HANA

by Rainyday9090

For the longest time I studied revenge to the exclusion of all else. I built my first torture chamber in the dark vaults of imagination. Lying on bloody sheets in the Healing Hall I discovered doors within my mind that I'd not found before, doors that even a child of nine knows should not be opened. Doors that never close again. I threw them wide. Revenge is what I want.

48. Chapter 48

Hello beautiful readers. As always, I hope you enjoy this chapter and your weekend. Thank you for your comments!

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Good morning Seoul. The voice of the newscaster waking up the city wasn't as loud as the sounds of the neighborhood waking up for another day. Her right hand pulling the blanket over her head, Jandi sank deeper into her warm nook. The slow movements of her body, her attempt to bring her legs closer to her chest, had failed right when her right knee sent a pain signal. The soft blanket covering her face aided the darkness, and she was sent back into sleep. The muscles covering her body, and even her bones that had started begging for an extended rest were glad to get some, even if it was for a couple of hours. The 8 hours of sleep the doctors talk about, she would be lucky if she even got 6. The unease and fear of what waits for her when she closes her eyes, the numerous times she wakes up, and how she never fully goes back to sleep were becoming serious issues that needed a resolution. From waking up every few hours, recently it has been once or twice throughout the night. All thanks to who occupies her mind whenever she lays down.

Her phone, sitting on the top of the shelf by the edge of the bed, would start blinking once the clock hit 6 am. It was the usual alarm for Tuesdays, but today wasn't like any other Tuesday. There was a reason the phone was just blinking and not ringing. The last thing she did before she went to sleep was to silence it. The shower she enjoyed before bed, she had imagined how to spend her free Tuesday but it wasn't close to what was waiting for her once she woke up. By the time the clock hit 8 am, the exact time she would be expected to be in school, her eyes had opened up as her right hand slowly pulled the blanket covering her face down. Her dazed eyes looked up at the window behind her bed. The light coming through wasn't as bright and matched the gray clouds covering the sky her eyes focused on. The first deep breath of the day, she pulled the blanket closer to her body which she wrapped tightly. The claiming smell of the soft fabric, she would spend the next few minutes just staring at the sky while hiding in her bed.

Her brain starting to wake up; as soon as she was reminded of what happened at school yesterday, she wanted a distraction and she was quickly provided one as her memory of the day was shifted from school to the arms carrying her. It did happen. She didn't imagine it and it was time to accept that it had happened. He had done that. Why? She didn't have an answer for that. His behavior she couldn't seem to predict or understand, her thoughts were slowly being guided to focus more on what had happened rather than why. It was odd how all her senses were tasked with remembering what they took from what happened. Her hands holding the blanket, now was when she recalled the light cotton of the white t-shirt he had on which she had touched when she grabbed his shoulder a few times, including when she held it while he carried her. The shirt wasn't thick enough to hide the shape of his muscles she had noticed when she was held close to his chest. The strong muscles of men she had learned how to analyze so she could find the weakest point and attack, it felt so foreign to think about how they could be used to comfort rather than a threat to her safety.

What she was expected to feel about being carried like that, her slow blinking eyes, had just decided to accept it as an odd behavior from both of them. Her self-hatred sliping in, the harsher blame was saved for herself for allowing it to happen. Her anxiety that gets triggered when a man even enters her personal space, how with such ease she was lifted and held against his pounding heart with no objection, how could she have allowed it? The self-blame adding points would lead to what happened at the park. Her hands tightened their grip on the blanket; her body shrunk as she recalled who was behind her when it happened. Her rage that always opens the gates, what followed them had always been the haunted wounds of her that leave her whole body weeping. The fact that she had lost control to let it get that far, who else would be to blame than her? It was her fault for not being stronger. Feeling anything other than anger she deemed as weakness, not being strong enough to not have most human emotion was her fault. Feeling sad let alone crying wasn't something she could afford to experience. Tears are for those who have the luxury of being weak, vulnerable, and comforted.

With the tight control she often had over her emotions, it won't take much to notice how things aren't as they used to be. Her anger she lost control of, on any given day that would have been her focus but what she couldn't move away from was how she had cried in the presence of another human. Something that has only happened twice. In all of her memories, there were only two instances she recalls crying in front of people and both were people who had dedicated their lives to make sure they help her get her revenge on the people that have ruined her life before it began. Now there was a third person added to the list. Her mind trying to make sense of it chose to think of it as how he hadn't technically seen her, he was just around when it happened. Her right hand slipping past the blanket would be brought to her lips as she started chewing on her nails. How did she lose control? How could she have allowed that to happen in front of him of all people? Her teeth were directed to attack and what received the sharp edges was the skin she was peeling. How could she allow herself to be weak in front of him? That question started the never-ending line of curse words that would be directed at herself as her teeth become aggressive as the resolution for what she allowed to happen would be to punish herself.

The bigger question about why all these new behaviors of hers tend to happen around a certain person wasn't one she asked even as she realized who. Even controlling what thoughts of hers were allowed to be said out loud she had started losing control of, she had so much to blame herself for but naturally, he would be to blame as well. Her thoughts running free had found one thing that could finally force them to be aligned and focused. He was to blame for everything, even for why she couldn't seem to go a day without thinking about all the irritating things he does. He was even to blame for how at the exact moment of whenever she thinks of him, she was provided with detailed and picturesque images of him.

The gray clouds she was gazing at would become the background of the face she had started fighting not to accept as anything but menacing and unpleasant to look at. Memories of what happened in the bathroom still vivid, she was provided with the result of all the staring she had done. Somehow, the close-up view of his face didn't produce a more in-depth analysis of his face; instead, it was used to just look with wonder. While he was occupied doing what nobody, including her, would accept as something he was capable of doing let alone willing, her wandering eyes had taken in the view that unbeknown to her, was what had done the work the painkiller she would swallow after would be tasked to do. The dimples that sink in at each side of his cheeks whenever he smiled, the husky voice that comes out from his full lips she had injured, his eyes decorated by the long lashes she witnessed blinking less than regular, the internal conflict to accept his dark look as anything but such was becoming harder. Gentle and considerate, for now, the words that popped into her head were blamed on what he was doing. Anybody would look tender and thoughtful if they were on their knees and helping clean her wound.

On his knees. On his knees in his own house. She couldn't shake away how she felt about just watching him sitting on the floor, let alone doing so to clean her leg. Her teeth that had paused their attack; her right hand had escaped minutes ago as it was sent back into the blanket. He was on his knees holding her feet. The tiny, very tiny smirk that escaped her lips was covered by the blanket she brought up to cover the bottom half of her face. There were easier ways to have this boy on his knees and even now she hadn't made the realization she didn't and will never need violence to do so. The smirk along with the hint of glee it was masking was filled with confusion about just the image of the inheritor of Shinwa Corporation holding her feet while on his knees. Quickly, before she started asking why she found that amusing, she found another distraction; his hands she watched carefully wash her leg. Her memory followed the same trail her eyes took as they followed the lines on his arm. The blood flowing through the veins that followed the curve of the muscles covering his arm which disappeared once they reached his elbow. Why he was able to lift her so easily, she got her answer as she recalled his bicep, peeking from the white shirt, firm every time he folded his arms. The strength of those arms that were in complete opposition to what his hands were doing, was more confusing to think about.

Her body slowly sent deeper into the blanket, her right leg had flinched when the memory of the warm water washing it was brought back. The tiny needle-like piercing feelings at her skin had started at her leg but had quickly spread across her body, shrinking itself under the warm blanket. The lukewarm water softly washing her blood, the calming smell of the body wash, the mood for the memory was perfectly set to leave her thoughtless whenever she was reminded of it. His long fingers moving along the curve of her calf, her right leg under the bed sheet had twitched as his soft touches were hard not to categorize as caressing. The creeping sensation that had even silenced the pain from her knees, she recalled the alert state her body was ordered to be in as his fingers started moving up. His hands didn't pass the back of her knee but the memory of the slightest touch of theirs on her thighs had sent the same tremble as it did yesterday. Her thoughts she was starting to lose control over, one had slipped away as it led the imagination to what would have happened if he hadn't stopped at her knee. The cold fingers of his against her warm skin, her subconscious had provided what it would look like. The soft skin of her thighs, his hands caressing it was accompanied by another lawless thought. His sweet and addictive smell had led the charge as all focus was on the white-covered body he had brought closer and directed her eyes to his hair tied away. What would happen if her fidgeting fingers were allowed to run through it? The seditious thought that spread across every inch of her body hidden under the blanket, her mind was finally awakened as it ordered for everything to be shut down.

Her body jolted up from the bed, the blanket was thrown to the other side as she brought her body to the edge. The long-sleeved shirt of Ctrl she was wearing wasn't doing a good job of hiding the tiny goosebumps across her shoulders it wasn't covering. The off-rhythm beat of her heart, her shoulder going up and down wasn't just to match it but to keep up with her lungs asking for more oxygen. Her startled eyes weren't lucky enough to avoid looking at the mirror in front. What has gotten into you? The question she repeated again and again, she stared at her reflection that didn't provide any answer. That was it for the day as she ordered herself to not think about what happened in that house.

After a quick shower and breakfast, she quickly decided to spend her unplanned free day indoors. Ctrl in the basement she knew not to disturb, she had used the typical excuses for why she wasn't going to school. The line of excuses she had prepared, it wasn't shocking when he didn't question her further. The dinner she ate at Mrs Kim's house, Eun and her had created the perfect lie if they were asked about why they weren't going to school. Eun asked to accompany Mrs Kim to go shopping, Jandi knew not to bother them so they didn't ask her to join. Her right knee nobody, except Eun knows, that it wasn't a good idea to walk around carrying stuff. She needed something to distract her from what she was trying to avoid. What will happen if she is kicked out of that school? Not even a minute of her time she was willing to waste on it. It was all saved for tomorrow. Jihoo, who had been the first person to check on her, had informed her about how both were asked to report to school tomorrow. The email she was supposed to be on the lookout for, her laptop wasn't even opened all day. She had more productive things to do.

Her hair tied in a high ponytail, her baggy pj pants changed to one of her leggings, her big shirt changed to the matching top of the leggings, and the last thing she put on was one of the face masks Eun had bought two of and forced her to start using. The towels she pulled out of both bathrooms, she had collected all the bed sheets and curtains from both bedrooms before she headed downstairs. In the tiny corner hidden behind the pantry of the kitchen, all the items she had collected to wash, she had divided into five sections. The first two were cloth, colored and white, which included her uniform from yesterday. While the washer was running, she headed back upstairs to clean every room, starting with hers. The phone in her legging pocket, she had pressed on the playlist after placing her earphones in.

The beat tapping at her ear, and the furniture she was moving slowly was done with ease as she started brooming every corner of the floor before mopping the wooden floor. The gloomy day outside was not matching her upbeat energy as she started moving to the soft melody of the songs playing. The lyrics of the songs she knew very well, God knows she would never sing them out even as a whisper but the melodies were hard to say no to. The sneaky songs Eun had added to her playlist, the catchy songs were making it hard not to twirl around the broom she was holding as she moved from one corner of the room to the next. A side of her she keeps caged even when being annoyed by Eun's begging, the private walls of her room were where she would ever allow herself to move to any rhythm that is not boxing or kicking.

The constant state of anger she used to live in, her new manners should have been the clearest clue her world had been infiltrated. The smile that started to appear on her face as she recalled how Eun loudly sings along to the song that started playing, even the frequency of her smiles that used to be beyond rare to see was a sign. But Eun wasn't the only one or the main one. The one that had her giggling and smiling even when he wasn't around, it was expected for all her focus to go to Jihoo when the song that started playing was chanting about first kisses. The fact that her first-ever crush was a member of the F4 or came from that family wasn't something she had even thought about for a second as she blushed reminiscing about all their kisses. Her gloved hands cleaning the window, the lighting that struck the city was only a beautiful light show for her enamored eyes thinking about her handsome boyfriend. How could this be real? How could he like somebody like her? The first questions of her always pessimistic mind were silenced as she ordered herself to focus on cleaning.

" You're insanely beautiful" was the answer to her question and she was reminded of the words she had thought she had gotten rid of from her memory. Her hands paused halfway on the window; her eyes were startled as they were forced to take note of the lightning that struck. The electric current that cut through the dark clouds, the lighting had hit close enough to get a tiny shake out of her body that was frozen by what she was thinking about.

" He's crazy." were the first words she said since she woke up. Her eyes returning to her task . her hands started slowly moving up and down the window. Her own words she didn't believe, she had to repeat them, again and to force herself to accept them.

" Beyond crazy, probably why he takes so many pills." talking to herself, her eyes were brought back up again with another lighting. The scary view of the dark sky erupting had finally gotten her full attention as she decided to start airing the cloth in the drier out on the roof now before the rain started pouring. With the fresh laundry in her hands, she was back to enjoying her music until she opened the door to the roof and was welcomed by the aggressive wind. The dark clouds fighting to hold back the rain, she knew to stay inside to avoid the hell that was going to pour down once the clouds and wind lost their fight. That was her plan but the heavens had other plans for the girl that would finish the upstairs of their house by the time the morning turned into afternoon. Two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and the storage room, she had finished cleaning all as she left all the windows open to get fresh air. The only thing she had left to do upstairs was make the beds, which she had planned to do as the last task so the beds could get some air.

The wooden stairs she mopped thoroughly and all her cleaning supplies were moved to the living room, which was next but after lunch. With the leftover food in the fridge, she chose to make a sandwich to go with it. Even Though she made two, Ctrl's sandwich was made bigger as she even added two more eggs to his sandwich. His lunch she would deliver to the basement and leave by the door after knocking leftovers she was munching on, Eun had ruined her nice lunch by sending her a picture of the lunch she was having with Mrs Kim at the market. The fresh grilled mackerel Eun had taken photos from five different angles to make sure Jandi got a good view of one of her favorite dishes they were having without her. The texts back and forth, even Mrs. Kim had joined as Eun sent Jandi a photo of the two enjoying their lunch. All the cleaning she had done she would text back, she had only gotten praise from Mrs Kim while Eun was against it and suggested resting for the rest of the day. Let alone rest, the rest of her day was filled with even harder cleaning as she scrubbed every corner of the living room and kitchen. It had taken until 5 pm before she was done with all the cleaning. All the washed items in baskets, she headed upstairs. The towels and bedsheets she hung on the roof, everything else was dumped on her bed to be folded after the shower she would take.

Her tight clothes switched her typical Pjs, the baggy pants were stuffed into the thick socks she put on. The only thing covering her upper body was the XL t-shirt hanging down to her thighs, and a loose cardigan added to it before she closed all the windows. Her face moisturized well, thanks to Eun who had made sure to find the right products for her friend that would never go beyond two steps of doing anything to take care of herself. Serum and moisture at night was something Eun had annoyed her to the point Jandi had started doing without much thought. As always, the moment she puts on the moisture that smells so wonderful, her mind goes to Eun and her 8 or 10-step skincare routine. Her friend she was thinking about, both would spend the rest of their afternoon and early evening doing chores. Jandi folded clothes while Eun arranged all the groceries they had brought.

The speaker she had brought down from her room, Eun, had it blasting while she emptied all the shopping bags on the dining table and kitchen counter. Even her hair band matched the cute Pjs she had changed to, she was busy with first placing all the items that needed to go in the fridge before she was distracted by the ring at the gate. The volume of the speaker she lowered down, she slowly started walking to the window to make sure she heard the doorbell. Nobody ever rings their bell even when it is was delivery. The ring she heard clearly, she started heading to the living room and then the door. The bag of onion in her hands, she had opened the house door to be welcomed by the strong wind. The rain that had been teasing them all day, she was one of the few who was tired of having to walk with umbrellas all day for rain that never came. Mrs Kim's gardening slippers on, she carefully walked on the stones of the small front garden that leads to the gate.

" WHO IS IT?" her questions that wouldn't get an answer, the onions were moved to her left as she used her right to open the gate door. Her annoyed thoughts of the rain, her whole mind had frozen as though somebody had pressed pause right when she saw who was behind the door she opened. Even her body was paused on the spot once her eyes landed on the handsome man. The one-of-a-kind face, there was no mistaking it especially when it was this close. His hair moving to the wind, there definitely was no mistaking the gorgeous face her unblinking eyes were glued to. Her brain still unable to compute what she was seeing, the frozen girl was given all the time she needed as Junpyo just stood with his hands in his pocket. He was used to this.

Who wasn't used to it was his driver standing behind him and who couldn't help but smile at Eun's reaction. This wasn't the girl from last time, the driver only had to take one look at Eun to question why they were here. Even when he got the call to pick Junpyo up, he had questioned why. His questions had only multiplied after he had picked Junpyo and he was directed to drive from one shopping center to another. The new odd behavior of this boy, he had quietly followed with more worry than excitement. That was until he was directed to drive to this side of town. The image of Jandi that popped into his head, the driver didn't know why but he was happy about it. The boy in the backseat he kept glancing at, the driver was hiding his smile as he questioned if everything they picked was for her. Since when does Junpyo buy things for people? And even when he did, it was never himself some assistant was the one who would be tasked to do. What is going on? The driver asked as he started connecting all the new behaviors he had started observing on this boy after that peculiar girl was brought to the house.

The girl he knew nothing about apart from the fact she was a scholarship student, the driver couldn't explain it, but all he was filled with was excitement as he drove to the side of the city he would never advise Junpyo to be in. Maybe it was because he had been one of the few to pay attention to the way Junpyo looks at her. Leave it to the driver who had driven this boy since he could talk to pick up on the first signs. All the girls he had seen his young master around, he had driven enough of them to know the pattern of Junpyo's behaviors with girls. The amount of drunk makeout in the back seat he had witnessed, the driver would be the first to realize the girl that was even brought to the house wasn't getting the same treatments as the ones Junpyo gives access to his body and nothing else. So it made sense why he would be excited to drive to the side of town he assumed she lived in, with fancy gift bags sitting next to the nervous looking Junpyo. His excitement eliminated once he saw that it was a different girl, but still, it meant a lot for Junpyo to visit anybody anybody on this side of town.

" Are you okay, Miss" the driver leaning left had asked Eun who shook her head to bring herself out of the daze she was paused in.

" Wh"

" Wh"

" What", was the only word she could whisper. Her state of confusion, her hand had lost its grip on the bag of onions that would be sent to the ground. Thankfully Junpyo's reflections were quick enough for him to grab the bag before it hit the ground.

" Hi" His smile had the opposite effect on Eun who had never seen it and was frozen again. With his left hand moving his hair behind his ear, Junpyo was trying hard not to think about why she was having such a reaction to seeing him. He had always found it so uncomfortable.

" Why"
" Why are you here?" she finally was able to get a sentence out as both her hands were sent to the door she held so she could use it to stand but also as protection. Her body still paused and will need a few minutes to accept this is real.

" I wanted to check on you" his soft smile, her baffled eyes were still stuck on his face. Her mind, able to only process one thing at a time, had dismissed his voice and focused on what her eyes were fascinated by. It really is him.

" Why?" her question, even the driver was curious as he changed his gaze to Junpyo.

" Well," Jupyo's left hand sent back to his hair as he held his head down, only his driver could read his body language.

" What happened Yesterday" was all he could say as he brought his eyes back to her.

" You're here to check on me?" her right hand pointing at her chest, she asked.

" Yeah"

" ME?" she pointed again.

" Yeah"

" But why?" the questions she asked again, both men knew she was still shocked.

" I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING TO ANYBODY" Both her hands going up in the air she shouted. Her reaction, the driver had assumed he found the answer to why Junpyo was here.

" THEY STARTED IT. I WASN'T ME" her loud words, the driver's excitement about today was whipped away once he was reminded of why this girl's shocked eyes were quickly switched to ones filled with fear. The stories of what happens in that school he hears about here and there, she might be the latest victim of the childish games these boys play on the poor scholarship students. But if that was the case, why was Junpyo here? He was never concerned or involved.

" I know" Junpyo's response had gone in one ear and out the other as Eun went on explaining.

" I DIDN'T TOUCH THEIR STUFF TOO. I SWEAR."

" I know"

" and I am not here for that" Junpyo, trying to figure out what he could do to calm her down, turned back to his driver who was looking at him with an unpleasant gaze.

" WHY ARE"

" WHY ARE YOU HERE?" she asked, crossing her arms and taking a step back.

" I just wanted to check how you are doing" his response, Eun's scared eyes stayed on him while they displayed how they didn't trust his response.

" What happened was" he stopped himself, his right hand still begging to slam someone or something for the videos he had forced himself to see of what happened to Eun and Jandi, thankfully the onions he was carrying had hidden the movement of his hand.

" I am sorry." the husky voice of his, she took note of it as her eyes from him had shifted to the driver behind him who looked startled by the apology he heard coming out of his young master's mouth. Did he just say sorry? The driver was baffled by the words he had never ever heard come out of this boy's mouth. What has gotten into him? The driver was now left with a serious question he would need to get an answer for in the coming days.

" What they did is messed up and I" , his eyes directly looking at her, Eun only needed to silence all that she was feeling for a second and focus on what they were telling her. The mixture of fear and shock, she had to stop worrying about herself for only a second. A few seconds was all she needed to realize what was going on. And somehow once her shock and fear were paused, she was reminded of what he had done. His coat from that night hanging in her closet, she was quick to recall why. Of the two people who had saved her life that night, he was the one who didn't receive even a thank you. Jandi whom she had thanked thoroughly and spolies whenever she could, even a simple thank you note wasn't sent to Junpyo whom she hadn't seen since that day.

" I will take the blame" his left hand brushing his hair; her eyes, still startled and frightened, started scanning him. The black overcoat he had on, the darkness around him seemed to be just from that fabric and nothing else as she brought her eyes back to his face. His handsome face she had never seen this close, she had to hate herself for how the first thought that crossed her mind once she realized he wasn't here to attack her was how perfect it was.

" I know you probably hate me and"

" I don't know you to hate you." she interrupted him as she sent her hands and took the onion bag away from him. She can't have him carrying onions.

" But I have heard about you" She gave him a small smile.

" None of it is true" Junpyo's defense was quick and Eun had to stop her lips from smiling bigger at how swift he was to dismiss the rumors. She wasn't aware how her relaxed face had gotten a smile from even the driver who she wasn't paying attention to. Her eyes were on Junpyo brushing his hair. He saved her life last time and now here he was claiming to check on her, this person was in no way the same as the one from all the rumors she had heard about. Did he really come just to check on her? She questioned as she scanned him up and down again. What she was doing in silence, had left her startled once she recognized how they could see her scanning him up and down.

" Oh, Do you want to come in?" surprising herself she asked while opening the door wider. Just as surprised as her, the driver had focused his gaze on Junpyo while he waited for Junpyo's response. The first step Junpyo took towards the gate, only the driver was left shocked since Eun had no idea how big of a deal what everything that was happening was.

" I can take that" Junpyo, turning back, sent his hands to the bags the driver was holding. The two men exchanged looks, the driver had used that time to read Junpyo. What has been going on in the last few months, the driver needs to start paying close attention.

" Thank you for this" Junpyo's smile left the driver even more puzzled as his finger had mindlessly loosened their tight grip on the bags Junpyo took. What happened to this boy?

" You can leave. I will call you if I need you" was the last thing Junpyo said before he walked into the gate of the house that will be closed while the driver still stood outside.

" This way" Eun, leading the way, couldn't help but keep glancing back at who was following her. The small garden Mrs Kim carefully takes care of, was what had Junpyo's attention until they got to the house. The slippers she gave him, she had smirked at how small they were for him but he hadn't complained at the fluffy slippers he changed his loafers to. The shoe rack by the door, Junpyo was trying hard to act normal and not look surprised by all the things around him. The living room wasn't even as big as his bedroom, his eyes had focused on the old couch before being sent to the TV set and all the books and videotapes around it. He knew not to have any reaction to all the shocking things around him let alone make any comments.

" This way" Eun, who had given him a minute to scan the living room, directed his attention to the dining and kitchen they were heading to. His observant eyes scanning everything, Eun was enjoying just watching him and what was catching his attention. The son of the richest family in the country, his amusement at just the small size of everything was fun to watch.

" You can sit there" the dining table she pointed at, Junpyo's eyes stared at all the items on the table before he scanned the old table and chairs. Is this how poor people live? How much money does a table and hair cost for them to have such an old one that needs to be thrown out. The first time he had even had to think of such thoughts, he had to stop himself before he got to the cabinets.

" We bought groceries" she explained all the items spread around the kitchen. His eyes from the old fridge, which he wasn't sure why it was white and not stainless, were sent to the roof. His shock he couldn't hide no matter how much he tried, Junpyo was still standing by the entrance to the dining room and examining the spots on the roof.

" Oh, we had a leak from the pipes above. They fixed it. It has to dry before they paint it" Eun tried explaining the spots on the roof but that wasn't what he was thinking about. How could anybody live in such a small space? That was the first and only question his mind was stuck on. His bathroom, which he found suffocating, was even bigger than their whole kitchen and dining area. Who lives in such a place? How much does this even cost? How was such a living allowed? Did Jandi live in such a place as well? The last question that had stung a bit, he had to stop thinking and look unaffected by what he was surrounded by.

" act normal" the command he gave himself, he gave her a soft smile as he started walking to the dining table. The shopping bags he was holding placed under the table, and he pulled the chair facing the whole kitchen. Eun on the other side, had wanted to make sure he had a good view of the kitchen he wanted to scan and also keep his eyes on her.

" Did you really come here just to check on me?" Eun heading to the fridge asked.

" Yes"

" Why?"

" I wanted to know if you were okay" his eyes from the grocery on the table were sent to the type of fridge he had never seen, maybe they were special models. Also, how was this tiny fridge enough space for even a single person?

" You could have just called" the glass she pulled from the cabinet, she headed to the sink and rinsed it.

" I could have" he followed her as she started walking to his side. The juice box she brought she placed next to the water jug and the glass she placed on the table. She was sure he would prefer something boxed and would never try drinking the water from here but she had to offer. And just like she thought he had picked the juice box which he started examining as she walked back to the other side with the water and glass. The glass she would use to pour some water for herself, she stood against the counter while keeping her eyes on Jun Pyo reading everything on the juice box.

" Your company makes that" The look on his face as he looked up, she hid her smirk with the glass.

" Bottom, " she directed his attention to the bottom of the juice to locate the Shinwa Supermarket Logo.

" It's good" She smiled at him as she took another sip of the water. The annoyed look on his face as he placed the juice box down, that reaction had set the mood for the conversation they would start. Placing all the vegetables and fruits in their right place after washing them, Eun asked all the questions about how he got her address or why he was there. Even the red card she was issued, she had dared to ask about it to find he had nothing to do with it. His claim he never gave anybody red cards, she didn't truly believe it but let it slide. The friend of his, even she was aware of how Woobin was the one who handed them out like they were lottery tickets. Her explanation about how both she and Jandi were given red cards, she had missed his reaction to Jandi also receiving the red card while she was busy with the eggs she was arranging. Unlike the boys, Eun wouldn't need multiple interactions to start picking on what was between the two people who had saved her. The thought of her friend had gotten a reaction from both as she excused herself and rushed upstairs.

" You wouldn't believe who is here. '' Holding her room door closed to make sure nobody was coming upstairs, Eun whispered right when the phone was picked up by Jandi.

" you're home already" Jandi, putting the folded towels in the cabinet, wasn't interested in participating in the guessing game.

" Yes and guess who showed up?"

" Who?" Jandi, although she could tell something was different about Eun's voice, didn't care much about the names she was expecting to hear.

" JUNPYO" Eun had shouted, forcing Jandi's hand to drop the towels she was moving from the pile in the basket to the cabinet. Her world coming to a screeching halt; even her heart had jumped a beat.

" WHAT?" Jandi pulling her phone from her pocket, asked as she started discounting her earphones.

" JUN PYO from school. The leader of the F4"
" HE IS HERE" Eun added, shouting again.

" Why?"

" Why?" was the only thing she could say as Jandi brought the phone to her ears.

" He said he is here to check on me"

" WHAT?"

" I know. I am still shocked" Eun's happy-sounding voice was making it worse for the already disturbed state Jandi was in.

" He asked about how I was feeling and even apologized so many times for what happened. He said he "

" Is he still there?" Jandi interrupted. Her brain, which needed a few more seconds to accept this was real, only needed confirmation to start problem-solving. This was bad. Beyond bad.

" Yes, he is in the living room. He is nothing like they say. He is way

" Keep him there until I get there," Jandi interrupted again before she hung up.

Her phone placed in her pocket, Eun rushed down to find Junpyo still examining the kitchen. Their conversation that had seamlessly shifted away from what happened on Monday, Eun leaning on the counter to place the new plates on the top cabinet didn't know how ridiculous she looked trying to reach the top.

" Oh" her startled response when she noticed him next to her, she had taken a step back as she handed him the plate.

" Thank you" Her smile was used to hide how surprised she was by his proximity. Passing him the next plate, she took another step as she let her eyes take in how tall he was to reach the top shelf with such ease. The vanilla-based perfume of his she got a swiff off every time his arm was lifted and his overcoat was raised, she was once again left in a daze while taking her time to examine him. His gorgeous face she had heard so much about, it was beyond fascinating to look at up close. Somehow his surroundings and what he was doing were adding to the admiration he was getting from Eun who was not opposed to the idea that he might be as scary or as evil as they make him out to be. At least he didn't look like it. She might have interacted with him only twice but both were enough to start challenging some of the assumptions she had made about him. Saving her life and now helping her with chores in this house, all added to how handsome he was. Life is not fair. How could he be this handsome while being that rich? And possibly nice. It wasn't fair at all. Look at his bone structure, the clear and glistening skin, and the perfect figure, the conversation she was having with herself was coming from comparing him to the models they had for their painting classes.

" That one too?" Junpyo's question brought her attention back and she started handing him the set of soup cups she had washed and dried.

" Wouldn't it be better to have them lower"

" They are new. We won't use them every day" She kept handing him the cups. Her eyes following his arm, his hand would be where she found her next focus. The expensive watch ignored, the ring on his pinky finger and the interesting engraving, had her attention for a minute before she had to look away before being caught staring.

" Is that a brand logo?" as she handed him the last cup she asked pointing at his hand.

" It's a family engraving. '' His right hand he glanced at, he closed the cabinet.

" Is it an heirloom? " she asked as he started walking back to the chair. The answer she didn't get, she didn't bother to ask again. All the items on the table that were almost gone, one thing had grabbed her attention.

" What is that?" she pointed at the shopping bags by the chair he was sitting by.

" Oh. It is for you" the bag he pulled from under the table, he placed them all on the table.

" Me" her right hand landing on her chest, Eun walked to his side of the dining table.

" Yes," he pushed the bags her way.

" I didn't want to come empty and" his nervous hands sent to his pocket, he smiled at her as she leaned forward to see what was inside the fancy bags.

" What is this?' she sent her careful hands to the silver shopping bag. The box she pulled out of the bag; the flowers' textured box, even the smell, was too luxurious for her to not be careful about how she was even carrying it. Whatever was inside she had already concluded how she was going to repurpose and use this box for her jewelry. The soft silver ribbon she untied, the top of the box was removed gently.

" I wanted to get you something you can use while you were away from school" his right hand sent to his hair, his blinking eyes waiting for any reaction. The lack of emotions on her face worrying him, Junpyo leaned left to get a better view of Eun slowly pulling out the items from the box. Was it an odd thing to give? Did he mess up? Did she not like it? With all the questions running through his mind, he tried to explain himself.

" Since you like paintings I thought you might use them" his eyes were still on her, and he started explaining all the items Eun was pulling out. The expensive paint set she had pulled out first, she had thought that would be it but the marker set she pulled out was double that price. The set of pencils she pulled out next, which had been on her dream board as the ultimate gift to get herself, here were all five sets of the hand-crafted and most expensive pencils one can buy. The brand on the steel panning knives she pulled out, her shocked eyes had glanced up at him.

" It's okay if you don't like them.", still unable to make sense of what she was feeling, Junpyo tried shifting the focus to the other bag. The box he pulled out, the nicely tied bow, was removed to open the box to a beautifully arranged set of self-care items.

" I told them to make one for rest" his thumb scratched his palm, and he sent his eyes to Eun who had stopped moving while her eyes scanned all the exclusive items arranged in the self-care package custom-made based on his request. The package filled with actual flowers along with items that were too beautiful to even touch, Eun had only counted the 15 beautiful bottles perfectly arranged across the box.

" I thought you could use it to relax until you get back."

" It's okay if you don't like any of them'' The bigger box still in the bag containing the chocolate, candy, and snacks , which he didn't want to open up, was the least expensive but was still more expensive than anything Eun had ever owned, even more expensive than her monthly tuition fee.

" This is not to make up for what happened" his hands went to his pocket, even when baffled Eun was better at reading his reaction to pick on his nervousness.

" I just didn't want to come empty-handed, it would be rude to" his words were silenced when she took the two steps between them and wrapped her arms around him. The emotions she was processing since she saw him by the door, she didn't know what to do with all the things as she rested her head against his chest. The memory of what he had done that night she was quickly reminded of, it was all overwhelming to find the right words to thank him for being there that night , let alone all of this.

" Thank you" her whisper he caught before she buried her face into his coat, now he was the one confused about what to do in this situation.

" You shouldn't thank me for this" His right hand softly pulled away from his pocket, and landed on her back which he started patting. With his off-rhythm pats, he had kept his eyes on her head hidden into his coat. The first time a girl had ever hugged him like this, it was interesting the type of reaction she was getting from him. It was all to comfort her, which he didn't know how to do as he stopped his patting. It didn't look right.

" Oh sorry" The moment she felt his hand stop and his awkward body, she loosened her arms and separated their bodies.

" I didn't mean to touch you I just was" his stuttering voice had gotten a smile from her as she finally caught the reason behind his right hand that was sent to his hair.

" It's okay" Her arms were brought back to her side as she took another step back.

" I shouldn't have touched you without permission, let alone" She stopped as her baffled mind was tasked with analyzing his reaction. His eyes avoiding looking straight at her, his hand in his hair and even the little step he took back would be added to his voice that somehow didn't sound as deep as it was a minute ago.

" That's not it, I just don't" his attempt at explanation, the only word that her mind came up with to describe what she was watching was adorable. In about an hour, this boy had demonstrated all opposing behaviors to the one she had heard about. Her intuition, one of her best traits, Eun knew to trust as all the fear she had around this boy was eliminated completely here and now.

" You don't know how to hug" her smile getting bigger, she asked as she started placing the boxes back in the bags she would take and display in her room. Maybe just stare at them for a few days if not weeks before using any of them.

" I don't hug people" Her smile he was matching, he knew how odd what he said sounded as both started smiling.

" That is not what the rumors say about what you do," her parted lips had turned into a laugh at his reaction. It was so odd how friendly he seemed with every smile of his.

" The rumors are too wild"

" Are they?" she asked, taking steps back to the other side of the kitchen.

" I thought you were an expert at giving pretty girls hugs" With the smile she gave him, she was now taking note of how often his hands go to his hair. A habit she will learn to use as a cue for what he is feeling.

" Is that what they say?" the juice box he opened, he took the first sip of the cold drink that had warmed up.

" One of my classmates has had a first-hand experience" Eun, placing the fruits that need to be washed and placed in the middle of the dining table in the bowl, pulled her sleeves up before she started the water.

" What?" his widened eyes, he asked.

" She said she partied with you guys last year and had a magical night with you" Her eyes on JunPyo, she had added a little melody to the word 'magical'. The look on his face, his eyes that had increased their blinking and size were hard to miss.

" Whatever you did, she gave you a raving review. It was all they were talking about for weeks. She was using it to brag" Eun's had gone on while Junpyo was busy trying to find any memory of the girl she was talking about. He doesn't remember anything even from the beginning of this year, let alone last year.

" You have a reputation" Her laugh brought his attention back to her.

" and an exquisite taste because all of the ones I have heard about are beyond pretty"

" Wait, does everybody know this?" he asked, interrupting her and taking another sip of the surgery juice.

" Yeah. You are the leader of the F4 of course everybody knows about you. Everybody learns about the F4 the first day they get to that school"

" Why are you surprised?" the dejected look on his face, she didn't understand.

" I am not. I just" his sentence wasn't finished. He never gave a damn about what anybody in that school thought about him or what he does and how vowed to never care but things aren't as they used to be.

" They are not bad rumors. Isn't getting all the pretty girls everywhere you go something to brag about?" She didn't get an answer to her question.

" You are such a prize, they don't even mind being there for one night," her smiling eyes on the fruits she was washing, she hadn't realized what she had started.

" Well they can't be with you for more than one night so. "

" Is that my reputation?" the change back to his deeper voice, Eun was busy separating the apples and the pears to catch on that what she was smiling at wasn't a smiling matter for him.

" Everybody knows you don't date and none of them are worthy. There was a rumor going around that you were dating this famous model for some lingerie brand which was crazy. Sometimes people forget you are the son of Shinwa. You are in a different category of people. Like there are levels to this and you are at the top of the top." Her words were being taken in more seriously than anything else she had said since he got here. His right hand had found the right place to release some of the pent-up energy as he started peeling the plastic wrapping of the juice box.

"Don't get me wrong, she is beyond gorgeous but come on " She had turned around to get one of his famous fake smiles as a reply to the claims she was making. Eun had gone on while giving Junpyo a headache to worry about.

" It makes sense why they would throw themselves at you like they do"

" I would do if I was like them"

" Really" his question forced her to pause and turn, she just realized how he hadn't said anything in a few minutes. His head held down, and the juice box he was peeling got her attention until the fake smile of his was repeated as he waited for her answer.

" Maybe just to see what all the fuss is about"

" Really?" his question, she couldn't help but smile at the look on his face

" I am still in shock that you are even talking to me, do you think I would dare?", pulling her wet hands from the bowl, she asked, turning to face him.

" You don't have a reason to even look in my direction let alone talk to me."

" I know my place. " With her cute laugh, she turned around and started raising the fruits.

" Sometimes I am shocked that I even go to the same school as you guys"

The line of statements that had come from her in the last few minutes, the way they would be analyzed for hours, Eun had no idea as she kept smiling. The headache she had given him, had already started hurting but she was set on giving him the right distraction when she brought her friend's name into the conversation.

" What did you get Jandi?" she asked. His thumb scratching the last plastic tape of the plastic, Eun didn't catch the pause the name she blurted out had caused. She had also missed the slow motion of his head that was raised.

" They attacked her too. Are you going to get her anything and check on her?" the smile she gave him, the look on his face was her answer.

" You didn't get her anything?"

" She won't accept anything from me" his low voice, Eun's smile had gotten bigger at how true what he said was.

" Do you know why?"
" She hates me"His response had gotten her attention as her smile slowly faded away. Her eyes zooming on the look on his face he was holding down and his fingers scratching the plastic.

" Well you are part of F4?" she chose to say it nicely as she decided to not trust her intuition that was telling her to question the weird shift in the vibe she was being forced to witness around him since she said her friends name.

" Her boyfriend is" The hint of annoyance in his voice was masked by the smile he extended her way. His sentence he didn't finish, Eun didn't need it or anything else to stop what she was doing and focus on him.

" He is different. They spend so much time together and he is beyond nice. Wait, why do you care if she hates you or not?" She shifted her question to what her intuition was leading her to.

" I don't like being hated"

" Well, all the scholarship students hate you" She stopped herself and gave him a big smile to hide away from what she said.

" She has a reason to hate you" his eyes, from the juice box returned to her. It was odd how she wasn't scared of them and it had only taken a half an hour chat to feel comfortable to say this to his face.

" She is treated like trash. I am sure you know what happened yesterday" Her careful eyes hadn't missed every reaction of his as he straightened his seat while his right hand was sent to his hair he brushed not away from his face but towards it. The response she wasn't expecting from him, she was sure he had seen the photos. Everybody that went to that school had. The fact that Junpyo was the one who ended the fight and what happened afterward wasn't something Eun was aware of as Jandi hadn't even mentioned his name. Only Jihoo's name was mentioned last night when they were in Eun's room talking about everything that happened.

" She has every right not to like anybody at that school, let alone you guys" Her smiles and positive attitude, Eun had spent enough time around Jandi to learn how to use them to hide the pointed words. His eyes she had instantly started forming a bond with, through his silence were letting her know her words had reached the right place.

" She is beyond strong and has had enough. Do you know the amount of courage it takes to stand up to those guys?" Her smile, she was trying to hold back; it was clear to see she was the biggest fan of her new friend, who does the impossible.

" She is something else" she whispered as she caught the smirk that escaped his lips. There was something he wasn't saying. Actually, from the look on his face, there was a lot he wasn't saying as he kept his head held down.

" But you should at least check on her?" she asked after failing to find another question to get him to start talking.

" Is it because you're scared of her?" she crossed her arms as she caught the second smirk.

" You're scared she will hit you again," she added, reminding both of the slap rumor she was aware of.

" I am not sure, but you seem a bit scared of her."

" I am." His honesty wasn't something she was ready for, and Eun wasn't remotely prepared for the look in his eyes that glanced up for a second. The type of fear they were talking about isn't the same and even though she had caught it, she had shaken the ridiculous thought away. It was impossible. It was easier to accept she was losing her six sense that was never wrong than accept what had crossed her mind.

" She is scary.'' the strange smirk that followed his words, his right hand had brought the sugary drink to his lips as he took a sip.

"Why would you be scared of anybody? You literally own that school?" The answer she didn't get, Eun had to assume it was because of what Jandi had done to the boys. Anybody would be scared after hearing what she was capable of doing. As she returned back to what she was doing, the minute or two of silence they had was cut short by Eun

" She is beyond special, you know." Her thoughts focused on the girl who had changed her life; Eun had all the praise ready for her friend.

" I have never met someone so selfless, it's ridiculous" Her smile while her eyes were focused on the water rushing down, Eun had let her thoughts wander off to all the things Jandi had done for her she started listing. Saving her that night, and saving them from the school bullies, neither were the highlights of what she was talking about. It was the home she was given. Not a house but a home with people who cared about where she was and what she ate. The welcoming people who have accepted her without any question. The care, and nurture they are pouring into her without demanding anything in return, she had no idea how what she was talking about wasn't something he could relate to. Her long rant had only been disturbed when they heard the knock at the door.

" Oh, she is here." Eun turned the water off and turned her attention to Junpyo.

" Jandi" she gave him the name he wasn't prepared for. The stunned look on his face, Eun could only smile as she started walking to the living room.

" Prepare something to say, maybe something nice" She patted him as she passed him and started running to the gate door, which was being knocked nonstop.

" COMING," she screamed. She was the only one remotely happy about what was happening as she opened the door to Jandi, who walked past her without even acknowledging her. With her quick steps, Eun only looked at Jandi's marching boots to find out that her friend wasn't happy about this.

" We were just talking about you" Eun's smile was removed as Jandi's sharp eyes turned her way.

" I didn't tell him anything," Eun said, raising both her hands and starting to smile once Jandi's eyes were turned back to the house. The interaction between the two she was excited to witness; she wasn't prepared for what she had caused as she watched Jandi kick her shoes off and head to the living room. Her hair flying away from her face, matching the same direction as her cardigan; one didn't need to see her fierce eyes to know what she was feeling. It was all over her body.

" She is," Eun silenced herself as she watched the slow turn of Junpyo. His head turned their way, his eyes landed on Jandi marching his way. The dark eyes of his she had been looking at since he walked into the house, one look was what Eun needed to catch how, not just their gaze, even their shape didn't match the one she recalled from a minute ago. With the hint of a smile at the corner of his lips, Eun would notice what had become so obvious for anybody who would pay attention to how he looks at Jandi.

" Why are you here" Jandi asked directly as she paused her walking at the kitchen entrance.

" Hello." His soft voice, Eun smiled as she walked past Jandi and headed to the sink. That was the right place to get a good view of the two.

" Why are you here?" Jandi's tone was the same as she asked, crossing her arms.

" I wanted to see how she was doing" his right hand pointed at Eun who gave Jandi a short smile.

" Why?"

" He feels bad about what happened," Eun jumped in, intentionally wanting the conversation to go that way.

" Does he?" Jandi's smirk, her eyes returned to him.

" He apologized again and again and even bought some gifts" Eun had thought she was helping him as she continued. The two that had their language weren't paying attention to what she was saying. Even though she didn't care about it, Jandi's eyes hadn't failed to be directed to the luxury boxes and gift bags on the table. Apparently, everybody gets a gift from him. Not just fancy gifts but personal visits. Everybody except one. Her piercing eyes had returned to him as her right hand wrapped around her left was sent to scratch at her palm.

" What are you doing here?" she questioned getting a smile from him. Eun turning to him couldn't figure out what he was smiling about. Irritated Jandi, she rarely sees, Eun was baffled by why he was smiling at it.

" I seriously came just to check on her."
" You could have called"
" I could have" his response, Eun was busy capturing just the way the two were looking at each other.

" I am glad he came. It was nice to talk to him in person." Eun, coming to his defense, Jandi's sharp eyes came her way.

" It means a lot that he came all the way here just to check on me. It's beyond thoughtful of him"

" She is fine so why are you still here?" before he could answer her question all their attention would be shifted to the gate they heard opening. Eun leaning to the window by the sink was the first to notice Mrs Kim holding two bags and walking in.

"MRS KIM IS HERE," her loud declaration had only freaked out Jandi as both their eyes were sent to Junpyo who wasn't sure what was happening. The look on both girls, Junpyo knew he was the problem. Her day turned from bad to worse, Jandi was doing everything not to freak out as she was reminded of the mess she was creating for herself by continuing to even talk to this boy. Her head already aching, was tasked with just problem-solving.

" Get the door, I'll handle this" Jandi ordered Eun who started running out of the kitchen.

" Get the bags" she pointed at Junpyo as she ran to the living room. Both hers and his shoes picked up, and she directed him to follow her upstairs. With the gift bags in his hand, Junpyo had to lean down to fit into the short staircase. Eun's room she would lead them to, the door was closed behind him after she placed the shoes by the corner. The shopping bags she snatched away from his hands, she threw them in before closing and locking Eun's closet.

" Don't make a sound, '' she commanded Junpyo while she stood by the door she opened slowly to listen in on the conversation happening downstairs.

" I really just came to check on her" Jandi he wasn't planning on seeing today, he couldn't hide how glad he was to do so but had to make it clear he wasn't using Eun to do so.
" Hush," he was silenced as her angry eyes turned his way. Turning her attention back to the door, she opened it slightly more so she could hear better. While she was busy with that, Junpyo's attention was shifted from her to their surroundings. His hands behind his back, Junpyo had busied himself examining the room they were in.

With the painting brushes and supplies he saw by the canvas, he knew this was Eun's room. The light caramel color of the wall she painted had made it warm and cozy along with the plants and art pieces she had hung up. Her workstation getting his attention, he took more steps to the wall next to the table. The posters ignored what his eyes focused on were the Polaroid pictures. More specifically the ones of the two friends. Jandi's smile he wasn't used to seeing with his eyes, it was bazaar to see it in a photo. His curious eyes that turned her way had only found her head peeking out the door. The person she was whenever she was around the people she liked, here was another proof of it as he moved closer to get a better look at the photo of the two girls. From one to another, he was enjoying looking at the photos that he thought would be the highlights of his day. They were the perfect remedies for what he was expecting from her anger at him being here. Somehow it felt nice to know she had people to smile with. People whom she felt comfortable around smiled like she was doing in the photos.

His eyes shifting to the picture in the middle, Junpyo was taken back to the Friday night dinner Eun had made sure to photograph before Jandi went to that dinner. The silly poses she was asking Jandi to do, the moment that was meant to be just for the two Eun had captured some photos that were never meant to be seen by anyone else. Especially not by Junpyo who vividly remembers what she looked like in that black dress and the amazing makeup Eun had worked on. He had seen it in real life but even that hadn't prepared him for one of the pictures Eun had made sure to print to use as an inspiration for an art piece. The off-shoulder look she got from Jandi, she had pressed the camera at the right time to capture a stunning photo.

Her well-moisturized skin sparkling thanks to the shadow Eun had mixed with the moisture before she applied it, the photo had only captured her from the back while she only slightly turned her head back. Her unclothed shoulder the dress wasn't covering being at the center. Her hair slicked back and resting by her neck, her collar bones matching the sharpness of her jawline, he could only smile at how ridiculously beautiful his captured eyes found her. The grainy print of the photo adding to the stunning shot, he had accepted his eyes to be fascinated by the amount of skin she was showing but it was her enticing eyes and the hint of a sly smile that had pulled him back to the night she spent seated next to him. What he would do to have her look at him like this? Junpyo's already injured bottom lip had gotten the answer as the question was shifted to what he would do if he ever caught her looking at him like this. His right hand slowly headed to the photo, and he unpinned it from the wall.

" Who took this?" he asked, holding the photo to her view.

" Don't touch anything" Leaving the door open, she rushed to his side and snatched the photo away from his hand.

" You tend to smile a lot" he didn't protest her attempt to push him away as she placed the photo upside down on the desk.

" In photos," he added, directing her attention to the board. Her hands quickly pulling the photo down; she kept her annoyed words to herself. The steps on the stairs and Eun's loud voice caught their attention as Jandi dropped the photos and headed to the door. The people coming up the stairs, she only had to hear ' ' the window in my room is open '' from Eun to know she was giving them a clue. Closing the door, Jandi grabbed their shoes and headed to the window. Junpyo, following her behind, hadn't failed to take the photo she had placed upside down and slide it into his pocket. The window opened to the max, Junpyo, still confused and lost was asked to get out first.

" This is ridiculous" unable to mask his excitement about all of this, he jumped out the window. His feet landing on the cement of the balcony, had to stay that way until Jandi threw him his shoes. The window shut after she climbed out; her boots were zipped before she started leading the way around the balcony. Junpyo following behind was the only one concerned by the aggressive wind attacking her as they took the stairs to the roof. The cardigan she wrapped to stop it from flying in every direction, all her focus was on getting him out of there as she rushed down the outside stairs that led to the backyard which they used to leave the house.

" Follow me" the neighborhood she needs to get him to exist as soon as possible. Her first task was just getting him away from this house. The restaurant that was a few minutes away, too many people knew her around here for him to be anywhere near here. The dark clouds sending warnings, unlike she had thought, most people walking past them were busy rushing to get home while the store owners were putting their items back into the store. The gusting wind flying everywhere, Junpyo's attention from the weird neighborhood was turned to Jandi who was wearing only two thin layers of cloth at the top. His coat he wanted to offer, he knew would be rejected as he placed his hands back in his pocket.

" Are you angry because I came to visit your friend?" her silence he couldn't take any longer, he asked.

" or what boundary did I cross?" his question reminded her of the agreement she made. She took a deep breath as she calmed down from all the anxiety she had been processing since she heard he was here.

" Why are you really here?"

" I just wanted to see if she was okay"
" I wasn't trying to bother you. I knew you were doing fine"

" How do you know?"

" Jihoo spent the whole day talking about you and I asked him if he checked on you" The smile he gave her she ignored, she had only caught the look he got from the two people who walked past him.

" Could you stop asking people about me" Her eyes turned his way, again what she caught was the look he got from one of the store owners. On the small road, Jandi's right hand left her cardigan as it came for his arm she grabbed it and started pulling.

" Be on that side" She started pulling him to be on the inside of the road so he was hidden a bit from the view of the strangers. Her grip his eyes stayed on, he was happy she was just casually touching him now.

" I prefer this" his response, her warning eyes were raised to him.

" Fine," allowing her hand to pull him, he changed to the side of the long wall of the preschool they were passing. Her hand returning to her was wrapped around herself as the quick steps she was taking were slowed for a second as she recalled why he might have said he preferred to be on the outside of the road.

" What?' Junpyo asked as her scary eyes were brought back to him and were staring.

" Nothing. Just stop asking people about me"

" If you have a question, just ask me"

" You have my number," she added, her eyes focusing on the left turn she led them to make.

" Can I visit you instead?" The gap between their bodies shortened as they made a turn, she had to look at his eyes to get the answer to why his question felt odd.

" I prefer talking to you like this"

" It's fine if you're not okay with it" his quick reaction to any hint of unease on her face was to get rid of it.

" You can come to me instead" his smile she was planning to ignore, she had failed as his dimples appeared. The list of all the things she had made him promise not to do, she had forgotten to add coming here to the list. Junpyo coming to her neighborhood was a No-No and she will do anything to avoid it. Not just for her sake but for his. His hatred for anything related to the corporation that Junpyo will inherit, she was well aware of what Bom will do to this boy if he ever found him around her. What she didn't know was how they had seen each other. Her unconscious body they had picked from Jihoo's car, Bom's terrifying eyes had been on Junpyo and Junpyo alone until they drove off.

" What did you get her?" her eyes scanning their surroundings, she changed the topic to something she wouldn't need to pay that much attention to. The people zipping their coats and getting their umbrellas ready, she was careful in singling out everybody around them to make sure none of them were people who knew her or paid any attention to who she was walking alongside.

" just somethings to kill time until she gets back to school"

" We are coming back tomorrow"

" I know."

" I thought it was just for a meeting or are you staying the day?" his eyes following what she was looking at, he didn't find the people around them as interesting as everything else. The tiny roads were often filled with food carts that closed the road; his eyes were on the merchants closing their carts and moving away from the road that was known for being unable to handle the water from the heavy rain that had been warning all day. The various smells coming from the carts, the turn they made had landed them to the ones that made the delicious sweets this block was known for. The burnt sugar smell that filled the road, Junpyo's attention was on all the foreign food he had never seen before people were lining up to buy before they rushed home for the evening.

" We are just there for the meeting, probably to be expelled."

" Are you worried?"

" I am not worried about me but she can't be expelled." She lied as she focused on the old lady stacking the chairs of the small noodle shop. The old lady who knew her for being a repeating customer hadn't seen her as Jandi made sure they quickly passed by.

" Why are you worried about her?"

" Her college acceptance is contingent on her finishing this year. Her scholarship is also tied to this school. They didn't even give her enough to cover all tuition but am sure they are going to threaten to take it away"

" You care about her a lot." Her eyes finally turned his way, he could only smile at how bothered she looked about people knowing she cared about others.

" You act like you don't care about anything but you do. '' His flying hair and his right profile, her eyes were pulled to the motion of his hair that was placed behind his ear. The three earrings, her eyes followed to his neck not covered by the collar of the overcoat. The white t-shirt peeking from the dark green cardigan he had on; her eyes were turned back to the road before they passed his neckline.

" Eun was going on and on about how you changed her life. I wonder how many would say the same" Unfortunately for her, her eyes were forced to return back to him.

" What are you trying to say?"

" Nothing" his shoulder shrug was accompanied by a smile she didn't trust.

" Huh" the deep breath of the cold air she took calming her down from being worried about anything he says, she chose to be silent and just lead the way. Finally away from Mrs Kim's house by a few blocks, Jandi knew to get him away from this town as soon as possible. There were only a few places he could have parked his car and she had thought she knew based on the last time he was there rather than ask. The cold breeze aiding his curiosity, Junpyo was enjoying their silent walk as he took in the fascinating smell of all the restaurants they were passing. The people leaving the tiny places with plastic bags of their food, he couldn't help but wonder what the restaurants with all the lines were selling to be this crowded.

The tiny raindrops that started dropping as warning shots; the loud streets got even louder as everybody started rushing to wherever they were going. The food cart owners putting on their big raincoats, the two were the only ones that didn't seem concerned by what the dark clouds were holding. The roads they were taking becoming bigger and wider with every turn, by the time the tiny raindrops started landing on them, was when Jandi had glanced up at the sky. The few turns they had left before they got to the main road by the high school, she had ignored even asking him if he was okay with the tiny raindrops attacking them as she continued leading the way. His coat closed, he didn't say anything as he followed. The rain drops increasing in size had turned to attack from the right thanks to the strong wind forcing them to change direction. Jandi on the right side receiving them had only wrapped her cardigan around her body; she was used to being rained on. The thin fabric of the cloth she had on, as he scanned her, was when he noticed how her right leg was now moving a bit off rhythm. The water drops on the fabric that would be forced to stick to her skin, she didn't seem bothered by the rain but still looked minutes away from shivering in the cold. His instinct to take off his coat and cover her with it was silenced by the logical voice in his head telling him she wouldn't accept it.

" Huh" her reaction at the lighting that hit far away sending the final warning sign of the rain, her eyes were sent up as the rain drops started falling faster.

" Come on" the rain they couldn't outrun, finding a hiding spot was the solution as she started running to the perfect place she knew that was a few blocks away. The crowded road, they weren't the only two jogging as the rest were even running to avoid the wind that had turned all the umbrellas upside down.

"We're going over there" She pointed at the old building they could see two blocks away. Just like the people around them, the two had started running when the rain started pouring.

"Fuck" the curse she heard from behind her, she turned to glance at Junpyo. Both his hands raised to cover his head from the water attacking them, and she was quickly reminded of what Jihoo had said about how his friend did not like the rain. The smile she gave him came from finding something he didn't like. She was a bit delighted about it to even slow down their running as she kept her eyes on him. His unruly hair finally not flying around, his wet hair had her attention for a second. His eyes looking up from the road, what waited for them was her gleeful face trying hard not to smile at him.

" We're almost there" She smirked. The dark clouds hiding the sun, about to set, away from view had turned the daylight into a gloomy one. Despite it, the colorful lights from the cars and the stores around had added a charm to the view as they sparkled thanks to the raindrops. The melody of the rain she was beyond fond of, had aided her glee in enjoying the view her eyes hadn't moved away from. The black overcoat he had failed to button flying open, her cherry eyes had taken their time scanning him up. From his shoes, the jeans, the knitted sweatshirt, all the way to his head held down to hide his face away from the rain. The few strands of wet hair glued to his face, and the water drops on his face were hard to not be fascinated by. Unfortunately for her, his eyes had looked up to catch her while she was lost by what she was looking at. The smile they exchanged, the rest of the way would be captured in slow motion as they ran side by side.

The tall building they ran into, their first task had been to head to the bathrooms on the first floor. The first one to finish attempting to dry herself, Jandi had stood by the hallway leading to the men's room as she waited. The old building she used to love spending her free time in, she tried recalling the last time she was there. The loud noise of the rain pouring down guiding her to scan through her memory, she stood by the wall wrapping her arms around herself. The movie theater on the 4th floor she used to hide in, a few months if not a year had passed since she had even been in this building let alone in the theater. What she had missed in her absence was how this building was up for demolition. The poster describing not just the notice for demolish but the new closing time was right behind her head as she stood lost in her memory until she heard the raspy voice.

" Is this a mall?" Junpyo she hadn't noticed walking to her side, she had snapped out of her memory when he walked past her to get a better view of the building they were in.

" Kind of" She did a quick scan of him, he didn't look like he had been in the rain minutes ago. The hand drier he had used to dry his coat, not a drop of water was on his face. The only giveaway was his hair which was somewhat still wet and all brushed to rest back.

" We can wait here until the rain calms down" leading the way to the first floor. Jandi had to act normal after being caught scanning him for the second time in a span of minutes.

" This isn't like any of the malls you go to, is it?" She found the perfect conversation starter that would help them waste a few minutes as they walked through the floors. With the small number of people scattered around them and some of the stores being empty and locked, Jandi was more focused on what they were talking about to use them as a clue. By the time they got to the fourth floor, her legs had chosen to take them to some of the stores that were still open.

" Did you come here just to visit her?" Jandi asked, unwrapping her hands from her cardigan that was drying thanks to the heater that was on. Her hands sent to the cardigan's pocket, her eyes were demanding an honest answer from Junpyo on her right side.

" Yes," his eyes had proven he wasn't lying, which she chose to accept as she turned her attention to the stores, all of which had sale signs displayed for most items that were more than half off. She needs to come here with Eun and buy some stuff. They would save a lot of money from this type of sale.

" I didn't know you cared about her that much." Her eyes, the peculiar look they gave him and her small smile had slowed his steps as she made the right turn, leaving him behind.

" I just wanted to check if she's okay. Nothing else."

" Sure" the smirk she gave him, Junpyo was quick to pick on what she was choosing not to say but her eyes and smiles were.

" I am not interested in your friend." his defensive tone, her smirk had turned to a smile as she kept her eyes on the items marked for sale she was scanning to come and buy tomorrow or the day after.

" Why would you be interested in her? She is the opposite of the type of people you like" her right hand sent to the fuzzy socks 60% off, she made sure to note them as perfect ones for Eun.

" For one she is a genuinely nice person" Her face turned his way, she had made sure he got a good view of the smile she gave him. Which had the opposite effect of what she thought. His eyes that never get tired of slowing down time to take in the beautiful smile of hers, the gentle arrow that attacked the left side of his chest had sent the tiny fuzzy tingles to spread across as he slowed his steps and followed behind. This was new. Just like everything else, the adoration her smiles cause were new.

" She is not obsessed with superficial things, not okay with being used as a toy to save you from boredom" The list she started forming, she had raised her right hand she used for counting.

" She is not willing to do whatever to get your attention or participate in all the illegal stuff you are into"

" She is not a model or comes from wealth," she added, pointing at him.

" She doesn't meet any of the requirements." With the devious smile she gave him, Junpyo's mind was somewhere else to be brothers by what she was saying about him. Content she was talking to him like this, he was okay with just taking in the moment as he sent his right hand to do what hers was doing. The fuzzy socks provided both the right sensory outlet as they cruised through the cute store. Jandi taking mental pictures of all the fluffy things she can get to make Eun a gift, while Junpyo wonders how one makes a profit selling anything this cheap. For every item she asked the price of, he had made sure to notice what it was. It was odd to see her interested in these types of things considering the vibe she gave was the complete opposite of fluffy and cute things. She was a girl after all he had concluded as he saw her excited about the cute milk-tea holding pig plush she had the owner bring down from the top shelf. The hugging pillow that was marked down 50 %, Junpyo had pretended to be looking at the adorable notebooks as he watched her try to negotiate to lower if she got the matching two. Was 20,000 ₩ too much for such things? His lack of sense of money, today was the first time he had realized he really had no sense of what anything costs or what is expensive or not.

That was the start of all the questions he had about the prices of every item in all the stores they wasted their time in. From the cute store to the stationary store to the gift store, he had silently followed, amazed by the price of everything around. How is anything this cheap? Was this what she could afford? But if she could, she wouldn't be haggling over the things that were already marked more than half off from the original price which he thought was already ridiculously cheap. How could she not even afford this? The repeated question would be asked again and again until he saw her pull some coins from her pants pocket and place them into the machine at the corner. The old vending machine he wouldn't even touch, he watched carefully as she picked up the cup that was dispensed before she started pressing the buttons for the tea that would be handed to him.

"Here," was all she said as she turned her attention to the one she was pouring for herself. The cup of mint tea in his hand, he glanced at it then at her twice.

" This is for me?" he asked, pointing at himself. The head nod from her was the only answer he got before she turned around and started walking away leaving the stunned Junpyo behind. His baffled eyes returned to the cup, only he was left stunned by how she just got him something. The fact that it was a cheap tea from a vending machine wasn't as significant as Jandi getting him something. Not just something but something to drink because he has been sneezing since they passed the first floor. His eyes returning to Jandi walking away, he chose to listen to the voice that was quick to dismiss any hope that she might care at least a bit.

The fourth floor they were in, they had walked around before Junpyo recognized the way she was looking at the entrance of the movie theater, which was locked.

" Do you used to come here?" Junpyo asked.

" Yes," was her soft response as she took her first sip. They didn't spend much time there as she led them to the balcony by the corner of the theater exit. The view of the neighborhood being washed by the rain, the building was at the perfect height to watch it all. The tea he was still just holding in his hand, Jandi had been the only one to drink hers.

" This is a great view"
" There is a better one?" she asked as she took her second sip of the hot emergency exit door they snuck into, only Junpyo was worried as she walked past the do not cross sign of the stairs leading them up. The do-not-cross sign on the door, she had pushed it as the dust from it was brushed their way thanks to the wind from the other side. The balcony waiting for them, she had held the door open from him as he joined her.

The tall glass wall of the closed balcony, as she claimed, had a better view of the west side of her neighborhood. It was not just the city; this side of the building had the perfect view of the sun, which was minutes away from disappearing. Jandi enjoying her tea, stood a step away, on his left side, as she gave him all the time he needed to be in awe of the view she used to spend hours of her day being lost in. Silently watching the sun disappear into the dark horizon, the hot drinks in their hands were aiding in making the moment one to remember. He might have the most expensive view from his fancy tower but she had one that had more character thanks to the view of her charming loud sounds of the rain still pouring down, Jandi's eyes had left it when she finally saw Junpyo's right hand bring the teacup to his lips. With the two sneezes of his, she knew it was time he started drinking the hot tea to help fight the cold his body was fighting.

" It has honey and ginger," Jandi whispered as he took his first sip. Trying to act like she wasn't paying attention, she waited for his reaction in her peripheral view. Not wanting to eat or drink anything from this type of place or anything that cost cents she had assumed was the reason he hadn't even tried it while she was a quarter into her tea.

" It's not that bad" she added as she saw him take another sip. His face she couldn't see without turning her eyes from the sky to him, she blamed his hair that was covering the left side of his face she had a view of.

" It's good" he whispered in between the back-to-back sips he was taking.

" It's for coming to check on her and apologizing to her '' she tried to hide her smile with the cup she raised to her lips. His baffled eyes that zoomed in on her, the little choke from the tea he was sipping, she didn't need to look at him to know his reaction.

" And for helping her last time, '' she added, keeping her eyes on the city that had started turning all artificial lights on.

" I can't afford to get you fancy gifts so enjoy this" Her eyes finally turned his way; she gave him a new kind smile he wasn't prepared for. The internal confusion he has been battling about how much she dislikes him, Jandi wasn't helping as everything she has been doing for the last hour was adding to his dilemma. The odd inclination he sometimes notices hidden behind the way she looks at him, he had just gotten a glimpse of one before he was distracted by her smile. The soft breeze of the rain coming from the tiny gap left on the window, moving her hair gently, the twinkling lights making her look enchanting were from the city lights the rain was reflecting against the glass around them. The cream-colored cardigan topping the faded yellow shirt of hers, nothing about her at this moment matched the pure rage and anger she was known for. She looked soft. Soft and dainty to look at let alone touch. The tension between them that appears whenever it wanted, Junpyo didn't need that to be pulled into her orbit. Her eyes and the way she was looking at him have done it. The feelings that had started to weaken every muscle of his body and not just the one that beats off rhythm whenever she was around, Junpyo was ignoring all the clues he was given about how he was heading down a path there was coming back from.

" I never asked for anything in return" in his low voice, he had to turn his focus to the artificial light-decorated neighborhood. His right hand's demand was silenced by making sure he held the cup tightly as he brought it to his lips.

" There is nothing I can give you anyway." Her eyes turned to the view. She also found the red and blue lights sparkling across the neighborhood mesmerizing to stare at.
" You didn't have to help any of them but thank you for doing so" The tea she brought to her lips was used to mask her unease about what she had just said.

" I didn't do it to be thanked." Regarding the topic she had brought up, that was the main thing he wanted to make sure she understood.

" I know. That was why you told him not to tell me" Her eyes glanced his way, and she waited until he realized who she was talking about.

" You didn't need to do all that for him."

" I didn't do anything"

" Thank you for not doing anything" Her eyes still on him, she had hidden the rest of her face with the tea she was smelling to help calm her down. His amusement about how nice she was being to him was nothing in comparison to how much he was falling for all of it. Their eyes fixed on each other; all the things she wanted to say about what he had done were done in silence. The words they didn't need to say to understand each other at times, this was one of those times. The light of the balcony that blinked twice, they both had looked up but that was all the attention it got from them before their attention was back to the rain.

" Why don't you thank me for yourself?" a few minutes later, he asked.

" If I am going to get anything, I want it to be for doing something for you" the low tone of his voice, the first flag she was expecting to be waved for her when she turned to face his eyes wasn't there. The air around them had shifted moments ago, even the change in his tone was clear to note as she couldn't get herself to not notice the way his eyes had changed their gaze.

" I thought you said you don't want anything in return" Her eyes turned back to the view, her fidgeting fingers were sent to hold the cup she brought to her lips.

" From them, yes" The sip she took was helping her busy her hands as she tried to process what he said from different directions before she came up with a response.

" So you want something in return for helping me?"

" No" his response, her confused eyes were brought to him to ask for clarification.

" I don't want anything but if I am going to get anything, I want it to be for you and nobody else" his dark eyes had succeeded in making sure the lines were blurred enough for her to pick up on what he was trying to tell her.

" Why should I get you anything?" the cup both her hands were holding, her thump had started scratching it.

" It should be them considering what you had done for them and gotten them. '' Her rapidly blinking eyes that had glanced at him were ordered to not turn back to his intimidating eyes.
" I am the only one who didn't get anything from you" the thought that had slipped without being analyzed carefully, she had thought she found a way to turn the focus back to him as she turned her whole body his way and started her small rant.

" They all got some fancy gifts from you. I mean a total stranger got chocolate and flowers all over the place and you want me to be the one to give you something back. I didn't even get a single flower" her small rant was concluded by the logical voice in her head shouting for her attention about what she was saying but unable to get it.

" Why are you smiling?" her irritated tone, she asked.

" Are you bothered I didn't get you anything"
" Of course not" Her quick response, he smirked as he took a sip of the wonderful tea.

" I don't care"

" Oha" his smile, he had the tea to help him hide it away from her.

" I really don't care."

" Would you want me to get you something?" he asked as he leaned against the wall. His body, which she was weakening with her ridiculous reactions about not getting anything from him, needed something to lean on. He might not know what to label it yet but by now he was aware she had gotten what nobody he has ever met had been able to get from him. So it was amusing why she would be angry about her not getting anything from him considering what he was willing to give her was priceless.

" NO. I seriously don't care"

" You seem like you do"

" I don't"

" Not even a single flower," the laugh that almost escaped his lips when he saw her reaction, he bit his lips to hold it in.

" I didn't know you liked flowers"

" I hate you" She turned her annoyed face to the rain. The smile of his that had turned to a laugh, he chose to quietly enjoy the aggressive way she was taking sips of her tea. How can she be this adorable? He was happy just to stand there and watch her. She was too cute; cuter than the plushies and stuffed animals she was haggling earlier.

" Would you accept anything from me?" he asked minutes later.

" NO" her quick answer, the angry tone of her voice was adorable.

" You're cute when you're like this" he whispered as he snuck a glance at her as she slowly turned her whole body his way. The word he chose carefully, no matter how scared he was of how she might react he couldn't blame himself for what he said.

" Like what?" her questioning eyes seemed angered even more as she watched him smile. He had thought she would be bothered by him calling her cute but how she hadn't was what he was smiling at.

" Angry?" she asked.

" I know you annoy me for your entertainment."

" You enjoy messing up my day so you can have some amusement"

" or I just find you cute to look at" The opportunity she left open for him, he took the risk. The way his shady eyes were looking at her, there was no way she was going to miss the word he repeated. His words were enough, a smile had escaped his lips her eyes were directed to. The words she was getting ready to point at him had disappeared out of her mind that was left empty. What he said by the pool yesterday was the only thing repeated in her vacant mind. Insanely beautiful and now cute, the compliments that silence everything were happening more often.

" Do you say this casually to just anybody ?" she found the right excuse to turn the conversation to focus on him. That has to be the reason he said it.

" huh" he smiled as he took a sip of the tea he was enjoying too much.

" It must come naturally to you considering your habits" The irruption his eyes had caused, her mind was working overtime to catch up with the foreign feeling that needed an excuse rather than accepting what he said to be genuine.

" My habits?"

" You know what I mean so stop pretending" her tea she took big gulps off, her eyes had only glanced at him for a second before they were sent to the rain. She can't look at him before she regains control of her mind he had sent to a foreign place.

" Would you believe me if I said I never do this"

" I don't believe most things you say"

" Which is weird because you're the last person I would lie to." following her eyes, he turned his focus to the rain getting worse.

" Why?"

" I don't know"

" Maybe because you already don't like me and think I am the worst. " he added as both didn't realize the comfortable space the rain they were staring at and that was getting worse than before was leading them to. The few minutes of silence both were enjoying were disturbed by the loud clicking sound that was followed by the lights turning off a few seconds later. The confused two looking at each other, Jandi led the way to the door of the balcony. Running down the stairs, they tried opening the door to the fifth floor but the automatic door wasn't opening no matter how hard she tried.

" OMG," both her hands on the door she kept pulling.

"Is it not opening?" Junpyo asked, finishing the last stairs. Her hands leaving the door came to his arms which she started dragging. The tea in his left hand, he made sure to hold it tightly as he let her pull him.

"Try opening it," she let go of his arm after dragging him to the door. His confused eyes from the arm she let go of, he sent them to the door he started pulling.

" It's locked"

" OH God," both her hands went to her head. Junpyo wasn't even thinking about the door as he watched her walk in circles before tapping all her pockets, looking for something.

" I don't even have my phone. Could this day get any worse?" Her shaking hands sent to brush her hair, Junpyo just took a sip of his tea as he leaned against the wall.

" Give me your phone?" she asked as she sent her right hand his way. His grinning eyes on her, he had just stood there taking a sip. He was enjoying her freakout way too much.

" Now" she commanded as he sent his right hand to look for his phone. His pants pockets then all of his coats, she didn't need him to say it as she watch his empty right hand come out from the last pocket of his.

" I left it in the car."

" Are you serious?"

" THIS CAN'T BE HAPPENING" her loud voice would be sent to the door she started screaming for just in case anybody was there to hear them. All the lights turning off was the response she got as she let go of the door handle she was pulling.

" We can't be stuck here" Her words that got a smile out of him, Junpyo had finally realized the situation they were in. If not the locked door, the darkness they were in was it.

" Do something"

" I don't think there is anything I can do." The smile he was hiding. Even if there was anything he could do, there was no way he would have done anything to not be locked here with the only person he would do anything to spend more time with.

" This is all your fault." The blame placed on him had gone on for an hour as they went back to the balcony. The fact that they were stuck there for the night she had to just accept, the only thing holding her back from cursing him out was his sneezes that had even started a cough. But even then the blame was still on him even after they had changed their location to the observation deck side of the building they were locked in. The small thick glass-covered balcony she led them to, the main reason has been for the heat that would be contained in and would keep them warm through the night. The glass covered black hanging abouve, they would also get some light from the light from outside. The amazing view of the city and the rain wasn't even something she was thinking about while Junpyo hadn't failed to notice it as he chose the right corner of the small space. All her thought on just being angry at the situation, she hadn't caught how he had copied her and had sat down on the metal floor. The room decorated by the street and building lights, and the sound of the rain tapping at the thick glass around them was the only thing heard for the next hour they spent in silence.

Jandi chose to sit on the left side, to create as much gap between them, which wasn't much considering how small the space was, had only glanced at him whenever he sneezed or coughed.

" Are you getting sick?" she asked as she sent her eyes to the front. The rain she loved looking at so much, today wasn't one of those days as she couldn't have been here if not for i.

" It's the wet hair" he responded in between his sneezes.

" I am fine," the change in his voice wasn't noticed by Jandi, who was following his right hand as he brushed his hair behind his ear. The jeweled earring sparkling thanks to the street light reflected off the glass that hit them had her attention.

" When did you get those?" she asked, choosing to cut the silence between them. They were going to be here for hours so might as well ask the questions she always wonders about.

"What?" his question, she sent her eyes to his ear.

" Oh" his right hand touched his earrings.

" I think 13"

" What?"

" Why? He asked while moving the three earrings.

" Is that too young?" he added.

" Yes" her hands she pulled into her cardigan, she leaned to the corner as she found the perfect spot.

" Really? What were you doing at 13?" he asked a question he knew she wouldn't answer. Her hands she crossed, he knew how to read every reaction of hers as he turned his attention to the wonderful view of the rainy night.

" I started smoking at 15, I don't think ear piercing at 13 is much" his glance her way, he found it endearing that she looked startled by what he was sharing. The lovely evening waiting for them, Jandi hadn't considered the golden opportunity she was given to use his willingness to open up to her to her advantage. The mood was perfectly set for her, all she had to do was just listen and ask all the questions she wanted answers to.

" Was it a bad boy phase?"
" More a rebellion thing"

" Rebelling against who?"

" Everybody" he gave her a smile she couldn't read.

" at 13?"

" haha" his smile, her eyes had failed to ignore it as always, his dimples were the reason why.

" I think it was 13. It could be 14 I don't remember"

" What about the tattoos?"

" You have some right?" she asked as she watched his right hand move all of his hair away from the right side of his face that was in her view. The amazing structure of his face that becomes clear when er his face was fully removed from his face, how could one not be charmed by the prominent cheekbones of his that help the adorable dimples of his sink deeper.

" Yes"

" I think 16, I am not sure"

" How can you not be sure"

" you're going to judge me if I answer that"

" I thought you didn't care since I hate you already" she had a fast rebuttal to his claim as she crossed her arms and waited white resting her head against the wall.

" I was too drunk when I got them so I don't remember" his eyes that had only snuck a look at her, even she wasn't able to hide what she felt about what she was hearing.

" I was messed up" his right hand brushing his hair, Jandi's focused and zoomed eyes were making him more anxious about the topic he doesn't like talking about with anybody.

" I wasn't joking when I said I am fucked up" the awkward smile of his, Jandi had caught on how he was avoiding her eyes as he kept his eyes on the rain or the cup he was holding.

"What happened to you?" the most important question she would ask today, for once she was honestly curious and wanted an answer she could understand.

" That's a loaded question" but she wouldn't get any as he smiled at her question.

" Is that why you look so done with everything?"

" You have done it all and are now done?"

" My doctor calls that depression" the smiles she was getting from him, for once she wasn't distracted by them to lose focus of what was hidden behind them.

" Why are you smiling?" her thoughts she had let run free, they were leading the conversation as she was pulled into his world.

" because i'm uncomfortable"
" Why?"

" You already hate me, I don't want to give you more reasons to despise me for"

" Shouldn't you feel free to tell me anything since I already hate you and don't care" she had a valid point but he had one better.

" Maybe I might feel sorry for you" her eyes from the cup he placed down on the floor followed his hands he sent to his coat pocket.
" That is not possible" his genius smile was back as he glanced her way.

" Sorry is not what I want you to feel for me"

" What is it then?" the question she asked, she wasn't ready for his eyes that were challenging her if she really doesn't know the answer to her question. Her eyes she quickly moved away from him, even her subconscious wasn't ready to entertain any notions of what his eyes were forcing her to accept. That was impossible. His hands that brushed his hair went to his coat pocket, she tried not to look at her just glanced at his right leg he crossed over the left. His long legs that were almost too long to stretch across the tiny place, were covered to his knees by the long and thick coat. The minute of silence adding up, Jandi would be the one to break it again.

" I thought rich kids rebelled differently?"

" Wasting millions buying useless stuff, crazy parties and trashing places" she listed some of the few things her schoolmates are known for participating in when rebelling.

" Are you too rich for that?"

" What are a few millions to a billionaire?" his head held down, his small laugh had gotten a smile out of her.

" I like the version of me you have in your head. It's almost like I am not human"

" are you?" her question had caused the first synchronized smile out of both.

" You don't look like one or act like one"

" Most humans have this thing called empathy which I think you lack" she hadn't forgotten to stare at him even through her smiles.

" or sympathy or humility"

" Do you know how you walk across campus? You walk around like you're a different species than the rest"in her own happy world about being allowed to say this to his face Jandi had loosened the control she had over what was coming out of her mouth.

" Am I lying?"

" You walk different, you act different, you talk different even your smile is odd"

" Your behaviors are so weird, I am sure you're therapist could tell you how inhuman they make you look" his infatuated eyes focused on her, Jandi was blinded by his smiles to think careful about the response to the question he would ask.

" What do you mean I don't look like one"
" You're too good-looking to be human" the moment the words left her lips, she was sent into an internal frenzy that would get worse thanks to how his smile had changed as he turned all his whole face her way. An adorable deer in headlights, that was what she looked like.

" I" the faint voice of hers, the voice in her head was loud as it could be as it shouted for her to SHUT UP.

" You think am good looking?" Junpyo pointing at himself asked as he sent his eyes to follow hers she had sent down to her sleeves she started pulling.

" I don't think you are good looking. I meant everybody else does' ' her arms she crossed, she bit her tongue as she convinced herself she was in control and turned to face him. The first red flag was waved for her then but she was too far gone to notice it.

" oha" both his dimples appeared, she was in trouble as her eyes weren't even following her order to turn to the rain.

" Seriously, I was talking about everybody"

" So you don't think am good looking"

" I don't think about you at all"

" But if you had to, you think I am bad looking?'

" Why does it matter what I think"
" If it doesn't, why can't you answer it?"

" I think you're beautiful" the softness in his tone, Jandi's lips were left hanging open as his honest eyes that had already captured her attention made sure she knew how much he meant what he said.

" I don't care what you think" turning her attention to the rain, she sent her hands to the tea cup on her side.

" You're cute when your flustered"

" Stop saying it '' her irritation, her voice was raised as she turned back to him.

" haha" his lower lip he bit, he silenced himself.

" Maybe being friends with you is not a good idea" she had thought she could threaten him.

" because I said you're cute"

" huh" his laugh he was trying to contain as her angry eyes turned his way, he was enjoying this too much.

" What am I allowed to use to describe you then?"

" Stop it" her right hand raised, she warned

" or what ?"

" Are you going to hit me ?"

" I don't think touching me is a good idea when we are locked in a small place" his warning, her eyes doubling in size displayed how she understand exactly what he meant.

" Are you sick"

" Actually, yes"

" My head hurt" he squeezed his head that really was aching from the cold that was almost fully developed.

The three minutes of peace he gave her she had thought he was over the topic.

" Do you react like this with Jihoo too, or is he allowed to say whatever?"

" I mean he is allowed to do whatever so"

" Can we stop talking about this"

" What do you want to talk about then?" his crossed arms, for once he was sure he had the upper hand as he watched the signs of her anxiety fully displayed.

" What happened to you 10 years ago?"

" I will tell you if you tell me what happened to you" his smile went away, his serious eyes stayed on her for a second before he turned to the window.

" You don't want to tell me anything about yourself but want me to open up" and with that the silence was back between them and had stayed for longer than both would have wanted it to.

"Huh-huh"the deep breath he would take after every cough he muffled with the collar of his coat, Jandi's eyes had only turned to him when she saw any movement from his body. His tall body moved left and right to find the right spot to relax, it was obvious how uncomfortable sitting on a metal floor and against a glass wall was. The spoiled rich kid used to be the most comfortable of things, of course he couldn't handle sitting there for more than an hour. The fact that he was getting sick was forgotten about as she concluded he was just too spoiled to sit there for the long hours ahead of them. Unlike him, her body was used to being placed in the most uncomfortable places and found this to actually be quite a decent place to lay in. Her street sleeping days, a closed and warm space, was actually a nice place to sleep in for even a few hours.

Cough, his rough voice brought her attention back to him, she zoomed in on how he had closed his eyes and leaned his head to rest on the corner. What she was expected to do in this scenario, her eyes scanned him up and down slowly. His tall posture brought down to sit on the floor, he looked smaller than usual as his loud sneeze directed her eyes to his sick face.

" Are you okay?" her crossed arms opened up and sent to rest on her lap, she asked.

" I am fine" in between coughs he responded.

" You don't sound fine" the button of her cardigon her fingers were playing with, her eyes waited until he opened his and turned to face her. Not only did he not sound fine, he didn't look fine. The redness in his eyes, the off color of his face, his runny nose, Jandi took a quick note of all before he turned around, leaning his head back into the corner. His hair covering whatever was left of the right side of his face she had a view of, he was completely hidden as he wrapped his body with the coat. Her eyes following his arms he wrapped around himself, it was odd how pathetic-looking he had turned all of a sudden. His towering body she always found intimidating, how weak it looked wrapped in black and hidden at the corner, she was too amused just watching him crumble. A few minutes in the rain being able to take him down like this, a smile had escaped her lips as she attributed to his pampered life. How fragile he looked and probably was, she had thought would be advantageous for her. She had thought she could just deem it pathetic and look away from the boy she had concluded to be frail but no. Considering him delicate came with other emotions that would force her to keep track of his coughing getting worse.

" Fuck" his muffled voice, the rough cough had made it sound like he was coughing his lungs out. His hands opening up his coat, she watched as he pulled tiny packets from the inside pocket of his coat. The different colored pills, the white ones, were thrown into his mouth. The plastic bags placed back into his pocket, whatever was left of his tea was used to force the pills down. His hair he brushed, her eyes immediately took the opportunity to focus on his sick looking face before his hair was back to his face and he leaned back to the corner. His coat buttoned back up, he wrapped his arms around his body asking for more warmth.

" What did you just take?" not sure if she should even ask, she had trusted her intuition to do so.

" Painkiller" his hoarse voice,her hands had stopped playing with button as her glee at how sick he was looking was eliminated in less than a few minutes.

" For what?" Before she even finished her question his right hand was raised to his head he squeezed to give her the answer. Her eyes that hadn't left him since the coughing became worse, the question about what she was supposed to do was back. There wasn't anything she could do but that didn't stop the odd friendship she had agreed to build with him to be blamed for why she was even feeling any amount of worry for him being sick. How she shouldn't care and how his health wasn't her problem, she tried repeating that again and again.

" Do you want to go inside, but it will be dark and col" Her fingers returning back to the buttons they can play with to let help regulate the unusual concern she had about the person who had been at the bottom of the list people she would care about, her eyes weren't as lucky as they couldn't hide their concern.

" I don't want to move"

" What do you want?

" Distract me" In between his coughs, he gave her the answer that would return her back to being irritated.

" I really am here for your entertainment, aren't I?" her response he was trying to laugh at, the only thing that happened was his loud cough he had to silence with his right hand. The echo of his coughing and heavy breathing would be what would mix with the soothing sound of the rain as they sat there letting the hour hit 9pm his coughing that would ease after an hour or so, only the sound of the rain was tapping at the glass in front of them by the time the clock past 11 p.m. Both lost in their own worlds weren't ready for the silence Jandi broke.

" I used to come here when I was young" her eyes on the glass reflecting her own image with the view of the dark neighborhood decorated with the rain and sparkling lights, Jandi's mind had used the last hour to let her escape back to the vivid memories she had of the hours she used to spend in this building. Hiding away from it all, at one point this was the safest place she had in the whole world. Back when she was still a child who couldn't understand why the world was harsh, this was the place to hide and bury her tears. Alone with not even music to accompany her, her memory of those days would always help lower her metal gates that don't let a stranger see anything past the angry persona she puts for the world.

" There used to be this cafe on the 3rd floor." her small smirk, Junpyo's hair was moved away from his face he turned her way. He was definitely ill because there was no way she was talking about her past. His blinking eyes that caught her little smirk stayed on her face that was facing the view of the city. Her body was here but she was somewhere else.

" In winter they had discounts for cold snacks and I used to buy these ice cream packets. You could get two for half the price of one. I would get a few and come up here just to sit"

" On the other side there are some places you can hide in so you are not chased by the security man for being here, especially after hours. I used to sit here and just look out into the city" The picture she was painting for him, it was easy to image a young Jandi sneaking around building to find a hiding spot. That was what she still does. Junpyo, who had found her two hiding spots on campus, was still in shock that she was telling him this to fully process what she was saying.

" It was a nice escape from everything" her little smirk that came with her pretty downhearted eyes that turned his way had hit right where the painkillers couldn't protect him from.

" Especially when it rains or snows, it looks so beautiful to just look at and realize how small your are" the corner of her lips the peculiar smirks were escaping from, Jupyo's attentive eyes didn't fail to pay attention to both them and her eyes that kept glancing between the view she was talking about and him. The brown color of her eyes, maybe it was the gloomy street light that was the only light keeping them away from being in the dark to blame for how every blink of her had turned her face blue.

" Nothing makes you realize how small you are like just sitting and watching the world go on"

" We are so insignificant" her hands playing with the button they keep buttoning and opening, her eyes were sent down to her hands then the rain the mimicked the tears she had cried sitting in the exact spot she was in right now.

" Well not you" the smile she gave him wasn't able to hide the doleful energy surrounding her.

" I am sure the economy will crash if something happened to you" the same smile sent to him again.

" Some of us could despair into thin air and nothing would change"
" I don't think that's true" his rough voice was clear as it could be as he spoke up.

" You're important to a lot of people for you to think that way" the words he wasn't saying mindlessly, her woeful eyes had turned to him to question if he believed what he was saying.

" That should be all that matters" he added.

" You're good at talking about things you don't know nothing about" her smile, the dismissive tone in her voice wasn't hidden.

" I might not know much but I know there are too many people that care about you"

" haha" her smile that turned to a laugh, this wasn't one of the ones he was fond of. The look in her eyes that were sent to the rain, he knew nothing he was saying was reaching her. The guards around her, his words were bouncing back from ever reaching even the surface of what she was talking about. The sickness across his body, all of it turned from being from the cold to the puzzling girl who's past he would do anything to know. For nothing else but so he could be the one rid her of the suffering it had left her with. His life he would be willing to waste until he became the person who knew her the best, what he will have to do to get to be the one that didn't need her to say anything to truly understand het, even his precious life will have to be on the list of what he has to offer if he wanted to get there.

" What happened to you to be this guarded?" his startling question, the look in her eyes had changed to an odd mixture of suspicion and worry as they turned to him. What made him dangerous, how it has never been his last name or the wealth and power he had attached to that name, but how attentive he was to everything about her.

" It's like you have these physical walls around you. Walls wrapped with barbed wires that cut though anybody that gets near." her hands letting go of the button were sent to each other. Her right thumb leading the charge as it started scratching her skin.

" Maybe if you open up a bit, you might realize there are people who genuinely care and are willing to be there for you"

" haha" her peculiar laugh back, it had even gotten bigger as she used her right hand to cover her parting lips.

" I didn't need to do anything for Jihoo"

" Jihoo doesn't know you" he cut her sentence before she made her useless point. His honesty he was known for, Junpyo had made the difficult decision not to filter himself as he continued to state what he thought about her relationship with his best friend.

" Sometimes I wonder if that is why you like him. Because you can pretend when you are around him"

" I am pretending?'

" Yes. You are and you're really good at it" his voice raised, his body had left the glass wall on he was leaning against as he sat up.

" You don't even know me"

" I know the person that was about to kill that boy isn't the one that Jihoo knows or likes"

" So I'm not allowed to be angry ?"

" That wasn't anger, Jandi" the soft whisper of her name accompanied by the saddening look in his eyes had silenced her response her quick mouth was getting ready to spit out.

" There is something inside you," he added.

" haha" her smiles, the blinking of her eyes had increased at the same speed as her skin she was peeling.

" You are crazy"

" I am but I also watched you bawl your eyes out in the middle of nowhere" he was able to silence even the rain with this sentence. Every muscle across her body paused, the only one functioning was the one pumping the cold blood running through her body.

" You don't know anything" her eyes warned before she sent them to the rain she couldn't hear. Not just her surrounding but every thought inside her head was silent.

" I am trying but you won't let me" the soft-hearted whispers of his, the pull was strong as her eyes returned back to him. Her fight or flight mode seconds away from being activated, her eyes were sent to do a risk analysis of the conversation that had already crossed a line she never lets anybody get close to. Every infliction on her body that was slowly being removed, she was shutting down.

" This conversation is over isn't it?" he asked as he smiled. He could read her better than those who spent hours around her.

His coughing returning back to the tiny space, this time even that wasn't able to get her attention glued on the distance. Everything he said she was replying and analyzing, Jandi wasn't aware of his weak body that had lost the battle of whatever he was fighting. The light lunch he had all day, it was natural for his weak immune system to give in so easily. The minutes adding up, the painkillers he had taken had silenced the headache from the cold but not from the one that she had shared had caused. Not just the headache, the scratch marks across his heart from the snippet of her past life she had shared weren't fading away no matter how long he sat there, letting the silence try to convince him what he was feeling for the girl, an arm reaching away from him was normal. It wasn't. Nothing about this or her was normal. She was odd. So was his feeling towards her and it had taken full control over Junpyo who until this point had been a willing participant. But not anymore. There was no free will or choice when it came to letting her in.

" When I was 10 I had somebody bleed out and die in my arms" the second time he was able to do so, his words had silenced everything around her as her stunned eyes turned his way. Not even blinking, her attention was lost on his body cornered against the wall, somehow looking even more cramped than hours priori as it was wrapped with the thick black fabric hiding it.

" I have reoccuring dreams of it even when I am awake." her eyes, no matter how they tried, couldn't find his face hidden behind his hair. All the black he was covered with, somehow even the air around him had turned dark.

" Everything I do is to not think about that." The words he had never said out loud, not even Jandi who had actually heard it come out his mouth could understand what those words were doing to his disfigured heart none of the pills his useless therapist could recommend for him could protect him from.

" Now you know, so you can add letting somebody die to the list of things you hate me for" past the strands of hair, his melancholy eyes she got a peek of were the ones that pierced through the concrete walls of hers he was talking about minutes ago.

" Fuck this" the last thing she heared him whisper, her body that hadn't moved since he blurted out the answer to the question she has been asking him for, Jandi wasn't even sure if she was breathing as she sat there watching him physically hide himself away by turning his back to her as he leaned his side against the wall. His cough would be muffled to not even let hear his voice, her eyes would stay on him until they were gone.

Hours after what he had shared, her eyes would wait until the rain had calmed down a bit before they were turned to the body that wasn't moving. By the time it was midnight, she would turn back to check on the body now she wasn't sure was even alive.

" Hey?"

" Are you okay?" her question she would repeat by raising her voice, there was no response.

" Junpyo" she used his name she didn't like saying. The lack of response, she was quick as she sent her left hand to his side as she moved to his side.

" Hey" the little nudges weren't effective and she tried increasing the force behind her push.

" Jun Pyo" her body she was raising up, she had sent her left hand to his shoulder she pulled.

" Oh" her quick reaction to the body falling was to close the gap between them and let his body rest on hers.

" Hey" her left hand helping her to hold his body against the wall, her right was sent to tap his shoulders.

" Are you pretending to be out? '' her right hand she sent to move his hair away from his face, she didn't even get to them as the weight of his body she had underestimated resulted in his body being sent down. Both her hands sent to grab him before his head landed against the metal floor, she had slowly let go as his head which she placed on her lap.

" Jun Pyo" , his shoulders she was still nudging, she had to save his head from sliding down to the floor again. Her legs stretched out, his head was placed to rest on her leg. The minutes it took her to accept that he really was unconscious, she had used it to her seating against the wall behind her.

" Hey" her whispers, she had to lean down to look at his face, facing the glass in front, hidden by all the hair covering it. Her right hand that was raised to move his hair away was paused mid way. The second attempt to do so, her hand had paused half way again.

" You're just trying to make sure he was okay" she had to have a talk with herself before her right hand was allowed to touch his hair she need to move away so she could see his face.

" Jun Pyo" , the name she whispered for the fourth time in the span of five minutes, her right hand gently landed on his hair. The smooth hair she started brushing back, she slowly moved it away from his red face. Her palm resting against his forehead, she had moved it when he coughed. He was burning hot. The quickness of her right hand to leave his side was a result of his head he adjusted on her leg. Both her hands raised up and away from him, she waited until he stopped coughing and moving. Her shin his heavy head was resting against, her hand had returned to his shoulder a minute later as she tried pulling him further up her thighs. The strongest muscle in her body, they would be the resting place for his head. She had moved her hands away from his shoulders when he made any movement by himself to adjust to bring the back of his head closer to her stomach. It was almost touching. Again, she waited until he stopped moving.

" They are going to crucify me if you get sick, aren't they" her right hand pushing his shoulder to fix his coat to cover his body, Jandi had to use all her force to make sure his coat was used as a blanket and also as a mat for his body to lay on. Taking the opportunity, she had checked his coat outside pockets to not find the phone she was looking for. All she found was a pack of gum and his cigarettes.

" This" her irritated eyes looking at the cigarette, she placed them in her cardigan pocket as she placed the pack of gum back into his pocket. The coat she made sure covered the knitted dark green sweater he had on, she was using the glass he was facing as a guide to make sure he was covered.

How on earth they ended up in this scenario, she had to sit there and analyze as she kept staring at the reflection of him on the glass. How did she allow herself to get here? Her eyes , hoping they could find the answer had turned from the reflection to the back of his head right below her chest. The thick black hair covering his head, the wavy shapes of it would be where she got lost as she remembered the last things he said.

Her day started by jumping off bed when a wild thought had made her curious about something she had thought impossible, it was planning to be the last thought of her day as it was back. Her right hand hid by the sleeves she pulled down, neither that nor scarting her nails were able to silence the wild thought that had silenced every other. What others would call natural, all the impulses that were sneaking into her consciousness were to foreign for the girl who didn't know they even existed let alone know how to tame them. Her left hand brought to her lips, her tumb would be the one to be bitten as her trapped eyes zero in on the target her thoughts were demanding she focus on. His luscious hair she never fails to look at whenever he brushes it in that way he always does, here was the golden opportunity.

Everything that happened today, mostly everything they shared about each other was what had zipped up the logical voice in her head that was screaming for how none of what was happening was a good idea. What he had shared about himself, she hadn't realized how she had failed prey to his honesty as even the voice that was always there to protect her was silenced for once. She was in no danger after all, she had assumed as her eyes scanned his unconscious and weak body to return back to his head resting on her lap.

" How he could be a threat, look at him, '' the melodic voice she had never heard before had whispered as her eyes followed it along the curves of his left profile she could see partially. The undeniably gorgeous face, how he really was laying on her lap was a question she couldn't escape as her lips parted for a baffled smile. Not just lying on her lap, but hidden in one of her favorite hiding places nobody even knows about. In the place she spent countless hours wondering if life was even worth living, the first and only person to be in it was him. Not just anybody but the leader of the group she had spent years preparing to destroy. The sole inheritor of the company that gets a worse reaction form here than even the mention of the devil. How could him being here, let alone laying on her lap, not be a smiling matter. This can't be real.

None of it can be real.

The boy she would explicitly list the various ways she would love to kill him, how it had taken only a few months to have him peacefully resting on her lap, one would think would be a serious issue but that wasn't even the worst. While she was busy thinking about that, the new voice had given her right hand the only permission it needed as it was sent to his hair. His soft his hair, it only took a single touch to accept how it really was a s soft as it looked. Her fingers were careful to follow the wave of his hair down to the nape of his neck where his hair disappeared into the collar of his coat raised up. Her fingers that were moving on their own accord, they had returned to repeat the motion while her eyes were fixated on his face that was inches away from her hand. His striking looks she had fought hard to accept as only menacing, it was easier to think of them as the opposite when he was unconscious. When his eyes were closed and not staring at her in the way he does, when his lips were shut from saying anything problematic, when his dimples weren't appearing thanks to his smiles, it was easier to let the melodic voice, that somehow matched the slow rhythm of her heart, led her curious eyes to examine his face it wanted her to study and know better than her own.

Her anxiety triggered right when her eyes returned to her fingers who, without her knowledge, had found a way to sink into his hair. Her right hand she held still, her eyes were forced to not even blink as they stayed on his head that had moved towards her touch. huh-huh , her startled breathing, she had waited for a few seconds before she tried moving her fingers away. As faint as she could, she had tried pulling her fingers away but that had only caused a bigger reaction as his head was adjusted to move closer. Her right hand in the air, the left one would be sent to her lips she closed so her off rhythm breathing could be silenced.

" What the hell are you doing?" the cursing voice getting her attention, her hands would be sent to her own hair she brushed away then to her side then to her neck. The sleeves pulled to completely cover her hands, they would be punished as she sent them back. They needed to be as far away from him as possible.

" What are you even doing?" the self-blaming logical voice that was back on was getting ready to rant about, it along with every other thought, including even every single word in her vocabulary would disappear when his head turned, bringing his face to her side. The tremble that escaped her body wasn't a result of his body he brought closer to her, but his face he buried against her side. Her stomach separated from his face by only the shirt she had on, he had moved even closer until the ill & burning hot breath of his had passed through the thin fabric and landed on her skin. The warm sensation that would spread from the right side of her stomach, it didn't have to reach her heart for her paused pulse to jump a beat. Frozen in time, the goosebumps across her body were accompanied by the small lighting current that passed through her veins when the second breath landed against her stomach. The current flowing along with the blood from every inch of her body that would return back to her heart that didn't feel like it was even functioning, the unconscious body was keen on making sure she was aware of how this was nothing compared to what it can do to her as he whispered her name.

" Jandi" That raspy voice and the tender way he calls for her, the night she would forever remember was bookended by the realization the dangerous mess she had gotten herself was only starting.