Come back to me [SOPE]

Chapter 8

J-Hope stepped out of the courtroom with a broad grin on his face, walking beside Annet. "Congratulations, Annet, on your win! I still think if we had extended the negotiations a little longer, we might have pushed for a better deal," he said excitedly, though his voice carried a hint of complaint.

Annet, ever gracious, smiled and patted his shoulder lightly. "That's alright, J-Hope. As long as they're not kicking me off the board, it's a win in my book. Besides, I plan on staying in for a much bigger win in the future."

J-Hope chuckled, admiring her confidence, and walked her to her car. Before getting in, she turned to him with a warm smile. "Allow me to show my gratitude, J-Hope. Join me for dinner tonight?"

The way she asked, so graciously and genuinely, left J-Hope little choice but to accept. "Sure, I'd be happy to."

After Annet drove off, J-Hope made his way to Suga's office. Luck was on his side—Suga was there, quietly working. Standing in the doorway, J-Hope cleared his throat.

Suga looked up from his desk, his expression professional and distant. "Yes, J-Hope. How can I help you?"

J-Hope took a deep breath. "Hyung, today was my trial. I won it."

"Ah, congratulations, J-Hope," Suga replied, his tone polite but devoid of any real warmth.

J-Hope paused, feeling the wall of professionalism between them, thicker than ever. He had hoped this moment would go differently, maybe extend a dinner invitation, but now he wasn't so sure. Suga's eyes returned to his paperwork, clearly ready to move on.

Sensing the tension, Suga asked again, "Is there anything else you wanted to consult?"

"Hyung... my client is throwing a dinner party tonight to celebrate the win. You helped me a lot with the case, and I think you should be there. Can you come tonight?"

Suga didn't even look up from his work. "Thank you so much for the dinner invitation, J-Hope. I really appreciate it, but I have prior commitments this evening. I hope you all have a great time."

J-Hope's heart sank. The polite refusal, the over-professionalism—it felt like Suga was deliberately keeping him at arm's length. He half-smiled, thinking, He could stab me in the eye with that pen, and it would hurt less than this.

Still, J-Hope couldn't let it go so easily. He gently pressed on, "Hyung, I'll be on my best behavior, I promise. My client really should meet the person who helped behind the scenes. Please consider it, Hyung."

Suga finally looked up, though his face remained impassive. "Sure, J-Hope. I'll consider it. I'll let you know if I decide to come."

J-Hope stood there for a moment, hesitant to leave. Before walking out, he softly added, "Hyung... I'm sorry about the other night—"

Suga cut him off sharply, his eyes back on his papers. "That night never happened."

With that, the conversation was over. J-Hope left, feeling the sting of those words all the way to his core.

Suga had spent the entire afternoon debating whether or not to attend the dinner. Why should I go? he kept asking himself. I'm not even an attorney; I only gave J-Hope a few pointers. It's not like I'm necessary there. Yet, no matter how much he tried to justify staying away, the desire to see J-Hope again gnawed at him. Other people will be there, he reasoned. It's not like we'll be alone.

In the end, the pull was too strong. He decided to go.

Meanwhile, J-Hope was already seated at the restaurant, scanning the elegant French décor. It was a perfect reflection of Annet's taste. Half-French herself, she naturally gravitated toward anything poised and refined. He nervously checked his phone again—nothing. He had sent Suga the location, the time, even the table number. Yet, not a single response from him.