Scars of The Runaway || Hoshi

16: My Decision

Narrator's POV

Throughout work, Jia could not help but to think about the mysterious man who made a tempting, yet sketchy offer.

Her mind was clouded by the man's sudden appearance earlier. Even until the end of her shift, she still cannot help, but to think about him.

"Jia, seems like your boyfriend is here!" Joshua shouted in a teasing tone as Jia quickly stuffed the paycheck and bugging device inside her bag before leaving the locker room.

"Your boyfriend's here" Joshua teased with a smile as Jia shot him a glare before approaching Soonyoung.

"Let's go?" Soonyoung asked as Jia nodded her head.

"Bye!" Joshua enthusiastically bid his goodbye.

"Bye" Jia rolled her eyes before leaving the store with Soonyoung.

Not from a far, the mysterious man sat by inside his car, watching the whole thing happen as the two began to make their way home.

Jia's POV

"Hey, I was just wondering..." Soonyoung trailed as we continued to walk by the sidewalk

"Last night when I was laying down beside you, I-I kinda caught a glimpse of some scars on your forearms" his words startled me, but I remained calm.

"I-I didn't mean to look! Your sleeves were slightly up" he explained as I kept quite, not knowing what to say.

"So...where did those come from?" He asked with anticipation as I avoided his eager gaze.

"You don't have to know, Soonyoung" I answered which left him still in curiosity.

"After all, it's none of your business" I added in a firm tone.

"Okay" he said in a low voice.

The whole walk was very quiet, but I didn't mind because my mind right now is occupied. I am occupied by the burden of that man had left.

I don't wanna get involve with this!

I'm scared of what will happen to me,

But I must do the right thing.

"I prepared dinner by the wa-"

"You go eat, I'm not hungry" I cut him off as I went in my room directly.

Soonyoung's POV

I am curious by the sudden change of behavior. Did I do something bad that made her like this? Was it because of the scars I saw on her arms?

I'm so stupid to bring it up.

I should've stayed quiet,

But I was curious!

I sighed as I sat on the dining area, alone. I started to eat although it felt lonesome since I had no one in front me.

Jia's POV

I stared at the bank check and the device which I held with my other hand. If I put this on Soonyoung, they will find out where he is and they will try to kill him which is clearly not a good idea.

The thought of getting that money never crossed my mind because I care about Soonyoung.

Although, I am in desperate need of money, I still do have a sense of empathy and consideration. I don't care about the money.

All I care about is Soonyoung's safety.

"Jia" I flinched by the sudden loud knock from the door.

"Y-Yes?!" I shouted back as I stuffed the paycheck and device inside my bag.

"Are you sure you're not gonna eat? I'm gonna put the remaining food in the fridge"

"I'm not hungry, just clean it up" I answered back and soon heard fading footsteps which made me feel relieved.

I should probably get at least something to calm me down.

I went out of my room to get a glass of water in the kitchen, but then I was greeted by Soonyoung whose back was facing me as he washed the dishes.

I watched him do the chore as I remembered what happened yesterday. He saved me from those guys, even though he was outnumbered by them, he wasn't afraid to step in to protect me.

This is the first time that someone had protected me.

The first time I felt safe.

It was you, Soonyoung.

Tears unknowingly formed on my eyes which I tried to not trickle down as I bit my bottom lip. Without thinking, my body had just moved itself, making me wrapped my arms around Soonyoung's body.

"J-Jia" he stuttered in shock as he slowly turned his head to the side to catch a glimpse of me.

"Soonyoung..." I called with a low voice.

"I just wanna thank you for saving me yesterday" I added as my voice cracked due to the tears.

He doesn't deserve death.

"I just want to let you know that..." I trailed off.

"I will also protect you"

Yesterday he said that he will protect me which is why I will be doing the same. I will do everything so he would be protected.

He turned around, holding both of my shoulders which made me tilt my head as I met his smile. "Thank you for that, Jia, but don't cry now, okay?" He cupped my face, wiping the tear with his thumb before letting it go.

"I'm sorry for getting you involved with this, you don't deserve to be in this kind of situation" he said as he hung his head low.

"But I swear that I'll take responsibility for this and I'll make sure that you're safe and sound" he smiled as silence, eyes locked on each other.

I was engulfed by the abyss of his eyes to the point that I didn't realize, our faces were slowly leaning onto one another until there's only a few centimeters left.

Before our lips could even land on one another, I pulled away. "S-Sorry about that," I muttered as I looked away.

Why does it felt so wrong?

"I-It's not your fault, I-I got carried away," He stuttered as he scratch the back of his neck, looking away.

"A-Anyway, goodnight, I-I still have work"

"Y-Yeah uhm, sleep well"

"Y-You too" I rushed to my room, shutting the door which I leaned on as I fell onto my knees.

I can feel my cheeks burning as I felt flustered and embarrassed of what I did back there. I cannot believe that we almost kissed and it felt so surreal.

Am I in reality?

I have never felt such feeling like this.

I just met him like days ago yet we are having some quite closure which I never had before with anyone. I may have friends, but we aren't that close for me to show them my traumas and such. This must be the reason why I feel so flustered.

Gosh! I shouldn't think of him like this!

Maybe, I'm feeling like this all because he was the only person who understands me.

He took care of me although we don't know each other that much.