Blue Flower (Boys Over Flowers Fanfiction)

Chapter 32

"Welcome back!"

The moment Jae-Won stepped into the house, I tossed confetti into the air, a weak attempt at celebration. It had been too long since I last saw him. Too long since I felt at ease.

For months, he had been working as a bodyguard for my distant relative, and finally, he was here again. Where he belonged.

Jae-Won's lips curled into a tired smile just before I pulled him into a tight hug. He was warm—solid—reassuring in a way that made my chest ache.

"Remind me never to accept your grandfather's requests again," he muttered, stepping away to grab a glass of water.

I laughed, but it didn't quite reach my heart. The exhaustion in his eyes was evident, the weight on his shoulders heavier than before.

"It's not that bad! You got a change of scenery in Busan," I teased, trying to lighten his mood.

Jae-Won rolled his eyes and mumbled something under his breath before groaning, "You didn't see how flirty your underage cousin was with me. I swear, telling her off felt like reasoning with a toddler."

His irritation made me laugh, but the sound was short-lived. Because even though he was finally back, my mind was elsewhere. A thought had been plaguing me for days, keeping me awake at night.

Jae-Won noticed. Of course, he did.

"What's wrong?" he asked, his voice softer now, careful.

I hesitated, fingers curling against the marble countertop. And then—

"I want to see Chang-Mul."

The words left my mouth before I could stop them, heavy and unwavering.

Jae-Won scoffed, as if I had said something ridiculous, as if he barely recognized the person standing in front of him.

"You can't be serious," he said, tone sharp.

"I am."

His expression darkened. "Sora, every time you're near him, you get panic attacks. I won't risk your health."

His concern should have reassured me. But instead, it felt like a chain, holding me back, forcing me to remain a victim.

"I need to remind you that you're my bodyguard," I said, my voice cold despite the ache in my chest. "What I say needs to be followed."

A flicker of pain crossed his face.

Jae-Won straightened, his voice turning distant. "You're right. I apologize for that. I'll tell your grandfather."

Then, without another word, he brushed past me.

And that's when I knew—I had hurt him.

I stood in front of Woo-Bin's house, knocking on his door, searching for an escape from my own thoughts. But I couldn't stop myself.

"Hey, can I come in?"

Woo-Bin opened the door with a kind smile, instantly reading the exhaustion in my eyes.

"Do you want to watch a movie?"

I nodded eagerly and slumped onto his couch. The moment the screen flickered on, I regretted my choice. The movie turned terrifying fast. My fingers dug into his arm as I tensed, my breath hitching when the ominous music grew louder.

And then—

"Ah!"

A ghost jumped out, and I practically launched myself into Woo-Bin's chest. My head buried against him, eyes squeezed shut until the eerie music faded.