Off limit President || Yungi

- nineteen -

Yunho || Mingi 

As the first light of dawn filtered through the curtains, stirring us from our slumber, the tranquility of the morning was shattered by the sound of raised voices. 

Groggy and disoriented, I exchanged a bewildered glance with Hongjoong, both of us straining to make sense of the commotion outside.

My heart pounded in my chest as I stumbled out of bed and rushed to the window, my mother's furious tirade echoing in the stillness of the morning air.

With each word she uttered, a knot of apprehension tightened in my stomach, a sense of foreboding creeping over me like a shadow.

"What's going on?" Hongjoong's voice was laced with concern as he joined me at the window, peering out into the street below.

"I don't know," I replied, my voice trembling with uncertainty. "But something's not right."

As my mother's words grew louder, punctuated by the slamming of the door, I felt a surge of panic course through me. 

Ignoring the sleep still clinging to my eyes, I hurried to my mother's side, my heart pounding in my chest.

"Mom, what's happening?" I asked, my voice trembling with anxiety. "Who was at the door?"

My mother's expression was tense, her features drawn with anger and frustration. "It's nothing, Yunho," she replied, though her tone belied her words. "Just go back to bed."

But I couldn't shake the feeling of unease that gnawed at me, a sense of dread settling over me like a dark cloud.

As the morning sun cast its golden rays over the village, Hongjoong and I bid each other farewell, his laughter echoing in my ears as he made his way back to his parents' house. 

With a heavy heart, I turned my attention to the task at hand, hoisting the buckets of chili peppers onto my shoulders and beginning the arduous trek down the hill.

Lost in the rhythm of my steps, I focused on the familiar path before me, the weight of the peppers a comforting anchor in the chaos of my thoughts. 

With each stride, I pushed aside the memories of mingled pain and longing that threatened to overwhelm me, channeling my energy into the simple act of carrying the buckets.

As I trudged down the hill, the weight of the chili buckets straining my arms, I couldn't shake the eerie feeling that someone was watching me. 

It started as a prickling at the back of my neck, an uncomfortable sensation that made the hairs on my skin stand on end. 

I glanced around, trying to catch a glimpse of anything out of the ordinary, but the village was as quiet and serene as ever. 

The houses were nestled peacefully, the trees swayed gently in the breeze, and there was no sign of anything amiss. Yet, the unease persisted.

Everyone in the village was nice, and there were no stories about stalkers, especially teenage stalkers, in town. 

The thought of someone lurking, watching me, seemed absurd. But the feeling wouldn't go away, gnawing at me with every step I took.

I sighed, feeling the need for some form of reassurance, something to distract me from the growing paranoia. 

Pulling out my phone, I dialed Hongjoong's number. As the line rang, I tried to focus on the rhythm of my breathing, on the steady pace of my steps, anything to keep the unease at bay.

"Hey, Yunho!" Hongjoong's voice came through, bright and cheerful. It was a comfort just to hear him.

"Hey," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady. "I... I need you to stay on the phone with me for a bit."