Secret Love

11| leaving

It was  the day Minho and Sooyoung were set to depart, with their luggage packed for their two-month journey. As they stood at the airport, it was clear that they had traveled light.

Jang Sooyoung, 24 years old, is the only child of her family, born in South Korea before moving abroad at the tender age of 7. Although she had visited Korea on occasion, she primarily spent her time in America, where she pursued her education, eventually graduating.

Sooyoung is a kind, humble, and sweet individual, but her life is not without its challenges. Her parents, particularly her mother, have had a profound impact on her life, often making her feel like they wielded more control over her destiny than she did herself. As she grew older, Sooyoung developed a complicated relationship with her parents, harboring a deep-seated secret that she kept hidden from the world.

This secret, closely tied to her parents, was a burden she carried with reluctance. Despite her feelings, Sooyoung didn't hate her parents, but she couldn't help but feel a sense of detachment from them.

Skip!

A week had already passed since Minho and Sooyoung embarked on their honeymoon trip. However, their dynamics were far from the typical romantic getaways. Instead of affectionate displays, they interacted like old friends, communicating comfortably and casually.

Initially, Minho was apprehensive, worried about how their relationship would unfold. But as the days went by, he found himself feeling increasingly at ease with Sooyoung. Her kind and laid-back nature made her a pleasure to be around.

Sooyoung's unconventional approach to their honeymoon was a significant factor in Minho's growing comfort. She didn't attempt to initiate romantic gestures or try to get close to him in a way that would be expected of newlyweds.

As two weeks passed, Minho's apprehensions began to resurface. Despite Sooyoung's pleasant demeanor, he couldn't shake off the feeling of unease. Their two-month trip was, after all, a honeymoon – a time typically associated with intimacy and romance.

Minho's concerns weren't driven by a desire to avoid closeness but rather by a deep-seated worry about the expectations that came with being married. He hoped that their trip would remain uneventful, with no unexpected developments.

Fortunately, his wishes were granted, and their daily routine continued uninterrupted. As the third week of their trip drew to a close, Minho breathed a sigh of relief, grateful that everything was proceeding smoothly.

Just as Minho thought he had a handle on Sooyoung's behavior, she surprised him with a warm hug after he bought her an ice cream. The gesture transported him back to memories of Jisung, who had hugged him in a similar way after receiving a thoughtful gift.

Sooyoung's eyes sparkled as she smiled and whispered, "Thank you." Minho nodded slowly, his expression neutral.

Sooyoung studied his face, searching for a reaction. She noticed that Minho didn't seem surprised or taken aback by her hug. Instead, his calm demeanor suggested that he was either not fazed or not yet comfortable with such displays of affection. Sooyoung's thoughts lingered on the possibility that Minho might not be ready to open up just yet.

As they strolled through the streets, Minho made a conscious effort to appear engaged and interested, not wanting to dampen Sooyoung's enthusiasm. She radiated joy and excitement, and Minho didn't want to ruin her fun. However, he couldn't always pretend to be comfortable with these affectionate moments. He did his best to navigate the situation, walking a fine line between being supportive and preserving his emotional boundaries.

One month into their marriage, Minho and Sooyoung had grown closer, their conversations becoming more frequent and meaningful. Minho found himself pondering the possibility that this union might be his destiny. Perhaps, he thought, he was meant to marry someone he didn't have romantic feelings for, but with time, something might blossom.