Own me || Scoups

31

The next day,the morning at her place was strange. Scoups woke up early, still left her food but left without giving her a kiss.

So because of it, Areum needed some girls time. At lunch, both sisters came to her.

Areum gave them a brief explaining of what happened.

"I just don't know what to do," Areum admitted, running a hand through her hair. "Seungcheol was so angry that I didn't tell him about the guy. But I didn't want to worry him. This morning he was so cold"

Dahee leaned forward. "You need to understand that he just wants to protect you. You're important to him, and he feels helpless if he doesn't know what's going on. Hell you should've told us too and I'm gonna beat Kitae for not telling me"

"She's right. It's not about him being mad at you; it's about him being scared for you. That guy was a real creep. I have a mean punch"

"Don't hit Kitae and you don't hit anyone."

Darae pouted and cross her arms.

Areum sighed " I've always been so independent. It's hard for me to rely on someone else."

Dahee smiled gently. "That's understandable, but being in a relationship means sharing your burdens. Seungcheol seems like the kind of guy who wants to be there for you, not just during the good times but the bad ones too."

Darae added, "And think about it this way: if the roles were reversed, wouldn't you want to know if some crazy fans was threatening him?"

Areum nodded slowly. "You're right. I just... I didn't want to drag him into my mess."

Dahee reached out and squeezed her hand. "It's not dragging him in. It's letting him be a part of your life. He cares about you, Areum. And if that means dealing with this crap so be it"

Darae broke the tension with a teasing smile. "Besides, I'm sure he'd looked good beating the shit out of him"

Areum laughed, the tension easing. "Oh, trust me, I know. My man is hot and spicy"

Dahee and Darae exchanged a knowing look and the three of them laugh.

Later that day, Areum called him.

"Hey, can we talk?"

"Of course," he replied, his tone gentle. "What's wrong?"

"I want to apologize for not telling you about what happened with that guy from my case," Areum began. "I was trying to handle it on my own, but I realize now that it was a mistake. You're important to me, and I should have talked to you"

Scoups sighed on the other end of the line. "Baby, I'm not mad at you. I was just scared. I don't want anything to happen to you."

"I know," she said, her heart aching at the concern in his voice. "I'm sorry"

"It's ok" he said

They talked for a while longer, the conversation easing back into their usual comfortable banter.

The next day, it was special day... it was Areum's birthday.

Areum arrived at her office to find it transformed into a floral wonderland.

Flowers filled every corner, the desks, the walls all of it have flowers all over it.

She stood in the doorway, stunned and overwhelmed.

Kitae popped his head out from behind a large bouquet. "My. Office"

Areum felt her colleagues looking at her with pity but she knew better. The moment she closed the door of his office, Kitae hugged her tightly " Happy birthday"