His agency, ever vigilant about his image, had arranged a blind date. He went, reluctantly, to a quiet, upscale restaurant. He was told she was beautiful, intelligent, and well-connected. He knew the real reason behind the date: to solidify his image as a mature, desirable bachelor, ripe for endorsements and magazine spreads.
The girl, Lee Yiyong, was indeed beautiful. She was polished and poised, her conversation laced with the appropriate amount of charm and business acumen. But Seon Joo felt nothing. He went through the motions, answering her questions with practiced ease, offering polite compliments.
When the appetizers arrived, he decided. "Lee Yiyong-ssi," he began, his voice soft but firm, "I appreciate you taking the time to meet me, but I don't think this is going to work. I'm…not ready for a relationship right now."
The smile on her face faltered. She leaned forward, her voice dropping an octave. "Are you serious? Do you know who I am? My family has connections that could…"
"I understand," Seon Joo interrupted, his gaze unwavering. "But I can't pretend to be someone I'm not. I'm sorry."
Her initial shock quickly morphed into anger. "You're rejecting me? Kim Seon Joo, do you even realize what you're throwing away? I have half a mind to…"
He sighed inwardly. This was exactly what he feared. "I wish you all the best, Lee Yiyong-ssi." He stood up, offering a polite bow."I understand," he said, calmly. "But this isn't about anyone else. It's about me, and about you. We're both wasting our time."
"Wasting my time?" she snapped, her voice rising. "I took time out of my busy schedule for this! You think you're so special, just because you're a celebrity!"
He sighed again, the weight of her expectations pressing down on him. "That's not what I meant."
"Oh, really? Then what did you mean, Kim Seon Joo?"
The confrontation escalated, the hushed elegance of the restaurant suddenly pierced by their increasingly heated words. He attempted to reason with her, but it was clear she wasn't listening. Mortified, he felt his face burn.
Finally, Yiyong stood abruptly. "You'll regret this, Kim Seon Joo. You're a fool." She grabbed her purse and stormed out of the restaurant.
He watched her go, feeling a strange mix of relief and guilt. He hadn't wanted to hurt her, but he couldn't pretend. He couldn't force a connection that wasn't there.