Chae Hyungwon

i sat beside ha rim on the living room watching a movie with her together. my arm was around her shoulder and her head was resting comfortably on my chest as i leaned backwards on the couch.

"hyungwon-ssi, what kind of student were you back in school?" ha rim suddenly asked while her eyes were fixed on the screen.

"i was focused on academics. i also played sports occasionally whenever there were school events. i'd say i was pretty much goal-oriented that i kind of compromised my social life." i scrunched my nose and smiled.

"do you think you'd like me if we met back in school? or how about if we didn't encounter each other back at the bus stop? how would have things changed?" she turned to face me.

"regardless of those, you're still the type to catch my eye. i like your character above it all, ha rim-ssi. you're tough but also warm-hearted inside. i appreciate that about you." i looked into her eyes as i spoke.

"there's something magnetic about you, too. i've never told you but i feel connected to you even if you don't say much, hyungwon-ssi. you seem cold as ice yet passionate as fire all at the same time." she spoke her mind back at me.

i leaned closer to ha rim and planted a kiss on her forehead.

"but.. would you still like me if you found out i wasn't what you thought i was like?" she suddenly asked.

"in what context?" i asked.

"what if i had a bad family background? what if we were mortal enemies?" she gave examples.

"those things don't change the fact that i already feel something for you. i guess our situations could change, but i can't deny that i like you. if that happens, that's up for us to find out."

she gave me a small smile and nodded in agreement. i didn't know that ha rim had a lot of hypothetical questions in mind. it gave her a sense of depth, and i couldn't help but wonder how deep her thoughts could go.

_____________________________

Baek Ha Rim

saturday finally came and it was the day i was both dreading yet expecting.

would i do fine? deep inside, i was already lost in my thoughts, contemplating on what i was supposed to do.

i stared at hyungwon who was fixing himself in front of the car's window. he wore a light blue buttoned long sleeve while i wore a cream-colored dress with pearl accessories and a shoulder bag.

"you look stunning. let's go inside?" hyungwon suddenly asked.

i didn't even notice him extending his arm for me because i was so out of it with the nerves i felt. quickly, i gave him a nod and walked side by side with him going inside his parents' house.

"welcome, my son!" as soon as the door was opened, hyungwon's mother came greeting us.

"good afternoon." hyungwon greeted his mom, his entire face lighting up.

"dear, you must be ha rim?" she turned to smile at me.

"hello, mrs. chae. my name's baek ha rim. it's my pleasure to meet you." i bowed down to greet her respectfully.

"you're lovely, dear. come inside and let's share a hearty birthday lunch together as family." she invited.

my heart was enveloped by a strange feeling of warmth. although hyungwon's mother called me lovely, she was the epitome of it. i secretly couldn't help but wonder at the back of my mind how many other guys have fallen for her back in the days.

she was a refined and charming woman. she was simple yet elegant, and i could tell that it was hard not to like hyungwon's mother.

stepping inside, i found the birthday celebrant himself walking down the staircase. it was no other than mr. chae, the mayor and hyungwon's dearest father. his presence came strong; unlike his wife's gentle demeanor, he held himself upright with confidence that could immediately catch attention.

hyungwon's parents were an interesting match and they made the perfect couple.

tightening my grip on hyungwon's arm, i tried to get a hold of myself to avoid getting distracted by thoughts of my father, mr. baek.

"ah, there you guys are. welcome to our home! it's nice to see you gathered here to celebrate my birthday." mr. chae chuckled as he walked towards us.

finally standing right in front of me, he flashed a smile of approval.

"dad, as i had promised, i'd like you to meet my girl. her name's baek ha rim." hyungwon led the introduction.

"hello, mr. mayor. it's an honor to meet you." i bowed.

"it's nice to meet you, ha rim-ssi. thank you for coming to my simple birthday celebration. i hope we can share a good conversation over the delicious meals hyungwon's mother has prepared." he spoke.

Im Changkyun

"changkyun-ah!" i suddenly heard mr. baek call.

from the garden, i immediately rushed inside the house to attend to his orders. i was in the middle of arranging plants, and i haven't even wiped the sweat off my face from working under the sun.

"yes, sir?" i asked, slightly raising my voice to be heard as he wasn't around.

"kindly pick up the telephone for me. it's been ringing and i can't answer it yet. i have to get ready to go somewhere first."

"alright, sir!" i responded.

i went towards the telephone and quickly picked it up myself for me to answer. placing it onto my ear, i was met with an infuriated voice of a man from the other line.

"finally! you picked up the call. it's not so nice to ignore me and my messages when i gently warned you last time, mr. baek." the person started.

i listened intently although i was hesitant if mr. baek actually knew the caller.

"i told you not to let your adopted daughter ruin eun gyeol's marriage. now, all of the plans have broken apart! the mayor isn't thinking twice upon the matter because his stupid son is already smitten by your shameless daughter." he continued.

my lips parted in shock of what i had heard. mr. baek had ties with eun gyeol's family? so if this was mr. kwon, then he must be cursing chae hyungwon and baek ha rim.

"this was the last straw, mr. baek. should i ruin it for you then? an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. if you can't control that girl, how about if i let everyone know that you were involved in the death of the seo family? although i gave you the word, you acted upon it. you're easier to catch as the primary suspect given your rivalry with mr. chae. how does that sound?" he revealed.

"you know, i only used you and got into your greedy head because i wanted the mayor under my control, too. ever since i had a daughter, i've always planned on getting her married to their son. the seo family was like a pest with their close ties to the chaes and now so are you because you just had to keep their little one alive. i'm cutting off ties with you and disposing you like nothing now."

"say that again." i finally spoke.

"what- is this mr. baek?" he asked, noticing my voice.

"i said say that again! so it was you gave the order to destroy ha rim's family. i'm gonna hunt you down and get to truth of it all." i growled in anger.

"hey punk, i don't care who you are but mr. baek sent those murderers in their house. he spared the little girl and took her in to appear innocent. if anything gets out of hand, i'll get you killed first before you get to me."

"oh, you don't know me." i spoke my final words and slammed the telephone to hung up on the call.

adrenaline was rushing throughout my entire body. days ago, ha rim had asked to meet up with me so i could hand her a gun. it was for this day; she was already settled on putting an end to mr. chae and torturing him to death.

mr. baek had deceived her all along. he planted hate and anger inside of her directed at the wrong person. who knew the snake was the closest one to her?

without any clear thoughts, i let my legs lead me. i immediately ran out of the house and went ahead to find ha rim. i needed to get to her as soon as i can and stop any misfortunes from happening. she can't ever get her hands tainted with blood from the lies she was deceived with.

Chae Hyungwon

i held ha rim's arm and led her close to the door far away from my parents. i needed to ask her a favor so that i could pull off something.

"ha rim-ssi, the bakery notified me that the cake i had ordered was ready for pick-up. could you keep my dad entertained for a while? maybe you could ask him to give you a tour of the house. you should check out our family pictures and maybe the rooftop."

"the rooftop?" she released a soft chuckle.

"it's my favorite spot in the house. it's wide and the air is fresh." i explained to which she laughed.

"anyway, i have to get going now. i'll be back in a while. i love you." i finally said the words to her.

her eyebrows gently raised in response to the three meaningful words i uttered.

"take care..." she pulled me for a quick hug but didn't bother returning the words.

although it stung a bit, i brushed it off and simply thought to myself that i probably caught her off guard. i flashed her a soft smile and finally walked off the house to get to my car.

riding all the way to the bakery, i encountered some traffic but it wasn't heavy enough to disrupt my someone's mood for the day. it was a blessed afternoon and i was happy to see how it wouldn't take much for ha rim to warm up to my family.

for some reason, i also felt closer to my own family now that i had brought ha rim with me. there was a noticeable spark of joy in my parents' eyes and inside of me.

finally arriving at my destination, i parked the car and got ready to come inside. all of a sudden, however, my phone started ringing.

i paused on my steps to take the call which appeared to be from yoo kihyun.

"hello, what is it?" i spoke.

"happy birthday to your father, hyungwon-ah. please wish uncle a happy birthday from me." he greeted.

kihyun's voice had a hint of mischievousness and arrogance and i couldn't exactly understand why.

"ah by the way, are you together with baek ha rim?" he asked before i could even respond.

"she's in my parents' house. i came to get dad's birthday cake." i answered with hesitation.

"ahh... chae hyungwon, that's not such a good idea. don't you know who she is?" kihyun taunted.

"what do you mean? kihyun, don't try to speak bad about her like she's one of your exes." i warned him but was met with a laugh.

"i've dug up some background information about that girl. if you need facts, i'll give them to you. she's the adopted daughter of baek myung joon, and that guy literally tried to destroy your dad a long time ago but he couldn't. he's a known political rival hyungwon-ah."

"what...?" i frowned, not believing what i was hearing.

"mr. baek has been hiding after the death of the seo family. you know them, don't you? i learned that he's engaged in the illegal distribution of drugs and he's been training baek ha rim to fight. don't you think it's a bit dangerous to leave that girl alone with your parents? if i were you, you better come home now."

"do you think this is a joke? why do you sound like you're enjoying everything?!"

"you stole my girl but got yourself poison. i've been tracking ha rim all along since the moment i found out about this. her friend, im changkyun, is involved in this mess. i'll be sending you all the documented proof i've gathered. for now, come home as soon as you can and confront her with the truth."

"...good luck." kihyun suddenly hung up.

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phew, this was a long update! please do leave me a vote and let me know your thoughts, guys! i hope you hang on to the end of this story because long chapters are awaiting you! 🤗

thank you so much and i love you all!