Arranged✔️ | Ji Changmin

10 - Let It Out

3RD PERSON

it had been three days since they got back from the trip. while chaewon spent her day locked up in the guest room, reading, changmin had gone out for a drive as he reflected back what had gone wrong during the trip. the house had a whole new atmosphere eversince they came home from the getaway. changmin felt almost frustrated that it was not like how usually was. they still had meals together and they slept in the same bed but it was different. there were no playful teasings along the day, or random chatterings about nothing and everything, or even cuddles when they went to bed.

when changmin arrived home that day, chaewon was preparing lunch in the kitchen. the house was quiet except for the water faucet running and the sound of fire from the stove as she cooked. there were no melodious hummings from his wife nor her usual cheerful greetings when he got home. changmin attempted to help set the table, in hopes that she would notice him trying to get her attention but to no avail. he sat opposite her as they ate in silence. "where did you go?" changmin grinned a little when she asked that. "just around," chaewon only nodded before she went back to silently eating, making changmin frown. she was quick to finish her food, washing her dishes before she retreated back into the guest room with a book in hand.

both changmin and chaewon had expected their 2 weeks break from work to be a little different from how it was. they looked forward to spending more time with each other and probably explore new places together. however, five days has gone by and nothing had change except the fact that they were cold to one another with the obvious tension in the house.

changmin heaved a deep breath as he stopped outside the guest room door. after spending some time thinking in the living room, he had mustered some courage to approach chaewon. his fist hovered over the door.

knock! knock!

"come in," chaewon's soft voice welcomed him.

twisting the door knob open, he caught sight of his wife sitting on the bed, completely engrossed in the book. "chaewon, can we talk?" changmin started, carefully taking a seat at the edge of the bed. "about what?" she had asked, her eyes not leaving the pages of the book. "us," that one word from changmin made her froze as she hesitantly close her book, setting it aside on the bed.

changmin had sat right in front of her with his legs crossed as he put both his palms out, inviting her to hold them. chaewon paused before she reached out to place her hands in his. "can you tell me - is there something bothering you?" his voice was soft and calm as he rubbed the back of her hands soothingly.

"i.. i know we're legally married but we are keeping it at friends. so even if i do feel jealous, i thought that i had no right to do that," chaewon looked down at their hands, feeling uneasy.

"aw chaewon," changmin cooed, bringing the girl close to embrace her. she rested her head onto his chest as he gently traced circles around her back. the silence engulfing them as they sat tight in one another's embrace. changmin bit his lips, thinking if he should also tell her about how he felt. then something sparked from inside him - the person he was holding was his wife; his safe space and he would do his everything to keep her by his side always.

"seeing you with another man hurts me so badly. i don't ever want to lose you," changmin admitted, squeezing her a little tighter. his words made the girl burst out a short laughter, thinking that she was ridiculous for being jealous. it was clear that this man would do everything within his capacity to make her feel loved and it hurt him too whenever she was not by his side.

her grip around him tightened as she scooted closer. "the next time you have something bothering you, come to me and ask for a hug - a long, tight hug. i'll hug and listen to you," changmin placed his chin on top of her head as he playfully swayed them. his action made chaewon smile brightly and changmin was just glad they were back to their usual selves.