Arrange Marriage

CHAP 20

Mingyu stretched his legs cautiously as he stood from the couch, a small, triumphant grin spreading across his face. Being out of the wheelchair felt like gaining a piece of himself back, though the doctor’s warning to “take it easy” still echoed in his ears. Wonwoo had been insistent about following that advice, hovering like a silent but persistent shadow.

“You look like you’re ready to sprint a marathon,” Wonwoo teased from the doorway, his arms crossed as he leaned against the frame. His sharp suit did little to mask the soft amusement dancing in his dark eyes.

“Can you blame me? I’ve been stuck in that thing forever,” Mingyu replied, motioning toward the wheelchair parked in the corner. “I need to move, Wonwoo. I need to feel like myself again.”

Wonwoo’s expression softened. He stepped closer, his hand slipping around Mingyu’s waist to steady him. “That’s why I have a plan. You’ve been cooped up here for too long. I think it’s time we got out of the house.”

Mingyu raised an eyebrow. “Out of the house? Where are we going?”

Wonwoo smirked, his voice calm but teasing. “You’ll see. Just pack a bag. Casual clothes. Comfortable shoes. And don’t argue.”

A few hours later, Mingyu found himself seated in a sleek black car as it cruised through the countryside. The urban skyline faded into rolling hills and lush greenery, the scenery growing more picturesque with every passing mile. Mingyu kept glancing at Wonwoo, who was driving with his usual calm precision, a faint smile playing on his lips.

“Are you ever going to tell me where we’re going?” Mingyu asked, his curiosity bubbling over.

“No,” Wonwoo replied simply, his tone amused.

Mingyu pouted, leaning back in his seat with an exaggerated sigh. “You’re infuriating sometimes, you know that?”

Wonwoo chuckled. “You’ll thank me later.”

When they arrived, Mingyu was stunned. Nestled between a sparkling lake and a dense forest was a cozy yet luxurious cabin. The setting sun bathed the area in golden hues, casting a tranquil glow over the water and the surrounding trees.

“A cabin?” Mingyu asked, his voice filled with surprise and delight.

“Not just any cabin,” Wonwoo said, stepping out of the car and helping Mingyu do the same. “This is ours for the weekend. No bodyguards, no work, no interruptions. Just you, me, and a bit of peace.”

Mingyu stared at Wonwoo, his eyes softening. “You planned all this for me?”

Wonwoo shrugged, trying to play it cool, but the faint flush in his cheeks betrayed him. “You’ve been through a lot. You deserve a break.”

Mingyu’s heart swelled with emotion. He reached out, threading his fingers through Wonwoo’s. “Thank you.”

The weekend was everything Mingyu hadn’t realized he needed.

Wonwoo insisted on carrying most of the luggage and helping Mingyu settle in, though Mingyu protested half-heartedly. Inside, the cabin was warm and inviting, with large windows offering a perfect view of the lake.

They spent their days lounging by the water, Mingyu dipping his toes in while Wonwoo read quietly beside him. In the evenings, they cooked simple meals together—well, Mingyu cooked while Wonwoo handed him ingredients and occasionally stole bites.

“You’re terrible at helping,” Mingyu teased, swatting at Wonwoo as the latter snatched a piece of fruit from the cutting board.

“I’m great at quality control,” Wonwoo countered with a smirk, leaning in to steal another slice, only to be met with Mingyu’s playful glare.

On the second night, Wonwoo surprised Mingyu with a picnic by the lake. Lanterns lit the pathway from the cabin to a cozy spot on the shore, where a blanket and a spread of Mingyu’s favorite foods waited.

Mingyu sat down, his heart full as he looked out at the moonlit water. “This is perfect, Wonwoo. I didn’t realize how much I needed this.”

Wonwoo sat beside him, his gaze fixed on Mingyu rather than the scenery. “You’ve been through a lot. I just wanted to remind you that there’s more to life than the hard stuff. You deserve moments like this.”

Mingyu turned to him, his smile softening as he leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to Wonwoo’s cheek. “You really do have a heart under all that mafia boss exterior, don’t you?”

Wonwoo chuckled, his arm slipping around Mingyu’s shoulders to pull him closer. “Only for you.”

As they sat there, wrapped in each other’s warmth under the starry sky, Mingyu felt something settle deep within him. The pain, the frustration, the uncertainty—it all seemed to melt away, leaving only the comfort of being with Wonwoo.

And for the first time in a long while, Mingyu felt whole.