yunho x reader (afab) / genre: angst, smut, romance. includes: arranged marriage, ceo au, enemies to lovers au / warnings: cursing, alcohol mentions, depictions of manipulative parents / wc: 2.7k [on this chapter] overall fic around 20k. / r: 18+
summary: It was time, you were bound to be a part of the Jeong family. It was a marriage of convenience, and as you meet Yunho, your future husband, you realize this would be a lot more than a battle for power.
a/n: my first chaptered fic. i always wanted to have a story that I could explore and invest time with, thankfully yunho has been a pain in my boot since a few months ago and i had to write this for him. this is an old story to which i only had the first chapter posted in my defunct blog a few years ago, but know i finally got the gears running for a complete story.
hope you enjoy this little angsty ride!
I.
“Easy with the drinks, darling.”
The overly sweet tone of your mother reaches you just as you snagged another glass of champagne from a passing waiter. Before she could close the distance, you finish the glass in one gulp. Her smile was condescending as she took the empty glass from your hand.
“Honey, you must be on your best behavior when your fiancé arrives. I'm serious.”
Your sigh in annoyance and defeat.
Ah, yes. How could you forget?
This whole façade was planned around one moment: your first meeting with your future husband: Jeong Yunho. A man you didn’t know personally, but with a reputation that suggested nothing good. You already couldn’t stand him, same as these stupid, endless parties.
These events, whether arranged by your mother or your father's business associates, were always long, suffocating, and utterly boring. What else was there to do but nod through the fake pleasantries, champagne glass in hand? Lately, drinking was the only way to pass the time in this shiny cage your parents called High Society.
“I’m fine, Mom,” you said, wishing a cocktail would materialize in your hand. “Where are the guests of honor, anyway?” You couldn't stop the snarl in your voice as you scanned the room for a waiter.
“Please take this seriously.” She leaned closer, her eyes looking around the room, shooting smiles to people passing by. “This is very important for me… and your father, of course.” The brief pause spoke volumes. “You have to make a good first impression with Mr. Jeong and his son. This is good for you too.”
“For me mom, sure about that?”
You saw the sudden tension in her face as she sighed deeply. At that moment, she looked so old and tired, despite the subtle fixes done to her face and the heavy makeup that she sued to hide any reminders of his old self.
“I’m sorry,” you relented. “Just please don’t bug me about it anymore. It’s enough that I might have to marry a man I don’t even know.”
She chuckled subtly, taking your arm and squeezing it, a gesture that felt more like a restraint. “Honey, you know how hard your father has worked to get us the life we have now. This partnership will finally secure everything he's worked for. Please remember all the sacrifices your father has made for us."
Her words were toxic, threatening, and you felt sickened by the way your own mother decided to present you— like an auction item. She was about to add something else when your father’s booming voice announced his arrival. Your mother released your arm, giving your back a final, decisive pat. The discussion was over.
“My princess! Mr. Jeong and his son are about to arrive. Are you nervous?” he asked, unable to hide the excitement in his voice.
You smiled, the feeling of disgust settling in your gut. You were about to be traded to a family of crows, and you knew well that they didn't truly like or even respect your family.
“Yes, Dad. Thrilled.”
Your mom shot you an irritated look, but he didn’t notice. He wrapped his arm around her waist and steered her away, leaving you with your own thoughts, that right now revolved around someone specifically.
Jeong Yunho and his family of crows.
The Jeong heir had a reputation, whispered in rumors and confirmed by practically every privileged kid in the city. You could swear it echoed across the entire country.
Yunho was around your age, but he never attended real parties; the ones your rich friends threw; not the stiff pretentious montages your parents and their associates loved. According to the rumors, the young heir of Jeong Co. believed he was something closer to a king, and everyone around him was there to serve him. Soon, that would include you and your family.
The Jeongs, like everyone in their exclusive circle, were well aware of how your father had made his fortune over the last decade. He had started as a middle-class man and worked his way up with effort and sacrifice. A few years ago, a good investment finally paid off, giving him a status and profile your family had never known. For the Jeongs and your father’s partners, your family were the classic "new-rich"— not part of the authentic royalty his associates were accustomed to.
Now, you remembered fondly the modest house you used to live in, playing with neighbor kids, attending public school and being a normal kid. Now, you have to maintain a polished image, learn to navigate high society, and marry the son of a business partner to solidify the family’s name. You hated it all, but you wouldn't hurt your father or ruin what he’d worked so hard to get. So you accepted it, even if you felt you had every right to hate it.
Keeping yourself out of trouble has been hard. After a lifetime of freedom, having to behave a certain way felt claustrophobic. All the money wasn't worth the loss of being yourself, of doing the things you loved. Watching your mother's drastic shift;her embrace of sudden wealth and power was the hardest part. Greed was all you saw in her now, growing with every closed deal.
It became significantly harder to ignore your discomfort when she told you he was the one: the arrogant prince. Nonetheless, you complied with your parents’ wishes and accepted the meeting. It´s not like you had a choice anyways.
Now, feeling suffocated, you scanned the hall again, desperate for air to drown your anxiety and annoyance. That’s when you spotted your friend Jongho, leaning against the bar counter, ordering a drink as usual.
“Hey, I didn’t know you were also forced to come,” you greeted him, taking the stool next to him.
“Hey!,” Jongho smiled back, signaling the bartender for an extra glass of whatever he'd just ordered. “I’m here against my will, too. Might as well take advantage of the bar.”
Jongho was pretty much the only guy your age who wasn’t a pretentious snake, and the only person you genuinely liked talking to.
The bartender placed the two drinks. After a quick clink of glasses, you both drank it in one shot.
“One more!” Jongho winked at the bartender.
“Easy, tiger, isn’t your father here?” you asked, glancing around looking for Mr. Choi. Jongho looked quite tipsy already.
“I don’t care. He threatened to disown me if I didn´t comply, so he’ll have to assume the consequences.” He giggled.
Of course, Jongho didn’t care. His father was one of the richest man here; Jongho’s recklessness wouldn't affect his standing in the slightest. You briefly wished your parents had arranged your marriage with Jongho instead. That would have been amusing for both of you.
“Is the king here yet?” Jongho mocked. He was the only one who knew about your impending contract with the Jeong family.
“Very funny,” you replied dryly. “Still unconfirmed. Maybe he'll see me and declare I’m unworthy. I actually wish that would happen. Maybe my parents would finally have to leave me alone.”
“Well, we’re about to find out,” he said, nodding towards the entrance.
You turned in the direction Jongho indicated and saw Jeong Yunho and his father finally arriving. They looked like an Armani ad, not a hair out of place, suits perfectly tailored. You hated to admit it, but they did stand out.
You watch as they greet people, walking toward the center of the hall. Yunho smiled brightly, radiating class. Practically everyone in the hall turned to see him, whispering and the younger ones even giggling. Clearly, the rumor of your probable marriage hadn't spread yet, or they would be looking at you, too. Before you noticed, they were standing beside your parents. The drag-you-over moment was imminent.
“I’m gonna need this,” you said, finishing your drink.
“Good luck, soldier,” Jongho smiled, doing the same.
You decided to avoid the embarrassment of your parents having to hunt you down. You walked towards them, trying to keep your posture straight and relax your face so your discomfort wasn't obvious.
The bright smile on Yunho’s face faded slowly as you approached. Both he and his father offered a stoic, reserved expression, making it impossible to read their thoughts.
“Ah, my princess!” your father chirped, beaming from ear to ear. He introduced you to the Jeongs. With annoyance you watched them subtly mock at the nickname your father used for you.
They forced polite but minimal smiles at you. It made you feel worse than you’d imagined, and it was comical that your father didn't notice. Your mother did, you were sure, but she was an expert at ignoring anything that threatened her ambition.
After a few more strained formalities, Mr. Jeong and your parents left to continue their business talk with others, leaving you and Yunho alone to, in your father’s words, ‘get to know each other.’ You stood there awkwardly as people continued to greet Yunho. Your eyes sought comfort elsewhere. You found Jongho, still at the counter, now chatting animatedly with the bartender. He sure is quick, you thought, shaking your head.
“Come with me.”
Yunho’s calm but commanding voice snapped you out of your thoughts. He offered you his arm. After a moment of hesitation, you intertwined your arm with his. He guided you through the crowd, nodding and smiling to everyone. Now, everyone was definitely whispering about you as he led you to the back of the hall, entering a separate room and closing the door behind you.
The room was a large study: books lined the walls, and a beautiful, wood-crafted desk was neatly arranged with business stationery. As soon as the door clicked shut, he walked to the window and opened it slightly. A chill breeze entered the room, making you shiver in your thin dress. Yunho had his back to you and didn’t turn as he finally spoke.
“You could have at least tried not to look so disgusted.”
Your eyes flew open in disbelief. His words were as bitter as the look in his eyes when you’d approached moments before.
“Excuse me?”
“You heard me,” he answered calmly, turning to face you. His face was blank, his hands resting in his pockets. The infuriating straightness of his posture made you want to throw something at him. “If we’re going to do this, you need to learn how to put on a mask,” he continued, his tone unbothered.
“A mask?” You arched your eyebrows, crossing your arms. “I don’t need a guide on how to behave, and certainly not from you.”
Yunho sat on the arm of the leather chair beside him, his fingers now laced together on his thighs.
“I´m not so sure about that.” A sudden, sharp pinch hit your chest. “I can smell you’ve been drinking,” he continued calmly. “We don’t come to these events to get wasted. That’s a habit I don’t want to assume you are used to.” He dismissed your obvious annoyance.
You took a deep breath, fighting for composure. “Listen, I’m not happy about this either. For all I care, you can tell my parents you don’t want to marry me, and we can end this fiasco before it even starts.”
“Who told you I don’t want to marry you?” Yunho arched an eyebrow. You didn't respond, and he continued. “We have to. It’s business. I don’t expect you to be the perfect wife, due to your background. But at least I need you to behave when we’re out in events like this.”
“My background?!”
“Yes, your background,” he asserted, stating the obvious truth. “As I said, I expect nothing more than a well-mannered, good-looking wife. There’s no turning back from this, so we better set things clear now.”
You pressed your lips together to stop saying something you might regret later. The anger was a burning flush over your body. Your mother’s words echoed in your mind: this is for your own good.
“Very well,” you finally said, relaxing your posture. “I’ll accept this because I owe it to my parents. I couldn’t care less about you or your family, but for them, I will move forward. But know one thing: I will wipe that expression off your face,” you spat without breaking eye contact. “So save that air of greatness for someone else.”
Yunho’s face muscles tensed. He disliked what you said, but didn't rise to the bait. He took a few steps closer until he was directly in front of you, looking down, mostly due to the difference in height between you. Even so, you kept your eyes firm on his, refusing to concede.
“Be careful what you choose to say,” he warned. You scoffed, looking away. His gaze felt dense and heavy. “Let’s go. We better not make people start to gossip.”
Yunho extended his arm again. You took it, following him out of the room, forcing a faint smile for the people's curious looks. Everything felt heavy; your head spun, anxiety building in your chest.
Soon, you were beside your parents again. Your father’s delighted smile made your stomach clench. Across the hall, you spotted Jongho looking at you with a worried expression. He signaled towards the exit door. You quickly nodded, letting him know you understood.
Yunho began talking to your parents as if the two of you had just had an awkward but friendly conversation.
“Excuse me, I’ll be back in a moment,” you announced, unwrapping your arm from Yunho’s. Only your mother and Yunho noticed you tense up as you gave a slight nod and nearly ran toward the main door, desperate to find air and escape the suffocating feeling.
“What happened?” Jongho’s tone was worried but laced with curiosity once he met you outside. You looked like the ghost of the girl he’d been talking to moments ago.
Outside, you could finally breathe. The sudden breeze made you shiver, a stark contrast to the burning heat you felt inside. You couldn’t tell if it was the boiling rage Yunho sparked or the stuffiness of the crowded hall. Probably both.
Jongho noticed your trembling and quickly took off his suit jacket, wrapping it around your shoulders.
“Thanks,” you managed.
“Are you okay?” he inquired, guiding you to sit on the edge of a wooden bench.
You nodded, took a deep breath, and began telling Jongho about your brief, yet entirely revealing, first encounter with your soon-to-be-husband.
“What an asshole!” he growled when you finished.
“I need another drink, better said some drinks,” you announced, rubbing your temple. The headache was coming.
“You mean we need a drink,” Jongho scoffed. “I can’t believe he told you that. I mean, what the hell!”
You chuckled, appreciating the gesture of your friend taking offense on your behalf. The immediate rush of anger began to fade, replaced by a dull, persistent resentment.
“Let’s head up to my house,” you announced, getting up from the bench. “I want to change clothes, and then we can hit up Yasu’s pub. Always open for us, right?”
Yasu’s old pub had become your mandatory escape, conveniently located just a few blocks from Jongho’s apartment, perfect for the nights when returning home to your mother's nagging was not an option.
“Woman, you know me too well,” Jongho said, offering you his arm. The gesture felt entirely different coming from him. “Care to let them know?” he asked, signaling the valet for his car.
“Nope.”
Moments later, you hopped into Jongho’s car. On the way, you reconsidered and sent a quick text to your mom, letting her know you didn’t feel well and were going home. Before she could reply, you turned off your phone, not caring what the Jeongs would think when they realized you weren't coming back.
“To Yasu’s! Let’s get wasted and not give a fuck, at least for tonight.” Jongho shouted as he hit the pedal.
“Here’s to not giving a fuck!” You shouted back.
.
.
.
Sipping on his whiskey, Jeong Yunho stood behind the glass panels of the hall’s balcony, watching as you jumped into Choi Jongho’s car, his jacket draped over your shoulders. A bitter grin drew across his face. He already discovered dealing with you wouldn’t be as easy as he’d wanted or expected.
next >
@mingsolo please don´t repost/translate to other sites
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