"A Life of Calculated Moves"

Minju's eyes locked onto her parents, her mind racing with the implications of their proposal. She felt as though she had been punched in the gut, her breath knocked out of her. "Marriage?" she repeated, trying to keep her voice steady. "You're talking about marriage?" Her mother nodded, her expression unwavering. "Yes, Minju. This is a business decision, not a romantic one. You will do what is best for the company, and what is best for our family's legacy." Minju's gaze flicked to her father, searching for some sign of weakness, some hint that he might be open to negotiation. But his face was set in a firm line, his eyes cold and unyielding. "I don't know him," Minju said, trying to reason with her parents. "I don't know Kim Chaewon. How can you expect me to marry someone I've never even met?" Her father's expression didn't change, but his voice took on a slightly sharper tone. "You'll get to know him soon enough. The arrangement has already been made, and the wedding will take place in six months' time." Minju felt a surge of panic rising up inside her. Six months? That was hardly any time at all. She thought about all the things she would have to do, all the preparations she would have to make, and the thought of it was overwhelming. "And what about my feelings?" Minju asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "Don't they matter?" Her mother's expression softened slightly, but only for a moment. "Your feelings are not relevant here, Minju. This is a business decision, and you will do what is best for the company." Minju felt a spark of anger ignite within her. How could her parents be so callous? Didn't they care about her happiness at all? "I won't do it," Minju said, her voice firm. "I won't marry some man I've never met just to secure the company's future." Her father's face darkened, his eyes flashing with anger. "You will do as you're told, Minju," he said, his voice low and menacing. "You will marry Kim Chaewon, and you will do it with a smile on your face. Or there will be consequences." Minju felt a shiver run down her spine as she met her father's gaze. She knew that he was not a man to be trifled with, and that she would have to tread carefully if she wanted to avoid his wrath. As she sat there, trying to process the enormity of what her parents had just told her, Minju's mind began to wander back to Yujin, her first love. She wondered what he was doing now, and whether he would ever find out about her parents' plans for her. The thought of Yujin brought a sense of longing to Minju's chest, and for a moment, she felt a pang of regret for letting him go. But that was a feeling she couldn't afford to indulge in right now. She had to focus on the task at hand: finding a way out of this arranged marriage, and forging her own path in life.