The Choi Brothers

🍵Chapter 6🍵

As Yeonjun, Soobin, and Beomgyu tiptoed into the house, they exchanged nervous glances, silently praying that their parents wouldn't be home. Their initial plan was to discreetly make their way to Beomgyu's room, which was conveniently situated nearest to the staircase. But their hopes were dashed as they ascended the steps and were met with an unexpected voice.

"Oh, my goodness! Young Master Soobin?" Mrs. Hong Hanhye, the head of the household staff, exclaimed in surprise. "What on earth happened to your face?"

Caught off guard, the trio halted on the staircase, their hearts racing. Yeonjun, Soobin and Beomgyu turned to face Mrs. Hong, who stood at the foot of the stairs, her eyes wide with apprehension.

Soobin winced lightly, mentally preparing himself for the interrogation. While Yeonjun attempted to deflect with a feeble excuse. "It's, uh... a new skincare routine," he stammered, "Which went slightly wrong." his voice betraying his nerves. Soobin shot him a sideways glance, silently questioning if that was the best he could come up with. Surely, they could do better than that.

Mrs. Hong, however, was not easily fooled. She arched an eyebrow, her expression clearly unconvinced. "A skincare routine that turns your face into a Picasso painting?" she quipped, her lips twitching with amusement.

Before anyone could respond, Beomgyu, feeling the pressure mounting, blurted out the first thing that came to mind, "It's a work in progress! Picasso didn't become a master overnight, you know!"

Mrs. Hong fought back a smile but quickly regained her stern composure. "I wasn't born yesterday, Young Masters," she replied, her tone indicating that she wasn't buying their excuses.

The brothers exchanged resigned glances, knowing all too well that they couldn't pull the wool over Mrs. Hong's eyes. After all, she wasn't just any house staff; she was practically family, having helped raise them when their parents were away.

"So?" Mrs. Hong's tone was firm, her hands folded in front of her as she waited for an explanation.

Yeonjun took a deep breath and cleared his throat nervously before speaking up. "There was a, uh, little incident at the University," he confessed, hoping his vague explanation would suffice.

Mrs. Hong let out a soft sigh, already bracing herself for the fallout that would inevitably follow when Mrs. Choi returned home. "Oh, Heavens, Madam's gonna have a fit," she muttered under her breath, mentally preparing for the storm on the horizon.

"We know, Mrs. Hong," Beomgyu chimed in, his tone bashful yet hopeful. He joined his hands together dramatically, a plea in his eyes. "Please, be with us during the storm."

Mrs. Hong offered a sympathetic smile, understanding all too well the impending chaos that awaited them. "Of course, Young Master Beomgyu," she reassured him, though a hint of worry lingered in her expression. "But Madam's gonna..." She trailed off, unable to bring herself to finish the sentence.

"Yes, we know," Soobin interjected solemnly, his shoulders slumping with resignation. "But until then..." He glanced at Beomgyu, a sheepish grin playing on his lips.

Beomgyu nodded in agreement, a flicker of hope in his eyes. "We'll make the most of it," he declared, his voice tinged with determination.

Mrs. Hong sighed, her gaze softening with understanding. "I won't breathe a word to her," she promised, knowing that she would do everything in her power to shield the boys from the impending storm, even if it meant keeping secrets from Mrs. Choi.

As they reached Beomgyu's room, Yeonjun, Soobin, and Beomgyu all sighed in relief. The sight before them, however, was less than welcoming: clothes were strewn across the bed, the cupboard doors were ajar with items spilling out, and books were scattered haphazardly on every surface.