Sweet Shop | Seventeen

Runaway (Wonwoo)

"Mom, I already told you, I don't want to marry him!" You yelled at the top of your voice, and your mother slapped you across the face. "Remember what your father said? You marry him, there's no way out of this! We let you do whatever you want, and you end up with a peasant. There's no room for discussion here, this conversation is over." Storming out the room, your mother slammed the door behind her.

Such was the life of an average chaebol, and sometimes you wished you weren't born into the family.

You'd rather be one of those average households, living in a flat with your parents, being able to enjoy life without worrying about high society parties and others' impressions of you.

In your parents' eyes, your latest news was too much for them to handle. They'd found out you'd been dating a friend from high school, Kim Mingyu. He came from an average background, his parents neither too rich nor too poor, average grades, and the like. Upset that you'd chosen someone like him, your parents had decided to force you into an arranged marriage that both sides would benefit from.

You'd met him only once in your life. Your new fiancé was both quiet and sullen, having a rather depressing aura around him. When you'd tried to strike up a conversation with him, he simply gave you one word replies, and his brother was much more friendly and fun to be around. Unfortunately, you got engaged to the former.

A maid came in, hushing you and telling you to get dressed. The stinging sensation on your cheek hadn't faded, but you hurriedly put on a nice dress, and quickly applied some light makeup. The same maid squeezed your shoulder, and brushed your hair. "I'll be okay, miss. Good luck." With that, she left. Grabbing a pair of earrings and a necklace, you raced down the stairs. Slipping a pair of heels onto your feet, you walked briskly to your limo. A grunt from your dad informed you that would be the only thing he would say to you that night.

Sitting up straight and pulling out your phone, you sent a text to Mingyu, whose name you'd saved as Minkyung, in order to make your parents less suspicious.

Minkyung: I miss you already.

You: I can't help it, I have a fancy dinner tonight. Meeting the fiancé, bleah.

Minkyung: That sucks, but it's okay. I'll see you tomorrow at 5?

You: Call. See you!

Your mother peered over your shoulder and smiled. "I'm glad you have more female friends now, and I hope you're staying away from that peasant boy." You pretended not to hear what she said, occupying yourself by untangling your earpieces. Sticking your earpieces in, you started playing some music. Sighing, you looked out the window and smiled. Tomorrow was definitely worth looking forward to.

"This is Wonwoo, dear. Say hello." Forcing a smile, you reached out to shake Wonwoo's hand, only to have him ignore you and turn away. His mother sighed, and you shook your head. "It's alright, ma'am." She smiled at you, and patted your hand. "Nonsense, call me mom. After all, in a few months you'll be my daughter-in-law." Nodding, you were seated next to Wonwoo, as your future mother-in-law, Mrs. Jeon, asked the butler to bring out the appetisers.

Wonwoo sighed deeply, and you couldn't help but want to take out your phone to text 'Minkyung'. Picking up your fork, you decided to start eating, whether or not Wonwoo would talk to you.

After a painfully silent meal, the two of you were ushered outside by your parents, to talk and have fun with each other. Wonwoo still hadn't spoken, and you had given up on trying to talk to him. He'd mustered up the courage to hold your hand though, and you had to smile at that, just a little.

"Do you know why I'm so quiet?" Wonwoo spoke up, and you blinked. "Why, Wonwoo?" He turned to you and held your other hand.

"It's because I've liked you for forever."