Stay Stay Stay ||Choi Yeonjun||

13

"Urghhh I'm gonna skin her alive. A bitch through and through! "

My Mom was up in flames as you could guess. It was our weekend and of course I told her all about the Siwon incident. She was more adamant that I should have been stricter and let Mr. Choi drag her to CEO, but even then I knew in my heart that what I did was right.

I wasn't sure if Siwon would've let the cats out of the bag Or not, but I couldn't let Hueningkai go through that.

"Well, I did it for Hueningkai. I don't think I'll regret it. "

"Okay, I guess. But you know, I think you could've dealt with Hueningkai better. I know you already know that. I also understand that you were upset your new friend was hiding something from you. But that doesn't mean you'll shut him away. Communication is very important, it will always help to solve issues. "

Hmm.. I knew I was harsh on Hueningkai. Maybe because I knew confronting people didn't lead to better results, just lot of fighting. I had seen Hana get mad after I brought up how I didn't like that she, Jake and Jaehan went out multiple times without letting me know just because I stayed far away, on the other side of the city.

When I told Jake I thought he was misunderstanding about me and one of my project partners, he didn't communicate. He just raged and shut me away.

And I was too scared that things might change, that I'll be left behind alone and people will think I'm a loser. Because what kind of person would be alone with no best friend? So, I hated confrontations.

But maybe Hueningkai would be different. Maybe he would've listened instead of leaving me. Maybe he wouldn't change. Or maybe he would change, like, he would try to be more clear and open after knowing he could trust me?

"By the bye, after this project is over maybe you could help me with getting some new furniture..? "

My heart pounded in my ear so loud it almost drowned all other sounds. Mom was looking at me with that same soft smile which almost made my breath catch. Then as her eyes sparkled with unshed tears, I felt the familiar prickling behind my eyes and the lump in my throat.

"I decided I wanted to change too. We both have been afraid of changing things for so long, I think it's time to leave everything behind. "

Her hand was warm in my grasp and I clutched it close to me.

"We'll turn this place topsy-turvy. I'll design it just as you like. "

◦•●◉✿✿◉●•◦

"All these pieces are to be delivered to Hokkaido, I'll email you the exact details. And please make sure the designs carved on the bedpost are neat and smooth, I don't want the child to get hurt by a splinter."

"Not a worry ma'am, we'll take care of it."

With that settled I finally heaved a sigh. We were done ordering the pieces we would need. Now all we needed to find were the fine moss carpet, and other decorative pieces.

I turned to find Mr. Choi, only to feel his eyes on me. I walked towards him carefully, making sure not to trip on the various tools, wires, glass pieces and wood littered on the floor.

"Was it–"

"Yes, I've been observing. You're a natural. Let's go for lunch, since it's 1 already. "

I flushed at his easy praise, feeling his eyes pierce me with a renewed intent. Then he turned and started heading out making me follow suit. Trying to avoid a jagged piece of glass, I stepped back only to feel my foot get tangled in wires pulling me down harshly. My knees hit the floor with a resounding thud, while I used my hands to break the fall and to avoid sprawling on the floor.

The pain was immediate, especially the burns where my skin was grazed. But more importantly, my face burned with embarrassment. I was pretty sure I had flushed the most ugly red, unable to meet anyone's eyes, though most of the workers had gathered around instantly to help me.

"Are you alright?! Oh my God! I'm so sorry, I wasn't paying attention. Show me the knees Ahrin! Oh god, it looks bruised. Wait I think we have a medicine dispensary nearby. Can you walk?! "

My social anxiety was skyrocketing and my brain, the ever present traitor, was slowly whispering about how people would be laughing. Why is the embarrassment hurting more than the actual pain?

His hands hold my arms, pulling me up and off the ground. His eyes search and catalogue each injury. I slowly look up, but Gods above, my heart races when I see him. Yeonjun was looking all scared and concerned, his hands still grasping tightly onto my arms. All I could focus was on consoling him.

"I'm fine sir, just a small scratch. "

Raising my hand to show him the lascerations on my wrist with which I broke the fall, but Yeonjun wouldn't belive me.

"Nope, no. We are going to the infirmary. You need immediate help. "

And as always, was he ever wrong. As soon as I began walking my right knee started smarting. Yeonjun noticed me dragging it slightly and he tightened his hold on me. If the pain wasn't clouding my thoughts, I would've totally lost it as I felt pressed to his side almost like if he could, he would've put me in his pocket.

At the infirmary, he stood sentinel beside me looking on over how the bandages were put. Then he almost raged on the nurse when she accidentally hit my knee right on the bruise.

"Uhm... Yeonjun? Can you please wait outside? I'll come out as soon as possible. "

He looked so torn over that I almost took it all back. But he did leave and the nurse relaxed.

"Gosh, such boyfriends really make me all nervous! But lucky for you, young lady. You get him all to your self! "

"Uh, no. He is... not my boyfriend. He is my boss. "

The lady was promptly gobsmacked. She stared at me and then out the door, only to look at me again. Fondly shaking her head, I heard her mutter something.

"Here's some ointment for the bruise and some painkillers. You don't have any sprains as far as I could see. "

"Thank you so much, here's your fee. "

"Oh it's my job, sweetheart. Plus that man's a sweetie. He reminds me of my husband, always huffing and puffing at every small knick and cut, that man. But such people are always a treasure, value him and try to keep him for yourself, even though I think you wouldn't have to work hard for that. "

She was saying something else, but I could barely register anything over the flurry of thoughts. In all my years as friends, me and Jake were never mistaken as a couple. Nobody was ever telling us we looked good together or that he seemed to be a kind boyfriend.

Then I proceeded to comb over all the memories, if Jake ever reacted like Yeonjun just did. But I came up short. Yeah sure, he cared but he was never really worried. Teasing me and joking casually, he was always so carefree. Even that one time I sprained my ankle in the marathon race in college, or the time I almost had to be rushed to the hospital since I was puking my guts up, he seemed calm and practical, never looking overly concerned.

But here I was, with a slight graze on my wrist and a bruise on my knee and Yeonjun looked like he almost lost his mind in worry.

"Ahrin, are you okay? "

"Huh-? Ohh yeahh yeahh, I'm fine. Let's go. "

I stepped out of the infirmary and waved to the cheerful lady. As soon as my feet hit the pavement, Yeonjun caught me off guard. He held my hand and tucked it in the crook of his elbow, giving me support. I looked up at him, but he was once again studiously avoiding my eyes. And then under my scrutiny, his ears turned red.

" I'm so sorry for loosing my calm like that. It was absolutely wrong of me for rushing the nurse and you. Are you seriously okay though? That bruise looks nasty. "

"I'm absolutely fine, thanks for taking care of me, sir. Everything seems okay when you are here. "

And curse my mind to forget about social filter, and letting out whatever came first.