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[Love maze] - [BTS]

Iseul couldn't help but smile to herself as she wandered around the house, her mind replaying the events of the night before. The memory of Sunghoon lingered like a soft, pleasant buzz in her chest, his presence still fresh in her thoughts.

She had never expected a night like that, but now, it felt like something had shifted between them, something subtle but undeniable. Her fingers absentmindedly brushed her hair as she gazed out the window, the soft morning light spilling across the room. A small laugh escaped her lips—she was still giddy, almost embarrassed by how much she had enjoyed it.

With a quick shake of her head, Iseul snapped herself out of her reverie. She had other things to focus on. Her parents—her mother, especially—were in a constant state of tension. The strain between them had been growing for months, maybe even years.

But today, Iseul had a plan, and she was determined to follow through with it. Sohee and her brother had been in on it from the beginning, and together, they'd come up with a scheme to get her parents back on track. It was time for them to have a proper date, a chance to remember what they had before things had soured so completely.

As she went about preparing breakfast, Iseul's mind raced through the details. They had already set everything up, coordinated with the right places, and figured out how to make it happen. She could already imagine the look of surprise on her mother's face when Iseul told her that she and her father would be spending the morning together. It was going to be awkward at first, but hopefully, with time, it would spark something.

Sohee was sent to watch over her parents while Iseul was taking care of the restaurant. Not even an hour later, Iseul spotted Sohee running after her parents, who were in the middle of an argument.

"Mom, what happened?" Iseul called out, but her mother stormed upstairs, clearly angry. Sohee, still catching his breath, turned to Iseul. "Sohee, what's going on?"

"They're impossible!" Sohee replied, frustration clear in his voice. "They found out about our plan, and now it's ten times worse!"

The plan had been simple: Iseul was supposed to tell her father that her mother wanted to meet and apologize, while Sohee would do the same with their mom. It was supposed to bring them together, but instead, it had failed completely.

Sohee, ever the voice of reason and the unofficial counselor of the group, did his best to comfort Iseul as they sat down to process the morning's events. He gently patted her back, his usual calm demeanor trying to quell the storm that was brewing in her mind.

As they spoke, the air between them was thick with a mix of frustration and confusion, but Sohee's lighthearted chatter about random things — including his latest obsession with a new drama — helped Iseul take her mind off the chaos for a while.

But just as things seemed to settle, the door creaked open, and there stood Yejin, holding a tray of pistachio cakes. She walked in and the scent of freshly baked pistachios wafted into the room. Sohee's eyebrows immediately shot up in suspicion, his nose twitching as he took in the scene. He narrowed his eyes at the cakes like they were a conspiracy.

"Are these poisoned?" Sohee asked, his voice laced with equal parts curiosity and doubt, leaning toward paranoia.

Iseul couldn't help but laugh at his paranoia, though she shared a slight hesitation as well. Turning to Yejin, she asked with genuine curiosity, "So, what's the occasion?"

Yejin didn't hesitate in her blunt response, her voice cutting through the air like a knife. "You quit your job and left my son alone. That's the occasion."

The sharpness of her words stung, but Iseul managed to keep her composure. Her lips tightened into a brief, controlled smile as she processed the implications. Before she could respond, Yeji entered the restaurant sweeping her mother away, dragging her out.

Sohee, meanwhile, couldn't help but be drawn to Yeji's retreating figure. His heart-eyed expression was impossible to miss as he followed her, his steps quick and eager. "Let's meet up," Yeji mumbled, and Sohee, like a lovesick fool, dashed off after her, his feelings for her clearly written on his face.

Iseul could only watch in amusement as Sohee ran out of the room, leaving her alone with the pistachio cakes, unsure of whether they were truly a peace offering or just a bitter reminder of the storm brewing around her.

Before Iseul could dig into the pistachio cake, she noticed Sunghoon's car pull up in front of the restaurant. She froze for a moment, watching in confusion as he parked with that usual nonchalant air of his. He stepped out of the car, looking like he owned the place, his crisp jacket and sleek hairstyle untouched by the morning breeze.

Sunghoon casually strolled over to the table, the one closest to the window, and set his laptop down with a flourish, as if he had every right to be there. He gave Iseul a smile—wide, calm, and entirely too smug for her liking.

She stared at him, a sense of irritation bubbling up inside her, and could only manage a sharp, "What are you doing here?"

"Good morning to you, too, Iseul."

It wasn't the morning she wanted, that was for sure.

"And bring me coffee, will you? You know how I like it," Sunghoon added, settling into the chair with the kind of ease that only someone who was entirely too comfortable in his own skin could manage. "I'm working here today. I need focus."

"Here?" Iseul couldn't hide the disgust creeping into her voice as she glanced around. Was this really happening? Sunghoon, the guy who had a million places to be, was here? Right now? In her restaurant? Her place of peace? The nerve.

She turned to the coffee machine, already starting to brew the coffee for him, but her eyes kept darting back to him, sending him glares that could melt steel. Sunghoon, oblivious or perhaps just choosing to ignore the tension in the air, started to prepare his own space at the table—setting out his laptop, organizing his papers, and making himself entirely at home.

With a deep sigh, she grabbed the coffee cup, determined to keep her irritation in check. It wasn't his fault he was an annoying workaholic. Well, maybe it was, but she still had to serve him like any other customer, even if she wanted to throw the coffee in his face.

"Here," she said, setting the coffee down in front of him with an exaggerated grace, watching as his lips curved into a satisfied smile.

"Thanks. You know, this is just what I needed to focus," he said, taking a sip as if it was the most normal thing in the world.

Iseul was starting to wonder how much longer she could pretend to be a professional with him around. His calm demeanor, the way he sat there as if the restaurant were a part of his daily routine—it grated on her nerves. And yet... despite everything, she couldn't help but notice how effortlessly handsome he looked, like he was the one in charge, always so perfectly put together.

Focus, Iseul, she reminded herself, trying to shake off the strange fluttering in her chest.

But, no matter how hard she tried, Sunghoon was still there—sitting across from her with that annoying grin on his face, making it hard to concentrate on anything but him.

Sunghoon took a long sip of his coffee, clearly enjoying the sight of Iseul's growing frustration. After a beat, he finally broke the silence, his tone casual yet laced with a hint of something she couldn't quite place.

"About that project... I was thinking of handing it over to Jiwon."

Iseul froze, her hand mid-air as she was about to turn back to her duties. "What?" she blurted out, her voice a mix of disbelief and annoyance. "That Jiwon? The box-dyed blonde hair girl?" She couldn't help but roll her eyes. "She doesn't know a thing about weddings! She'll scare the clients away, and the whole project will flop. What are you even thinking, Sunghoon?"

Iseul huffed, crossing her arms, her cheeks flushed in frustration. She was, admittedly, passionate about her work, and seeing it possibly handed to someone who didn't even have a clue about the industry irritated her to no end. She tapped her fingers on the edge of the counter, trying to regain some composure.

"Why does it matter to you?" Sunghoon continued, his voice casual. "You left the company, remember?"

"Good," Iseul shot back without missing a beat. "Your company was boring anyway. The restaurant's much better. Look at this place—it's got fresh air. It's... real. It has a vibe." She gestured vaguely around her as if the restaurant was an oasis of cool, fresh energy compared to the stale corporate world she'd left behind.

Sunghoon raised an eyebrow, the corners of his lips curling into an amused smile. "Do you even believe in yourself, Iseul?"

Her eyes narrowed at the question, but she didn't hesitate for a second. "I do, of course I do. And you should believe my words too, okay?" she said, her tone firm, though there was a hint of challenge in her voice. She wasn't about to let him doubt her.

Sunghoon paused, considering her words, then gave a nonchalant shrug. "Okay," he replied, his voice filled with mock seriousness, as if humoring her. He picked up his laptop, settling into the work he had clearly come here to do, as if nothing had happened.

Iseul watched him for a moment, still trying to get the edge off her irritation, but all she could do was shake her head. He had that effect on her—constantly pushing her buttons, making her feel like she had to prove herself.

Now, Iseul fully committed to getting under Sunghoon's skin, tried every trick in the book. She started with the subtle approach—dropping a dishcloth dramatically near him, making sure it landed just so, hoping for him to flinch.

But no. He didn't even look up from his laptop, his fingers still moving over the keyboard as though he hadn't noticed her subtle sabotage.

Undeterred, Iseul moved on to a more direct approach. She walked behind him, pretending to knock over a stack of plates on the shelf next to him. The clang of porcelain sounded loud in the quiet restaurant. She winced inwardly, watching the plates teeter dangerously, but to her surprise, Sunghoon didn't flinch. He didn't even blink.

"Oops, my bad," Iseul muttered sarcastically, but he didn't bite.

Sunghoon glanced at her for a split second, his face as calm as ever. "You're very creative," he said dryly, his voice not even laced with the amusement she expected. "But that won't work on me."

Annoyed but refusing to give up, Iseul moved to her next tactic: getting ridiculously close. She leaned over his desk to "organize" some napkins, making sure her arm brushed against his. Sunghoon didn't even look up, his attention fully focused on his work. If anything, he seemed even more absorbed, as if nothing could phase him.

She frowned, her attempts at bothering him starting to feel like a comedy routine. She kicked her foot lightly under the table, hoping to knock his leg. No reaction.

"Come on, you can't be that focused," she muttered to herself. But Sunghoon, still oblivious, sipped his coffee and continued typing.

It was then that she decided to go all out. She tapped her fingers on his laptop screen, blocking his work for a split second. "Sunghoon, what do you want?"

"I want you to come back," Sunghoon said, his voice low but firm. His gaze flickered to Iseul, and she could sense the genuine intent behind his words.

Iseul's heart skipped a beat, but she quickly masked her emotions, her mind already racing to form a lie that would keep him at arm's length. She plastered a casual smile on her face and shrugged. "I can't. I joined another company."

Sunghoon paused for a moment, clearly not buying it. His eyes narrowed, his gaze almost piercing as he studied her. "Is it one that I know?"

"No!" she replied quickly, perhaps a little too quickly, but she was already in too deep. "It's... it's too big for your brain," she added with a forced laugh, hoping to mask her discomfort.

Sunghoon gave her a skeptical look, one eyebrow slightly raised. "Really?" he asked, his voice dripping with doubt. He leaned back in his chair, not letting her off the hook that easily. But before she could say anything else, he simply shook his head and returned to his laptop.

"Whatever," he muttered, his tone implying that he wasn't convinced, but he didn't push further.

Iseul, her chest tight with frustration, turned back to the sink, grabbing a dish towel. The sound of plates clinking echoed in the quiet restaurant as she washed dishes, trying to distract herself. But nothing could shake the annoyance gnawing at her insides. She hated the way he saw through her lies so easily. No matter what she said, he always seemed to know she wasn't being entirely honest.

She scrubbed a plate with more force than necessary, the motion more to release her frustration than to actually clean.

As the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting an orange hue over the quiet street, Sunghoon's phone rang. The sharp sound broke through the silence of the restaurant, and he glanced down at the caller ID. It was Sunghchan.

"Sunghoon, let's have a basketball match today."

"But I don't know when my business will end."

He could hear Sunghchan scoffing from the other end of the line. "See you later, it's urgent. I have something to talk about with you."

Sunghoon didn't give it much thought and simply nodded, even though he knew the match would be cutting it close with his work. He hung up the phone, letting the matter drop for the moment, and returned to his laptop, focusing on his tasks.

Unbeknownst to him, Iseul had been quietly watching him from the corner of the room. She had been taking in every little movement, and now, as if something invisible tugged at her, she locked eyes with him. For a brief moment, she caught his gaze—his focus no longer on his work, but on her.

There was something about the intensity of his stare that unsettled her. She quickly looked away, as though to break the connection, but then, with a swift motion, she stood up and walked over to him. Without saying a word, she grabbed his laptop, gently but firmly, and closed it.

"Hey I was in the middle of something." He looked up at her, expecting an explanation.

"It's late. We're closing. Come on, leave."

She wasn't in the mood for another long debate, and her words cut through the air, making it clear that the decision was final. Sunghoon looked at her, stunned for a moment. His brows furrowed in frustration—she had just cut his work short, and he wasn't ready to leave. But he knew better than to argue with her when she was this determined.

Iseul quietly went about putting the chairs back in place, the familiar sound of metal scraping against the floor filling the otherwise quiet room.

Sunghoon stood across from her, silently helping, and for a brief moment, it felt like the old days—when they would close the restaurant together, the peaceful rhythm of their actions almost like a routine neither of them had ever truly forgotten.

But then, a sharp yelp broke the silence.

Sunghoon's head snapped in Iseul's direction, his heart skipping a beat as he saw her clutching her finger, a pained expression on her face. Without thinking, he rushed to her side, his concern apparent in his eyes.

"Iseul, are you okay?" he asked, his voice laced with worry, his hands hovering near her in case she needed help.

"I... yeah, I just hurt my finger," Iseul replied, her voice a little shaky, though she tried to downplay it. She hadn't expected the pain to sting as much as it did.

Without another word, Sunghoon gently took her hand, his fingers warm against her skin. He carefully cradled her injured finger, his touch soft but soothing as he began to caress it, easing the pain away.

Iseul froze at the sensation. The tenderness in his touch sent a ripple of warmth through her that she couldn't quite ignore. Her breath hitched in her chest as she realized what was happening. She could feel her heart racing, and she suddenly became painfully aware of the proximity between them.

Before she could stop herself, she yanked her hand away, her movements quick and almost frantic. She cleared her throat, her face flushing with embarrassment. "I-I'm fine," she stammered, unable to look him in the eye. "Really."

Sunghoon blinked, surprised by her sudden withdrawal. He opened his mouth to say something, but Iseul was already moving, walking briskly toward the counter as if to distance herself from the moment that had just passed between them.

After they finished putting the tables away, Iseul, feeling a little playful, decided to try her hand at riding the motorcycle. Sunghoon, amused by her attempt, patiently tried to guide her, but she seemed to be struggling more than succeeding. He couldn't help but laugh softly as she fumbled with the controls, her frustration evident.

"Agh, I give up!" Iseul huffed, her cheeks flushed with a mix of frustration and embarrassment.

Sunghoon smiled, watching her with affection. His gaze lingered on her for a moment longer, admiring the way her hair was tousled and the way she pouted in defeat.

Finally, Iseul shut down the shutters of the restaurant, a satisfied but tired look on her face. As she turned to leave, eager to escape the tension in the air, she heard Sunghoon's voice call out to her.

"You're afraid of me," he said, his tone teasing yet sharp.

Iseul paused mid-step, her brow furrowing in confusion. She turned to look at him, her voice laced with disbelief. "What? I'm not afraid of you."

"You're afraid you'd feel something for me, that's why you ran away."

Iseul's heart skipped a beat. His words were almost too accurate, too close to the truth for comfort. She quickly composed herself, brushing off the uncomfortable tension building between them. "Not at all," she shot back, her voice firmer than she felt.

"Then prove me wrong," he said, his voice low and steady. "Come to work tomorrow."

With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Iseul standing there, her mind whirling with his challenge. She watched him stride toward his car, his confidence and determination undeniable. Her thoughts were still tangled when he drove off toward the court to meet Sunghchan, but one thing was clear—Sunghoon had planted a seed, and Iseul wasn't sure whether she wanted to let it grow or rip it out altogether.

The basketball court was alive with intensity, the sound of sneakers squeaking against the floor and the heavy bounce of the ball echoing through the space. Sunghoon and Sungchan were locked in a fierce game, but something in the air was off—Sungchan's usual competitive edge had morphed into something darker.

He was playing harder than usual, knocking into Sunghoon's shoulder with every move, his body a relentless force.

Sunghoon, typically calm and composed, could feel his patience wearing thin. With a sharp breath, he stopped for a moment, holding up his hands. "You either play like a man, or we stop," he said, his voice clipped and serious.

"Yeah, of course we stop, because you get to decide everything, don't you?"

Sunghoon was taken aback by the aggression in Sungchan's words. It wasn't like him to snap so suddenly. He kept his voice cold, attempting to keep control of the situation. "Speak your problem. I don't have time for your childish antics."

But Sungchan only chuckled darkly, circling around him like a predator toying with its prey. "You, Park Sunghoon—the perfect man, the honest young CEO with great morals? All of that is a lie," he said, his voice dripping with contempt.

"What's the lie, Sungchan?"

In a swift motion, Sungchan dropped his smile, the air between them thick with tension. He threw the ball with a surprising force, the ball hurtling past Sunghoon's face by mere centimeters. The close call made Sunghoon's breath catch, his gaze snapping back to Sungchan, his expression hardening.

"Iseul is your ex-wife," Sungchan spat, his words cutting through the silence like a blade.

Sunghoon's anger simmered beneath the surface as he processed what Sungchan had just thrown at him. He hated the fact that Sungchan now knew—hated that something he worked so hard to keep hidden was now out in the open. He didn't know what to do with the sudden rush of emotions that followed.

But before he could react, Sungchan's fury exploded. He charged at Sunghoon, slamming him into the wall with unexpected force. The impact rattled Sunghoon, but his pride kept him steady, his jaw clenched tight.

"I came to you like an idiot," Sungchan hissed, his voice filled with frustration and pain. "I told you how I felt about her. Did you laugh at me, huh? Did you have a good time making fun of me? Did you think I was some dumb guy?"

Sunghoon felt the heat rise in his chest. He hated the touch of Sungchan's hands on him, hated the accusation in his words. With a growl, he shoved Sungchan off him, his voice thick with fury. "Enough," he snapped, his tone dark and dangerous.

He turned to leave, his anger threatening to boil over. "We'll talk once you calm down," he muttered, trying to walk away, but Sungchan wasn't having it.

Sungchan's fist came out of nowhere, slamming into Sunghoon's face with a brutal punch. The sudden attack caught him off guard, and he stumbled back. "We'll talk now!" Sungchan shouted, his face contorted with rage.

Sunghoon's eyes blazed with cold fury. His body tensed as he regained his footing, and with a swift motion, he threw a punch of his own. The impact was immediate, and the two men were locked in a fierce struggle, each trying to overpower the other.

The fight was chaotic, each blow landed with force, but neither giving an inch. Blood dripped from a split lip, bruises began to form under their eyes, but neither of them stopped. Their years of friendship, their pain, all channeled into the anger of the moment.

Finally, panting and with bruises now marking their faces, Sunghoon broke the tension, shoving Sungchan off him. He snatched his bag, his anger still burning in his chest.

"Stay out of my way," Sunghoon growled, storming off with a final glance at his once-best friend sprawled on the floor.

But before he could leave, Sungchan's low voice reverberated through the court "I'm in love with Iseul," he mumbled, his tone edged with a quiet intensity. "And I won't back down for a liar like you." His eyes locked onto Sunghoon's, unyielding and filled with a mixture of pain and determination.

Sunghoon's glare sharpened, colder than ever, his eyes burning with a dangerous intensity. "I won't allow it," he said, his voice thick with a promise—one that carried weight and power. It was a threat, but one that didn't need to be vocalized. His presence alone spoke volumes.

"Miss me with that bullshit. Your story with her is already over. You're the reason she's hurt. Do you really think she's going to let you back in so easily?"

"You don't know what you're talking about," Sunghoon snapped, his jaw tightening. "I'm the one who's been there for her. I've been the one picking up the pieces of her broken heart."

"No. You broke her heart. You left her. She deserves more than that. And I'm the one who'll give it to her." His fists clenched, his body tense, but there was an underlying desperation in his voice.

"Sungchan, don't ruin your friendship with her. She doesn't know about your feelings, and it should stay that way." The words were laced with warning, his stance never faltering.

"No!" Sungchan's voice rang out with a force that matched his emotions. "It won't stay that way! Iseul will know. She deserves someone better than you."

Sunghoon's eyes narrowed, his breath steady but his words heavy. "If you get close to her, you'll find me standing in front of you. Iseul's mine."

Later that evening, Sungchan stormed into his father's study, his anger radiating off him like a storm waiting to break. He slammed the door behind him, not bothering to leave any room for interrogation or hesitation. His eyes were fiery with determination, and his voice rang out sharply.

"Father, from now on, this internship bullshit is over."

His father, sitting behind his polished desk, looked up from his paperwork, his brow furrowing slightly at the sudden outburst. He didn't flinch, but there was an unmistakable shift in his demeanor. His son's tone wasn't one he'd heard often, and it piqued his curiosity.

"What's this about, Sungchan?" he asked, his voice calm but stern. "Do you want to start your own company, then?"

Sungchan shook his head vehemently, frustration etching every line on his face. "No," he spat out, his gaze burning with intensity. "I want to be part of the board of Haven Enterprise."

His father's expression shifted, the brief moment of surprise quickly masked by a cold, calculating calm. "The board?" he repeated, as though weighing the gravity of the request. "You're not ready for that, Sungchan. You still have a lot to prove, and you're not even done with your internship."

"I'm done with your games," Sungchan replied, his voice sharp, but with a newfound resolve. "I don't need your handouts. I'm ready to make my own decisions. I've been biding my time for too long, but now... Now, I'm ready to take the reins."

His father leaned back in his chair, studying his son with a critical eye. "You think just because you want it, you deserve it?" he asked, his voice low but filled with a certain authority. "The board isn't a place for someone to just 'want in,' Sungchan. It's earned."

"I don't need to earn it through your ways," Sungchan shot back, his jaw clenched. "I've proven more than enough, and I'm done waiting. If you won't give it to me, I'll make it happen myself." His tone was unwavering, a challenge in every word.

His father regarded him for a long moment, the silence between them thick with unspoken words. Finally, he spoke, his voice sharp and final. "Fine," he said, standing up from his desk. "If you want it, then you'll have to prove you can handle it. But don't think this will be easy. The board doesn't tolerate mistakes."

Sungchan nodded, a fire burning behind his eyes. "I'm ready. And I'll show you I'm more than capable."

As he turned to leave, his father's voice called out to him, low but firm. "You've made your choice, Sungchan. Just remember... there are consequences for everything."

Sungchan didn't look back as he left the study, the weight of his decision settling over him. He knew it wouldn't be easy, but nothing worth having ever was. And now, more than ever, he was willing to fight for what he believed in—and for Iseul.

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you're getting well fed next chps dw