Spades & Hearts

Matter

It was already night when Chanyeol gave up on pretending to concentrate on his research for the project. Leaning back on his chair, he sighed. His mind just kept on flying back to Suzy. He wondered in which hotel she was staying with Lay and itched to call her. Suzy wouldn't like that though, he reckoned. So, he held himself back and placed his phone back down on the table. Resting his elbow on the armrest, he pursed his lips and rubbed his temple as he stared at the wedding picture he had placed on his table.

Even back then, Suzy looked cold. Beautiful. But cold. While he who stood beside her sported a small smile. At that moment, he was only smiling for formality's sake. She was only a stranger he had only met several times and knew would benefit his family's business.

Then suddenly, just in the span of a few months of their marriage, Suzy had become the center of his life. Chanyeol just wanted to give her everything she wanted. But what should he do when everything she wanted always involved having distance between them? It drove him crazy!

Chanyeol continuously found himself conflicted. Even with this little competition for the position in the company! That competitive businessman him wanted to better Suzy. Yet, the husband Chanyeol wanted to give in to her. Should he win over her to show her he was in control, or should he relented and let her take control? He felt like his brain was about to explode.

Then, there was this family feud between her and her father that he still couldn't figure out. He only knew she hated her father so much.

"You're doing okay there, boy?"

Speak of the devil. Chanyeol thought when he was snapped out of his thoughts and found his father-in-law already entering his small office. "Father." He rose to his feet and bowed to greet.

The older man took a seat across him and gestured for him to sit down again. "I hope this small room doesn't inconvenience you."

"I've told you it's fine, Father." Chanyeol smiled.

"This is just temporary. Once you win over my daughter and become the President, you'll have a bigger office." The man chuckled and Chanyeol felt uncomfortable.

He didn't like how the words made it sound like he was already winning over Suzy.

"I know you have been purposely slacking off in doing this project while Suzy is already a few steps ahead of you," Mr.Bae spoke again. "You're trying to be the good husband by giving her the head start, aren't you? But I suggest you be professional in this matter. This is a company matter, not a marriage matter, Chanyeol." The man smiled. "I hope you don't mix business with family matters."

Chanyeol pursed his lips and nodded, but he couldn't fully agree with what the man said. "But, Father, haven't you been postponing Suzy's promotion because of personal reasons? I mean"—Chanyeol cleared his throat—"I appreciate your support for me to be your heir, but has Suzy not worked hard for this company all these years. Professionally speaking, she's competent enough to be the President."

His father-in-law had suddenly looked even more serious; it made Chanyeol nervous. But he mustered his courage and didn't break their eye contact. Even if he wanted to, he couldn't take back what he had said. Then slowly a corner of Mr. Bae's lips curled up and his gaze was lowered. There was a tinge of sadness in his lopsided smile, Chanyeol noticed.

"Yes. Maybe I do mix personal matters with business matters after all. But I have my own reasons." His eyes darted back to Chanyeol who subtly gulped. "Chanyeol, I think it's time I tell you something about my family."

__________

Hyejung hesitated and stopped few feet away from the soju tent. From where she stood, she could see Chanyeol was already drinking. She bit down her lip and tightly gripped the strap of her bag. She had to repeatedly tell herself that she was just being a good friend here when the other part of her kept on reminding her of his status.