Chained by Expectations | Park Sunghoon

Sixteen

The return from the trip brought a familiar routine back to Sunghoon and Haneul's lives. Sunghoon resumed his late-night work marathons, and Haneul found peace in studying or keeping herself occupied in the living room until she fell asleep. Most mornings, she woke up alone in Sunghoon's bed, an indication that he had carried her to bed and likely fallen asleep next to her, only to leave early for work.

During the day, Haneul split her time between studying at school with Jake or at a cafe while Sunoo vented about work drama.

Jake and Haneul sat at a table in the school commons area, engrossed in studying for Mr. Lee's class.

"Uhh, this is too complicated," Jake complained, frustration evident in his demeanor.

"It's not; you're just not doing it right," Haneul giggled, moving closer to examine his work. "Jake, I already told you to double-check the equation."

"I wish I was as smart as you. I don't know why I keep messing up," Jake mumbled, frustrated with himself.

They continued working together, Haneul patiently helping Jake grasp the material. Suddenly, they heard a voice behind them.

"What are you guys doing?" Sunghoon's cold gaze met them.

"What are you doing here?" Haneul asked, startled.

"I wanted to see what your school looked like. It's nice," Sunghoon replied, his eyes scanning the surroundings. "Now, what are you two doing here?"

"We were just studying, but I think I'm gonna call it a day. This is giving me a headache," Jake said, shutting his book and packing up.

"I'll text you about the event," Jake added, smiling at Haneul and patting Sunghoon on the shoulder bidding them goodbye as he walked away. An awkward silence hung in the air before Haneul spoke.

"Are you gonna go back to the office?" she asked, starting to pack up her things.

"No, I came to take you home. I figured we could both use a break from our busy schedules. Have you eaten dinner yet?" Sunghoon inquired.

"I haven't," she replied. "I really want ramyeon." She smiled brightly at him.

"Really? Out of all things?" Sunghoon chuckled as they made their way to his car. He drove them to a nearby convenience store to pick up snacks and ramyeon before heading home and making a simple dinner together.

"Are you sleeping better?" He asked as he washed their dishes.

"I am, much better. I think you're bed is more comfortable." She said as she wiped off the counter where they had just ate at.

"Good." Sunghoon said as he finished what he was doing.

"Let's watch a movie?" Haneul proposed.

The soft glow of the TV illuminated the cozy living room, casting a warm ambiance as Haneul tried to convince Sunghoon to join her for a movie night on the couch. Despite Sunghoon's initial reluctance, Haneul's infectious enthusiasm won him over, and soon they found themselves settled on the couch, surrounded by the comforting aroma of popcorn.

As the romantic comedy began to unfold on the screen, Sunghoon sprawled out on the couch, his long legs draped casually over Haneul's lap. He couldn't help but notice the twinkle in her eyes as she giggled at the movie's humorous moments, her excitement infectious.

After a while, Haneul mentioned feeling a bit chilly, slipping out from under Sunghoon's legs to retrieve a blanket. When she returned, she found Sunghoon still lounging across the couch. The sight inspired her to make a bold request. "Can I lay with you?" she asked, her voice tinged with shyness.

Sunghoon observed her for a moment, the soft glow of the TV casting a gentle light on her features. Eventually, he nodded, agreeing to her request. With a quick and graceful movement, she climbed onto the couch, settling on top of him, her head finding a comfortable spot on his chest. The blanket draped over both of them, creating a cocoon of warmth.

Sunghoon's body tensed at the unexpected closeness, but he soon relaxed, drawn into the movie and the sweet intimacy of the moment. He pulled Haneul closer, resting his chin on the top of her head, his arms wrapping around her. Her laughter reverberated against his chest, creating a soothing soundtrack to the romantic comedy playing on the screen. "My business class is helping the culinary department with a fundraiser tomorrow do you think you'll have time to stop by? They'll have yummy pastries." Haneul asked suddenly.

"I'm not sure. I am really busy at the office I already took this afternoon off." Sunghoon replied.

"I understand." She said feeling a tad bit disappointed but she understood his situation.

After a few minutes, Sunghoon noticed the gentle rise and fall of Haneul's breathing, realizing that she had fallen asleep. With care, he turned off the TV, lifting her in his arms without waking her. Making his way upstairs to his room, he tucked her into his bed, relieved to find that she had already changed into her pajamas.

As he settled into bed beside her, he couldn't resist giving her a light peck on the forehead before pulling her close. The warmth of their shared embrace filled the room, and soon, the rhythmic sounds of their breathing signaled that they had both drifted into a peaceful slumber, wrapped in the tranquility of the night.