as I do that social events help raise funds."

"Right. Let's give it a try," he agreed, at least, and a thought came to him,

"Are you going with Dae Won?"

"No, he said he already has a pair, and my pair of invitations, well, I already promised them to my sister, so ... I'm going with you, of course. After all, it will be a mission for two."

Those damn invitations were like water in the desert, almost impossible to get, and Na Ra had conveniently donated hers.

' I could go with another girl, at least. Not Ye Rim, for obvious reasons. Not Ye Rim. But now I have to go with Na Ra. '

"Okay, for Ji," he finally said, capitulating to Na Ra's elaborate plans.