Hidden Motives || Chae Hyungwon

[ forty-two ]

Baek Ha Rim

i sat beside hyungwon who was in the driver's seat of the car. i secretly stole a glance at him as we were peacefully watching the night sky.

our date today went well and it was a fulfilling lunch and dinner of getting to know each other better. with him, conversation just flowed naturally and something about it made my heart feel very much alive.

"are you sure you won't regret making me skip the rest of my work hours? i only asked you out on a date because it was my break time. i didn't know it would take us the whole day." i teased.

"i don't think so. i'd definitely regret cutting off our date shorter because then i wouldn't get to experience this one in a million date with you." he was firm at assuring me with his answer.

i smiled at his response and shook my head playfully.

"but.. what if someone back there really recognized us together? would you be able to handle it?" i asked again.

"ha rim-ssi, i can... are you worried?" he asked.

i looked into his eyes and let the silence affirm him of my answer.

"i'll protect you. i'm mentally stronger than i appear to be. i really want to break free and let them all know if they'd want to."

hyungwon then gently leaned in closer towards me and planted a soft kiss on my forehead. his actions were heart-fluttering and they were melting me slowly.

"honestly... thank you, hyungwon-ssi. i trust you." i spoke.

"i trust you too." he responded.

my face slowly fell hearing those words. he trusted me but was i really worthy of it? my hidden motives against him were starting to haunt and trouble me.

thinking about the fortune teller's warning of how we wouldn't have a happy ending if i didn't get things sorted out, i started to feel like i was going to end up hurting a lot of people.

despite that, i wanted to challenge the waves.

"back at kihyun's party, i told you i'll let you know my answer to your confession." i spoke.

hyungwon's eyes suddenly lit up in anticipation.

"i'm letting you know now that i really like you too, chae hyungwon. i feel the same way as you do, and i know that i want to be with you." i revealed my feelings.

in a sudden, hyungwon's soft lips immediately met mine. without any words, it was enough to let me know the way he felt. slowly closing my eyes, i allowed myself to give in and to be fully present in this moment.

tonight felt like a dream i didn't want to end.

_____________________________

i quietly walked my way inside kihyun's house. thinking he was already asleep or busy working inside his room, i didn't bother making noise to keep the peace and silence.

"where have you been?" all of a sudden, kihyun's voice greeted me.

i flinched and immediately saw him seated on the sofa of the living room with an opened bottle of red wine on the glass table.

"what's with that expression? you didn't even notice me seated here?" he frowned.

"i thought you were upstairs, sorry. i was just in my head but my day went well, nonetheless." i spoke.

"were you at work?" he asked.

i paused and noticed how odd kihyun was seeming. i had a bad gut feel about it.