POMEGRANATES AND TULIPS: Book 2 (Jeon Wonwoo) EDITING

19 | Paranoia

I haven't eaten anything, how could I? A psychopath was stalking me, and I didn't even know. It horrifies me, I bite my bottom lip and continue to brush my hair slowing my pacing as a tired sigh escapes my lips.

The doorbell ringing made my blood turn cold, and I stepped out of my room. My heart begins to pound as the doorbell and my phone ring at the same time, I start to tip-toe towards the door. What if it was that man that came looking for Wonwoo? What do I do if it is him? Do I call Wonwoo? I reach the door and tremble in fear.

Tapping lightly on the screen felt like I was designating a ticking bomb, I let relief wash over me as Wonwoo appears to be the one on the other side of the door. Yet my heart aches upon seeing the faint bruising on his jaw and right cheek, the slightly busted upper corner of his lips, and I felt such guilt seeing his left arm in a sling. I hesitate as my fingers hover over the lock, and he rings the doorbell again. Maybe he'll leave if I wait it out, but I was wrong. His fist collides with the door, I jump back a bit hearing how loud he knocked.

I unlock the door and open the door slowly, Wonwoo drops his hand. "W-" I gasp as he steps inside, I look at him as I back up giving him space. "Are you alright?" He asked, his eyes filled with genuine concern and guilt. I look at him my eyes wandering the bruises, "Lizzy?" His whispers. I shake my head honestly, he closes the door. "No, I'm not okay," I said walking into the living room, I could feel my eyes swell up with tears.

"I haven't left the apartment in four days, I haven't been able to eat or sleep because of the constant fear lingering each time I walk out of the room. So no I'm not alright..." I sob, my trembling hands resting on my face as I sob hysterically.

Wonwoo's touch was gentle and kind as my head was pressed against his chest. I grip lightly on his arm, "I'm so sorry..." I cry. "Why are you apologizing? You did nothing wrong, you didn't know." He says his voice low and gentle. I let out a shaky breath, "If I had been more aware of my surroundings...then you wouldn't have had the accident." I cry once more feeling guilt take over.

But he didn't say anything instead he stood there holding me, comforting me. My chest was heavy with burden and guilt, my eyes glued to his injured arm. My tears were unstoppable as my mind raced with endless what-ifs.

Wonwoo's grip around me tightens lightly, hiccups begin to escape. His hand resting on the back of my neck, "It's okay." He whispers. I bite my bottom lip from quivering, "No it's not..." I whisper. It felt like a lifetime just standing in the living room in his arms, his words affirmation of everything being okay was somewhat soothing but I still felt guilty.

My hiccups were slowly going away as my cries died down, and his hand slid onto my back. I lift my head off from his chest and look up at him, "I'm sorry...I stained your shirt with tears." I said feeling embarrassed. Wonwoo chuckles lightly, "Ani, gwenchana." He says. I smile shyly and look away from his piercing eyes, "A...are you okay?" I asked looking at his arm. "I'm fine, it's nothing to worry about." He says, his hand still resting on my back.

I pull myself away from him slowly, "You were in an accident." I said reminding him that it was a serious incident. Wonwoo lets a sigh fall past his lips, "That's not important. I'm more worried about you..and your safety." He says his hand grips my arm softly. "You're paranoid, you haven't left this apartment in four days." His voice sent a shiver down my spine. I look into his eyes, dark orbs filled with such sadness. My fingertips softly graze his bruised jaw, "Lizbeth..." He whispers my name. I look at him, "Your safety is a priority right now," Wonwoo says. I let a soft sigh leave my lips, "I know." I whisper.

"Then let Mingyu have Jeonghan look into it..." He says placing his hand on my cheek, his thumb caressing my skin softly. "Jeonghan is an expert with these cases," Wonwoo whispers, I bite my bottom lip in thought. "Please Lizbeth, I need you to trust me." He says, his eyes searching into mine. I gave him a small smile and nodded, "Okay..." I whisper. Wonwoo's lips form into a smile, the doorbell interrupts him. I furrowed my brows but I was filled with fear, Wonwoo makes me sit on the couch.
"I'll check who it is." He says.

I watched him walk over to the door, my heart was racing. "Where is she?" Soonyoung's worried tone made me feel at ease, I got up from the couch as Soonyoung pushed past Wonwoo. "Wae?! Gwenchana?!" He asked grabbing me by my shoulders, I looked at him. "Yes, I'm okay. Calm down Soonie." I said, he scoffs. "Calm down? You went MIA for four days...four days Lizzy what the fuck?" He says pulling me into his arms, I sigh. "But are you okay? I need to know if you are," He says, his voice cracking softly. I wrap my arms around his torso, "Soonyoung, I'm fine...I know you all must be worried." I said.

"Damn right, we are." Seungkwan pants as he runs into the apartment, Wonwoo shakes his head before stepping out of the apartment and hearing the elevator's bell. Soonyoung pulls away, "Yah, why did you ignore all of my calls?" Seungkwan asks as he pulls me into a tight squeeze. I smile faintly, is this what it feels like to have people worry sick about you? It's a strange bubbly feeling, "Lizzy," Mingyu's whiny tone made Seungkwan let go of me. I looked at Mingyu he was pouting, "God you had us all scared to death." He says opening his arms. I gasped as he hugged me but my feet were no longer touching the carpet floor, "Yah, you really have gone mad this time." Minghao says as he walks into the apartment with Wonwoo.

Mingyu sets me back down, I look at them. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you all worry," I said, my emotions were a mixture of guilt, perplex, and amusement. Wonwoo smiles faintly as Minghao ruffles my hair before pulling me into a tight hug, "I don't think you should be staying here alone..." Seungkwan says. Soonyoung nods, "I can always have her stay with me," Minghao teases. "Ani..." they all say, Minghao smirks as he wraps an arm around my shoulder. "I think they're all jealous..." He says, I chuckle and shake my head.

Seungkwan gives me a look and smiles mischievously, "What if—" I shake my head rapidly. "What if Wonwoo stays the night with Lizbeth..." Seungkwan says, Mingyu looks at me with a smirk. "That's not a bad idea, I mean these two have been hanging out around a lot. So I'm sure they're comfortable with the idea." Mingyu says, Soonyoung chuckles and smirks. "They have, so Wonwoo what do you say? I mean you know to keep her company and ensure that bastard doesn't come knocking on her door." Soonyoung says.

Right that guy who came looking for Wonwoo, he has come by twice but I never opened the door nor stepped out of the room. Wonwoo's gaze falls on me, I find myself feeling intimated by his eyes. "If Lizbeth is okay with it." He says, I bite my bottom lip. "Are you okay with it?" Minghao asks, I look at him. "I—I suppose it's...okay." I stutter, Seungkwan smirks. "Then it's settled, now have you eaten?" He asks, I give him a shy smile and shake my head. "Okay let's make sure she eats before Jeonghan calls." Mingyu says as he walks to the door with Minghao. I exhaled softly and looked at Wonwoo, his cheeks were a small tint of pink.

"Are you sure you're okay with it?" Wonwoo whispers as he hands me my brown coat, I look at him bashfully. "Yeah, I mean I don't mind it. If it means keeping Soonyoung and Seungkwan at ease then it's okay." I said I grabbed my book bag off the coat hanger. I slip into my tennis shoes, stepping out of the apartment I ensure it is locked before following behind Wonwoo and Minghao.

I could say that the universe blessed me with such soulful beings, this new feeling of being cared for is amusing and somewhat weird. I don't know if I should enjoy it or look at it from a distance.