✓ LOVE TRIAL | HEESEUNG

34 - Not Enemies

Y/N's POV

He had gone through so much.

The thought weighs heavily on my mind as I watch Heeseung from across the room. I had heard snippets of his story, whispers in the corridors, and hushed conversations among colleagues, but hearing it from him felt different. With every sentence that escaped his lips, I feel myself drawn further into his world. The hardships he had endured, the losses he had suffered - they unfolded before me like chapters in a book, each page revealing a deeper layer of his pain.

I listened intently, offering a safe space for his truth to be heard. It was a privilege, to be entrusted with his story, and I couldn't help but admire his courage for sharing it with me. He didn't hold back, exposing his vulnerabilities, the wounds that had yet to heal. He carried the weight of the world on his shoulders, yet refused to let it crush him, and I'm proud of the person he's becoming.

The room falls silent, all eyes turned toward Heeseung, awaiting his words. And I watch as he takes a deep breath, his gaze steady, and begins to speak. "Ladies and gentlemen, today we gather to honor the memory of a remarkable man. Je Chul Hills." My heart is warm as I watch him say the speech that he had been practicing with me being the only public. He couldn't do it a few days ago, but right now, he's filled with confidence. His voice resonates with a blend of strength and vulnerability, captivating the audience with each carefully chosen word. His eyes sweep across the room, acknowledging the sea of faces that look upon him. 

I think I'm one of the few people who know that Lee Heeseung is a big introvert, yet he stands before them, basking in the spotlight. I am privileged to know the person behind the eloquent speaker—the introverted soul who values solitude, reflection, and meaningful connections.

"I stand before you today not only as a successor to an incredible leader but also as a man deeply humbled and honored by the love and support I have received." His eyes meet mine for a brief moment and he smiles, making my heart flutter. I still need to get used to him being my husband. "In his honor, I pledge to continue the work he started, to uplift those who have stumbled upon their journeys, to foster a community where empathy and understanding thrive."

The room erupts with applause when my phone starts ringing. Sunoo is displayed on the caller ID and I sigh, putting my phone on silent mode before I put it inside my pocket. It's been a whole month since we last talked. No, since I last texted him and he ignored me. He knows how petty I am and I haven't changed. Although, now that I think about him, I'm not mad, just disappointed. I had higher expectations from him.

"Hello, my wife." Heeseung's voice makes me turn around and meet his lingering gaze. The room fades into the background as his presence envelops me, drawing me closer to him, both physically and emotionally. "My pretty girl."

Those three simple words send me closing my thighs tighter together, my body instinctively reacting to his voice, his touch, and the overwhelming desire that courses through my veins. "Not here."

His eyes twinkle with mischief and I gulp. "Are you implying we should be somewhere else, my love?" A sly grin curves upon his lips as he takes in my reaction, and he takes a step closer to me, his hand reaching out, fingertips brushing against the bare skin of my forearm, the touch so gentle yet urging. His gaze ignites a fire within me and I'm completely exposed to him, my deepest desires laid bare. But before I know it, he leans in to kiss the back of my hand, making my breath catch in my throat from how soft and warm his lips are against my skin. Gosh, I want him so bad.

"I'm sorry for interrupting your show," Olivia's voice makes me freeze as I turn to her. She has this funny expression on her face, as if she's disgusted, as if she's happy, as if she's about to burst into laughter.

"What do you need Olivia?" Heeseung frowns in irritation before she puts her hands up and shakes her head.

"I'm not here for drama, I'm here for her." She points at me and I raise my eyebrows, confused. "Are you down for lunch together?"

"Olivia." He holds my hand and pulls me beside him while Olivia folds her arms over her chest. "If this is one of your games, stop it."

"I wouldn't do anything to the chairman's wife, would I?" She shrugs. "I want to talk to her. A conversation, a normal one. Relax."

When I look back at Olivia, her expression is now devoid of any trace of amusement or disgust. Instead, her features hold a genuine sincerity I don't know where it came from. Nevertheless, it's there, so I muster a small smile and slightly pull my hand away from Heeseung. I get he's being protective, but I know Olivia doesn't mean any harm. She's quite a good person, if I must say. "Okay, lunch sounds good. Let's talk."

Her posture relaxes and she unfolds her arms. "Great. I've been wanting to have a heart-to-heart with you for a while now."

"If she does anything, I'm one call away." I turn to Heeseung and place my hand on his arm, giving him a reassuring nod. He sighs, clearly still skeptical, but he understands my need to have this conversation with Olivia. I don't care if he slept with her before or not, and I don't mind it. I didn't even exist in his life a few months ago, and I can't hold his past against him. What matters is the present and how he cares about me right now.

Olivia leads the way until we're in a nearby restaurant where we can have our lunch in peace. We settle down at a cozy table, surrounded by the aroma of freshly cooked food and the gentle hum of conversations around us. She takes a moment to collect her thoughts before speaking. Her eyes meet mine, and I can feel a genuine desire to bridge the gap between us. I don't hate her, she just made me feel uneasy and made me think she was my rival when there was no competition, to begin with.

"Thank you for that day." She begins, holding eye contact with me while smiling a little. Now, I may not be an expert in reading body language, but Olivia's posture and facial expressions tell me that she is sincere. Her shoulders are relaxed, and her hands rest gently on the table, open and non-threatening. Her smile, albeit a small one, seems genuine. "That was embarrassing."

"It happens often. Leaking blood on period happens to the best of us." I nod. "I'm glad I could be there to help."

"I was wrong about you." She looks away and out of the window, the faint smile lingering on her lips. "I'm starting to realize why Heeseung loves you. I mean, I've known Heeseung for a long time, and I've never seen him as happy as he is when he's with you. I've never seen him care about someone as much as he cares about you. The way he looks at you, the way he lights up when you're around, the way he's not afraid of taking the elevator. Your love is real, and it's beautiful." It's the first time she has openly acknowledged Heeseung's feelings toward me, and it catches me off guard. Her smile grows wider as she looks back at me, and I can see a genuine warmth in her eyes. "Whatever happened between Heeseung and I was clearly a one-time thing, and we both made mistakes. Now I can't find any feelings for him except respect."

I take a deep breath, letting Olivia's words sink in. A smile forms on my face as relief washes over me. It's refreshing, really, how she can smile at me and support our love. "I was wrong about you too. You're a good person."

She chuckles softly, her eyes sparkling with amusement as she leans back in her chair. "So you finally realized I'm not a villain from a 90s teen movie? I must say, it's quite the revelation. But this doesn't mean we're friends, we're just 'not enemies'."

"Fair enough. Not enemies it is."

It's indeed a step in the right direction, and my heart feels warm and full. Who knows, maybe one day we'll even upgrade to 'friendly acquaintances'.