Married For Now-Chapter 22: THE SCANDAL

KIM HEEDO only had three people he could call his friends.

And all of them are my childhood friends.

First was Yang Jaewon, an Alpha— the golden son of the owner of Beomsoo Broadcasting System (BBS), one of Korea’s three biggest broadcasting companies.

My friend since I was born.

Second was Hong Sera, a Beta— the precious daughter of the Daesung Group.

I met her in elementary school, much to my misfortune.

Third was Kwon Gaon, an Alpha— the reserved son of the president of Taeyang Security (the most trusted security agency in the country, the one that trained Shin Kang).

It was Mr. Shin who introduced Gaon to me when I was in my first year of middle school.

Of course, Heedo had other friends. After all, as the future heir of the Ilsung Group, it was his responsibility to build a clean reputation.

Hence, that meant having a good social life.

But only Jaewon, Sera, and Gaon are the ones I truly consider as friends.

Their friendship was fortified even more when Yang Jaewon and Kwon Gaon joined him when he enlisted.

Hong Sera had to take a break while the three of them were in the army.

So, the four of us will graduate together— as long as no one takes a long break again.

That was why Heedo was pissed when one of his friends ’betrayed’ him.

"How long are you going to ignore Hong Sera?" Yang Jaewon complained while they were eating at the school cafeteria. They only had a short break, so they had no choice but to have lunch there instead of eating out. "We all know that it wasn’t really our Sera who told Junsu that you’re already married."

Yes, the ’culprit’ with loose lips was Hong Sera.

"Sera asked you if she could tell her boyfriend about your marriage, and you gave her permission," Yang Jaewon said. "Sera probably accidentally said it while Han Raehyun was with Jin Minki."

And ’Jin Minki’ would be Hong Sera’s boyfriend’s friend...

... who also happened to be Lee Junsu’s friend and former colleague.

Jin Minki was supposed to debut in Kosmos, but something bad happened to him.

Anyway, Heedo knew that Yang Jaewon’s theory was 90% right.

Hong Sera wouldn’t tell Lee Junsu about my marriage since she wasn’t close to Lee Junsu.

Even so, Hong Sera was still at fault for being careless.

Moreover...

"That brat claims that she’s the one who told Lee Junsu, and it seems like she’s adamant about covering up for what her boyfriend’s friend did," Heedo said, scoffing. "So, until she admits that she didn’t do it, then I’ll ignore her."

Yang Jaewon sighed while shaking his head, and then he turned to Kwon Gaon who was just silently eating his food. "Hey, Gaon-ah. Say something."

Kwon Gaon put his chopsticks down before turning to Heedo. "Stop being petty."

Haaah.

The thing about Gaon is he rarely opens his mouth— but when he does, his words burn.

As a result of Kwon Gaon’s harsh words, Yang Jaewon burst out laughing.

"You always take Sera’s side," Heedo complained, putting all the greens on his plate on Kwon Gaon’s plate as revenge. Yes, he was really petty. "I’ll talk to Sera when she comes to see me in person, so stop being mean to me."

***

LIKE KIM Heedo expected, Hong Sera really showed up during his long break.

Their group met in the Student Lounge of the Business Administration Department.

It was actually packed, and everyone was talking loudly.

"Heedo-ya, how long are you going to sulk?" Hong Sera asked, giving Heedo her famous puppy dog eyes. "I’m really sorry, okay?"

Aigoo.

Hong Sera was one of the most beautiful girls that Heedo had seen in his life.

And he wasn’t the only one who thought that way.

In fact, most students around them were stealing glances from Hong Sera.

This brat isn’t only pretty— she also exudes elegance, making it obvious that she’s from a very wealthy family, even though she’s dressed modestly.

"I come with a peace offering this time."

Heedo raised an eyebrow. "Peace offering?"

Hong Sera smiled proudly. "Follow me."

Heedo got up, and so did Yang Jaewon and Kwon Gaon.

Then the three of them followed Hong Sera, gaining attention from their schoolmates even though it wasn’t the first time that the four of them hung out together.

"Oh, it’s that friend group..."

"They’re all shining..."

"Yeah, most rich kids are like that..."

"I want to join their group..."

"Dream on, dude."

Haaah.

It was like high school all over again.

Heedo and his friend group were treated like rare animals in a zoo when the four of them were put in the same class during their senior year.

It wasn’t fun.

Because our school treated us like an idol group, many immature kids bullied Lee Junsu for "inserting" himself in our group.

Ah, damn.

Heedo cursed internally when he realized he was thinking about Lee Junsu again.

"Sera-ya, is it alright if we use another department’s lounge room?" Yang Jaewon asked when they entered the Webtoon Animation Lounge Room. "And how is this room empty?"

"I reserved it in advance," Hong Sera said, sitting down on the big and soft sofa. "It’s my privilege since my father was the one who gave the school the money to build this lounge area."

"You’re from the Literature Department," Yang Jaewoo asked, knitting his eyebrows. "Why would your father donate a lounge area to the Webtoon Animation Department?"

"Raehyun-ah is in the Webtoon Animation Department," Hong Sera reminded them casually, bringing up her boyfriend’s name in the conversation. "When Raehyun was a freshman, he had a hard time because the Student Lounge Room was always packed. I felt bad for him, so I asked my father to donate a lounge area to this department."

Aigoo.

Spoken like a true chaebol heiress.

But Heedo couldn’t really say anything since Hong Sera was in the same position as him.

This brat also needs Han Raehyun for the continuous prosperity of Daesung Group.

"Did you bring us here just to brag about how you spoil your boyfriend?" Heedo asked impatiently. "Where’s my peace offering?"

"Be patient, silly," Hong Sera said, crossing her arms over her chest. "Have you heard about the nasty rumor about Park Sohee Oppa? Your contract husband?"

"Yeah. What about it?"

"Why aren’t you doing anything to stop the rumor from spreading?"

"Sohee Hyung told me that he can handle it," Heedo said defensively. "What else am I supposed to do then?"

Hong Sera looked shocked by Heedo’s response. "How heartless. Is that how you treat the person who sincerely rooted for you and Lee Junsu in the past?"

Yes, his friends knew about the first time Park Sohee refused to marry into the Kim Family.

"Sohee Hyung isn’t a child," Heedo said, defensively again. "He said rumors like that die naturally, and I agree with him."

Hong Sera let out a sigh while shaking her head. "I haven’t met Park Sohee Oppa yet, but I already feel bad about him for having a cold-hearted husband like you."

"Is insulting me the peace offering you mentioned? Thanks, I love hearing you pass judgment on me."

"No need for sarcasm, silly," Hong Sera said, rolling her eyes. And then she took out an old phone from her expensive and rare handbag. "Here. I was in your department’s lounge area while waiting for you when I heard some sunbaes talking about Park Sohee Oppa. Apparently, they know Park Sohee Oppa as their friend’s ex-boyfriend."

Oh, right.

Sohee Hyung did mention that he had a boyfriend in the past.

"Those mean sunbaes were about to post a video on the community board to make fun of Park Sohee Oppa, so I used my power to stop them," Hong Sera said, shaking the old phone in front of Heedo. "The video that they wanted to post is in this phone. Let’s watch it."

Heedo felt like it would violate Park Sohee’s privacy, but he still caved in the end.

I need to know if I can help Sohee Hyung.

***

IT WAS a low-quality video, and it was obvious that it was taken secretly.

But the audio was clear.

<"It’s tiring being with Sohee.>

Oh.

Heedo didn’t recognize the voice, but he was pretty sure it was Park Sohee’s ex-boyfriend.

<"We can’t travel a lot because of his financial situation. Actually, we can’t do much when we’re together because everything costs money. And he doesn’t want me to pay for him. I like spending time with him, but I also want to do a lot of fun things.">

Dammit.

Why would someone record this?

<"I can handle going on simple dates since I really like being with Sohee. But I can’t handle it when he vents to me. I don’t mind if it’s just once or twice. But he only talks about his problems when we’re together. And because of his situation, I can’t share the good things that happen to me.">

Heedo was starting to get pissed.

After all, Lee Junsu went through the same thing while the two of them were dating.

Junsu was embarrassed every time I offered to pay for stuff, and he also felt sorry every time he vented to me.

But Heedo didn’t mind, and he actually admired how resilient his ex-boyfriend was.

Lee Junsu didn’t come from a rich family, but he was smart. That was how he ended up in the same high school as Heedo— as a scholarship student.

But the kids bullied Lee Junsu for being poor, claiming he didn’t deserve me.

That was why Heedo saw a glimpse of Lee Junsu in the younger Park Sohee.

<"It’s draining me. I’m tired of hearing Sohee’s problems when I just want to talk about positive things. But he needs me, so I find it hard to break up with him.">

<"Then let me do it for us, Yujae-ya.">

Heedo let out a loud gasp when he heard Park Sohee’s voice, and then he suddenly entered the frame.

Sohee Hyung heard everything his ex-boyfriend said to his friends?!

***

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