Chained by Expectations | Park Sunghoon

Thirty-five

Sunghoon gave Haneul a warm kiss as he greeted her outside her apartment, his lips briefly lingering before he helped her carry her bag to his car. As Haneul locked her door behind her, she took Sunghoon's hand in hers, swinging it back and forth. Approaching his car, Haneul stopped, puzzled by the sight of the vehicle they were about to get into.

"You got a new car?" she asked, her curiosity evident.

"No, I just don't use this one often," Sunghoon explained as he opened the door for her, assisting her into the car.

They started driving, and a subtle silence enveloped the car. Haneul, sensing an underlying tension, couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss. "Is everything okay?" she inquired, casting a concerned glance at Sunghoon.

"Yeah," he replied, stealing a momentary look at her while giving her thigh a gentle squeeze. Haneul responded with a faint smile, choosing not to press the matter further. As she redirected her attention to the road, she noticed the unfamiliar route they were taking.

"Where are we going?" Haneul questioned.

"I want to take you to my other house," Sunghoon stated casually.

"You have another house?" Haneul asked, wide-eyed.

"Yeah," he chuckled at her reaction. "I'm thinking about moving, so I might as well start getting used to it," Sunghoon explained, not revealing the entire truth. While he was indeed contemplating a move due to the revelation about So-he's plan, the real reason for taking her there was the uncertainty of being watched.

On the way there the two stopped to get a bit to eat and Haneul was anxious to see the new house that Sunghoon was taking her to. As they pulled up she couldn't help but admit that the home was beautiful.

Sunghoon led Haneul through the spacious new house, showcasing its light beige marble interior that exuded an air of luxury. The three generously sized bedrooms each had its unique charm, and the master bedroom boasted a balcony that overlooked the breathtaking cityscape. The kitchen was expansive, equipped for any culinary endeavor, and the living room provided a stunning view of the city below.

Haneul couldn't contain her excitement as they explored each corner of the house. "Why didn't you live here in the first place?" she wondered aloud, still mesmerized by the elegance surrounding her.

"Do you like it?" Sunghoon asked, watching her reaction.

"Yeah," she replied with a wide smile. "It's amazing."

As they settled into the plush couch in the living room, Sunghoon pulled Haneul down to sit with him. "Do you want to stay here with me?" he asked, a hint of anticipation in his eyes.

Haneul's smile dropped slightly, and she hesitated. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, do you want to come live here with me?" Sunghoon clarified, his eyes locking onto hers.

"Oh," Haneul said, taken aback. "I-I think we should wait a little," she suggested. "My lease will end in three months, so maybe after that. For now, don't you want your own space?"

"I want my space with you in it," Sunghoon confessed, pulling her onto his lap. "But I can wait until you're ready. For now, can you promise you'll come over often?" he requested, and Haneul hesitantly agreed.

She planted a sweet kiss on Sunghoon's lips. "Are you allowed to skip a day at work?" he inquired.

"I can if I really need to," she replied, a bit confused.

Sunghoon's hands ran up and down her thighs. "I want to sleep in tomorrow. Is it okay if you're a little late to work?" he asked, his gaze intense.

Haneul suggested, "I can just get a taxi in the morning."