The Legacy (Underworld 1) JC

21: Price For Pride

As Jeonghan wandered through the dimly lit corridors of the house, his curiosity led him to explore every nook and cranny, desperate for any glimpse of the world beyond his prison walls. It was during one such exploration that he stumbled upon Seungcheol's room, the door slightly ajar, inviting him to peek inside.

As he stepped into the room, his eyes were immediately drawn to a large portrait hanging prominently on the wall. It depicted Jeonghan, captured in a moment of genuine laughter, his eyes sparkling with joy and his smile lighting up his face. It was a scene from a happier time, a memory preserved in paint for eternity.

Jeonghan couldn't help but feel a pang of confusion as he studied the portrait, wondering why Seungcheol would have such a painting in his possession. What was the significance of this moment to him? And why would he choose to display it so prominently in his private space?

Lost in his thoughts, Jeonghan was startled when he heard the door creak open behind him. He turned to see Seungcheol standing in the doorway, his expression tense and guarded.

"Jeonghan," Seungcheol said, his voice tight with tension. "What are you doing in here?"

Jeonghan's heart skipped a beat at the unexpected interruption, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment at being caught snooping. "I... I was just exploring," he stammered, unable to meet Seungcheol's gaze.

Seungcheol's eyes flickered to the portrait on the wall, a flicker of discomfort crossing his features before he composed himself. "That painting," he began, his voice measured. "It's nothing. Just a relic from the past."

But Jeonghan could see through the facade, could sense the underlying tension in Seungcheol's words. There was more to this painting than Seungcheol was letting on, more to the story that lay hidden beneath its surface.

Before he could press for answers, Seungcheol stepped forward, his posture rigid with unease. "You should leave," he said curtly, gesturing towards the door. "This room is off-limits to you."

With a reluctant nod, Jeonghan turned to leave Seungcheol's room, his mind couldn't shake the burning questions that lingered in his thoughts. With a deep breath, he turned back to face Seungcheol, his eyes searching for answers.

"Why do you have a portrait of me?" Jeonghan asked, his voice betraying his confusion and curiosity. "And... do you still love me?"

Seungcheol's expression remained impassive, his gaze fixed on Jeonghan with a steely resolve. But there was a flicker of something in his eyes—regret, perhaps, or maybe something deeper that Jeonghan couldn't quite decipher.

"Just because I gave you permission to roam around freely doesn't mean everything between us will become just as before," Seungcheol replied, his voice measured and controlled.

Jeonghan felt a pang of disappointment at Seungcheol's evasive response, the weight of his unanswered questions pressing down on him like a heavy burden. But he knew better than to push Seungcheol further, to demand answers that he might never be willing to give.

"I missed you every single day while I was in LA," Jeonghan confessed, his voice barely above a whisper. "I tried to come back, but my father wouldn't let me. I'm sorry, Seungcheol. I can't bear to see the hatred in your eyes."

His words hung in the air, the silence stretching between them like a taut wire. In that moment, Jeonghan felt a strange mixture of fear and relief, the weight of his confession lifting a burden from his shoulders while simultaneously exposing him to the raw vulnerability of his emotions.

"You knew everything about Amber gang," Seungcheol stated, his voice cold and distant. "You knew about Rubina."

Jeonghan's heart clenched at the mention of Rubina, the memory of her betrayal still fresh in his mind. "I... I didn't know," he protested weakly, his voice barely more than a whisper.