Protector from Afar ✔️

Chapter 26 - The cards on the table

Chapter 26
The cards on the table

Hyunjin's smartphone vibrated. He sighed and closed his eyes. I sent him another message. And then one more. He reached for his phone, wiped his thumb over the display and his eyebrows furrowed.

| You were right, we should talk.
| Changed your mind?
| Disappointing ... you just sit around anyway.

His face changed from excited to confused to suspicious. He looked around and then in exactly my direction. Too bad for him, he would only see me if I wanted to. But I was not prepared for what he did next.

"Can't I even have five fucking minutes for myself?!" Hyunjin screamed and fired his phone through the small room. Due to the impact on the wall, it split into several parts. He pulled his hair and buried his face in his hands. He sobbed and his shoulders twitched through the loud cry, his whole body shook.

Sniffing he wiped his face with the back of a hand and got up. He seemed collected when he opened the window. A sharp gust of wind disheveled his hair. He leaned forward and looked down.

I watched all of this. It happened so quickly when Hyunjin sat on the windowsill and raised one leg. When I realized what he was going to do, I jumped up and made a leap forward. I grabbed Hyunjin with both arms around his upper body and pulled him back. We landed rumbling on the hard wooden floor.

"Are you fucking stupid?"

"Seraphina? Oh shit, let me go right now! "

"No!"

He sat up and tried to defend himself, but my grip only became firmer. Soon his angry protests turned into whining and his body relaxed.

I didn't dare to let go of him. The window was still open and the icy wind sent countless snowflakes inside.

I carefully ran my fingers through his silky hair. Just as Raphael always did when I had woken up at night and couldn't sleep because of crying so much.

Hyunjin took a deep breath, at the same time he weakly pushed my hand away. I let go of him, got up and closed the window. In the reflection I saw my eyes shine blue - like back then with Felix.

I sat on the floor in front of Hyunjin. He had used one leg and supported his head on it.

"Hyunjin, I- I'm sorry."

Hyunjin's voice was quiet, barely more than whisper. "What are you sorry for?"

"I misjudged the situation and... threatened you unnecessarily. A few days ago, you know, when you and Minho..."

He looked at me. His eyes were red and a little swollen.

"And for the texts. It wasn't aware that they would push you over the edge."

"It's okay," he said and looked away.

"What happened? Nobody spontaneously decides to jump into death."

"You wouldn't understand."

"Try explaining. As long as your eyes keep darting to the window, I won't leave. I'd rather freeze off my ass than leave you alone."

Hyunjin looked at me again. His facial expression was simply indistinct. As if he had pulled up a wall inside. I didn't like how he stared at me. Was this a test?

He snorted. "Fine. Do you know the word 'sasaeng'? It's a term used for obsessed fans. Stalkers. They invade my privacy, spread rumors and sell them as facts that have nothing to do with reality. And they-" Hyunjin inhaled shakily, "they chase me. No matter where I go, I always have a fucking camera in my face. And today... it's been a damn long day."