It's Tomorrow, Little Thing

CHAPTER TWO

We sit in the living room, on the gray couch, where the glass windows overlook half the city of Seoul. I swear you can see my University from here.

"So," Ye-Jun starts hesitantly.

I turn my head away from the view and face him, but I don't make eye contact, instead I keep my gaze on the couch.

"I'll just explain what happened?" He nods for my approval to continue so I nod back. "I was with a few of my guards walking in downtown Seoul when I noticed a boy who was enjoying his night. Up until people came out of a building." He pauses and leans forward to catch my attention. I look at him. His eyes glow with worry, something maybe like pity. Wow. How arrogant. "Downtown Seoul is no place for a Uni student, a young one at that. Then he fled into an alley and I knew he was going to be in trouble. I followed with my men and you were being followed yourself, by some other man, and he was going to mug you. That's when we intervened after he hit you in the waist. And now you're here." He finishes and leans back on the couch, watching my reaction carefully.

I swallow and purse my lips. "Thanks," I say. "I guess." My voice breaks a little bit at the end.

He comes closer and wraps his arms around my waist. Suddenly scared, I place my hands on his chest as if to stop him, but I can't help feeling that he doesn't have certain intentions like. . . other people.

He pats my back. "It'll be okay, Myeon-Jin-ah," he says quietly.

I don't even feel like crying, I just feel like. . . I don't even know. I purse my lips again and sigh, relaxing into his hug. He continues to rub my back. When he pulls away, takes my hands in his and rubs my knuckles with his thumbs.

왜? Why is he being so nice to me? I swallow and don't look at him.

"Do you want to know who I am?" he asks, looking at me. "I'm sure one of the first things you thought of me when you woke up was 'Who the heck is this man?'." He smiles. "Am I right?"

I nod.

"Well," he starts happily. "My name is Jeong Ye-Jun and I've been in the business, modeling, and acting industry for years now, maybe since I was fifteen?" He furrows his brows then shakes his head, continuing. "I lead a small group and will inherit my Father's company soon." He ends with a charming smile.

"Where's your Father now?" I suddenly ask. "Wait-" I stop him when he breathes. "It's not my place to ask you such things. I'm sorry," I mutter.

His smile suddenly becomes uncomfortable but understanding. "It's fine," he accepts. "You're new to me, I'm new to you. I guess it's only fair. My Father. . ." He catches a breath. "He's working on other company projects outside of Seoul currently." He smiles again, though I can sorta tell it's fake.

I scoot back until my back touches the couch's armrest. I pull my knees to my chest and wrap my arms around them, resting my chin on my skinny knees.

Ye-Jun scoots closer though very slowly and my breath almost completely stops in my chest.

"Is there a reason you have smaller knees? Are you eating enough?" he asks, definitely trying not to sound rude, but it comes across as judgmental.

I feel my throat tighten. My eyes sting and I feel myself going rigid. Why did he just ask me that? I don't feel good answering that. I really don't want to talk to this man. Is he really going to consider us. . . I don't know.

"Hey," he whispers. "You don't have to tell me." He breathes in shakily. "I'm sure you're not comfortable with me. Tell me when you're ready. Okay?"

I take a deep breath and look into his eyes. "I don't know if I'll ever be able to tell anyone. Because I've never told anyone." My voice sounds so small. . .

"Well. . ." Ye-Jun breathes. "Tell me about yourself."

"I'm a sophomore at Yonsei University in Seoul. I have an older sister, a Mother, and a Father who live far away by the coast. I have social anxiety. . ." I don't want to talk any further so I stop and look away.

But the room seems to collapse in on itself, suddenly trying to crush me and suffocate me. I feel sweat beginning to form on my scalp. Heat breathes all over my back, making me want to drown in an ice bath.

Ye-Jun nods. "Okay." His voice causes everything to back away and space out again. He stands and stretches, yawning. He leaves the living room, going into the open-concept kitchen with marble countertops, dark green cabinets and silver accents.

He leans down under the top cabinets and smiles at me. "Want something to eat, Jin-i-ah?"

I lean my head on the couch and close my eyes. "응." I hear him chuckle to himself and begin the stove.

I don't know how long I kept my eyes closed until Ye-Jun politely shakes me awake. He smiles brightly when I look at him. He sat on the back of the couch, looking down at me. He brushes some of my hair and goes around the couch to help me up. My head aches and my knees feel fuzzy. I can't tell him or else he might question me further.

He sits me down, helping me into my seat after I almost stumble, knees going inactive.

Eggs, bacon, toast and fruit sit in front of me and my mouth waters, though my body holds no energy and I feel like dropping my head onto a pillow again.

"Jin-ah," Ye-Jun says, catching my attention. "Do you feel like eating?"

A door opens and I shift my eyes to another man entering. He looks older, with graying hair, eye wrinkles, tanner skin, small eyes and very good and royal-looking posture.

Ye-Jun diverts his eyes to the man and smiles. "Bo-Ham!" he cries happily, standing and bowing. The man looks over Ye-Jun's shoulder at me and bows his head. I bow back and slouch in my seat, staring at the food.

They have a friendly hushed conversation. The man stands up straighter and Ye-Jun leaves him to sit down in front of me. The man leaves for another room, but I still don't relax.

Funny enough, Ye-Jun leans in and tells me: "Relax, you look so stressed."

I hold back a scoff and begin to eat my food slowly, his gaze still on me, with that stupidly charming smirk of his.