Arranged Marriage

Chapter 9

Your POV

Yugyeom freezes, hand still resting on the edge of a display chair. Beside him stands a girl, petite, bright-eyed, with big rosy cheeks and a soft, open expression. Her sundress sways slightly as she shifts her weight, the fabric a light yellow that matches the ribbon tied around her ponytail. She blinks at you, cheerful and unbothered, like she has no idea she just walked straight into something. She instinctively links her arm with Yugyeom's as she looks over Jinyoung.

You don't speak. Neither does Jinyoung.

Then Yugyeom's eyes slowly trail over you, down and then up again, his gaze unreadable, but heavy enough to make your spine stiffen. He glances at Jinyoung next. Watches the space between you two like it's giving something away.

His jaw doesn't tighten, but there's a slight twitch at the corner of his eye. Like something about this isn't sitting right with him.

And still, no one moves.

For a few seconds, neither of you speak. The staring contest you didn't ask for continues, and it feels like the entire store's gone silent– even though you can still faintly hear someone testing out an office chair a few aisles over. His girlfriend shifts beside him, glancing between the two of you with a bright, clueless smile, while Jinyoung quietly stands beside you, his hand loosely resting in his pocket, watching the scene unfold.

Finally, Yugyeom speaks, "What are you doing here?" He slides a hand in his pocket, tilting his head back like he can't believe he ran into you. 

You raise your brows, playing innocent. "Me? Oh, just buying supplies for that cute little garbage you call an office."

His jaw tics again, just slightly. "It's not garbage."

"Well, it's certainly not an office," you shoot back, already feeling that familiar heat rise in your chest. "Unless mold is part of the aesthetic now, wouldn't be shocked considering the owner."

You hear Jinyoung exhale softly through his nose, amused, probably, but he stays quiet. The girl beside Yugyeom looks mildly alarmed, like she didn't expect this kind of response.

"You should've told me you were redecorating," Yugyeom says, crossing his arms. "I would've suggested something more... professional. You know, instead of whatever this is." He motions at you, waving his arms around as if to make a point. You can't help but roll your eyes at his poor attempt.

"Oh, I didn't know you were an interior designer now, Yugyeom. Should I get you a business card?" You lean in curiously, just enough so you're eye-to-eye with him, "I mean, you'd know all about professionalism, right? Considering how you dumped an entire project on me without a second thought."

This time, his face actually tightens. Not enough for someone like his girlfriend to notice, she's too busy blinking between the two of you, confused and awkward, but you see it. That twitch in his jaw, the way he briefly looks away like he's recalibrating.

Then it's back, that stupid signature smirk of his. "At least I know how to get things done." 

You scoff, folding your arms. "Really? Because from here, your only specialty seems to be disappearing the moment there's actual work to be done." You gesture around at the aisle you're standing in, a lineup of pristine office chairs stretching behind you. "Is that why you're here, boss? Picking out a chair to rest your ass in all day?"

That earns you a small, surprised laugh from Jinyoung, and you pretend not to notice the way Yugyeom's gaze drops for just a second before snapping back up, sharp as ever. He's about to respond, until his girlfriend tugs on his harm gently to grab his attention. "Should we—um, maybe get food first?" she suggests lightly, looking between all of you. "I'm hungry Gyeom..."