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[Girl so confusing] - [Charli xcx]

Iseul's heels clicked softly against the polished marble floors of the company hallway, her mind still a whirl from the elevator's electric tension. Her fingers gripped the files tightly, but she used them to fan herself, desperate to cool the heat rising to her cheeks. Her heartbeat was erratic, like a traitorous drum pounding in her ears.

Pull yourself together, Iseul. It's just Sunghoon... being Sunghoon.

But that wasn't true, and she knew it. He wasn't the cold and indifferent man she thought she knew—at least, not with her. The way he looked at her, as though she was the only person in the world, had a power she wasn't ready to admit.

Her internal battle was interrupted by a sudden sight ahead—a striking figure making her way through the entrance. Iseul's pace slowed as her eyes took in Rena, who walked with an exaggerated sway of her hips, her impossibly short dress clinging to every curve. Her bold red lipstick gleamed like freshly spilled blood under the lights.

Iseul had to suppress a laugh. Where's the party? she thought wryly, her lips quirking into an amused smirk. The thought of Rena walking into a boardroom looking like she was about to down a cocktail was almost too much.

As they crossed paths, Iseul offered her a polite nod. "Good morning, Ms. Rena."

Rena stopped abruptly, her sharp heels squealing faintly against the floor. She turned, her smile wide and forced, her teeth flashing unnaturally white.

"Iseul," Rena said in a sugary tone, the kind that left a bitter aftertaste. "How about you come into my office for a little girl-to-girl talk, hmm?"

Iseul hesitated, her instincts prickling at the edges of her calm. The way Rena's eyes scanned her, cold and calculating despite the practiced warmth of her smile, made her feel like prey.

"Sure," Iseul replied carefully. "But let me deliver these files first—"

"Perfect," Rena interrupted, her voice a touch too loud as she turned sharply on her heel, cutting Iseul off mid-sentence. Her perfume lingered in the air, heady and suffocating, as her sharp, measured steps echoed down the hallway.

Iseul blinked after her, her brows knitting together. The encounter was too odd, too abrupt, and far too Rena.

Finally, after finishing her task, Iseul made her way to the upper floor, her thoughts still a tangle of nerves and anticipation. She hesitated momentarily before pushing the door open to Rena's office. The sight that greeted her made her stop dead in her tracks.

Rena stood there, her perfectly styled hair glinting under the soft overhead lighting, her sharp red nails digging lightly into Sunghoon's arm. The sight was enough to make her pause, her heart giving an involuntary pang of annoyance.

Rena tilted her head, her syrupy voice filling the room. "Oh, Sunghoon," she said, dragging his name out like it was the most precious word she'd ever uttered. Her body leaned ever so slightly toward him, a picture of calculated intimacy. "I really enjoyed having lunch with you the other day. We had such a good time, didn't we?"

Sunghoon, however, didn't respond immediately. His eyes, dark and intense, had already found Iseul the moment she walked in. The change in his expression was subtle but undeniable—his icy exterior softened, a hint of warmth creeping into his gaze.

Iseul's heart skipped a beat at the shift, but the irritation bubbling inside her didn't fade. She could see through Rena's little act, the way her grip on Sunghoon's biceps tightened the moment she realized Iseul was in the room. The possessiveness was almost laughable, like a cat clawing at something it knew it was about to lose.

Rena noticed his distraction and pulled her trump card, her nails brushing against his sleeve as she stepped even closer. "How about we do it again sometime?" she pressed, her voice turning even sweeter.

Sunghoon's gaze flicked back to her for a moment, his face betraying no emotion. "If I have time, sure," he said flatly, his tone so disinterested it might as well have been a dismissal.

Then, as if the conversation was over, he stepped away from her grip, his movements measured and deliberate. His focus shifted back to Iseul entirely, the corners of his mouth twitching upward in the barest hint of a smile.

"I'm leaving. I have work to do," he said smoothly, his voice dropping an octave as he moved past her.

As he brushed by, his hand grazed hers, a fleeting touch that sent a rush of warmth flooding through her chest. The subtle gesture was so quick, so natural, that anyone else might have missed it. But not Iseul. Her lips curled into a soft, involuntary smile, her earlier annoyance dissolving into a quiet satisfaction.

Rena's eyes narrowed as she took in the exchange, her grip tightening into a fist by her side. Her carefully maintained facade cracked for just a moment, her gaze darkening with unspoken frustration.

Iseul turned toward her, her smile calm and collected, but there was a flicker of defiance in her expression. "You wanted to talk to me?" she asked, her voice light, almost pleasant, but laced with an unmistakable confidence.

Rena's lips twitched as she forced her expression back into one of polite control. "Yes, of course. Have a seat," she said, gesturing to the chair across from her desk, though her smile didn't reach her eyes.

Iseul moved gracefully, her steps measured, as though she had all the time in the world. As she sat, she glanced at her hand, almost feeling the lingering warmth of Sunghoon's touch.

Before she could even settle, Rena's voice sliced through the air, smooth and calculated, the kind that dripped with charm but held a sharp edge beneath.

"You know, Sunghoon usually eats lunch alone," Rena began, her lips curving into something like a smile. She leaned forward slightly, watching Iseul, her eyes flickering with something dangerous, like a predator toying with its prey. "But one day, I decided to join him. We had such a good time. He made me eat these cheap noodles. They were simple, but so delicious..."

Iseul's eyebrow arched just the slightest bit, but her face remained impassive. The information didn't faze her in the slightest. Maybe it was because she already knew Sunghoon was hers—he always had been. Rena's words felt like a distant echo, a half-hearted attempt to stir something in her. But it didn't work. Not anymore.

Rena's eyes flicked quickly to Iseul, a subtle shift, but Iseul saw it—the flicker of irritation that Rena tried so hard to hide. It was a fleeting moment, one Rena quickly masked with an insincere smile. Iseul couldn't help but smirk to herself, enjoying the subtle power shift.

Rena's gaze sharpened. Without missing a beat, she picked up her phone, her fingers moving swiftly across the screen. "Two bitter black coffees, please," she ordered coldly, her tone laced with authority. Her eyes didn't leave Iseul as she hung up the phone.

Iseul's brows furrowed slightly at the audacity. Rena hadn't even bothered to ask what she wanted to drink. It was a small gesture, but it was enough to stir a spark of irritation.

"I didn't ask how you wanted it, my apologies," Rena said with an air of false sweetness, her lips curling up in a grin that didn't reach her eyes. "But bitter coffee is good, don't you think? It leaves a strong aftertaste."

Iseul couldn't hide her surprise at the sheer disrespect, but she wasn't one to show weakness. She leaned back in her chair, her posture still elegant, her voice calm and steady. "Apology accepted," she said, her words edged with a quiet, unspoken power that made Rena's smile falter ever so slightly.

Rena's eyes darkened. She was trying to control the conversation, trying to keep the upper hand, but Iseul wasn't easily rattled. Rena paused for a moment, as if deciding whether to push further or back off. Then, with a decisive air, she went for it—her joker card, the one she thought would bring Iseul down.

Without missing a beat, Rena's hand moved to the pendant around her neck, her fingers clasping it with a certain possessiveness.

"Oh, and by the way," Rena said, her tone dripping with self-satisfaction, "thanks for helping me pick out that watch for Sunghoon. He loved it so much, he doesn't take it off. Ever."

Iseul's eyes flicked to the delicate chain around Rena's neck, her gaze lingering just long enough to let Rena know that she had noticed the gesture. "How sweet," Iseul replied, her voice a smooth blend of indifference and something colder, sharper than Rena could probably grasp. She didn't break eye contact as she spoke, her mind swirling with quiet amusement.

"I also can't take this off," Rena continued, her voice lilting with a bit of pride, though there was a noticeable edge of desperation underneath. She twisted the chain once more, as if to emphasize the weight of it. "It's a promise Sunghoon made me keep. It's ours, you know? Something special."

Iseul stared at her with an unreadable expression, her lips parting just enough for her to release a soft, almost imperceptible chuckle. Does she even take it off to shower? The thought passed quickly, but Iseul couldn't suppress the small amusement that curled at the corner of her lips. The lengths people went to fool themselves... The possessiveness in Rena's words was almost laughable.

How desperate must she be?

Iseul sat back, her composure unshaken, but a fire stirred deep within her—a quiet storm brewing, one that Rena would never see coming. "Strange how a piece of metal can hold so much meaning," Iseul said, her voice smooth like honey, yet holding an edge. "But I guess everyone has their own way of holding onto things."

Rena's gaze hardened as she leaned forward slightly, her voice dripping with challenge. "Oh, Iseul, don't you know what's between me and Sunghoon?" she said, a slow, knowing smile curving her lips. Iseul met her stare, unblinking, her expression unreadable, as if daring Rena to continue.

Her eyes flickered with satisfaction when Iseul didn't immediately respond. "Everyone in the company has been talking about it," she added, her tone almost smug, as if she'd just revealed some grand secret.

"Oh, they're all just so impressed by how great of friends you two are. Best friends, I'm sure," Iseul said, her voice dripping with sweetness.

Rena's lips twitched in a way that barely hid her frustration, but she pushed forward, clearly determined to get the last word. "Not that," she said, her voice laced with self-assurance, leaning forward just a little, as though trying to get under Iseul's skin. "It's the talk of the company that Sunghoon and I will be married one day. And honestly, they're right. You know how it goes. People from the same social backgrounds—well, they usually end up together in the end."

Iseul leaned forward, her voice now low and sharp, as if cutting through the tension with a single sentence. "I'm sure everyone's just so thrilled about your fairy tale. I mean, what's better than seeing two people from the same social class get married, right? How quaint." Her eyes were like daggers, boring into Rena's with the weight of a thousand unspoken truths.

Rena's jaw tightened, her perfectly painted nails digging into her desk, but before she could muster a response, her secretary walked in, handing them both their drinks. Rena took her coffee without a second glance, lifting it to her lips and sipping with an almost mocking slowness. "We fit together," she said, her voice smooth, yet sharp enough to cut through the air. "But I'd prefer to take confident steps. After all, marriages can fall apart, as you would know best, Iseul."

"Miss Rena," Iseul said, her voice syrupy with a false sweetness that didn't quite reach her eyes. "It's so lovely hearing about your plans. But sometimes things don't go quite as you expect. You should be careful—take it slow. Because, you know, you might trip and fall during the process." She paused, letting the words settle between them like a trap. Her gaze drifted down, and she took in Rena's sky-high heels with an almost lazy curiosity. "And those heels ? Always wearing them," she continued, her voice turning almost mocking now. "What if you strain your ankle one day, trying to keep up with those confident steps ?"

Rena's eyes flashed with anger, the edge of her control beginning to crack. Her smile was now thin and tight, a mask barely holding up. "True," she said, her voice cool but the underlying heat undeniable. "A person should be alert at all times. Even during the happiest moments. After all, you never know when everything could suddenly collapse. Isn't that right, Iseul?" Her words were a direct challenge, as if daring Iseul to flinch.

Iseul tilted her head, her smile sharp, predatory, and utterly unbothered. "I think you're right. Everything can collapse. But when it does, maybe you'll finally realize that your high towers are built on sand." She leaned forward, her gaze cold, and with one last cutting remark, she let the words hang in the air like a loaded gun. "And maybe, just maybe, you'll wish you'd taken smaller steps—before you fell flat on your face."

Iseul stood up with deliberate slowness, her eyes never leaving Rena's. She smirked, a sweet, almost too-innocent smile curling on her lips as she straightened her coat. "I had such a nice time talking to you, Miss Rena," she said, her voice like silk wrapped around a blade. "But I have work to do, you know. I'm not a nepo baby, after all."

Rena's breath caught in her throat at the mention of that. The audacity, the sheer nerve of Iseul to imply she was a product of privilege, was enough to send a jolt of irritation through her. She scoffed, her fingers tightening around her coffee cup, but before she could say anything, Iseul was already turning toward the door.

As Iseul's hand gripped the handle, she paused for a beat, glancing over her shoulder with a look that was both casual and devastatingly sharp. "By the way," she said, her tone suddenly cool, almost dismissive, "I don't like bitter coffee. And that aftertaste? It's bland."

The words landed like a slap, echoing in the room long after she'd gone, leaving Rena in a stunned silence.

Iseul stormed down the hall, her heels clicking with each step, her chest tight with frustration. I'll destroy you, Sunghoon. The words echoed in her mind as she approached his office, each syllable sharpening her resolve. She knocked sharply, the sound piercing the silence.

"Enter."

The command was as casual as ever, but it only made Iseul's blood boil hotter. She pushed the door open and stepped inside, finding him at his desk, deep in conversation with Changbin. She cleared her throat, a soft, deliberate sound.

Sunghoon looked up, his smile widening as he caught sight of her. Instantly, he told Changbin to leave, his voice smooth yet carrying an undertone of excitment. Changbin, ever the playful one, wiggled his eyebrows before slipping out, casting a glance at Iseul.

The door clicked shut behind him, and it was just the two of them. Sunghoon tried to maintain his casual demeanor, but there was an unsettling tension hanging in the air. Iseul's glare was sharp enough to cut through steel, her eyes seething with something that almost looked like contempt.

Without a word, she moved closer, too fast for Sunghoon to react, her presence suddenly overwhelming. He felt himself freeze as she stood at his side, her eyes never leaving his, and then—a quick flash—she reached for his wrist, her fingers brushing against his skin.

Sunghoon's heart skipped a beat at how effortlessly she controlled him, like a puppet on a string. He tried to stay composed, but the way she moved, the way she had him right there next to her, had his pulse racing. He couldn't help but fall into step with her every command, a mere plaything in her hands.

"Nice watch," Iseul said, her voice smooth, almost mocking as she glanced down at the watch on his wrist. Sunghoon's lips curled into a smile, but it was almost too eager, too desperate. His gaze flickered to her, looking for some sort of validation, as though he couldn't help but crave her approval. She didn't need to say anything more; just her presence made him melt.

He nodded, slightly flustered. "Rena gave it to me. A gift," he explained, his tone casual, but there was a nervous edge to it, one that didn't go unnoticed by Iseul.

"Is that why you're not taking it off?" she asked, her voice dropping a touch as she leaned in closer. The way she looked at him, like she owned him, made Sunghoon's chest tighten. He was whipped. He knew it. And at this moment, he didn't care.

"No," he said, shaking his head a little too quickly. "It's just my style. I like it."

Iseul raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. "Your style?" She leaned in closer, her breath brushing his ear, and Sunghoon couldn't stop himself from shuddering. "Who knows you best, Sunghoon?"

"You do," he said without thinking.

Iseul smirked, her eyes narrowing with satisfaction. "Who chose this watch, Sunghoon? I did."

His smile softened as he inched closer to her, the breath caught in his throat. "It was you?" he asked, his voice almost a whisper, his eyes full of admiration.

Iseul nodded, completely in control, watching him struggle to maintain his composure. "Mhm, Ms. Rena asked for my opinion," she added casually, leaving him momentarily stunned.

Sunghoon's fingers tightened around Iseul's wrist, his grip firm yet somehow gentle, like he was holding onto something fragile—something precious. "Now I get why I can't take it off," he murmured, his voice low and full of that familiar intensity. "But what's wrong with that, Iseul?" he asked, his gaze shifting from the watch on his wrist to her eyes, as though he was daring her to argue.

Iseul, fiery as ever, grabbed both of his hands in hers, squeezing just enough to remind him that she had control here. Her eyes flashed with frustration, but she leaned in, her breath warm against his ear as she spoke with barely contained anger. "Didn't you buy her a necklace? She never takes it off because she thinks it's a promise between you two." Her words stung, sharp as daggers, but she held him there, forcing him to face her.

Sunghoon, unfazed on the outside but clearly rattled underneath, just shrugged, trying to brush it off. "But I bought it. That's it. It's not that special." His eyes flickered to the watch again, but something about the way he looked at it now seemed almost like an afterthought.

Iseul wasn't having it. She took a step back, her body brimming with tension, and shoved him away with a quick, dismissive movement. The air between them crackled. "Why don't you two just get married then?" she snapped, the venom in her voice so thick it could've suffocated someone. "No need for a watch or a necklace. Just buy wedding rings. It's easier."

"She's just a friend, Iseul!"

"You don't have to explain it to me. Just marry her already."

The silence that followed felt like an eternity. But then, something in Sunghoon shifted. A slow, almost amused chuckle escaped his lips, and before Iseul could fully process what was happening, he ripped the watch off his wrist and tossed it casually into the trash.

"Problem solved," he said, a mischievous gleam in his eye as he turned back to her, his tone unbothered but full of something deeper. Something she couldn't quite place.

He stepped closer, closing the gap between them. Iseul's heart skipped a beat, but she wasn't about to let him see how much he affected her. Not yet. His hands found her wrists again, this time holding them with just the right amount of pressure, enough to make her breath catch in her throat. "Is that fine with you now, Iseulie?" His voice was softer, teasing, like he was waiting for her to break.

Iseul's chest fluttered, but she forced herself to smile, keeping her cool as she met his gaze. "It's fine," she said, the words slipping out like honey, sweet but laced with something else.

Sunghoon smiled wider, his eyes bright as if he had just won some unspoken victory. The warmth in his expression made her heart do strange flips. "My biggest problem," he began, voice low and serious now, "is not seeing you. Not being with you. Yours is a necklace?" He leaned in closer, the air thick with the tension between them. His lips hovered just above hers, his breath mingling with hers as if they were both waiting for something to give.

And then—knock knock.

The sound was a jarring intrusion, like someone had just turned off the music during the best part of a song. Iseul pulled away with a frustrated sigh, her heart racing despite herself. She pushed Sunghoon away gently, her movements sharp and quick, like she was doing everything in her power not to give in to the temptation.

"I have to go," she murmured, her voice a mix of exasperation and something else—something she wasn't ready to admit yet.

Before Sunghoon could respond, Iseul was already heading for the door, her heels clicking against the floor as she made her exit. The moment she stepped out, she glanced back just in time to see Sunghoon still standing there, frozen, a half-smile on his lips.

As the door slammed shut behind her, Iseul felt an odd mix of triumph and regret, her heart a little too loud in her chest. She couldn't let herself get caught up in him, not again. Not now.

But as she made her way down the hallway, she couldn't stop the small, giddy smile that crept onto her lips. Sunghoon, for all his arrogance and stubbornness, had finally given in.

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walk him like a dog sis

also see why i wrote a bitter aftertaste in bold italic