Arranged Marriage

Chapter 2

Your POV

Finishing the last drop of your frappuccino, you decide it's time to head back to work. Break will roll around again soon enough. This time, you won't be working with Yugyeom like you'd expected. For all you know, he's probably relaxing somewhere—with his girlfriend.

As soon as you step back into the complex building, you make a dash for your office. Stares follow you. Whispers trail behind. The news of Yugyeom's marriage has spread fast—and you're at the center of it all. It makes sense. He's insanely popular around here, and no one has ever seen him interact with a woman before.

To find out he's getting married? It's that's people won't stop talking about, and now that they have a chance at seeing his so-called woman, they won't stop.

Finally reaching your office, you let out a slow breath and drop your purse onto a nearby chair. You shrug off your coat and drape it over the edge of your seat. The morning's chill still lingers in the air, soft winds brushing outside the building as sunlight pours through the window. The weather is perfect. If Yugyeom had been even the least bit cooperative, the day might have felt that way too.

With a sigh, you sink into your chair and flip open your laptop, determined to get some work done. Usually, a sip of coffee is enough to get you into work—but not today. Even with a full cup on your desk, you feel sluggish. You tilt your head to the right, then the left, stretching your neck, until your gaze lands on a folded note sitting on your desk.

You unfold it slowly.

Chae Yooha,

I'm sure you have a lot of questions about your marriage with Yugyeom, but I assure you—everything will be fine. Yugyeom already has a dress picked out for you, and your ceremony will be held a week from now. You'll be living a little far from me, but I'll still be coming to work. Please don't worry about me.

I hope you're as excited about this wedding as I am, Yooha.

Your father,
Park Younghwa

As you finish reading, your face falls, eyebrows knitting together in a mix of frustration and sadness. Your father is genuinely excited about the wedding. He has no idea that Yugyeom plans to fake his love—pretend for a few months before quietly filing for divorce.

You press your fingers to your temples, trying to hold yourself together. You're angry. Frustrated. On the verge of tears. All at once.

Just as you feel the urge to tear the note to shreds, a knock—once, twice, then a third time—interrupts your thoughts. Before you can respond, the door bursts open, making you jump. A loud voice booms through the office, sending your heart racing– until you recognize it.

"Yooha, Mr. Park needs you!" your colleague shouts.

You massage your temples again, a silent signal that now is not the time. He stays quiet for a moment, about to repeat himself when you cut him off mid-sentence, standing up sharply.

"Jackson, you know there's no point in knocking if you're just going to barge in, right?" you say, your voice laced with annoyance.

He freezes, taken aback. Then, recognizing your mood, he chooses peace.

"Ah, sorry," he mutters, bowing slightly with an awkward grin.

You roll your eyes in response and brush past him. Jackson watches as you walk away, still standing just outside your door, the grin fading as your silhouette disappears down the hall.

*

"Yes, Father?" you say, stepping into his office quietly.

"Ah, Yooha. You read my note, didn't you?"
You nod and take a seat across from him, waiting for whatever surprise comes next.

"Good, good," he says, adjusting his glasses on the bridge of his nose. "I called you in because I've decided to assign you as Yugyeom's assistant."

Of course. After everything, this hardly even surprised you anymore. At this point, it felt like everything was fair game.

"His previous assistant quit a few days ago, and he's been buried in work ever since. Stressed, too. I figured you could help him out," he continues.

You blink, biting back a sigh. One thing begins to worry you. 

"Does Yugyeom know about this?"

Your father shakes his head. "No, not yet. That's why I wanted to speak with you first. As his future wife, I thought it would be better coming from you. He'll be pleased!"

You press your lips together, unsure how to respond. After what you'd overheard at the cafe, facing him now felt like walking into an uncomfortable reality. 

"That's all. You're dismissed."

You nod quickly and bow before hurrying out, clutching your clipboard to your chest like it might protect you. 

That room is cursed.

Your thoughts swirl as you head toward your office. A marriage you didn't ask for, now topped off with becoming Yugyeom's personal assistant? The thought alone made your stomach turn with anxiety.

You're almost there–just a few more steps–when you collide into a solid chest.

You gasp, stumbling back, waiting for the impact. But it never comes. A strong arm catches you before you fall.

"Yooha?"

*

word count: 927song of the day: stray kids- booster
bad cliffhanger does it look like im an author? i dont think so, anyways thanks for reading if you got this far!!