"Being born as a child out of wedlock is a mistake. That's why they act like that."
"Mistake? Who told you that?"
Lisa, who had been hesitant, now asked sharply while looking at Jungkook. Such remarks were not only unfair, but also very cruel and uncivilized. Who can control someone's birth in this world? Can anyone choose their own parents?
"No one."
Jungkook replied lightly while looking at the fiery Lisa. He had indeed heard people whispering about him several times when he was a child. However, when he was determined as one of the potential successors of Goryo Group, the treatment of the people around him instantly changed. Even though people hated and scorned him, no one dared to openly say such things to him.
"It seemed like they were talking about me behind my back, but I didn't care. I don't want to bother with cowards like that."
"Really?"
Lisa looked at him with a meaningful gaze. Jungkook, who had been speechless at the woman's innocent and honest gaze, came out of his reverie and turned his face away.
"What do you mean?"
"I don't like hearing the term 'orphan' either. Neither behind nor in front of me."
Lisa said in a low voice. The term seemed to describe the horrible life story of a child who grew up without her parents. She also didn't like hearing remarks that said 'that's how she acts, it must be because she doesn't have parents'.
The sad sighs and pitying looks from others also bring hurt to Lisa and her younger siblings. Therefore, she has to be a stronger sister to his younger siblings. Now, she can't help but face this man's family's treatment which might be even harsher than that.
She knows exactly how someone who always gets rejected feels.
She also knew how much loneliness one must deal with alone in that situation.
She also knew how sharp the stares of others could be.
For this time, Jungkook couldn't meet Lisa's eyes that looked at him seriously.
They then arrive at a famous hotel whose name Lisa has never heard before. As soon as they got out of the car, Jungkook put his hand around Lisa's waist which surprised her.
"Hurry up and hold my hand."
"Never mind, I can walk by myself."
However, seeing Jungkook's face that ignored her opinion, Lisa gave in again and complied. It's useless to argue with this person. Lisa, who was staring at Jungkook's hand with resentment, was finally forced to take Jungkook's arm. Instantly, the warmth flowing from Jungkook's body made her blood flow faster. The screen covering the stage slowly began to rise.
"What should I do next?"
"Nothing."
Lisa whispered softly in an anxious tone while Jungkook still replied coldly.
For a moment Lisa was annoyed by his cold treatment. However, she could sense from the tip of her hand that Jungkook was also feeling anxious. Lisa realized that his coldness wasn't real. She tried to be patient and endure the situation.
Of course it's hard for him to be relaxed right now, in a situation where he has to let go of the woman he loves to marry someone else.
However, this situation is not an easy one for Lisa either. After being threatened and asked for a favor, now she has to pretend to be familiar with a man who is actually nobody to her. Moreover, she also has to meet the woman this man loves and probably his family as well.
In the midst of this completely unfamiliar environment and people, Lisa feels scared and doesn't know what to do. She touches the ring necklace her mother gave her hidden under her shirt and takes a deep breath.
"Hey, just calm down. Everything will be fine."
"Of course. As long as you keep your mouth shut."Hearing Lisa comforting him softly, the man coldly replied again.
"What do you mean?"
"You don't have to say anything, just keep quiet."
"Don't say anything?"
Lisa asked again in response to the commanding words. Don't say anything he said? Lisa's momentary sympathy for Jungkook just disappeared.
"Yes. After all, your words won't help me at all. If you dare to say anything, I won't forgive you."
"I think it's better if I say something and then we go our separate ways. At least I'm more comfortable that way."
"Didn't you say, in this world there is not only 'threatening', but also 'asking for help'?"
Huh. Really this guy. Jungkook turned Lisa's words upside down. How dare the person who had dragged her into this absurd situation even patronize her.
"You're really..."
"I'm serious. I beg you, don't say a word. Don't embarrass yourself with unnecessary words."
Hearing his unreasonable request, Lisa looked at him with annoyance. Meanwhile, Jungkook doesn't seem to care about Lisa's reaction. There is something that is a talent from birth and there is also something that cannot be hidden.
Even though this woman was 'wrapped' in a luxurious dress and makeup, Jungkook didn't dare to expect this woman to behave luxuriously like Shin Hee.
However, in return, Lisa has a courage and resilience that even Jungkook can't beat. Her pride cannot be underestimated in this world. That one thing alone is enough to keep her in this situation. Hopefully.
"Alright, if you're begging me."
"I beg you."
Huh, okay. He must actually be embarrassed of me, right? Lisa chuckled at Jungkook's increasingly tense face and warned her in a cold tone.
You're not the only one who's ashamed of me, I'm also not proud of you for being like that.
Before Jungkook could say anything more to Lisa, suddenly his stepmother and aunts approached them. Feeling the hand that hugged Lisa's waist getting stronger, Lisa alternately looked at Jungkook and the woman who came over to them.
A middle-aged woman gave Lisa a sharp look. She looks beautiful but cold. Her silver dress looks luxurious but feels stiff.
"So, this is your girlfriend?"
"This is my mom. And these are my aunts. Hurry up and say hello."
Jungkook briefly introduced his family and before Lisa could open her mouth to say hello, one of his aunts criticized her again.
"How can a girl like this be your girlfriend?"
"You look so much like your father, you don't know the rules."
Lisa stood silently while Jungkook's aunts' judgment sharpened. Although Jungkook didn't forbid her from saying a word, it seemed like she wouldn't have a chance to open her mouth either. Like Jungkook said earlier, Lisa was completely attacked by their cold stares and sharp comments.
"What does her family do?"
"No need to know."
Jungkook replied briefly at Mrs. Oh's question who had been watching Lisa while hiding a satisfied smile. Lisa's true identity might indeed be revealed in an instant.
However, those people don't know the courage hidden inside Lisa. A secret weapon.
Lisa will definitely win this battle.
"I didn't ask you. Then, you don't have a mouth, do you?"
"You don't know how to say greetings? You're just nodding like that in front of an old man."
This time, the other aunts criticized Lisa again, who just smiled in response. Based on her experience in the social community so far, Lisa knows very well that a smile is the best form of greeting when the other person doesn't give her a chance to speak.
The aunties, who always interrupted Lisa every time she was about to say something, left after a while. What a rude and disrespectful gesture.
Mrs. Oh, who stayed behind once again, gave Lisa a sharp look. Her face was completely unfamiliar to her, but from the moment she saw it, Lisa knew that this person was nothing to worry about.
"You're really quiet, aren't you? Or can't talk?"
Even hearing that suspicious question, Lisa still answered with a bitter smile. Meanwhile, Mrs. Oh who had looked satisfied earlier now looked unhappy.
"I never told you to bring a mute woman."
"I guess it's none of your business."
"It turns out that you chose a woman whose nature is also like you, huh."
This time Mrs. Oh muttered under her breath in a scornful tone without even glancing at Lisa. She then left them and re-entered the wedding venue. A look of satisfaction radiated from her firm steps.
Maybe this was more than she expected. Maybe she hoped that the relationship between Jungkook and the woman who kept her mouth shut while watching her surroundings could continue, just like his family wanted.
Once his family was out of sight, Jungkook pulled Lisa, who kept her mouth shut and watched her surroundings with a smile, to one side of the lobby.
"What the hell are you doing?"
"You said I shouldn't say a word. I only did what you asked me to do. Especially since you were begging me earlier."
Lisa responded to Jungkook's protest casually.
Jungkook momentarily forgot that this woman was not an easy woman to manage. Although he was lazy to deal with a stupid woman, dealing with a woman who was too smart was also very tiring. It was hard to win an argument with this woman. Because it was possible that he would lose more than what he had gained.
However, it turns out that this woman can also survive in this situation. She turned out to be the right choice.