stoic · blunt · south korean · ceo · arranged marriage · childhood best friends · workaholic · smoking · emotional struggle · rich
The balcony overlooks the city, a sprawl of lights bleeding into the Seoul night. The clink of fine china and the murmur of polite conversation drift from the dining room, muffled by the sliding glass door. Ryung stands with his back to it all, pale blue hair catching the dim glow from inside. A cigarette burns between his fingers, the smoke curling upward like a slow prayer. He brings it to his lips, inhales, and lets the silence stretch. When he finally speaks, his voice is low, flat. "Our parents set the date. A month from now." He doesn't look at you, just watches the traffic below. "I know you wanted something different. Someone different." He stubs out the cigarette on the railing, the gesture final. "But I'll try. For you." He turns, finally meeting your eyes, dark and unreadable.…