Chained by Expectations | Park Sunghoon

Twenty-eight

As the morning light began to gently illuminate the penthouse, Sunghoon woke up to find Haneul still peacefully asleep on his chest. He shifted his gaze toward the window, observing that the rain persisted, though not as intense as the night before. The rhythmic patter against the glass created a soothing melody that blended with the soft snores escaping Haneul's lips.

A quiet calm filled the penthouse, broken only by the sounds of nature and Haneul's peaceful slumber. Sunghoon couldn't help but reflect on the earlier years, when waking up with Haneul nestled against him was a routine part of their shared mornings. The memories flooded back, reminding him of the intimacy and warmth they once shared.

A glimmer of hope sparked within Sunghoon. Because of the events that happened the previous night, he couldn't ignore the possibility that the connection they had might still be salvageable. The echoes of their past lingered in the air, offering a subtle promise of a potential rekindling of what they once had. 

As Haneul continued to sleep peacefully, Sunghoon contemplated the idea that perhaps there was a chance for healing and rebuilding the bond they had lost.

As Haneul started to stir from her sleep, she rubbed her tired eyes and let out a soft yawn, snuggling back into the warmth of Sunghoon's embrace. Sunghoon hugged her close, playing with her messy hair as a peaceful silence filled the room. In a hushed whisper, Haneul broke the tranquility, expressing the coldness she felt.

"It's so cold," she murmured with her eyes still closed. "Is it still raining outside?" Her voice carried a mixture of sleepiness and curiosity. Sunghoon, still running his fingers through her hair, responded with a gentle hum, confirming the lingering rain.

Fully conscious now, Haneul found herself caught in conflicting emotions. The intimacy of waking up together reminded her of the mornings they used to share, and a part of her missed that closeness. However, the events of the previous night left her uncertain about how to navigate their relationship. Resentment lingered, but it seemed less intense than before. She knew she needed to talk to Sunoo about her conflicting feelings and get advice from him since he was one of her closest friends that had been a witness of the heartbreak she experienced, before making any decisions about their future.

Just as she was contemplating her next steps, a sudden realization struck her, and her eyes shot open.

"Oh my God! I forgot to tell Sunoo that I was home and safe last night," she exclaimed, quickly sitting up and moving away from Sunghoon's chest. "He must be so worried. Can I borrow your phone?" she asked anxiously while attempting to tame her disheveled hair.

Sunghoon nodded, handing her his phone, and watched as she dialed Sunoo's number with haste, stepping away for a bit of privacy to assure her cousin that she was safe and sound.

Haneul took a deep breath as she called Sunoo, and after a few rings, her cousin's voice echoed through the phone, "Hello?" The shock in his voice was unmistakable.

"Hey, Sunoo," Haneul replied, her nerves beginning to surface as she anticipated his reaction.

"WHAT?! WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH SUNGHOON'S PHONE?!" Sunoo's voice boomed from the other end, causing Haneul to instinctively move the phone away from her ear. His worry and frustration were evident, and he continued to express his concerns without giving her a chance to explain.

"Listen, it's a long story. I just wa—" She was once again cut off by Sunoo's loud rant.

"Do you know how worried I was about you? You have a lot of explaining to do when I get back. I literally called Jay last night at 3 am because I was worried about you! He must be on his way back. WHY DIDN'T YOU CALL ME!" Sunoo's words spilled out in a rush of frustration.