7 Minutes In Heaven (SUNGHOON)

10: Unspoken Fears

The evening after Sunghoon's meeting with his father, I found myself wandering through the park once again. The air was cooler, and the sky was now a deep indigo, sprinkled with the first stars of the night. I needed to clear my head, to find some semblance of normalcy amidst the chaos that had become my life.

As I walked along the familiar path, I spotted Sunghoon sitting on our bench beneath the large oak tree. He looked up as I approached, his expression a mixture of exhaustion and concern. He was lost in thought, his gaze fixed on the horizon where the last traces of sunlight were fading.

"Hey," I said softly as I sat down next to him. The bench creaked slightly under our combined weight, the sound adding to the peaceful ambiance of the evening.

Sunghoon turned to me, his tired eyes reflecting the dim light of the park. "Hey, Eunju. Thanks for coming."

I reached out, placing my hand on his arm, feeling the cool, smooth fabric of his jacket under my fingers. "Of course. I just wanted to be here for you."

He took a deep breath, his gaze wandering over the darkening landscape. "I've been thinking a lot about what my father said. It's clear that this isn't just about me anymore. If I continue to defy him, it could have real consequences for those around me."

The weight of his words settled heavily between us, and I felt a chill run down my spine. "I know it's a lot to handle. But we need to figure out how to protect ourselves and the people we care about."

Sunghoon nodded, his face a mask of determination and worry. "I'm trying to come up with a plan. I need to find a way to distance myself from the family business without making things worse. But it's hard to know where to start."

I squeezed his arm reassuringly, my touch warm against his cool skin. "Let's think this through together. We can come up with a strategy that minimizes the risk to both you and those close to you."

He turned to face me, his eyes searching mine for comfort. "I'm scared, Eunju. What if my father decides to escalate things? What if there's something I'm not seeing?"

I could hear the fear in his voice, and it tugged at my heart. I took a deep breath, trying to offer him a sense of calm amidst the uncertainty. "We'll face whatever comes together. We'll stay one step ahead and be prepared for anything. And remember, you're not alone in this."

Sunghoon's gaze softened, and he reached out, his fingers brushing gently against mine. "I don't know what I'd do without you. Your support means everything to me."

The warmth of his touch was a soothing contrast to the cold evening air, and I could feel the connection between us strengthening. "We'll get through this. We've already faced so much together, and we can handle whatever comes next."

As the park grew darker, the streetlights flickered on, casting a soft, golden glow around us. The night was calm, but the tension between us was palpable. We continued to talk, discussing possible strategies and brainstorming ways to navigate the complexities of Sunghoon's situation. Each word exchanged was a step towards clarity, a way to unravel the tangled web of uncertainty.

At one point, Sunghoon paused and looked at me with a thoughtful expression. "Do you remember those seven minutes we spent together in the game at the party? How everything seemed clearer after that brief time alone?"

I nodded, a smile tugging at my lips despite the gravity of the situation. "Yeah, it was like a moment of clarity in the midst of chaos."

Sunghoon's eyes met mine, and for a brief moment, the weight of his worries seemed to lift. "Maybe we need to think of this as our own seven minutes—a brief but significant moment to gain perspective and make a plan."

I chuckled softly, the sound a small but comforting presence in the stillness of the park. "I like that idea. We can use this time to clear our heads and focus on what we need to do."

As the conversation continued, we found a sense of calm in our shared resolve. The park, with its peaceful atmosphere and the soft rustling of leaves, became our sanctuary—a place where we could confront our fears and find strength in each other.

Eventually, the night grew colder, and we decided it was time to head back. Sunghoon and I stood up, our hands still intertwined, the warmth of our connection a stark contrast to the chill in the air.

"Thank you for being here, Eunju," Sunghoon said softly, his eyes filled with gratitude.

I smiled up at him, feeling a renewed sense of determination. "We're in this together, Sunghoon. We'll face whatever comes our way, and we'll find a way through it."

As we walked back towards campus, the city lights flickering in the distance, I felt a sense of hope amidst the uncertainty. The path ahead was still shrouded in shadows, but with Sunghoon by my side, I knew that we would navigate the storm together—one step at a time, one moment of clarity at a time.