Kim Mingyu and Jeon Wonwoo stood side by side, their hands clasped together in a traditional Korean marriage ceremony. The room was filled with family and friends, all bearing witness to the union of these two men. But despite the joyous occasion, the atmosphere was tense.
Mingyu's bright smile and sparkling eyes couldn't hide the nervousness he felt. He had never imagined that his parents would arrange a marriage for him, let alone to someone as aloof as Wonwoo. But he was determined to make this work. He believed in the importance of family and tradition.
Wonwoo, on the other hand, looked like he'd rather be anywhere else. His expression was stoic, his eyes fixed on some point beyond Mingyu's shoulder. He hadn't spoken more than a few words to Mingyu since their betrothal was announced.
As the ceremony ended and the guests began to congratulate them, Mingyu leaned in to whisper to Wonwoo, "Thank you for agreeing to this marriage. I promise to be a good husband and make you happy."
Wonwoo's response was a curt nod before he turned away to accept congratulations from their families.
The days that followed were difficult for Mingyu. Wonwoo barely spoke to him, and when he did, it was only to discuss practical matters or give orders. Mingyu tried everything to break through Wonwoo's icy exterior: cooking his favorite meals, surprise gifts, and even attempting to engage him in conversation about his interests.
But no matter what Mingyu did, Wonwoo remained unresponsive. He would come home late from work, lock himself in his study, and barely acknowledge Mingyu's presence.
Mingyu's friends and family noticed the strain and advised him to be patient, telling him that Wonwoo would come around eventually. But as the weeks turned into months, Mingyu began to lose hope.
One evening, Mingyu decided to try a different approach. He prepared Wonwoo's favorite dinner and set the table with candles and flowers. As Wonwoo entered the dining room, Mingyu's heart skipped a beat.
"Good evening, husband," Mingyu said, attempting a bright smile.
Wonwoo raised an eyebrow at the setup. "What's the occasion?"
"No occasion," Mingyu replied, trying to sound casual. "Just thought it would be nice to have a quiet dinner together."
Wonwoo sat down, his expression unreadable. The meal was eaten in silence, Mingyu's attempts at conversation met with monosyllabic responses.
As they finished, Mingyu couldn't help but ask, "Wonwoo, is everything okay? You seem... distant. Is there something I've done to upset you?"
Wonwoo's gaze flickered to Mingyu's face, and for a moment, Mingyu thought he saw a glimmer of something – sadness, perhaps, or regret. But it was quickly extinguished.
"Nothing's wrong, Mingyu. I'm just busy."
Mingyu nodded, feeling a pang of disappointment. "I understand. If you need space, I'll give it to you."
As the days turned into weeks, Mingyu continued to try, but Wonwoo's coldness only seemed to intensify. Mingyu began to wonder if he was foolish to think that their arranged marriage could ever be more than a mere formality.
One night, as he lay awake beside Wonwoo's silent form, Mingyu felt tears prick at the corners of his eyes. He whispered into the darkness, "Wonwoo, please... talk to me. Tell me what I've done wrong. Give me a chance to make it right."
But the only response was the soft sound of Wonwoo's breathing, a reminder that, for now, Mingyu was alone in his desire for a real marriage.
As the months dragged on, Mingyu's smile began to fade, and his eyes lost their sparkle. He continued to hold onto hope, but it was dwindling, replaced by the painful realization that some wounds might never heal.
