Cinderella (Seventeen)

Protection and Rejection

Chapter Ten

*Wonwoo's POV*

They were pulling me away, but I tried to resist by holding onto the doorframe. Mingyu had one leg while Seungkwan had the other.

"Hyung, we have to go to practice," Dino whined as he held onto my chest trying to pull me from the doorframe.

"But what if she wakes up, and no one is there?" I tried resisting again.

"The doctor's said she ain't going to wake up for hours yet," Hansol yawned.

"Come on Wonwoo, it's only for a few hours," Jisoo spoke softly.

"She won't wake up for ages, don't worry," Jeonghan pulled my fingers from the frame.

"We all care for her, but right now, we need to practice," S Coups came forward. Sighing, I let go.

"Yah, you can let go now," I told Mingyu, who was still holding onto my leg. Looking into her room on more time, she remained in the same position. Yesterday she had died, and today she will live. From now on, I'll protect her.

***

It had been four hours since I left her, and I'm getting uneasy.

"Focus Wonwoo," Hoshi scolded. We were trying to learn a new routine, but my mind was else where. The door opened, revealing the CEO.

"So," he began, sitting down. "What's her name?" He looked at all of us, but settled on me.

"Hyolyn," Woozi spoke. Everyone was tense.

"And what relation is she to any of you?"

"None, sir, she is the daughter of the English tutor you sent us to," S Coups took the lead, thankfully, otherwise I wouldn't have put it so nicely.

"So, how did she end up there?" He raised a brow.

"You see sir, he's uh..." S Coups looked toward me, biting his lip. I nodded, letting him know to just tell him. "He's been abusing her. We found her a few days ago, badly hurt. So we offered her to stay in our dorm until she felt better. But in the morning she was gone. Knowing what her father had been doing now, we went to go find her."

"But she has no relation to any of you, correct?" He looked at us again.

"No sir," Jeonghan answered.

"And from what I've heard, not particularly friends either." He finished, still eyeing me. "You have to focus on you career. Your dream. You waited long enough to debut, now don't waste this opportunity. Don't let someone else's life get in the way of yours." Standing, we all bowed as he left.

"I think that was a 'stay away from her' speech," Jun bit his lip, looking toward me. Everyone looked toward me.

Shrugging, I turned and continued to dance. I don't care what he says. I promised her something, and I won't break that promise.

***

Knocking on the door, I sucked a deep breath in.

"Come in," he shouted from the other side of the door. "Ah, Wonwoo," he smiled, looking over the computer to me.

"Sir, may I ask something?" I sat as he invited me.

"You can ask. I cannot guarantee anything." I closed my eyes and breathed.

"Can Hyolyn move into our dorm?" I put it bluntly. Why not get straight to the point, right?

"Well, how forward of you. But you know the ruled Wonwoo," he looked back to his computer.