Object of Affection [Mina X Male Reader]

Ch. 4

They finally separated with a smile, their faces flushed with the intensity of their emotions. The lingering taste of each other's lips left them both longing for more. But Haru had to say goodbye to Mina because it was getting too late.

After that incident, they got busy on a new project they were working on. They had lots of meetings and spent time brainstorming ideas. Haru would stay at work late and help other departments with their tasks. Despite their busy schedules, Mina and Haru always found moments to steal glances at each other, their minds still filled with the memory of that unforgettable kiss.

Done with the brain-storming process and research, Haru asked for a day off as they can now relax a bit. Mina agreed, realizing that he was burning himself out with all the extra work. Haru was admired not only for his appearance but also for the way he had a hand in helping every department at work, from planning and strategy to quality assurance. He assisted in every department. He was reliable and served as the company's hidden backbone. But, honestly, he did all of this to ensure Mina's company succeeded. Everyone knew how dedicated and selfless Haru was when it came to the success of the company.

It was Haru's day off, so Mina decided to go out with Sana after work rather than going straight home. Mina noticed the back of someone when she entered the restaurant. She looked at the person sitting and conversing with a girl. She did not see the face of the man yet, but her heart sank when she recognized the familiar voice. It was Haru...He was enjoying his day off with someone else. Mina couldn't help but feel disappointed. She wondered if she had misunderstood their relationship and if Haru's feelings for her were not as strong as she had thought. As she observed them from a distance, Mina couldn't help but question her place in Haru's life and whether or not she was truly important to him.

When Mina saw Haru chatting and bonding with the girl, it brought back images of the moment she saw her ex cheating on her. She couldn't take it any longer, so she ran out of the restaurant as soon as she saw the girl kissing Haru on the cheek. Sana, who witnessed everything, was stunned and couldn't help but run after Mina. Mina was hurt and angry that Haru led her on. She couldn't believe that Haru would betray her trust like this. The realization hit her hard, and she couldn't see the road as her vision was now blurry with tears. She felt tightness in her chest as tears fell one by one. Sana caught up to Mina and gently guided her towards a nearby bench, offering her a tissue to wipe away the tears. Mina's heartache was overwhelming, and she couldn't help but pour out her feelings to Sana. She felt a mix of anger, sadness, and betrayal all at once, making it difficult for her to find the right words to express herself. Sana listened attentively, providing a comforting presence for Mina in her time of need.

Sana was perplexed because she believed Haru had genuine feelings for Mina based on their interactions, but she didn't want to question her thoughts at the time because she just wanted to comfort her best friend.

Mina questioned why she had invested so much in someone who didn't value her feelings. Since then, Mina has cut off all communication with Haru and grown distant. Mina turned harsh and indifferent toward Haru, who has no idea why she is acting this way. Mina would criticize everything he did whenever they interacted, and everyone at work could see it—the shift.

People began chatting and whispering about the situation at work, saying things like, "She's a really cold person; how can she do that to Haru? I guess she's a bitch." or generally making bad comments about Mina.

Mina heard all of these comments, but she couldn't care less. To her, she took the right action. She couldn't bear the thought of being seen as weak or vulnerable, determined to protect her own emotions at all costs.

A week later, to Mina's surprise, the whispers had stopped.

Haru couldn't hold it anymore and wanted to confront Mina. When everyone left work, he waited outside Mina's office. Finally, when Mina came out, she was surprised but gave a cold look to Haru. "Mina, what's wrong? Why have you been acting this way?" Haru asked, genuinely concerned about Mina's sudden change in behavior. Mina paused for a moment. "You are being shameless, huh? Okay, I'll play your game." Mina's response caught Haru off guard. "What are you talking about? Is it about the k-kiss..." Haru began, but Mina cut him off with a dismissive wave of her hand. "Stop! From now on, let's keep our relationship strictly business. I was just drunk, and it didn't mean anything to me."

"Wha...what do you mean?" Mina's words stung Haru. He felt a mix of confusion and hurt as he tried to process what Mina was saying. The thought of their kiss being meaningless left him feeling rejected and unsure of where they stood with each other.

Mina then clears her throat and says, "Look, Haru, don't overstep the boundaries. We need to maintain a professional dynamic to work effectively together. I no longer need someone like you in my personal life." Mina then walked away, clenching her hands tightly and not looking at Haru. "How can he approach me when he has someone already?" she thought to herself. Her pride got to her, but she felt proud for standing her ground.

On the other hand, Haru was tearing up as he watched her leave. He thought everything was going fine, but in just a few weeks, the Mina he got close to seemed like it was just a dream. His heart was broken into a million pieces, and he couldn't help but wonder if he had misunderstood everything. As he stood there, alone and devastated, he questioned his worth and wondered if he was truly deserving of Mina. "Of course not... She deserves someone more worthy of her," he muttered to himself, his voice filled with self-doubt. Despite the pain, he couldn't help but hope that Mina would find happiness, even if it wasn't with him.

Time skip: 1 month

A month has passed since then. It was as if the time they spent together was nothing more than a fleeting moment in his memory. Mina was still cold, but Haru still tried his best to smile and take care of her behind the scenes.

It was lunch break, and Haru received a call. "Haru-ah, I'm back. I can't wait to see you." The voice over the phone was filled with excitement. "Chaeyoung!? What really?" Haru says. "Yes, so see you at the old bar?" Chaeyoung suggested. Haru laughed and agreed. "Alright, little man."

At the bar, "Man, it's been so long." Chaeyoung says this while he hugs Haru. "What happened? I thought you'd be in Korea longer." Haru asked, his voice filled with curiosity. Chaeyoung sighed and took a sip of her drink before answering, "I was planning to stay longer, but I got the contract deal done early, plus I'm here for a personal reason."

Chaeyoung then proceeds to explain to Haru that he's back because he has a childhood friend he's had a crush on since high school and that he just found out she was single. Chaeyoung's eyes light up as he shares the news with Haru, and there is a hint of excitement in his voice. "I couldn't believe my luck when I found out she was single," he says, a smile spreading across his face. "I knew I had to come back and see if there was a chance for us."

Haru was happy for his best friend, as he wanted the best for Chaeyoung. Haru hoped that things would work out between them and that they could finally be together. "Maybe I can finally get to see this longtime crush of yours," Haru said teasingly. "I'm excited to meet her and see if she's as amazing as you've always said." He genuinely hoped that Chaeyoung's long-time crush would bring him the happiness he deserved.

[Backstory]

Haru and Chaeyoung met at college in America and became close friends. Chaeyoung was known to be rich and had always attracted people who were only interested in his wealth, but because of how small he was, he was easily coaxed into being a victim. One day, when Chaeyong stood his ground, confronted the bullies, and was about to get beaten up, Haru happened to be walking by and recognized Chaeyoung. They had some classes together. Haru couldn't stand by and watch, so he helped Chaeyoung since he believed in standing up against injustice. Haru quickly intervened, using his martial arts skills to defend Chaeyoung and scare off the bullies. The incident brought them closer together. Ever since then, they have become friends, and they were popular too. Chaeyoung was handsome and rich, while Haru was handsome and kind. There was something else they shared: they both had a longtime love. Chaeyoung has told Haru about his childhood crush, but he never reveals her name or how she looked. The same goes for Haru; he only describes the person he adores from the memory he had with her, but he never reveals her name or shows Chaeyoung a picture of her. Despite this, they often found solace in discussing their unrequited love and supporting each other through their feelings of longing and hope. Their shared experiences only deepened their bond, making them inseparable friends.