Love to hate you | Jeon Wonwoo

02

Haeun stood at the entrance of her family home, a sense of foreboding washing over her as she opened the door. The familiar scent of her mother's cooking filled the air, but today, it felt heavy with anxiety. As she stepped inside, she heard muffled voices from the living room, a mix of her and Wonwoo's parents.

She took a deep breath and walked toward the sound, her heart racing. As she entered the room, the atmosphere shifted. All eyes turned to her, and she felt an unsettling tension in the air. Wonwoo was seated on the couch, his posture rigid, his expression unreadable.

"Ah, Haeun! You're just in time." Her mother waved at her.

Haeun's stomach knotted as she approached. She noticed her father sitting upright in his chair, his expression serious. It was clear that something significant was being discussed, and her gut told her it wasn't good.

"We were just going over the details of the wedding." Her father smiled.

Haeun's heart sank. She had dreaded this moment, the impending arrangement that felt like a weight on her chest. She glanced at Wonwoo, who avoided her gaze, staring intently at the floor.

"It's time to finalize everything. Our families have made significant sacrifices for this union. You both must understand the importance of this." Wonwoo's father sighed.

Haeun felt her throat tighten. The "union" was nothing more than a business arrangement—no love, no romance. Just duty. Their parents have been planning it since they were toddlers.

Haeun started, "I understand, but..."

"Haeun, dear, this is for the best. We four have always believed in this arrangement." Her mother interrupted her.

Haeun's voice trembled as she spoke, trying to keep her emotions in check."But we're not even... We barely know each other as adults."

Wonwoo finally looked up, his expression cold and distant. Haeun's heart ached at the sight. This wasn't the boy she had grown up with; this was a man trapped by obligations.

"You'll have plenty of time to get to know each other after the wedding. What matters now is the reputation of our families." Wonwoo's father spoke up.

Haeun clenched her fists in her lap, feeling the anger bubbling inside her. It was all about reputation, wasn't it? Nothing about their happiness, nothing about their desires.

"This is an opportunity, Haeun. You both will be in a position to influence the company and make it thrive." Haeun's father pleaded. They knew both their children will not agree but this was what was best for their company.

"But at what cost?" Haeun sighed. Her question hung in the air, unanswered. Instead, Wonwoo's father continued, his tone firm.

"We expect you to cooperate, Haeun. After all, this was agreed upon long ago." Wonwoo's mother spoke up, after remaining silent.

Haeun glanced at Wonwoo, searching for some hint of dissent, but he remained silent, his gaze averted. The weight of his inaction felt like a betrayal.

"What about Minji?"  The question slipped out before she could stop herself, and the room fell silent. She saw the subtle tension ripple through Wonwoo's parents.

"What do you mean?" Wonwoo's mother asked.

Haeun's heart raced, the mention of Minji hanging heavily in the air. She had seen the way Wonwoo looked at Minji during their university days—the way he lit up in her presence. The thought made Haeun's stomach churn.

"Wonwoo and Minji, you guys cannot break them up."

Wonwoo stiffened, finally meeting her gaze. His eyes held a mix of surprise and guilt, but he remained silent. The lack of denial only fueled Haeun's anxiety.

Wonwoo's father sighed, "Minji is a bright young woman. She's ambitious and has a future ahead of her. But that's irrelevant now. You two are to focus on your commitment." Wonwoo's father stated.

Haeun's voice wavered as she tried to push through the storm of emotions threatening to overwhelm her.

 "You can't just pretend that doesn't matter! I can't compete with that!" Haeun said.

Wonwoo's mother glanced at him sharply, her expression concerned. "Haeun, this isn't about competition. You and Wonwoo are meant for each other. Minji is simply... a distraction."

Haeun's heart sank further at the word "distraction." Was that all she was now, a pawn in this game?

 "A distraction? You don't understand! It's not just a distraction for me. I want to be valued for who I am!" Haeun's voice raised.

Wonwoo shifted uncomfortably in his seat, the tension in his body palpable. "Haeun..." he called out.

But she cut him off, desperate for him to understand the gravity of her feelings.

"You can't just stand there and let this happen! You and Minji... You guys are dating." She fought.

Her words struck like a dagger. Haeun's heart raced as she waited for Wonwoo's response, but all she received was silence. The air grew thick with unspoken truths, and Haeun felt a deep sense of betrayal.

"This discussion is over. You both need to focus on what lies ahead." Haeun's father said nonchalantly.

As her father's voice rang in her ears, Haeun felt a mix of anger and hopelessness. 

With a heavy heart, Haeun realized there was no escape from this life they were being forced into—a life dictated by duty and expectation, where Minji's presence was a constant reminder of what she could never have.

***

Hello lovely people~ How's the chapter? It's a bit confusing, but I have no motivation to simplify it. And... That's it. Well then,

Till the next, Adiós.