Past (2)

Yura Nam was the daughter of NamCorp's CEO, Nam Seok-jin. Woo Hyun has known Yura for as long as he could recall. Their families had been close for decades, with Nam Seok-jin and Woo Hyun's father, Woo Jin-sung, having been lifetime friends and business colleagues. NamCorp and Woo Hyun's family business, Echelon Group, had been connected for years, therefore their marriage was a smart move to strengthen their alliance.

Woo Hyun almost drowned in a lake while on a family trip years ago. Yura had observed him fighting and dragged him to safety, marking the start of their tight relationship. As they grew older, their connection became more romantic. Woo Hyun was constantly moved by Yura's boldness and loving personality, but as time passed, he realized he was unable to fully commit to her, and their relationship ended amicably.

Tonight, as Woo Hyun searched the room, his gaze naturally fell on Yura. Recollections of their shared experiences flooded his head, but instead of warmth, he sensed a growing coldness between them. He knew Yura still had feelings for him despite their breakup. Her long gazes and sweet smiles told him this, even if she tried to hide it under a professional facade.

As the night progressed, their parents talked about the planned engagement, which would combine their enterprises and establish their future together. Yura couldn't help feeling conflicted. She knew the engagement was almost inevitable, but her heart hurt for the true connection they formerly shared.

Woo Hyun, meanwhile, stayed silent, his thoughts drifting back to Si Yoon despite Yura's presence. The recollection of Si Yoon's innocent yet resolute gaze tormented him, and for reasons he couldn't explain, he felt more attached to her than ever before. The thought of Yura, his once-close buddy, seemed remote in comparison to the tug he felt towards Si Yoon.

As the night progressed, Yura became aware of the barrier that Woo Hyun had created between them. Despite the status of the engagement and the commercial logic behind it, she was unable to shake her feeling that something important had changed between them. Nonetheless, she clung to the hope that, with time, they might be able to revive their relationship, despite Woo Hyun's apparent distractions.

As Yura moved about the room, engaging pleasantries with various dignitaries, she was abruptly met by a friendly voice.

"Yura, it's been a while," murmured the man, his voice suave but with a tinge of competition.

When Yura turned around, she found herself face to face with Minho, Titan Holdings' young CEO and one of Echelon's main opponents. Minho was tall, with sharp features and a sense of confidence that bordered on arrogance. He was notorious for his cutthroat business practices, similar to Woo Hyun's, but more openly confrontational.

"Minho" Yura said with a courteous grin, but she couldn't hide the anxiety in her chest.

Minho's eyes glinted with delight as he observed her appearance. "You look stunning as always," he said with an edge to his tone. "I've heard about the approaching merger. Congratulations."

"Thank you," Yura said, her voice cautious. She was aware of Titan Holdings' competition with Echelon, and she realized Minho's statements were more than simply casual conversation.

''It must be exciting to get promised to Woo Hyun. Or should I say "more of a strategic alliance?" Minho's words were filled with subtle mocking, and Yura tensed slightly but maintained her poise.

"Our fathers have always been close," Yura explained calmly, refusing to take the bait. "This merger is an expected progression."

Minho smirked, his gaze moving across the room to where Woo Hyun stood, flanked by other prominent businessmen. "I'm sure it is," he said. "But, Yura, are you pleased with this arrangement? It appears pretty impersonal, doesn't it?"

Yura's smile faded somewhat, but she recovered swiftly. "I've always understood that in our environment, emotional feelings frequently take a back place to business. But I'm satisfied with the decisions taken."

Minho arched an eyebrow, apparently doubtful, but didn't pursue any more. "Well, Yura, I wish you the best. But don't forget that business is like war, and alliances can shift."

Minho cocked his head slightly and turned away, leaving Yura standing there with a scowl. His statements, though intended in joke, echoed the doubts she had been experiencing. She couldn't help but look in Woo Hyun's direction, seeing him deep in discussion and entirely unconscious of the mental agony she was experiencing.

The next morning, Woo Hyun entered a tiny, elegant café in the middle of Seoul. It was a place he hadn't been in years, one that brought back memories of casual outings with Yura. But now, he was here for a different reason—nothing to do with revisiting the past.

The café combined modern elegance and homey appeal, with gentle natural light and wooden accents. As Woo Hyun stepped in, he noticed Yura sat at a table near the window, her hands curled around a cup of tea. She was staring out at the city, deep in thoughts, but she soon regained her composure as she saw him approaching.

As Woo Hyun approached the table, Yura stood up and smiled politely. "Woo Hyun, thanks for meeting me here."

He nodded in agreement, his visage as unchanging as ever. "Let's sit."

They took their seats, and for a minute, stillness fell between them, the tension nearly apparent. Yura stared down at her cup, collecting her thoughts before speaking.

"It's been quite some time since we came here together," she added, her voice full with emotion. "I thought it would be a good place to talk."

Woo Hyun's gaze darted around the café before focusing on her. "This restaurant serves good coffee. I don't mind it.''

Yura smiled weakly at his dismissive reaction, but her eyes were filled with distress. She had purposely chosen this café, hoping that the familiarity of the setting would ease the conversation they needed to have.

"Woo Hyun," she continued, "I wanted to chat to you about our engagement. I know our families are advocating for it, and I understand the business reasons. But I need to know if you're alright with this.

Woo Hyun slumped back in his chair, his face unreadable. "It is a practical decision, Yura." Both of our families have been close for many years, and this combination will benefit both firms. That is what matters.

Yura bit her lip, disappointed with his disconnected response. "I understand that makes sense from a business standpoint, but what about us? We used to mean something to one another. Doesn't that count for anything?

"Yura," he finally remarked, his voice chilly, "this engagement is for business. Our families and businesses are what matter right now.

Yura's heart sunk at his words, but she would not give up so quickly. "Can't we attempt to make it work? Woo Hyun, we had something amazing once. I think we can rediscover it again if we give it a chance."

Woo Hyun's eyes narrowed significantly, and a note of annoyance crept into his tone. "I think our relationship was a mistake, Yura. Because I've realized over the years that I haven't truly loved you. "Never had, never will."

Yura startled at his harsh tone, her eyes welling up with tears that she desperately attempted to keep back. "So, is that it? Are you going to entirely shut me out?

"I am not shutting you out, Yura. But I can't give you what you're asking for. This engagement is a business agreement, and I intend to treat it as such.

Yura nodded slowly, understanding she wasn't going to get through to him—not today, anyhow. "I see. If that's the case, I'll respect your preferences.

The rest of the conversation turned back to practical things, with the warmth and intimacy that had previously existed between them replaced by a chilly, businesslike formality. Yura tried to keep her emotions under control, but every phrase and apathetic response from Woo Hyun seemed like a knife in her heart.

As they finished reviewing the merger's specifics, Woo Hyun stood up, ready to leave. He walked out of the café, leaving Yura alone at the table, after pausing to glance down at her with an unreadable expression. As she watched him leave, a single tear fell down her face, which she hastily wiped away, not wanting to cry in public.

Sipping the last of her tea, Yura couldn't help but wonder if they could still find their way back together—or if she had lost Woo Hyun for ever.