Whispers of the Underworld (SunSun)

chapter 15

This is a very long chapter.

Please, leave a lot of comments. I really like reading your thoughts 😭🙏

The next few weeks were nothing short of hell. A hell I never expected.

It didn’t matter where I was or what I was doing—Park Sunghoon had somehow developed a supernatural ability to show up exactly where I didn’t want him.

If I was in a meeting, there he was, casually sipping on a coffee he brought just for himself, completely ignoring the fact that we were discussing important business. It was like he had some radar that tracked my every move, and he made sure to invade it.

If I went to lunch, I’d find him already lounging at a table, acting like he owned the place. I’d walk in, head straight for a seat, and there he’d be, grinning like he was waiting for me all along.

And then there were the moments when I thought I had finally escaped. Private moments—those rare, precious times when I was alone, away from the pressures of everything else. But no. Sunghoon always found a way to ruin that peace. Whether it was showing up at my apartment uninvited or calling me when I was trying to relax, he made sure I never had a second to myself.

It was maddening.

I couldn't catch a break.

_____

November, 3rd 2024

I sat at the polished mahogany table, surrounded by the sleek professionalism of the Takamoto family. The restaurant buzzed with hushed conversations, the kind that made everything feel high-class and well-orchestrated. The air was thick with sophistication, and the dishes before us could have been from some Michelin-starred chef’s dream menu. Everything was going perfectly. The conversation with Mr. Takamoto was flowing smoothly, discussing the finer details of the partnership between the Lee family and the Takamotos. My mind was focused on the deal, and for once, I almost felt like I could relax.

That is, until I felt that presence.

I didn’t need to look up to know who it was. The familiar air of smugness, the unmistakable sound of someone chewing too loudly—Park Sunghoon, the one person who could always ruin a perfectly good moment. He was seated next to me, digging into his third plate of sushi like he was some kind of sushi connoisseur, sipping his wine with that ridiculously self-satisfied expression.

He wasn’t supposed to be here.

But here he was.

I didn’t even bother looking at him. Instead, I just tried to continue the conversation with Mr. Takamoto, pretending Sunghoon wasn’t there. But I could practically feel the smugness radiating off him, like he was basking in some personal spotlight he’d decided to create for himself.

“Sunoo, have you tried this eel? It’s to die for,” he chimed in, his voice cutting through the conversation like a knife. I wanted to slam my chopsticks down on the table, but I kept my composure.

“I’m fine, Sunghoon,” I replied, trying my best to keep my patience.

“Oh, but you must try it. You look like you’ve been under so much stress lately,” he said, leaning in like we were old friends. He leaned even closer, loud enough for the whole table to hear, “Stress makes the skin sag, you know.”

I froze. My grip on my wine glass tightened, and I nearly choked. I could feel my face flush with embarrassment, but I smiled through it, trying to keep it together. “What?”

The Takamoto family exchanged awkward glances, clearly uncomfortable.

“Oh yes, you should always look after your looks,” Sunghoon continued, completely oblivious to the tension he was causing. “And we both know your little hide-and-seek game is taking your time lately.” He flicked some rice off his plate with his chopsticks, his voice loud enough for everyone to hear. “Let me help. I know a great dermatologist. They specialize in stress-induced wrinkles.”