Deleterious

Chapter 5

It was like staring into an endless abyss of pure anger. He wanted me to know. He's always so blank, you never truly know what he's thinking or feeling. But now I can see everything. I clench my hands, attempting to stop the shaking but it doesn't work. I want to look away and hide but I can't, it feels like looking away will only make things worse. I have to do something. I'll beg him for forgiveness, I'll fix it before things get worse. Whatever it is I'll fix it quickly so-

I flinch when he walks forward, more than just my hands are shaking now. I make myself as small as possible in the corner, curling into myself but still unable to drag my eyes away.

What did I do?

For the life of me I can't figure it out, what could I have possibly done to make him react this way? I was good, I've done what I was told, I don't understand. I watch as the cold look slowly morphs into something entirely different as he draws closer. The facade slowly shifting back onto his face like a mask.

"Vincenzo?!" Cha-young's loud voice shakes me from my inner turmoil. I finally muster up the courage to drag my eyes away. I watch as she waves her hands in excitement before running over, a broad smile on her face as she takes him in. As soon as she's close she looks across from him, finally noticing me in the corner.

"Oh! Chairman Jang." She bows respectfully, smiling politely I wave her off asking her to drop the formalities for the time being. My body has stopped shaking but my hands under the table are a different story. Han-seok's gaze keeps me on edge.

"Chairman Jang?" Vincenzo looks at me with a questioning look.

Oh

"Oh, um-"

"So what are you guys up to?" Han-seok cuts me off, playing the role of Junwoo perfectly. A broad excited smile giving nothing of his true feelings away.

I answer quickly, too used to making sure he's never kept waiting, "Nothing! We're just eating lunch, that's all." My sentence slowly dies off the longer he stares, it's distracting. I quickly look back down at my food, playing it off like I'm just trying to get another bite to eat.

"Oh? Shall we join you?" I peek up at Cha-young before looking back down to my food. I don't necessarily have to answer to her, only Han-seok.

"No, go away." Vincenzo's answer is short and to the point, Cha-young's reaction is instant. She starts whining in the middle of the cafe, saying something about neglect and how she deserved to be treated better. I can't focus too much, I can still feel that familiar gaze aimed at the side of my head. If it didn't make me feel insane I'd think it physically burned.

"Can't you see I'm having lunch with my friend?" His tone leaves no room for arguement but the small smirk gives away just how much he's enjoying this interaction.

"I don't mind, y-you can sit with us, only if you want to." I peek up at Han-seok before quickly shoving another spoon full of food into my mouth.

"Yay! See Vincenzo? It's not hard to be nice." He rolls his eyes at that before both Cha-young and Han-seok leave to get their food. With my brother distracted I try and calm myself down, shaking my hands under the table to try and get rid of the nerves.

I look up and find Vincenzo staring at Cha-young. Even with my current situation I can't help but let out a small laugh. I attack once Vincenzo turns around with a questioning look.

"You guys would make a cute couple." Vincenzo groans, slamming his face into his hands out of embarrassment. It triggers another fit of laughter out of me.

A tray of food is dropped beside me then, looking up I find Han-seok, a broad smile on his face as he looks towards Vincenzo.
"I don't think we've met." He sits beside me, the same fake broad smile gracing his lips. Nobody else would know it was fake by looking at it though, only me.