Lee Heeseung Imagines 2

Arranged

The heavy weight of the silence between you and Heeseung was unbearable, but you expected nothing less from an arranged marriage. Sitting across the table from him, you absentmindedly stirred the tea in front of you, glancing up at him from time to time. His sharp gaze was focused on his phone, completely uninterested in acknowledging your presence.

This was the third time you had been forced to meet like this, sitting in a dimly lit café, pretending to be polite as if either of you wanted to be there.

Heeseung finally looked up, his expression as cold as ever. His jaw tightened as if he was annoyed by your very existence.

"We don't have to pretend, you know," he said, his tone icy. "I don't want this any more than you do."

You blinked, surprised by the bluntness of his words but also somewhat relieved. It wasn't as though you were thrilled about the situation either. Arranged marriages weren't part of your dream, especially not to a man like Heeseung, who clearly had his heart set on someone else.

"I know," you replied calmly, setting your spoon down. "You don't have to act all distant and cold to make it clear. I get it. I don't want to be here either."

Heeseung raised an eyebrow, his expression slightly intrigued by your response. Most people would probably be trying to win him over, desperate for his attention. But not you. He wasn't used to that.

"Well, that makes two of us," he muttered, leaning back in his chair. "This is pointless. I'm not going to suddenly change my mind about this arrangement just because our parents think it's a good idea."

Your lips twitched into a small, humorless smile. "Trust me, I don't have any expectations."

There was a moment of silence before Heeseung sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Good. Then we're on the same page. I don't know what our families expect from this, but I'm not going to force anything. I like someone else, and I'm not going to give up on her just because of some outdated agreement."

Your heart clenched at his words, not because you had any feelings for him, but because it reminded you how trapped you both were in this situation. While Heeseung had someone he cared about, you didn't. You were just trying to navigate the mess your family had dropped you into.

"I'm not here to make things difficult for you," you said quietly. "We can just do what's required, and that's it. I don't want to interfere in your life."

Heeseung glanced at you, and for a split second, you thought you saw a flicker of something other than his usual coldness—perhaps guilt or sympathy. But it was gone as quickly as it appeared.

"Fair enough," he said, his voice softer than before. "I'm not going to make this harder than it already is. But just so we're clear, nothing is going to happen between us. I don't want to lead you on or make you think I'll come around."

You almost laughed at how absurd the idea was. "Don't worry, Heeseung. I'm not looking for some tragic romance story where you fall for me despite everything. I just want to get through this without causing any more drama."