genre: romance, slow-burn, fluff, angst, sexual tension, mutual pining
Chapter 5: A Quiet Moment
The tension in Haein's life only grows. Chaewoon, ever observant, quietly steps in when she needs him most. As the two spend more time together, they grow closer—Haein, letting herself be vulnerable around him for the first time, and Chaewoon, beginning to waver in ways he didn’t expect.
It was one of those nights again.
The kind Haein never looked forward to—their daily evening family gathering. Chaewoon knew how much she disliked them. Even before he became her bodyguard, when he was still accompanying her grandfather, he had seen the way she avoided these dinners, the way she always seemed out of place among her own family.
Most nights, she found a way to skip them, using work as an excuse. But sometimes, like tonight, she had no choice. Especially after what had happened that morning between her and her mother.
As they approached the entrance to the main dining hall, Chaewoon felt it—the slight shift in her posture, the tension creeping into her shoulders. It was subtle, but he had learned to pick up on these things. The way her steps slowed just enough to be noticeable, as if she were bracing herself.
She didn’t look like someone going in to have dinner with family. She looked like someone preparing for battle.
Her back was straighter than usual, her movements controlled. Even her expression was sharper, her gaze more guarded.
She was trying to mask her discomfort.
Chaewoon didn’t say anything. He simply stepped forward and opened the door, his presence steady beside her—silent, unwavering. Just as he always was.
The doors to the main dining hall swung open, and for a brief moment, the room fell into silence. Haein was used to this—used to the way conversations would pause, the way heads would turn ever so slightly as if to acknowledge her presence without truly welcoming it.
But tonight was different.
Because tonight, for the first time, she wasn’t walking in alone.
Chaewoon was right behind her, his presence steady, solid. He didn’t need to say anything, didn’t need to do anything. He was just there. A quiet force standing at her back, and somehow, for some reason, it made a difference.
She hated to admit it, but she felt safer.
Even as she kept her expression unreadable, even as she took her seat at the long, polished table with practiced grace, there was a small part of her that didn’t feel quite as exposed as she usually did.
Across from her, her mother barely spared her a glance, while her father remained occupied with his meal.
It was all as expected. Cold, distant, routine.
Yet, beneath the surface, there was something different.
Because for the first time in a long time, Haein wasn’t completely alone in this room.
During dinner, her mother suddenly called her name, pulling Haein out of her thoughts. Across the room, Chaewoon noticed the slight stiffening of her shoulders, the way her posture tensed at the mere mention of her name.
“Haein, you’ll receive a certification of contents tomorrow,” her mother said, her tone cold but casual, as if discussing something as trivial as the weather. “I’m filing a suit against you for building your department store over my land in Gwanggyo.”
Haein inhaled slowly, forcing herself to remain calm. “We discussed this before construction even started. It wasn’t much land, and you gave me your permission.”
“I did,” her mother admitted. “But Attorney Shim advised against it. Rumors could spread about how I gave you special treatment, and I might have to pay a gift tax.”
Haein stared at her, expression unreadable. “So now you’re filing a lawsuit? Now that the building is already standing?”
“You haven’t opened it yet.”
“I see.” Haein’s fingers curled slightly against the fabric of her dress. “Then should I just demolish it?”
“That’s up to you and your attorney.” Her mother’s voice remained impassive. “Look over the documents and come up with an appropriate measure—”
She was cut off by the sudden scrape of a chair against the floor.
Haein had stood up. “Come up with an appropriate measure?” she scoffed.
“What do you mean?” Her voice was steady, but it was sharper than usual. “Should I be afraid and back off?” Her hand clenched into a fist. “You’re threatening me with that lawsuit.”
Her mother’s eyes narrowed. “Did you just cut me off?” The tension in the room spiked, a suffocating weight pressing against Haein’s chest.
And then, just as the air grew thick with unspoken words, and before her mother could utter another word, a ringtone echoed.
All eyes turned toward the source.
Chaewoon, who had been watching quietly from the sidelines, stepped forward. His voice was calm, respectful. “I apologize for the interruption, but Miss Haein—the Director of Hercyna is calling.”
Haein turned to him, her heart still racing from the confrontation. She let out a quiet breath, grasping onto the escape he had given her. “I’ll discuss everything with my attorney,” she said, her voice regaining its composure. “May I be excused? I have an important call waiting.”
She didn’t wait for an answer. Without another glance at the table, she turned on her heel and took the phone from Chaewoon’s hand.
As expected, the screen was blank. No call. No Director of Hercyna.
She didn’t know why he had stepped in, why he had given her an out when no one else would.
But for now, she was grateful. Because the room had felt suffocating, and she needed to breathe.
As Haein walked out of the dining hall, phone pressed to her ear as if she were truly answering a call, her steps were quick, purposeful. But Chaewoon, who followed closely behind, didn’t miss the way her grip on the phone tightened or the way her shoulders slightly trembled.
The hallways were silent except for the echo of their footsteps. It wasn’t until they turned a corner, out of sight from everyone’s eyes, that Haein finally exhaled.
She lowered the phone, staring at the blank screen before glancing up at him.
She swallowed, struggling against the lump in her throat. She wanted to say something—anything. At the very least, a thank you. But the words caught in her chest, tangled with the emotions she refused to let spill over.
Chaewoon, who had already read the unspoken words in her eyes, simply gave her a small nod. No pressure, no expectation. Just understanding.
Haein turned away, hating that he keeps seeing her like this. “I’m going to rest early. You’re dismissed. See you tomorrow.”
Chaewoon gave a slight bow, stepping back. But just before she disappeared down the hall, his voice, quiet yet certain, reached her.
She paused, her fingers curling slightly at her sides. For a brief second, she hesitated—then, barely above a whisper, she responded.
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Maybe they had grown closer over the past few weeks, but ever since the night Chaewoon first muttered Goodnight to her—and she unexpectedly returned it—it had become a habit.
A Good morning when they met at the start of the day.
A Goodnight before it ended.
Neither of them had noticed how natural it had become, how effortlessly the words passed between them now. Compared to before, when they barely exchanged words to each other.
The people around them noticed it, too. How the Ice Queen’s once-distant bodyguard—who used to follow at a respectful distance because she despised him hovering—was now walking beside her. Not trailing behind, but right next to her, as if they were a pair.
But more than that, it was Chaewoon himself who drew attention. A tall man with a sharp jawline, a straight nose, and piercing eyes. The kind of presence that made people look twice. And then there was his voice—calm, authoritative, carrying an air of quiet command. But what made the women in the office truly linger was something else entirely.
It was the way he treated her.
They saw it—the subtle but undeniable gentleness in how he spoke to their boss, how he looked at her, how his presence around her never felt intrusive, only steady.
The way her female employees lit up when Chaewoon entered the room, the way their smiles grew a little wider, their voices a little softer. It had been happening for a while, but the first time she really took note of it, she found herself raising an eyebrow.
“You’re quite popular, Mr. Woo,” she remarked, her tone sharper than she intended.
Chaewoon looked at her, genuinely confused—something she rarely saw on his face.
Haein, already turning back to her paperwork, muttered under her breath, “It’s kind of annoying.”
Chaewoon blinked. Once. Twice.
Trying to figure out what, exactly, had annoyed her this time.
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Figuring out Hong Haein’s moods was becoming second nature to Chaewoon.
But not when she muttered that she was annoyed earlier at the office.
The thought lingered in his mind, nagging at him even as he accompanied her to a meeting in the city. He noticed it then—how she was colder than usual. Her gaze was sharper, her tone clipped. Of course she had always been like this, but something about the way she’s acting now did not feel intimidating at all. If anything, it was almost—dare he say—amusing.
Not that he’d ever admit it infront of her. He valued his life, after all.
Before they reached the car, Chaewoon subtly stepped in front of her, blocking her path just enough to make her stop. His voice was calm, but there was a trace of curiosity in his tone.
“Did I do something wrong? Are you upset with me?”
It was an innocent question.
But Haein’s face heated almost instantly.
She scoffed, flustered. “What are you asking? You sound like—”
She stopped herself, biting down the rest of her sentence before it could escape.
Chaewoon blinked. Like what, exactly?
“I’m not upset with you, if that’s what you’re curious about.”
And with that, she walked past him, sliding into the car without another word.
Haein wanted to hide her face before Chaewoon could get into the car.
She wasn’t even sure why she’s feeling this way. If she was upset or why was she even upset in the first place. All she knew was that she hoped he wouldn’t ask again.
Then, her phone rang, snapping her out of her thoughts.
As soon as Chaewoon got in the driver’s seat, he immediately noticed how Haein’s expression darkened. From the faint voice on the other end, he could tell it was her secretary.
“Miss Haein, your mother is here, and she’s furious. I told her you’re in a meeting, but she’s demanding you return as soon as possible.”
Haein sighed, already exhausted. “Tell her I’m on my way.”
The moment the call ended, another one came in—this time, from her attorney.
“Miss Haein, the investors are concerned. They found out Mrs. Hong filed a suit against the land, and they’re worried about the project’s stability. They want assurance that the mall will still open as planned.”
Haein pressed a hand to her temple, exhaling slowly. “Arrange a meeting with the investors on Wednesday. I’ll explain everything to them. And I’ll speak with my mother again about the lawsuit.”
Chaewoon glanced at her through the rearview mirror. She had closed her eyes, fingers pinching the bridge of her nose as frustration weighed on her shoulders.
Without a word, he rolled down the window slightly, letting the night air in.
Haein opened her eyes at the unexpected breeze. She blinked as it brushed against her skin. Closing her eyes again, she inhaled deeply, the tension in her shoulders easing just a little.
Outside, the trees blurred past.
“Do you want me to pull over?” Chaewoon asked.
He eased the car to a stop, and Haein stepped out, making her way toward the frozen river. November’s air was cold and biting, but she welcomed it, standing still as she took in another deep breath.
Chaewoon watched her for a moment, then quietly retrieved a blanket from the car. His footsteps were silent as he approached her.
Haein didn’t turn, but she felt the slight shift in the air when he got closer. And then, warmth.
The blanket settled over her shoulders with gentleness. The weight of it was light, but the gesture itself felt heavier. For a brief second, she almost turned to look at him, almost said something. But she didn’t trust her voice, didn’t trust the way her chest felt strangely tight.
“It’s cold,” Chaewoon said, his voice steady but quieter than usual. “We shouldn’t stay too long.”
“I know. And my mother’s waiting.”
“Let me know when you’re ready to go.”
They stood there in silence, the only sounds coming from the rustling trees and the distant sound of the busy city.
And for a moment, Haein could let herself relax.
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When they returned to the office, Haein was immediately greeted by her mother’s stern gaze. “What did you tell your grandfather?” She said in an accusing tone.
Haein dropped her bag on the couch and sighed, “What do you mean?” Haein had expected maybe her grandfather found out about the ridiculous lawsuit, she had hoped he did. But it was something different.
“You grandfather was furious with Soocheol. Were you the one who told him about his debt with one of the investors?” Her mother was asking, but it did not feel like a question, more like an accusation.
Haein exhaled slowly. “He must’ve found out on his own. I haven’t spoken to him in weeks.” The last time she had was when he assigned Woo Chaewoon as her bodyguard.
Her mother scoffed. “Don’t lie to me. I know you were behind this.”
“I don’t have time for that,” Haein replied, her voice level. “I couldn’t care less what happens to Soocheol.”
“That’s right. You don’t care. You never have.” Her mother’s voice was sharp now, cutting. “As his older sister, you’ve never once treated him like family. You’ve been selfish for as long as I can remember. Do you even know? Soocheol had a panic attack today.”
Haein’s fingers curled into her palm. But she didn’t let her face waver. “If you’re done with your accusations, you can leave. As you can see, I’m busy.”
Her mother let out a bitter scoff. “Unbelievable. I won’t let you get away with this.”
With one last glare, she turned and stormed out.
The moment the door clicked shut behind her mother, Haein gripped the edge of the table beside her, her fingers digging into the polished wood as if it were the only thing keeping her upright.
She exhaled slowly, but the tightness in her chest didn’t ease.
With a shake of her head, she reached for the coffee pot and poured herself a cup, the dark hot liquid swirling as it settled. She held the paper cup between her fingers tightly.
Chaewoon’s sharp eyes flicked downward, noticing the way her fingers were gripping the paper cup—too firm, too tense. The lid wobbled slightly, the liquid inside dangerously close to spilling.
Without hesitation, he reached out, his touch light but firm as he carefully took the cup from her hands.
She didn’t even notice how the flimsy material was starting to give in. If she held on any longer, the coffee would spill, burning her hand.
A firm but careful pressure covered her fingers.
Haein snapped back to reality, her breath hitching.
She hadn’t even realized he was standing so close.
Her gaze lifted in startled silence, and suddenly, she was aware of everything—the warmth of his hand over hers, the slight roughness of his fingertips against her skin, the steadiness in his grip that contrasted with her own trembling one.
Her eyes flickered up to meet his.
She looked at him, at the way he held the cup so steadily—like it was the most natural thing in the world to quietly take care of things she didn’t even realize needed taking care of.
Chaewoon was watching her, his expression unreadable, but his touch was steady, grounding.
For a moment, neither of them moved.
The only sound in the room was the distant hum of the city outside, the ticking of the clock on her desk, and the faint, steady rhythm of her own heartbeat—louder than it should be.
Then, with deliberate slowness, Chaewoon took the cup from her hands. His fingers lingered for just a second longer than necessary before he pulled away.
Haein let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Haein just looked at him, her vision blurring slightly as tears threatened to spill. But she refused to let them fall. She had held herself together for so long—she wouldn’t break now.
Chaewoon didn’t say anything either. He only held her gaze, steady and unwavering. There was something in his expression, something soft and reassuring, as if he was silently telling her, It’s okay. You don’t have to hold it all in. Not with me.
The coffee cup was already placed on the table, forgotten, but his other hand still hovered over hers. Close enough to feel, close enough that if she moved even slightly, they’d touch again. But she didn’t pull away.
The warmth of his skin grounded her in a way she couldn’t explain. The steady presence of him beside her, the quiet patience in his eyes, it all made her feel… safe.
“Are you okay?” Chaewoon finally asked, his voice careful, low.
Haein swallowed. She nodded, but it wasn’t entirely convincing.
Still, she managed to whisper, “Yes, I am.”
Then, after a small pause—so quiet it was almost lost in the space between them—she added, “…Thank you.”
Her voice barely made a sound, but Chaewoon heard it.
And for some reason, that was enough.
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Haein threw herself into work after that, keeping her hands busy, her mind even busier.
Chaewoon stayed. He didn’t press, didn’t speak—just waited.
He could feel it, the weight of her mother’s words still lingering in the air. The way they cut into her. Haein never let it show, never let anyone see the cracks, but Chaewoon could.
Haein may seem cold, but inside, she was hurting the most.
And maybe work was her escape. A way to outrun the thoughts she didn’t want to face.
Chaewoon glanced at the clock. 9:45 PM. She should have left hours ago.
Frowning, he walked over to her office door and knocked softly. “Miss Haein?”
He knocked again. Still nothing.
A quiet sigh left his lips before he carefully pushed the door open.
Slumped over her desk, her head resting on her folded arms. The soft glow of the desk lamp cast long shadows across the room, illuminating the untouched cup of coffee beside her—now cold.
She had pushed herself too hard again.
Chaewoon sighed, his gaze lingering on her for a moment.
The papers scattered across the desk told him she had probably fallen asleep mid-review, too stubborn to call it a night.
Without a word, he slipped his arms under her, lifting her carefully. She stirred slightly but didn’t wake, only sighing against his shoulder as he adjusted his hold.
She was lighter than he expected. Or maybe she just carried too much weight during the day for anyone to notice how exhausted she really was.
The drive back to the estate was silent.
Haein barely moved in the passenger seat, her breathing slow and steady. Every now and then, she shifted slightly, her body naturally leaning toward the warmth beside her.
Chaewoon kept his eyes on the road. Kept his thoughts steady. This was nothing. Just doing his job.
When they arrived, he carried her inside, moving with the same careful precision. He placed her gently onto her bed, adjusting the covers over her.
Just as he was about to straighten up, he felt it—
A small tug at his jacket.
Haein, still half-asleep, her fingers curled weakly into the fabric of his sleeve.
“…Stay.” Her voice was barely above a whisper, her words slurred with drowsiness.
She didn’t know what she was saying. Didn’t realize what she was doing. But still, she was holding onto him—like some part of her, even in sleep, didn’t want to be left alone.
For the first time in a long time, he hesitated.
Then, slowly, he lowered himself onto the edge of the bed. He didn’t move her hand away.
Minutes passed. Her breathing evened out again, her fingers loosening their grip.
Only when he was sure she was deeply asleep did he finally rise.
He lingered for a second, gaze drifting over her face. She looked different like this—without the sharpness, without the armor. Just… at peace.
On his way out, he found himself replaying the moment in his head.
The sound of her voice. The way she reached for him without thinking.
And the fact that, for some reason, he hadn’t wanted to let go.
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Thank you for waiting!! It has been a very busy week for me. This chapter was already in my drafts when I uploaded chapter 4, but I couldn't find the time to polish it.
Life has been so hectic lately and I will try to make time to upload regularly.
Will also try to maybe make it less wordy? I tried reading each chapter over and over again and I noticed maybe it can come off as boring because it's too much description?? ;-; idk pls let me know your thoughts I'm open to suggestions and improvements ><
By the way, next chapter is my favorite!! >< hehe
taglist: @lvnat1c @strangerinthesecretforest <3
