Hidden Motives || Chae Hyungwon

[ forty-four ]

Chae Hyungwon

i sat beside ha rim on the living room watching a movie with her together. my arm was around her shoulder and her head was resting comfortably on my chest as i leaned backwards on the couch.

"hyungwon-ssi, what kind of student were you back in school?" ha rim suddenly asked while her eyes were fixed on the screen.

"i was focused on academics. i also played sports occasionally whenever there were school events. i'd say i was pretty much goal-oriented that i kind of compromised my social life." i scrunched my nose and smiled.

"do you think you'd like me if we met back in school? or how about if we didn't encounter each other back at the bus stop? how would have things changed?" she turned to face me.

"regardless of those, you're still the type to catch my eye. i like your character above it all, ha rim-ssi. you're tough but also warm-hearted inside. i appreciate that about you." i looked into her eyes as i spoke.

"there's something magnetic about you, too. i've never told you but i feel connected to you even if you don't say much, hyungwon-ssi. you seem cold as ice yet passionate as fire all at the same time." she spoke her mind back at me.

i leaned closer to ha rim and planted a kiss on her forehead.

"but.. would you still like me if you found out i wasn't what you thought i was like?" she suddenly asked.

"in what context?" i asked.

"what if i had a bad family background? what if we were mortal enemies?" she gave examples.

"those things don't change the fact that i already feel something for you. i guess our situations could change, but i can't deny that i like you. if that happens, that's up for us to find out."

she gave me a small smile and nodded in agreement. i didn't know that ha rim had a lot of hypothetical questions in mind. it gave her a sense of depth, and i couldn't help but wonder how deep her thoughts could go.

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Baek Ha Rim

saturday finally came and it was the day i was both dreading yet expecting.

would i do fine? deep inside, i was already lost in my thoughts, contemplating on what i was supposed to do.

i stared at hyungwon who was fixing himself in front of the car's window. he wore a light blue buttoned long sleeve while i wore a cream-colored dress with pearl accessories and a shoulder bag.

"you look stunning. let's go inside?" hyungwon suddenly asked.

i didn't even notice him extending his arm for me because i was so out of it with the nerves i felt. quickly, i gave him a nod and walked side by side with him going inside his parents' house.

"welcome, my son!" as soon as the door was opened, hyungwon's mother came greeting us.

"good afternoon." hyungwon greeted his mom, his entire face lighting up.

"dear, you must be ha rim?" she turned to smile at me.

"hello, mrs. chae. my name's baek ha rim. it's my pleasure to meet you." i bowed down to greet her respectfully.

"you're lovely, dear. come inside and let's share a hearty birthday lunch together as family." she invited.

my heart was enveloped by a strange feeling of warmth. although hyungwon's mother called me lovely, she was the epitome of it. i secretly couldn't help but wonder at the back of my mind how many other guys have fallen for her back in the days.