Where Do We Go From Here

Chapter 3 - Symbiosis

Hyun Bin was usually a patient man. But it has been seven days since Ye-jin came to his office and he was yet to hear anything from her. He knows he was asking a lot from Ye-jin. Getting married to someone is something that you think long and hard about... especially when you are not in a relationship with that person.

But he was desperate... and on a time crunch, so he has decided to pay her a visit in her office tonight. He even had his secretary make a reservation to that Japanese restaurant she loved before. However, his last meeting for the day that was supposed to end at four o'clock ran long, and so it was already dark by the time he had the chance to leave.

He was anxious. Despite all his confidence when he asked her to marry him a week ago, he knows very well that there is a high probability that Ye-jin would just say no.

She had so many reasons, and valid ones at that, not to and he was surprised that she did not just slap him outright when he said those words. Despite almost getting married before, they had never been in a legitimate relationship. They spent a lot of time together yes, but even then, he could not allow himself to fully get close to her and be himself, not for anything else but of what she symbolized – powerlessness and the feeling of being a mere pawn in the game.

The promise for them to marry each other was made even before they were born. It was never set on stone, but as his dad stepped up the political ladder, being permanently associated with the Sons, who owns the largest and wealthiest real estate chaebol in South Korea, made more and more sense. It was cliché, but clichés are there for a reason – it was a scheme well tested by the time. Such relationship is symbiotic (and very, very powerful) - it was good for his family and hers.

And so when she reached 18, their dads spoke about what was previously unspoken. They had been asked – more like forced – to get to know each other, knowing that someday soon they were going to get married. For a few years, he tried. He really did. And it was not a hard task because she was one of the most charming and nicest person he has ever met. Most of the time, he could even forget that spending time with her was something that he was forced to do as he genuinely enjoyed himself when he was with her.

They never made it formal, but they had always been each other's date in whatever event they attend, always sat together, and even went on a few trips together (courtesy of their dads, with them being chaperones on their business trips).

Then, she fell in love with him.

Of course he knew. She never told him directly but he knew. The way she looked at him, how she treated him differently, and the things that she did for him – it could not be mistaken for anything else but love.

But he ignored that as best as he can. She was a great person but he just could not see himself loving her – loving someone who he did not choose in the first place. Just thinking about it made him feel trapped and repressed. And so he went through the arrangement without ever acknowledging it. He did not see any reason to, whether he loved her or not, he was bound to marry her anyway.

Whatever little is left of his freedom, he chose to do things that he wants – and that includes choosing who to love. And then he found her. She made him feel like he was free, that he can do whatever he wanted in life.

She was the catalyst that brought meaning to his life. Because of her, he found the courage to go against their dads' wishes and to fight for what he wanted. It was a messy battle but he succeeded. But he also knows that the biggest casualty of that battle was Ye-jin .

If he had asked Ye-jin to marry him a few years ago, he was sure what her answer would be. But so much has happened since then, and Ye-jin has become this person worlds different from the Ye-jin that he knew before.

And so, he was anxious.

But the way she acted during their meeting last week gave him hope. Hope that maybe she still has some feelings left for him – enough to take some pity on him and help him. If it were true, he knows that he is just being unnecessarily cruel, after everything that has already happened between them. But as he has repeatedly justified to himself, this was the only way he could see. He would have never approached her if there was another solution possible.

"Sir, we have arrived," said his driver, interrupting his thoughts.

He quickly said his thanks and proceeded to go up to her office. When the elevator doors opened at her floor, he immediately saw Hong Jeung-hun, her secretary, outside her door. He was currently busy arguing with someone on the phone and so, without saying a word, he passed by him and rushed to open Ye-jin's door before he can be stopped.

When he entered, he saw that she was packing up her things and about to leave, it was already eight o'clock after all.

"I was just in time then."

He saw Ye-jin jump a little from shock. However, she quickly recovered and said with a snark, "I see your manners had just deteriorated over the years. Don't know how to knock?"

He chose to ignore that and instead chose to smile at her. "Come. Have dinner with me," he said brazenly, masking all the nervousness he felt before he entered her room.

Ye-jin raised her eyebrows at that, "And what makes you think I don't already have plans?" She asked while picking up her bag.

She was already walking towards her door when he replied, "And what makes you think that you having any plans will stop me from having dinner with you tonight?" And that was true, he was ready to do anything just for her to say yes. He was even ready to beg and grovel if that's what it takes for her to say yes.

Ye-jin stopped at that, proceeded to narrow her eyes at him but did not say anything else.

"Come on, I'm famished. Aren't you?" He asked while walking closer to her.

"I hope you still like Japanese food."

He was pretending to still be familiar to her, and pretending as if they did not have tons of baggage between them.

"I had asked them to prepare some otoro for our dinner," he said as he finally reached her.

He, then, took her hand, of course not without resistance on her part. "You know it's the first time in months that it had been available?" It was more of a statement rather than a question. He wanted to let her know that he at least put some effort into their dinner.

"But I guess it's my lucky day," he continued as he put on his most charming smile for her – the smile that he knew always made her swoon eons ago.

When she did not make indication of giving any response to him aside from the annoyed look on her face, he proceeded to pull the both of them towards her door with his hand still holding hers tightly.

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Author's Note: Hii!! Another update, still a lot of narration but there is a bit of interaction at the end. This time we get a glimpse of Bin's thoughts. And yes, he does not have any idea that she still has feelings for him. Also, I think the point of this chapter is that he's not a bad person despite everything that has happened before and his very selfish request right now, he's just trying to go through life the best way he knows how ;) Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Let me know what you think ;) Have a good day!!