𝓕𝓪𝓿 | 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐡𝐲𝐮𝐜𝐤

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐰𝐨

Mark looked up from his desk, his eyes meeting Haechan’s with a mix of curiosity and challenge. “I heard you’re really good at what you do.”

Haechan nodded, maintaining a professional demeanor. “Well, maybe. But you’re my new client, so you’ll have to find out if that’s true.”

Mark leaned back in his chair, his gaze steady. “How do we start, then?”

“It’s completely up to you,” Haechan replied calmly. “The pace you want to go, the topics you want to discuss—I’m here to listen and offer support.”

Mark’s expression remained impassive. “That’s all? I mean, I’m in charge already. People listen to me because they don’t have a choice.”

Haechan met Mark’s gaze evenly. “Well, I’m choosing to listen to you without any input from you beyond what you want to share.”

Mark’s eyes narrowed slightly. “I’m your client; you have to listen.”

Haechan shook his head slightly. “No, I don’t. I can walk out of this room right now.”

Mark’s lips curled into a challenging smile. “Do it, then.”

Haechan didn’t miss a beat. “Okay.” He turned on his heel and walked out of the room, leaving Mark alone, a mixture of frustration and contemplation etched on his face.

As Haechan closed the door behind him, he found Jaemin waiting just outside. Jaemin’s expression was a mixture of surprise and concern.

“Was that supposed to happen?” Jaemin asked, raising an eyebrow. “I thought you were going to give it a try.”

Haechan shrugged, trying to stay composed. “He’s clearly not ready to open up. I’m not going to force him.”

Jaemin sighed, shaking his head. “Mark can be a challenge, but we need him to take this seriously. This is important for him—and for the rest of us.”

“Believe me,” Haechan said, his tone firm, “if he wants to make progress, he has to be willing to engage. I’m not here to be his puppet.”

Jaemin’s frustration was evident. “Mark can be stubborn, but he’s also vulnerable. He needs someone who won’t back down.”

Haechan met Jaemin’s gaze steadily. “If he’s not ready, he’s not ready. I’m here to help, not to be pushed around. I’m willing to give it another shot, but he has to meet me halfway.”

Jaemin looked thoughtful for a moment, then nodded reluctantly. “Alright. I’ll talk to him. But if you’re going to continue working with him, we need him to understand that this is a serious commitment.”

“Understood,” Haechan said, turning to leave. “Let me know if you need anything else.”

As Haechan walked away, he hoped Mark would be more receptive next time. He was ready to tackle the challenge, but it would take more than a single encounter to break through the walls Mark had built around himself.

Jaemin entered the room, closing the door behind him with a soft click. He found Mark still seated at his desk, staring at the empty chair across from him. The room was silent except for the faint hum of the air conditioning.

Jaemin cleared his throat. “Mark, we need to talk.”

Mark looked up, his expression a mix of irritation and curiosity. “About what?”

“About your session with Haechan,” Jaemin said, taking a seat across from Mark. “I know you’re used to being in control, but this is different. Haechan is here to help you, and you need to give him a chance.”

Mark leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. “I don’t see why I should make it easy for him. He’s the one who’s supposed to adapt to me.”

Jaemin shook his head. “That’s not how this works. Haechan isn’t here to bend to your will; he’s here to provide you with the support you need. But he won’t be able to do that if you keep shutting him out.”

Mark’s jaw tightened. “I didn’t expect this to be easy. I expected him to be more... accommodating.”

Jaemin’s eyes were steady and firm. “Haechan is a professional. He’s used to dealing with difficult situations and people, but he also has boundaries. If you want this to work, you have to be willing to engage and open up, at least a little.”

Mark’s frustration was palpable. “And what if I don’t want to?”

Jaemin leaned forward slightly. “Then you’re not just wasting Haechan’s time; you’re also wasting your own. If you don’t want to address your issues, that’s your choice. But don’t expect the process to move forward if you’re not willing to put in the effort.”

Mark stared at Jaemin, a mix of defiance and contemplation crossing his face. “Alright, I’ll think about it.”

Jaemin nodded, standing up. “Good. I’ll let Haechan know you’re willing to try again. But remember, this is about your progress. If you want to make it work, you need to be prepared to meet him halfway.”

With that, Jaemin left the room, leaving Mark alone with his thoughts. The conversation had planted a seed of doubt and contemplation, and Mark knew he’d have to make a decision about how he wanted to proceed.