✓ UNLIKELY MATCH | HEESEUNG

49 - Headlines of Our Own

HEESEUNG'S POV

"Just so you know, what you did back there was completely unnecessary," At my words, Sunghoon throws his towel on the pavement and turns to face me, irritation flashing in his eyes. "You're supposed to be my friend, and yet you thought it was a good idea to go off on my fiancée's best friend like that? I get it she got under your skin but—"

"Understatement of the century," He mutters, running a hand through his already messy hair. "I don't understand why she has to be so infuriatingly stubborn. I don't clash with people for no reason, but something about her just gets to me. It's like she's trying to pick a fight or something." 

"Or maybe you're just a bit too used to getting your way," I finish his sentence, the words sharper than I intended. Sunghoon's jaw clenches visibly, and for a moment, I think we're about to have a whole different kind of race of he suddenly sighs, defeated, and sinks down onto a nearby crate. 

"Maybe you're right. Maybe I am a bit of an ass sometimes."

"Fuck it, Sunghoon, you're not an ass," I scoff, resting my hands on my hips as I attempt to help him see things from a different angle. "You're passionate, driven, and yeah, sometimes that can come off a little strong. But it doesn't make you a bad person. It just means you need to be mindful of how you interact with people, especially those who matter to me. Steph is Sena's best friend and she had been by her side for longer than she could remember. She's so much better than you think. The two of you only need to give each other a chance."

"No thanks," Sunghoon leans back, rubbing his temples. "She's fireworks in a human suit. I'm not planning on getting burned." He finishes with with a wry chuckle. Despite his attempt at humor, the tension remains etched on his face. 

"Sometimes first impressions can be deceiving," I tell him but I do understand if he doesn't want to get involved with her. He just better not come crying to me when he realizes he missed out on getting to know a genuinely great person. I leave the paddock after slapping Sunghoon on the shoulder playfully. He shoots me a mock glare before a reluctant smile tugs at his lips. Sena waits for me next to my car, smiling at the fans who seem to always find a way to gather around. Her radiant smile and genuine warmth make her a magnet for people, and I can't help but be proud as I watch her interact with them. As I approach, the fans disperse and I flash them a grateful smile.  "Thank you for keeping my fiancée company," I say, slipping my arm around Sena's waist. They nod and wave, still buzzing with excitement from the day's events.

She leans into me, her smile faltering ever so slightly and I know that, in the back of her mind, something is not right. I don't push her to tell me anything, though. All I do is open her door and help her get inside before I walk to the driver's side and slide in. As I start the engine, I glance over at her, fidgeting with her fingers while she stares out the window. I reach out and gently squeeze her hand, silently letting her know I'm there for her.

I watch as she turns to me, her eyes two pools of uncertainty and love intertwined. "I'm sorry about what happened with Steph. You know she doesn't mean anything by it," Sena mumbles, a weak smile playing on her lips. "She's just... well, Steph."

"Love," My grip on her hand tightens. I say gently, "you don't have to explain anything to me. I know Steph can be a handful but Sunghoon is still in the wrong. He doesn't get to treat her like that." 

She exhales softly, her shoulders relaxing marginally. "I'm just glad today went well. I really wanted you to win this race. I also wanted to be there for you, to... support you and show you just how much I care." The vulnerability in her voice tugs at my heartstrings and I find myself driving faster to reach the hotel and listen to her for the rest of the evening. I find myself aching to hold her close and assure her that everything will be alright. That I'm sorry for ever breaking her heart, the most painful thing I've ever had to do.

"Seeing you here, after everything I put you through," The streetlights outside blur as I focus on her, on the woman who still holds the key to my heart despite everything. "It means the world to me." I pull her hand closer and kiss the back of it, her skin so soft against my lips. I missed her warmth. I missed how she could ease the ache in my chest with just a touch. Sena shivers, a flicker of something crossing her features that I can't quite decipher. Is it a flicker of the old spark, or just a reaction to the cool night air seeping through the car window? She doesn't pull away, though, and for that small victory, my heart thumps a little faster.

When we arrive at the hotel, I step out and walk to her side, opening the door for her while the paparazzi flashes erupt like a sudden thunderstorm. Shielding her with my body, we hurry towards the hotel entrance and she stumbles slightly, making me tighten my grip on her waist. "Sorry," She mutters, flashing a hesitant smile to the cameras. I keep forgetting she's used to cameras on her. She might even be comfortable with them. 

"Should we give them something to write about?" My voice comes as a whisper that seems to get lost in the roar of the flashbulbs, but before I realize it, Sena cups my cheeks and pulls me closer until our lips collide in front of millions of flashing cameras. The world explodes in a burst of blinding light and a thousand camera clicks. My mind goes blank for a moment, the only sensation the press of Sena's lips against mine. It's a desperate, impulsive kiss that makes me want to carry her up in my arms and whisk her away from the chaos, to a place where it's just the two of us.

But then, as quickly as it began, it's over. Sena pulls back, her cheeks flushed, her eyes slightly wide as she stares at me. "A little something," She says, a breathless laugh escaping her lips. The shock of the kiss is still evident in her eyes, but there's a flicker of something else there too—a spark of defiance, a hint of something unspoken.

"Maybe more than they bargained for." I offer her my hand, and she takes it, allowing me to lead her through the hotel's grand entrance, away from the prying eyes and flashing lights. "I'm sorry about them. They can be relentless," I finish, the heavy oak doors shutting behind us with a satisfying thud. The sudden silence is almost deafening compared to the assault of flashlights outside. 

Sena leans against the cool wood, her chest rising and falling rapidly. Her eyes, the color of melted chocolate, meet mine, and she shakes her head. "We have to maintain the image of two people in love—"

"It's more than just an image, love," I take a step closer to her, our bodies almost touching but not quite. "What we feel, what we've been through together—it's real, isn't it?" 

She meets my gaze, her expression softening. "Yes," she admits quietly while I cup her cheeks and stroke a gentle thumb across her flushed skin. The heat radiating from her face sends a familiar spark igniting within me. Then, before I can fully process my own actions, I lean in, closing the remaining distance between us. It's real.