in love, legally || CHOI YEONJUN

Chapter 16

"Thanks," she smiled, rubbing her arm and he could tell she was cold. "I can barely breathe in this thing tho,"

"Good," The words came out of his mouth without thinking. Her eyes widened, blinking at him. "I meant you look good," Not because you took my breath away. Yeonjun's eyes now fell on the floor, before he noticed she was wearing flops. He held back a snort, hearing Inhye running out with two heels dangling in her hands.

"Ya!" she yelled, "How do you forget to wear your heels? " She left them on the floor and closed the door on their faces.

Hyemi didn't dare to meet his gaze, feeling the heat rise to her cheeks. She leaned against the door awkwardly, trying to put the heels on, but her fumbling awkwardness around him was not helping.

Get a grip on yourself, Hyemi.

Before she could protest, he knelt before her, holding out one heel. "You're struggling," he said, looking up with a small smile. "Lean on me instead."

Startled, she hesitated but placed a hand on his shoulder. He swiftly slid the right heel and carefully secured the strap, his fingertips grazing the soft skin of her foot. She felt an electric warmth through, and her toes curled slightly as he swiftly did the same for the other foot. He took his time, the touch soft and almost deliberate, lasting a while before he got up.

Clearing his throat, he said, "Let's go. We have to be back here before midnight,"

"What are we? Cinderella's?" she taunted as they got in the elevator.

He chuckled, pressing the button for the lobby. "Even when the clock strikes twelve, I doubt you'll lose your beauty," he commented, his gaze lingering on her.

"Is this your 'courting' method," she mumbled, hiding a smile.

૮꒰ ˶• ༝ •˶꒱ა ♡

The two stood in front of the house. The huge red gate was open like it was awaiting their arrival. As Yeonjun stepped in, the bell attached to it rang, waking the residents of the house. Mrs. Saeri walked out, wiping her hands on the apron she was wearing. Her face was pale, out of color, but the smile was so warm and inflicted back on them.

It was ironic, how the richest chaebols, were living in a traditional Hanok house. However, it didn't lack anything, the yard stretched like a tennis court. There was a corner of lily flowers being catered to and a huge Camellia tree which seemed like it had been here ever since. The sun was already setting, its rays passed through the thick branches of the tree, creating a shadow below.

"Aigoo! Here comes our daughter-in-law," the hoarse voice pulled her back, turning around to see a man in his fifties running to greet her. At a glance, she knew it was his dad, Mr.Choi, the man whose face was almost in every business section of the news articles.

In the presence of these two elders, Hyemi instinctively leaned closer to Yeonjun, seeking familiarity amidst her growing unease. Her introverted nature seemed to resurface, making her more reserved than usual. After polite exchanges of greetings, Mrs Saeri nagged them to get inside in this cold weather.

"Look at her turning pale!" She waved a hand, "You are going to freeze my girl to death. Get in all of you,"

She smiled sheepishly, 'my girl' running in her head, as his mom and dad bickered walking back in. They seemed like an ordinary family unlike how they acted cold and rational in front of the media.

"Before my mom nags me again take this," Yeonjun said, pulling her back and draping his coat over her. "My coats fit you better than me," His fingers grazed her skin, as he pulled her hair out setting it neatly.