Falling Crazy in Love - Heewon, Heeseung and Jungwon [Completed]

Balance

The following week felt different for Jungwon. Heeseung's words echoed in his mind, reminding him to prioritize his health while still navigating the intense work environment at Lee Group. With renewed determination, he decided to take a more balanced approach.

As he arrived at the office, he found Heeseung already in a meeting with Wonyoung. The atmosphere was tense, and Jungwon could see the two of them exchanging sharp remarks. He took a deep breath and reminded himself that he was part of the team now, even if it felt like he was walking a tightrope between their competing expectations.

"Jungwon, you're late!" Wonyoung snapped as he entered the conference room. "We have a lot to cover today."

"I'm here now," Jungwon replied, forcing a smile. "What do you need me to do?"

"Let's start with the market analysis for the upcoming project," she said, her tone condescending. "You can handle that, right?"

Jungwon nodded, feeling a familiar pressure building. "Of course. I'll get right on it."

After the meeting, he found Heeseung waiting for him in the hallway, arms crossed, his expression a mix of annoyance and concern. "Did you even get any rest over the weekend?" he asked, his tone bordering on impatient.

"I'm fine," Jungwon said, trying to reassure him. "I've just been focusing on the workload."

Heeseung raised an eyebrow, unconvinced. "You know, just because you're trying to prove yourself doesn't mean you have to kill yourself over it. It's not a competition."

"Maybe not for you," Jungwon shot back, frustration bubbling to the surface. "But I want to show that I can keep up."

"Keeping up doesn't mean running yourself into the ground," Heeseung replied sharply, though his concern shone through. "If you collapse again, it won't help anyone, especially not me. I need you to be at your best."

The tension in the air thickened, but Jungwon could see that Heeseung wasn't just being arrogant; he genuinely cared, even if he struggled to express it.

"I get it," Jungwon said, softening his tone. "I'll manage my time better. I promise."

"Good," Heeseung replied, a hint of relief in his voice. "Let's make a plan. You shouldn't have to handle everything alone."

---

As the days passed, Jungwon began to find his footing. He started organizing his tasks more efficiently, prioritizing what was urgent and what could wait. Heeseung noticed the change and offered assistance when he could, though he still maintained his trademark arrogance.

"See? You're not a complete disaster," Heeseung teased one afternoon as they reviewed a report. "I knew you had it in you."

Jungwon rolled his eyes but couldn't help but smile. "Just trying to keep up with you, boss."

"Just don't try too hard," Heeseung shot back, smirking. "We can't have you fainting on the job again."

Their banter continued, gradually softening the rigid dynamic they once had. However, Wonyoung remained a challenge. She still seemed intent on pushing Jungwon to his limits, perhaps out of jealousy or a desire to assert her authority.

"Jungwon, I need you to redo this presentation by the end of the day," she ordered one morning, her tone demanding.

"Actually, I'm in the middle of another project," he replied carefully. "Could we set a different deadline?"

Wonyoung's eyes narrowed. "I don't have time for your excuses. Get it done."

Frustration bubbled inside Jungwon, but he reminded himself of Heeseung's advice. Instead of snapping back, he took a deep breath. "I'll do my best, but I need a little more time to ensure it's done right."

"Do you even understand the concept of urgency?" she retorted, crossing her arms.

Before Jungwon could respond, Heeseung stepped in, his voice firm. "Wonyoung, that's enough. Jungwon is doing a great job managing multiple tasks. If you keep piling on more without giving him proper time, it'll reflect poorly on all of us."

Wonyoung glared at Heeseung, clearly displeased, but she didn't argue. "Fine. But if this presentation isn't perfect, you'll both regret it."

"Noted," Heeseung replied coolly, giving Jungwon a reassuring nod. Jungwon felt a swell of gratitude. Having Heeseung defend him boosted his confidence, making him feel like he truly belonged in the team.

---

As the week progressed, Jungwon continued to navigate the complexities of his new role. With Heeseung's support, he learned to set boundaries, balancing his work with self-care. He even started to feel a sense of camaraderie with Heeseung, which was unexpected but welcome.

One evening, as they were wrapping up for the day, Jungwon caught Heeseung staring at him, an unusual look on his face. "What?" Jungwon asked, slightly alarmed.

"Just... you're actually doing well," Heeseung admitted, trying to maintain his usual arrogance but failing to hide the genuine pride in his voice. "I didn't expect this from you."

Jungwon chuckled. "Thanks, I think? Coming from you, that means a lot."

"Don't get cocky," Heeseung warned, but the corner of his mouth twitched up. "You still have a long way to go."

As they left the office, Jungwon felt a sense of accomplishment. He was learning to balance work and health, finding his place in the Lee Group, and even forging an unexpected connection with Heeseung. The road ahead was still daunting, but he felt ready to face it head-on—especially with someone like Heeseung by his side.