The Way I Loved You

A Lingering Shadow

"What if I ask to take his place? That would really be crossing the line, wouldn't it?"

There was this strange look in his eyes, the faintest hint of a maniac glee as he took a step towards her. His pupils were so dark that they mimicked black holes, threatening to suck her in if she got too close.

A chill ran down her spine. She wasn't sure what exactly it was about him, but he always made her feel uncomfortable when she was in his presence. Despite his charming demeanour and his gentlemanly gestures, her heart felt uneasy whenever they were alone in the room. Somehow, she always felt like he was a predator, biding his time until it was the perfect time to strike. She'd chalked it up to pure paranoia simply because she was aware of how powerful he was, but after Hyunwoo's warning for her to stay away from him, she was starting to think that her instincts were right after all.

Of course, Hyunwoo could've just said that out of jealousy, displeased that he was being replaced so quickly with a man who was much wealthier than he was, but she didn't think so. Although they were supposed to have nothing but a contractual relationship, he was awfully touchy and constantly tried to grab her hand or her shoulders whenever he had the opportunity. Smooth like butter, he would slide to her side as if it was the natural thing to do, but it felt too perfect for it to be true.

Had it been Hyunwoo, he wouldn't have acted like this. Ever the gentleman, her husband had refrained from making her feel uncomfortable in any way, not that she would ever feel so in the first place. Sometimes, Hyunwoo surprised her with his unexpectedly affectionate gestures, but never once did she feel uncomfortable in his arms. But in Eunsung's, she felt her skin crawl as her instincts warned her to get away from him as soon as possible.

"I can't eat. I can't digest food well when I'm offended." She kept her voice even, the implication in her carefully chosen words clear.

Although she tried to show a calm exterior, her heart pounded in her chest. He was trying his luck, trying to figure out how far he could go with her. She was cautious not to make him angry by being too direct with her words, for she feared a reaction that she didn't know how to handle. He was like a wild beast; volatile and unpredictable.

And for a moment, her mind flickered to her ex husband. How she wished he was here by her side, holding her hand protectively, squeezing her fingers to reassure her that he was there. They'd never spoken to each other much even when they attended events together, but his presence always grounded her and she relied on him more than she'd like to admit. If he was here, he would have glared at Eunsung and held her close to him, ready to beat Eunsung up if the situation called for it. He had always been like that even when they first started dating, when he'd stepped in immediately when their boss tried to make her drink with the rest of the department.

"And why would that be so? You know that if you didn't meet Hyunwoo, we would have gotten married instead. It's just the natural order of things, the inevitable that will fall into place no matter what you do to resist it."

"Even back then, I broke up with you for a reason."

"But things have changed since then, haven't they? I've changed too. So much so that even you were forced to come to me for help. Just look at your own family. The Hongs are the proudest people in the world, yet they're tripping over their own feet to get me on their side. My power works both ways Hong Haein, it would do you good to take advantage of that power before it's turned against you."

"Is that a threat?" Her eyes snapped up to meet his, a fiery blaze in her eyes.

"I wish you wouldn't see me in such a bad light. It's a proposal for collaboration Haeinie, don't be so afraid." He smiled, but it did nothing to ease the tension.