7 Minutes In Heaven (SUNGHOON)

9: Confronting the Storm

The park was quiet when I arrived, the gentle rustling of leaves and the distant hum of the city creating a soothing backdrop to my growing anxiety. The evening air was crisp, carrying with it a hint of the approaching autumn. I scanned the area, my eyes searching for Sunghoon among the scattered park benches and winding paths.

I spotted him a few moments later, standing near a bench under a large oak tree. His posture was tense, his hands stuffed in his pockets, and he seemed lost in thought. As I approached, he looked up, his expression a mixture of determination and weariness.

"Hey," I said softly, trying to gauge his mood. "How did it go?"

Sunghoon's eyes met mine, and for a moment, I saw a flicker of the vulnerability he had shown me before. "It was intense," he replied, his voice low. "My father made it clear that there would be consequences for my decision."

I took a deep breath, my heart sinking at his words. "What kind of consequences?"

Sunghoon's gaze shifted to the ground, his fingers nervously tracing patterns on the park bench. "He said that if I refuse to take on my responsibilities, it could affect not just me, but those close to me. I'm worried about what that might mean for you."

The weight of his concern hit me like a wave, and I reached out, placing a comforting hand on his arm. "You don't have to worry about me. We'll figure this out together."

He looked at me, a flicker of relief in his eyes. "Thank you. It's just... I didn't realize how deep this would go. I knew my father had influence, but the way he talked, it's clear that there are forces at play that I hadn't fully understood."

"Then we need to be prepared," I said, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me. "What's your plan moving forward?"

Sunghoon's expression grew more resolute. "I'm going to start by distancing myself from the family business as much as possible. I need to make it clear that I'm not involved and that I'm choosing a different path."

I nodded, trying to offer him a reassuring smile. "That sounds like a good start. And we'll work through the rest together."

He took a deep breath, his shoulders relaxing slightly. "I'm just afraid that my decision might provoke a stronger reaction from my father. I don't want to put you in danger, Eunju."

My heart ached at his concern for me. "Sunghoon, I'm not going anywhere. I want to help you through this, no matter how difficult it gets. We're in this together."

As the sun began to set, casting a warm, golden hue over the park, Sunghoon and I continued to talk, discussing potential strategies and trying to map out a plan. The conversation was a mix of practical steps and emotional support, a delicate balance between planning and reassuring each other.

The darkness of the evening began to envelop us, and the park's lights flickered on, casting soft pools of light around us. Sunghoon's phone buzzed, and he glanced at it before turning back to me with a troubled look.

"It's a message from my father," he said, his voice tinged with anxiety. "He wants to meet again, tomorrow."

My stomach dropped at his words. "What do you think he wants to discuss now?"

Sunghoon's face was etched with concern. "I don't know, but I have a feeling it won't be good. He's likely to have more demands or threats. I need to be ready for anything."

I squeezed his hand, trying to offer him strength. "We'll figure out how to handle it. We'll make sure you're prepared for whatever comes next."

He nodded, a mixture of gratitude and worry in his eyes. "Thank you, Eunju. I'm so grateful for your support. I don't know what I'd do without you."

As we stood up to leave, the cool night air seemed to wrap around us like a comforting blanket. The path ahead was uncertain, and the dangers were real, but facing them together made the challenge seem a little less daunting.

We walked back towards campus, the silence between us filled with unspoken fears and shared resolve. The city lights flickered in the distance, and I could feel the tension in Sunghoon's posture, the weight of his father's threats pressing heavily on him.

As we reached the entrance to campus, I turned to Sunghoon, taking his hands in mine. "No matter what happens, remember that we're facing this together. I'll be here to support you every step of the way."

Sunghoon's eyes softened, and he nodded, a small, grateful smile playing on his lips. "Thank you, Eunju. I don't know what the future holds, but having you by my side makes me feel like I can face anything."

With one last,reassuring squeeze of his hands, I watched as he walked away, heading towardsthe uncertainty of his meeting with his father. As I turned to head back to mydorm, I felt a mixture of hope and apprehension. The future was shrouded inshadows, but our bond gave me strength, and I knew that no matter whatchallenges lay ahead, we would confront them together