cherish | lee heeseung

°˖➴ #𝟭𝟳

Resolutions

———

THE NEXT DAY, Haneul woke up with a renewed sense of determination. She was ready to face the day and make some necessary changes in her life, starting with Minho. She got out of bed, stretched, and headed to the bathroom to wash her face and brush her teeth, the cool water invigorating her senses.

Afterwards, she carefully chose her outfit, opting for a smart, professional look: a crisp white blouse paired with a tailored black trousers and comfortable flats. She took extra care to style her hair neatly and applied a touch of makeup, emphasising her resolve. Looking at her reflection in the mirror, she nodded to herself, feeling a surge of confidence.

As she headed downstairs, she grabbed a quick breakfast, exchanging brief greetings with her parents. She couldn't linger on casual conversations today; she had a mission.

Once outside, the fresh morning air filled her lungs, giving her a sense of clarity. As she walked to the library, she pulled out her phone and typed out a message to Minho.

'Hey, meet me at the library today. We need to talk.'

She hesitated for a moment, then hit send. Haneul knew that this conversation was long overdue. With each step she took towards the library, her determination grew stronger. Today was the day she would take back control of her life.

As Haneul entered the library, she exchanged pleasantries with her colleagues and Mrs. Choi as usual. The familiar routine helped steady her nerves a bit, reminding her of the supportive environment she was part of. She smiled and nodded, greeting everyone warmly.

"Morning, dear!" Mrs. Choi called out from behind the front desk. "How are you today?"

"Morning, Mrs. Choi! I'm good, thank you." Haneul replied with a polite smile.

As she made her way further inside, her friend Chaewon spotted her and immediately walked over, a grin spreading across her face. "Hey, looking good today!" Chaewon said, giving Haneul an appreciative once-over.

Haneul blushed slightly and smiled. "Thanks, Chae. Just felt like making an effort today."

"Well, it shows. You look great," Chaewon said with a wink. "What's the occasion?"

Haneul hesitated for a moment, then shrugged. "Just needed a change, I guess. And there's something I need to take care of."

Chaewon raised an eyebrow, sensing there was more to it but deciding not to press further. "Well, good for you. If you need anything, just holler."

"Thanks, Chae," Haneul replied, grateful for her friend's support. She took a deep breath and headed to her usual station, her resolve solidifying with every step. Today was going to be a pivotal day.

———

A few moments later, as Haneul was settling into her tasks at the library, her phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out and saw a text from Minho.

'I'm outside.'

Her heart skipped a beat. The moment of confrontation had arrived. She glanced around, ensuring everything was in order, then quickly informed Mrs. Choi that she needed to step out for a moment.

"Is everything alright, dear?" Mrs. Choi asked with concern.

"Yes, just need to handle something. I'll be back soon," Haneul replied, trying to keep her voice steady.

She walked towards the library entrance, taking a deep breath to calm her nerves. As she pushed open the door, she saw Minho standing there, hands in his pockets, a slightly impatient look on his face.

"Minho," she said, trying to keep her tone even, "thanks for coming."

"What's going on, Haneul?" Minho asked, his expression unreadable.

"We need to talk," Haneul began, her voice steady but firm. She took a deep breath and continued, "I think it's best if we stand. This won't take long."

Minho raised an eyebrow but nodded, staying silent.

Haneul looked into his eyes, gathering her courage. "I can't do this anymore, Minho. Our relationship... it's not what it used to be. You've changed, and so have I. I feel liked we're not good for each other anymore."

Minho's face hardened. "Is this about Heeseung?"

Haneul shook her head. "This is about us. About how you've been treating me. The constant criticism, the disregard for my feelings... I deserve better, and so do you."

Minho scoffed, his tone turning condescending. "Oh, come on, Haneul. You're overreacting. You're just being overly sensitive. Everything I've done was for us. You're imagining things that aren't there."

Haneul felt her resolve waver for a moment but then she straightened her back, her voice growing stronger. "No, Minho. I'm not imagining things. You belittle me, you criticise me, and you make me feel small. This isn't love."

Minho's expression darkened. "You're just making excuses. You're just afraid of commitment. You're being ridiculous."

Haneul stood her ground, her eyes unwavering. "No, I'm not. I'm seeing things clearly for the first time in a long time. This is not healthy, and I won't let you manipulate me into thinking otherwise."

Minho's frustration grew. "So you're just throwing everything away because of a few bad moments? Relationships aren't perfect, Haneul. You have to work through the tough times."

"This isn't just a few bad moments," Haneul retorted. "This has been going on for a while. I keep trying to talk to you, but you never listen. You dismiss my feelings, and I'm tired of it."

Minho rolled his eyes, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Oh, so now I'm the bad guy? You're not exactly perfect, you know. You act like a victim all the time."

Haneul's heart pounded in her chest, but she refused to back down. "I know I'm not perfect. But I'm not going to stay in a relationship where I'm constantly put down and made to feel worthless. I deserve respect, and I'm not getting that from you."

Minho crossed his arms, his expression defiant. "Fine, if that's what you want. Run away. Go be with Heeseung if that makes you happy."

"This isn't about Heeseung," Haneul said, her voice shaking with emotion. "This is about me. I need to take care of myself, and I can't do that with you in my life. I hope you fine happiness, Minho. I really do."

Minho stared at her for a moment, his face a mix of anger and disbelief. "Fine, whatever," he muttered before turning and walking away, leaving Haneul standing there, the cool breeze of resolution washing over her. She took a deep breath and headed back inside, ready to embrace the new chapter of her life.

———