In the following weekend, Kai and Moonji ventured into the bustling streets of Gangnam, a district that exuded luxury and sophistication. The scent of freshly brewed coffee wafted through the air, intermingling with the sound of chatter from pedestrians and the distant hum of city life.

Moonji, despite her outward façade of confidence, struggled with deep-seated insecurities. Her self-esteem had taken a beating over the years, leaving her perpetually apprehensive about her physical appearance and her modest background. She often resorted to thick makeup and a facade of unwavering self-assuredness to mask her vulnerability.

"Kai, could we go visit my neighbour at the Gangnam Esthetic Beauty Clinic for a while? I want to meet her," Moonji's voice carried a touch of longing as she made her request. The neighbour was the one who took her and sheltered her. 

Kai's initial response was marked by reluctance, well aware of the need to maintain his impeccable reputation. Visiting a beauty clinic didn't align with his agenda, and he expressed his concerns with a hint of frustration. "Nope, if anybody sees me there, my reputation will definitely drop."

However, Moonji's persistence knew no bounds. She continued her plea with an endearing pout, her expressive eyes betraying the depths of her desire. "Okay, could we just go to the nearest coffee shop around that area? I will ask my neighbour to come and see us."

Kai, feeling worn down by Moonji's charm, eventually relented. His irritation subsided as they embarked on their journey, making their way to Gangnam in one of Kai's sleek and polished cars. The vehicle gleamed under the bright sunlight, a symbol of luxury and refinement.

Upon reaching a trendy coffee shop in Gangnam, Kai opted to sit at a separate table. He was wary of drawing attention in the upscale district, and the café's contemporary interior design mirrored the affluence of the area. Soft jazz music played in the background, adding to the ambience of sophistication.

The café buzzed with activity. Patrons engaged in conversations, and the clinking of cups provided a harmonious backdrop. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee hung in the air, further enhancing the atmosphere of opulence.

Moonji's neighbour, a woman in her twenties, arrived with enthusiasm, embracing Moonji warmly. Moonji reciprocated the gesture with genuine affection, her playful side emerging as she greeted her neighbour with the excitement of a child.

"Unnie~!!!" Moonji's joy was palpable as she jumped with delight, momentarily casting aside the veneer of confidence that she usually wore. Her neighbour's transformation was evident, the clinic's treatments having imbued her with newfound confidence and beauty. Soft lighting within the café accentuated her radiant appearance.

"How was your surgery?" Moonji inquired with sincerity, her eyes reflecting empathy.

"It was long and scary!! I cried all the way before entering the operation room," her neighbour confessed, her voice trembling with memories of the daunting experience.

Moonji's empathy shone through as she attempted to console her neighbour. "Really? But isn't it worth it? You look very pretty now. Look at you!" The two women engaged in a heartfelt conversation, their voices harmonizing with the café's warm ambience.

As Moonji and her neighbour concluded their visit, Kai waited patiently by the car, choosing to observe their interaction from a distance. He remained reserved and detached, reluctant to immerse himself in the conversation.

Once Moonji had dropped her neighbour off at a nearby hospital, she returned to the car to find Kai awaiting her. "Thanks for waiting, Kim JongIn-shi!" Moonji expressed her gratitude, her voice carrying a hint of warmth and sincerity.

Kai's curiosity compelled him to ask the question that had been gnawing at him. "Why did she undergo plastic surgery?" He voiced his intrigue, his eyes focused on the road ahead.

"She wasn't really pretty before, and she really wanted a boyfriend," Moonji explained matter-of-factly, her voice reflective of the nonchalant way she viewed the world. The car cruised through the cityscape of Gangnam, with its towering skyscrapers and designer boutiques, as their conversation continued.

Kai nodded, processing the information in silence. "Well, I plan to do plastic surgery, but for now, let's delay it," Moonji casually stated. Kai's incredulous look didn't go unnoticed.

"Seriously, plastic surgery is the reason why you keep asking for one million from the people who confess to you?" Kai's voice began to rise, reflecting his disbelief.

Moonji, undeterred by his stern tone, continued to playfully banter. "Well, you could say that. But for now, I think I am pretty enough because there's a crowd of guys fighting over me. Don't you know that?" Her melodious voice painted a picture of self-assuredness despite her underlying insecurities. Kai, with a wry smile, joined in the banter. "They are blind for sure~!" His words carried a hint of playful teasing, and the vibrant sights of Gangnam passed by as they continued their journey.

As the car glided through the vibrant streets of Gangnam, Moonji's fascination with Kai's features became increasingly evident. Her gaze remained fixated on his face, her eyes b with unmistakable admiration. The way her eyes lingered on him conveyed a depth of admiration that words alone couldn't capture.

"Kai," she began, her voice carrying a rare sincerity, "I want you to know that you don't need to do plastic surgery." Her words were spoken from the heart, a stark departure from her usual playful banter. In an unguarded moment, she extended her hand, her fingers poised as if to caress his face.

Kai, however, responded swiftly, intercepting her hand before it made contact with his face. He maintained a clear boundary between them, his action a tacit reminder of the limits of their relationship. "Thanks for the compliment," he replied tersely, his voice betraying a hint of discomfort, "but I don't need any compliments from you." With that, he refocused on the road ahead, and the urban tapestry of Gangnam gradually faded into the background as they journeyed back home.

Their quietude was disrupted when Kai spoke again, his eyes never leaving the road. "You know, right? Why are you in this position right now?" His tone remained neutral, yet there was an underlying curiosity.

Moonji, known for her playful demeanour, decided to respond with a touch of humour, her voice taking on a characteristic whiny, small quality. "Because I am decent enough to be your girlfriend?" She allowed herself a chuckle, the sound lighthearted and tinged with amusement.

However, Kai's response took an unexpectedly harsh turn, his words delivered with a mean intonation that sliced through the air. "Nope, because an ugly woman like you is easy to bait with money." The words landed with a sharpness that cut deeper than intended. Unbeknownst to Kai, his biting remark struck a chord with Moonji, leaving her hurt and vulnerable.

In the aftermath of Kai's hurtful comment, a heavy silence descended upon the car. Moonji withdrew into herself, her inner insecurities resurfacing with renewed intensity. As the journey continued in silence, she retreated into a personal monologue, her pretence of sleep serving as a shield against the turmoil of her emotions. Her inner turmoil was palpable, and in the solitude of her thoughts, she reproached herself for ever expecting validation or comfort from Kai.

"What am I expecting from him?" Moonji questioned herself, her thoughts a private lament. "Some words to comfort me? Dream on, Moonji. Stop expecting anything from him," she chastised herself, her self-doubt a heavy burden she carried in silence. 

Kai, sensing Moonji's inner turmoil, couldn't resist a teasing comment. "Hey, are you sleeping? The ugly duck suits you well." His laughter echoed through the car, the playful tone juxtaposed against Moonji's internal struggle.

Upon arriving home, Kai and Moonji found themselves in the penthouse's elegant dining area. Kai occupied his usual seat at the dining table, the room exuding an air of sophistication. The soft glow of chandeliers and the gleam of polished silverware accentuated the refined atmosphere.

"Hey, did you cry?" Kai asked abruptly as he noticed Moonji entering the kitchen. The room was bathed in a warm, inviting light, and the fragrance of their dinner filled the air.

"No, I didn't," Moonji replied, her guarded expression giving little away. She sat across from Kai, and their unspoken tension hung in the air, palpable in the elegant dining room's refined ambience.

Kai, however, couldn't let go of his earlier observation. "Well, I'm sure that I heard somebody crying just now," he persisted, his unwavering gaze locked on Moonji. The truth is, he knew that Moonji cried as soon as she got into her room. Did she cry because of his words? Kai's mind drifted to their last conversation in the car that day. 

"That was my neighbour that we visited just now. She called me and cried. That's her voice," Moonji explained, her tone blending truth and evasion. As they dined in silence, their penthouse was steeped in an air of sophistication, with soft lighting and the aroma of their dinner creating a poignant backdrop to their unspoken emotions.