LAVENDER || PARK SUNGHOON ff

CHAPTER 13

Winter wandered through the hallway, her hands lightly resting against the wall for support. She was deep in thought, contemplating the massive staircase she'd seen earlier.

What was upstairs? Curiosity gnawed at her, mixed with a hint of apprehension. The headquarters was so lavish; surely there were more intriguing things to discover.

As she hesitated at the base of the staircase, she heard footsteps from above. Her heart skipped a beat as a figure descended. It was Sunghoon, dressed in a sleek black leather jacket, black jeans, and a black turtleneck. His silver snowflake pendant gleamed against his chest. Winter's palms grew clammy, but she forced herself to stay calm.

Sunghoon's piercing gaze locked onto her. "What are you doing here?" he asked, his voice as cold as his demeanor.

Winter shifted nervously. "I was just coming back from the kitchen. I didn't mean to intrude."

Sunghoon's eyes scanned her from head to toe. "Do you need something?"

Winter shook her head. "No, nothing. I'm fine."

Sunghoon raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure? It's been two and a half days since you arrived. Have you had a chance to shower?"

Winter's face flushed crimson. How could she have forgotten something so basic? She bit her lip, embarrassed. "Oh, right. I didn't think about that. Thank you for reminding me."

Sunghoon's expression remained stoic. "You're welcome. If you don't have any other needs, you can go ahead and freshen up."

As Winter started to walk away, she hesitated and tugged at Sunghoon's sleeve. "Excuse me, I'm not sure where the bathroom is. And, um, could I borrow some clothes? I don't have anything to change into."

Sunghoon's eyes softened slightly, though his demeanor remained cool. "Alright. Follow me. I'll show you to the bathroom and get you some clothes."

Winter followed closely behind, her heart racing. Sunghoon's broad back and imposing figure made her feel both nervous and oddly reassured. They ascended the staircase and turned left into a corridor lined with numerous doors.

Sunghoon stopped in front of one with a white door and gold trim. "This is your room. It's not occupied, so feel free to use it. It includes a bathroom, so you won't have to worry about that."

Winter's eyes widened with gratitude. "Thank you so much, Sunghoon. I truly appreciate it. Not only did you not hurt me, but you've also provided me with a comfortable place."

Sunghoon met her sincere gaze, his usual cold facade softening momentarily. They shared a brief, intense look before he cleared his throat, breaking the moment. "You're welcome. I'll have Sunoo and Jay get you some clothes soon. For now, you can use whatever is in the room."

He turned to leave, but Winter called after him. "Wait! I—"

Sunghoon was already walking away, leaving Winter standing in front of the room, speechless. She took a deep breath and turned the knob, stepping inside.

The room was beautifully decorated with beige and white tones. A queen-sized bed sat in the middle, with a large ceiling fan overhead. The room also featured an air conditioner and a fluffy white carpet. To the left was a wardrobe room connected to a spacious bathroom.

Winter opened the closet and found a selection of women's clothing. Despite the surprise, she shook her head and pushed aside any thoughts about it. She picked out a light pink hoodie and blue jeans, then hurried to the bathroom.

The hot shower felt incredibly refreshing. After washing, she emerged and dressed in her new clothes, feeling a wave of relief. She approached the vanity table, applied some lip balm to soothe her dry lips, and brushed her hair.

Feeling much better, Winter decided to head back to the treatment room. As she tidied up the table, she took a moment to appreciate the calmness of the house. With most of the members occupied elsewhere, the headquarters was eerily quiet.

Winter made her way downstairs, her thoughts a whirlwind of gratitude and confusion. Despite her uncertain situation, the kindness shown to her by Sunghoon and the others was starting to ease her anxiety.

As she reentered the treatment room, she glanced around, feeling a sense of cautious optimism. Perhaps, despite everything, she might find a place where she could feel safe and maybe even begin to understand the enigmatic world of her captors.

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Hi my darlings! ❤️

Here's another chapter for you today! Living in a hostel has made it a bit challenging to keep up with updates, but I promise I'll release the next chapter as soon as I can. Thank you for your patience and support—stay tuned! 🫶🏻

Love you all! ❤️
Your author,
[Ichaa]
🌸