IN THE EYES OF LOVE: Book 1 (Choi Seungcheol)

06. this is me trying

A tired sigh escapes my lips as I leave the hospital; my shift is over, so I can go home and get some sleep. I fix my glasses while waiting for the bus to arrive; this week has been chaotic. After yesterday's eventful humiliation, Wonwoo has been opening up more than the casual small talk at work. I expected October to be a fun birthday month for me, but only to be dragged into a messy, bumpy path. Not to mention, I still haven't found time to go to the gym.

I pull my hair out of the ponytail and rest my head against the wall, a black Toyota Camry parks in front of me. I furrowed my brows in confusion as the driver's door opened, I felt my breath hitch upon seeing Choi Seungcheol. What is this guy's problem? I grabbed my bag and got up from the bench, "Wait.." Seungcheol said. I look at him, "Is Christopher giving you every detail of my work schedule now?" I asked. Seungcheol raised a brow, "That's not—I came here to apologize for the other day," He said. His voice didn't sound like he was being apologetic, it sounded more like a guy trying to boost their ego.

I crossed my arms, "You? Apologizing? Didn't take you as an apologetic type." I implied. Seungcheol scoffs and tilts his head back a bit exhaling sharply, "Oh, sometimes I don't see why Christopher keeps trying to make me peruse a judgemental woman." He said with a smirk. I scoffed and bit my lip, "That's just how I am," I protested. Seungcheol chuckles and shakes his head, "What exactly do you want Choi?" I asked. Seungcheol sighs and places his hands into the pocket of his trousers, "To try and understand why you seem to dislike me? Because I'm sure you're wondering why I dislike you and your bad taste in men." Seungcheol said with a smirk.

I gave him a bitter look, "Bad taste in men? If you're talking about Wonwoo, I will gladly tell you that he is more of a man than you might ever be."  I said. Seungcheol's face darkens at the statement I had made, "Wonwoo...Jeon...I'm surprised you're interested in him. In fact, I'm amazed that you actually think you have a chance with him. Given the fact he is the eldest of his family," Seungcheol said as he got close enough to make the hairs on my neck rise. I kept my composure and maintained eye contact with him, showing that his tactics don't scare me.

"And what does Wonwoo being the oldest have to do with anything?" I asked; Seungcheol's dark eyes searched mine. He lets out a surprised laugh, "You don't know? And here I thought you were the smart one in this field." Seungcheol laughs and bites his lip. I felt confused but shrugged it off, "I don't know what exactly are you referring to?" I asked, standing my ground. Seungcheol licked his lips as he tapped his index finger on the side of his temple. "Wonwoo has to date and can only marry a Korean woman...he is the oldest." He said; I unfolded my arms. "Has to? Wonwoo has the choice to date and marry anyone he desires." I implied; Seungcheol chuckles and shakes his head.

A strand of his blonde-dyed hair falls forward, "Look it up, in Korean law...well, it's mostly a tradition followed by the parents and grandparents. The eldest son has to marry a Korean woman since the son's duty is to carry out the family line, meaning...Wonwoo must continue his family line by marrying a Korean woman. Not to mention most Korean families are strict on traditions." Seungcheol said with a cocky smile and tone.

I let out a sigh and rolled my eyes, "Are you done lecturing me about the Korean Civic Laws?" I asked. Seungcheol scoffs and tilts his head slightly, "You're the emotionally sensitive type aren't you? I can see it in your eyes, the hope you had vanishing." He said. I froze as he pushed back a strand of my hair, "Being too emotional in front of others can be taken advantage, try to be less sensitive." Seungcheol whispers before walking back to his car.

The moment his Camry was gone, I let out shaky breaths. I place my hand over my chest, trying my best not to cry and make a fool of myself in public; I take a seat on the bench, feeling like I will pass out any moment. My body began to tremble; I pulled my phone out and called Joshua. "Mitxy, did you get home safely?" He asked. I tried to speak, but I could only croak out, "It's happening again...". Joshua instructs me to stay put and that he'll be here quickly. My hands feel static as the line goes dead. The phone slips out of my grip; this wasn't a panic attack, right? I mean, I haven't had one since the funeral.

I find breathing hard as my vision becomes blurry, "MITXY! Shit shit..." Joshua's voice was distant, but he was standing before me. "Okay, okay, I know, I know. Jihoon!" Joshua called out, footsteps approaching and making it hard for me to focus on breathing. "Mitxy, can you hear me? This isn't a panic attack anymore...we need to get her inside the hospital." Jihoon said as he laid me on my side, "It's a seizure? How? She has--" Joshua was cut off by the shouts of nurses and doctors approaching. "She's unresponsive! We gotta get her to a room, STAT!!" Dr. Park instructs. "Mitx, you're gonna be fine," Joshua reassures me.

Did Choi Seungcheol cause this? Or was it the suppression of my emotions? Before my mind could wander off further my consciousness slipped into darkness.