ARE YOU READY TO FUCKING DIE, MIKE? IT’S REVENGE TIME BABY! HAHAHAHA I’VE BEEN WAITIN' FOR THIS ONE TURN IT UP!
Popular, Boy
☆11: The first truth.
Pairing: Nerd!Hongjoong x Popular!Reader
Genre: +18, smut, slow burn, angst, drama, love triangle.
wc: 7,5k
Summary: Apologies are given, but not in the way they should be. Old wounds linger, new alliances form, and the first steps towards something bigger are set in motion.
But as the tension rise, one thing becomes clear... this game is only just beginning.
Warnings: Cursing, power dynamics, manipulation, slight physical violence.
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☆10 ☆12: The first warning. Coming soon.
The staff stands in a rigid line in the grand hall of the Clarke mansion, their hands clasped in front of them, their gazes lowered but attentive.
The tension in the air is palpable, thick and unspoken. The echoes of last night’s violence still linger in the minds of every person standing there.
Dann’s mother shifts uncomfortably beside her daughter, her fingers tightening around the hem of her apron.
Dann, for once, isn’t fidgeting, isn’t sneaking glances at her phone or zoning out. She’s watching, truly watching, in a way she never has before.
Mike stands before them, dressed sharply as ever, exuding the effortless charm and authority that has always made people trust him despite the cruelty that lurks beneath.
His parents flank him—his father’s expression serious, his mother’s carefully curated into something that resembles concern.
“First of all,” Mike begins, his voice smooth, practiced, “I want to personally apologize for what you all witnessed days ago.” He pauses, his eyes scanning the crowd as if searching for sincerity within himself.
“My behavior was… unacceptable. I let my emotions get the best of me, and I regret that it happened in front of all of you.”
His mother nods approvingly beside him. His father remains impassive.
“It was a private family matter,” He continues, “And I assure you, YN and I have already spoken. She has forgiven me, and we are moving forward as a family.”
Dann’s stomach twists.
Liar. He hasn’t spoken to you. No one has.
“She understands, as I hope you all do, that moments of anger don’t define us,” Mike adds, his lips pressing into something that resembles a remorseful smile. “I’m not proud of how I acted, but I promise it will never happen again.”
There’s silence. Heavy. Expectant.
The staff doesn’t react, but they don’t need to—this isn’t about them believing Mike. This is about them accepting what they are being told to believe.
His father steps forward now, clearing his throat “We deeply appreciate all the work you do for this household. Your loyalty does not go unnoticed, and we want to express our gratitude for your discretion regarding the incident.”
A butler steps in, carrying a sleek tray, and within seconds, small black boxes are placed into the hands of each staff member.
Dann stares at the one in her mother’s hands.
It’s sickening. The Clarke family’s cycle of silence and bribery in its purest form.
Her mother hesitates, looking around nervously before murmuring, “Sir, this isn’t necessary…”
Your mother offers a practiced smile “Of course it is. You all work so hard, and we insist.”
Dann’s mother swallows, clutching the box tightly. Around them, the other staff members murmur quiet thanks, some with forced smiles, others merely nodding, understanding there is no choice in this.
Dann glances up at Mike, who catches her staring. He smirks just slightly, eyes gleaming with something dangerous, something knowing.
And for the first time, the weight of what she’s been a part of settles like a stone in her stomach. She lowers her gaze before anyone sees the regret forming there.
Because it’s too late for regrets now.
✮ ⋆
You’re quieter than usual, but it isn’t something peaceful. It’s the kind of silence that lingers after something terrible has happened, the kind that no one dares to break.
You sit on your soft bed, your body aching, the faint pressure of Mike’s hands still lingering on your throat. The dim lighting casts long shadows, and the scent of expensive perfume does little to soothe the heaviness in the air.
Your parents stand before you, poised as ever, their expressions carefully composed—concern etched into their faces just enough to seem believable, but not enough to be real.
Your father speaks first, his voice low and measured “Darling, what happened… was unfortunate.”
Unfortunate.
That’s the word they use when something inconvenient happens. When an investment fails, when a business deal doesn’t go through, when their son nearly strangles their daughter in front of an entire household.
Your mother sighs, sitting beside you, reaching out to grab your hand “You know how Mike gets. He has always struggled with controlling his emotions.”
Your lips curl bitterly “So that makes it okay?”
Your father narrows his eyes slightly, but his tone remains calm “No one is saying that. But you must understand, people like us don’t air our dirty laundry for the world to see. This is a family matter, and it must remain that way.”
You scoff, shifting in your bed despite the pain that flares up in your ribs “So you want me to pretend it didn’t happen? To protect him?”
“We are protecting you, sweetie.”
You let out a short, humorless laugh “Right. Because you care so much.”
Your mother sighs again, as if you are the one being difficult “Sweetheart, the world is cruel. You know that. Do you really want people gossiping about this? Do you want to ruin Mike’s future over a misunderstanding?”
Your fingers tighten around the fabric of the blankets “Misunderstanding?” Your voice is sharp, disbelief laced in every syllable. “He punched me. He choked me. In front of everyone. What exactly was misunderstood?”
Your father’s expression darkens, the mask of concern slipping just a fraction.
“Lower your voice.”
You bite your tongue, swallowing down the fury bubbling inside you. Your mother smooths your hair back, her tone soothing yet distant.
“Sweetie, we know you’re upset. But we also know that you’re strong. This family needs you to be composed, to move forward. And Mike… he regrets his actions.”
Your body goes rigid at the blatant lie. Mike never regrets anything.
Your father clears his throat, as if the conversation is now settled “We thought you might like this.”
A sleek black box is placed in your lap, the brand embossed in gold. Expensive. Extravagant.
Meaningless.
You don't even need to open it to know what it is.
Another gift.
Another bandage for wounds they refuse to acknowledge. you lift your gaze, meeting their expectant eyes. They wait for gratitude, for acceptance.
So you do. You smile, it’s slow, and void of warmth.
“Thank you,” You say, voice as smooth as silk, fingers brushing over the box as if you actually care.
They relax, satisfied. And in that moment, you make a silent vow.
You won’t forget. You won’t forgive.
And you sure as hell won’t let this go.
✮ ⋆ ˚。𖦹 ⋆。°✩
During the week, Wooyoung hadn’t a real plan when he walked into the café, just the vague idea of seeing if the girl from the picture was really there.
The bell jingles softly as he steps inside, and he takes a casual glance around, pretending to look at the menu.
And then he sees them.
Little Hongjoong and that girl.
Hongjoong is sitting at one of the corner tables, wearing a simple work apron, speaking to the girl from the photo. She laughs at something he says before walking away to take another order.
Wooyoung narrows his eyes and strides over to Hongjoong’s table, plopping into the chair across from him.
“The fuck are you doing here?” Woo asks bluntly.
Hongjoong startled, then sighs when he realizes who it is “Woo? What are you—”
“No, no, don’t ‘Woo’ me,” He cuts him off, crossing his arms “Why are you here? And why the fuck is there a picture of you hugging that girl going around?”
Hongjoong rubs the back of his neck, looking exhausted “I work here, and what do you mean a picture of me is going around?”
Wooyoung blinks “...Excuse me?”
“I work here,” He repeats, voice quieter “I didn’t want anyone to know.”
Woo stares at him, then lets out a short, disbelieving laugh “Are you kidding me? You’ve been acting weird as hell, blowing YN off, and it turns out you’ve just been—what? Making lattes?”
Hongjoong exhales “My dad lost his job. I needed to help out. I didn’t tell YN because… I didn’t want her to think less of me.”
Wooyoung runs a hand down his face “Little Hongjoong…. Seriously?”
He avoids his gaze.
Shaking his head, Wooyoung pulls out his phone “Yeah, well, I’m telling her.”
Hongjoong’s eyes widens “Wooyoung, don’t—”
“Too late.” Wooyoung hits send a quick message to you, then smirks “She deserves to know the truth. And you need to stop being a dumbass.”
He groans, slumping in his seat “I hate you.”
Wooyoung just grins “You will love me after this, Joong.”
✮ ⋆
The soft glow of the screen illuminates your face as you lay in bed, your thumb hovering over the keyboard.
It has been a long, exhausting week—one filled with endless frustration, whispered conspiracies between Mindy and Wooyoung, and the dull ache of bruises that still hadn’t fully faded.
And then there, there is the message you were waiting for.
Brat Woo: Babydoll.
Brat Woo: False alarm, little Hongjoong is clean, and that slut works in that cafe, Hongjoong does too.
Bratty Woo: You should talk to him.
You have been fuming, pacing, and second-guessing yourself over and over.
But now, with Woo’s confirmation that the girl in the picture is nothing more than a coworker and that Hongjoong has been working in secret, your anger has simmered down to something else—something more dangerous.
Doubt.
Had you misjudged him? Had you let your paranoia and pain push you into believing the worst?
But then again, why had he kept all of this from you? Why hadn’t he shown up to your date? Why was he so distant after everything you had been through?
Taking a deep breath, you type Hongjoong a quick message.
YN♡: We need to talk.
The message is sent instantly, and you don't have to wait long for Hongjoong to arrive at your home.
✮ ⋆
Hongjoong stands at the front gates of your house, his heart hammering in his chest. The towering mansion, which once felt like an unattainable dream, now looms over him with an unfamiliar, suffocating presence.
The moment the gates open, he strides inside, his breath heavy with anticipation.
A maid opens the door, offering him a polite smile "Welcome, Miss YN is waiting for you in her room."
He barely nods before hurrying past her, his pulse quickening with every step. It’s been a week—a week without seeing you, without hearing your voice.
A week of torment, uncertainty, and the gnawing ache of missing you.
When he reaches your door, he hesitates for just a second before knocking "YN… it’s me, Hongjoong."
A beat of silence. Then, a quiet but firm, “Come in.”
He pushes the door open, and there you are.
Sitting at the edge of the bed, arms crossed, your gaze unreadable. But his eyes immediately drop to the bruises—faint marks on your throat, a cut on your lower lip, a fading bruise on your cheek.
His stomach twists.
"What happened to you, pretty?"
His voice is sharp with concern as he steps forward, instinctively reaching for you, but you tilt your chin up defiantly, stopping him in his tracks.
"Explain yourself first," You say coolly, eyes locking onto his "Depending on your answers, I’ll decide if I even want to keep listening to you."
He clenches his jaw, hands curling into fists at his sides "YN—"
"No," You cut him off "You ignored me for weeks. You left me sitting alone at that restaurant like a fool. You ghosted me after we fucked. And then…" You pull out your phone, swipe through it, and hold up the screen in his face "Seonghwa sent me this."
Hongjoong frowns at the image—a picture of him and Jina at the café, her arms wrapped around him in what looks like an intimate moment. His brows furrow.
The fuck? Is this the picture Wooyoung mentioned?
"Wait—what? When was this taken?"
You scoff, lowering your phone "So you don’t even know."
"No, I don’t—”
“Seonghwa sent it to me the same day as our date. Funny, huh?” Your bitter laugh stings more than a slap "You ditched me for this slut? Really, Kim?"
Hongjoong exhales slowly, his mind racing to piece things together. And then it clicks.
That night. The last-minute call. The way time slipped through his fingers.
“Pretty, it’s not what you think.”
You arch a brow in mock amusement “No?”
“No,” He says firmly, stepping closer, his voice steady despite the storm inside him “Let me explain from the beginning.”
He sits beside you, carefully, as if afraid you’ll push him away.
“That night, when we… When we slept together, I went home and found out my dad lost his job. Without his income, my family will struggle. So I did what I had to do—I found a part-time job at a café. That’s why I kept telling you I was busy after school.”
You stare at him, your expression unreadable. Then, you scoff, shaking your head.
“What a fucking joke.” His stomach sinks “So, you’re telling me that stupid rumor was false?”
“Completely.”
"And why didn't you tell me?" You snap, hitting his arm "I could have helped, and tell my parents to give your father a job or something! None of this drama would have happened!"
Hongjoong lets you hit him, knowing he deserves it "I know, but I didn’t want to burden you. You already had enough going on with Mike."
“You’re an idiot, Hongjoong! I thought the worst!” Another smack lands on his arm, and he barely flinches.
"I didn’t show up to our date because Jina called me at the last minute. She said it was something urgent, and it wouldn’t take long. But when I finally checked the time, I realized you were already gone.” He swallows hard “I meant to explain. But I was a coward—I didn’t know how.”
You study him, your gaze softening just a fraction “And the picture?”
He exhales sharply, running a hand through his hair “I don’t know. But I swear, there’s nothing between me and Jina. She’s just my coworker.”
Silence stretches between you, thick and suffocating. Then, Hongjoong reaches for your hand hesitantly, voice softening.
"Pretty, please believe me. I never wanted this to happen."
You let out a slow exhale, your shoulders slumping "Fine. But I still have a lot of questions."
Hongjoong nods, relief washing over him. Then, his gaze darkens as he looks at your bruises again. He gently cups your cheek, his thumb ghosting over the cut on your lip.
"Now… tell me what happened to you."
You hesitate. Then, in a quiet voice, you tell him.
“Mike.”
He stiffens, his grip tightening ever so slightly “Mike? Why?”
You swallow, looking away "It’s not the first time. He’s always had a problem controlling his anger. Whenever we argued, or I did something he didn’t like, he used to slap me. But this time… it was different. Since he came back, he’s been making my life hell, and I don’t know why."
Hongjoong inhales sharply, his hands clenching into fists "Why didn’t you tell me?" His voice is tight, laced with something dark—rage, guilt, protectiveness.
"Because he scares me," You whisper. This is the first time you admit being scared of Mike.
You look… small, fragile.
Broken.
Hongjoong doesn’t think. He just moves. He pulls you into his arms, holding you close, pressing his chin to the top of your head.
“I’m so sorry, pretty,” He murmurs, his heart aching at the quiet, shuddering breaths against his chest.
You stay like that for a long moment, wrapped in silence, until you speak again.
"He’s been acting weird. Like, he knows things that are private among my friends.”
“What do you mean?”
You pull back slightly “I don't know why, but he suddenly knew about you and our relationship, also the night I went to the club, someone sent Mike a video of me smoking.”
Hongjoong frowns “Someone recorded you?”
You nod “But only my close friends were there. Wooyoung and Mindy would never do something like that. That leaves Seonghwa, San, Mingi, and Samantha.”
He exhales sharply “Seonghwa. It has to be him.”
“But we made a truce. We’ve been friends since we were kids.”
Hongjoong shakes his head “I don’t trust him, pretty.”
You hesitate, thinking “But even if he recorded it… how did Mike get it? They know each other because of our families, but they’re not close.”
Silence. Until one name suddenly clicks into place.
“…Dann.”
Hongjoong frowns “Why her?”
You straighten, your mind racing “Mindy told me that Seonghwa talked with her at the party, something that is really rare. Also Dann gave you the wrong address, and maybe—maybe she even started the rumor about us at school.”
The realization settles between you like a ticking bomb.
“We need to find out the truth.”
You nod, determination hardening your features “We do. Also, I can ask my dad If he has a job for your dad, I don't want you to work in that cafeteria with that bitch.”
Hongjoong chuckles “Fine, thank you, pretty.”
And with that, your heart feels more at ease knowing the truth, knowing that he is with you.
✮ ⋆ ˚。𖦹 ⋆。°✩
It had been two weeks since the day Mike had left bruises on your skin, and the sick feeling of helplessness in your gut.
It’s been two weeks since you went to school, refusing to let everyone see you in that state.
As always, your parents refused to acknowledge the real issue.
You sit in your room, staring at the velvet box fanned out on your desk. It’s always the same cycle.
You would get hurt, and your parents would throw money at the problem, expecting you to accept it with gratitude.
Maybe you would have, once upon a time. But not anymore. Not after everything.
You aren’t going to let them buy your silence this time. If they think a luxurious car would make you forget that their golden son had left marks on your skin, they are dead wrong.
If anything, this is the perfect opportunity.
You’re going to take their gift, but instead of numbing yourself in paradise, you would use it to take the first step in exposing Mike for what he really is.
Bringing him down from his pedestal is’t going to be easy. Your parents are blind to his flaws, and the rest of the world worships him. But you have something they don’t.
You have the truth, and you have Hanhah.
Your fingers brush against your phone as you pull up a text conversation. It 's one of many. Over these four years, you had kept in touch with Hannah, sending her money every month to help with the baby.
A baby that Mike had abandoned, a baby who would be turning four soon.
You scroll through the latest messages, lingering on a photo Hannah had sent a few days ago. A little girl with big, round eyes and wisps of dark hair smiled up at the camera, completely oblivious to the world she had been born into.
The sight of her made your chest tighten.
You can feel it in your bones—this is the way to finally shatter Mike’s perfect image. Your parents can’t ignore this. They wouldn’t be able to excuse him once they knew the truth.
But you need to be smart. If you are going to do this, you can’t do it alone.
That’s where Hongjoong, Mindy, and Wooyoung came in.
You grab your phone and fire off a quick message to the group chat you have with them.
YN♡: Meet me at the cafe tonight. No excuses.
You know they would come. They always do. And once they are here, you would tell them everything.
And about Seonghwa and Dann—because you have a feeling that whatever is going on with Mike, those two aren’t far behind.
By the time it is over, you would make sure Mike’s untouchable image is nothing but dust.
✮ ⋆
“You want to tell your parents about Hannah?” Mindy finally says, her brows furrowed “Are you sure about this, babe?”
“I have to,” You respond, voice steady “I can’t let him keep getting away with everything.”
Wooyoung lets out a low whistle “And how exactly are you planning to do that? I mean, your parents are obsessed with Mike. Even if you show them proof, they might cover it up.”
You exhale sharply, already expecting this “That’s why I need more than just the truth—I need to make it so public they can’t ignore it.”
Mindy tilts her head “When are you planning to tell them?”
“If Seonghwa and Dann are involved in this, I need to deal with them first… Then with Mike.”
“You really think they’re working with Mike?” Wooyoung asks.
“It makes too much sense. Mike knew things he had no way of knowing. The video of me smoking, the rumors about Joong, the fake address Dann gave him… someone was feeding him information.”
Mindy taps a manicured finger against her knee “So what’s the plan?”
You lean forward “First, I’ll talk to Hannah. Maybe ask her for a DNA test or something that will make my parents believe me.” You meet Hongjoong’s gaze “You will come with me.”
“Me? I don't even know who she is.”
“You don't need to know her, I just need some support.”
He hesitates for a moment before nodding “Okay.”
You then turn to Wooyoung and Mindy “As for you two… I need you to say something false about me and Joong, make sure Seonghwa listens. Only like that can we know if Hwa and Dann are working with Mike.”
Woo grins, cracking his knuckles “You want dirt? I’ll get you dirt, babydoll.”
Mindy smirks “Oh, this is going to be fun.”
You lean back, exhaling. The plan is in motion. Now, all they have to do is execute it perfectly.
The night air is crisp as you step out of the café, your mind already racing with what needs to be done next. The plan is fragile—it has to be executed perfectly, or everything could backfire.
Hongjoong walks beside you, hands shoved into his jacket pockets, his gaze flickering toward you every few seconds.
“Are you sure you want me there?” He asks. “I mean… Hannah might not even want to see me.”
You inhale deeply, steadying yourself “She won’t care about you, Joong. She’ll care about what I have to say.”
He doesn’t argue, but you can tell he’s uneasy. Maybe it’s because he still doesn’t know everything.
“We’re meeting her tomorrow,” You continue. “She doesn’t know why yet, but she agreed.”
He nods, but you can feel the tension radiating off of him. He wants to ask more. Maybe about this woman, maybe about what you have in mind.
But you don’t give him the chance. Because right now, there’s something more pressing.
Wooyoung and Mindy walk a few steps ahead, already whispering between themselves, likely crafting the perfect lie to spread.
They need to bait Seonghwa. It has to be something good—something that hurts.
“So what should we say?” Mindy asks, glancing back at you. “Something mild or something explosive?”
“Explosive,” You say without hesitation. “Something that makes me look weak. Hwa will eat it up.”
Wooyoung grins “How about we say that you and little Hongjoong broke up?”
Hongjoong tenses beside you. You glance at him but don’t react “Not enough… We need something that will make Hwa really want Mike to know.”
Mindy taps her chin, pretending to think. “How about this—Hongjoong is using you to get popularity and status, you know about it but you’re still with him, done.”
Hongjoong exhales sharply through his nose “That’s messed up.”
“That’s perfect,” You correct.
Mindy shrugs “If we’re going to do this, we might as well make it believable.”
“Just make sure Seonghwa hears it, and if you can, make sure to see if he interacts with Dann.” You remind them. “If it gets back to Mike too quickly, he and Dann will be suspicious.”
Wooyoung throws an arm around Mindy’s shoulders “Oh, don’t worry, babydoll. By the time we’re done, Seonghwa will be begging Dann to tell Mike.”
The four of you reach the parking lot, where your cars are waiting. For a moment, you let the night sink in, let the weight of what you’re about to do settle on your shoulders.
This is it.
The first move.
Tomorrow, you will see Hannah.
Tomorrow, everything will change.
✮ ⋆ ˚。𖦹 ⋆。°✩
The drive to Hannah’s apartment is quiet.
Hongjoong grips the steering wheel, eyes flickering toward you every so often, but he doesn’t speak.
You know he has questions—a lot of them—but you aren’t ready to answer.
Not yet.
The known streets fade the further you go, the streets narrowing, the polished luxury of your world giving way to something simpler, something real.
The buildings are smaller, older, stacked closely together. There’s no security at the entrance, no valet, no extravagance. Just a plain apartment complex with rusted railings and dimly lit hallways.
Hongjoong pulls into a spot and cuts the engine. He exhales, rubbing a hand over your thigh.
“Are you sure about this?”
You don’t hesitate “Yes.”
He studies you for a moment, like he’s trying to see past the walls you’ve built. Then, with a slow nod, he pushes open his door.
Holding hands, you two walk towards the little building. The stairs creak beneath your heels as you ascend to the third floor. Apartment 3B.
You don’t knock right away. Your fingers hover over the door for a second too long.
He notices “Pretty?”
Before you can second-guess yourself, you knock. A few moments later, the door swings open.
Hannah stands there, barefoot, dressed in simple lounge clothes. No makeup, no carefully styled hair, just Hana.
She blinks in surprise when she sees Hongjoong beside you, but her expression quickly hardens.
“You brought company,” She says flatly.
You exhale “Can we come in?”
Hannah hesitates. Then, without a word, she steps aside.
The apartment is small but warm. Lived in. A couch with a few toys scattered around, a tiny dining table with an open laptop, the faint scent of baby powder and vanilla lingering in the air.
And then—
“Auntie!”
A small blur of motion comes rushing toward you. Tiny arms wrap around your legs, a little giggle filling the space.
Hongjoong freezes beside you.
You crouch down, smoothing a hand over the little girl’s soft, dark curls “Hi, baby.”
She beams at you, big round eyes shining with pure joy “Did you bring me a present?”
Your chest tightens “I’ll bring one next time, I promise.”
She giggles again, then turns her attention to Hongjoong, tilting her head curiously.
“Who’s that?”
Joong is pale, not believing what he is seeing.
You stand, brushing imaginary dust from your clothes “This is my friend, Hongjoong.”
The little girl stares at him for a moment, “Do you like cookies?”
He blinks “Uh… yeah?”
The little girl grins “Then you can stay.”
And with that, she toddles off toward the couch, already forgetting about him.
Hanhah watches the whole exchange with guarded eyes “You didn’t tell him, did you?” She finally says.
Hongjoong shifts beside you, eyes darting between the two of you “Tell me what?”
You inhale sharply, turning to face him fully. “Joong… this is Hanhah’s daughter.”
His brows furrow “Okay…?”
You swallow, your voice steady but heavy “She’s Mike’s daughter.”
The words drop like a bomb in the small apartment.
Hongjoong’s entire body goes stiff. His eyes widen, darting back to the little girl, who is now occupied with a stuffed bear on the couch. Slowly, like he’s trying to piece together a puzzle that shouldn’t exist, he turns back to you.
“YN,” He says carefully, voice lower now, “What the hell are you talking about?”
You clench your jaw “Exactly what I said.”
Hannah crosses her arms, looking at him like she’s daring him to say something stupid.
“You didn’t think Mike was actually perfect, did you?”
Hongjoong swallows hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing “He—he has a kid?”
“With me,” Hanhah confirms. “And he threatened to ruin my life if I ever told anyone.”
He shakes his head, running a hand through his hair “Jesus Christ, pretty.”
You shift closer to him, lowering your voice “Now do you see why I need to do this?”
Joong exhales sharply, glancing at the little girl again. His expression shifts, something unreadable flickering across his face. And then, he nods.
“I’m in,” He says. “Whatever you need, I’m in.”
For the first time that night, you breathe a little easier.
Because this is just the beginning.
✮ ⋆
The air feels heavy with unspoken words as you and Hongjoong sit at the small, worn-out table across from Hannah.
The little girl, still distracted by her stuffed bear, giggles every now and then, blissfully unaware of the storm brewing in the room.
Hongjoong, still processing, doesn’t look at you, but he holds your hand in his. His eyes are fixed on the little girl, his mind likely racing with questions.
"You’re telling me Mike doesn’t know she’s alive?" He asks, his voice barely above a whisper, the disbelief in it palpable.
Hannah’s gaze darkens "No. He thinks I had an abortion. That’s what he told me to do. He threatened me, said if I didn’t… he’d ruin my life. He was so sure of it. He made me believe it was the only option." Her voice cracks slightly, but she steadies herself.
“But I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t end her life just because Mike didn’t want the world to know about her."
The words land like a punch, and Hongjoong recoils slightly, the reality of the situation sinking in.
"That’s why you’ve been—" He gestures vaguely toward her daughter, still oblivious to the weight of their conversation. "You’ve been keeping her a secret all these years?"
She nods, her face hardening as she looks down at her daughter "I’ve had to. For her safety. For my sanity. I couldn't risk Mike finding out she was alive. Not after everything he said." She pauses, her fingers brushing over the baby’s small hand. “I’ve kept in contact with YN, because… because someone had to know the truth.”
You feel a pang of guilt in your chest, the weight of what you’ve been hiding from everyone—the truth that no one, especially Mike, could ever learn.
You’ve helped her for years, sending money for the baby, but the lies have built walls between you and your family.
It was always supposed to stay secret. But now, you need to bring it all into the light. And you need to do it carefully.
You turn to Hongjoong, your voice low “Mike doesn’t know she’s alive. And he can’t. He will never find out, not from me. And I’ve never let anyone get close to her… until now.”
His eyes flicker with understanding, the pieces finally coming together "So... we’re not just exposing Mike’s secrets, we’re exposing his lies too."
You nod, the weight of the plan growing heavier “Exactly.”
Hannah sits in silence for a moment, as if weighing something in her mind.
“I know this is going to be dangerous for all of us. I’ve lived in fear of Mike finding out. But I can’t hide anymore. This girl deserves to know the truth.”
You exhale, your heart racing “I won’t let him keep his image. Not anymore.”
“Okay,” Hongjoong says finally, his voice steady. “But you know this is going to take more than just telling your parents, right? We need evidence. Something undeniable.”
You nod again “That’s why we need a DNA test. Hannah, you’re going to have to agree to it. It’s the only way we can prove it. If we can show them she is his, there’s no way they’ll be able to cover it up.”
She hesitates, you see the fear flash across her face “If I do this... will it be enough? Will your parents believe it?”
“I hope so,” You say firmly. “And once they know—once we have that proof—they’ll have no choice but to acknowledge him for who he really is. No more pretending.”
Hongjoong watches you for a beat, his eyes softening just slightly “We’ll do this together. But we have to be careful. One wrong move and it’s over.”
Hannah stands up, wiping her palms on her pants, clearly anxious but resolved.
“Okay. I’ll do it. For her. For her future.”
The little girl looks up at the three of you, her big, innocent eyes wide.
“Are we gonna tell Daddy soon?”
Your breath catches in your throat. The innocence in her voice makes everything feel so much heavier.
“We’ll tell him when the time is right,” You say, forcing a smile. “When he’s ready to hear it.”
✮ ⋆ ˚。𖦹 ⋆。°✩
While you and Hongjoon talk with Hannah, Mindy and Wooyoung sit casually in the school cafeteria, their voices just loud enough to be overheard.
Woo, always the playful one, dramatically leans in closer to Mindy, whispering just loud enough for nearby ears to catch pieces of their conversation.
“You heard about Hongjoong, right?” Wooyoung says, shaking his head with exaggerated concern. “Babydoll’s been buying him stuff. Like, a lot of stuff.”
Mindy gasps, playing along “No way. So the rumors are true? He’s just using her?”
Woo sighs, rubbing his temples “I don’t want to believe it, but even YN’s starting to realize it. She told me she’s thinking about ending things. She’s just waiting for the right moment.”
Seonghwa, sitting at a nearby table with other students, doesn’t react outwardly, but Mindy catches the way his fingers still over his phone.
She knows he’s listening. Mindy lowers her voice just a bit, making it seem like she doesn’t want to be overheard.
“That’s not all. Hongjoong’s been acting super secretive. I heard he’s meeting up with someone outside of school. A girl.”
Wooyoung raises an eyebrow “A girl? Who?”
Mindy shrugs, keeping it vague “I don’t know yet, but I’m sure it’s not YN.”
A beat of silence. Then Seonghwa stands, casually stretching before walking off—phone in hand.
Mindy and Wooyoung exchange a look. Hook, line, and sinker.
If Seonghwa really is working with Dann, it won’t be long before this ‘information’ reaches Mike.
✮ ⋆
Dann moves through the crowded hallway, her arms wrapped tightly around her books as she heads toward the library.
She’s been keeping her head down lately, avoiding unnecessary conversations—especially with Mike and Seonghwa.
After what happened to you, after seeing Mike’s violence firsthand, something in her feels wrong.
Maybe this has gone too far.
But Seonghwa doesn’t give her a choice.
“Dann.”
His voice cuts through the noise, smooth and controlled, but she knows him well enough to hear the edge beneath it. She stops mid-step, squeezing her eyes shut for a brief second before turning around.
Seonghwa leans casually against the lockers, arms crossed, looking her up and down with that usual amused smirk. But there’s something else in his expression—something sharp.
“We need to talk.”
Dann swallows “I have class.”
“It can wait.” He pushes off the lockers and steps closer, lowering his voice. “I heard something you’re gonna love.”
She forces herself to look bored “I doubt that.”
Hwa chuckles, shaking his head “You really should be more curious, Dann. You and I both know Mike would want to hear this.”
Her stomach twists “I don’t—”
“The nerd is using YN.”
Dann freezes. Seonghwa watches her carefully, letting the words settle in before continuing.
“Wooyoung and Mindy said it. Apparently, Hongjoong’s only with her for popularity. And get this—she knows it. She’s staying with him anyway.”
Dann shifts uncomfortably, gripping her books tighter “So what? That’s their problem, not ours.”
Hwa’s smirk fades slightly “Are you forgetting who you’re working with? Mike needs to know this.”
Dann glances around, her pulse quickening “Maybe… maybe we shouldn’t get involved in this one.”
His eyes narrow, and just like that, his amusement vanishes. He steps closer, his voice dropping to a whisper.
“What’s wrong with you lately?”
“Nothing,” She lies, shifting her weight.
“You’re acting differently.”
“I just think—” She hesitates, wetting her lips. “I think Mike has enough reasons to hate her already. He doesn’t need this one either.”
Seonghwa scoffs, shaking his head “Of course he does. What’s better than proving she’s pathetic? That she’s weak?” He tilts his head, watching her carefully. “Unless you don’t want to be useful to him anymore?”
Dann clenches her jaw. She feels cornered, the guilt pressing down on her chest.
YN doesn’t deserve this.
But Seonghwa is watching her like a predator, waiting for any sign of weakness. If she refuses, he’ll start asking questions—questions that might lead back to her hesitations, her guilt. If Mike finds out she’s doubting him…
She exhales shakily, looking down at her shoes “Fine,” she mutters. “I’ll tell him.”
His smirk returns instantly “Good girl.”
She doesn’t move right away. Every fiber of her being screams at her to walk away, to stop this before it goes any further.
But she doesn’t.
Instead, she pulls out her phone, her fingers trembling as she types a message to him.
Dann: We need to talk. It’s about YN and Hongjoong.
As she presses send, she feels sick.
She doesn’t notice the two figures watching from down the hall.
Wooyoung leans lazily against the lockers, arms crossed, his grin widening. “Babydoll was right.”
Mindy hums, inspecting her nails. “Honestly, I knew it since the day I saw her talking with Hwa at the party.”
Woo chuckles. “Well, he did what we needed him to do.”
Mindy smirks, flicking her gaze toward Dann “Now lets see if Dann tells Mike.”
Because once Mike hears this, things will really start falling apart.
✮ ⋆ ˚。𖦹 ⋆。°✩
The evening air is cool against your skin as you push open the balcony doors of your bedroom, stepping outside with a quiet sigh.
The city lights stretch far into the distance, twinkling against the dark sky.
Everything feels too much—Hannah, the baby, the truth you’re about to reveal. It’s all starting to feel real.
But then, there’s him.
Hongjoong stands a few feet away, leaning against the railing, his gaze distant. He’s been quiet since you got home, like he’s still trying to piece everything together.
You step beside him, resting your arms on the railing "You’re thinking too much," You murmur.
He huffs out a small laugh, shaking his head "Can you blame me?"
You tilt your head, watching him "What’s on your mind?"
He exhales, running a hand through his hair. "Hannah, the baby, Mike. You." He glances at you then, something unreadable in his expression. "This is a lot, pretty. I just… I don’t want you to go through this alone."
You blink at him, caught off guard.
He’s serious.
"You really mean that?" You ask softly.
Hongjoong turns fully toward you, his brows drawing together. "Of course I do. I—" He hesitates, like the words are caught in his throat. Then, with a deep breath, he presses on. "I care about you, YN. More than you think."
Your heart does something strange—tightens, twists, then swells. You don’t know what to say. No one has ever said that to you, not like this.
Not like they meant it.
So, instead of words, you step closer, your hands reaching out on instinct.
He doesn’t move as you slip your arms around his waist, pressing your forehead against his shoulder.
He’s warm, steady, safe.
For a second, he’s frozen. Then, slowly, his arms come around you too, holding you just as tightly.
"You don’t have to do anything for me," You whisper. "Just… stay with me."
Hongjoong rests his chin on top of your head, his voice quiet but firm.
"I’m not going anywhere."
And for the first time in a long time, you believe it.
✮ ⋆
Your room is dimly lit, the golden glow from your bedside lamp casting soft shadows on the walls.
The silence is peaceful, interrupted only by the faint sound of pages flipping as Hongjoong sits on your bed, pretending to read a book but really just stealing glances at you.
You’re laying next to him, your head resting in his lap while you scroll over your social media.
He is about to say something when a sharp knock.
No. Not a knock. A demand interrupts him.
You freeze, and Hongjoong’s muscles tense. Then the door swings open without waiting for permission.
Mike steps inside, composed as ever, but there’s something in his eyes—something sharp, something dangerous.
You meet his gaze, already standing from your comfortable position.
"What the hell are you—"
"You’re pathetic," He cuts you off smoothly "And predictable." His gaze flickers to Hongjoong, and he lets out a small, humorless chuckle "I should have known he’d be here."
"What do you want, Mike?"
"You really are desperate, aren’t you?" His voice is low, full of quiet venom "So desperate for someone to want you that you’re letting this nerd use you. And what’s worse?" He tilts his head, lips curving into something cruel "You fucking know it."
You smile when you hear that. It was them.
"And where did you get that brilliant theory? Park Seonghwa?" A pause "Or Dann?"
Something flickers in Mike’s eyes. Park Seonghwa? What does Seonghwa have to do with this?
You scoff "Of course. You must be proud—controlling people like puppets, just like you always do."
Mike steps closer "And you’re any different?" His voice lowers "You lie to yourself every day, pretending you’re not just as pathetic as the rest of them. But deep down, you know the truth."
"You want to talk about truth?" Your heart pounds as you take a step forward, voice daring, reckless "What about Hannah then?"
The moment the name Hannah leaves your lips, the air in the room shifts. Mike stiffens, his entire body going rigid. The usual arrogance in his expression wavers—just for a second, but it’s there.
A crack. A weakness.
You see it, Hongjoong sees it.
And then, Mike moves.
The slap comes fast, too fast.
The sound of it rings through the room, a sickening crack as his palm connects with your cheek, whipping your head to the side.
The sting is instant, burning hot, your skin already throbbing. You gasp, stumbling back, your vision blurring for a split second.
But before you can process the pain—before you can even react—Hongjoong is already moving.
"What the fuck is wrong with you?!" The anger in his voice is like nothing you’ve ever heard before.
Hongjoong shoves Mike back, his entire body coiled with fury. The sharp contrast between his usual calm demeanor and the pure rage in his eyes is enough to make even Mike falter.
"You don’t get to do that," Hongjoong seethes, standing between you and your brother, fists clenched so tightly his knuckles are white. "Not to her. Not to anyone."
Mike’s lips curl, his composure snapping back into place, but there’s an unmistakable flicker of irritation—maybe even surprise—at Hongjoong’s audacity.
"And what exactly do you think you’re doing?" Mike taunts, brushing off the shove like it was nothing. "You think you can protect her?" He scoffs. "You think she needs you?"
Hongjoong doesn’t flinch "She doesn’t need me," He admits, voice steady. "But I’m still here. And I won’t fucking stand by while you hurt her."
There’s something raw, undeniable in his words. You blink, still dazed from the slap, your hand hovering near your stinging cheek. Hongjoong turns slightly, eyes softening when they land on you.
"Are you okay, pretty?" His voice is lower now, gentle.
Something inside you twists.
Mike clicks his tongue in disgust "Pathetic," He mutters.
Hongjoong’s jaw clenches "Get the fuck out."
For the first time, Mike hesitates.
Hongjoong’s not just some quiet, desperate nerd anymore. He’s furious. Unshakable. And for once, Mike doesn’t have complete control over the situation.
"You’re making a mistake, nerd." Mike finally says, his voice cold, but there’s something else there too—annoyance, maybe even unease.
"Get. Out," Hongjoong repeats, this time his voice lower, quieter—but somehow deadlier.
Mike holds his gaze for a long moment before scoffing and turning toward the door. But before he leaves, he glances at you one last time.
"You think you’re playing some clever game, but you have no idea what you’re doing," He murmurs. "You’ll regret this, YN."
With that, he walks out, slamming the door behind him. The room is suffocatingly silent in the aftermath.
Hongjoong exhales sharply, running a hand through his hair as he turns back to you. His fingers twitch, like he wants to reach for you but isn’t sure if he should.
"Pretty—"
"I’m fine," You cut him off, voice tight.
But you’re not fine.
You’re shaking. Your cheek burns. Your heart is racing. And then, without thinking, you step forward and wrap your arms around Hongjoong.
He melts immediately into the embrace, his arms coming around you protectively.
"I’ve got you," He murmurs into your hair. "I’m right here."
✮ ⋆ ˚。𖦹 ⋆。°✩
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☆○☆○☆○
All rights reserved ♡bunny-hwa. Do not copy or translate my work.
some of these deleted scenes were funny and creative
✗ blood in the clouds ✗ | DELETED SCENES | original fic
HOUR 5.5 OF 7 - YOUTUBE VLOGGING
your fingers crumpled the edges of the ‘script’ that hongjoong gave you, the gun ahead of you acting as an unwelcome reminder that you could die at any moment.
you squinted at the paper, your voice cracking slightly as you read aloud.
“‘dad, you are to provide the $150 million you owe to K.H.J., through your next meeting with mr kim. refusal means that your daughter will be cut up and scattered across the s-’”
your eyes widened. “are you serious?”
he lowered the camera he had been aiming at you. “..you want to find out, pretty?”
HOUR 15 OF 7 - DRESS TO IMPRESS
“are you always this picky?” wooyoung sneered as he leaned against the wall.
you glared at him. “yes.”
the room you were brought to was slightly cleaner and brighter than what you’ve seen so far. on the bed, there were dresses stacked on top of each other, some ridiculous and some stunning.
“why do you even have these dresses?” you asked as you held one up.
“we don’t,” wooyoung rolled his eyes. “boss made me steal them for you.”
you dropped the dress and shot him a look. “are you serious?”
“why would we have these lying around?” he scoffed.
you sighed, picking up a dress. something that was simple and elegant. “i’ll wear this one.”
when you realised that wooyoung ignored you, you spoke up again. “get out.”
he rolled his eyes and left the room with a dramatic huff. once he left, you put the dress on. it wasn’t the most flattering dress you’ve worn, but at least it wasn’t that horrid uniform you’ve been wearing.
when you were done, you opened the door to see wooyoung waiting - holding a bag of what looked like makeup supplies. you sat on the bed as he loomed through them, picking out something.
“what the hell is this?” he muttered as he held what looked like a pencil.
you blinked. “…it’s eyeliner.”
“shit,” he grumbled as his hand wobbled and drew a squiggly line across your cheek.
you flinched. “what the hell are you doing? i can do it myself-“
“-i’ve done this before!” wooyoung argued as he continued to draw crooked lines near your eyes.
“is she done yet?” a new voice cut in. you turned to see a man at the doorway. “why is she not ready?”
“seonghwa, take over,” wooyoung snapped as he shoved the pencil into seonghwa’s hands. “i’m getting pissed off.”
seonghwa sighed and stepped forward to where you were sitting. his movements were calm and precise as he wiped off the makeup and reapplied it.
once he was done, he stepped back with a nod. “you look good.”
you blinked, unsure of whether to thank him. “uh- do you guys have mirrors here?”
both men exchanged a glance before seonghwa shrugged. “no, but just take our word for it.”
before anyone else could say anything, the door swung open.
it was hongjoong.
his eyes swept over you slowly and his lips curled into a smirk that made your stomach twist. “let’s go pig hunting.”
HOUR 16 OF 7 - FAST AND FURIOUS
the car swerved violently, tires screeching as hongjoong gripped the steering wheel. the tunnel around you was noisy with gunshots and bullets bouncing off the walls.
you were in the passenger seat, wearing a black dress as you held the car door for dear life.
“i thought we were going to an event!” you yelled over the gunshots as the car jerked to the side.
“i thought so too,” hongjoong sighed as he tilted the rearview mirror.
before you could say anything, he reached into his blazer and pulled out a sleek black pistol.
“what are you doing?” your jaw dropped.
he rolled his eyes. “don’t act surprised.”
“what is wrong with you?!” you spat out, watching him check the bullets. “i’m not letting you kill anyone-“
“god- you’re such a brat,” he clicked his tongue, cocking the gun. “take the wheel.”
you’re eyes widened. “what?!”
“take. the. wheel,” he ordered, already unbuckling his seatbelt.
hongjoong rolled down the window, letting go of the steering wheel entirely and ramming the gas pedal as he stood up. panicked, you lunged for the wheel, struggling to grip it as the car swerved dangerously to the side. “are you crazy?!”
“drive!” he yelled, raising the gun and firing several shots at the black SUV trailing close behind.
“shit,” he muttered, ducking back inside to reload his gun. he leaned back out again. “turn right-”
you quickly listened to him as he aimed carefully, firing several more rounds. a loud bang echoed as the SUV’s tires blew out, the vehicle swerving violently before crashing into the tunnel’s wall.
hongjoong slid back into the seat, taking the steering wheel from you as he rolled up the window. “you’re welcome.”
MONTH 3 - LET’S GO GAMBLING! (initial draft)
“get ready!” san yelled, his voice cutting through the noise.
weapons were drawn and the room erupted into chaos.
you rushed forward, gripping the knife wooyoung lent you earlier. your pulse pounded in your ears as you scanned the room, overwhelmed.
“stay back, brat. you’re not ready.”
hongjoong’s voice was sharp, his hand grabbing your arm as he pushed you to the side. his eyes bore into yours, leaving no room for argument.
you hesitated. the rest of the group either fought piglets near slot machines, roulette tables or bars, their moves deadly.
you tried to follow hongjoong’s order, really. but when you saw one of the piglets break away from the main fight and headed for yeosang, who was hiding under a pool table, you couldn’t resist.
your grip on the knife tightened as you ran forward.
the piglet turned to you, snarling. “you think you can take me, girl?”
without thinking, you lunged.
the clash of steel pierced your ears as your knives collided. you were definitely not a good fighter - your strikes were clumsy and your footing was off, but you were high on adrenaline.
his blows were relentless, forcing you to backpedal. his knife caught yours at an odd angle, causing the blade to deform.
panic surged through you as he moved to strike again, but before he could reach you-
-the piglet dropped to the ground.
you looked behind to see hongjoong standing not too far away, his pistol still aimed at where the piglet was.
his eyes inspected you, narrowing as he assessed your state. blood dripped from a small gash on your lip, and your sleeves were torn - revealing small cuts on your arms.
he sighed. “go hide with yeosang,” he ordered before quickly turning to rejoin the fight.
you staggered toward the pool tables, slumping next to yeosang.
“you’re not fighting?” you panted, wiping your lip.
he shook his head. “too tired.”
you nodded, leaning back against the table’s leg as you impatiently waited for the fight to end, which didn’t take too long.
the gunfire finally ceased, the room falling quiet.
one by one, the group gathered in the corner, collapsing onto the floor in a circle as you and yeosang joined them. bottles of water were passed around as everyone caught their breaths.
for a while, no one spoke, the only sounds being an occasional groan.
“hey,” wooyoung hiccuped, breaking the silence as he turned to you. “give me my knife back.”
you looked at him awkwardly before handing him his completely deformed blade.
“what the hell!” he exclaimed. “that was one of my favourites!”
you shrugged. “you shouldn’t have given it to me then.”
“how was i supposed to know you’d get into an actual fight?” wooyoung complained. “now i don’t feel bad for your busted lip anymore.”
“you’re such a dick,” you rolled your eyes.
wooyoung grinned, leaning closer - his voice mocking sweet. “aw, don’t be mad, sweetheart. i’ll get you a better knife- one that won’t break in your delicate fucking hands.”
“ohmygod- shut up,” you groaned, shoving him lightly as the others chuckled.
hongjoong leaned against the wall, his arm crossed over his chest. his eyes shifted from wooyoung to you.
he told himself it was relief - that he was glad you were bonding with the crew, that you were starting to feel like one of them. that’s what he wanted, wasn’t it? to see you mesh with his team, to become a member?
but why did his stomach twist every time one of them smiled at you?
he didn’t realise how hard his fingers were digging into his arms until his knuckles turned sore and white.
“enough,” hongjoong cut through the conversation.
the laughter died down instantly as everyone turned to him.
“we don’t have time for this,” he continued, standing up. “grab any cash you find and meet by the van. now.”
the group complained but obeyed, sluggishly rising to their feet.
you went to pick up a discarded water bottle, hongjoong’s eyes lingering a fraction too long on the bloodied edge of your sleeve and the small cut on your lip.
he should be angry at you for disobeying him, for throwing yourself into danger when you weren’t ready. but all he could feel was the sickening churn of jealousy at how easily you laughed with the others.
as you passed by him on your way out, he caught your wrist briefly.
“next time, stay where i tell you,” he said. “now you’re hurt.”
you nodded, hesitating before you spoke, your voice soft. “...i’m sorry.”
hongjoong blinked, taken aback.
“i-” your brows furrowed. “i didn’t mean to get hurt. i just wanted to help..”
fuck- why, no- how were you so genuine?
he expected you to talk back or shrug him off, not this - sincerity shining in your eyes. now, he just looked like a shithead, guilt clawing at his chest.
hongjoong exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. “whatever- it wasn’t your fault-”
you tilted your head, confused. “but you-”
“just find the cash we need,” he cut you off, walking away.
hongjoong felt his stomach twist once more. he told himself it was just concern or worry. but deep down, he knew it was something more complicated.
and he hated it.
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I love this series so for and I can’t wait to read more! <3
Pairing: heir!Song Mingi x heir!Reader AU: non-idol | arranged marriage | enemies to lovers Genre: angst, humor, fluff in future chapters Summary: After a life-altering car accident, Mingi is given one final shot at redemption—reborn as a fuzzy little puppy. To earn a second chance at life, he must complete three tasks or risk being doomed to the afterlife forever. Word Count: 6.4K Warnings: mingi being a mean brat, puppy antics, swearing, hints of infidelity, slight angst
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A hollow laugh escaped Mingi as he sped through the empty streets, the night blurring around him. The bitter sound echoed in the car, mirroring the anger swirling inside him. He could still see the look on your face, that fierce, unyielding defiance in your eyes as you’d confronted him without a trace of hesitation.
"Maybe you should have fought harder against your parents instead of just rolling over every time they threw you a command. Including this marriage.”
You hadn’t raised your voice, hadn’t even looked angry. But the certainty in your words had cut deeper than anything he could remember. You’d said it so effortlessly, without a shred of remorse or regret, like you hadn’t given his ego a second thought.
And it infuriated him.
Mingi was accustomed to people bending to his will, not challenging it. His life had always been cushioned by entitlement; his family’s wealth and influence ensured that. People smiled, nodded, and let him have his way—whether it was his colleagues, teachers, or anyone who understood the weight of the Song name. When he wanted something, he got it; when he didn't want something, someone else made it disappear. Life was simple, easy. Predictable.
He’d assumed you’d be no different. The arrangement your parents had orchestrated was supposed to be convenient, uncomplicated. You’d go along with it quietly, play your part, and leave him to live as he pleased.
But he’d been wrong. Terribly, wrong.
From the moment you entered his life, you were a force to be reckoned with—unyielding and resolute, unafraid to show how little you cared for the life planned for you.
News of your attempted escape had reached him before he even saw you. You’d made it as far as the airport, ticket in hand, your heart set on a life free from the restraints of duty. But then, your parents intervened, having anticipated your plans. They’d sent the authorities to intercept you at the gate, dragging you back home just as freedom was within reach.
You argued, you bargained, and you did everything short of bolting a second time as they walked you into that boardroom on your wedding day. Mingi had been there, watching as you approached, and even in that moment, you’d made it clear through your narrowed gaze and rigid posture that you were entering this marriage under protest.
Though you resisted the marriage and all it represented, you held a deep sense of empathy for him, understanding that he too was bound by this fate. Your efforts to extend an olive branch and build some semblance of a friendship, only served as a reminder of how deeply entangled your lives had become against his will.
And Mingi always made it clear that no matter how much you tried to extend kindness or bridge the distance, he was set on tearing it down.
When your parents organized a small birthday dinner for you, Mingi didn’t even bother to show. He didn’t call, didn’t text—he simply forgot. The sting of his absence felt like a gut punch, even if it was hardly surprising. His indifference when you mentioned it later was almost worse.
“Oh, I didn’t realize,” he shrugged, barely glancing up from his phone, his tone cool, unaffected. The casual dismissal in his voice, the complete lack of apology, was almost worse than his absence itself.
The implication was clear: your birthday, and by extension, you, were not significant enough to be remembered.
It wasn’t until later, when meeting your cousin Jongho for lunch, that the truth hit even harder. Apparently, he’d heard from a friend of a friend that Ahri had posted on social media about her “spontaneous Tokyo getaway” with Mingi, complete with photos of their cozy seats on a private plane and playful captions flaunting their lavish trip.
Then, there was the night San hosted his charity art auction, one of the biggest events of the year. It was the kind of evening meant to bring people together for a good cause, filled with artists and patrons, all of them dedicated to supporting the community.
But Mingi had a different idea in mind. He arrived with Ahri, both of them looking effortlessly stunning and either blissfully unaware or fully conscious of the painful message they conveyed. Your in-laws were mortified, apologizing to you profusely, trying to smooth over the spectacle their son had created.
“When will you grow up and stop making a mockery of our family?” Mr. Song fumed through gritted teeth.
"I thought we had a deal," Mingi replied coldly. "All I had to do was agree to this arrangement, and I could still have Ahri and live my life however I wanted."
Mr. Song’s face tightened with rage, his voice a low growl as he struggled to keep it down.
“What I meant, Mingi, was for you to show some tact! Not to flaunt Ahri around and humiliate your spouse in front of everyone. It’s childish, and it reflects poorly on you. The least you can do is respect Y/N!”
“Respect Y/N?” Mingi scoffed, his tone dripping with disdain. “Respecting her would mean pretending it’s something real. But we all know why this is happening—more money and more power for you. None of this has anything to do with me or what I want.”
“You may resent it, but you are benefiting from it all the same. And that means you owe Y/N some basic decency, if nothing else.”
“This arrangement took my choices away. It trapped me in a life I never wanted. And now you’re telling me to be grateful for it? To pretend that this marriage means something to me?”
“When will you stop being selfish and think about others for once? Consider that Y/N never asked for this either.”
As if disregarding you in private wasn’t enough, Mingi took every chance to publicly humiliate you, constantly reminding you of your place—always on the outside, looking in.
The situation reached a boiling point at last year’s Gold Gala when he arrived completely drunk, blatantly reinforcing that your feelings and the event's social grace meant nothing to him.
As he staggered through the hall, his laugh rang out too loudly, drawing stares from guests who exchanged uncomfortable glances. His gestures grew more careless and exaggerated with every passing moment, completely oblivious to the hurt on your face, tainting one of the most important nights of your life.
“No, I’m not much into charity—though I guess marrying Ms. Choi counts.”
“I’m not here to support her, she begged me to be here. Begged me to care. Pathetic, right?”
By the time you arrived home, the tension was suffocating. You could still feel the embarrassment, lingering on you like a second skin you couldn’t escape.
“Don’t kid yourself into thinking this arrangement means anything. You're nobody to me.”
"Of course I know that!” The words flew out before you could stop yourself, raw and jagged. “All I asked was for you to be there because this event meant everything to me. Everything!"
"I thought we could at least be civil, Mingi.”
“Civil?” He raised an eyebrow, his tone dripping with disdain. "You’re so desperate to play house, to fool yourself into thinking I’ll somehow feel something for you? By begging for it?"
His gaze was cold, dismissive, as if you were nothing more than a stranger who had intruded into his life, uninvited.
Your jaw dropped at the sheer audacity of his words. Who was this pompous prick, standing here acting as if you’d imposed your existence on him? The last thread holding your patience snapped, and before you knew it, a dry, humorless laugh escaped you.
“Feel something?” you spat, unable to hold back the fury building in your chest.
“Don’t delude yourself into thinking you’re a catch either. Think whatever you want,” you shot back, your voice sharp and unwavering, “but I’m not the one who needs someone else to validate my worth!”
He blinked, momentarily stunned, his expression shifting as he tried to brush off your words with a sneer. But you could tell that something you’d said had struck a nerve.
“You’ve never cared about anything, Mingi. You don’t even know what it means to care about someone or something—because you’ve always had everything handed to you. There’s nothing that’s ever been meaningful to you because you’ve never had to fight for it!”
It infuriated Mingi—the way you exposed all the things he hated most about himself, holding a mirror up to the person he tried so hard to ignore. And that was something he couldn’t allow. He needed to keep you at a distance, to shut you down.
Because if he didn't, he feared you might penetrate his defenses entirely—and he couldn't risk that.
As he sat in the warm, soapy water, Mingi’s tiny paws barely poked out from beneath a cloud of bubbles. He lifted a paw, watching droplets fall into the water, creating soft ripples that lapped against his sides. It was surreal. He had once scoffed at the very idea of being anything less than in control, of ever letting himself be so openly…helpless.
Everything looked bigger, more intimidating from down here and he felt smaller, more than he ever had.
Your gentle laughter pulled him back as you poured a bit more soap into the bath, sending a fresh wave of bubbles his way. You dipped your hand into the water, playfully scooping up the suds and sprinkling them over his head.
He wiggled, instinctively shaking his head as the bubbles landed, but they clung stubbornly to his nose and ears, making him sneeze. The tiny sneeze seemed to amuse you even more, your laughter ringing out, warm and unguarded.
“We’ll find something for you to eat after this. Do you like chicken?” you cooed, your voice warm and sweet as you continued fussing over him. “That reminds me, we need to stop by the pet store.”
Mingi blinked up at you, the sound of your voice oddly comforting, even as it filled him with a peculiar ache he didn’t quite know what to do with. Here you were, utterly unaware that this tiny, scruffy puppy was your own husband, yet you treated him with a care and tenderness he felt he didn't deserve.
“I should probably think of a name for you,” you murmured thoughtfully, rinsing away the last bits of sudsy bubbles.
His little face scrunched up as he shook his head, sending droplets flying. You grabbed the softest towel, bundling him up so that only his nose and eyes peeked out. Placing him on the bathroom counter, you noticed how his tiny body almost disappeared within the towel’s folds, leaving just a pair of adoring eyes staring up at you.
“You’re so tiny, you might get blown away!” you teased, testing the warmth of the hair dryer on your wrist. His expression turned into the cutest scowl imaginable, as if he was about to bark out a protest.
I’m not little! Mingi gritted, scrunching his tiny brows and squirming as if to show you he was tougher than he looked. He let out a bark, to prove you wrong.
“Alright, sorry, I didn’t mean it,” you giggled.
You began to gently dry him, moving the warm air over his fur. His eyelids started to droop, each puff of warm air lulling him into a sleepy daze.
“Pom Pom’s a cute name. What do you think?” you mused with a laugh, scratching him behind his tiny ear. Mingi managed to huff out a small whimper in protest in an attempt to communicate that you certainly were not to call him by that name.
“Fine, fine. How about…Maro? You’re white and fluffy like a marshmallow?” You tilted your head, smiling as you gently tapped the tip of his nose.
Mingi grumbled, feeling his pride melt under the sheer humiliation, but he went along with the name. Despite his desire to resist, he couldn’t deny the comfort of being doted on—even if it meant accepting his temporary fate as your “Maro.”
Mingi stirred awake, feeling an unfamiliar warmth against his tiny body, the soft texture of grass beneath him. Blinking his eyes open, he was met with a new world—everything was…bigger. The trees stretched toward the sky, and the distant hum of city life felt overwhelming. Disoriented, he tried to make sense of his surroundings, his mind struggling to adjust to this small, delicate form.
Everything smelled sharper, richer: the earthy scent of wet grass, a faint whiff of antiseptic, and…something achingly familiar, pulling him forward as if his paws moved on their own accord.
Guided by the scent, he scrambled over roots and pushed through damp bushes, his little body squeezing through the brambles. As he finally emerged on the other side, he froze. Just a few feet away, sitting alone on a bench, was the source of the familiar scent—Y/N?
His wife sat there, hands clasped tightly, her gaze distant and tired, as if the weight of the world rested on her shoulders. But just as he took another small step forward, her eyes lifted and fell upon him. Her expression brightened, and the faintest hint of a smile warmed her face as she crouched down, reaching out to him.
“Puppy!” she gasped with an excitement that Mingi could feel down to his little paws. She beckoned him closer, and he trotted toward her, heart racing, wondering if somehow, even in this form, she could recognize him.
You held him close as you left the hospital, your hand gently supporting his back as he rested against your chest. Once you reached the car, you eased into the driver’s seat and settled him in your lap, feeling his soft fur beneath your fingers as you stroked him reassuringly.
Pulling your phone from your pocket, you scrolled through your contacts until you reached your mother-in-law’s number. Taking a steadying breath, you hit the call button, hoping she’d understand your exit.
"Hello? Everything alright, Y/N?"
“I just wanted to let you know I’m heading home,” you replied, keeping your tone light. “There are a few things I need to take care of, but I’ll make sure to call later to check in.”
There was a brief pause on her end before she answered, “Of course, dear. Take your time, I’ll talk to you later.”
As you ended the call, Mingi blinked up at you, feeling strangely vulnerable in your arms. Being held and cherished like this was both comforting and overwhelming, a rare moment of intimacy that left him feeling exposed. The realization that someone could care for him so deeply stirred something inside him—a reminder of just how unfamiliar this feeling was, and how unsettling it felt to let someone in.
“Ready to go home?”
On the drive back, you hummed a quiet tune, the same one you always sang absentmindedly when you thought no one was listening. As he nestled into your lap, he felt himself relax, leaving behind a sense of peace he hadn’t felt in ages.
The bell above the pet store door jingled as you stepped inside, your eyes scanning aisles lined with every kind of pet accessory imaginable.
You wandered the aisles in a daze as Mingi, in his puppy form, bounced excitedly, his tiny tail whipping back and forth with unrestrained enthusiasm. His instincts urged him to sniff and mouth every item you tossed into the cart—toys, treats, leashes, a bed, and a sweater.
For a moment, you couldn’t help but feel a sense of disbelief—shopping for puppy supplies while your husband’s life was hanging by a thread was surreal.
“Your puppy’s really cute.”
You turned to see a man holding onto the leash of a doberman that looked every bit as sharp as its owner. The dog sat obediently by his side, dark eyes focused and alert, muscles taut beneath its sleek coat. The man’s presence was striking, especially with his stoic demeanor that made him appear almost statuesque.
“Thanks!” you nodded, smiling. “He’s really sweet, even if he’s got a bit of an attitude.” Your eyes drifted to the gentle way his hand stroked between the doberman’s ears.
“You look like you know what you’re doing, though.”
The man chuckled. “Thanks, he’s actually my first dog. I adopted him when his previous owner passed away. His name is Hetmon.”
Your expression softened. “I’m so sorry to hear that,” you replied sympathetically, kneeling down to greet him.
“Can I say hi?” you asked, extending your hand for Hetmon to sniff.
The doberman’s wet nose pressed against your palm, and he let out a soft huff before nuzzling his head into your hand. You laughed, scratching him behind his ear, marveling at his calm and steady temperament.
Now, hold on! Mingi’s eyes snapped up as he watched you fawning over this stranger’s dog. His little heart thudded, an unfamiliar surge of irritation bubbling up inside him.
Why are you smiling like that? Why are you speaking to another man? Get away from him!
He let out a little growl, then puffed up his tiny chest and erupted into a string of yappy barks, standing tall on his hind legs in the cart. His little nose scrunched up as he tried to look intimidating, but it was more endearing than anything else. You glanced over, bemused, as he glowered with all the fierceness his tiny form could muster.
“I think your puppy is upset,” the man pointed out with a chuckle.
“Aww, don’t worry, Maro,” you cooed, “you’re still my favorite.”
You scooped him up, planting a kiss right between his ears, which sent his little tail wagging against his will. You set him down gently on the floor, letting him meet Hetmon face-to-face. Mingi’s bravado wavered slightly as he looked up at the towering Doberman, but he squared his tiny shoulders, refusing to back down.
“Is Hetmon good with other dogs?” you asked, watching them carefully.
“Oh, yeah. He’s a total softie,” the man reassured you. “He may look tough, but he loves making new friends.”
As if on cue, Hetmon dipped into a playful bow. Mingi froze, watching the giant dog before him as he lowered his head in an exaggerated invitation to play. For a moment, the puppy tried to keep his air of superiority, giving a tiny huff as if he wasn’t the least bit interested.
But then he gave a low, friendly woof and Mingi’s puppy instincts kicked in. He took a tentative step forward, then another, his own tail starting to sway. Before he knew it, he pounced forward with his little paws outstretched, mimicking Hetmon’s play bow.
“Maro, you made a friend!” you cheered, watching in delight as the puppy bounced around with the older dog. Pulling out your phone, you couldn’t resist capturing the moment, captivated by the unlikely friendship forming before you.
“Looks like opposites attract,” Hetmon’s owner mused as he watched the two dogs circle each other, darting forward and bouncing back and forth.
“I’m Yeosang, by the way,” he added, turning to you with a friendly smile.
“Y/N,” you replied. “Nice to meet you. Do you live around here?”
“Yeah, actually, just a couple of streets over,” Yeosang said with a nod. He looked down at Hetmon, who was now reclining on his back, seemingly unfazed by the puppy climbing on him.
“What about you?”
You smiled, watching the scene with amusement. “Same. Maro’s also my first dog, so I’ve been figuring things out as I go.”
Yeosang’s expression softened, his smile encouraging. “I remember that feeling. It’s a little overwhelming at first, but you get the hang of it. If you ever need any advice or a friendly ear, just reach out. There’s a park nearby that’s dog-friendly. I usually go there in the mornings if you’d like to join sometime.”
“I’d really like that. Thanks.”
Yeosang's easygoing grin faltered as he felt a tug at his shoelace. He looked down to see the tiny pup gnawing determinedly, jaws snapping at the string.
How dare you speak to her so casually! She’s a married woman! Mingi seethed internally, giving the string another sharp tug. Why did it bother him so much to see Yeosang chatting with you? He hadn't cared much about you before, but seeing you smile at another man so naturally baffled him.
What is wrong with me? He let out a low growl—though intended to be intimidating—would have been menacing if he weren’t so tiny. Right now, all he wanted was for Yeosang to take a step back, to stop talking to you like you belonged to anyone else but him—even though he couldn't say why.
“Maro, what are you up to?” you laughed, crouching down to pick him up. You slipped your hands beneath his belly, lifting him gently. But Mingi wasn’t done making his point.
Nestled in your arms, Mingi twisted slightly, nudging your left hand insistently with his head. He pressed his nose right against your ring, his puppy eyes wide with urgency.
See this? She’s taken! He gave a little huff and looked back at Yeosang with the tiniest scowl he could manage.
Yeosang, oblivious to the true intentions behind the pup’s actions, chuckled softly. “Looks like he’s tired. Puppies need lots of sleep, you know.”
“Sounds like someone needs a nap,” you agreed, gently setting the little ball of jealousy back into the cart.
"Oh, before I go," Yeosang continued, reaching into his pocket, "here's my number."
Mingi’s ears perked up, and his tail stopped wagging immediately. If he could talk, he’d be grumbling a thousand complaints. But instead, he glared up at Yeosang, hoping his intense puppy stare would get his message across: Back off.
⋆
The last twenty-four hours had been nothing short of a whirlwind: the accident, waking up in a completely different form, and now trying to adjust to this strange new reality. He was still Mingi, still aware of his responsibilities and tasks, but now he had to figure out how to accomplish them…as a puppy.
He padded around the penthouse, his tiny paws making soft clicks on the polished floor as he aimlessly wandered, bored out of his mind now that you were both back from the pet store. The excitement of the outing had quickly worn off, and now all he could do was sulk in the silence of the house.
His little tail swished back and forth as he circled the living room, kitchen, your piano, and the second floor of the penthouse. Finally, his gaze landed on the door to his room. A mischievous gleam appeared in his eyes, and with a determined wag of his tail, he marched toward it.
You paced around the living room, contemplating how to propose your idea to your mother-in-law: staying overnight once a week with Mingi. The thought of him spending nights alone in the suite, surrounded only by machines, unsettled you. He wasn't exactly your biggest fan—he’d made it clear where his heart truly lay, and it wasn’t with you. Yet, the notion of someone always being there, watching over him, brought you a small measure of comfort amid the uncertainty.
As the worry gnawed at you, you knew you had to act. Taking a deep breath, you picked up the phone and dialed your mother-in-law.
“Hello?”
“Hi, it’s me,” you said, doing your best to sound composed. “I just got back from running errands and wanted to propose something.”
Her voice carried that usual guarded curiosity. “What are you suggesting?”
You respected your mother-in-law’s loyalty to her family, even if her protectiveness sometimes blinded her to Mingi’s faults. She had always been gracious to you, maintaining a sense of decorum that made you feel welcome but not entirely at ease.
“I thought we could work out a schedule to stay overnight with Mingi at the hospital.”
There was a brief pause before she spoke, her voice carefully polite. “You’re very thoughtful, dear,” she began, “but…maybe it’s not necessary to stay all night. The nurses are attentive, and they promised to call us if anything changes.”
You glanced around the penthouse, searching for Maro, who had slipped away at some point. The quiet absence of the dog only added to the heavy silence, making the place feel even emptier.
“I have full confidence in his care team,” you replied, forcing each word into a polite, measured tone.
“But I think Mingi would feel more supported if someone were there with him, at least some of the time. I was thinking I could stay overnight once or twice a week? Just so he doesn’t feel…forgotten.”
Mrs. Song paused just a moment, enough for you to feel that familiar flicker of hope—maybe she’d feel the same worry, feel something for her son that went deeper than surface-level appearances.
But when she spoke, her words rang hollow. “Are you sure?” She hesitated, as if weighing how much emotion to offer before she could close herself off again. “I don’t want you to burn yourself out.”
“I’m sure. And I’ll take care of myself, I promise,” you replied, careful to keep any bitterness out of your voice.
“It’s the least I can do.”
“Well, I suppose there’s no one he’d be happier to see than you when he wakes up.”
You let the comment hang in the air, refraining from answering. The truth was far more complicated—it wasn’t about who Mingi wanted to see. It was about reminding him he wasn’t completely abandoned, despite how much he’d tried to push you away.
Murmuring a quick goodbye, you ended the call and let out a breath you didn’t realize you’d been holding, feeling a strange relief as the line clicked dead.
Standing in the quiet of the penthouse, you wondered how it was possible to care so deeply and feel so estranged at the same time. You exhaled slowly, taking a moment to let the frustration settle before setting off to find Maro, hoping the small presence of the dog might be the comfort you needed.
Mingi paused in front of the door, cocking his head and giving it a long, assessing look. The handle was far out of reach, far higher than any normal dog could ever hope to reach.
With a huff, he pressed his tiny front paws against the door, trying to push and pull with all his might. When that failed, he gave up entirely on the handle and decided on a new strategy: digging.
He squatted down, wiggling his little rear end before he thrust his paws forward in an exaggerated motion, trying to dig under the door. His tiny claws scrabbled uselessly at the polished floor, making little scratching noises that seemed comically futile against the sleek, smooth surface.
He stopped for a moment, eyes narrowing in concentration, before he gave it another go—this time, with more vigor, his body wriggling in earnest as though the door might just give way if he showed it enough determination.
“Maro? What are you doing?” you asked, catching sight of the fluffball nosing determinedly at Mingi’s bedroom door.
He froze, glancing back at you with wide, innocent eyes, but his resolve didn’t waver. He turned back to the door, his eyes narrowing as if silently pleading with it to just open.
You stifled a laugh at his antics. “Sorry, baby boy, but that room’s off limits.”
Your life with Mingi had been defined by boundaries—drawn lines, quiet distances, and spaces kept respectfully separate. Separate rooms, separate lives, and a marriage in name only. The closed door was a boundary, one you’d both agreed to uphold.
But it’s my room! He insisted with a bark of protest, his frustration evident. He didn’t want the carefully arranged, supposedly comfortable dog bed that sat innocently by the window. He wanted his own room, his own bed, and his own space.
“I don’t think Mingi would appreciate it if I let you in there,” you added wistfully.
Mingi could sense something in your voice—a sadness buried beneath your usual composed demeanor. His ears perked as he tilted his head, studying the way your shoulders slumped just slightly, the way your eyes lingered on the closed door before looking away.
In that moment, he recognized that despite the walls between you, you were still here, trying to make the best of a life shaped by distance.
Letting out a small, resigned huff, he slowly padded over to the dog bed by the window, casting one last longing look at the door. Then, in a dramatic display, he flopped onto his back with a sigh, his little paws stretching up into the air, his fluffy belly exposed, hoping it might coax even the smallest smile from you.
Mingi wasn’t thrilled about giving up his room, but he figured if he could cheer you up—even a little—it was worth it. Because he knew, perhaps more than he wanted to admit, how lonely it must be for you, living in a world of closed doors.
"Thanks so much for meeting us here!" you greeted Yeosang warmly, handing him a cup of hot chocolate. His eyes lit up with a grateful smile as he accepted it, glancing down at Hetmon, who was already bouncing in place with excitement.
“No worries at all! I did say I’d be happy to answer any questions about dogs,” Yeosang replied, his gaze shifting to Maro, who sat at your feet, fixated on what would come next in your conversation.
You knelt down, scratching Maro gently behind his ears as the weight of your question settled in your chest. A tightness formed in your throat, and you hesitated, glancing up at Yeosang.
“Actually, I was hoping to talk to you about something…a little more serious, if that’s okay.”
Yeosang’s face softened, his usual bright energy shifting to a gentle calm as he took in your expression. His caring demeanor radiated warmth, an almost tangible reassurance that everything would be alright.
“Of course,” he replied, his voice soft but encouraging. “I’m here for whatever you need.”
You unhooked Mingi from the leash, giving him a gentle nudge forward. “Go on, Maro,” you encouraged, motioning toward Hetmon, who was practically vibrating, his tail whipping the air behind him like a propeller.
"Hey, do you wanna play chase?" Hetmon asked eagerly, prancing in a tight circle around Mingi.
"We can also play fetch! My dad brought my favorite ball!"
But Mingi sat firmly in place, his tiny body angled away from Hetmon, focused entirely on your conversation with Yeosang. He narrowed his eyes, stubbornly ignoring the playful advances. As far as he was concerned, Yeosang’s angelic demeanor deserved the highest level of suspicion.
“No,” the puppy pouted, his voice stubborn and unmoving.
Undeterred, Hetmon scooted closer, nudging Mingi’s side with his nose. "Come on, just one game! I’ll even let you catch me!" He bounced in front of Mingi, crouching low in an exaggerated play bow, his tail wagging furiously.
Mingi huffed, his small body stiffening as he resisted the pull of Hetmon’s enthusiasm. He cast the doberman a sidelong glare that would’ve been intimidating—if he were anything bigger than a fluffball.
"No, I want to stay here," Mingi grumbled. "Your father is trying to hit on my wife."
Hetmon tilted his head, blinking with wide-eyed innocence. "That can’t be your wife; she’s not a dog. She’s your mom."
Mingi’s tiny temper flared, but he reminded himself he was dealing with someone with the mental equivalent of a toddler.
"Look, I don’t expect you to understand, but she’s my wife. If I tell you what happened, would you leave me alone?"
Hetmon sat back, pausing thoughtfully, his tail still wagging. "Okay, I’ll listen!”
Mingi sighed, rolling his eyes as if explaining was a chore. "Alright, so before I got...uh, transformed," he said, waving a paw at his small, fluffy body with obvious disdain,
"I was married to Y/N. Then I got into a car accident."
Hetmon’s eyes went wide with awe, tail wagging in anticipation. "So… you died and became a dog?"
"No!" Mingi barked, his chest puffed. "I was transformed into one because I did bad things.” The words came out quietly, almost like a confession, and he glanced away, embarrassed.
“I have three months to complete three tasks, or else I’m stuck like this… forever."
Hetmon tilted his head, his big eyes full of innocent curiosity as he tried to wrap his mind around Mingi’s words. He watched Mingi for a moment, then his tail gave a tentative wag.
“What do you have to do? Can I help?” Hetmon asked eagerly.
“My dad says we always have to help friends!”
Friends. The word stung more than Mingi expected, a sudden reminder of how few people he truly trusted or felt close to. Yunho was really his only friend, the one person he could count on without question.
He shifted uncomfortably, his thoughts drifting to the tight circle of people he called acquaintances: the other Choi’s, the son of Park Enterprises… all hand-picked connections meant to strengthen his family’s standing, but none of those relationships had ever felt genuine.
Had he done this on purpose? Had he pushed people away to keep himself safe, to avoid the risk of betrayal or disappointment? Maybe he’d chosen solitude to protect himself from the sting of being left behind—but he hadn’t expected it to feel so empty now, as he sat here realizing that even a dog like Hetmon was willing to reach out with kindness.
“Okay, well...I guess,” Mingi sighed.
You swallowed hard, fingers tracing the rim of your coffee cup as you fought to steady yourself. The sunlight hit your wedding ring, casting a soft glow over the diamonds—a gleaming, constant reminder of the life you were bound to. In a way, it felt more like a chain. Taking a deep breath, you chose your words carefully.
“My…husband was in a really bad car wreck the other night. He’s in a coma right now,” you said, the words thick and heavy, as if each one were being forced out.
The reality of it all settled in the air between you and Yeosang, and you could feel his compassion in the way he listened to you. His brow creased with concern as he took in your words, his quiet presence urging you to press on.
“I’ve made arrangements to spend at least one night a week at the hospital,” you continued, forcing yourself to look down at your cup rather than meet his eyes.
“It’s hard to explain, but I guess I don’t want him to be…alone, even if he can’t really tell.”
Your voice trailed off as a feeling of helplessness welled up within you. You wanted to believe that Mingi could somehow sense your presence, that maybe your being there would make even a small difference. But at the same time, you couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that your visits might mean more to you than they did to him.
“I’m sorry, Y/N. That’s a lot to carry. I can’t imagine how difficult this must be for you. But you’re doing your best to be there for him, even when it’s painful.”
You felt a slight relief in his understanding, in the way he didn’t try to offer empty reassurances. “Thank you,” you whispered, feeling the weight of Yeosang’s empathy.
“I also don’t mean to impose but…would you mind letting Maro stay over just one night a week? Until I figure things out?” you asked sheepishly. “He’s still so little, and I don’t want him to feel abandoned while I’m gone.”
“Of course, Y/N, don't feel bad for asking!” Yeosang nodded enthusiastically.
“Maro will be in great hands, I promise. I know Hetmon would love having him over! It’ll be like…boys' night, and I can build a fort for them, we can eat snacks…”
Yeosang’s eyes sparkled with genuine excitement as he spoke, his infectious energy making you smile despite your concerns. He had a knack for making the most mundane plans sound like grand adventures, and his lighthearted spirit was always a comforting presence.
The unexpected kindness caught you off guard, causing your shoulders to relax.
“Really?” you murmured, struggling to believe that someone truly understood and wanted to help in such a straightforward yet meaningful way.
“You're dealing with so much right now. I'm glad to help, even if it's small.” For a moment, you felt a lump rise in your throat, the weight of his words grounding you in a world that often felt chaotic and uncertain.
“You don’t have to face all this on your own,” Yeosang added, his words carrying a depth that felt like a lifeline.
Out of the corner of your eye, you caught a glimpse of Hetmon barreling across the grassy field, with Maro bounding right behind him as they zig-zagged through the park. The sight of the two playing together made you smile.
“Hetmon, come have some water!” Yeosang called out.
The doberman’s ears perked up, and he shifted course, galloping toward his owner, excited for his water break. Maro, bounded after him, and hopped up onto your lap, nuzzling into your arms.
“Maro, guess what! You’re going to have a sleepover with Hetmon!” you announced, patting him gently. The words slipped out with casual enthusiasm, thinking it’d be fun for him to spend a night with someone who’s growing so fond of him.
What!?
Mingi’s gaze darted from you to Yeosang, then to Hetmon, who was still wagging his tail, blissfully unaware of the turmoil stirring inside him.
Despite his best efforts to stay aloof and independent, he had come to rely on your presence—the warmth, the comfort, and the steady sense of grounding you brought to his strange new world. The thought of being without that, even for just a night, filled him with something he was unwilling to admit to himself: fear.
<< i | iii >>
a/n: ughhh my taglist is ugly, I can't tag more than 5 blogs to a line now, so forgive me for the formatting
taglist: @syubseokie @koyagifs @sunnysidesins @thedistractedwriter @notevenheretbh1
@molberto @litolmochi @intowxnderland @yn-reincarnate @lemonkait00
@corgilover20 @randomgworlypop @taegi1016 @almondtofu006 @ateezaddict24
@desi2go @beabatiny @sangilov-r @roomsofangel @symmieangela
@dumplingsyum @etaerealboy @fairylover68 @foxinnie8
@yoonrixx @jean-swolo @silent-potato @jiwoongsblondehair @sanriomilk
@sanniesbum
𓇼 𝘈𝘵𝘦𝘦𝘻 𝘍𝘪𝘤 𝘙𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘌𝘱.𝘛𝘸𝘰! 𓇼 𓆞 𝘔𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘴 𓆞 𓇼 𝘔𝘪𝘯𝘰𝘳𝘴/𝘈𝘨𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴/𝘉𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘉𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘴 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵 𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘥 𓇼 𓇼 𝘰𝘵8/𝘮𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘪𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘮𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘴 𓇼 𓆞 Bed Time ! - @vhyunjinverse matz x pregnant!reader (one-shot) 𓆞 𓆞 Handcuffed - @vampzity police!matz x criminal!reader (one-shot) 𓆞 𓆞 Lovely Pet - @littlefireball vampire!matz x reader (one-shot) 𓆞 𓈒𓏸 The Little Things - @srslyscary ot8 x reader (scenarios) 𓈒𓏸 𓈒𓏸 Ways To Say : I Love You - @imagine-a-life-like-this ot8 x reader (scenarios) 𓈒𓏸 𓇼 𝘬𝘪𝘮 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘫𝘰𝘰𝘯𝘨 𓇼 𓈒𓏸 8:30pm - @dancinglikebutterflywings idol!hongjoong x maddox's sister!reader (one-shot) 𓈒𓏸 𓆞 Attention Please - @starminzoo idol!hongjoong x reader (one-shot) 𓆞 𓆞 Can You Hold Me? - @orshii tennis player!hongjoong x therapist!reader (one-shot) 𓆞 𓆞 Million Dollar Man - @holybibly rich!older!hongjoong x reader (one-shot) 𓆞 𓆞 Swapped - @daisykihannie bf!hongjoong x gf!reader (one-shot) 𓆞 𓇼 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘬 𝘴𝘦𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘩𝘸𝘢 𓇼 𓈒𓏸 Animal Crossing vs Stardew Valley - @solaris-amethyst best friend!seonghwa x reader (one-shot) 𓈒𓏸 𓆞 Deserve You - @captain-joongz brother-in-law!seonghwa x reader (one-shot) 𓆞 𓆞 How We Live In Tokyo - @yeoslattes street racer!matz!seonghwa x street racer!reader (one-shot) 𓆞 𓆞 Look Like a Freak - @freyaphoria nerd!perv!seonghwa x reader (one-shot) 𓆞 𓆞 Missing Piece - @k-hotchoisan bf!seonghwa x gf!reader (one-shot) 𓆞
𓇼 𝘫𝘦𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘶𝘯𝘩𝘰 𓇼 𓈒𓏸 As Long As With You - @xuchiya non-idol!yunho x reader (drabble) 𓈒𓏸 𓆞 Body Language - @k-hotchoisan brother's best friend!yunho x reader (one-shot) 𓆞 𓈒𓏸 Carnival - @pocketjoong prince!yunho x gn!reader (one-shot) 𓈒𓏸 𓈒𓏸 Classroom Shenanigans - @solaris-amethyst teacher!husband!yunho x teacher!wife!reader (one-shot) 𓈒𓏸 𓈒𓏸 Yunho + Subtle Ways He Shows He Loves You - @stayteezdreams bf!yunho x gn!reader (scenarios) 𓈒𓏸
𓇼 𝘬𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘦𝘰𝘴𝘢𝘯𝘨 𓇼 𓆞 3:33pm ♡ - @ateezscupid non-idol!yeosang x reader (one-shot) 𓆞 𓆞 Cosmos - @pirateprincessblog non-idol!space traveler!yeosang x reader (one-shot) 𓆞 𓈒𓏸 Flex - @xuchiya non-idol!yeosang x reader (drabble) 𓈒𓏸 𓈒𓏸 Not Like The Previous Ones - @03jyh23 bf!yeosang x gn!reader (one-shot) 𓈒𓏸 𓆞 Sweat and Seduction - @xomakara gym rat!yeosang x yoga teacher!reader (one-shot) 𓆞 𓇼 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘪 𝘴𝘢𝘯 𓇼 𓈒𓏸 Be Your Solace - @makeitmingi university student!bf!san x university student!reader (one-shot) 𓈒𓏸 𓆞 Cheerleaders And Stereotypes - @itsbeeble football player!san x cheerleader!reader (one-shot) 𓆞 𓈒𓏸 Night Like These - @03jyh23 idol!san x gn!reader (one-shot) 𓈒𓏸 𓈒𓏸 Second Times - @velvetydream dad!san x wife!pregnant!reader (one-shot) 𓈒𓏸 𓆞 Treat You Better - @starskq non-idol!san x reader (one-shot) 𓆞
𓇼 𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘪 𓇼 𓆞 Early Morning Live - @/bro-atz idol!mingi x reader (one-shot) 𓆞 𓆞 MingiWonka - @shinestarhwaa wonka!mingi x reader (one-shot) 𓆞 𓆞 Save A Horse, Ride Your Best Friend - @seonghwaddict best friend!mingi x reader (one-shot) 𓆞 𓆞 Show & Tell [Part One | Part Two] - @jensthwa best friend!mingi x reader (two-parts) 𓆞 𓆞 Still Your Biggest Fan - @byuntrash101 idol!mingi x gf!reader (one-shot) 𓆞 𓇼 𝘫𝘶𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘰𝘰𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘨 𓇼 𓆞 I Still Hate You - @starskq non-idol!wooyoung x reader (one-shot) 𓆞 𓆞 Midnight Kisses - @mingigoo best friend!wooyoung x single parent!reader (series) 𓆞 𓆞 Silver Dive - @hwallazia bf!wooyoung x gf!reader (one-shot) 𓆞 𓆞 Sly Fox, Dumb Bunny - @lividstar vigilante!wooyoung x secret agent!reader (series) 𓆞 𓈒𓏸 Super Attractive - @wbtsan idol!bf!wooyoung x gf!reader (one-shot) 𓈒𓏸 𓇼 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘪 𝘫𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘩𝘰 𓇼 𓈒𓏸 Hear A Siren’s Call - @the-midnight-blooms siren!jongho x reader (one-shot) 𓈒𓏸 𓈒𓏸 Home - @desirehorizon bf!jongho x gn!reader (one-shot) 𓈒𓏸 𓆞 Not As Innocent - @ja3hwa bf!jongho x reader (one-shot) 𓆞 𓆞 Oh Shit, Are We In Love - @mingigoo basketball player!jongho x cheerleader!reader (one-shot) 𓆞 𓈒𓏸 Where Did You Go? - @solaris-amethyst non-idol!jongho x gn!reader (one-shot) 𓈒𓏸
this series just keeps getting more and more interesting. I’m curious of the aftermath now that hongjoong has left reader and I’m curious when reader’s brother will show up.
keep up the great work and can’t wait for the next chapter <3
Popular, Boy
☆03: The first betrayal.
Pairing: Nerd!Hongjoong x Popular!Reader
Genre: +18, slow burn, angst, smut, drama, dark academic, love triangle.
wc: 8,6k
Summary: Tensions simmer as alliances fracture , and lines are crossed; forcing one unexpected figure to take a stand. But every choice has a price, and betrayal lurks where it's least expected.
Leaving friendship and loyalties hanging by a thread.
Warnings: Cursing, verbal abuse, public humiliation, emotional manipulation, power dynamics, fluff, SMUT (MDN!!) Sub!Hongjoong, Virgin!Hongjoong, oral (m receiving) cum eating, use of pet names (good boy) suggestive.
Series masterlist
☆02 ☆04: The first surrender.
The next few days passed in a whirlwind of your world enveloping Hongjoong entirely.
On monday, you made a show of having Hongjoong walk you to class, your hand looped through his arm as if he were some prized accessory. Your laugh rang out in the hallway, over-exaggerated yet charming enough to keep everyone’s attention firmly on you.
Hongjoong smiled sheepishly, still unsure how to navigate this new role. Despite your guidance, he couldn’t shake the feeling of being out of place, like a puzzle piece forced into the wrong picture.
By Tuesday afternoon, your curiosity got the better of you.
"You’re always talking about books and nerdy stuff." You teased, leaning against the library’s entrance "Show me what’s so interesting about it."
He blinked in surprise, adjusting the strap of his backpack. He wasn’t sure if you were serious or just looking for another way to flaunt your dominance. Still, the chance to share a piece of himself was oddly appealing.
"Uh, okay." He said, leading you to a quiet corner of the library.
You trailed behind, your heels clicking softly against the tiled floor. When you reached the shelves, Hongjoong’s demeanor shifted. His posture relaxed as he ran his fingers along the spines of the books, his face lighting up in a way you hadn’t seen before.
"This one’s incredible," He said, pulling a worn paperback from the shelf. The cover featured a pirate ship hurtling through the clouds. "It’s about a crew exploring the universe, trying to find a new home after their planet’s destroyed. The writing is just… amazing."
You arched a brow, your manicured nails tapping lightly against the edge of a nearby table. "Sounds... intense."
"It is," Hongjoong replied eagerly, flipping through the pages "But it’s also about relationships and survival. You’d like it, I think."
You leaned closer, taking the book from him, inspecting it like a rare artifact "You think I’d like it? Bold assumption."
Hongjoong chuckled nervously "Well, maybe not the battles. But the characters… they’re complicated, just like you."
Your lips curved into a smirk, and you handed the book back "Careful, Hongjoong. You’re starting to sound charming."
You spent the next hour browsing, with Hongjoong pointing out his favorite authors and you occasionally picking up a book just to make a witty comment about its cover. It was strange, almost surreal.
YN Clarke, the queen bee, immersed in his world.
At one point, you plopped down on a cushioned chair and crossed your legs elegantly.
"Okay, impress me." You said, holding out a slim notebook you had pulled from your bag. He hesitated, then sat across from you, scribbling a quick sketch of the pirate ship he’d described earlier. He showed it to you shyly, half-expecting a sarcastic remark. Instead, you studied it thoughtfully. "Not bad," You admitted, handing it back "Maybe you’re not as boring as I thought."
Your words were teasing, but the tone was softer, almost approving.
For the first time, Hongjoong felt like you were seeing him, not as a project or a pawn, but as something more. But just as quickly as the moment came, it passed.
You stood, brushing imaginary dust off your skirt "Alright, nerd. Let’s go. I’m starving."
"Where to?" He asked, slipping the notebook back into his bag.
"Back to my place," You said with a wink "You can show me more of your… fascinating hobbies while we snack."
As you left the library, Hongjoong couldn’t help but feel a strange mix of pride and unease. Your approval was addictive, but at what cost?
That afternoon was spent at your house, watching movies or listening to music in your plush room. You sprawled out on your bed, phone in hand, while Hongjoong sat awkwardly on the edge.
"You can relax, you know," You teased, patting the space beside you.
He hesitated before joining you, feeling your warmth radiate beside him. You tilted your head to look at him, your lips curving into a soft, knowing smile.
"See? This isn’t so bad."
By Wednesday, you had fully integrated Hongjoong into your routine. You sit with him at lunch, laughing at his jokes, and an odd sincerity in your gaze when you look at him.
For a moment, the lingering tension, the unspoken dynamics, and the ever-watchful shadow of Dann keeps Hongjoong’s heart uneasy, even as he tries to enjoy the fleeting comfort of your charm.
Little did you know, the world you were teetering on the edge of, was about to shift once again.
✮ ⋆
That same day, the tension between Seonghwa and you had reached a boiling point. It wasn’t just about your weird relationship anymore, it was about the power shift that Hwa couldn’t ignore.
You had been spending all your time with the nerd, and he couldn’t stand being sidelined.
At lunch, Seonghwa makes his move.
You are at your usual table, Hongjoong at your side, your heads bent close as you laugh over some private joke. His jaw tightens at the sight.
Without waiting for an invitation, he walks over, towering above you “YN,” He says curtly, his voice cutting through your laughter “We need to talk.”
You barely glance up, your gaze cool. “About what?”
“Alone.” He insists, his tone sharp.
Your lips curl into a faint smirk “If it’s so important, you can say it here.”
Seonghwa’s eyes flicks to Hongjoong, who stiffs slightly under his gaze “Fine,” He says tightly, crossing his arms “What’s with you? Ever since the party, it’s been all about him.” He jerks his chin toward Hongjoong “You’ve barely said two words to me.”
“So?”
Seonghwa let out a bitter laugh “You’re unbelievable. I get it now. He’s your new toy, right? Your latest project… What’s the plan, YN? To make him worship you till you get bored?”
Your eyes narrow as you rise slowly from your seat, meeting Seonghwa head-on “You’ve got some nerve, Park. Is this jealousy? Or are you just mad that you’re no longer the center of my world?”
He steps closer, his voice lowering but his words sharper “You think I’m mad because you’re ignoring me? No, Clarke. I’m mad because I know you, and I know how this ends. You ignore me and then come back to me like nothing happened, it's tiring.”
“Stop complaining, I can handle myself.”
“Can you?” Hwa shoots back, leaning in slightly, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. “What would your brother think if he knew about your little extracurricular activities? The drinking? The parties? The weed?”
Hongjoong frowns at his words. Brother? Do you have a brother?
Your composure cracks further. The mention of your older brother makes your stomach twist. You could almost feel the sting of his hand across your face, the disappointed look in his eyes as he coldly tells your parents everything.
“Careful, Hwa. You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Oh, I know plenty. Imagine if your brother finds out. What’s his name again? Oh, right—Mr. Perfect. He still thinks you’re his sweet, innocent little sister, doesn’t he?” Seonghwa grinds, he isn’t done “How do you think he would react if he found out about all the bad things you've done since he left? Or better yet, how do you manipulate people and toss them aside like trash? Bet he wouldn’t be too proud of his baby sister then.”
“You wouldn’t dare.” You say between your teeth, almost a murmur.
“Oh, I would,” His grin gets bigger “He’s abroad, isn’t he? Perfect son, perfect man... but if he found out about all this?” He gestures vaguely around “How long before he tells your parents? Or better yet, how long before he comes back and shows you what happens when you ruin his perfect family image?”
For a moment, all your confidence falters. Your heart racing at the memory of your brother… your parents’ golden child, the one person you couldn’t afford to disappoint. But you recover quickly, your smirk returning like armor.
“Nice try, Seonghwa. But let’s not forget that you have secrets too. Drinking? Drugs? You think your parents wouldn’t care? You’re a Park. Your last name is everything. What would your father say if he knew his precious son was sneaking around doing God-knows-what? How long do you think that reputation of yours would last?” Hwa’s smirk froze, his confidence visibly shaken for the first time “That’s what I thought,” You continue with an icy voice “So don’t come at me with fucking threats unless you’re prepared to deal with the fallout.”
He scoffs, his frustration evident as he turns and walks away “You’ll regret this.” He mutters under his breath before disappearing into the crowd.
As Seonghwa walks away, your mask slips for just a second, jaw clenching and your eyes flashing with anger and fear.
Hongjoong frowns confused “What was that about? Is he threatening you?”
You exhale sharply, brushing off his concern “Don’t worry about it. Seonghwa’s all talk.”
But your voice lacks its usual conviction, and Hongjoong isn't entirely convinced.
As you return to your conversation, your mind churns, plotting your next move. Whatever it takes, you’d make sure your secrets stay buried.
✮ ⋆
After lunch, your mood seemed lighter to anyone who didn’t know you well, but Hongjoong could see the subtle tension in your shoulders, the slight edge to your voice.
You barely touched your food, and your eyes kept darting around the cafeteria, likely searching for Seonghwa.
As the bell rings and students begin to shuffle to their next classes, you grab Hogjoong’s arm, pulling him close
“We’re skipping.” You announce, leaving no room for argument.
“What? YN, I can’t—”
“You can, and you will.” You interrupt him, locking your gaze with his “I need to relax, and you’re going to help me. Now come on.”
Without waiting for a response, you drag him through the hallway, your grip firm as you lead him to a quiet, empty classroom on the far side of the building.
“YN, what’s going on?” He asks as you close the door behind you, the soft click of the lock making his heart race.
You turn to face him, your expression unreadable for a moment before a sly smirk creeps into your lips.
“You’re going to make me forget about Seonghwa and his stupid threats.”
Hongjoong blinks, caught off guard by your sudden shift in tone “What does that mean?”
“It means,” You step closer to him, your fingers toying with the collar of his shirt “That I need a distraction. And you’re it.”
His breath hitch as your hands slid to his chest “YN, I don’t think—”
“Stop thinking, Kim.” You whisper, lips brushing against his ear “Just do what I say.”
Before he can respond, you press yourself against him, your lips finding his in a heated kiss. His resolve crumbles almost instantly, his hands finding your hips as you deepen the kiss.
You push him back against the desk, movements confident and calculated. As you straddle him, your fingers trail teasingly along the waistband of his pants, your touch light but deliberate, as you glance up at him with a sly smirk.
He holds his breath for a sec, his hands gripping your hips tightly. He looks down at you, wide-eyed and unsure, but there is no mistaking the nervous excitement that flickers in his gaze.
“You’re so tense, Joongie.” You purr with a soft but teasing tone “Relax. I’ll take care of everything.”
Your fingers toy with the fabric for a moment longer before tugging gently, letting his pants slide down his hips, and letting free his length already hard as a fuck.
Is he hard with just a few kisses? Cute
Taking a deliberate step closer, your hands gliding up his thighs as you position yourself between his legs, arching your back as you go down on your knees, your smirk growing as you notice the way his whole body tenses.
Hongjoong’s feels his face burning, his breath coming in short, shallow bursts as he struggles to meet your gaze. He swallows hard, trying to focus on breathing, but his chest feels tight, like all the air has been sucked out of the room.
He's never been in situations like this before, he doesn't know what to do. He doesn't know where to look, at your hands, at your face, at the classroom door, but his eyes keep drifting back to you, to you in a way he can't control.
He doesn't want to give you any more signs of his embarrassing virginity, but he can't help but feel tense.
“You look like you’re about to pass out.” A soft chuckle leaves your lips, the panic in his eyes seems tender to you “Relax, babe. Just enjoy it.”
His voice cracks as he tries to respond, but all that comes out is a strangled sound. You raise an eyebrow, clearly enjoying his reaction. You let your hands glide up his sides, nails grazing his skin ever so lightly.
“Do you want me to suck you off?” You inquire, looking up, connecting your gaze with his. You wait patiently for an answer by stroking his skin with your fingertips.
Shit, Hongjoong doesn't want to accept it, but you look fucking cute that way.
Kneeling in front of him.
Hongjoong’s jaw drops slightly, and he nods so quickly it's almost comical “Y-Yeah… please.” He stammers, his words barely audible.
“Good boy.” You murmur with a satisfied grin, your fingers brushing over his trembling hands as you guide one up to your head “Hold on if you want. I don’t mind.”
His touch is hesitant, his fingers barely tangling in your soft hair as if he is afraid to push too far. You roll your eyes with a playful smirk, your hands holding his thighs steady as you lean in.
His thick cock is firmly against his stomach, it has a deep shade of pink, and some pre-cum at the tip, its the prettiest dick you've ever seen.
Everything about Kim Hongjoong is pretty.
You hold the base, your fingers barely touching the skin, you start slow with kitty licks on the tip as you test his reactions. Hongjoong’s breaths come in uneven gasps, his chest rising and falling as he tries to process everything happening.
Your hands hold his thighs firmly, keeping him grounded, but his body seems to move on its own, shifting slightly as he instinctively searches for more.
He squeezes his eyes shut, biting his lip to keep from making a sound when suddenly you put all his length in your mouth, the warm feeling of your lips around his dick make his head spin in pleasure.
Soft whimpers escape him as he tilts his head back slightly, relaxing under your touch, enjoying the moment.
Fuck, he never understood why his male classmates always talked about blowjobs as if it were the best thing in the world, and now that he is in this situation, he understands them.
The warm feeling of your mouth around him, the wet sound that comes every time you bob your head, your hand stroking where your mouth can't reach, and the pleasure sounds you let out while savoring every little inch of his cock.
Goddammit! This is the best experience a virgin boy could have.
You glance up at him, relishing the way his head tilts back, his lips part, and his entire being is consumed by the sensation.
Every gasp, and every shaky exhale from his mouth feeds your ego.
“You’re so easy to please.” You tease, pulling back just enough to flash him a knowing smile.
His voice is barely a whisper as he mutters.
“YN, I…”
“Shh.”
As you continue sucking him off, you caress his thighs, and try to enjoy every part of his length. Savoring every inch of his dick, the softness of his tip stroking the back of your throat, the taste of the pre-cum on your tongue…
Fuck, you’re getting more than horny for this nerd.
Hongjoong feels himself nearing the edge, his breaths coming faster, his grip on your hair tightening just slightly causing you to whine. His whole body trembles, his hips moving involuntarily as he tries to hold on, but it's too much.
He is literally fucking your mouth, you couldn't be anything but happy, and your satisfied moan made it clear.
“Fuck… I-I’m close.” He whines with shaky breath, his hips moving a little faster.
You almost let out another whine when you hear him curse for the first time, you didn't think hearing it would make your skin crawl with excitement.
Motivated by the sweet sounds coming out of his lips, you move your head faster, applying more force with your tongue.
Hongjoong gets louder, forgetting where he is for a moment. His gasps turn into soft, needy whimpers, his free hand clutching at the desk behind him as if it was the only thing keeping him on the ground, and with one final moan, he finally reaches his limit, his whole body tenses, his breath catching in his throat as a broken moan escapes him.
“Shit…”
His vision is hazy, but he can appreciate the way you swallow all his load, licking every drop like it's your last meal.
He closes his eyes cursing internally, that is the hottest thing he's ever seen and experienced in his fucking life.
The best of all? It was with you.
When you pull back, just a little to watch his pretty face. You smirk to yourself, knowing that you have him completely undone. A satisfied grin spreads across your face as he slumps back against the desk, utterly tired.
When he finally regulates his breathing, Hongjoong can't bring himself to meet your eyes, his face burning with embarrassment and something else…. something like awe.
“See? Told you I’d take care of it.” You say smugly, standing and cleaning the edge of your mouth, removing any traces of lipstick.
Hogjoong looks up at you, his face red, his chest still heaving “I… I don’t even know what to say.”
You giggle “Don’t say anything.” His tender demeanor makes you laugh a little “Just remember who made you feel this good.”
You approach him to give him one last kiss, Hogjoong groans, he can taste himself in your mouth.
When you break the kiss he looks at you with something new in his eyes, you're not sure what it is, but as long as he's by your side doing everything you ask without question, you won't complain.
From that day on, Hongjoong could only think about you and the amazing first blowjob he received that day.
Maybe he should thank Seonghwa for making you angry.
✮ ⋆ ˚。𖦹 ⋆。°✩
That week had been amazing for you and Hongjoong, every interaction and every moment made you feel genuinely closer, and not only because of the small deal you made that day in the school's garden.
There was something more between the two of you but you didn't want to accept it.
However; that whole week was a martyrdom for Dann, you keeped asking her to do uncountable tasks that she can barely have time to do on her own.
In the mornings before going to school, you asked her to bring you breakfast in bed, to organize some things in your backpack, and to carry the books or folders with the work she did for you.
During school hours, you asked her to bring your things to your classroom and a matcha latte before the first class started. At lunch she would go get your and your friends' food.
She looked like a small waitress going from one end to the other with trays in hand.
And when she thought she could rest at home, you called her to do your homework and projects, in addition to cleaning your room, which by the way there was nothing to clean anymore... you just wanted her to waste her time.
One of the things that bothered Dann the most was the fact that not only did you order her what to do, but your friends also asked her to do small errands when they visited your home.
'I'm not their servant,' she used to repeat when Mindy or someone else asked her for something, but your strong gaze and your perfect raised eyebrow forced her not to reproach and to do what they asked.
She was tired, tired of your orders and mistreatment. The worst of all is that no one could help her. Your parents, especially your dad, were okay with you treating her like your personal doll, so she couldn't complain to them.
On the other hand, her mother could only look at her with pity every time your voice calling for her was heard. Dann complained every day to his mother about the things you made her do and she just hugged her, patted her on the back and said it would all be over soon....
But when will it be that, a week has passed and she feels desperate for this martyrdom to end.
Another thing that bothered Dann was the fact that Hongjoong was by your side all the time and watched the daily humiliations without doing anything, without defending her.
They're not supposed to be friends? Why doesn't he defend her as she did several times?
“I want to go shopping.”
Your voice slices through the fog of Dann’s thoughts, yanking her back to reality. She blinks at you with a blank expression, already bracing herself for whatever new errand or degrading task you have in mind.
“Have fun.” Hongjoong says casually, flashing one of his rare, easygoing smiles.
Your perfectly manicured fingers gently swat his arm, your playful grin in stark contrast to the command that follows “You’re coming with me, silly.”
He blinks, taken aback “Wait, me?” He asks, the confusion on his face almost comical.
“Of course. You don't want to come with me?” You tilt your head, feigning innocence, but the glint in your eyes reveals your true intention. You weren't asking him, you were telling him.
Hongjoong hesitates for a moment, his gaze flicking toward Dann, who shrinks back into herself, pretending not to listen.
“I... uh—”
You cut him off, stepping closer and lowering your voice “Don’t tell me you’re saying no, Kim Hongjoong.”
He responds immediately to your harsh tone when saying his name “Shopping it is.”
You clap your hands together in mock excitement “Perfect! You can meet me outside in ten minutes. Oh,” You turn to Dann, a sickly sweet smile spreading across your face, “And you’re coming too. I’ll need someone to carry my bags.”
Dann’s stomach knots as she swallows back a retort. She wants to argue, to tell you she has better things to do, but the cold, expectant look you throw her way dares her to say otherwise.
“I’ll... grab my things.” Dann mutters, her voice barely above a whisper.
You watch her retreating figure with a satisfied smirk, then you turn back to Hongjoong, your tone softening “We’re going to have a lot of fun!”
✮ ⋆
The luxury mall gleams under the bright lights, filled with the chatter of shoppers and the faint sound of background music. You move through the aisles of an upscale clothing store with an air of authority, Hongjoong walks beside you gladly holding your hand while Dann follows at a distance, burdened with shopping bags that seem to multiply by the minute.
You pause your walk in front of a mannequin dressed in a sharp blazer and slim-fit pants.
“This is perfect for you.” You turn to Hongjoong, your eyes scanning him with a mix of scrutiny and mischief “Put it on. Let me see.”
He hesitates, glancing at the price tag “It's so expensive.”
You step closer, your fingers brushing lightly against his as you take the tag out of his hand.
“Don’t look at the price. Your only job is to look good for me.” Hongjoong’s cheeks flush, but he nods and takes the blazer to the fitting room. You turn to Dann, your smirk widening “Careful, Dann. Those bags are worth more than your tuition. Don’t drop them.”
Dann glares at you, but she says nothing, her grip tightening on the handles.
Moments later, Hongjoong reemerges, the blazer fitting him like it was tailored just for him.
Your eyes light up as you clap your hands “I knew it! You look incredible, Joongie!”
You step closer, tugging at the lapels to adjust them. Your hands linger, smoothing the fabric over his chest before trailing down to his forearm. Hongjoong stands frozen, his breath catching as your touch sends a spark through him.
It's only been two days since that incredible blowjob, an act too intimate in his opinion, but he still can't help but feel shy about your touch and presence in general.
You lean teasingly close enough that he can feel your breath “I might just keep you dressed like this all the time. You look hot.”
Hongjoong chuckles nervously, his face bright red. Your lips curve into a sly smile, and before he can react, you lean in, brushing your lips softly against his mouth. Giving him a little peak.
“Consider it a reward for being such a good boy.”
He feels his ears burn, and his pulse racing at the sudden show of affection. Also; that pet name makes him feel something he shouldn't.
Dann, standing a few feet away, shifts uncomfortably, her expression a mix of bitterness and hurt.
✮ ⋆
You are sitting in a plush chair, slipping on a pair of sleek red stilettos. You stretch your leg out, admiring the way the shoes accentuate your figure. Hongjoong sits nearby, fidgeting with the hem of his shirt, while Dann sits on a bench surrounded by luxury brand bags with all your purchases.
You glance up at Hongjoong with a mischievous smile “What do you think? Pretty?”
You tilt your foot, the curve of the stiletto catching the light.
Hongjoong stammers, his eyes darting nervously “Uh… They’re… pretty.”
“Is that all you’ve got?”
You stand, crossing the short distance to him. Placing your hands on the arms of his chair, leaning closer, your face inches from his.
“Say it like you mean it, Joong.”
He swallows hard, his voice barely above a whisper “You’re stunning.”
You smirk, clearly pleased. You straighten up, brushing a hand lightly across his shoulder as you walk back to your seat.
“That 's better. I like it when you’re honest.”
Dann shifts awkwardly, her eyes darting between you two. You notice and smirk again,
“We’ll take these. And those boots too.” You say to the salesperson with a sweet smile.
“YN, you really don’t need to buy me things.”
“Hongjoong…” You cut him off as you step closer again “I want to do it.”
Your thumb brushes lightly over his shirt, and he nods, his breath hitching.
Dann looks away, her face tight as she pretends not to notice.
✮ ⋆
All of you step out into the cool evening air, the weight of the shopping bags palpable, well… at least for Dann.
You walk confidently ahead, your hand joined with Hongjoong's was becoming a habit, casual intimacy.
“See? That wasn’t so bad, was it? Shopping is fun.” You tease with a grin.
Hongjoong chuckles nervously, his gaze darting to the bags Dann carries.
“I feel bad, though. About, you know… her.”
Your smile falters slightly, but you recover quickly, tightening your grip on his hand.
“She needs this. It’s character building.” You stop abruptly, turning to face him. Your free hand reaches up to toy with the collar of his denim jacket “And you need this too. You’re not the same guy you were last week, Hongjoong.” You lean in, your lips capturing his, lingering just enough to make his knees weak “You’re mine now. Don’t forget that.”
Hongjoong nods, his heart pounding as you lead him to your car.
Behind you, Dann struggles to keep up, her expression a mixture of bitterness and heartbreak.
YN and Hongjoong holding hands.
YN brushing her lips against his in fleeting, possessive kisses.
YN laughing, her voice light and carefree, while Hongjoong smiled at her like she hung the stars.
Each glance they shared felt like a dagger. It wasn’t just the weight of the bags that left Dann breathless; it was the sight of Hongjoong, her Joong, so completely absorbed into your orbit.
Dann swallows the lump in her throat as a sharp ache settles in her chest. She had known this day would come…. the day Hongjoong is fully absorbed into your world, but it didn’t make it any easier.
For every bag she carried, there was another piece of herself being stripped away, replaced by bitter envy and an unbearable sense of invisibility.
By the time they reached your sprawling mansion, the sun was dipping below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink. The estate was as imposing as ever, with its perfectly manicured lawns and grand double doors.
You toss your keys to the porter, your demeanor as effortless and commanding as always.
“Let’s head up to my room,” You say, turning to Hongjoong with a smile that could light up the night “Snacks and a movie sound good?”
Hongjoong hesitates, glancing at Dann, who stands at the base of the grand staircase, clutching the bags like they were her lifeline.
It's not the first time he's spent the afternoon at your house, but having Dann right there watching your interactions makes guilt consume him.
“Uh… yeah, sure.” He mumbles, torn between your intoxicating pull and the pang of remorse that lingers whenever he sees Dann.
“Dann.” You call sharply, breaking Hongjoong’s thoughts “Take these up to my closet. Organize everything by type and color. Oh! And tell your mom to bring up snacks for us in ten minutes.”
Dann’s stomach churn, but she nods, her jaw tightening as she obeys.
Inside your room, the atmosphere is a world away from the cold detachment of the mansion downstairs. The expansive space is bathed in soft pastel tones, luxurious fabrics, and delicate lighting from the ornate chandeliers.
Despite its size and splendor, the room always feels surprisingly intimate.
You plop into the oversized bed, tossing your designer heels to the floor without care as you pat the spot beside you, looking at Hongjoong with an expectant smirk.
“Come on, don’t be weird about it. Sit.”
Hongjoong sits down, his posture stiff despite the number of times he's been there now. You roll your eyes, leaning into him with playful ease. “Relax, Joongie. I don’t bite… unless you want to.” You tease, running a hand lightly over his arm.
He gives you a little shy smile, but says nothing.
The movie began playing on the massive screen, though neither of you seemed particularly interested in it. You lean back against his shoulder, your head resting there comfortably.
You grab a handful of popcorn from the tray one of the maids had just delivered, holding a piece up to his lips, fingers brushing against his mouth as you feed him, and you smirk when you notice him blush.
As Hongjoong grows more comfortable, his gaze wanders around your room. His eyes caught on a silver-framed photo on your nightstand. It shows you smiling—truly smiling—beside a tall, impeccably dressed man with striking features.
“Is he your brother? The one that Seonghwa mentioned that day?” He asks cautiously, nodding toward the photo.
Your teasing smirk falters for a moment, and your body stiff slightly against him. You sit up and grab the frame, holding it in your hands as your eyes trace over the image.
“Yeah… That’s Mike.”
Hongjoong sense a shift in your tone, the lightness replace by something far heavier “I didn't know you had a brother.”
“Almost no one knows, only a few. He’s... perfect. The perfect son, the perfect student, the perfect everything.” Your fingers grip the frame a little tighter “He’s the reason I’ll never be good enough for my parents, no matter what I do.”
He frowns, leaning in slightly “YN...”
You force a small laugh, though it sounds hollow “He’s studying abroad now, getting his business master’s degree. Every time he comes back, it’s just to remind me how much better he is at everything. And if he ever found out about... stuff, he’d make sure my parents knew. It’d be game over for me.”
Your words falter as if Seonghwa’s voice still echoes in your mind from that day in the cafeteria.
'How do you think he would react if he found out about all the bad things you've done since he left?'
Hongjoong shifts closer, his hand resting gently on yours as you hold the photo “YN, nobody’s perfect—not even him. And you’re not... you’re not as bad as you think you are.”
You look at him, lips pressing into a tight line “You don’t know him, Hongjoong. He would... he’d destroy me if he knew half the things I’ve done.” Your voice cracks slightly, and you quickly look away.
Hongjoong hesitates before squeezing your hand gently “Maybe he’s not as invincible as you think. Maybe he’s got his own flaws, like everyone else.”
You let out a bitter laugh, wiping at your eye quickly as if you would never show vulnerability for too long.
“That’s generous of you.”
“No, it’s honest. You’re more than whatever shadow he’s cast over you. I mean it.”
For a moment, you just stare at him. Your usual sharpness seems to melt away, replaced by something softer, something raw. Then you set the photo back on the nightstand, your hand lingering on it briefly.
“Thanks…” You murmur, so softly it's almost inaudible.
He leans back with you again, letting you rest your head on his shoulder once more. Neither of you say anything, but the silence isn’t uncomfortable.
It’s a rare moment of understanding, one they both seem to need.
As Dann carries the bags upstairs, she hears the faint sounds of your laughter and Hongjoong’s responses through the closed bedroom door.
Her heart twists, the weight of the shopping bags nothing compared to the invisible burden she carries.
Dann unpacks the bags in your enormous closet, her hands moving automatically as her mind replays every painful moment of the day. When she finishes, she sits on the edge of your chaise lounge, staring at the floor.
From the hallway, she hears soft laughter and murmurs from your room, each sound a reminder of how far you and Hongjoong have drifted apart.
Her mother passes by with a tray of tea, her face tight with worry as she glances at her daughter. Dann gives her a weak smile, but as the door to your room closes behind her mother, the bitterness and heartbreak she’d been holding back finally spills over.
She sits in silence, the faint echoes of your laughter stabbing at her like tiny needles.
In that grand mansion filled with people, Dann had never felt so utterly alone.
✮ ⋆ ˚。𖦹 ⋆。°✩
Once again, Dann sighs tired while she organizes your and your friends' drinks on the table.
“Careful, Dann. If you spill anything, that’s just more work for you.”
She wants to roll her eyes at your words but she doesn't want to make a scene.
“Honestly, she should be thanking you, YN. Who else would give her such a generous chance to repay her debt?”
Dann places the drinks carefully on the table, her hands trembling slightly from exhaustion and frustration. She doesn’t reply to those sharp comments, knowing that any response could worsen her situation.
Mindy laughs, taking a sip of her coffee “She’s like your little pet now, Babe. So obedient.”
Dann grits her teeth but keeps her head down, focusing on arranging the drinks neatly “I’m not a pet.”
You raise an eyebrow, your sharp ears catching the quiet defiance “What was that, Dann?”
Dann stiffens, her hands clenching into fists by her sides. She looks up, meeting your cold gaze with as much courage as she can muster.
“I said I’m not a pet.”
The table goes silent for a moment, the air thick with tension. You lean back in the chair, crossing your legs elegantly. Your lips curve into a dangerous smile.
“Not a pet? Funny, because you’re doing a pretty good impression of one. Running around, fetching drinks, doing homework. Should I get you a designer leash next?”
Mindy and the others burst into laughter, and Dann feels her face burn with humiliation.
“YN, maybe that’s a bit much…” Hongjoong quietly, almost hesitantly says.
“Oh, now you have something to say? Where was this energy all last week when she was crying about carrying my books?”
Hongjoong looks down, not daring to meet your eyes. Dann glances at him, hoping for some semblance of solidarity, but he avoids her gaze entirely.
You sigh dramatically and turn your attention back to Dann “Now, Dann, let’s be clear. You ruined an expensive dress, so until I say otherwise, you’re working for me. Unless you’d rather I take the cost straight from your mom’s paycheck?”
Dann’s breath catches, and she clenches her fists tighter “No... I’ll keep working.”
“Good girl. Now, you’ve wasted enough time here. Go grab some snacks.”
Dann hesitates, her pride fighting against the inevitable, but ultimately she turns and walks toward the counter.
“Anyways, tomorrow I won't come, my father has a billion-dollar meeting and important executives will have dinner at my house, so don't miss me too much.” You drink your smoothie gracefully and your friends laugh.
“That's right, queen, I hope your dad gets those billions and can go on that summer trip that we have planned.”
“Of course it will be, my daddy is the best at his job.”
When Dann returns to the table, you look up at her with a saccharine smile “Took you long enough. Now clean this up, and make it quick. We’re leaving soon.”
Dann nods silently, her head low, as she leaves the snacks on the table and starts cleaning it. Her chest feels heavy, but she pushes the feelings down, knowing there’s no use fighting back.
✮ ⋆ ˚。𖦹 ⋆。°✩
It’s a rare day at school without you on her all the time. Dann feels a strange mix of relief and unease knowing you are back at your mansion, preparing for your father’s dinner.
With no errands to run for you, Dann finally has a moment to herself.
She sits quietly in the library with Jongho, Yeosang and Yunho, all of them engrossed in a shared book, when Hongjoong unexpectedly joins them.
“Hey, guys.” He greets them happily.
“Aren't you going to play at being popular today?” Jongho makes fun of him and he rolls his eyes while taking a seat next to Yunho.
“She is not here today Jongho….” Dann murmurs without taking her eyes out of the book, but then she frowns, looking at Hongjoong “Wait, why aren’t you with her friends? Did they give you the day off, too?”
“As you said, YN is not here. Why should I stay with her annoying friends? I prefer to hang out with you guys.” Hongjoong shrugs, smiling to see his friends here.
“Why?” Yeosang narrows his eyes at him.
This looked suspicious, for two weeks he ignored them as if they hadn't been friends since high school, and now he's coming back as if nothing happened.
“What do you mean, why? Can’t I just hang out with my friends?”
Yunho raises an eyebrow “We haven’t exactly been friends since... well, since you started following YN like a dog.”
Hongjoong lowers his gaze in sorrow “That’s not fair. Things are complicated with her.”
Jongho snorts “Complicated? That’s a nice way of putting it. You mean stupidity.”
Hongjoong shifts uncomfortably but doesn’t respond right away. Instead, he glances at the book in their hands.
“You’re still into these epic fantasy novels, huh? Guess some things never change.”
Yunho smiles softly “And you’re still into coding, I bet. Or did YN ban you from being a nerd?”
Everyone laughs at the tallest funny remark, even Hongjoong does.
“I sneak in some nerd time when she’s not looking.”
They fall into a familiar rhythm, talking about things they used to enjoy together. Books, games, and small, silly inside jokes.
For the first time in what feels like forever, they see a glimpse of the Hongjoong they used to know.
They had missed him a lot, but just as they’re laughing about an old shared memory, Mindy, one of your closest friends, spots them from across the library and strides over, her heels clicking against the floor.
“Well, isn’t this cozy? The nerd squad back in action.” She mocks.
“What do you want, Mindy?” Jongho is the first one to confront her.
“Oh, nothing. Just making mental notes for YN. You know how she gets when people step out of line, right Dann?”
“Why don’t you mind your own business for once?” She closes her book suddenly feeling angry at Mindy’s presence.
Mindy ignores her words, patting Hongjoong’s shoulder “Just giving you a friendly warning, Joong. YN’s not going to be thrilled when she hears about this little reunion. Better get your story straight before she does.”
Mindy saunters off, leaving behind an uneasy silence. Hongjoong looks conflicted, running a hand through his hair.
“She’s not here, Joong. You don’t have to let her control you every second of the day.” Yeosang says softly, feeling pity for his friend.
“It’s not that simple, you don’t get it.”
“Maybe we don’t. But you used to.”
They don't push further, but the words hang in the air. For a brief moment, Hongjoong feels a pang of guilt, a memory of simpler times when things weren’t so messy.
✮ ⋆
Meanwhile, back at the mansion, you are busy overseeing preparations for your father’s dinner when Mindy calls to report what she saw.
“Babygirl, you’re not going to like this, but guess who Hongjoong was spending his day with?”
You frown “What are you talking about?”
“Your little maid, Dann and the other freaks. They were all chummy in the library. It was kind of gross, honestly. Looked like they were best friends again.”
Your grip tightens around the phone. The thought of Hongjoong spending his time with his old friends you care little about, but with Dann… laughing with her, reminiscing. Sparks a flicker of jealousy and anger.
“Thanks for letting me know, babe.”
Cutting the call, you tell yourself it’s nothing. But the idea of Hongjoong slipping back to his old life, even for a moment, makes your blood boil.
The sound of the preparations for the business dinner echoes faintly through the mansion, but your focus is entirely on the phone.
Maybe you should remind Hongjoong which class he belongs to now.
Hongjoong’s phone buzzes just as he’s settling into class after his little encounter with his friends. His stomach drops when he sees your name pop up.
YN♡: I heard you were with Dann at school today. Care to explain why you thought that was a good idea?
Joong: We were just talking.
YN♡: Talking? Mindy says you were hanging out like old friends. Do you even realize how that makes me look?
Hongjoong hesitates, his mind racing. He knows your temper and doesn’t want to risk your wrath.
Joong: It’s not like that. I was just bored, and she’s… easy to be around when there’s nothing better to do.
The words feel wrong even as he types them, but he presses send anyway.
YN♡: Keep it in mind, Joongie. She’s not your friend anymore. You belong to me, remember that.
Joong: I know, YN. I won’t talk to her again. Promise.
✮ ⋆
It’s late in the evening. The business dinner is in full swing downstairs, but you have excused yourself to your room.
When you hear Dann come back from helping the staff, you call her up.
Dann knocks hesitantly on your door. She’s exhausted from helping clean up after the dinner preparations, but your icy summons gives her no choice.
“Close the door and sit.” With your head you point to the seat next to your large bed. Dann obeys, her hands clenching nervously in her lap “So, I heard you had a good time with Hongjoong today.”
Dann opens her mouth to start babbling “I… I didn’t mean anything by it. He just—”
“Oh, spare me. I already know everything.” You interrupt her.
You toss your phone onto the bed so Dann can see the screen. It’s open to Hongjoong’s messages.
Dann reads it, and her eyes moisten with sadness ‘easy to be around when there’s nothing better to do…’ Her heart sinks. The words sting more than she expected, and she feels a lump form in her throat.
“See? Even he knows where you stand. You’re nothing, Dann. A convenient distraction when he’s bored. That’s all you will ever be.” You lean back, watching the emotions flicker across Dann’s face; confusion, sadness, and humiliation.
“Why are you showing me this?” She whispers.
A mischievous smile lands on your lips “To remind you of your place. Don’t get too comfortable with Hongjoong. I don’t share what's mine.” Dann nods silently, unable to meet your gaze “Good. Now get out. I have to go back to an important dinner.”
You sit back down on your bed, satisfied but strangely restless while Dann stumbles out of the room, holding back tears.
As she retreats to the staff quarters her emotions swirl, the door clicks shut behind her, her legs give out, and she slides to the floor, the weight of your words pressing down on her chest.
She pulls her knees to her chest, resting her forehead against them as the messages replay in her mind.
‘Easy to be around when there’s nothing better to do.’
The words sting like a fresh wound, sharp and unrelenting. Hongjoong’s voice echoes in her head; not the Hongjoong she knew from before, the one who stayed up late helping her study for exams, who always made her laugh even when things were tough.
This Hongjoong felt like a stranger, someone who would say anything to stay in your good graces.
Her heart aches.
Why does she keep hoping he’ll be the person he used to be?
Dann clenches her fists, anger flickering alongside the sadness. Your smirk and your cruel words swirl in her thoughts, too. Dann knows your power, the way you can bend people like Hongjoong to your will.
But that doesn’t excuse him. He chose to say those things about her.
A single tear slips down her cheek, and she brushes it away furiously. She’s tired of feeling weak, tired of being the easy target.
"You’ll regret this, YN. One day, you’ll push too far, and everything you’ve built will crumble.” Dann exhales slowly, her tears finally dry “I can’t let her win. I won’t let her win."
✮ ⋆
Early the next morning, Dann wakes before dawn, the Clarke’s mansion still cloaked in silence.
She moves through her routine with mechanical precision, but her mind is elsewhere. Formulating, planning.
She thinks she owns me. That her words and her smirks can crush me into submission. And maybe, for a while, they did. But every cutting remark, every degrading task, only sharpens my focus.
'One day YN Clarke, you’ll realize I’m not as small as you think I am.'
She pulls on her simple clothes, smoothing the creases in the mirror. For a brief moment, her reflection stares back, eyes tired but filled with a quiet fire.
"I won't let her humiliate me anymore.”
Later that day at school in the cafeteria during lunch. You and your entourage sit at your usual table, the center of attention, laughing and chatting.
Dann approaches, carrying your latte on a tray. Her face is calm, but her heart races. She’s had enough of your endless demands and sharp tongue.
Dann’s fingers tighten around the tray. She can feel the weight of their stares, the way Mindy smirks at her like she’s a walking joke.
Her stomach churns, but she keeps her head high. She’s done everything you asked, swallowed every cruel word, and yet you still treat her like dirt.
‘One little accident wouldn’t hurt.’ She tells herself.
As she reaches the table, her hand shifts slightly, and the latte tilts; pouring straight into the table and your purse.
“What the hell?! Are you crazy?” You gasp with sharp voice
Dann feigns panic, though her lips twitch with suppressed satisfaction “I’m so sorry! It slipped!”
You stand abruptly, staring at your stained designer purse. Through gritted teeth “It slipped? You’ve got to be kidding me.” You scoff.
“Wow, Dann. Maybe YN’s been too nice to you.”
You narrow your eyes “You’re right, Mindy. I think Dann needs a reminder of her place.”
Dann’s satisfaction fades as Mindy steps behind her, pushing her forcefully down to her knees. The cafeteria goes silent, all eyes on the scene unfolding.
“What—what are you doing? I said I’m sorry!” Dann starts to panic, her confidence leaving immediately.
“Sorry isn’t enough.” You step closer, towering over Dann. Your voice drops, sharp and cruel “You think you’re clever, don’t you? Dropping my drink on purpose like a little brat. Let me make one thing clear. Your mother might work for my family, but that doesn’t mean you’re worth anything. You’re just a servant’s kid playing in a world you don’t belong to.”
Tears sting Dann’s eyes, but she bites her lip, refusing to cry. You smirk and Mindy crouches at Dann's height to whisper against her ear.
“Now, beg. Right here, in front of everyone. Beg for her forgiveness.”
“No... I won’t—” She shakes her head. You cut her off, stepping forward and pressing your Louboutin heel onto Dann’s hand “Stop! That hurts!” She yelps with tears rolling down her cheeks now.
You let out a slight laugh at her cries “That’s the point. Maybe next time, you’ll think twice before trying to humiliate me.”
The cafeteria is deathly quiet, the other students frozen, unsure whether to intervene.
Hongjoong stands a few feet away, frozen in shock. His stomach churns as you dig your heel into Dann’s hand, and your words like knives.
Hongjoong steps forward, raising his voice.
“YN, stop!”
You turn your head sharply, her eyes narrowing “Oh, What’s the matter, Joongie? Feeling guilty for siding with me?”
“This isn’t right. Let her go.”
You've never seen him so serious, for the first time his look made you feel intimidated. You blink several times before faking a smile.
“Fine. I’m in a good mood today.” You step back, your heel lifting off Dann’s hand.
She pulls her hand back, cradling it as she glances up at Hongjoong, his expression torn between anger and guilt. She wants to scream at him, to tell him it’s too late for him to play the good guy.
But instead, she swallows her pride, standing shakily and clutching her bruised hand. She doesn’t say another word. Instead, she stands up and walks out of the cafeteria, leaving the whispers and stares behind.
You watch her go, your lips curling into a satisfied smirk. Hongjoong’s angry glare doesn’t faze you; if anything, it’s amusing.
“You’re welcome to join her if you want. Maybe you two can cry about it together.”
He doesn’t respond, but the look he gives you says more than words ever could. He lets out a sigh and begins to walk in the direction Dann left.
You snort without being able to believe what you see “Fucking losers.”
Taking your phone, you open the chat you have with him.
YN♡: I hope you enjoy your return to the losers’ club, ungrateful pet.
✮ ⋆ ˚。𖦹 ⋆。°✩
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𓇼 𝘈𝘵𝘦𝘦𝘻 𝘍𝘪𝘤 𝘙𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘌𝘱.𝘚𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𓇼 𓆞 𝘔𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘴 𓆞 𓇼 𝘔𝘪𝘯𝘰𝘳𝘴/𝘈𝘨𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴/𝘉𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘉𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘴 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵 𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘥 𓇼
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𓇼 𝘈𝘵𝘦𝘦𝘻 𝘍𝘪𝘤 𝘙𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘌𝘱.𝘛𝘦𝘯 𓇼 𓆞 𝘔𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘴 𓆞 𓇼 𝘔𝘪𝘯𝘰𝘳𝘴/𝘈𝘨𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴/𝘉𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘉𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘴 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵 𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘥 𓇼 𓇼 𝘰𝘵8/𝘮𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘪𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘮𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘴 𓇼 𓆞 Like A Waltz - @justbelievinginmagic poly!mafia!ot8 x reader (series) 𓆞 𓆞 Midnight stroll - @bombuni vampire!woosansang x reader (one-shot) 𓆞 𓆞 Milk - @sanjoongie hybrid!yeosang x hybrid!reader x boy toy!mingi (one-shot) 𓆞 𓆞 Misfits - @tainsan college student!ot8 x college student!reader (series) 𓆞 𓆞 Morning Cuddles - @hoesheez matz x reader (one-shot) 𓆞 𓇼 𝘬𝘪𝘮 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘫𝘰𝘰𝘯𝘨 𓇼 𓈒𓏸 Lost Sight of My Treasure - @vent-stink dad!idol!hongjoong x mom!reader (series) 𓈒𓏸 𓆞 Lust Is In The Air - @bananayuyu non-idol!hongjoong x reader (one-shot) 𓆞 𓈒𓏸 Midnight - @hongjoongspoetry non-idol!hongjoong x reader (drabble) 𓈒𓏸 𓆞 Mine - @starcrossedmusings bf!hongjoong x actress!reader (one-shot) 𓆞 𓈒𓏸 One Morning - @sweetiesicheng bf!idol!hongjong x reader (one-shot) 𓈒𓏸 𓇼 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘬 𝘴𝘦𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘩𝘸𝘢 𓇼 𓈒𓏸 The Little Lotus Bloom - @edenesth general!seonghwa x wife!reader (one-shot) 𓈒𓏸 𓆞 The Way to His Heart - @edenesth general!seonghwa x reader (series) 𓆞 𓆞 Till Death Do Us Park - @the-midnight-blooms yandere!seonghwa x reader (one-shot) 𓆞 𓈒𓏸 Towards The Light - @lilacmingi sith!seonghwa x jedi!reader (one-shot) 𓈒𓏸 𓆞 Style - @lxvemaze idol!seonghwa x stylist!reader (texts) 𓆞
𓇼 𝘫𝘦𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘶𝘯𝘩𝘰 𓇼 𓈒𓏸 Snuggles and Cuddles - @makeitmingi bf!yunho x reader (one-shot) 𓈒𓏸 𓆞 Sticky Web - @k-hotchoisan bf!yunho x reader (one-shot) 𓆞 𓆞 Stuffing to Give - @bandgie non-idol!yunho x reader (one-shot) 𓆞 𓆞 The Puppy With an MAcc - @kp-alice accountant!yunho x retired dominatrix!reader (one-shot) 𓆞 𓆞 The Space Between Us Three - @hwaslayer single dad!yunho x reader (series) 𓆞 𓇼 𝘬𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘦𝘰𝘴𝘢𝘯𝘨 𓇼 𓆞 Love Like This - @xomakara single dad!yeosang x reader (one-shot) 𓆞 𓈒𓏸 Small Gestures - @beenbaanbuun bf!yeosang x reader (drabble) 𓈒𓏸 𓆞 Stolen Glances - @woolysium idol!yeosang x idol!yeosang (one-shot) 𓆞 𓆞 Untitled - @no1likejoongie bf!yeosang x reader (one-shot) 𓆞 𓈒𓏸 Waiting For You - @alittlekdramatic idol!yeosang x gn!reader (one-shot) 𓈒𓏸
𓇼 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘪 𝘴𝘢𝘯 𓇼 𓆞 Better Late Than Never - @kitten4sannie husband!san x wife!reader (one-shot) 𓆞 𓈒𓏸 I Just Wanna Go Home.. - @jjcanwrite bf!san x reader (one-shot) 𓈒𓏸 𓆞 See Yourself Through My Eyes - @mingi-s-dimples bf!san x reader (one-shot) 𓆞 𓈒𓏸 Under The Twinkling Lights - @snwusberry dad!san x mom!reader (one-shot) 𓈒𓏸 𓈒𓏸 Untitled - @synthetickitsune florist!san x gn!reader (drabble) 𓈒𓏸
𓇼 𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘪 𓇼 𓆞 Caught Red-Handed - @mingi-s-dimples non-idol!mingi x reader (one-shot) 𓆞 𓈒𓏸 Mingi Rescues You From Your Shitty Date - @seobinghard waiter!mingi x reader (drabble) 𓈒𓏸 𓈒𓏸 Strangers By Nature - @seongwars heir!mingi x heir!reader (series) 𓈒𓏸 𓈒𓏸 Unzipped - @juustokaku bf!mingi x reader (one-shot) 𓈒𓏸 𓆞 What Was Rule One Again? - @ja3hwa fratboy!mingi x reader (one-shot) 𓆞 𓇼 𝘫𝘶𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘰𝘰𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘨 𓇼 𓈒𓏸 New Hair - @alxtiny non-idol!wooyoung x san’s sister!reader (one-shot) 𓈒𓏸 𓆞 Night Drives - @tinybeetiny bf!wooyoung x reader (one-shot) 𓆞 𓈒𓏸 Pirate King | All About You - @koyagifs pirate!wooyoung x mermaid!reader (two-parts) 𓈒𓏸 𓈒𓏸 Random Bf!Ateez Texts - @nightbeforethend bf!wooyoung x reader (texts) 𓈒𓏸 𓆞 Untitled - @songsanpotato idol!wooyoung x reader (one-shot) 𓆞
𓇼 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘪 𝘫𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘩𝘰 𓇼 𓈒𓏸 Apples - @yunniverse bf!jongho x reader (one-shot) 𓈒𓏸 𓈒𓏸 I'll Hold Your Hand, Eventually - @xuchiya bf!jongho x reader (one-shot) 𓈒𓏸 𓈒𓏸 Sun - @beenbaanbuun hybrid bear!jongho x reader (drabble) 𓈒𓏸 𓆞 Untitled - @beenbaanbuun bf!jongho x reader (drabble) 𓆞 𓈒𓏸 Whiplash - @tyaevs bf!jongho x gn!reader (drabble) 𓈒𓏸
I’m in love with this series so far and i’m enjoying the slow relationship of hongjoong & reader though I am curious if whoever jumped hongjoong would see him with reader and go after them
Keep up the great work! I always love reading your works <3
Genre: Romance, Mafia!AU, Violence, Angst, Slow burn
Pairing: Hongjoong x Reader (y/n)
Characters: Florist!Reader, Mafioso!Hongjoong, Mafioso!Seonghwa, Mafioso!Yunho, Mafioso!Yeosang, Mafioso!San, Mafioso!Mingi, Mafioso!Wooyoung, Mafioso!Jongho
Summary: When you appeared and wept at his mother's funeral, Hongjoong found himself wanting to find out more about you. A regular girl, who owns a flower shop in his territory and has a relationship with the mother that he hasn't spoken to in years, why hasn't he ever noticed you before?
[Warning(s): 18+ for violence, use of weapons, smoking, alcohol consumption, slight gore, gang affiliation, tattoos and character deaths. Minors DNI. This is a work of fiction and does not represent the Ateez members in real life.]
Word count: 3.3K
Chapter warning(s): Character is injured, mentions of bruises, cuts, broken ribs and possibly other injuries.
"Hongjoong sshi?!" You gasped at the slumped figure that was leaning against the wall. Shining the torch on him, he squinted, he was covered in bruises and definitely bleeding somewhere.
"Hide me..." He breathed out, clutching onto his side as his face scrunched up in pain. You put your phone aside and went over to help him. You bent down, slipping his arm over your shoulder, helping him stand up. He winced as he stood up.
"Sorry!" You panicked, helping him into your store and closing the backdoor. As carefully as you could, you set him on the ground.
"Should I call an ambulance? Or the police?" You took your phone out but Hongjoong placed his hand over your phone, covering the screen before you could dial.
"No hospital, no police." He groaned.
"What? Are you crazy?! You're injured." You screeched. Hongjoong grasped your hand.
"Calm down... Take a breath... I'm not dying..." He assured. He was the one injured and yet, he had to calm you down as if you were the one that was bleeding.
"Okay. Tell me what I should do." You said shakily.
"Do you know how to treat wounds?" He asked. You nodded your head and decided to move him to the 'office' room.
"Wait here. Let me go get the first aid kit." You helped him lay on the couch you had left there before going to get stuff that you could use. You were not a medical professional but you did know basic wound care. Plus, injuries can always happen in the shop so you try to be as prepared as possible.
"Earlier you asked me to 'hide you'. Are you in danger by being here? Should I move you?" You came back, setting everything down.
"They should be long gone by now... Don't worry, you're not in danger." Hongjoong grunted. You felt your cheeks heat up, he knew what you were thinking about.
"We can talk later, let me fix you up." You began to clean the open cuts and put ointment on the bruises.
"Oww." He hissed when you dabbed the disinfectant over the cut on his eyebrow.
"Sorry." You squeaked and tried to be gentler, if that was even possible. After that, you placed a band aid over it. Once all the visible injuries were looked after, you stared at his shirt.
"C-Could you..." You wanted to hide, you couldn't even ask him to remove his shirt. Hongjoong smirked at your expression and removed his shirt.
"It's just a slash, I wasn't stabbed." He said when you were staring at the bleeding cut right at his ribs. That was the first thing you treated first. Hongjoong felt you look back at him for his expression with each dab of the cotton ball against the cut.
"Your salve works really well, by the way." He cleared his throat, lifting his injured hand up. You stopped, tilting your head in confusion before turning to look at his hand.
"Oh! I forgot about that. I'm glad it could help." You smiled when you remembered treating his hand for him.
"Do you get injured often?" You asked softly, seeing some old scars across his body.
"It's part of the job." He replied honestly. You nodded with a soft hum and quietly continued. You taped a gauze over the place where he was slashed.
"I don't know if you broke your ribs. But until you check them out, I'll tape them in place." Taking some sports tape, you skillfully tape Hongjoong's ribs. Hopefully, he goes to an actual doctor soon.
"I doubt they're badly broken." Hongjoong said with experience.
"All done. I don't think I missed anything." You stepped back with a soft sigh. While Hongjoong put his shirt back on, you were returning your things to their respective places. You grabbed some paracetamol tablets and a towel, wetting it in the bathroom sink, before going back to Hongjoong.
"Here, it's just paracetamol. I don't have anything stronger." You placed the pills in his hand and opened a new bottle of water for him.
"It's enough, thanks." Hongjoong sat up slightly and downed the pills. After he laid back down, you surprised him by reaching out to wipe his face with a wet cloth.
"Sorry! You can wipe it yourself if you'd like. I just thought you might be more comfortable." You stuttered.
"No, you can do it. I was just surprised." He closed his eyes, feeling you continue to wipe the sweat and grime off his face.
"Are you hungry? I can order dinner." You asked.
"(y/n) sshi, you don't have to stay here with me. I'm grateful for what you have done but you can go home. You've probably been busy working the whole day." He told you.
"It's okay, I usually stay late anyway. I've even stayed over a few times before. No big deal." You shrugged.
"Alright but if you want to go home, tell me and I'll leave. I understand that I can't stay because you have to lock up." Hongjoong said. You nodded obediently and took your phone, the both of you scrolling to see what food options there were.
Of course you wouldn't tell Hongjoong to leave. Yes, you barely knew him but he was gravely injured, you weren't ruthless enough to send him away while he was down.
"You should rest until the food comes." You said, taking the small throw blanket and draping it over him.
"What about you?" He blinked.
"I'll go get some work done, clean up a little." You smiled a little and stood up to leave the room, giving him some privacy. You took the time to tend to your plants and check on them.
"Hello? Delivery!" Someone called from the back. You put the broom down and went to open the door for the deliveryman.
"Have a nice evening." The deliveryman bowed. You bowed back to convey your thanks.
"Hongjoo- Woah." You stepped back in shock. When you opened the door, you were not expecting to see him standing there, pressed against the wall. His hand was resting on the waistband of his pants. Was he hiding a weapon? You hadn't even noticed it when you helped him into your shop.
"Just wanted to make sure it wasn't someone else." He said. You nodded stiffly and he stepped aside for you to put the food down on the desk so you could help him back to the couch.
"Let me get the foldable table." You went to the cupboard to get out the small plastic table.
"You really have everything you need here. It's like a house." He chuckled with slight amusement.
"Like I said, I've stayed over before." You giggled and went to get the food. When you came back, Hongjoong had shed his blazer and resting beside him was a knife in a sleeve.
"Sorry." Hongjoong must have sensed your discomfort because he put the knife into the inner pocket of his blazer to hide it.
"Thanks... Here." You handed him chopsticks. You sat on the carpet and Hongjoong slowly moved to sit beside you on the ground as well to eat. After looking through all the restaurants, you both decided to order rose tteokbokki and some fried food.
"Can you reach it?" You pushed the food closer to him so he wouldn't have to reach out too much to get it.
"I'm good." Hongjoong nodded and held his side as he reached to pick up a piece of rice cake. The two of you ate in silence, your mind was racing with too many thoughts now.
"Hongjoong sshi, if you don't mind me asking... Why did you not call your friends? And until now, you still haven't call them." You asked.
"Not worth it for them to go through the trouble. Plus, they'll just nag at me." He replied with a shrug.
"But wouldn't they be worried about you?"
"Maybe... You know what, they probably will worry a lot but it's fine. It's not like I'm running away, they'll see me tomorrow when I return home." He explained. You nodded your head slowly.
"What about your family? They're fine with you staying here overnight?" He asked back.
"Oh... I don't have anyone... I'm on my own so no one to answer to when I don't go home." You replied awkwardly, rubbing the back of your neck. Hongjoong mentally cursed, if he had properly read the file that he found about you, he would have known that you didn't have a family.
"B-But it's okay! I'm fine and happy on my own. It's been like that for my whole life so I'm used to it." You quickly added, worried that he would feel guilty for asking.
"I know how you feel, I was on my own for so long as well before I met my brothers." He smiled softly.
"Oh, you're brothers?" Your eyes widened.
"Chosen family, as people call it. A bunch of people that couldn't fit into society came together to form our own family. Sounds a lot like a comic book or movie, right?" He laughed.
"Yes but it's sweet that you all found people that you could rely on." You giggled with a smile.
"I'm grateful for them." He agreed with a nod.
"You know, Mrs Kim used to talk about you all the time and it always made me wonder what it would be like to meet you." You said without a though. But judging from the way Hongjoong stiffened and how the comfortable smile on his face disappeared, you knew...
"Hongjoong sshi! I'm sorry, I just... I always speak without thinking. I'm sorry." You panicked. Hongjoong clenched his jaw before taking a deep breath.
"It's fine. I'm full." He stated, putting his chopsticks down. Now you didn't have an appetite too, why did you screw things up?
"I'm sorry, I-"
"I already said it's fine, (y/n)." Hongjoong hissed, dropping the formality. You pursed your lips, chewing the inside of your cheek like a child that just got reprimanded.
"I'll just clear up and you can rest here." You gathered all the trash before Hongjoong could say anything.
"If you need anything, I'll be outside." You quickly said and scurried out of there.
"Great job, you chased her out of her own place." Hongjoong grumbled, scolding himself as he slumped against the couch. He slowly grabbed the foldable table and put it back for you. After sitting there for a bit, Hongjoong grabbed his phone and sent a text out to one of the Ateez members.
"(y/n), you idiot." You slapped your forehead. You threw the trash outside and washed your hands in the small bathroom.
While there was no soap for you to shower or fresh clothes for you to change into, you grabbed a small towel and wiped yourself down to feel a little fresher.
"Ah, I'm so tired." You sighed, falling back into the chair behind the counter. There wasn't much for you to do here but you were listless so you went to your botany table and grabbed your botany book.
"(y/n) sshi?" Hongjoong opened the door and poked his head out when he saw you fast asleep.
"Mmmh..." You stirred, burying your face further into your folded arms to get comfortable. You laid on your open book.
"Hyung, I'm he-"
"Shhhh." Hongjoong hushed the taller, who blinked back in surprised.
"Geez, hyung. You look terrible. You sure you don't me to call our doctor?" Yunho winced, seeing that disheveled state the captian was in. Hongjoong rolled his eyes.
"That's what happens when you get jumped. Anyway I'm sure I don't need a doctor, Yunho. I should wake her up and send her home. This is no place to sleep." Hongjoong turned to look back at where you were. Yunho craned his neck to see you sleeping at the counter.
"Up to you. By the way, I need your keys, I brought one of our men to drive your car home. You're in no shape to drive." Yunho said.
"Fine. Wait here." Hongjoong put his car keys in Yunho's hand and walked back to the shop. For a few seconds, he stood there, how was he supposed to wake you?
"(y/n) sshi...?" He shook your gently, not wanting to scare you too much. It took a while for your eyes to open and you flinched.
"Oh my!" You jumped, realising that you had fallen asleep.
"Sorry to scare you, my transport is here. But let me drop you home first. It's the least I could do after all that you've done for me tonight." Hongjoong informed.
"I didn't even know I fell asleep... You don't have to, Hongjoong sshi. You're injured, you should get home and rest." You yawned.
"I want to. And it'll make me feel better knowing you got home safely." He smiled.
"Alright, if you're sure..." You stood up. Hongjoong stepped aside to give you space while you cleared up and grabbed your things. He waited at the back door, talking to Yunho. You tried to be fast, you didn't want to make him and whoever was with him wait too long for you since it was so late.
"Oh, hello." You stopped and bowed deeply to Yunho. You remember seeing him at the funeral, he was close with Hongjoong, one of his 'brothers'. He was very tall and good looking.
"(y/n) sshi, right? Nice to meet you, I'm Yunho." He smiled. Even you were blown away by how handsome he was when he smiled.
"Thank you for taking care of our leader here." Yunho snickered while Hongjoong glared daggers into Yunho's head.
"It's no worry at all." You replied softly. The two waited for you to properly lock up before Yunho led the two of you to the car. He did try to support Hongjoong.
"Stop that." Hongjoong slapped Yunho's arms away, preferring to walk on his own.
"Let me help, hyung~" Yunho said. Hongjoong flipped him off and continued limping. You smiled, watching them from the back.
"Hyung, that's very uncouth behaviour, especially in front of a lady." Yunho teased, opening the door to the G-Wagon for you while Hongjoong went to the other side to get into the car himself. He held his hand out to you to help you up.
"Thank you." You cleared your throat shyly as you got into the back seat. Hongjoong groaned in pain as he hoisted his body up and into the back seat, leaning against the back.
"You just had to take the G Wagon." He hissed.
"Well, if you had told me that you were this injured, I wouldn't have taken it then." Yunho said as he closed the driver's door.
"(y/n) sshi, may I have your address please?" He turned back to you. You nodded and sat forward, reciting your address to him to put into his GPS system.
"Thanks. We're good to go." Yunho said and you sat back in your seat, fastening your seatbelt.
As Yunho drove, you looked out the window, still feeling a lingering sleepiness from earlier. It was rather late at night.
"You can sleep if you'd like." Hongjoong said, not looking up from his phone. He had been fixed on the device, the soft glow of the screen illuminating his face in the dark vehicle.
"I-I'm good. Thanks." You cleared your throat, focusing on the city lights outside. It didn't take long for Yunho to pull up to your apartment building. You were grateful you didn't fall back asleep. Yunho would have reached faster but he knew Hongjoong would kill him if he sped while you were in the car.
"Yunho, walk her up." Hongjoong said, not looking up from his phone as he was texting someone.
"Yes, sir." Yunho was out of the car before you could protest. He opened the door for you, holding his hand out again to help you out of the vehicle.
"I'm fine walking up on my own." You forced a smile.
"It's okay." Yunho smiled.
"Bye, Hongjoong sshi. Goodnight." You turned back to bow to the injured male. Yunho accidentally closed the door behind you before Hongjoong could properly reply you.
"Let's go." Yunho nodded over to the door. You walked with him trailing beside you.
"So, have you had your flower shop for long?" Yunho asked as you both stepped into the lift.
"Not that long... I've always been interested in plants and botany. But I don't think being a botanist would have brought me a stable income right away so I opened up my flower shop. I just study botany on the side." You shrugged.
"Ah, that's very practical of you. But botany does sound interesting. Do you make special potions to poison people?" He asked. You couldn't help but laugh.
"Yes, I make natural poison darts in my free time." You joked, making Yunho laugh along.
"This is me." You stopped before the door, fishing your keys out to unlock it.
"Thanks again for sending me back and walking me up, Yunho sshi. It's so late, you must be tired." You smiled and bowed. Yunho shook his head.
"It's fine. No need to thank me. I should thank you again for helping Hongjoong hyung." He repeated.
"It was no big deal, really. Oh! Also, could you help me return this to him? I said something out of turn and made him angry. I think he's probably still upset with me." You rubbed the back of your neck.
"Whatever it is, I don't think he's angry with you. But I will return this to him." Yunho tucked the silk handkerchief into his pocket.
"If you say so. Goodnight, Yunho sshi. Get home safe. And if Hongjoong sshi's injuries get worse, please bring him to a doctor." You said with a worried frown on your face. Yunho nodded and saluted obediently. He watched you enter your house before leaving and going back downstairs.
"Yah! You closed the door before I could say bye to her. Now she's going to think I'm stuck up or something." Hongjoong scolded him the moment he entered.
"Nope, not stuck up. She thinks you're mad at her." Yunho laughed, closing the door and starting the engine.
"Mad at her?" Hongjoong blinked.
"Yeah apparently she said something to you that made you mad. She couldn't even return this to you, thinking you're still angry." He turned around and handed Hongjoong his handkerchief.
"Oh... I wasn't angry..." Hongjoong said, looking down at the silk handkerchief, his thumb running across the silky material.
"That's what I said. The last time you were actually angry with someone, they ended up with a bullet between their eyes." Yunho snickered.
"YOU TOLD HER THAT?" Hongjoong screeched.
"Of course not. I couldn't have her fainting from shock. Although I'm sure seeing you beaten up like that is enough to traumatise her for a bit." Yunho raised his eyebrows. Hongjoong let out a long sigh as Yunho the drive back to their home.
"You didn't tell Seonghwa about what happened yet, right?" Hongjoong asked.
"Nope. Seonghwa hyung came back from his race and went straight to bed. Didn't even know I left, I think. But hyung, you can't hide your injuries from Seonghwa hyung and the rest." Yunho stated.
"I know. The main thing is to discuss those that were involved in my attack. No one dares to jump me." Hongjoong growled.
"Exactly. Whoever it is... They either don't know Ateez or they're trying to start a war. Although I seriously think they're trying to start a war." Yunho sighed.
"Well, if it's a war they want, it's a war they'll get." The captain declared.
~
Series masterlist
I see it, especially the music one since i’m listening to music right now 😭
I saw this floating around amd wanted to try it!
Go to pinterest and search “my vibe aesthetic” and post the top 6 results!
Tagging: @mimikittysblog @fizzyapplecandy
This is so good! I can’t wait for the next part! <3
Pairing: CEO!Seonghwa x CEO! reader (f)
Warnings / content for Part One: Suggestive content, angsty, alcohol consumption. Please note that other than Ateez, all other character names used are fictional.
Word Count: 10.4k
Masterlist for The CEO Collision
“Congratulations, Ms. Y/N,” your secretary said when you entered your office after your last meeting for the day, and the week as it was a Friday. “The investors seemed impressed.”
“Thank you, Nari,” you replied with a grin, gathering your stuff to put it in your bag. “Shouldn’t you be heading out soon for your date?”
Nari blushed. “Yunho pushed our reservation by half an hour to give me some time to get ready.”
You nodded. “That’s sweet of him. Have fun tonight,” you said, slinging your bag over your shoulder. “And tell Yunho I said hi.”
“Will do,” Nari said with a grin. “You’re heading straight home?”
“That’s the plan,” you replied, glancing at your phone to check the time. “I’m long overdue for a quiet night in.”
Nari chuckled. “Knowing you, you’ll end up working from home anyway.”
You smirked. “Probably, but at least I’ll be in my pajamas.”
“Fair point,” she said, walking you to the elevator. “Drive safe, Ms. Y/N.”
“You too. And don’t let Yunho distract you too much from dinner,” you teased as the elevator doors opened.
Nari blushed again, laughing as she waved goodbye. “No promises.”
The elevator doors closed, leaving you alone for the descent to the parking garage. You leaned against the wall, letting out a breath you hadn’t realized you were holding. The week had been productive but exhausting, and the promise of the weekend was the only thing that kept you going.
Once the elevator reached the basement, you stepped out and made your way to your car. The quiet hum of the nearly empty garage was oddly comforting as you unlocked the sleek black sedan that your father had insisted you drive.
Sliding into the driver’s seat, you tossed your bag onto the passenger side and started the engine. The low purr was satisfying, a reminder of all the hard work that had brought you here. As you pulled out of the parking lot, the city lights began to blur together in a comforting glow against the evening sky.
The drive home was uneventful, the streets gradually growing quieter as you moved away from the bustling business district. By the time you reached the gates of your family’s estate, the sun had dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in soft shades of pink and purple.
The gates opened automatically as you approached, and you drove down the winding driveway toward the sprawling mansion. Parking in your usual spot, you turned off the car and sat there for a moment, staring at the grand facade of your childhood home.
With a resigned sigh, you grabbed your bag and stepped out of the car, making your way to the front door. One of the house staff greeted you with a polite smile as you entered.
“Welcome home, Ms. Y/N. Dinner will be served shortly.”
You nodded in acknowledgment, slipping off your heels as you made your way inside. The comforting aroma of your mother’s cooking wafted through the air, and despite your exhaustion, a small part of you looked forward to the meal.
As you approached the dining room, you heard the faint hum of conversation and your twin brother’s unmistakable laughter.
“Look who finally decided to show up,” your twin, Hongjoong, teased without looking up.
Rolling your eyes, you walked over and ruffled his perfectly styled hair, earning a sharp protest.
“Ugh, stop that!” he grumbled, swatting your hand away.
“Can’t help it,” you replied with a smirk as you took your seat. “You look too polished. Someone has to keep you grounded.”
He huffed, running his fingers through his hair to fix it, muttering under his breath about how annoying you were.
“Kids, behave,” your mother said with a fond smile as the staff began serving dinner.
You glanced at the spread—steaming platters of food, perfectly arranged salads, and freshly baked buns. Despite the lavish meal, your mind was still buzzing with thoughts of work.
“How was your day, dear?” your mother asked, her tone warm while she watched you fill up your plate.
“It went really well,” you replied, a sense of pride creeping into your voice. “We had our investor meeting today for the new line of medical imaging devices, and they were impressed. They’ve agreed to back us for the next phase of development.”
“That’s wonderful news,” your father said, setting down his fork to look at you. “This could be a game-changer for your company.”
“It will be,” you said confidently, picking up your glass of water. “The potential applications are huge, and with their support, we’ll be able to expand production globally.”
Hongjoong raised an eyebrow. “And here I thought you’d be burnt out by now. You’ve been working on that pitch for weeks.”
You shrugged, taking a sip of water. “I won’t lie, it’s been exhausting. But seeing the results today made it worth it.”
“Hard work always pays off,” your father said approvingly. “You’ve done an excellent job, Y/N.”
Your mother beamed with pride. “I knew you’d pull it off. You’ve always had a knack for making things happen.”
“Well, let’s just hope the development phase goes as smoothly,” you said, though the smile on your face didn’t waver.
Dinner buzzed with lively conversation as the dishes were passed around. Stories from work, jokes, and plans for the weekend filled the air. You felt the week’s exhaustion slowly ebb away as the comfortable rhythm of family time took over.
“So, Joong,” your father said casually, turning to your brother. “Are you heading to Mingi’s bar later tonight? Seonghwa mentioned the two of you were planning to catch up over drinks.”
Hongjoong shrugged, chewing on a bite of salmon. “He brought it up earlier, but I haven’t decided yet. Why?”
Your father leaned back in his chair, his expression growing more serious. “I spoke with Seonghwa’s parents today.”
The mood at the table shifted subtly, your mother straightening her posture and Hongjoong setting down his fork.
“Oh?” your brother said cautiously. “What about?”
Your father hesitated for a moment, as though choosing his words carefully. Then, he said, “Their company has been struggling for a while now. They came to us with a… suggestion.”
“What kind of suggestion?” you asked, sensing where this might be headed but hoping you were wrong.
Your father looked directly at you. “They’ve asked for your hand in marriage, Y/N.”
The words hung in the air like a thunderclap.
“What?” you said, your voice sharper than you intended.
Hongjoong gaped, clearly just as blindsided at hearing that his bestfriend would possibly marry his twin sister. “Wait, hold on. You’re joking, right?”
Your father shook his head. “They believe a marriage between you and Seonghwa would secure both families’ futures. It would strengthen the partnership and stabilize their company.”
“This is ridiculous,” you snapped, your appetite vanishing. “You can’t be serious.”
“It’s not as bad as you think,” your mother interjected softly. “You and Seonghwa already know each other since high school. It wouldn’t be like starting from scratch.”
“That’s exactly the problem!” you exclaimed. “We know each other too well, and it’s not good!”
Well, your relationship with Seonghwa was complicated. In simpler words, you hated each other.
Okay, maybe hate is a strong word. Strongly dislike?
You and Seonghwa have history, though.
And it hurts every time you see him.
“Y/N,” your father said firmly, “this is bigger than personal feelings. Sometimes, sacrifices need to be made for the greater good.”
Hongjoong was not amused, his voice rising. “You’re really going to force her into this? Without even discussing it with her first?”
“We’re discussing it now,” your father replied, his tone calm but unyielding.
You felt a wave of anger and disbelief crash over you. “Discussing? You’ve already decided, haven’t you?”
Your mother avoided your gaze, and your father’s silence was confirmation enough.
Hongjoong’s jaw clenched. “This is insane.”
“You’re being dramatic,” your father said. “This arrangement will benefit everyone.”
“I’m not doing it,” you said through gritted teeth, pushing your chair back. “You can’t make me.”
“Y/N—” your mother started, but you were already on your feet, your heart pounding with fury.
“I need some air,” you muttered before storming out of the dining room, leaving your stunned family behind.
The cool night air brushed against your skin as you stepped into the garden, the faint glow of lanterns lighting the cobblestone path. The neatly trimmed hedges and rows of blooming flowers framed the vast space, but your focus was on the gazebo ahead—a sanctuary of peace amid the chaos of the evening.
You made your way to it and sat down on the wooden bench inside. The gazebo overlooked the koi pond, its surface rippling gently under the moonlight. You closed your eyes, inhaling deeply, trying to calm the storm of emotions raging within you.
Marriage. To him.
The thought alone made your chest tighten. You pressed your hands against your lap, fingers gripping the fabric of your dress. Your mind, against your will, drifted to the past.
It was senior year of college, a warm night like this one, and a party full of red cups, blaring music, and friends urging you to drink. You and Seonghwa had both been there, circling each other with that same mix of irritation and curiosity that had always defined your relationship.
You remembered the alcohol-fueled courage that led to a heated argument in the kitchen, which somehow turned into shared laughter and then lips moving against each other, and then…
You shook your head, willing the memory to stop, but it continued. The two of you in his dimly lit bedroom, a tangle of limbs and whispers, hands all over each other, bare skin to bare skin, the lines of hatred blurring for a brief moment. And then, the next morning.
The hurt welled up as you recalled how he had acted like nothing had happened, brushing it off as though it had been meaningless. No acknowledgment, no apology—just an unspoken agreement to pretend it never occurred.
Your nails dug into your palms as the emotions swirled. Hurt. Anger. Resentment.
Because that wasn’t the first time you spent the night in Seonghwa’s bed. It happened one more time the same year.
And again three years later when you both started a masters degree in the same university.
He reacted the exact same way, acting like this was all a mistake.
A soft knock on the wooden pillar of the gazebo startled you, pulling you back to the present.
You turned, and there he was—Park Seonghwa.
His tall figure was illuminated by the soft garden lights, and his dark suit clung to him perfectly, as always. His expression was unreadable, his eyes steady as they met yours.
“Mind if I join you?” he asked, his voice calm, though you could sense the tension beneath it.
Your heart skipped a beat, but you masked it with a glare. “Do I have a choice?”
Seonghwa’s lips curved into the faintest smirk as he stepped into the gazebo, his presence filling the small space. “Not really.”
You scoffed, crossing your arms. “Why are you here?”
“I came to pick up your brother,” he said, leaning against one of the pillars. “But it seems like I stumbled into a family meeting instead.”
“You knew,” you accused, your voice sharp.
His brows furrowed. “Knew what?”
“About this ridiculous arrangement,” you snapped, standing abruptly. “About our parents trying to marry us off like some business merger.”
Seonghwa’s expression hardened. “You think I had a say in this?”
“You always seem to have a say in everything,” you shot back, the years of resentment bubbling to the surface.
He exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. “I found out this afternoon, Y/N. I’m just as blindsided as you are.”
You searched his face for any sign of deception, but all you saw was the same frustration you felt. It caught you off guard, and you lowered your gaze, the fight draining out of you.
“I’m not doing it,” you muttered, more to yourself than to him.
Seonghwa’s voice softened slightly. “Neither am I. But you know how our families are. They won’t make this easy for us.”
You clenched your jaw, looking away. The weight of the situation pressed down on you, and for a moment, the two of you stood in silence, the garden’s serenity at odds with the turmoil in your hearts.
“I don’t want to marry you, Seonghwa,” you said finally, your voice trembling with honesty.
He hesitated, and when he spoke, his tone was quieter, almost resigned. “I know,” he murmured, loud enough for you to hear before he left you alone.
But for some reason, the way he said it didn’t bring you the relief you thought it would.
-x-x-x-
The soft clinking of cutlery and the murmur of polite conversation filled the sunlit dining room. The brunch spread before you was nothing short of extravagant, as was typical of any gathering hosted by your family. Freshly baked croissants, platters of fruit, and a variety of cheeses adorned the table, along with a selection of teas and juices.
Across from you sat Mr. and Mrs. Park, Seonghwa’s parents, their expressions warm despite the tension that lingered beneath the surface. Mrs. Park, ever elegant, wore a tailored pastel suit, her smile gentle as she sipped her tea. Mr. Park, though visibly tired, maintained his usual composed demeanor.
“Thank you for having us,” Mrs. Park said, glancing at you. “It’s always a pleasure to visit.”
“It’s always nice to see you, Mrs. Park,” you replied with a small smile, setting your cup down.
Your parents sat at the head of the table, exchanging pleasantries with the Parks, but the unspoken purpose of the brunch hung heavy in the air.
“How’s Seonghwa?” your mother asked casually, though there was a slight edge to her tone.
Mrs. Park hesitated, her smile faltering for a moment. “He… had a late night with Hongjoong and Mingi,” she said delicately. “He’s resting.”
You barely suppressed a scoff. Of course, he was. It wasn’t hard to imagine him nursing a hangover while his parents tried to salvage their family’s business.
“Oh yes,” your mother said, her expression neutral as she took a sip of her tea.
Mrs. Park quickly redirected the conversation. “Y/N, how is your work going? I heard about your recent success with the investors. That’s truly impressive.”
“Thank you,” you said, offering a polite smile. “It’s been a busy few weeks, but the results were worth it.”
“You’ve always been so driven,” Mrs. Park said fondly. “It’s one of the things I’ve always admired about you.”
You blinked, caught off guard by the sincerity in her voice. Mrs. Park had always been kind to you, treating you almost like a second daughter. The thought of her struggling because of their company’s financial issues tugged at something in your chest.
As the conversation continued, Mr. Park cleared his throat, drawing everyone’s attention. “We won’t pretend this isn’t a difficult situation,” he said, his tone steady but tinged with exhaustion. “Our company… it’s been challenging, to say the least. We’ve explored every option we can think of this past two years, but this marriage proposal seemed like the best path forward—for both our families.”
Your father nodded, his expression serious. “It’s not ideal, but it’s a way to ensure stability.”
Mrs. Park turned to you, her gaze soft. “Y/N, I know this isn’t fair to you. If there were another way, we wouldn’t even consider asking this of you. But… we’re out of options.”
The vulnerability in her voice made your heart ache. You had known the Parks for years, and they had always treated you with warmth and respect. The thought of them losing everything felt deeply unfair.
“I understand,” you said quietly, your hands resting on your lap. “You and Mr. Park have always been kind to me, and I appreciate that more than I can say. If marrying Seonghwa is what it takes to help your family, then… I’ll consider it.” A silence fell over the table, broken only by the soft chirping of birds outside. “But…” you continued, “I would like to get to know Seonghwa a bit more first.”
Mrs. Park’s eyes filled with gratitude, and she reached out to place a hand over yours. “Thank you, Y/N. You have no idea what this means to us.”
Your father looked at you with a mix of surprise and approval, while your mother’s expression remained unreadable.
But as you sat there, a quiet determination settling over you, you couldn’t help but wonder how you would face Seonghwa after this—and whether he would ever understand why you made this choice.
You had a soft spot when it came to him. Perhaps that’s why it was so easy for you to at least agree to try?
Later in the day, you were sat on the plush couch in your room, a glass of wine in your hand as you recounted the whirlwind of the past 24 hours to your best friend. Across from you, Yeri was curled up in an armchair, her eyes wide with interest as you spoke.
When you finished, she let out a low whistle, her jaw dropping slightly. “So, let me get this straight,” she said, leaning forward. “You’re basically engaged to CEO Park Seonghwa?”
“Uh, no,” you replied with a sigh, twirling the stem of your wine glass between your fingers. “I asked to get to know him, Yeri. It’s… complicated.”
Yeri tilted her head thoughtfully, her expression surprisingly calm. “It doesn’t sound like you’re entirely against it, though. The idea of marrying him, I mean.”
You blinked at her, caught off guard. “You’re not going to yell at me about how unfair this is?”
She shrugged, offering you a small smile. “Don’t get me wrong, I think the whole ‘arranged marriage for the sake of business’ thing is ridiculous. But honestly, Y/N, it might not be the worst thing in the world.”
Your brows furrowed. “How can you say that? You know how I feel about him.”
Yeri sighed, setting her glass down on the coffee table. “I know Seonghwa’s a sore spot for you, and I know your history with him isn’t exactly… ideal. But it’s been nearly four years since the last time you were with him, you both are thirty years old, and his parents are struggling and this can help them. If your families think this is the best way to secure the future, it might be worth considering.”
You stared at her, unsure whether to feel betrayed or grateful. “You’re awfully calm about all this.”
“Because I know you,” she said, leaning back in her chair. “You wouldn’t even be entertaining this idea if you didn’t care. You’ve always had a soft spot for people in need, poor or rich, and as much as you hate to admit it, you care about his family. Plus…” She paused, a teasing smile creeping onto her lips. “It’s not like Seonghwa’s hard to look at.”
“Yeri!” you exclaimed, throwing a pillow at her.
She laughed, dodging the pillow easily. “I’m just saying! If you have to be stuck in a marriage of convenience, at least it’s with someone who looks like him. You must admit, he speaks so eloquently too.”
You rolled your eyes, but a small smile tugged at your lips despite yourself. “You’re unbelievable.”
“And you’re too stubborn for your own good,” she shot back. “Look, I’m not saying this is going to be easy. But maybe it’s an opportunity to start fresh. You’ve spent so much energy hating him—maybe it’s time to let some of that go?”
You bit your lip, her words hitting closer to home than you wanted to admit. “It’s not that simple, Yeri.”
“I know it’s not,” she said gently. “But you’re one of the strongest people I know, and if anyone can make this work, it’s you.”
You let out a long sigh, setting your glass down. “I don’t even know where to start.”
Yeri leaned forward, her eyes sparkling with determination. “You start by surviving this engagement thing or getting to know him whatever-thing. And when the time comes, I’ll be there to make sure your wedding is the event of the century. Deal?”
A small laugh escaped you as you reached for your wine glass again. “Deal.”
“To new beginnings,” Yeri said, raising her glass in a toast.
“To surviving this mess,” you replied, clinking your glass against hers.
-x-x-x-
The hum of activity filled your office as you reviewed the latest reports from your team. The success of the investor meeting last week had set a positive tone, and you were determined to keep the momentum going.
Your phone buzzed against your desk, drawing your attention away from the document in front of you. Frowning slightly, you reached for it and saw a message from Seonghwa.
Seonghwa: Dinner tonight? Let’s talk.
Your breath hitched, your heart racing despite yourself. You hesitated, staring at the screen for a moment before typing a reply.
You: What time?
The response came almost immediately.
Seonghwa: 7 PM? I’ll pick you up.
You: Sounds good
You set your phone down, trying to focus on your work, but your thoughts were already elsewhere. The idea of sitting across from him at a dinner table was… unsettling. After years of tension, could the two of you even hold a decent conversation?
A knock on your office door pulled you from your thoughts. “Come in,” you called, smoothing your expression.
Nari walked in, holding a folder. “Here are the updated projections you asked for.”
“Thank you,” you said, taking the folder and setting it on your desk.
Nari hesitated for a moment, glancing at your phone. “Are you okay, Ms. Y/N? You seem… distracted.”
You managed a smile. “I’m fine, just a lot on my mind.”
She nodded, not pressing further. “If you need anything, let me know.”
As she left, you leaned back in your chair, letting out a long sigh. You knew why Seonghwa had reached out. You were both navigating uncharted territory, and like it or not, you needed to give this a chance—for your families, if nothing else.
When the clock struck five, you grabbed your coat and bag, leaving the office with a sense of apprehension. As you headed to your car, you checked your phone again, confirming the time.
7 PM. Dinner with CEO Park Seonghwa.
Your grip on the steering wheel tightened as you drove home to get ready. You weren’t sure if this dinner would bring any clarity, but one thing was certain: it was the start of a new chapter, whether you liked it or not.
---
You stood in front of your floor-length mirror, smoothing the fabric of your black silk dress. It clung to your figure perfectly, the sleek design exuding elegance while still being understated enough for a dinner meeting. Your matching pumps completed the look, and you reached for your favorite necklace—a delicate silver chain with a tiny diamond pendant—fastening it around your neck.
As you finished applying a touch of lipstick, there was a knock at your bedroom door.
“Come in,” you called, setting the tube down on your vanity.
The door creaked open, and Hongjoong’s familiar face appeared. He leaned casually against the doorframe, his sharp suit slightly wrinkled, likely from a long day at work.
“You look nice,” he said, his tone light but his eyes watchful.
“Thanks,” you replied, turning back to the mirror to check your hair one last time.
“So…” he began, stepping further into the room. “Dinner with Seonghwa, huh? He’s waiting downstairs.”
You let out a soft sigh, turning to face him. “Don’t start.”
“I’m not starting,” he said, raising his hands in mock surrender. “I just… wanted to check in.”
You arched a brow. “Check in? Since when do you ‘check in’?”
He smiled faintly, but there was a seriousness in his eyes that made your chest tighten. “Since my twin sister got roped into an engagement with my best friend, whom she’s barely been able to tolerate for the past decade.”
You crossed your arms, leaning against the edge of your vanity. “I’ll survive, Joong. It’s just dinner.”
“I know,” he said, sitting on the edge of your bed. “But you’ve never told me why you and Seonghwa don’t get along. And now you’re supposed to marry him. I can’t help but worry about how this is going to work.”
You averted your gaze, focusing on the soft shimmer of your dress under the light. “It’s… complicated.” You couldn’t tell Hongjoong about the couple of times you slept with Seonghwa; he would be furious and you didn’t want any drama.
“It always is with you two,” he said, exhaling a laugh. “But you know you can talk to me, right? If there’s something I should know, I’m here.”
The sincerity in his voice made your throat tighten, but you forced a small smile. “I know. Thanks, Joong.”
He studied you for a moment, his brows furrowing slightly. “You don’t have to do this, you know. If it’s too much—if it’s not what you want—mom and dad will understand.”
You shook your head, standing straighter. “It’s not about what I want. This is bigger than me, and you know it.”
Hongjoong sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I hate that you’re in this position. But if anyone can handle it, it’s you.”
You smiled faintly. “Thanks for the pep talk, coach.”
He grinned, standing and brushing invisible lint from his suit. “What are brothers for?”
As he reached the door, he paused, glancing back at you. “Be careful tonight, okay?”
“I will,” you promised, and with that, he left, leaving you alone with your thoughts once again.
You turned back to the mirror, taking a deep breath. Your reflection stared back at you, poised but uncertain. This dinner wasn’t just a meal—it was the first step in navigating a path you never thought you’d take.
You descended the grand staircase of your family’s mansion, the soft clicking of your heels echoing against the marble floor. Your fingers brushed lightly against the ornate railing, and you forced yourself to remain calm, despite the flutter of nerves in your chest.
At the base of the stairs, Seonghwa stood with your mother, engaged in polite conversation. His smooth voice carried up to you, though you couldn’t make out his words.
It wasn’t until you were halfway down that his gaze shifted, locking onto you. His conversation with your mother faltered for a brief second, his eyes trailing up your figure with a flicker of something you couldn’t quite place.
You tried not to let his attention rattle you, but you couldn’t help noticing how sharp he looked tonight. He wore a silk white button-up shirt tucked neatly into tailored black slacks. The top button of his shirt was undone, revealing just enough of his collarbone to add an air of casual charm.
There was a reason why Park Seonghwa was frequently labeled the most handsome and eligible bachelor CEO in the country. And tonight, it was painfully obvious why.
As you reached the last step, your mother turned to you with a warm smile. “Ah, there you are, darling. You look stunning.”
“Thank you, Mom,” you said, offering her a small smile. Your gaze flicked briefly to Seonghwa, who was still watching you. His expression was unreadable, but the intensity of his stare made your skin heat.
“Seonghwa’s been keeping me company while you were getting ready,” your mother said, her tone light and conversational.
“Good to know he’s capable of that,” you replied, unable to resist a teasing jab.
Seonghwa’s lips quirked upward in a small smirk. “I aim to impress.”
You rolled your eyes but couldn’t suppress the faint twitch of amusement at the corners of your mouth.
“Well,” your mother said, clasping her hands together, “you two should get going. Don’t keep your reservation waiting. Drive safe, Seonghwa.”
“Of course,” Seonghwa said smoothly, nodding toward the front door.
You paused mid-step, turning to him with a raised brow. “You’re driving?”
“I always do,” he replied, already pulling the keys from his pocket. “Why? Unless you’d rather drive yourself?”
You huffed softly, walking past him toward the front door. “Just try not to kill us.”
“I’ll do my best,” he quipped, following you outside.
The chrome silver sports car parked in the driveway was unmistakably his—sleek, polished, and oozing with understated wealth, much like its owner.
Seonghwa stepped ahead to open the passenger door for you, a gentlemanly gesture that caught you off guard. You slid into the seat without comment, the faint scent of leather and his cologne enveloping you.
Moments later, he was in the driver’s seat, starting the car with a low purr of the engine.
“This should be interesting,” he murmured, glancing at you with a playful glint in his eyes before shifting the car into gear and pulling out of the driveway. The soft hum of the engine filled the car as Seonghwa drove, his hands relaxed on the steering wheel. You leaned against the window, watching as the glittering skyline of Seoul gradually faded into quieter roads and open spaces.
You frowned, glancing at him. “This doesn’t look like Gangnam or any of the other districts people like you usually frequent. Where are we going?”
He smirked, the faint glow of the dashboard highlighting his sharp profile. “Relax. You’ll like it.”
“Will I?” you shot back, your voice tinged with doubt. “CEOs like you go beyond Seoul?”
“You’re a CEO too,” Seonghwa chuckled, a low, amused sound that made you glance at him again. “Expensive doesn’t always mean good,” he said, his tone teasing. “Seems like the guys you’ve been with before just took you to the basics.”
You blinked, taken aback by his comment. “Excuse me?”
He shrugged, a playful grin tugging at his lips. “What? It’s not my fault if your standards have been... uninspired.”
“Uninspired?” you repeated, your voice incredulous.
“You’ll see what I mean,” he replied smoothly, clearly enjoying your reaction.
You huffed, crossing your arms. “I’ll have you know, I’ve been to some of the best places in Seoul.”
“Good for you,” he said, his grin widening. “But tonight, I’m showing you something better.”
You bit back a retort, deciding it wasn’t worth the argument. Instead, you turned your attention back to the window as the car began winding up a steep hill.
Moments later, Seonghwa pulled into a small parking lot at the top. The restaurant in front of you was nothing like what you’d expected. It was simple yet elegant, with warm lanterns casting a golden glow on its wooden façade.
“This is where we’re eating?” you asked, unable to hide your surprise.
“One of my favorites,” he said, stepping out of the car. “Come on.”
You followed him inside, where the soft murmur of conversation and the faint aroma of freshly prepared dishes greeted you. The hostess bowed and led you down a quiet hallway to a private room at the end.
The room was intimate and tastefully decorated, with a low table surrounded by plush cushions. A large window stretched along one wall, offering a breathtaking view of Seoul’s twinkling lights below.
“Not bad, right?” Seonghwa said as he gestured for you to sit.
You hesitated for a moment before settling onto one of the cushions. “The view is… nice,” you admitted grudgingly.
He smirked, taking the seat opposite you. “I told you I know good places. You just had to trust me.”
A server arrived to pour tea and hand you both menus. As you glanced over the options, you couldn’t help stealing a glance at Seonghwa. He looked completely at ease, his sharp features softened by the warm glow of the room. For a brief moment, you wondered if there was more to him than the infuriating person you’d known for years.
As the server returned with the first round of dishes, you took a moment to admire the spread. The plates were elegantly arranged, and the aroma of fresh ingredients filled the room.
“This looks amazing,” you admitted, glancing at Seonghwa.
He smirked, leaning back against the cushion. “Told you I know good spots.”
You picked up your chopsticks and sampled one of the dishes, your eyes widening slightly at the burst of flavor. “Okay, I’ll give you this. The food is actually good.”
He chuckled, watching you with a satisfied expression. “You sound surprised.”
“Well, forgive me for underestimating someone who usually dines at places where the plates are more decorative than functional,” you quipped, a playful edge to your tone.
“Touché,” he replied, reaching for his glass of tea. “But I’ll have you know, I’ve always preferred places like this. The hype about fine dining is overrated.”
You raised an eyebrow. “Really? You’re saying that after all the times you’ve been photographed at Michelin-starred restaurants?”
He smirked. “Appearances. You know how it is.”
You rolled your eyes but couldn’t argue. After all, you’d played the same game for the sake of business and image.
As the meal progressed, the conversation turned unexpectedly candid.
“So,” you said, setting your chopsticks down for a moment, “why did you agree to this? The engagement, I mean.”
He met your gaze, his expression calm but serious. “Do I really have a choice? My company’s struggling, and our families are… insistent.”
“You could’ve said no,” you countered, tilting your head slightly.
“And let my parents deal with the fallout?” he said with a dry chuckle. “You know how they are. Saying no wasn’t really an option.”
You sighed, swirling the tea in your cup. “Yeah, I get that. My parents were just as persistent.”
There was a moment of silence before he spoke again, his tone quieter. “What about you? Why didn’t you refuse?”
You hesitated, the memory of his parents’ heartfelt words at brunch flashing through your mind. “They’ve always been kind to me,” you admitted. “I couldn’t stand the thought of letting them down when they’re already dealing with so much.”
He studied you for a moment, his expression unreadable. “You really care about them, huh?”
You shrugged, uncomfortable with the shift in the conversation. “They were always good to me. That’s all.”
The server returned with dessert, a delicate plate of mochi and a pot of freshly brewed tea. Seonghwa gestured toward the dish. “Try the matcha one. It’s their specialty.”
You picked one up and took a small bite, nodding in approval. “Not bad.”
He laughed softly. “Not bad is high praise coming from you.”
You shot him a look but couldn’t help the small smile tugging at your lips.
As the meal wrapped up, Seonghwa glanced at the time and stood. “Ready to head back?”
You nodded, following him out to the car. The night air was crisp, and the stars were faintly visible against the dark sky.
Sliding into the passenger seat, you glanced at him as he adjusted the rearview mirror. “You didn’t drink tonight,” you noted.
He flashed a quick grin. “Someone had to drive.”
You smirked. “Responsible and considerate. Who knew?”
He chuckled as he pulled out of the parking lot, the car humming softly as it began the descent back down the hill. “Don’t get used to it.”
The drive was quiet but not unpleasant. You found yourself stealing glances at him, surprised by the unexpected side of Seonghwa you’d seen tonight. He seemed focused on the road, his hands steady on the wheel, but his presence filled the quiet space between you.
“You’re awfully quiet,” he remarked after a while, glancing at you briefly before returning his attention to the road.
“Just… thinking,” you replied, shifting slightly in your seat.
He arched an eyebrow. “About what?”
You hesitated, unsure if you wanted to share your thoughts. “About tonight,” you said vaguely.
He chuckled softly, his lips curling into a small smile. “What about tonight? The food? The view? Or… me?”
You shot him a look, your cheeks warming slightly. “Don’t flatter yourself.”
“Too late,” he teased, the smirk not leaving his face.
Rolling your eyes, you turned your attention to the window, watching the city lights grow brighter as you neared Seoul. “I was just surprised, that’s all. Tonight wasn’t what I expected.”
“In a good way, I hope?” he asked, his tone suddenly less teasing and more curious.
You didn’t answer immediately, considering your words carefully. “It was… different. I’ll leave it at that.”
He let out a low laugh, shaking his head. “Always so guarded. You haven’t changed much.”
The comment made you stiffen slightly, your gaze snapping back to him. “And you think you know me so well?”
“I’ve known you for years, Y/N,” he replied, his voice calm but firm. “Maybe not everything about you, but enough to know how you are.”
The weight of his words hung in the air, stirring memories you’d long tried to bury. Memories of the nights you’d spent together in college, and the way he’d brushed it off as though it meant nothing.
You looked away, your voice quiet. “Maybe you don’t know me as well as you think.”
The silence that followed was thick with unspoken tension, but Seonghwa didn’t push further.
As the car turned onto your family’s driveway, the mansion loomed ahead, its windows glowing warmly against the night. He pulled to a smooth stop near the front entrance, cutting the engine.
“Thanks for tonight,” you said, your voice a little more composed as you unbuckled your seatbelt.
He nodded, leaning back in his seat. “Anytime.”
You reached for the door handle but paused, glancing back at him. “Why did you take me there?”
He looked at you, his gaze steady. “Because I thought you deserved a real dinner, not something staged for appearances.”
The sincerity in his tone caught you off guard, and for a moment, you weren’t sure how to respond.
“Goodnight, Seonghwa,” you said finally, stepping out of the car before he could say anything else.
As you walked toward the door, you could feel his gaze on you, lingering like a question you weren’t ready to answer.
-x-x-x-
The week flew by in a whirlwind of meetings and deadlines, and before you knew it, Friday evening had arrived. You found yourself standing in front of your closet, deliberating on what to wear to Yeosang’s 30th birthday party.
The party was being held at Mingi’s bar, a sleek and exclusive venue that was a favorite among your social circle. Yeosang, who you had known since he was still crawling around in diapers, had insisted on a lively celebration, and you weren’t about to miss it.
You finally settled on a fitted, navy cocktail dress with subtle sequins that shimmered under the light, pairing it with silver heels. After one final glance in the mirror, you grabbed your clutch and headed out.
When you arrived, the bar was already buzzing with energy. A live DJ played upbeat music, and laughter and chatter filled the air. The space had been reserved entirely for the party, with a section of tables arranged for gifts and a custom cake shaped like a stethoscope and a scalpel—a nod to Yeosang’s career. His family owned a chain of hospitals and he was a fourth year resident in neurosurgery. His mother was the doctor that took care of your mom’s pregnancy with you and your twin.
“Y/N!”
You turned to see Yeosang himself, looking dashing in a tailored suit. He greeted you with a wide smile, pulling you into a warm hug.
“Happy birthday, Yeosang,” you said, handing him a small, elegantly wrapped gift.
“You didn’t have to, but thank you!” He beamed, placing the gift on the table before turning back to you. “You look amazing, by the way. Are you planning to steal the spotlight from me tonight?”
You laughed. “Hardly. This is your night, doctor.”
As you exchanged a few more pleasantries, Hongjoong appeared beside you, his arm draped casually over your shoulder. “There you are,” he said. “I thought you’d back out last minute.”
“Not this time,” you replied, rolling your eyes. “It’s Yeosang’s 30th. How could I miss it?”
“Good,” Yeosang said, grinning. “Now, go grab a drink and have fun. You work too much, Y/N.”
You chuckled, nodding as you made your way to the bar.
At the counter, you spotted Nari sitting beside Yunho, her cheeks flushed as she laughed at something he had said. Yunho caught sight of you and waved.
“Y/N!” he called out. “Join us!”
You smiled and approached, Nari immediately scooting over to make room.
“Hi, Ms. Y/N,” Nari said cheerfully, her tone more relaxed than usual. “Isn’t this place amazing?”
“It is,” you replied, ordering a drink. “Mingi always outdoes himself. You don’t need to use honorifics with me, Nari, we’re not at work.”
Nari nodded with a smile. “I’ll try.”
As you sipped your cocktail, a familiar voice behind you made you turn.
“Fancy seeing you here,” Seonghwa said, his tone teasing.
He was dressed sharply, as always, in a dark blazer and slacks that complemented his broad shoulders. His hair was slightly tousled, giving him a more casual yet polished look.
“Seonghwa,” you acknowledged coolly, raising your glass slightly. “Surprised you made it.”
“Why? Because I’m such a workaholic?” he replied, smirking. “Even I take breaks occasionally, Ms. CEO.”
“Rare, but good to know,” you said, turning your attention back to your drink.
Hongjoong appeared moments later, clapping Seonghwa on the back. “Come on, man. Let’s go grab a drink and join the others.”
Seonghwa gave you a lingering glance before following Hongjoong into the crowd.
As the night went on, the music grew louder, and the atmosphere became more spirited. You found yourself chatting with old friends and acquaintances, laughing and catching up. But every now and then, you felt Seonghwa’s gaze on you from across the room, a quiet intensity that was impossible to ignore.
The music pulsed through the bar, the crowd thickening as more guests arrived. You were just about to grab another drink when you noticed a familiar face making his way toward you. Jaehwan.
“Y/N,” he greeted you with a bright smile, his presence as confident as ever. “Long time no see.”
You tensed slightly but masked it with a smile, trying to keep things cordial. “Jaehwan. Didn’t expect to see you here.”
“Yeosang and I go way back, you know? We work together now,” he said with a casual shrug, his dark eyes glimmering with a hint of amusement. “And with you being here, it’s the perfect chance to catch up. Can I get you a drink?”
You didn’t particularly want to spend more time with him, but you couldn’t exactly brush him off. “I’m good, thanks.”
He raised an eyebrow at your response, clearly not used to being turned down. “Oh, come on. Just one drink. For old times’ sake?”
You hesitated. The history you shared with Jaehwan was complicated. You had been together for years, but it was always an exhausting cycle of breaking up and making up, seeing other people in the middle, until one day, you simply couldn’t do it anymore.
“Honestly, Jaehwan, I’m not interested in reminiscing right now,” you replied, trying to keep your tone light but firm. “I’m just here to enjoy the party.”
Jaehwan didn’t seem put off by your words. Instead, his grin only grew. “You’re still as beautiful as ever, you know?” He leaned in just a little closer, his voice dropping to a more intimate tone. “I’ve seen you in the news and in interviews, but you’re even more stunning in person.”
Your eyes flicked away, trying to avoid the lingering gaze that made you uncomfortable. “Thanks,” you said, though you didn’t quite mean it. “I should get back to Yeosang.”
Before you could step away, Jaehwan reached out, gently placing a hand on your arm. “You know, I never understood why we ended things. We were so good together, Y/N.” His voice was soft, almost coaxing, as though trying to reopen a door you had carefully shut.
You stiffened, feeling your chest tighten. “We weren’t good together. Not in the long run.”
Jaehwan’s expression faltered slightly, but only for a second. “You’re still holding onto that, huh?” he asked, his voice tinged with a mix of disbelief and frustration. “I thought we were past it. You never gave me a real chance to explain.”
You looked him square in the eyes, your heart racing. “There’s nothing to explain, Jaehwan. We both know how it ended. And why.”
His face softened for a moment, the charm slipping, replaced by something more genuine. “I was an idiot, Y/N. I know that now. I shouldn’t have played with your feelings like I did.” He paused, searching your face as if trying to read you. “But I’m here now. If you want to talk, start fresh... I’m open to it.”
You exhaled slowly, feeling your frustration rise again. You’d put so much energy into moving on from him, and here he was, trying to pull you back into his orbit. “I don’t want to start fresh, Jaehwan. I’ve moved on. I’m not interested in going backwards.”
His face tightened, though his smile never completely disappeared. “That’s a shame. I always thought we had something special.”
You shook your head, stepping back slightly, creating some distance. “We did. But that was a long time ago.”
As you took a step back to leave the conversation behind, Jaehwan called out, his voice softer than before. “I’ll always be here if you change your mind, Y/N. Don’t forget that.”
You turned on your heel, walking toward the other side of the bar, not wanting to hear any more. It had been a long time since you’d seen him, but the feelings his presence stirred up were all too familiar—frustration, confusion, and that lingering sense of unresolved tension. But you reminded yourself that it was okay. It was okay to feel whatever you felt. Six years of being with someone is a long time.
Meanwhile, across the bar, Seonghwa had noticed the exchange from a distance. He stood talking to Mingi, San, and Jongho, but his eyes kept flicking over to where you were conversing with Jaehwan.
“Who was that guy with Y/N? Seems familiar.” Seonghwa asked casually, though there was a slight edge to his tone.
Mingi followed his gaze. “Oh, that’s Jaehwan. He’s a doctor, works with Yeosang. He and Y/N used to date... for a long time, actually.”
Seonghwa’s lips tightened. “Oh. That was the guy?” He knew you were dating someone previously, but he didn’t really ask Hongjoong for any details before, and Hongjoong never told him anything about it. You kept your relationship strictly private, so there were no articles about this either,
San, ever the one to offer the juicy details, spoke up. “Yeah, they were on and off for years. Six years, I think. But they finally broke up for good. Y/N’s pretty done with him.”
Seonghwa’s gaze darkened as he watched Jaehwan take a step closer to you to talk to you again, leaning in just a bit too much for his liking. “I see. And he thinks he has a chance?”
Jongho raised an eyebrow, surprised by the fact that Seonghwa was concerned about you. “Sounds like it. But I wouldn’t worry too much, Seonghwa. Y/N doesn’t seem interested in going back down that road.”
Seonghwa didn’t respond immediately, his eyes still trained on you, the lines of his jaw tightening ever so slightly.
“I wouldn’t be so sure,” he muttered under his breath, his focus now entirely on the conversation unfolding between you and Jaehwan.
You were trying to shake off the lingering tension from your conversation with Jaehwan when you turned to the bartender and ordered a blowjob shot, hoping the sweet, creamy taste would ease your nerves.
Jaehwan, however, wasn’t finished. He leaned in again, the subtle scent of cologne still lingering around him. "I still don't understand, Y/N," he said with a low chuckle. "You and I could make it work again. I mean, we've always had chemistry, right?"
You gave him a tight smile, the first sip of the shot barely numbing the irritation bubbling in your chest. "Jaehwan, I told you already. I don’t think this is going to work out. Let’s just leave it at that."
But Jaehwan wasn't ready to let go. "Come on, you can’t just throw away everything we had. I know you still feel something, Y/N." His hand brushed your arm, a touch too familiar, and you fought the urge to pull away.
Seonghwa had enough, and he made his way through the crowd. He moved with purpose, his sharp gaze landing on you and Jaehwan, his posture stiff with a quiet authority that demanded attention.
Jaehwan, oblivious to Seonghwa's growing irritation, smiled as he leaned a little closer to you. "I know you and I had our issues, but—"
Seonghwa’s voice interrupted him, smooth yet firm. "I think you’ve had enough time with my fiancée."
You froze, Jaehwan blinking in surprise. “Fiancée?” He glanced from Seonghwa to you, confusion and curiosity in his eyes. “Wait, since when are you two—”
Without waiting for a response, Seonghwa took a step forward, his eyes never leaving Jaehwan. But it was his attention on you that made your heart skip a beat. As you took another sip of the shot, a small smear of whipped cream lingered on your bottom lip.
Seonghwa noticed, and before you could react, he reached forward, his thumb gently brushing against your lower lip to wipe away the cream. His touch was tender but purposeful, his gaze never leaving yours.
Jaehwan’s eyes widened in disbelief, clearly caught off guard by the intimate gesture. "What the hell?" he muttered under his breath, his posture stiffening as he tried to regain some control of the situation. “Who are you, again?”
Seonghwa’s voice was cool, yet there was a hint of something protective behind it. "I’m Park Seonghwa. Y/N’s fiancé." He didn’t give Jaehwan a chance to respond before adding, "We haven’t made our relationship public yet."
Jaehwan’s gaze flicked to your hand, taking note of the lack of a ring. "But… there’s no ring," he remarked, his voice edged with confusion. "Is this some kind of… business arrangement?"
Seonghwa’s lips curved into a slight smirk, the tension between them almost palpable. "Like I said, our relationship isn’t public yet," he said coolly, his eyes flicking to you for a moment before returning to Jaehwan. "We’re keeping things under wraps for now."
Jaehwan stood there, stunned and silent, his gaze shifting from Seonghwa back to you, as if trying to piece together the situation. He clearly hadn’t expected this turn of events, and his earlier confidence had evaporated, replaced by a mix of surprise and frustration.
You, on the other hand, found yourself caught in a strange moment of both relief and discomfort. Seonghwa’s intervention had put an end to Jaehwan’s persistence, but it also dragged you into a deeper web of lies you weren’t sure you were ready to untangle.
"Well," Jaehwan said after a long pause, forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes, "I’ll let you two be, then. Enjoy the party, Y/N." With that, he turned and walked off, leaving you and Seonghwa alone once again.
The atmosphere between you and Seonghwa felt heavy, and as much as you wanted to keep a cool, composed exterior, you couldn’t shake the tension in the air. Seonghwa had taken control of the situation, but now, it seemed like there were even more unspoken words hanging between you two.
Seonghwa didn’t immediately speak, but when he did, his voice was quieter, almost amused. "You’re welcome."
You shot him a look, not sure whether you should thank him or be frustrated. "What was that all about?"
Seonghwa shrugged, his expression unreadable. "He was getting too comfortable. You shouldn’t have to deal with that."
You couldn’t argue with that, though it still left a bad taste in your mouth. "You didn’t have to step in like that."
He tilted his head, his eyes softening for a brief moment. "I know, but I wanted to. And I’ll do it again if I have to."
You let out a small sigh, your heart fluttering in a way that confused you. The night wasn’t what you expected, but somehow, you weren’t sure you minded it as much as you thought you would.
Seonghwa turned toward the bar, signaling for another drink. "Come on, you need to enjoy the rest of the party. And besides, you can’t have your ex running around ruining your night."
Two shots later, followed by a series of light-hearted conversations with various people, and the buzz from the alcohol was finally starting to set in. The warmth spread through your body, making your head feel lighter, the edges of your thoughts blurring slightly. You leaned back in your seat, your laughter ringing a little louder than you intended, but for once, you didn’t mind. You could feel the weight of the night slowly drifting away, the constant tension easing off your shoulders.
Realizing you needed a break, you excused yourself from the crowd and made your way to the restroom. The cool air of the bar’s hallway seemed to clear your head for a moment, and when you returned, you didn’t feel quite as dizzy as before. You spotted the balcony just ahead, where a few people were gathered, some leaning over the railing, smoking and chatting. The fresh air felt good against your skin, and you welcomed the solitude, a brief reprieve from the noise inside.
You pulled out your phone, unlocking it and glancing at the screen. Yeri’s message was waiting for you.
Yeri: How’s everything going? Are you okay?
You couldn’t help but smile at her caring tone. You quickly typed your response:
You: I’m good. Just needed some air. It’s been a lot tonight, but I’m managing. I'll tell you everything later.
After sending the message, you leaned against the railing, letting the cool breeze calm your senses. The bustling sounds from the bar seemed far away, and you closed your eyes for a moment, letting the moment of peace sink in.
But of course, peace never lasted long.
You heard footsteps approaching, and before you could turn around, Seonghwa’s voice reached you, smooth and just a little concerned. "You okay out here?"
You opened your eyes and glanced at him. He stood just behind you, his posture relaxed but his eyes watching you closely, as though taking stock of your every movement. You weren’t sure if it was the alcohol or just the sheer intensity of the situation, but you felt suddenly bold—bold in a way you hadn’t felt in a while.
"Yeah, just needed a break from all the...," you trailed off, glancing back towards the loud, crowded bar. "Everything." You laughed softly, then, almost to yourself. "It’s kind of overwhelming."
Seonghwa nodded, stepping closer, the space between you narrowing slightly. "I get it. But you should be careful. You’ve had a few drinks tonight." His voice was softer now, gentler, though there was a hint of concern in his eyes.
You tilted your head, meeting his gaze directly, a flicker of challenge lighting your chest. "What, you think I can’t handle a couple of drinks?" The words were a little sharper than you intended, but the alcohol had given you the courage to tease him in a way you wouldn't normally do.
He smirked, his lips curving upward in that way that made your heart skip. "I’m not worried about you handling them," he replied, voice low and laced with something unreadable. "I’m just worried you might get too comfortable."
Your breath caught for a moment. It wasn’t the first time you had noticed how close he was now, his presence almost tangible, like he was becoming a part of the space you occupied. The air between you seemed to thicken, and for a moment, it was just the two of you, the buzz of the party a distant hum.
"Too comfortable?" you repeated, feeling the boldness rise within you like a wave. You took a step closer to him, unconsciously closing the distance, your eyes scanning his face, trying to decipher the sudden shift in his expression. "And why would that be a problem?"
Seonghwa’s eyes flickered down to your lips before returning to meet your gaze. The tension between you two felt palpable, like an invisible thread pulling you closer despite the divide you tried to maintain. He didn’t answer immediately, his silence only making the moment more charged, more electric.
"You’re a lot different when you’re not all business," he said quietly, the playful edge of his voice barely masking the undercurrent of something else. "Maybe I’m starting to see the real you, Y/N."
Your heart raced at the comment, and you felt your breath hitch in your chest. The alcohol had loosened your inhibitions, but there was something about the way Seonghwa spoke, something about the way he was looking at you, that made you forget for a moment why you were supposed to stay guarded.
You leaned in slightly, your eyes locked with his, and a teasing smile spread across your face. "Maybe you like what you’re seeing."
The words came out almost too easily, the playful challenge in your tone not entirely fake. You could feel your pulse quickening, the thrill of the moment swirling around you.
Seonghwa's eyes darkened just a shade, his lips curling into a smile that was both amused and intrigued. "I think you're right," he said, his voice low, as though he was daring you to take the next step, to push the boundaries further.
For a heartbeat, you two stood there, neither of you moving, the tension thick and humming between you. You had no idea where this was going, no clue what would happen next, but you knew one thing for sure: you were no longer just playing along. Tonight felt different. And the way Seonghwa was looking at you—it seemed like he felt it too.
The moment hung in the air, electric and heady, as the rest of the world seemed to fade into the background. You were suddenly aware of how close Seonghwa was, how much you could feel the heat of his body, the rapid rise and fall of his chest as he inhaled deeply. Without thinking, you moved, wrapping your arms around his neck, pulling him closer until there was barely any space between the two of you. His breath hitched slightly at the closeness, and for a moment, neither of you spoke.
"Why are we always in this situation when we've had a couple of drinks?" you asked, your voice quieter now, a bit more vulnerable. You could feel the weight of your words, the tension that had been building between you and him finally reaching its peak.
Seonghwa took a deep breath, his hands resting gently on your waist, and you felt a surge of something stronger—something that made you tilt your head just slightly, brushing your lips against his. "You're not going to want me if I make a move," you said, your voice lower, almost a warning.
"I've always wanted you," he whispered against your mouth.
For a moment, everything seemed to stand still—the world, the music, the people inside the bar—all faded away, leaving only the two of you standing in the cool night air. But then, just as quickly, you pulled back, your breath unsteady, your heart pounding harder than it had a moment ago.
"I'm not falling for that," you said, your voice strained, almost harsh, as if you were trying to distance yourself from the vulnerability that had crept in.
Seonghwa’s expression faltered slightly, and he reached out to touch your arm, as if trying to stop you from pulling away further. But you were already taking a step back, and you could see the hurt flash in his eyes, the confusion.
"I don’t want to resent you more," you whispered, your voice small, almost fragile. The words were like a knife to your chest, and as soon as they left your lips, you regretted saying them. The hurt was suddenly evident in your eyes, and the alcohol that had fueled your boldness before was now making everything seem more raw, more real.
Seonghwa’s eyes widened, and his lips parted as if he wanted to say something. But no words came, just the heavy silence that fell between you two. For a moment, you thought he might try to reach for you again, but you turned away, already feeling the sting of regret that followed your confession.
You didn’t wait for him to speak. You just turned and left him standing there, the cool night air around you suddenly feeling colder than it had before. You didn’t know what you expected from him, but what you knew for sure was that you needed to get away from this—away from the tension, the confusion, and the feelings that had begun to resurface.
You quickly made your way back to the entrance of the bar, trying to keep your composure. As you stepped inside, you spotted Hongjoong in the crowd, chatting with a few people near the bar. The moment he saw you, his eyes softened with concern.
"Ready to go?" he asked, his voice gentle.
You nodded, trying to mask the storm of emotions swirling inside you. "Yeah. Let's go home," you said, your voice quieter than usual. You didn’t look back at Seonghwa, though you could feel his presence lingering in the back of your mind, heavy and unrelenting.
As you and Hongjoong made your way out of the bar after saying your goodbyes to your friends, you tried to shake off the weight of what had just happened. You didn’t know how to feel about Seonghwa anymore, nor about the admission that had slipped from your lips.
-x-x-x-
End of Part One.