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[Strategy] - [Twice ft meghan]

The sun poured through the sheer curtains, painting golden streaks across the room as Yejin pulled the blinds open with a contented sigh. "What a beautiful morning today," she said, her voice light and cheerful. But her tranquil expression quickly froze, her eyes widening as she caught sight of Sunghoon sitting in the restaurant—talking to Iseul's father.

He looked... too happy.

Her heart jumped in alarm, and she spun around, rushing down the stairs and out the door, her bare feet barely making a sound on the polished floor. She practically flew across the yard, her robe trailing behind her like a cape.

"Sunghoon!" she called out, her tone laced with worry as she approached him. Without giving him a chance to react, she threw her arms around him, pulling him into a tight hug.

As she stepped back, her hands shot up to cradle his face, tilting his head this way and that as if inspecting him for injuries. "My Zeus, my son," she gasped dramatically. "Did they hold you hostage?"

Sunghoon blinked, utterly baffled, his happiness fading into a mix of amusement and exasperation. "Mom, what—"

Before he could finish, Iseul's mother, Miseok, let out a hearty laugh, her mischievous grin practically lighting up her face. "Yejin, shame on you," she teased, leaning back with an air of playful ease. "We're not that kind of family."

Ignoring her entirely, Yejin turned back to her son, her brow furrowed in worry. "Blink twice if you need help," she said, her voice a conspiratorial whisper as her sharp eyes darted toward Miseok suspiciously.

Sunghoon reached out, gently grabbing his mother's arm before she could launch into another tirade. "Mom," he said firmly, his voice steady yet soft, "nothing happened. Don't worry, okay?"

But Yejin was having none of it. She brushed his hand away with an almost theatrical wave, her sharp gaze fixed on Iseul's father like a hawk targeting its prey. "And who," she demanded, her tone dripping with indignation, "are you to sit with my son at the same table?"

Sunghoon intervened. "Mom!" he exclaimed, stepping between them. "Please, let it go." He glanced apologetically at his future father-in-law, his voice quieter now, almost pleading. "I'm sorry, Mr. Lee."

Meanwhile, Iseul stood nearby, leaning against the doorframe of the patio with an amused expression. She was munching on a fresh carrot, her cheeks puffed slightly as she chewed, her gaze darting between the three like she was watching a particularly riveting drama.

Sunghoon emerged from his mom's house, running a hand through his hair, his irritation barely hidden behind the neutral expression. His mother had left in a flurry of overly dramatic sighs, and now he could finally focus on the one thing that mattered—picking up Iseul.

She was leaning against the glass window of the restaurant, scrolling through her phone with one hand and holding a to-go cup of coffee in the other. The sunlight spilled over her, painting her in warm gold, and for a moment, Sunghoon just stood there, taking her in. Her loose strands of hair framed her face, and the soft curve of her lips drew him in as she absentmindedly sipped her drink.

When she noticed him, she tucked her phone away, giving him a small smile that immediately softened his tension.

"Took you long enough," she teased, falling into step beside him as they walked to his car.

Sunghoon opened the passenger door for her, waiting as she slipped inside with her usual grace. The scent of her perfume—subtle yet intoxicating—lingered in the air as he rounded the car to take the driver's seat.

The drive to the company started quietly, the faint hum of the engine filling the space. Sunghoon stole glances at her while pretending to focus on the road. Iseul, however, was completely at ease, humming softly to herself .

But as they neared the parking lot, her demeanor shifted. Her posture straightened, and her eyes darted around as if searching for something—or someone.

"Slow down!" she hissed, suddenly ducking down so low in her seat that Sunghoon couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.

"Are you serious right now?" he asked, biting back a laugh.

"I'm not joking! Someone might see us," she whispered, as if speaking any louder would give them away.

"Iseul, it's a company parking lot, not a paparazzi stakeout. No one cares."

Her hand shot out, gripping his arm tightly. "Sunghoon! Oh my God, someone's there. They're looking this way."

He followed her gaze, seeing a lone employee strolling toward the building with zero interest in their car. He rolled his eyes. "That's the janitor, Iseul. He's not going to report your every move to your co-workers."

She didn't answer, her head ducking even lower as if the act alone could make her invisible.

When he finally parked, Sunghoon turned to her, his expression teetering between disbelief and amusement. "You're being ridiculous. They're gone. Let's go."

Iseul peeked over the dashboard cautiously, her brows furrowed. "Are you sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure," he snapped, running a hand through his hair. "Come on, before I lose my mind."

She sat up slowly, straightening her blouse and brushing invisible lint from her skirt as if trying to reclaim some dignity. When she caught his frustrated look, she smirked.

"I'm just being cautious," she said, smoothing her hair.

"Cautious?" Sunghoon repeated, his tone incredulous. "More like paranoid."

She rolled her eyes and opened the car door. "You don't get it. If anyone sees us together, the rumors will fly. They'll say I got my promotion because of you."

"I told you already," Sunghoon said, his voice firm as he stepped out of the car. "I don't want you working under Sungchan."

Iseul's jaw tightened, and she rounded the car to face him, her eyes flashing with defiance. "And I told you that I love my job. You have no right to dictate where I work, Sunghoon."

He bristled at her tone, his frustration bubbling over. "I gave you a project to lead. A real project, Iseul. Yet you insist on staying his 'projects coordinator.'" He practically spat the title.

"Because it's my choice!" she shot back, her voice rising. "You don't get to decide this for me, no matter how much it bothers you."

The tension crackled between them, thick and suffocating. For a moment, neither spoke, their gazes locked in a battle of wills. Finally, Iseul broke the silence with a huff, spinning on her heel and striding toward the building.

Sunghoon watched her go, his chest tight with a mix of anger and helplessness. He let out a frustrated sigh, raking his hands through his hair as he leaned against the car.

He stormed into his office, slamming the door behind him with a force that echoed through the room. His hand rested against the cool glass of the window, his gaze dark and unfocused as he stared out at the city, trying to quell the anger building up inside him. The tightness in his chest felt suffocating, like he couldn't breathe, and his mind raced, replaying every moment of earlier.

Why did she have to leave? Why does everything have to be so complicated?

He huffed in frustration, letting out a sharp breath, but before he could gather his thoughts, his office door creaked open. Sunghoon whipped around, his eyes flashing with irritation, already preparing to snap at whoever dared to interrupt him.

Rena stood in the doorway, her expression unreadable, but the faintest hint of concern lingered in her gaze. She didn't flinch at the coldness in his eyes. Instead, she stepped inside, closing the door behind her with a soft click.

"What happened? Why are you so angry?" she asked, her voice calm, but there was an edge to it, a curiosity that bordered on suspicion.

Sunghoon didn't bother to answer her right away. Instead, he turned back toward the window, the view outside offering no solace. His fists clenched at his sides as he tried to control the frustration coursing through him.

He didn't want to talk about it. He didn't want to admit that his emotions were tangled in something he couldn't fully understand.

"It has nothing to do with you, Rena. Sit down," he finally said, his tone clipped, urging her to leave him alone.

But Rena wasn't easily dismissed. She remained standing, her posture unaffected by his cold command. Her eyes softened, a hint of empathy slipping through her usual composure.

"No, I won't. I can't hold you off any longer. Should we have dinner tonight?" she asked, her words deliberate. "I want to talk to you about something."

Sunghoon's irritation flared again, and he turned toward her, narrowing his eyes. He wasn't in the mood for this, but something about her expression made him pause, made him reconsider.

"Talk now," he said, his voice low and tense, his patience running thin.

Rena's gaze hardened for just a moment, then softened again as she stepped closer. "It's personal, Sunghoon. It can't be like this standing." She took a deep breath, looking at him with determination.

Sunghoon exhaled sharply, rubbing the back of his neck in frustration. He knew Rena. He knew she wasn't the type to push too hard unless she was serious. And though he didn't want to admit it, there was something in her eyes that told him this wasn't about trivial matters.

He sighed, his posture deflating slightly as he resigned himself to her persistence. "Then sit down," he muttered, waving toward the chair opposite his desk. "If you must."

Rena, satisfied with his reluctant agreement, moved to take a seat. She watched him for a moment, her gaze unwavering. "Sunghoon, please don't refuse me."

He hesitated before nodding, his mind racing with everything that had just happened with Iseul. "Fine," he said, his voice strained.

Sunghoon was left alone after Rena's departure, his mind swirling with thoughts of Iseul, her words, the tension between them that had been left unresolved.

His pride, usually an impenetrable wall, seemed to be crumbling with each passing second. Unable to bear it any longer, he did the one thing he never thought he would: he called Iseul.

The phone rang only once before her voice echoed through the line.

"Yes, Mr. Sunghoon, sir,"

"We're back to 'Mr.'?" he grumbled, the frustration still lingering in his voice. "Come to my office. We need to talk."

"No, I'm going to a meeting."

The click of the line going dead left him in silence. He stood there for a moment, his hand still gripping the phone, disbelief washing over him. She had hung up on him.

He was determined not to let it slide. This time, he wasn't going to wait. Sunghoon gathered himself and headed toward the meeting room, knowing full well that the energy between them would shift the moment he walked in.

When he entered the room, the atmosphere immediately thickened. Iseul, sitting at the table, was focused on taking notes, contributing to the discussion with her usual sharp mind. She hadn't noticed him yet, absorbed in her work.

As the door opened, the others in the room went silent for a moment, and that's when her gaze lifted. Her eyes widened slightly, a subtle flicker of surprise passing over her face. The rest of the room didn't matter to Sunghoon—he walked straight toward Iseul, as if no one else existed.

Sana, the team member who had been speaking, noticed Sunghoon's presence immediately. She eagerly nodded, "Of course, Mr. Sunghoon. Please, take a seat."

Sana quickly shifted into overdrive, her professionalism reaching new heights as she tried to maintain her composure. But Sunghoon was no longer paying attention to her or anyone else. His eyes were fixed on Iseul, and he made his way to the seat next to hers.

He didn't sit at the empty seat across the table—he moved toward the chair beside her, positioning himself so close that the space between them practically vanished.

Iseul could feel the heat radiating from his body, his proximity like an electric current she couldn't escape. She instinctively pulled back slightly, trying to create some space, but it was in vain.

Sunghoon settled in, his shoulder brushing hers as he leaned in just a little closer. His scent, a familiar cologne mixed with the crisp undertones of his natural warmth, surrounded her, sending a rush of heat to her cheeks.

She tried to ignore the fluttering in her chest, focusing on her notes as she jotted down more points. But Sunghoon was relentless. His hand, large and warm, slid slowly across the table, his fingers brushing against hers. A light touch at first, almost like an accidental graze, but then it lingered, the pressure growing ever so gently.

Iseul's breath caught in her throat. She froze, the words on her page blurring as she felt his touch seeping through her skin, setting her entire body on fire. Her heart pounded faster, and she quickly pulled her hand away, her fingers trembling slightly.

"Focus, Ms. Iseul," Sunghoon whispered, his voice low and teasing as his thumb brushed over her wrist with deliberate slowness. "You're going to miss important details if you're not paying attention."

The teasing tone only made things worse. Iseul's skin tingled, every part of her aching for more contact, even as she fought to maintain control. She turned her head to the side, avoiding his gaze, but it didn't matter.

His hand slid from her wrist to her thigh, his fingers tracing a path up her leg with an intensity that made her entire body go still. Her breath hitched, and her pulse quickened as she instinctively pressed her thighs together, trying to create some distance.

But Sunghoon wasn't having it. He was relentless, pushing her boundaries, his chair inching closer until their legs were nearly touching.

"Iseul," he murmured, his voice a low growl that sent a thrill running through her. "You can't keep avoiding me."

Her chest tightened, a mix of desire and frustration rising within her. She wanted to push him away, wanted to put some distance between them, but at the same time, every fiber of her being screamed for him to stay closer.

"We're not alone," Iseul whispered, glancing nervously around the room, her heart in her throat as she realized how close they were to being caught. The others were too absorbed in the meeting to notice, but she couldn't shake the unease bubbling in her chest.

Sunghoon didn't seem to care. His lips curled into a smirk, his eyes dark with desire. "I don't care," he muttered, his fingers moving further up her thigh, slowly and deliberately.

Iseul's body tensed, and her mind screamed at her to stop him, but her heart betrayed her. She wanted this, wanted him, even if she wasn't ready to admit it to herself. The heat in her cheeks, the way her breath came in shallow gasps—she couldn't deny what was happening between them.

Just as Sunghoon leaned in, his lips almost brushing against her ear, ready to claim her, a loud cough interrupted the moment. Iseul's heart nearly leaped out of her chest as she quickly pulled away, her body flushing with embarrassment. Sunghoon, too, seemed startled, though his expression was more frustrated than anything else.

Iseul's gaze flicked briefly toward Sunghoon before she stood up, making a deliberate move to the front seat of the room. The tension between them crackled in the air, almost visible. She could feel his eyes on her as she moved, a mix of frustration and something darker brewing within him.

The audacity of her act—the simple, defiant motion of shifting away from him—only seemed to make him more frustrated.

Sunghoon let out a quiet chuckle, the sound low and amused, but it didn't mask the underlying annoyance that was beginning to stir in him. She was teasing him, pushing him, and it was working. His muscles tensed as he leaned back in his chair, his attention now split between the meeting and her daring move.

The annoyance in his gut grew, and he found it hard to focus on the conversation around him.

Sana, eager to keep things moving, noticed Sunghoon's distraction and jumped in to redirect the conversation. "Mr. Park," she asked with a bright smile, "what do you think of the marketing team's new proposal?"

Sunghoon snapped out of his reverie, quickly forcing his attention back to the discussion. He cleared his throat and nodded in approval, though the words came out less polished than he intended.

"G... great idea. Keep up the good work," he muttered, his voice trailing off as he gave them a thumbs-up.

Iseul, sitting at the front of the room now, stifled a small chuckle at how Sunghoon had been thrown off by Sana.

As the meeting wrapped up, Iseul stood quickly, grabbing her bag and heading for the door with swift, purposeful steps. She had to get out of there.

Sunghoon, still slightly off balance from the whole encounter, made a move to follow her, but as soon as he stood, he was swarmed by employees, eager to ask him questions, seek his approval, and bask in his attention.

Sunghoon barely registered their presence. His gaze was fixed on Iseul, who was now walking toward the door. His fingers twitched with frustration, the need to follow her, to claim her, rising within him like a beast desperate to break free.

He watched her retreating figure with a dark intensity, his mind raging. "Damn it," he muttered under his breath, irritation lacing his words.

Iseul walked down the hallway, her heart light and her mind buzzing with plans. The thought of the surprise she had in mind for Sunghoon brought a playful smile to her lips. It had been a long time coming, and tonight was going to be the night she put her plan into action.

She spotted Changbin in the lobby and walked up to him casually, her steps confident. "Hey, Bin, does Sunghoon have any plans tonight?" she asked, her tone sweet and innocent, though her mind was miles away, imagining the surprise.

"None that I know of," Changbin replied, barely looking up from his phone as he scrolled through messages.

"Good," Iseul said with a satisfied grin, "Because I'm planning a surprise for him." With that, she turned on her heels, excitement bubbling inside her as she imagined the look on Sunghoon's face when he discovered what she had in store.

However, as she walked, a sudden, unexpected tug on her wrist stopped her in her tracks. The pull was sharp and firm, and before she could react, Iseul found herself being dragged into an empty room, the door shutting with a soft thud behind her.

She stumbled slightly, but her hand was gripped tightly, and she looked up to see Sunghoon standing in front of her, his eyes dark and intense.

He stepped closer, backing her up against the wall with a controlled force, his body now inches away from hers. His eyes were unwavering, filled with a mix of frustration and something else—something deeper. "Iseul, what are you doing?" he repeated, his voice low and almost too calm.

"I'm doing good, what about you?"

Sunghoon's jaw clenched as he stepped closer, his hand reaching up to touch her hair, his fingers threading through the strands as he tried to regain control. "Darling," he muttered, his voice a mix of impatience and something far more possessive, "Can't we just talk calmly, for two minutes, without you running off?"

Iseul tilted her head, her expression a mixture of amusement and disbelief. "Darling, you say?" she repeated, a teasing glint in her eyes.

"Iseul," he murmured, his hand resting near her cheek, his gaze unwavering. "We need to talk."

Her pulse quickened, but she remained calm, unfazed. "We are talking," she replied, voice steady but the words laden with challenge. "What's the problem?"

Sunghoon's expression faltered for a brief moment, but he quickly regained composure. "Look, I know I've been hard on you," he admitted, his tone softer now. "But I have my reasons. I need to protect you. You mean more to me than you realize."

Iseul's smile softened as she looked up at him, her heart skipping a beat at his words. But her lips curled slightly in amusement as she crossed her arms over her chest. "Your reasons being your unability to support me?" she asked, genuinely curious now.

Sunghoon sighed, his expression softening. He let go of her, his arms dropping to his sides. "You're right," he muttered, then took a step toward her. "I should support your decisions."

Iseul watched him carefully, her heart fluttering as he spoke the words she had been waiting to hear. She had always wanted him to see her as someone capable of making her own choices, to understand that she didn't need to be treated with kid gloves.

She smiled at him, a genuine warmth in her eyes. "What changed? you weren't very supportive yesterday." she asked, her voice quiet.

Sunghoon reached up to touch her hair, his fingers brushing against her cheek as he looked into her eyes, his gaze tender. "A lot," he said softly, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "For example... today, I love you more than I did yesterday."

Iseul's breath caught at his words. Her heart stilled for a moment, and she wanted to say something—anything—to respond, but she didn't get the chance. Before she could speak, Sunghoon leaned in, his lips hovering just inches from hers.

She could feel the heat radiating from his body, could smell the faint scent of his cologne mixed with the energy between them. He was close—so close—but she wasn't ready for it.

With a playful yet firm push, Iseul stepped back, a teasing glint in her eyes. "You'll mess up my lipstick," she said, smirking at the frustrated look that flashed across his face.

Sunghoon paused, his lips still hovering near hers, but the distance between them grew as he let out a frustrated breath. He ran a hand through his hair, his gaze filled with longing. "You're always one step ahead," he muttered, a small, amused smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

Iseul, feeling a sense of victory and amusement, straightened herself, her heart still racing from the moment. "You're welcome," she teased, her voice light and carefree as she turned to leave.

But as she walked away, Sunghoon stayed standing, his frustration still evident, but this time... with something more. A feeling that would only grow stronger in the coming moments.

She had no idea what she was doing to him, and that only made it all the more exciting.

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