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The hall was buzzing with men dressed up in black suits and women in tight fitted gowns, oozing elegance in every corner.
The music was slow but harmonious, the champagne was chill and intoxicating, people were swinging along and voices full of laws echoed everywhere.
Litigation team was also in full swing talking to other associates, making ‘connections’ as Jin Woo would put it, everyone except two people who despite being engaged in a different conversations where thinking about each other only.
Attorney Yoon Seok Hoon and his associate Kang Hyo Min. Normally Seok Hoon would never call anyone from his team his but this time it’s different because it is about her. The women who oblivious to his misery was chatting with a some attorney who was clearly getting way to friendly with her. It was definitely a protective instinct. Yes. He just wanted to protect her from these random attorneys who are nosy, too chatty and to simply put just... plain mediocre. Yup, no other stupid emotional reason. Just as his feet were about to move towards them, Jin Woo appeared.
‘’ Hyung, why are more serious than usual tonight? Can you at least pretend to smile... a little?’’ He practically pleaded.
Before Seok Hoon could utter a reply, his eyes involuntarily moved towards where Kang Hyo Min stood because the man besides her just put his hand on her arm and laughed. He freaking laughed! Yoon Seok Hoon could swear, he felt a fuse go off in his brain. But before he could process all this. Jin Woo enthusiastically spoke
‘’ oh look, that is Attorney Han with her bf Han Seong Chan. They make a fancy couple , don’t they?’’
Seok Hoon’s head whipped towards him as if he was in disbelief.
Before he ended up doing something he will regret later, Seok Hoon decided to excuse himself towards balcony despite of Jin Woo’s protests.
pft.. fancy couple .. his foot. That guy was nothing in front of his girl .
She was smart, witty and best at what she did. Just in months she was making whispers in legal world. Most of them good and some of them bitter. Her depositions made her desirable to every single law firm. Meanwhile that guy? He was a lucky bastard unlike Seok Hoon.
Unknown to him, the situation of the other end was completely opposite because if there was one thing that Han Hyo Min wanted at that moment was to get out of that place, away from those people especially her ex- bf who was trying to be extra friendly with her tonight because she won a case all by herself and he knew how much that elevated her status in that party.
As soon as she saw Seok Hoon leaving, she was done being polite and excused herself too despite get looks from the circle she was standing in. She didn't care. They did not matter. He did.
She followed him.
He was standing with his back to the party looking out at the city and it's magnificent towers and night lights.
Before she could call him, he spoke, '' what are you doing here, Attorney Kang?''
''I.."
"It seemed as if you were really enjoying the party and your company. You should not be wasting your time out here.'' he bit out.
Kang hyo min was taken aback with the harshness in his tone. She tried to open her mouth but no words came out.
They stared at each other for a bit too long. No one moving an inch or saying a word. Yet so much was being shouted in their hearts that every fiber of their being was burning with something they were too afraid to name.
Him clutching every bit of his sanity to not let his bitterness at seeing her with her bf show.
'' I hate seeing you with another man.'' '
''I hate seeing you laugh with someone that's not me.''
Her being too afraid to say anything. Afraid of being the only one feeling too much.
' please don't shut me out.''
'' Please say it, name it. whatever that is between us.''
Their moments of turmoil were ended by a voice echoing in the hall. Someone saying thank you and expressing happiness but they could care less, all they heard was that they could finally leave this party and maybe breathe freely.
But such peace never lasts long. Specially not for Seok Hoon because the first face he sees when he enters the firm next day is of his. Han Seong Chan.
He was here for some case. Some meditations between clients. Seok Hoon half wanted to turn back on his heels but he was too professional to ever do that and he himself knew that so he decided to do his best. at least he tried to do his best.
They were sitting with the opposing team in the conference room with her sitting right besides him.
If months ago someone told Seok Hoon that he was going to so lovesick that his heart would do leaps of joy just because the women he liked sat besides him, looking so simple and beautiful - he would have genuinely laughed at the stupidity of it. but alas. here he was.
He was the not the one to be easily distracted during meditations, he knew how important and intense they were but not today. Nothing was going according to his plan today. Ever since he got to know that his associate had a bf who was now sitting across and was passing her looks too sweet for the room. He was bound to be distracted.
Kang hyo min might be focused on the case and the client but her boyfriend wasn't. boyfriend. no matter how many times Seok Hoon repeated this word to himself, it left a bitter taste in his mouth and mind. He hated even thinking about it. the possibility, the reality of it. So if during recess his reply towards Kang Hyo min came a little harsh and his replies were curt and almost- almost rude towards that guy. He was not to be blamed. After that he just refused to look at them. He decided not to care about them and focus on his work.
That resolve lasted half a day for him. Because after the meeting, they decided to wait for their superiors who were planning to meet for lunch. And they had to invite Attorney Seong Chan too. Because he was a hot shot thing that they wanted to recruit.
Of course they did. - scoffed Seok Hoon to himself.
The lunch went by fast much to Seok hoon's pleasure. But every progress he made went down when Seong Chan tried to excuse himself saying he needed some moments with Attorney Kang Hyo min. Resulting in smiles and smirks from everyone except for one. The one who wanted to strangle him right there and then.
He could see hesitation in Hyo Min's eyes and that made him happy. He was stupid and all over the place but he had to control over these silly things he was feeling. Not when Hyo Min very politely told him that she still has some things to discuss with her boss and requested him to wait a bit.
''Attorney Yoon, a second please ..'' she said ever so lightly.
They made they way out of the restaurant away from the eyes of everyone else. The sun was already beginning to cool down, coloring the sky in the prettiest hue to orange and pink. With soft wind rustling their coats they stopped near the parking lot.
'' Today's case..''
''Your boyfriend..''
they both spoke at same time.
''you go .. ''
'' you say.. ''
again.
boyfriend?
'' what did you just say? boyfriend? who? '' -
‘’ Attorney Han Seong Chan your boyfriend, the one who wouldn’t leave your side in the party last night.. ‘’ Seok Hoon slowly said every single word in a tone that made Hyo Min almost choke.
‘’ he is not my boyfriend. Not anymore. ‘’ she said easily
Seok Hoon world’s came to a stop. A light smile almost threatened to break in the edge of his mouth.
‘’ Oh.. I thought.. ‘’
‘’ is that why you were acting so distant today?’’
The way she said distant made Seok Hoon throat dry, he couldn’t utter a single word because the look in his eyes and the sadness in hers made everything stand still. So in stead he took a step closer to her. But before he could say or do anything a voice interrupted them and they sprung apart.
‘’ Kang Hyo Min. I was looking for your everywhere ‘’
Seong Chan.
‘’ here you are talking to your boss while I was waiting and looking ..’’ he snickered.
‘’ Attorney Han ‘’ Hyo Min said in a voice that sounded like a warning.
Seong Chan moved forward to grab her arm and move her but before Hyo Min could move even a single step. Seok Hoon’s hand spoke.
‘’Attorney Han you are intruding because we are still talking. ‘’
‘’ Oh I believe you are the one intruding because she is my girlfriend and I would like to have a word with her right now! ‘’ the other challenged.
She is not your girlfriend you bastard.
The two men stared at each other but before either could speak. Hyo Min did.
‘’Stop it Seong Chan. not now. Later. ‘’ she asserted.
Seong Chan threw a look towards Hyo Min and Seok Hoon.’’
‘’ So this is how you operate Attorney Kang. Moving so quickly from one man to another .. or should I say one opportunity to another. I guess your boss is one of the reasons you are making whispers everywhere these days .. ‘’ he spit out.
Before he could say another word a fist landed on his cheek.
Seok Hoon’s.
Due to force of which, Seong Chan stumbled back, corner of his mouth bruised. Making Hyo Min gasp loudly.
Seok Hoon could bear anything but not those accusations, not those words. Not as a man, not as a colleague. Definitely not as Hyo Min’s boss. He took her hand and walked away. He didn’t know where they stopped, he didn’t care how his hand was also bruised, didn’t understand the thumping of his heart. All he knew was that he was holding her hand and moving away. He couldn’t bear to stand a second more near that man without punching him repeatedly.
He took her to a secluded corner and faced her.
‘’ you didn’t have to do that Attorney Yoon. You are bleeding! ‘’ Kang Hyo Min spoke urgently.
The worried look in her eyes pulled Seok Hoon out of his trance. But then Hyo Min took out a handkerchief out of her pocket. His handkerchief.
He felt something shift in his ribs. She was carrying his handkerchief in her pocket. Freaking hell. How was he suppose to control his heart now that he knew that a part of her might just might feel the same.
She put that on his wound. It didn’t sting him but the still worried look in eyes did. She was so worried about him that she didn’t care that she was holding his hand with hers and blowing over it like that was the most normal thing to do between them.
‘’ please don’t look at me like that Attorney Yoon. ‘’ she spoke while still tending to his wound.
‘’ How? ‘’ he spoke softly.
‘’ Like I am the most precious you have ever seen .. ‘’
‘’ You are. ‘’
She looked up and the moment, their hearts, their breaths stilled. Their were so many emotions, so much yearning.. love in their eyes.
‘’ Attorney- ‘’
‘’ Hyo Min.. What’s happening between us? .. what do we do? ‘’ he took the lead.
‘’ I don’t know. I don’t know. But - ‘’ she spoke with trembling voice as if scared to break their dream.
‘’ but? ..’’
‘’ but it’s real. It's happening. It's roaring inside my heart and maybe yours too..’’
Oh you have no idea Hyo Min. Seok Hoon thought to himself.
Before he could stop himself, rationalize his action, his hands cupped her cheeks and he placed the softest peck on her forehead. That one action warmed Hyo Min’s insides and her tears finally fell. Not because due to sadness but because of happiness. Their breaths mingled due to how close they were standing, unsteady but yielding. No more afraid of holding in but by they intensity of their emotions.
‘’ I think I am in love with you Attorney Kang. No scratch that I am sure I am in love with you. ‘’
Hyo min let out a small laugh. And Seok Hoon breath hitched.
‘’ God please. Don't have laugh like that in front of another man with the look that you have in your eyes because I might murder him. ‘’ Seok Hoon said with the most deadpan and possessive voice ever.
Hyo Min’s throat went dry. Her thoughts haywire. Here heart accelerated. No words came out of her mouth. None were needed either. Instead she put her forehead on his head and smiled.
‘’ I won’t. You are the only one who gets to see it and will forever get to hear it.’’
-THE END. -