Content Warning: This chapter includes intense emotional responses to past trauma, including [e.g., dissociation/panic/grief]. Please read with care.
Min Ying was so shocked she couldn't speak. Seok Jun's face was slightly pink, but even so, he slowly reached out and slid his hand over hers. Her face turned from pale to a deep tomato red. Oh my God. He's holding my hand. His warm, manly hand.
She closed her eyes for a moment, squealing inwardly. Mission successful!
Seok Jun glanced at her and smiled, and he could tell she was delighted, even if she tried to hide it. He leaned closer, bringing his lips near her ear.
"I'll take that as a yes," he whispered. Min Ying jolted, nearly knocking over her chair. But his face was so close, too close, that she froze, her eyes wide in disbelief. A gasp escaped her before she could stop it. Embarrassed, she quickly looked away, pressing her lips together. Seok Jun giggled.
Eun Shin and Seung Jee continued eating while smiling at their friends' blooming relationship. As Eun Shin ate, Seung Jee stared at her, watching her every movement with love. Jae Vin walked into the cafeteria and saw Seok Jun and Min Ying, curiously wondering where Eun Shin was. Once his eyes caught Seung Jee staring at Eun Shin, Jae Vin tightened his jaw, seething.
"That loser dared look at her with those pathetic eyes…" Jae Vin mumbled to himself, glaring at Seung Jee.
As class ended and students were ready to return home, the squad walked out of the school building together. Seok Jun held onto Min Ying's hand on the way out. Min Ying was blushing and speechless, looking around, noticing people were staring at them and whispering. Seok Jun smiled as he pulled her closer. She stumbled onto him and panicked as his face was an inch away.
"Don't worry about them. Just focus on me," he whispered. Min Ying suddenly hiccupped with her eyes widened. Seok Jun paused and looked at her, worried. He tried to hold in his laugh but couldn't. "Are you?"
"Hic…" Min Ying covered her mouth. She felt completely embarrassed and wished to disappear at that moment. Eun Shin walked behind them and smiled. She quickly pushed Seok Jun's hand away and pulled Min Ying with her. Eun Shin then turned to wave at Seok Jun and Seung Jee while hugging Min Ying's arm.
"Bye! Get home safely. She promised me a date at her place," Eun Shin winked. Seok Jun shook his head in disbelief.
"Bye," he said softly. Seung Jee smiled and nodded.
"See you tomorrow," Seung Jee said to Seok Jun. Seok Jun nodded.
"Yeah," Seok Jun said, glancing once more at Min Ying's retreating figure. Min Ying and Eun Shin entered Min Ying's car and headed to Min Ying's place.
Once they were at Min Ying's place, Eun Shin followed quietly, her steps careful. Min Ying blushed as she led Eun Shin from the front door.
"My parents travel a lot for work… they're barely home," Min Ying said, fidgeting. Eun Shin smiled at her.
"I see. It's very nice here," Eun Shin replied. Min Ying nodded.
"My aunt will be coming soon, so make yourself at home," Min Ying stated. Eun Shin took her shoes off and sat on the carpet. Min Ying saw this and instantly panicked. "Eun Shin, don't sit there! Sit on the couch!"
Eun Shin turned to look at the couch behind her and awkwardly smiled.
"I'm sorry… I'm just…" Eun Shin trembled as tears fell. A surge of panic rose in Min Ying, and she bent down to hug Eun Shin.
"Oh. I didn't mean to yell at you… I'm sorry. I just felt like I was rude if you sit on the floor," she said. Eun Shin shook her head, hesitating, hyperventilating, blinking repeatedly.
"No… It's just… me," she gasped. Realization dawned on Min Ying that Eun Shin wasn't just upset. She was unraveling. Her arms tightened around her, instinct the only thing she could trust. She held Eun Shin tighter, soothing Eun Shin's back.
"You're safe… You're here with me," Min Ying reassured her. Eun Shin gasped, trying to calm herself down, sobbing endlessly. She held onto Min Ying, shutting her eyes as her lips trembled.
"Seun… Seung-oppa…" she called heavily. Min Ying nodded instantly and grabbed Eun Shin's phone.
"Okay… What's your passcode? I'll call him right now!" Min Ying replied. Eun Shin clenched her chest tightly and panted.
"Twelve… Twenty-seven…" she said, forcing it. Min Ying then called Seung Jee. Seung Jee answered immediately.
"Yes?" he answered. Min Ying panicked as she tried to soothe Eun Shin simultaneously.
"Seung Jee, Eun Shin needs you right now. Can you come to my place right now?" Min Ying asked hurriedly. Seung Jee dropped everything and stood. He hurried out of the door and ran down the stairs, holding the phone tightly.
"What's the address?" he asked, waving for a taxi. Min Ying gave him her address. Seung Jee got a taxi and nodded. "I'll be there soon!"
Min Ying stared at Eun Shin, feeling anxious.
"Get here faster…" she prayed. Suddenly, a woman walked into the home.
"Minnie! I'm here!" the woman called. Min Ying glanced over the couch.
"Gomo! Can you help?" Min Ying screamed. Her aunt walked inside and put her glasses down. She stared at Eun Shin and Min Ying. Eun Shin closed her eyes tightly, scratching her arms. Min Ying tried to pull her hands away.
"Omo. What happened? Is she having a panic attack?" Min Ying's aunt asked, staring intensely at Eun Shin. Min Ying grunted.
"Help!" she demanded. Her aunt nodded and hurried to grab Eun Shin's left arm while Min Ying grabbed the other arm. They carried her to Min Ying's room, away from the couch. She trembled as she took a shallow breath. Min Ying stared at her worriedly, frowning, feeling guilty that she may have caused Eun Shin to break down. Min Ying's aunt glanced at Min Ying then at Eun Shin.
"Who is she? Why does she look familiar?" her aunt asked curiously. Min Ying snarled at her aunt.
"She's Judge Park Yung Ji's daughter. Now, if that's all you care about, then leave," Min Ying snapped. Her aunt laughed faintly, covering her lips.
"Omo, you called me to come. Now you're telling me to leave already," she replied. Min Ying pouted.
"I called you because of my friend… But I didn't expect her to be like this…" Min Ying said, frowning. Suddenly, Seung Jee arrived, knocking on the door excessively. Min Ying looked at her servant and nodded. "Let him in!"
Seung Jee then stormed into the room, staring at Eun Shin. She sniffled, closing her eyes. He walked up to her and caressed her cheek.
"Eun Shin…" he called softly. Eun Shin opened her eyes immediately and lunged at him with a hug.
"He might come and hurt me…" she whispered, trembling. Seung Jee closed his eyes, shaking his head.
"You're safe. I'm here. Min Ying is here…" he reassured her, holding her tightly. Then he looked down and froze. The scratch marks on her arms were a silent map of where Jae Vin had grabbed her, when he'd barged in after hearing her scream. Seung Jee tightened his jaw at the thought of that day, wishing he had been stronger and better in protecting her.
Min Ying stared at them, saddened by it. She slowly walked out of the room, allowing them to breathe alone together. She bit her lower lip.
Did I do something wrong? Or did something happen to her…? Min Ying looked down at the couch. A minute later, Seung Jee walked out of the room.
"Was there something that triggered her to react like that?" he asked curiously. Min Ying turned to him, silently crying.
"All I told her to do was sit on the couch because I didn't want to be rude and let her sit on the cold floor…" Min Ying answered. Seung Jee bitterly smiled at Min Ying.
"You didn't do anything wrong. You're not being rude… She's… She's just been through a lot recently," he replied solemnly. Min Ying sniffled.
"I feel bad…"
"Don't feel bad. You'll make her cry more," he said. Min Ying pouted.
"Is she okay?" she asked. Seung Jee sighed heavily.
"She needs time… Is it okay if I take her?" he asked, wondering. Min Ying nodded excessively.
"Yes, as long as she is okay!" Min Ying stated. Seung Jee smiled.
"Thank you. She will be okay," he reassured. Min Ying smiled faintly.
"You can take my chauffeur," she said. Seung Jee bowed.
"I appreciate that," he responded, returning to the room and holding onto Eun Shin. Eun Shin looked at Seung Jee, then at Min Ying, feeling bad that she may have been disrespectful to Min Ying and her aunt.
"I'm… I'm sorry," she softly said. Min Ying shook her head and waved her hands.
"No! Don't be… I hope you feel better… My aunt has nothing to do anyway," Min Ying replied, reassuring Eun Shin. Seung Jee bowed once again as he led Eun Shin out of the house and into the car. Min Ying watched them go, frowning. Seung Jee held onto her tightly, soothing her shoulder.
After reaching Seung Jee's neighborhood, he held onto Eun Shin as they walked to his rooftop home. Seung Jee hugged her on the small table outside instead of heading inside. He slowly placed her head down and covered the sun for her. She curled and leaned closer to him. He instinctively ran inside to grab a blanket and covered her.
"You're with me… So you can open your eyes when you feel better," he said softly. Eun Shin opened her eyes and stared at him, protecting her head from the sun with one hand. She smiled and moved like a caterpillar closer to his thigh. She then hugged his stomach. Seung Jee looked at her and smiled.
"Lie down with me," she said. He nodded and lay down next to her, still holding his hand up for her. She leaned closer and did the same for him.
"Feeling better?" he asked. She nodded.
"A lot… Thank you for coming," she answered. Seung Jee met her eyes and slowly lowered his hand to caress her cheek, putting her hair behind her ear.
"Any day," he responded calmly. Her eyes welled up with happiness, and her lips curved beautifully.
My land. She closed her eyes to nap peacefully with him by her side. Seung Jee just watched her sleep, making her feel safe and protected.
Beside them, the mysterious woman appeared once again around Seung Jee. She walked up the stairs and watched them sleeping beside each other on the table. She walked closer and closer to glance at Eun Shin. She frowned with her arms crossed. Her bodyguard followed.
"Madam," he called.
"Don't wake him up…" she whispered. The bodyguard nodded. He leaned closer to her ear. She sighed in frustration. "Let's go then."
"Yes," he replied. They walked down the stairs. After her footsteps disappeared, Seung Jee opened his eyes and walked to the edge, watching her sitting in the car as it drove away.
"I won't return, no matter what… So stop coming here," he said softly to her from afar, turning, walking back to Eun Shin. His fingers brushed through her hair before tracing the shape of her face with quiet care. "If you want to scream, then scream. If you want to cry, then cry. But… don't ever punish yourself for what others did to you. I'll stay… until you're strong enough to stand without me."