My Girlfriend’s Fortune: 3,141,592,653,589

TL: Aniea

"......!?"

Kim Eun-ha slightly tilted her head, lifting herself onto her tiptoes. As our noses brushed against each other, a strange emotion stirred within me.

Physically, it was just a fleeting moment, but to me, it felt like an eternity.

What Kim Eun-ha wanted from me was obvious. She desired not just a clumsy relationship like that of a male friend, but the perfect position of a boyfriend.

‘Originally, the plan was just to greet the VVIPs together...’

To anyone watching, we would look like lovers, but if we insisted hard enough, it could somehow be passed off as a misunderstanding.

But what if, as Kim Eun-ha said, someone was watching us from behind?

In a place that's neither entirely public nor entirely private. A couple sharing a secret rendezvous in such a halfway location.

Nosy and influential people with loud voices would spread tales of our secret rendezvous everywhere. They'd say, ‘I saw the two of them secretly kissing.’

‘If we want, we can always deny it.’

Because there's no clear evidence. Unless a photo was taken and spread around, it would just be a rumor, after all.

The source of the rumor wouldn't dare reveal themselves openly, fearing the reaction of the Mirae Group.

‘...Besides, today is the VVIP event.’

How many people could be inside the department store right now? Especially with over hundreds of CCTV cameras everywhere. If we wanted, we could easily track down the person.

If we employed a bit of a more forceful method, we could even pressure the person directly later, making them confess that they spread false rumors.

‘It certainly is an excellent opportunity.’

It’s a clever move that solidifies the relationship between the two of us while still allowing Kim Eun-ha to control the situation depending on how things unfold.

The only problem is...

My heart is beating too fast right now.

'...It feels like it might burst any moment.'

Thump, thump, thump, thump-!

I have no idea how many times my heart has pounded in such a short span of less than a second.

Moreover, we were so close that even our faint breaths touched, so I couldn't breathe out as I pleased.

I was terrified that my heated breath, spurred on by my pounding heart, might reach her. I was utterly frozen in place.

“Hoo-”

“......!?”

I'm not sure if she did it on purpose, but at that moment, Kim Eun-ha’s breath touched my skin.

Maybe it was just my imagination, but her breath felt rough and hot as well. It felt like the skin touched by her breath was turning a bright red.

“.......”

“.......”

In the silence where even the sound of deep breaths couldn’t be heard, we gazed into each other's eyes.

A distance where it was hard to even focus properly. My pupils wandered, not knowing where to rest.

As I hesitated, unable to do anything, her pupils suddenly drew an arc.

“......?”

Tap-

Suddenly, something touched my lips. I was startled by the soft sensation, but only for a moment.

If my eye measurement wasn’t wrong, there should still be a slight distance left before our lips met.

Sure enough, as I lowered my gaze slightly, I saw Kim Eun-ha’s finger intervening between us. The sensation I felt was her index finger.

‘Were you perhaps expecting something?’

Her eyes seemed to ask me that question. At that moment, countless complicated emotions flooded my mind along with the thought, ‘She got me.’

I suppose even this much would look sufficiently like a kiss to someone watching from behind.

‘...Let’s calm down first.’

I tried to soothe my still-racing heart, endlessly reminding myself to regain composure.

We aren’t real lovers.

It’s all just acting...

Chu-

At that moment, Kim Eun-ha's face moved slightly closer, and I felt a new weight on my lips.

“......!?”

She had placed her lips on top of her own finger. Though our lips didn’t actually touch, my heart dropped.

"This much should be enough to make them believe, right?"

When I looked at Kim Eun-ha with a slightly dazed expression, she took a step back, smiling bashfully.

Seeing her mischievous smile, I couldn’t say a word. I was afraid that if I opened my mouth, my heart would jump out of my chest.

"Hmm. It seems like our spectator has disappeared now, so shall we go greet the customers? I’m sorry for treating you like an accessory, Woo-ju-ssi, but please bear with me today."

"...Don’t mention it. That’s my role, after all."

"Please continue to play that role well in the future."

Hehe-

Kim Eun-ha giggled pleasantly as she linked arms with me again. I could only hope that the unprecedentedly loud beating of my heart didn’t reach her.

*

"Mom, isn’t that bag pretty?"

"It is pretty, but..."

"Let’s go in and try it on."

"No, I don’t think it’ll suit me."

"You say that, but you’ve been hovering around this area for a while now. My legs are starting to get tired, so let’s just look around a bit. Just a look. Okay?"

"Sh-should we?"

Pushed by Kang Byul, Kim Ji-hye entered the store. The interior was much more luxurious than it appeared from the outside, making her feel a bit intimidated.

"Welcome."

The store employee’s courteous greeting only added to her discomfort, making her want to turn around and leave immediately.

However, the employees following behind Kang Byul subtly blocked the way, making even that impossible. Reluctantly, Kim Ji-hye stepped further into the store.

"Is there anything you’re looking for?"

"We wanted to take a look at that bag."

"Ah, you mean the Capucines. Please wait here for a moment, and we’ll prepare it for you."

"...Yes, please."

The mother and daughter just nodded at the word, unsure if it was English or some other language.

Their awkward expressions clearly indicated that this was their first visit to a luxury brand store.

But the employees, trained directly by Kim Eun-ha, showed no signs of looking down on them based on their appearance. After all, today was an exclusive VVIP-only day.

"Here it is."

The employee carefully brought over a bag with gloved hands. It was the very item displayed at the center of the store that had been catching Kim Ji-hye’s eye.

Seeing it up close, she liked it even more, and her pupils subtly trembled as she couldn’t hide her interest.

"Usually, Louis Vuitton is known for its logo play, but the Capucines has just one logo in the center, making it an easy match with any outfit. It’s a very popular item."

"...I-I see."

Indeed, it was a much more compact design compared to the ‘I’m a luxury brand’ bags her friends would boast about.

Even someone like Kim Ji-hye, who didn’t know much about luxury items, found it to be simply beautiful.

"It’s made with Taurillon leather, offering both softness and luxury, making it a highly recommended choice for a daily bag."

Nod-

As the employee continued to explain, Kim Ji-hye quietly nodded. She had no idea what Taurillon leather was, but it sounded like it must be very expensive.

"Also, this particular piece is an ‘Artycapucines’, specially brought in for our VVIP customers today. It’s a limited edition not yet available in the country, so it offers a unique touch if you decide to wear it."

"A limited edition... Does that mean it’s a special edition!?"

"Yes, there are only 300 pieces in total. Normally, you’d need to confirm the item on a tablet and complete the purchase before you could see the actual product, but we’ve prepared it in advance for our valued customers."

"Wow, that’s amazing..."

Gulp-!

Hearing the explanation, Kang Byul’s mouth dropped open, and Kim Ji-hye swallowed nervously. She was regretting coming into the store when she should have been satisfied with just looking.

Of course, Kim Eun-ha had told her to ask the staff for anything she wanted, but as an in-law, how could she accept such an offer so readily?

Despite already receiving more than enough from her husband's VVIP hospital room, to the house and car her son was using, it all felt too much.

"Would you like to try it on?"

"What? No, I’m satisfied with just this..."

"Mom, we’re already here. I won't ask you to buy it. But at least try it on. When will you get another chance like this?"

"…should I?"

Pressed by Kang Byul, Kim Ji-hye reluctantly moved in front of the mirror. The staff immediately flanked her, assisting with the fitting.

'...It really is pretty.'

She had dressed up a bit to go out with her daughter-in-law, but how many nice clothes could she possibly own? Most of them were affordable, cost-effective pieces costing less than tens of thousands of won. But just by adding this bag, everything looked like luxury goods.

"Oh my, it suits you so well."

"It looks like you could just walk out with it right now."

"Hmm. I’m not saying this because I’m your daughter, but this bag really is perfect for you. It suits you even better than I imagined."

"This child. You'd say I look good even with gold paint on my face."

"I'm being sincere."

Kang Byul and the staff took turns complimenting Kim Ji-hye.

Though some of the comments were clearly sales talk, the truth was that the bag really did match her well, so the compliments felt more natural.

"Uh... What’s the price, by the way?"

"The retail price is 10.5 million won."

Gasp-

The moment she heard the price, Kim Ji-hye's face turned pale. It felt like the weight of the strap hanging on her shoulder suddenly doubled.

She wanted to put it down immediately, but she couldn’t dare touch it for fear of damaging it, so she just stood there anxiously.

"Excuse me, I heard there’s an Artycapucines here."

A woman adorned with visibly extravagant jewelry entered the store. Beside her was a young woman in her mid-20s, who appeared to be her daughter.

Recognizing who she was, the staff hurried over to them.

It was none other than Park Hye-jeong and her daughter from Daema Construction, known for making complaints over even the tiniest issues.

"Ma'am, I’m sorry, but that product is currently..."

"What? I postponed my trip to Japan just for this bag. If it’s sold, you should’ve at least informed me... Huh?"

As expected, Park Hye-jeong’s voice was growing sharper when her eyes caught sight of the luxury bag on Kim Ji-hye’s shoulder.

Realizing immediately that it was the item she was looking for, Park Hye-jeong narrowed her eyes.

‘Who is she? I’ve never seen her before.’

Park Hye-jeong, who attended most social events and recognized the faces of almost all the wives from prominent families, had never seen Kim Ji-hye and her daughter before. This made her voice take on a more cautious tone.

"Hello, ma'am."

"Ah, yes. Hello."

As they exchanged greetings, a curious glint appeared in Park Hye-jeong’s eyes. Her eyes, accustomed to seeking out luxury goods all day, quickly scanned Kim Ji-hye and her daughter.

‘Other than the bag, she isn’t wearing any other luxury items. Judging by that awkward demeanor, she doesn’t seem to be part of this circle. How did she get in here?’

Her radar, finely tuned to distinguish between the strong and the weak, had already made its judgment, but Park Hye-jeong didn’t act rashly. After all, this was an event exclusively for VVIPs. They could very well be from a newly rising chaebol family.

"I’m sorry, I don’t think we’ve met before, so I didn’t catch your name. If you don’t mind, could I ask your name?"

"Oh, I’m Kim Ji-hye."

"Kim Ji-hye... And your daughter?"

"She’s Kang Byul."

Sensing something off, Kang Byul’s tone turned a bit sharper, but Park Hye-jeong, lost in thought, paid no attention to it.

No matter how hard she searched her mental database, she had never heard of anyone named Kim Ji-hye or a newly rising chaebol family starting with the name "Kang."

"Mom, I think they’re the ones."

At that moment, her daughter seemed to notice something and carefully whispered into Park Hye-jeong’s ear.

"You know that actor, right? The one rumored to be Kim Eun-ha’s boy toy. I think his name was Kang Woo-ju. She has exactly the same eyes as him."

"Ohho...."

Finally realizing who they were dealing with, the corners of Park Hye-jeong’s mouth curled upward. Her posture straightened, and her voice gained a noticeable edge, just like when she had first entered the store.

"Kim Ji-hye."

"...Yes?"

"You haven’t bought that bag yet, have you?"

Kim Ji-hye and Kang Byul’s expressions turned cold in response to the blatantly pointed question and attitude.

*

"CEO-nim! We have a problem!"

"Secretary Yoon?"

In the middle of smoothly greeting the VVIPs, Kim Eun-ha furrowed her brows as she noticed Secretary Yoon rushing toward her from a distance.

Kim Eun-ha asked the VVIP she was speaking with for a brief moment of understanding before moving aside.

"What’s going on?"

"Mrs. Park from Daema Construction is here with her daughter!"

"Hmm?"

She wasn't on today’s attendee list, but as a VVIP, it wouldn’t be too problematic for her to show up unexpectedly.

"...Don’t tell me she caused trouble again? She didn’t hit any of our employees, did she? Last time, I let it slide with just an apology, but this time I won’t let it go."

As Kim Eun-ha narrowed her eyes, Secretary Yoon, who had just managed to catch her breath, shook her head frantically.

"It’s the opposite!"

"Huh?"

"Mrs. Park Hye-jeong was the one who got her hair pulled!"

"???"

Kim Eun-ha was even more confused by the explanation that followed. However, Kang Woo-ju, who was standing beside her, reacted differently. His face turned pale as he began to tremble.

"Secretary Yoon. Where is my mother right now?"

"She’s at the Louis Vuitton store on the first floor!"

"Eun-ha, we need to hurry."

"What? Oh—!?"

Before she could fully grasp the situation, Kang Woo-ju grabbed Kim Eun-ha’s hand and bolted towards the escalator.

Though taken aback by his uncharacteristically urgent behavior, Kim Eun-ha quietly followed him. As they rushed, Kang Woo-ju cautiously began to explain.

"It seems Mrs. Kim might have done something."

"If you mean Mrs. Kim... You mean your mother!?"

"Yes, although my mother is usually very gentle, when she loses her temper, she literally becomes unstoppable. And..."

"And?"

"She’s really good at fighting."

"......?"

Momentarily failing to grasp the context of the conversation, Kim Eun-ha tried to clarify. But Kang Woo-ju didn’t respond further.

Or rather, he couldn’t respond.

His face had turned ghostly pale, and he simply bit his lip, as if facing some kind of deep trauma.