Love Contract

Chapter 18

It had been several days since the dinner, but the unease in Y/N had not subsided. She carried on with her tasks, keeping herself busy, but the inner turmoil she thought she had buried deep inside was far from hidden.

Sana, ever observant, noticed every small shift in Y/N's behavior-every fleeting glance, every stiff reaction. Something was wrong, and it gnawed at Sana like a quiet storm brewing on the horizon.

Normally, Y/N would blush when Sana got close, her cheeks tinting a soft pink whenever Sana kissed her, especially near her lips.

She'd become adorably flustered, always reacting to Sana's playful affections. But lately, those reactions had dulled. When Sana kissed her now, there was no blush, no quickening breath. Y/N seemed... distant.

It was as if her mind was somewhere far away, unreachable. This detachment was slowly driving Sana crazy.

Determined to get to the bottom of things, Sana decided to confront her about it. That's why, at this very moment, she was leading Y/N through a beautiful, secluded flower garden near her penthouse.

The vibrant colors of the flowers, blooming in shades of pinks, purples, and whites, filled the air with their delicate fragrance, but the beauty of the garden did little to soothe the tension between them.

Y/N, dressed in a simple yet comfortable navy-blue sweatshirt with gray accents, paired with loose cargo shorts, followed quietly.

The casualness of her outfit contrasted with the weight of the emotions she was trying so hard to hide. Her eyes, which would normally light up at the sight of such a serene place, were instead dull, clouded with thoughts she hadn't shared.

Sana, on the other hand, wore a floral mini dress that perfectly hugged her figure, the soft colors accentuating her natural elegance. But beneath her outward grace, there was frustration simmering. She had brought Y/N here for some fresh air and, more importantly, to have the conversation they had been avoiding for too long.

Once they reached a quiet corner of the garden, Sana stopped and turned to Y/N, her eyes sharp with both concern and determination. "Y/N," she called softly, yet firmly, her voice cutting through the silence like a gentle but insistent wave. "We need to talk."

Y/N, startled by the sudden seriousness in Sana's tone, shifted uneasily. She could feel her heartbeat quicken as she avoided Sana's gaze, her fingers nervously tugging at the hem of her sweatshirt. "W-what is it, Sana?" she asked, though she already knew where this conversation was headed.

Sana's gaze softened slightly, but her resolve didn't waver. She took a step closer, reaching out to gently cup Y/N's face in her hands, her touch tender yet unyielding. "What's going on with you?" she asked, her voice tinged with a mix of worry and frustration. "You've been... distant. I can feel it, Y/N. You're not yourself lately, and it's scaring me."

Y/N's breath hitched as she tried to pull away, but Sana held her firmly, her thumbs brushing gently against Y/N's cheeks. "I-I'm fine, Sana." Y/N stammered, her voice barely a whisper. "I'm just... tired, that's all."

"Tired?" Sana repeated, her brows knitting together in disbelief. She let her hands drop to Y/N's shoulders, gripping them gently but firmly. "Y/N, this is more than just being tired. You're pulling away from me. You barely react when I touch you, when I kiss you... You're not here with me. Please, talk to me. I can't help you if you don't let me in."

Y/N looked down, the weight of Sana's words pressing heavily on her chest. She wanted to say something, to explain what was going on inside her, but how could she? How could she burden Sana with the storm of emotions that she herself didn't fully understand?