The drive to the hotel was incredibly scenic and varied. The atmosphere in Thailand was a blend of tropical exoticism, Buddhist spirituality and non-stop celebration. It was getting dark outside, with the first streetlights coming on and bright signs from small spicy food stalls and tourist shops bringing the city to life.
The heat was unbearable at nearly thirty-four degrees Celsius, combined with high humidity. May is peak tourist season in Thailand, as the rainy season begins in June and lasts through to October.
For the locals, hundreds of temples, golden Buddha statues and traditional ceremonies are just part of everyday life. But not for Hae-in. She had once dreamed of visiting, and her dream had come true in just one evening. At that moment, she was happy and had no regrets about agreeing to the trip.
Tropical forests gave way to white-sand beaches. Despite the late hour, the place was still bustling — it seemed that no one was in a hurry to leave since the ocean remained warm even at night.
At the hotel, Hae-in and Jae-won were greeted by friendly staff who helped them carry their luggage inside. Hae-in immediately took in the lobby with its majestic statues and expensive furniture in the lounge area and fountain in the middle of the hall. She had never seen such luxury before. There was so much gold in one place — you'd only find that in a jewellery store.
"Welcome to the Plaza 5 Stars Hotel," the woman at the front desk greeted them in Thai.
"Good evening," replied Jae-won in English, handing over their check-in documents.
The woman searched for their reservation for a long time, but couldn't find it in the system. Flustered, she called for the manager, who appeared immediately.
"Good evening. Welcome to the Plaza 5 Stars Hotel," he said, bowing in the traditional manner. "Unfortunately, there was a system glitch and your reservation was automatically cancelled. We sent notifications to all our guests, but you were the only ones not to confirm. We apologise for the inconvenience."
"Then please check us into another available room," said Jae-won, holding back his irritation.
"Unfortunately, all the rooms are already occupied. There are only two left for newlyweds," the manager offered, glancing involuntarily at Hae-in's wedding ring. "The Economy and the Deluxe."
"What on earth..." Jae-won thought, barely managing to hold back.
"Director Park, please calm down," said Hae-in quietly, then she turned to the manager in Thai. "Please tell me, does the room have just a bed, or is there a sofa as well?'
"The Deluxe room has a large bed and a comfortable sofa," he replied with a friendly smile.
"Director Park, the Deluxe room has a sofa. I can sleep there. Book the room. The deal is more important than comfort right now. I can get through a few uncomfortable nights," said Hae-in confidently.
"Hmm… Yes, you're right. The deal comes first," he replied after a moment's thought. "All right. Let's go with the suite. We have no other choice."
The manager personally escorted them to their room. When the door opened, Hae-in felt as if she had stepped into another world. It was more like an apartment than just a hotel room.
There was a huge, spacious living room with a plush sofa in the middle and a panoramic view of the ocean. The bathroom, almost as big as her apartment, had marble floors and gold taps. And the bedroom. It was for two people. It had a large bed with snow-white sheets strewn with rose petals.
"Enjoy your stay at the Plaza 5 Stars Hotel," said the manager as he left them.
"It's so beautiful in here..." Hae-in murmured, looking around.
"Nothing special. Just a standard suite," replied the director calmly as he took off his jacket and loosened his tie.
"The sofa is really comfortable," said Hae-in, sitting down carefully to test it.
"I'll be sleeping here. The bedroom is all yours."
"What?" she asked, surprised. "But we agreed..."
"You need a separate room and a bed. Besides, I get up early to do my warm-up exercises. To avoid disturbing you, I'll stay in the living room."
"All right..." She felt awkward about his decision, but she didn't argue. She quickly headed to the bedroom to unpack her things. The first thing she did was lie down on the bed and enjoy the fresh scent of the linens and rose petals. Her phone beeped with a short notification sound.
"How was the flight? I bet you're already enjoying the scenery," Su-min wrote. "Don't forget to take off your wedding ring."
Hae-in glanced at her left ring finger.
"I suppose that's why they offered us a honeymoon suite," she speculated, taking off her wedding ring and leaving on only the ring with a small stone that Min-hyuk had given her when he proposed several years ago.
While the director was working, Hae-in decided to take a stroll through the hotel corridors. After informing Jae-won, she received a muffled 'uh-huh' and left the room.
The hotel is surrounded by evergreen tropical forests and the humidity is stifling. The warm evening was soothing, filled with the sounds of birds and the distant murmur of the sea. Soft music played in the hotel lobby where guests enjoyed the views and cool drinks served at the bar.
Hae-in felt a sense of lightness and peace in her heart — for the first time in a long time — as if she were free here. The only shame is that it's a business trip and she won't have any time to enjoy the beaches, the ocean and the variety of Thai cuisine.
She took a seat on the sofa in the lobby, the first thing guests see when they arrive. She picked up some brochures listing the hotel's amenities, such as the spa, restaurants and tours of famous landmarks that most people only ever see in pictures online when searching for 'Thailand'. Honeymooners can enjoy a candlelit dinner on the beach, breakfast in their room, spa discounts, free cocktails and a photo shoot. There were so many perks, but they couldn't take advantage of them because they weren't honeymooners; they had just chosen that room because it was the only one available.
The sound of high heels clicking echoed through the hall. A young woman with long, dark hair and wearing a beautiful green evening gown appeared in the lobby. She strode quickly towards the front desk, explaining that her key card wasn't working and that she couldn't get into her room.
Five minutes into their conversation, neither side could understand the other. The woman at the reception was trying to explain the system glitch in broken English. However, the young woman didn't understand, and had already started gesturing that the card wasn't working. She then launched into an emotional tirade in Italian, which Hae-in immediately understood. Her eyes widened at what she heard.
Other hotel guests began to glance over at the scene, and Hae-in decided to intervene before things got worse.
"Good evening," she said to the woman in Italian.
"Oh, good evening," the woman replied, surprised to hear her native language.
"Can I help you two communicate? I can see your conversation has reached a dead end."
"I'd really appreciate it. I'm trying to explain that I can't get into my room. The key isn't working," said the Italian woman, waving her key card in front of the receptionist.
"I see. I'll explain everything right away."
He addressed the woman in Thai. She smiled in response and politely explained the situation.
"Thank you. She says there's been a system glitch, which is probably why your key isn't working. They're trying to fix it so you can get into your room."
"I hope they fix it quickly. I'm so tired and I just want to go to bed and rest," she sighed. "Thank you for your help. I'm Isabella, by the way," she said, extending her hand.
"He-In," she replied, shaking her hand.
"Do you work here?" Isabella asked.
"No, my partner and I have just arrived. We also felt the effects of the glitch – our reservation disappeared and they put us in a honeymoon suite."
"Oh, how lovely. I'm here with my fiancé, too. We've already been on a tour and booked a candlelit dinner on the beach. There are so many perks for couples here!"
"Yes, it really is," confirmed Hae-in, as the brochure had lots of interesting things for newlyweds.
"Maybe we could have dinner together sometime? I'd love to chat with you."
"That would be wonderful, but unfortunately, we're not here for long. I don't know if we'll be able to find the time."
"That's a shame. Still, if you find a moment, here's my number..." She handed him her business card. "See you later," she hurried to say goodbye when she noticed a tall young man with a full head of hair entering the lobby.
He looked like he'd stepped right out of an Italian romance film: a handsome guy with light stubble, wearing linen trousers and a shirt unbuttoned almost to his navel, revealing a firm, sweaty, hairy torso.
Hae-in sat in the lobby a little longer, but when she felt hungry and her stomach growled in protest, she went to the room to invite the director to dinner. But before she could step inside, Jae-won met her at the door.
"You're finally back. I reserved a table for us at the hotel restaurant. Let's have dinner, and tomorrow we'll get back to work with renewed energy."
"Great! I was just thinking about dinner."
"The table will be ready in half an hour. Will you have time to get ready?" he asked, glancing at his watch.
"Yes, of course," smiled Hae-in, hurrying to the bedroom.
It was fortunate she'd packed at least one dress from her everyday wardrobe. After all, it wouldn't be appropriate to go to a restaurant in the same clothes she'd arrived in. After putting on the dress and slipping into a pair of low-heeled shoes, she touched up her make-up, brushed her hair — which had already begun to curl in the humid air — and went out to the living room, where Director Park was already waiting, perched on the back of the sofa.
Hae-in was speechless for a moment because she had never seen the director outside of work. He was not wearing his usual business suit, but a light white shirt and trousers — an outfit that didn't look anything like Mr. Jae-won at all. Of course, she'd never seen him outside of work, but this look came as a bit of a shock to her. All she could say was… nothing.
"Shall we go?" he asked, straightening up and gesturing towards the door.
"Yes, let's go," Hae-in replied, gripping the handle of her handbag more tightly.
The restaurant was crowded. There were almost no empty tables left. A calm, relaxed atmosphere reigned inside. The dim lighting barely illuminated the room, and only the lights above the tables dispelled the gloom. Light, pleasant music played in the background amid the buzz of the crowd.
The waiter led them to a table near the window with a view of the beach. A light breeze brought a coolness that was pleasant. He handed Hae-in a menu featuring expensive, exotic dishes, half of whose ingredients she had never even heard of. She skimmed through the pages, but her eyes widened at the prices.
"What would you like to order, Mrs. Hae-in?" asked Jae-won, placing the menu on the table since he had already made his choice.
"Heh," she smiled, biting the corner of her lower lip. "I don't even know." She scanned the menu once more.
"What do you like?" he asked.
"Well, I cook traditional Korean dishes at home. I like pork, chicken and seafood."
"How about a steak?" he suggested.
"Oh, that would be great, but I'd like something light for dinner. Besides, we're in Thailand, so I'd like to try something traditional."
"Got it," he said, waving to the waiter. "We'll have two Massaman curries, Som Tam that's not spicy, Pad Thai, and a Chardonnay, please." He handed the menu to the waiter and settled back in his chair.
"You'll love these dishes. The Massaman curry isn't spicy. It contains meat and potatoes and is creamy thanks to the coconut milk. It also has a light, sweet aftertaste. The Som Tam salad, made with green papaya, is definitely worth trying as it showcases all the intense flavours of Thai cuisine: spicy, sour and salty with a hint of sweetness. To be honest, I always order the mild version so I don't get heartburn later. Pad Thai is the most popular dish among Thais. If you haven't tried it, you might as well not have been to Thailand."
"That sounds delicious," Hae-in remarked, trusting the director's taste.
The wine was brought out first. The first thing she noticed was a pleasant hint of vanilla. When she took a sip, she could taste the incredible flavours of tropical fruits, such as mango and pineapple. She was surprised that wine could be so delicious and full-bodied. It was nothing like the wine she usually drank with dinner at home.
"The perfect wine to pair with Thai dishes," said Jae-won, taking a sip from his glass.
"It seems you know a thing or two about wine."
"I'm no expert, but I do have my preferences."
"Mr. Director," she asked, "How do you plan to meet with Moretti?"
"Well, it all depends on my luck," he joked, the corners of his lips curving slightly into an almost imperceptible smile.
Hae-in frowned at his words.
"Heh," he chuckled quietly, noticing her reaction. "I'm joking, of course. He's staying in a suite one floor above ours. He has a trip planned to one of the temples tomorrow, so I'll meet him before he leaves in the morning. I hope we can arrange a meeting to discuss the contract."
"So, we should go to bed early tonight to be in good shape tomorrow."
"Yes, you're right." Just then, our order arrived. "Enjoy your dinner, and don't let me down tomorrow"'
"I'll give it my all. Bon appétit."
"Thank you. Bon appétit to you, too." He began to eat.
Hae-in savoured the unfamiliar dishes with delight. The director was right about each one's flavour. The curry was hearty. The Som Tam revealed a whole spectrum of flavours to her all at once. The Pad Thai was both simple and sophisticated. The Chardonnay brought out the full diversity of flavours even more.
Putting down her fork, Hae-in exhaled contentedly and leaned back in her chair.
"I see you enjoyed my choice of dishes," the director remarked.
"Yes, it was delicious. Thank you."
"Don't thank me. The credit goes to the head chef. I just ordered the dishes that were worth trying."
"Still, thank you for knowing my tastes."
The director said nothing in response, merely nodding slightly in acknowledgement.
"I think it's time for us to go," he said, calling over the waiter for the bill.
After paying the bill, Director Park and Hae-in got up and left the restaurant, but suddenly they ran into Isabella and her fiancé.
"Oh, Hae-in!" she exclaimed, noticing her new acquaintance by the restaurant door.
"Good evening, Isabella," she greeted her in Italian.
"This is my fiancé, Alessandro," she said, introducing the man.
"It's a pleasure to meet you," said Hae-in, shaking his hand.
"Have you had dinner yet? Are you leaving so early?" Isabella asked, looking at Jae-won. He just stood there silently, not quite understanding what they were talking about.
"Yes, we have a lot to do tomorrow. We need to get some rest."
"That's too bad. We were just about to have dinner. My parents will be here any minute now."
'It's great that you'll be spending the evening together."
"Yes, it really is. I would have invited you too, but since you've already eaten…" She spread her hands, then suddenly perked up upon noticing some familiar faces. "Mom, Dad!" She waved at them.
Just imagine Jae-won's surprise when he saw Mr. Moretti and his wife in the hotel lobby! What a coincidence! He couldn't have imagined a stranger encounter.
"Hae-in, meet my parents, Mateo and Francesca."
"Nice to meet you," said Hae-in, greeting them.
"Dad, this is Hae-in. She helped me today, remember? I told you about her."
"Yes, Isabella, I remember," the man smiled. "And who is this young man standing next to you?" he asked, turning to look at Jae-won.
"Oh, that's…" Hae-in began, but Isabella beat her to it.
"That's her partner. Husband," she said, glancing at the ring on Hae-in's finger. Hae-in had already managed to hide it behind her back.
"What? No, no, not a husband," Hae-in panicked.
"Not husband?" Isabella asked in surprise.
"No, I guess I didn't explain myself clearly earlier." She felt her cheeks flush.
"Mr. Moretti, it's a pleasure to meet you," said the director, extending his hand. Moretti shook it, looking at him intently.
"Moretti?" Hae-in repeated, almost in a whisper, because she had only just realised what was happening.
"Do we know each other?" the man asked.
"Not personally. My name is Park Jae-won."
"Ah, yes. I know. SeoRin Group." A barely perceptible chill crept into his voice. "I assume you're not here just to ruin my holiday with my family?"
"No, not at all," Jae-won replied calmly.
"What a strange coincidence that you're here too. Is it really just a coincidence?" the man asked sceptically.
"Yes, we're here on holiday with Mrs… ahem," he stammered, "Hae-in." He smiled, glancing at her.
"Oh, so you're her husband after all?" Isabella (English) interjected again.
"Husband?" Jae-won asked in surprise.
It then dawned on Jae-won that he only had two options in this situation. He could either claim to be there on business, or lie to save the contract he'd been working on for so long. If he lost it, he'd lose everything. Not only would his promotion be at stake, but the company's future would be too. The status his father had fought so hard to secure.
His father's words instantly came to mind: "Working with Mr. Moretti is no easy task. He's a family man, and family values come first for him." So, in this situation, might a little white lie just change the course of events?
"No, not a husband." He paused for a moment, glancing at Hae-in, whose cheeks were flushed with embarrassment. He took her right hand, squeezed it gently and then added confidently, without a shred of doubt, "Fiancé."
"Oh, I thought I'd misunderstood something. I guess Hae-in meant 'partner' in the sense of fiancé, not husband," Isabella exhaled with relief.
"What?" Hae-in froze in that moment.
At first, it was as if his words had electrocuted her; then, a void in her head. Complete silence. Mr. Jae-won had lied...
She stood there silently, feeling everyone's stares upon her. There was nowhere to look. Director Park's gaze seemed to speak without words: "Admit it. Admit it's true, even if you think it's the wrong thing to do. The company's entire future depends on what you say right now."
That moment seemed to last forever. The whirlwind of thoughts felt as though it would never subside. A deep breath in, a breath out. And...
"Yes... My fiancé." She smiled politely at those present, clenching her left hand into a fist behind her back until it hurt.
Jae-won exhaled with relief.
Only one phrase lingered in Hae-in's mind: "Hae-in, what are you doing?"