Hyunjin and Miyaa stood there for several long moments, the quiet hum of the night punctuating their thoughts. The air felt charged, as though each word left unspoken vibrated between them. Slowly, Hyunjin released her hand and moved toward the living room, loosening his tie as he went.
Miyaa hesitated before following, watching as he poured himself a glass of whiskey. The golden liquid reflected the dim lights of their home, a stark contrast to the tension that lingered between them. He took a slow sip before finally speaking.
"Miyaa, do you realize how frustrating it is to come home every day wondering where you are?" His voice was low, controlled, but there was an unmistakable edge to it. "You don't answer my calls when you're out. You don't tell me where you're going. How do you expect me to feel?"
Miyaa crossed her arms, her patience wearing thin. "How do I expect you to feel? Hyunjin, I'm not a child. I don't have to report my every move to you."
Hyunjin set his glass down with a quiet clink, his jaw tightening. "It's not about control, Miyaa. It's about trust. I don't like being left in the dark."
She scoffed, shaking her head. "Trust? That's rich, coming from you. You track my every move, have your driver follow me, and yet you want to talk about trust?"
His eyes darkened, and for a moment, she saw the possessiveness he rarely put into words. "Because I know what kind of world we live in. You're my wife, Miyaa. People will do anything to get to me, and that includes using you."
Miyaa exhaled, feeling the weight of his words press against her chest. She knew Hyunjin's world was different from hers. He was the CEO of a massive corporation, constantly surrounded by rivals, people who sought to bring him down. But was this really about protection, or was it about something more?
"I just needed some space today, Hyunjin. That's all," she said, her voice quieter now. "I wasn't trying to push you away."
He studied her for a moment before rubbing a hand over his face, looking suddenly exhausted. "Miyaa, I don't want us to fight like this every time."
She sighed, her shoulders dropping slightly. "Neither do I."
A silence stretched between them, neither one wanting to be the first to give in. Finally, Hyunjin reached for her hand again, this time more gently. "Come here."
Reluctantly, she allowed herself to be pulled into his embrace. His arms were warm, steady, a silent reassurance she hadn't realized she needed. She closed her eyes briefly, inhaling his familiar scent.
"Let's figure this out together, okay?" he murmured against her hair. "I don't want to lose you, Miyaa."
She didn't respond right away. Instead, she simply nodded, because despite everything, she knew she didn't want to lose him either.
---
Later that night, Miyaa lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling while Hyunjin slept beside her. The conversation they had replayed in her mind, twisting into different scenarios. She had expected him to be angrier, more forceful in his arguments, but instead, he had been… vulnerable.
She turned on her side to look at him. His features were softer in sleep, his usual guarded expression replaced by something almost peaceful. It was in moments like these that she saw the man she had fallen in love with the man hidden beneath the cold businessman the world knew him as.
Her fingers twitched at her side, tempted to reach out and trace the lines of his face. Instead, she sighed softly and closed her eyes, willing herself to sleep.
---
The next morning, the tension from the previous night lingered but had lessened. Miyaa dressed quietly, her mind still sorting through her emotions as she prepared for the day. Just as she was about to leave the bedroom, Hyunjin's voice stopped her.
"Are you free for dinner tonight?" he asked, still sitting on the bed, his hair slightly tousled from sleep.
She turned to look at him, surprised by the casualness of his tone. "Dinner?"
He nodded. "Yes. Just the two of us. No business, no interruptions. I think we need it."
Miyaa hesitated before offering a small smile. "Okay."
Hyunjin nodded, satisfied, before standing up. "I'll pick you up after work. Be ready."
And just like that, the conversation ended, but something about it felt like a step forward.
---
Later that evening, Miyaa found herself seated across from Hyunjin at an elegant restaurant. It had been a while since they had a proper date, and despite the tension that still simmered between them, there was something comforting about just being in each other's presence.
As they waited for their meal, Hyunjin reached across the table, taking her hand in his. "I know I can be overbearing sometimes, Miyaa. I just… I need you to understand that it's not because I don't trust you."
She looked at him, searching his face for any sign of insincerity, but found none. "I know, Hyunjin. And I'll try to be more open with you too. But I need my space sometimes. I need you to respect that."
He squeezed her hand gently. "Deal."
For the first time in a long while, they shared a small, genuine smile. It wasn't a perfect solution, but it was a start.
And sometimes, a start was all they needed.