SKYFALL ↠ Haechan ✔

XV

CHAPTER XV: Unease

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The next morning, Areum found herself waking up in Haechan's room. The soft morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the unfamiliar surroundings.

As she blinked away the remnants of sleep, memories of the previous night slowly came rushing back. She smiled, remembering the night they shared last night.

She turned around expecting to see Haechan but he was not there. She sat up to get a clear view of the big room and scanned it, looking for Haechan.

Just then, Haechan came into the room with a tray of food and she smiled watching him walk to the bed.

"Good morning" He said as he sat on the edge of the bed and placed the tray on Areum's lap
"Good morning to you too, Haechan. You made me breakfast?"

Haechan shook his head "Ms. Lee made breakfast. She told me you didn't like my cooking the other day" He said and both of them broke into laughter

"It was in fact, very salty" Areum gave him an apologetic smile "I tried" He said and leaned forward to give Areum a kiss but she quickly moved away "Morning breath"

Haechan smiled at her cuteness "I really don't care, Areum" Haechan said and Areum shook her head "But I care"

"Fine," Haechan started with a chuckle "I'm going to the warehouse today. What's your plan for the day?" Haechan continued to ask

"I'm going to meet Yoona unnie" She said and Haechan nodded

"So we're not going to see each other the whole day then?" Haechan pouted which caused Areum to laugh at his silliness

"We have work to do, Haechan" She said and Haechan muttered a soft "Fine" before he quickly stole a kiss from her

"Hey!" Areum was flustered "Thanks for the kiss" He smirked and stood up quickly to walk to his bathroom

"I'm getting ready now, eat your breakfast, babe" Haechan said and Areum smiled at the sudden nickname. It's been years since she heard Haechan call her that

-

Areum was sitting on a couch in her study room when Yoona came in and placed a file on the coffee table beside her "Here's everything you need to know about Han Mi So"

Areum's heart raced as she flipped through the file. Yoona took a deep breath "Han Mi So, an accomplished artist and has exhibited her work in several galleries. She was married but got divorced a few years back. From what I could gather, she's been involved in various philanthropic activities"

Areum's brow furrowed "That doesn't sound like the stereotypical image of a mistress"

Yoona nodded "Exactly. It's not a straightforward situation. There's no evidence of financial ties between her and your dad, at least not in the way we might expect"

Areum sighed, her emotions a jumbled mess. "So, what could be the connection? Why is my dad so secretive about this? I mean, he can literally just marry her, he's a mafia leader anyway so he can do whatever he wants"

Yoona's gaze softened "That true.. But Areum, there could be countless reasons for this. It's possible there's a deeper emotional connection that goes beyond money"

Areum nodded, her mind racing with thoughts and questions "You're right"

The mood suddenly changed when Areum changed the topic "By the way, me and Haechan, we're... okay now"

"Are you serious?!" Yoona was shocked "Good for you, Areum" She gave Areum a heartfelt smile before continuining

"Of course what he did in the past was wrong, but i'm glad that the both of you made amends. It'll make the marriage easier for both you and Haechan"

"But," Areum sighed, her fingers fidgeting with the file cover "It's weird.. I mean yes, we've buried the hatchet and things are better. But deep down, I can't ignore this feeling of.. I would say, unease?"

Yoona's brows furrowed "Unease? What do you mean?"

Areum hesitated before continuing "It's just that... I don't know, i've spent so long trying to convince myself that Haechan is this horrible person. And now suddenly, he's not? It's like my entire perspective of him has shifted and it's hard to adjust. But then again, I also can't ignore the fact that I still do have feelings for him"

Yoona nodded understandingly "Changes are never easy. But Areum, people change, circumstances change. Maybe this unease is just your mind adjusting to a new reality"

Areum looked down, her voice barely above a whisper "I'm scared, Unnie. Scared that this change is temporary and scared that if I let my guard down completely, i'll get hurt"

Yoona reached out and placed a comforting hand on Areum's "Areum, it's okay to feel scared. Change is a process, and it's totally normal to have doubts. But don't let that fear control you. Trust your instincts and give this a chance"

Areum looked into Yoona's reassuring eyes "You really think I can do this? Let go of the past and welcome this new version of us?"

Yoona smiled gently. "I know you can, Areum. If Haechan hurts you again, i'll freaking punch him. I might not be the first person to punch him but it would definitely be the one he remembers the most"

Both Areum and Yoona shared genuine laughters and continued to talk.

-

In a dimly lit clandestine meeting room, three figures sat around a table shrouded in shadows. Their identities masked by the dim lighting and strategic positioning, their voices were hushed, betraying a sense of urgency and dark intent.

"We need to act swiftly," the first voice, gravelly and low, spoke. "Haechan and his father, Hyunmin, are the last obstacles in our path"

The second voice, tinged with a cold determination, agreed "Hyunmin's grip on the syndicate is strong, but we don't have to worry. They won't see it coming"

The third figure, a calculating strategist, leaned forward, his voice a mere whisper. "We've been studying their movements for weeks. Our best opportunity will be at the upcoming gala. Their guard will be down, and the chaos will work to our advantage"

The first voice added, a hint of cruelty in its tone, "Once they're out of the way, the syndicate will crumble, and we'll seize control"

A tense silence settled over the room as their sinister plan took shape. The unknown figures, exchanged a series of nods and subtle gestures, their intentions concealed behind the masks they wore both figuratively and literally.

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