Dear. My Darling | Gongfourz / Taehan

Chapter 5

Leehan scoffed. "I don't know why you even agreed."

"I don't want you to be hurt."

"Why can you just let me go?" Leehan gritted, tears forming in his eyes.

"Because you deserve happiness too!"

Earlier

Leehan's mind raced as he tried to reconcile the image of the sweet, innocent Nica he once knew with the persistent figure his friends had described. The thought of her causing trouble was foreign to him.

A surge of determination filled him. He had to confront her. He needed answers.

Suddenly, his phone rang with an unknown number calling.

Leehan let the line ring a few times before he answered. His voice, deep and melodic, answered. "Hello?"

"Leehan"

Her voice sent a shiver down his spine. It was the same voice that had once made his heart flutter.

"Yeah, it's me," he replied, his voice steady. "Is this Nica?"

There was a brief pause before she answered, "Yeah."

A sense of unease washed over Leehan. He hesitated, unsure of what to do.

"Meet me at the old oak tree by the library," Nica continued, her voice taking on a determined tone. "Alone."

The request sent a chill down Leehan's spine. Something was off. The old oak tree was a secluded spot, perfect for a private conversation, but it also felt like a trap.

"Okay," he replied, his voice barely a whisper.

As he hung up, Leehan's mind was a whirlwind of emotions. Fear, curiosity, and a lingering hope that this was all a misunderstanding battled within him.

He knew he had to be cautious. Nica was no longer the same after he broke up with her. Something had changed, and he had to be prepared for anything.

Leehan arrived at the old oak tree, his heart pounding in his chest. He scanned the area, his senses on high alert.

A rustle of leaves caught his attention. Nica emerged from the shadows, her appearance a stark contrast to the carefree girl he remembered. There was a determined glint in her eyes, a hardness that was unfamiliar.

"Leehan," she said, her voice low. There was a tremor in it, a vulnerability that surprised him.

"Nica," he replied, his voice cautious.

"I know this isn't easy," she began, her gaze fixed on the ground. "But I need to tell you something."

Leehan nodded, urging her to continue.

Nica took a deep breath. "Taesan's father...he wants you away from him."

The words hung in the air, heavy with implication. Leehan's mind reeled. Taesan's father had always been distant, a shadowy figure in the background. But to involve himself in Taesan's personal life like this was a whole new level of intrusion.

"Why?" Leehan managed to ask, his voice barely a whisper.

Nica hesitated, her eyes filled with a mix of sadness and anger. "He believes you're a bad influence on Taesan. That you're leading him down the wrong path."

Leehan scoffed. "That's ridiculous. Taesan and I have been friends since we were kids."

Nica's expression softened. "I know. And I don't believe it either. But he's a powerful man, Leehan. And he's determined to get his way."

A cold dread settled in Leehan's stomach. This was bigger than just a personal conflict between him and Nica. It was a battle for Taesan's freedom.

"And what about you, Nica?" Leehan asked, his voice steady. "Why are you involved in this?"

Nica's eyes met his, a mixture of emotions swirling within them. "I care about you. And his father suggested that if we pretend to get back together, maybe both of you will drift apart."

"You expect me to get back with you because of that?"

"It's the only way."

"And if I don't agree?" Leehan asked, glaring.

Nica leaned forward, "Then, say goodbye for being a well-known swimmer athlete." She whispered before smiling.

Leehan looked at her in disbelief. It was his passion ever since he's a child and it was also one of the things he'll do whenever he's down.

But what bothers him the most is Taesan's disappointment. Taesan had bought him numerous gears and everything he'll ever need, even a high-class coach.

No matter how Leehan disagrees and insists that he can buy himself one, Taesan will never listen and deliver it to his front door. That's why every competition and the achievements he made, Leehan always does his best to never disappoint Taesan as he doesn't want his support to be put into waste.

"And how will you do that?" Leehan crossed his arms.

"You must've forgotten, I have many connections myself. Plus, his father is on my side. I could take away everything you've put into work with just a snap of my finger."

"Then, I'll fight."

Nica chuckled. "I don't think you understand, Leehan. It's about Taesan's future. He's so close to becoming the next CEO, but if you don't agree it'll be.. poof.. gone."

Leehan felt a surge of anger. "So you're telling me to just... walk away? Like it's that easy?"

Nica nodded. "Well...it's not easy, but it's the right thing to do. Taesan might lose this opportunity.."

Leehan's mind raced. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. This was a betrayal, not just from Nica, but from Taesan's father as well.

He had always seen Taesan's father as a distant, almost mythical figure, but now he was revealed as a cold, calculating man who would sacrifice his own son's happiness for the sake of business.

But what about Taesan? What would he say? What would he do?

Leehan had always been there for Taesan, through thick and thin. To abandon him now felt like a betrayal of their friendship.

Nica reached out his hand, her eyes pleading. "I'm sure you don't want to let Taesan's dream be ruined, right?."

Leehan looked at her, his heart heavy. He knew Nica might've been the one who suggested the fake dating. He doesn't want to disappoint Leehan but he couldn't bring himself to agreet too. Not yet.

Present

Leehan scoffed. "I don't know why you even agreed."

"I don't want you to be hurt."

"Why can you just let me go?" Leehan gritted, tears forming in his eyes.

"Because you deserve happiness too!"

Happiness? Leehan took a deep breath before answering Nica.

"Let me be then. Because this is happiness! A life with him by my side IS happiness"

Leehan couldn't take it anymore. He looked away, hands forming a fist. His mind was full of thoughts as his heart clenched. Leehan knew this would come one way or another but he never thought it'd be this early.