You really know how to make me cry

when you give me those ocean eyes.

Soon-ok had long ago stopped imagining the scene of her meeting with that person ever again.

Without a doubt, there had been a period where the woman had found herself wishing to see him again, a part of her holding on to the fact that he might not be like she remembered him. A fool is what she saw herself as. A weak fool who in that time could have easily given him a second chance if he would have reached out. But as she reminisced, Soon-ok could only shake her head at the idiotic thoughts of her past self and thank the Lord for forbidding her from seeing him. She had realized with time, as the child in her warm belly grew, that she should spare her loving for someone who truly deserved her.

But somehow, God seemed to have found the need to test her all over again. Just when Soon-ok felt like she had finally gotten up on her feet again, she would crumble once more.

Never had Soon-ok expected it to happen, nor had she presumed it to awaken the strong emotions that she was sure she had moved past, put in reality only suppressed.

Yet, there he was- frozen in his steps as paleness visibly took over his skin. The expression contorting his features in a mix of shock and fear made it seem like he was experiencing his worst nightmare, but Soon-ok could only find it ever so comical, that she was the one being looked at with such fearful eyes. But truly, what had she ever done to earn herself such a look? And from him? She had suffered all on her own, it boiled her blood that he would even for a second act like it had been the other way around. Perhaps he had seen the erupting, scarlet flames in her eyes? Perhaps, her hot glare had intimidated him? As his reflection burned her orbs, Soon-ok's nails dug into her palm as her hands closed up into fists, trying to contain the raging anger thundering throughout her body.

He should be scared, she thought. He had left her with a child, silently letting her know that the love he had sworn to her, had truly never existed. The least he could do was to be ashamed of his actions.

The two exes were equally stunned as the male approached the pregnant woman slowly. Steps were careful and light, resembling the ones of a wary cat as if to not scare her away- although he was the one looking terrified. Were the memories of their life together overflowing his mind as he drank her in like that? Was that why his expression seemed to soften the closer he got? That wasn't the case for Soon-ok. She was suffering, living every disappointing word he uttered towards her, all over again, picking her heart apart piece by piece as she convinced herself the hard times were going to be worth it.

How could she have been so foolish? She would never forget the first thing he had asked her once she had announced the news of her pregnancy to him. The words that had officially destroyed her, tearing her down like an old, unwanted building. The words that till this day, contorted her heart in pain and induced tears to gather in her eyes.

He had hurt her so much, she never treated him like that. She would never treat herself so poorly, much less let anyone treat her like that ever again. It was an oath to herself and the new life growing within her.

Seojun's orbs were trembling once he stood in front of her, his gaze taking in every millimeter of her figure before him. Had this been just a month prior, her heart would've skipped a beat. But now it was nervously thundering against her ribcage, wanting to escape, and Soon-ok hoped it was only so it could strangle him.

"Soon-ok ah," he breathed out, and Soon-ok hated how she felt herself slowly falling apart at just the sound of his voice that she had oh so longed for. She wanted to despise it, but it was just as beautiful as she remembered it. Her breath stilled while her already murderous expression darkened even more if it was even possible.

Once again she wondered why God had let this happen after so much time, she wanted nothing to do with him, and yet there he was, looking at her like that. Who would have ever thought that she would have met him like this? During her working hours, attending her rival that had entered the camera shop beforehand. If it hadn't been for Seojun, she would have been inside the shop, evaluating cameras to get for their project with Baekhyun, with fresh AC air blowing into her neck instead of this unbearable heat.

As she let her name hang heavily in the air, Soon-ok hadn't noticed how her project partner had walked out of the store when he had noticed that she wasn't following him. Baekhyun had halted in his steps for the shortest moment when his eyes had caught the figure of another man trying to speak with her. For a moment, he was worried for her, but seeing the murderous look on her features told him that the unknown male was probably more in danger than she could ever have been. Making up his mind, the rival approached the woman silently, not knowing why his body had acted so protectively when he pressed his chest against her back to let her know that he was there with her.

"Seojun," Scowled Soon-ok, not minding that her rival was standing so close in front of her ex. Hence, his presence gave her a sense of ease that she never thought she would find next to him. The way Seojun's gaze switched to the man next to her with disbelief did not go unnoticed by the enraged lady. Something shifted within his eyes, swallowing the lump in his throat, the man finally decided to say something.

Seojun eyed her stomach, not looking the slightest surprised to see that it was different from the last time they spoke to each other. He gave a little nod of his head and locked their gazes.

"So you.." He trailed off, "You kept it?" Seojun ended up stating the obvious, which irritated Soon-ok greatly. She scoffed but didn't provide him with an answer since her standing there in front of him, looking the way she did should have been enough. The ex-boyfriend shifted a little uncomfortably but nonetheless attempted once more to converse with the person he used to call his woman. Taking in a shaky breath, he spoke.

"How...How is the child then?" He asked gently, peering at her from underneath his lashes, not having the courage to look at her directly and Soon-ok could feel it in his demeanor, she knew why. He probably didn't feel like he really had any right to ask that question. But he still did, and it urged the woman to sigh loudly through her nose, closing her eyes for a few seconds. It didn't really help to contain the anger she felt as much as she had hoped it would.

Soon-ok gritted through her teeth. "What makes you think you have the slightest right to know?" her voice was dark and threatening, the skin of her palms was turning paperwhite underneath the cage of her fingers. Baekhyun placed a calming hand on her waist, pushing her gently closer to himself, hoping that it would do anything to make her feel okay, but he wasn't so sure. The strong emotions going through the woman reflected in her beautiful eyes that had always been like the mirrors of her heart, her feelings radiating right of her body. She looked ever so enraged.

Despite that, Baekhyun hadn't missed it. He had noticed the way her fingers trembled helplessly before she had tightened her fingers into her palms.

"Soon-ok-" Seojun pleaded, and for a second time, and yet Soon-ok was distracted by how the wind had gently brushed through his soft locks, but before she could be trapped in another nostalgic memory she averted her eyes to his again.

"I'm sorry for what I did back then I-" It seemed as if he had a hard time finding the right words and neither Soon-ok nor Baekhyun could pinpoint whether the emotions of regret on his features were genuine or not. Was he really sorry? Did he really regret what he did...or did he just want to feel better about himself?

"I should have helped you, made sure you're fine I-"

"Honey?" Seojun's rant was interrupted midway by the gentle voice of another woman that soon appeared next to him. The breath stilled in Soon-ok's lungs, she wasn't sure whether she wanted to scream, laugh or cry desperately. It wasn't the fact that the woman next to him was ever so beautiful, with delicate features and a gentle aura surrounding her that bothered Soon-ok. Well...Maybe a little, she hadn't been able to help herself when she remarked how this woman was everything she was not.

His new lover questioned worriedly, "What's going on, love?" And placed a hand on Seojun's shoulder as he looked rather shaken up himself. Baekhyun was also analyzing the messy situation, intensely shifting his orbs from the unknown woman to Soon-ok's ex, not saying a single word. From the looks of it, it seemed like the man had already unveiled every card on the table despite never having any proper explanations. The silence was deafening although the group was standing outdoors, every sound deriving from around felt like it had been suppressed underneath the pressure of the heavy conversation.

However, that silence was soon shattered like glass by the choked-up chuckle leaving Soon-ok's lips, disbelief and shock dripped from her voice. Six pairs of eyes fell on her, only to find an almost crazed expression sitting on her features. A disbelieved hand reached for her face as she let out another incredulous laughter. Her eyes had gone wide, visibly glossy to all of them, though she didn't care about the overflowing attention. All Soon-ok could really focus on was the supporting hand Seojun's woman held on her womb. It was subtle, way more subtle than hers, but a pregnant woman could recognize another. Suddenly, it was as if all the blood had drained from her head, making the world spin uncontrollably. But Soon-ok wouldn't have minded if the ground had disappeared from her feet in that moment of realization.

Her lips had started vibrating tremendously as she desperately attempted to find her voice.

"I can't believe this," Soon-ok gasped for air. "you actually-" She sobbed, ragged breaths puffing her aching chest and leaving her trembling lips. She was no longer able to mask the wrenching pain spreading in her whole body.

Just when she had managed to get over the fact that he had probably never truly loved her, more secrets unveiled before her, things she wished she had never known. Her broken gaze shakily searched for Seojun's, begging for the littlest hint that she was misunderstanding everything. But his eyes were solely apologetic for what she had just discovered.

"Soon- I'm sorry, I just..." He pleaded, but the ex cut him off before he could begin to ramble useless excuses.

"You just, what. Seojun!?" Soon-ok retaliated, overflowing with the familiar sensation of slowly losing herself to the strength of her indomitable emotions. Her voice had raised beyond her control, startling the clueless and frightened girlfriend. Soon-ok thought she had said goodbye to the dark feelings seeping into her chest long ago, but once again there she was, letting them slowly consume her away as she glared at the man that had broken her in so many ways. She didn't want to be this kind of person, she wanted it to stop. She wanted to leave him there and never see him again. She wanted to be strong. But why was it so damn hard? Why did her body insist on giving him a piece of her mind? Her lips longed to make the things he did to her known to the whole world- to ruin him just as much.

Her lips parted, taking in a breath to prepare before speaking, but before she could even let out the carbon oxide, her actions were stopped by a strong hand enveloping around hers. Suddenly she was being dragged away from the scene, the view of Baekhyun's broad back guiding her way to a quiet corner dilated her pupils. Soon-ok was too shocked, too tired to even utter a noise of protest. Baekhyun halted his steps once they were far from any distraction. The lump in her throat was suffocating her, and badly so. She just wanted to cry, cry out every single tear her body had to offer, and never go through it again. All of this was so bad for her baby.

Meanwhile, her rival faced her with his body, gently waiting for her to say something. But what was there to say? She couldn't even bring herself to look at him. What kind of rival would she be to show herself in such vulnerability once again? The tears in her eyes were too thick, too obvious, burning with their saltiness into the skin of her cheeks. A little sniffle that she hadn't been able to help left her lips, and she wanted to disappear. Baekhyun was probably very bothered by this whole ordeal happening during their working hours and now he was stuck with her. She was wasting their time. How more useless could she get?

Soon-ok's breath hitched in her throat when Baekhyun once again, did the unexpected and placed a careful hand on her cheek, tracing the tear that had escaped her eye away with the pad of his thumb. It was warm, a gentle bandaid on her cuts. Oh how much she wanted to hate it, but she wished he never would remove his hand.

"Don't do that," He pleaded within a murmur, his eyes darkening as they searched for hers, eyebrows arching with pain. "Don't cry for him, he... He's not even worth a spec of your anger." Baekhyun whispered brokenly, his thumb had unconsciously started caressing the apple of her cheek, the warm touch created an unknown kind of friction to bestow in her, sending shivers down her body.

The woman finally dared herself to meet his gaze, only to feel her breath falter once again at the golden intensity swimming within his dark oceans. Teeth drilled deep into her trembling lip as she tried to swallow down the cries bubbling in her throat. It was futile, all it had taken her was one sob to completely lose control over her body. Her cries were endless and Baekhyun was no longer more than a blur in her teary eyes.

"You don't understand Baekhyun," he hiccuped on his name. "I kept this child within me thinking it was the best thing to do... And I'm not regretting it but every time I think of him I just can't help but remember that this child will be stripped of their right to a father, and it'll be just me. I feel so angry, so lonely...It'll be just me." Her eyes wandered across his features that today seemed to carry nothing but genuine worry and care in her regards. Soon-ok felt confused as to why Baekhyun was once again being so gentle, looking at her with such eyes, as if he wanted nothing but to follow her wherever she went through.

"Will I ever be good enough?" Wailed Soon-ok, prompting Baekhyun's touch to stray away from her cheek. A gush of cold replaced the warmth of his hand. Before she knew it, the comforting heat that had been on her cheek was now embracing her body from every angle. Baekhyun had tenderly circled his arm around her shoulders while the other hand curled around her waist, pulling her to his chest, letting her feel the core of that warmth that she yearned for so much. His scent, his touch, his temperature- was everywhere Soon-ok could detect. Musk and rain swirled her senses immensely, but as always, despite herself, the woman secretly welcomed it through her deep inhales against the fabric of his shirt.

"You're not alone..." He breathily spoke down her neck, mindlessly a soothing hand through her hair. "I'm here, aren't I?" The words only made the girl erupt in disbelieved laughter, puzzling the male when she immediately put a distance between them, her hands on his chest as she pushed him away. Soon-ok shook her head frantically, once again looking into his eyes- only to regret it for the umpteenth time. They were too deep, too complex and no matter how much she tried, she would always end up getting lost. It was impossible to tell what he was thinking.

"What are you saying Baekhyun... We are rivals. I hate you and you hate me, we, what-"

"Shh," Baekhyun hushed her before she could lose her mind all over again. She was confused, too many things were happening all at once and Baekhyun understood that this new approach between them wasn't exactly easy to swallow. It was the same for him after all. Everything was just a swirling storm within his head, an untamable ocean in his pounding chest. To which the view was obfuscated, all he really found himself doing was acting on these strong impulses to...Have her close to himself.

"Then just for today," He proposed, "let's pretend that I'm not Baekhyun," His voice was just a tender whisper caressing her ears as he attempted to close the distance once again. Baekhyun's gaze was droopy, filled to the brim with something Soon-ok could only describe as pure comfort and softness. "And you're not Soon-ok." He breathed out, caressing the apple of her cheek with his knuckles, tickling her skin as if a light, playful feather. Her heart skipped a beat, more tears welled in her eyes. She couldn't take it anymore.

With a sigh, Soon-ok allowed the male to welcome her into his embrace once again as she hid her face into his shirt, secretly melting into the scent of his fabric softener- into the softness of his body against hers. Closing her eyes, she repeatedly told herself that she was letting this happen just this once, only because she didn't want him to see her cry any more than he already had.

It was such a ridiculous excuse though, she was softening up to him and she didn't know when she had even started to allow it.

***

Live jazz music filled the luxurious mansion, expensive drinks were being served in crystal glasses, and soft chatters blurred into the background. Another mundane party was thrown by his stepmom to make sure that their contacts were still intact and would be for a long time on. Judging by the contentedness coating their guests' faces, Baekhyun could only guess that it was doing the job. He himself was getting tired of having to hold up this dumb facade of a happy and obedient son. He was anything but, and for all the right reasons.

In the corner of the lounging room was his father, cornered by important businessmen, carrying what seemed like a lighthearted conversation, but the reality was that he had never witnessed anything faker than that. The plastic smiles on their faces screamed nothing but lust for more and more wealth. He couldn't wrap his finger around that whole concept. When were these people ever going to get enough? Didn't they realize that they weren't going to take all that money with them down to the grave? And his father. It afflicted Baekhyun with great pain in the chest, to see that his father blended into that group of people so well. He could barely recognize him anymore.

He wasn't like that. The Byun Sungwoo that Baekhyun had grown up with, was no longer there.

"Byun Baekhyun?" A familiar voice called for him, and the man couldn't believe himself when the image of Soon-ok had flashed before his eyes, although the woman waiting for him hadn't been her. The voice had been completely different as well, he truly was hitting the rock bottom with this. That woman had refused to leave his thoughts ever since he had held her in his arms. Something that Baekhyun was never going to admit to himself, was that perhaps- no, probably, it hadn't been her. It had been him refusing to let her go.

"Jinah?" Baekhyun's eyebrows raised with surprise at the unexpected guest. "What are you doing here?" He queried after offering her his arm.

"I'm here with my father!" The younger lady explained excitedly and almost a little shyly curled her slender fingers around his forearm, biting down onto her lipstick-coated lips. t Baekhyun's action had been completely unexpected, she had never known she'd get to face the man elsewhere than behind his desk back at the office. And now, with his face so up close, she could finally admire his beauty from up close- the timber of his soft-spoken voice now closer to her ears. Before she knew it, warmth was gathering on her cheeks. "I had no idea my and your father had business in common," She hummed thoughtfully, gently pushing the long portion of hair resting on her chest behind her shoulder. Baekhyun nodded quietly in agreement, starting a slow walk around the mansion.

"I'm not surprised anymore though," He had grumbled darkly underneath his breath, not meaning for his colleague to hear it. But Jinah had, and without being able to help her impulsive curiosity, she had already asked what he meant, only to be disappointed by his answer

"No, nothing," Baekhyun shook his head dismissively, "Nothing at all," He murmured, taking a glass of champagne from one of the wandering butlers, handing it to Jinah with a little smile teasing the corner of his lips. Baekhyun was good at masking his emotions, but tonight, Jinah had definitely caught on to the sorrow behind his attempts to seem okay.

"Thank you for accompanying me tonight," Jinah fought the nervous pulse echoing in her ears and looked up at the man currently anchoring her with the strength of his arm. She wasn't confident enough to lock their gazes from the moment he had returned her motion, and given her his undivided attention. Although his eyes were gentle on hers, there were too many emotions exploding within her chest- she feared he'd see them all reflecting in her orbs if they ever were to meet his.

"It feels good to finally see a familiar face in here," Admitted Jinah sincerely, honesty and relief vibrated through her voice as she dared herself to steal a quick glance from his eyes. Breathing was no longer an automatic task when her little sneaky action ended up with her getting caught up in the endless web that was his eyes.

"I'm glad that you feel comfortable." Baekhyun smiled softly, but he didn't even give her heart the chance to skip a beat before he had already turned his head away, seemingly getting lost in his thoughts.

Her hand was on his arm, his body was the closest it had ever been to hers and his whole presence as well as the dazing scent was washing over her like the softest, warmest blanket to ever touch her. And yet, Jinah felt so distant from him. Almost as if they were in two different worlds, and he was in one she would never be able to reach.

But was it so wrong of her to wish for more? More than those short sentences, more than those acts of courtesy. Was it wrong of her to wish for a little place in those thoughts of his?

Was it really?

Jinah let out a shaky breath, also averting her gaze somewhere, casually landing on the beautiful chandeliers hanging above of her. To her dismay, no beautiful object in this mansion could ever serve enough as a distraction to the endless painful emotions surging into her all at once. Fingers curled into her palm, tightening into a fist to stop the sudden trembling that had started shivering her body, gaze darkening.

Without another word, she abruptly detached herself from the man and let her feet lead her away.

***

Soon-ok's mind was a mess. A really messy mess. Worse than the meter-long pile of clothes that would fight against gravity whilst balancing on her chair when she was younger. She just wished her mother could be there to drag her by the ear and tell her to clear up that mess. Because as soon as a mother had ordered it, it would always magically happen. And Soon-ok needed that magic at the moment.

Too many things that she couldn't wrap her head around had happened- and as if her pregnancy hadn't been enough, they kept replaying in her head as if the most insistent loop. If only there had been someone who stood behind the things circulating in her head, she could've just pushed them off the chair to her brain and taken over. But that was nothing but a silly imagination, a wish.

It was her own mind, her thoughts. Yet, she felt like she had no control over them when they kept wandering to the encounter with the man who had managed to break her heart twice, and the man who escaped the scene with her. Especially the latter who had taken her into his arms. Sometimes it had felt like his scent was still lingering on her skin, when in sudden moments she would feel a whiff of it even though he hadn't been there. The pressure of his arms around her frame relieved itself on her body whenever she'd reminisce about it...And the way something had shifted in her chest when he had done so. Soon-ok had a hard time believing that such a thing had actually happened.

But his heartbeat had been so loud, so clear whilst vibrating against her own. It definitely wasn't a dream.

That wasn't even the worst of things. Or well, the woman didn't know whether worse was the right word to describe what had been going on. It wasn't up for debate how their relationship had changed. It wasn't anything drastic- it wasn't anything visible to anyone but the two rivals. It was as if something between them had shifted. The best description Soon-ok could give herself was a key. It was as if a key had been put into its lock. Though, that was about it. No twisting of the lock, nor an opening to the door.

The two had met only a few times after that day, and Soon-ok was still desperately latching onto the task of finding words to describe the way that Baekhyun had changed. Meanwhile the weight of their actions hung in the air whenever the two shared a room, all Baekhyun ever looked at her with was tenderness. Gentle, soft-spoken, and serene, these were just a few words that the woman had never thought she'd be associating with the one and only Byun Baekhyun. But there she was, knowing no other way to name what had been radiating from him.

Likewise, a soft, soft feather slowly being transported by the wind, Baekhyun had gradually gravitated closer to her. Truly. Whenever they worked in the same space, there would no longer be a significant distance between them. If their hands ever brush against each other, there wouldn't be a strong and negative reaction to it anymore. And there was more to it, God, he looked after her. So much. Baekhyun had been looking after her, without trying to hide it. Much more than he used to and it did things to her heart that she never wanted to name for the love of God.

Discombobulated, is what she truly was, but deep down, she was aware of how she hadn't done a single thing to stop whatever was happening. Soon-ok hadn't lifted a finger to stop the way his gentle attempts were melting down the walls of ice that once put them apart.

What the reasons were, she didn't know...Did she?

Soon-ok was dangling off a thread. She was tired of holding herself up, she wished to let go. But the fall was so deep, so scary. She had no courage left in her.

Five and a half months pregnant and her belly was starting to reach its bigger sizes, which also meant that Soon-ok had just entered the third trimester of her pregnancy. It was very clear to her, noting from the way her body had once again grown heavier. The baby in her tummy weighed on her back, giving her consistent backaches. Soon-ok would sometimes feel like she had been transported back to the first trimester when she constantly needed to pee. Not to mention the way her breath would quickly fall short at the slightest physically demanding movements. But these were just a few small things among the sea of symptoms that she was about to experience, and she could only prepare herself mentally for it.

It had become harder to hide it, hence, it was fair to say that only extremely attentive people would have guessed that it was a baby and not belly from weight gain underneath her large clothes. Soon-ok wondered if it was just a mere coincidence that her boss hadn't been around to witness it, or how her colleagues would not even be able to see her thanks to her project with Baekhyun.

No, it couldn't be, she thought. Maybe there was no need to question it either. But whenever things were going smoothly, it was always a matter of time before the wind would sweep everything away. Given her past, Soon-ok knew that she was nothing near a lucky person. Perhaps, it was because she needed that challenge in her life. She wondered if perhaps, what she deemed as her unluck was actually the fuel in her constant getting up on her feet again and again.

The rustling of paper reached her ears, until the texture of it sunk into her fingertips, only then did she realize how she had been spacing out and aimlessly rummaging through her sketches. How much time had she wasted in reminiscing? All this was because of that horrible encounter with her ex. The girl had yet to accept that he had cheated on her as well. It was a pill that was still stuck in her throat, suffocating her from time to time.

"Gosh," sighed the woman to herself at the persistence of her thoughts. They always kept going back to Seojun and their reunion, "get a hold of yourself, Soon-"

"Soon-ok?" Baekhyun's soft timbre rang in the room, followed by a soft clicking of the door falling into its lock. Why did she feel like a deer caught in headlights when he had entered? It wasn't like he could hear her thoughts, and yet, Soon-ok hadn't been able to help herself when she went rigid into her spot. Her feet were suddenly glued onto the floor as a shiver ran down her spine.

She hadn't succeeded to clear her thoughts a single bit, but despite the mess in her head, the way her name left his tongue had found its way around, a lot louder than any other thought. The most agile snake, licking onto her ears and making her remark the slight worry dripping from his lips.

She couldn't move as she heard her rival approaching her, stopping just behind her, making her feel extremely conscious. It was like his presence behind her was burning into her back, radiating the most tempting warmth, a magnetic kind.

There it was again, "Are you okay?" the tender worry he blatantly showed her as if they had never had any conflict between each other. Soon-ok bit her lip. "You have been standing there for a while." Baekhyun described the reason for his doubts, letting Soon-ok know that he had seen her long before he called her.

"I'm fine," Her reply was quick, dismissive even. "I just spaced out a little." Soon-ok had expected her answer to bring an end to this conversation so that she could breathe- so that she could calm her beating heart down. Away from him and his presence that seemed to suffocate and give her oxygen all at the same time.

However, it had the opposite effect. The vague answer prompted a frown to curl Baekhyun's eyebrows as he roamed his gaze over her features, trying to catch any evidence.

He sighed, lowering his gaze to the ground, "Were...were you thinking about him again?" his voice sounded breathy, the words wavering ever so slightly on his tongue- as if asking that had taken him a certain amount of courage. As if he was afraid of what the answer would have been.

Soon-ok's shoulders slumped, disappointment coating her movements. So he had noticed, the way her eyes zoomed out from time to time, the scene of a pregnant woman standing beside her ex reflecting within them as if the pictures had been imprinted into her eyes. Perhaps she shouldn't have been surprised as the meeting had left her extremely upset and it had been very physically visible to anyone who would have spared her a glance.

"I wasn't-" Soon-ok had begun, only to realize how meaningless it would be to try and lie to someone who had already figured everything out. She pressed her lips together again and swallowed before sighing. "I can't help it," She mumbled, "Every time I close my eyes, he's standing there, with her next to him, and I-"

"Soon-ok." His soft call cut through her rambling like a piece of shattered glass, a breath was heaved and kept within her chest when she felt him taking a small step closer. Baekhyun's breath was now landing gently down the curve of her neck, warming her up and leaving a gush of cold as well.

"He's not important, stop feeding into those thoughts," Breathing that was a humanly automatic action was now about the most complex thing Soon-ok knew to exist. How was she supposed to breathe properly when he was getting closer and closer- when his strong cologne was clouding her senses as if the most powerful spell was set upon her?

"I can't." She didn't know whether the words she had gasped were sincere or simply the fruit of her inner self throwing a tantrum, refusing to let go of the hurtful sight.

"Soon-ok," Baekhyun warned lowly, leaving no space for interjections. From the tone in his voice, she should have been intimidated- however, her foolish self only knew how to get fixated on the way his mouth pronounced her name.

"You've come all the way here, without him. You don't need him, or anyone like him. Don't waste your thoughts on him." The man soothed gently right after. The praise leaving his lips felt odd, but so so sweet to her ears.

Baekhyun's palms painted hot trails against her body as they snook around her waist from where he was behind her. Thunders fell down her spine at the sensation of his hot fingertips caressing her, for a second she believed that they had burned through the materials of her clothes. Her hazed gaze was suddenly widened when she realized how his hands had traveled south, placing itself right underneath her baby bump. Questions were swirling in her head, endlessly. Why was he stroking her like that? As if he was painting her in his colors.

Baekhyun's fingers were like the gentle, thin strands of a brush and her body a canvas he yet had to explore, and she- why was she once again, melting into his hands, why did she want Baekhyun to continue so much?

When she least expected it, Baekhyun had tightly pressed himself to her back. His heartbeat vibrated against her shoulder blade as he bent his knees ever so slightly, then slowly lifted her baby bump, prompting her to fall against his torso as he held up the weight of her baby with his hands. The sensation of a huge weight disappearing from her chest, legs, and shoulders cloaked around her body, letting the woman feel relief after a long time. Soon-ok could finally allow herself to inhale deeply for a moment, only catching the dazing scent of him who had taken into his arms, drawing her against his raging heart as he rested his chin on her shoulder for support. His hair tickled her ear.

"Forget about him," Baekhyun pleaded into a broken whisper, the tips of his lips brushed over the surface of her neck, making the unimaginable desire of a direct contact surge within the woman. "You don't need him, "He insisted, speaking sentences that should have never taken place on his tongue. The warmth pooling inside of her belly seeped into his hands that were still holding her up, he wanted this moment to never end. He wanted to place his lips on her neck and show her everything that was going through his mind. He wished she needed him, but Soon-ok was strong, so strong. She did not need him nor any man.

He needed her. And he could not explain to himself why, why he was being pulled to her like a magnet.

Baekhyun had never thought that he would feel his heart flutter ever again but was proven wrong when the woman in his embrace lifted her arm, placing a hand on his neck and dragged him even closer, if it even had been humanly possible, wishing to sink deeper into his soft chest.

"But sometimes I feel," Soon-ok spoke breathily from her heaving chest, her sigh hitting Baekhyun's collarbone next to her lips. "so lonely despite having so many helpful people around me." who was she, to awaken every single nerve in his body, to set his chest on fire as if a field of arid land, when she spoke so lowly, breathing down his skin? The sad confession upset him as much as it urged him to lean his lips just a little further down.

"I won't let you," He murmured against the shell of her ear, nuzzling his nose underneath her earlobe, then slowly started tracing it down the curve of her neck.

"I won't let you feel like that anymore," was the final promise that Baekhyun sealed with his lips attaching gently to her warm neck, kissing it slowly once, twice, before tasting her pulse sweetly with the tip of his tongue. The painfully slow ministration of his lips left the woman trembling delightfully, trying her best but failing miserably to hold on to the content hum from her throat. His head dipped deeper into the crook of her neck, reaching slowly her collarbones, coloring her skin with his lips. Every touch, every breath of his did things to her she never wanted to mention, tickled like magic on her skin, dancing and chilling down her spine. A little was she thankful that she could blame her strong emotions of desire on the pregnancy.

Soon-ok's mind had gone to another dimension, a place where she wouldn't even ask herself why she was doing such scandalous things in a corner of her office, with her rival. With her so-called enemy. Day by day, her resolve had become weaker, with her eyelids falling over her orbs in pure pleasure, all she could see was him.

Baekhyun,

Baekhyun,

Baekhyun.

However, neither of them had expected the floating bubble that had caged the two to pop so soon, and suddenly, with harsh knocks on the door. Baekhyun carefully dropped her belly back down and Soon-ok scrambled away from him, ever so clumsily trying to remove any proof to what had just happened between them. The door opened without waiting for their approval, revealing their chief's manager. His tall figure towered by the door as he set his emotionless eyes on the woman. "Miss Park Soon-ok," He beckoned monotonously, making the rivals both straighten their postures unconsciously. "Please come with me. The boss wishes to see you."

The two looked at each other, expressions like two question marks, but with no opportunity to exchange another word before the manager had spun around and walked away, signaling for the woman to follow him. The last thing Soon-ok saw was his glowing cheeks tinted in a shy red hue and his worried orbs following her before she turned around to reach the manager.

***

Half an hour had gone, and by each minute that passed, time seemed to become heavier, slower. Baekhyun felt like there were bricks in his stomach as he sat by the computer, editing his and Soon-ok's commercial. His eyes had zoomed past the screen, the fingers hugging the mouse tightened, clicking absentmindedly. Worry had ever since she left, taken over his chest like prickling anxiety. The more Soon-ok was away, the more anxious he grew. Normally, having the boss want to speak with one, did not mean anything bad. And yet there he was, feeling deeply unsettled.

Silence.

The silence was so extremely loud. A resounding noise constantly vibrating in the room, as if the walls were animatedly speaking to each other. A constant ringing in his eardrums, blurring out the noise of his fingers on the keyboard.

Baekhyun's gut feeling hadn't been in vain, and the man was to realize it when the door to his and Soon-ok's booked office burst open, slamming into the wall and bouncing back into its lock. Footsteps thundered against the ground and as soon as the man had been able to hurry on his feet, he was met with a pair of teary, infuriated eyes. Anger and hatred swarm within them like clouding smoke. He frowned, his heart being now the only noise echoing in his ears.

"You!-" Soon-ok growled furiously, her cheeks glowing in a scarlet shade of red anger, her brows furrowed deeply as she stormed in front of him. "Why did you do it!?" The tears pooling at her eyes grew thicker, crystallizing into her lashes, her fingers jabbed to Baekhyun's chest, but all he could do was to confusedly eye the woman in front of him. Her hair was all over the place, stray strands of hair clinging to the wetness of her cheeks. Before she could hit his chest another time, Baekhyun had caught her wrist in his hand, searching for her eyes, almost flinching when all he received was an indignant scowl.

"What's going on Soon-ok-" Stuttered Baekhyun, aimlessly rummaging in his memories to try and remember if he had done something to upset her, but couldn't recall anything out of the ordinary. Her humorless laugh pierced his chest, hostility coating her lips like venom.

"Don't play dumb with me Baekhyun," She shoot daggers right through his orbs which wavered. "You told him!" Soon-ok screamed, fisting his shirt into her fingers, her voice growing weaker underneath the pressure of the lump in her throat. "You told him everything, didn't you?!" Cried the woman, letting the remaining tears spill from her eyes. "Why would you do that to me," She sobbed underneath her breath, no longer looking up at him, instead, avoiding his gaze as her shoulders shook with her silent cries reaching his ears.

"Soon-ok, what are you even talking about?!" Baekhyun's voice raised despite his mind screaming at him to be gentler as she was already upset enough. His hands found her shoulders, shaking her lightly, hoping that she would stop speaking in riddles and tell him exactly what was going on. He was tired, tired of hearing her accusing him of a matter to him unknown. He hated how tears were streaming down the apples of her red cheeks, he hated how despair had made its way into her broken gaze once again. He hated how all of this was seemingly his fault.

Never had he wanted her to look at him like that, for something he had supposedly done.

"What did I do?!" Baekhyun pleaded, "Please tell me," whispering brokenly, he took a hand away from her shoulder and cupped her damp cheek, lifting her gaze to his. Agitation was all he could see in those trembling orbs of hers. He wanted to make it stop so bad, he wanted to blow on her cuts, kiss them to healing, and yet all the woman did was swat his hand away.

"I can't believe it," Soon-ok chuckled, "I can't believe you're doing this." Her hands were in her hair as she tried to suppress the immense surge of anger. Just setting her eyes on the man would spark her on fire, filling her with an urge to tear everything around her down. She had no idea when she had started trusting him to the point where she felt utterly betrayed...Like she was now.

"He knows, Baekhyun," Soon-ok revealed close to breaking down once again. Something shifted in his gaze as she uttered the words, even though she hadn't specified anything, he had understood what she meant right away. "No!" Baekhyun urged, taking a step closer to the woman. "Soon-ok you have to believe me, It wasn't me- I swear!" Baekhyun bore a painful expression, brows arched in pain, orbs pleading her to believe him. But Soon-ok had already lost all of her trust if she had ever had any in him.

"How can I believe you?! You are literally the only one who knows about me!" Her voice echoed, bounced against the walls, only to pierce the male right through the chest.

Baekhyun shook his head adamantly.

"I'm not lying, Soon-"

"I know you hate me Baekhyun, but I never thought you would drop so low." Regret vibrated in her timbre as more tears pooled in her slightly puffy eyes.

I know you hate me

I never knew you would drop so low.

The words replayed in the rival's head as if a broken radio, the distorted words cut his ears, he wanted to scream, to make it stop. But the bile in his throat was suffocating, he could barely speak.

I don't hate you.

Why was it so hard to say those words, why could he only watch as she turned around to leave? Would he ever see her again after this? Was she praying to never see his face again? The tongue in his mouth was tied into a knot but despite that, the man strode after her and stopped her by the door. His fingers gently curled around her skin, secretly wishing to never let go.

A trembling sigh tumbled down her lips, "Let me go," she gritted out.

"No," He protested, "You have to hear me out-,"

"Why can't you just let me go!?" Baekhyun flinched when Soon-ok once again, directed her glowering eyes on his, spitting every word harshly. She attempted to yank herself away from him. As if his touch was something dangerous that she had to stay away from.

Baekhyun couldn't recognize the woman before him.

Had he ever known her, to begin with?

"Soon-ok I-"

"I hate you, Baekhyun." His breath hitched as she stabbed him with her words, "I hate you so much, do you hear me?!" Slowly, but surely, a familiar feeling he hadn't felt in a long time surged up, a fire erupting in his chest. Hatred towards his rival.

A hatred stained with hurt.

With a swift motion, Soon-ok found herself being turned around and pushed against the door, her wrist still in his as he placed it over her head. Baekyun's ragged breath fell like rain down her cheeks, melting into her skin. Soon-ok's heart wavered when a shadow fell across his features, it was like she had forgotten that Baekhyun used to face her with such hateful eyes.

"You-" She growled, wiggling in his hold, only making his fingers tighten around her. How could she even believe he had done such a thing? Did she not know him? Had she forgotten about the time spent with him?

You know what? Fuck Park Soon-ok, he swore to himself. She could go to hell for all he cared. She and her delicate fingers wrapped around the collar of his shirt, she and her red, angry face, slim nose, and her incredibly soft-looking lips-

Baekhyun felt himself lose the grip of his own self-control, the intensity of his shout burned with desire and ire as he struggled against the urge to glance at her slightly parted, panting lips. The urge to bruise them.

"I fucking hate you too, Park Soon-ok." He spat, crushing his lips against hers, swallowing the loud gasp that left her lips, stealing her breath and heartbeat all at once. The woman stilled in his hold, for a moment fearing that her heart had stopped beating, but soon her body reacted to Baekhyun's angry lips. His lips tasted hers like she had betrayed him- as if he had been the one to get hurt.

Soon, the echoing of her drumming heart returned in her ears and the sweet shivers started covering her body as she noted how soft his pillows were. Soon-ok cursed herself when she felt her eyelids slowly droop close, fluttering against Baekhyun's cheeks as she finally succumbed, responding to the kiss. She eventually managed to break free from his hold when the male's lips had faltered the slightest once hers had caged his. Without breaking the contact, Soon-ok had absentmindedly wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing him to flush against her, almost forgetting about the baby bump being in the way. Sinking her teeth into his lower lip earned a rough groan from the back of his throat. His warm palm had settled gently on her throat, fingers dancing down her neck while his thumb drew slow circles on her jaw, eliciting warmth to pool in her tummy. Within seconds, Baekhyun had regained the upper hand with Soon-ok almost limply leaning against the door whilst he licked and sucked on her lips, getting lost in her scent, in the feeling of having her in his arms.

In their minds echoed the words that they had told each other, slowly reverberating louder and louder, clouding any possible rational thought. Their furious lips were the only way to express the strong emotions wrapping around their bodies like blue, hot flames.

The noise of their lips smacking stopped when Soon-ok suddenly realized what they were doing. Pressing her palms on his chest, she pushed him off her, trying her hardest to ignore the way his raging heart thumped against her hand.

Because of her.

"Don't you ever do that again," Soon-ok said lowly, not giving him the satisfaction of seeing her bruised lips, nor giving herself the same to see his.

Whatever this was, it is over.

"We are over, Byun Baekhyun." She spat and walked past him, bumping into his shoulder.

Baekhyun only scoffed, disbelief and pain contorted his chest followed by a humorless laugh.

They were never anything, to begin with.

He and Park Soon-ok were and will never be anything.

Baekhyun hated Park Soon-ok. Park Soon-ok hated Byun Baekhyun.

So why did that familiar feeling shroud over him? Why did he feel like he had lost everything all over again?

Shaking his head, the male discarded every little thought concerning the woman, he didn't care if she had to walk home, nor if it rained. He didn't care. Quickly so, Baekhyun gathered his things back into his bag and headed out. While walking through the main office, he couldn't imagine that his day could get any worse. That was until he caught the gaze of Song Jinah.

Everything fell into place.

♡♡♡

Wait- don't tell me y'all thought they were gonna get together smoothly or...? HAHAHA, fools!

Did i just ruin their fragile relationship? Yes. Am I sorry? hmm, not really :DDD

I hope you will forgive me thanks to the two spicy scenes I provided hahaha. Not exactly the kiss y'all expected but a kith is a kith ;)

Also! Did you all realize that Baekhyun used the nurse's advice? Lifting the baby bump does relieve a lot from the weight from the woman and it's supposed to feel great, i hope i wrote the scene well enough ><

I hope you liked this chapter! It was an emotional roller coaster, please tell me all your thoughts! I'm so thankful for all of you leaving comments it's so fun to see you guessing ahaha. I guess I couldn't defend Jinah well enough until the not so plot twist :3

Have a great and safe week, all the love, p.<3

P.S i'm afraid I won't be able to update next week as I will be away. Please bear with me <3