perfect actors|| hyunlix ❀

chapter 2

As soon as Hyunjin entered his apartment, he let out a heavy sigh, sinking onto his bed. He'd hoped sleep might bring him some relief, but after tossing and turning, he gave up and switched to work instead. It was a twisted comfort, really—the endless company affairs and financial data were one thing he had control over, at least.

He flipped through stacks of reports, marking down miscalculations and reaching for his phone to call his secretary with data adjustments. As always, he buried himself in numbers, immersing himself in the details of the company he would inherit. Maybe it wasn't the life of complete freedom he'd wanted, but it was his life, his path. He'd make the best of it.

Meanwhile, Felix was rushing to meet his friends, arriving a little later than he'd planned. He hadn't been in the mood, but the time spent with them was one of his few escapes. Not that it was a perfect fit—he didn't care much for tennis, though he put up with it because his mother wanted a 'well-rounded' son. He'd rather be dancing, doing something more creative. But in his mother's eyes, that was hardly an option. Part of him felt...oddly relieved to be moving in with Hyunjin. For once, he could make a choice that wasn't just his mother's.

"Ugh!" Felix groaned aloud, grabbing his friends' attention.

"You okay?" one of them asked with a grin.

Felix gave a small, embarrassed smile. "Yeah, sorry..."

But his mind was already drifting. He wasn't nervous in a romantic way, just uncertain. What would Hyunjin be like once they were actually living together? Would they fight every day? Ignore each other? He left early, hoping some rest would clear his head, but just as he settled onto his bed, he heard his mother calling from downstairs.

"Yes, Mom?" Felix answered, trying to keep his tone neutral but failing to mask his irritation.

"Listen carefully." Mrs. Lee's eyes narrowed as she scrutinized him from across the living room. "Do not mess up the love show. You're expected to be the perfect couple—publicly and privately. I don't want to hear any complaints or excuses. Be on your best behavior." She waved him away dismissively. "Now, go back to whatever you were doing."

"Right. Sure, Mom." Felix forced a smile, turning to leave, though his heart felt heavy. She'd called him down here just for that?

Back in his room, Felix sat quietly, realizing something: he was done with letting her dictate his life. This was his chance to carve out something for himself, even if it wasn't the life he'd pictured. Without thinking twice, he opened his phone and messaged Hyunjin.

Annoying Chick
hey, hyunjin

Stupid Ferret
what's up?

Annoying Chick
when's the earliest I can move in?

Stupid Ferret
tomorrow, whenever you want

Annoying Chick
ok thanks

Stupid Ferret
everything okay?

Annoying Chick
yes

Stupid Ferret
ok then

seen ✓

Felix exhaled, feeling a little lighter, but his chest tightened again as he looked around his room. He needed to pack, but there was something that kept tugging at him—a strange nostalgia like he was leaving a part of himself behind.

He took out a small suitcase, packing his plushies but not leaving out to packing his favorite outfits, the ones that had always been "too much" for his mother. As he filled the suitcase, he looked around at the once-familiar space, now strangely empty, like no one had lived there for a long time.

Oddly, he found himself hopeful. Maybe the marriage could be a chance for something new—a blank slate, an escape from a place that felt like just walls and windows, a house but never a home. He thought about the company he'd inherit, envisioning his dreams finally taking shape. Someday, he'd change everything: "Power & Dreams" would stop being just an investment company. He'd even rename it, make it his own.

Maybe this marriage wouldn't bring love, but it might just give him the purpose he'd been craving. And for the first time in a long time, that thought brought him a small flicker of hope.

A/N

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