The engagement announcement came as a whirlwind of forced smiles and polite congratulations. Seren and Inwoo stood side-by-side, their hands clasped together, their expressions a study in strained diplomacy.
"It is with great pleasure that we announce the engagement of our children," Inwoo's father declared, his voice booming across the room.
"This union will be a symbol of the coming together of two prominent families, creating a powerful force in the business and arts world."
Seren felt a wave of nausea wash over her. She wished she could disappear into the swirling patterns of the Persian rug beneath her feet.
"We're thrilled," Inwoo's mother chimed in, her voice brimming with a forced enthusiasm.
"We can't wait for them to start this exciting new chapter in their lives."
Seren could feel Inwoo's gaze on her, a silent communication passing between them. They were both trapped in a web of expectations, forced to play a role they never signed up for.
"We're both so happy," Seren forced out, her voice trembling slightly. She could feel her cheeks burning as she plastered a fake smile onto her face.
Inwoo, standing beside her, mirrored her discomfort. His expression was stoic, but a faint line of tension etched itself across his forehead. "We're looking forward to a wonderful future together."
Their families erupted in applause, their faces beaming with delight. Seren and Inwoo exchanged a fleeting glance, their eyes meeting in a silent agreement: this charade had just begun.
The next few days were a blur of engagement parties, family gatherings, and endless rounds of polite conversations. Seren and Inwoo were expected to be the picture of a blissful couple, showering each other with affection and promises of a lifetime together.
But behind closed doors, their carefully constructed facade crumbled.
"This is ridiculous," Seren exclaimed, collapsing onto the plush couch in her apartment. "How can they expect us to pretend we're happy? We hate each other!"
"Hate is a strong word," Inwoo replied, his tone clipped. He stood by the window, his gaze fixed on the city lights.
"It's not like we're a couple in a romantic comedy," Seren retorted. "There's no 'meet-cute' moment, no grand gestures, just a forced engagement orchestrated by our families."
"We just need to keep up appearances," Inwoo said, his voice devoid of emotion. "For the sake of everyone involved."
"For the sake of their legacies, you mean," Seren countered, her voice laced with sarcasm.
"There's a certain amount of sacrifice required in life," Inwoo said, turning to her. "Especially when it comes to family."
"Is that what you're telling yourself?" Seren asked, her voice rising in frustration. "Is that what you've been telling yourself all along?"
Inwoo's jaw tightened. He was a man who held his emotions tightly, a man who was used to controlling his world. But Seren, with her unfiltered honesty and her audacious spirit, was tearing down his carefully constructed walls.
"It's not about what I want," he said, his voice low and strained. "It's about what's expected of me. I can't let my family down."
Seren looked at him, her heart aching for the vulnerability she saw flicker in his eyes.
"Inwoo," she said, her voice softer, "We can't just pretend to be happy. That's not how love works. It's not how life works."
Inwoo remained silent, his gaze still focused on the city lights, his thoughts a tangled mess of duty, desire, and despair.
Just then, there was a knock at the door. Seren's aunt, a woman with a penchant for dramatic pronouncements, stood at the threshold, her eyes wide with excitement.
"Seren, darling, you won't believe it! The photographers are here. We're going to take engagement photos!"
Seren sighed. The charade continued. And as she stood beside Inwoo, posing for the cameras with a forced smile, she couldn't help but wonder: What would become of this engagement? Could two people who were so different, so opposed, find a way to create something real out of this carefully orchestrated lie?
Their engagement photos were a comical disaster. Seren, dressed in a whimsical, flowing dress, looked as though she were about to take flight. Inwoo, in a classic suit, looked more like a hostage than a groom-to-be. The photographer, desperate to capture a genuine moment of romance, struggled to direct their stiff postures and forced smiles.