❝ Stardust & Heartstrings ❞ YEONBIN FF

Chapter 21 : A Complex Game of Power

As Yeonjun's eyes fluttered open, he was met with a wave of relieved faces. His family and friends surrounded him, their eyes brimming with tears of joy. The beeping of the hospital machines and the sterile smell of the room slowly registered in his groggy mind. A gentle hand grasped his, and he turned to see his mother's smiling face.

"Yeonjun-ah, you're awake!" she exclaimed, her voice trembling.

The detective, a middle-aged man with a kind smile, stood beside his bed.

"Yeonjun, I'm Detective Hwang. I need to take your statement about what happened," he said, his voice firm but gentle.

Yeonjun nodded, trying to recall the events leading up to his hospitalization. The detective's questions guided him through the foggy memories, and he recounted the moments before he lost consciousness.

As he finished his statement, the detective nodded sympathetically. "Thank you, Yeonjun. I'm glad you're safe. Actually, the case is already closed, but we just needed to record your statement for formality's sake."

Loopholes and strings pulled, Yeonjun thought to himself, a wry smile spreading across his face. His father's influence and power had always been a double-edged sword - capable of protecting him, but also of casting a shadow over his life.

With a quiet nod, Yeonjun accepted the news, his mind already racing ahead to the implications. He knew that his father's reach was vast, and that he would stop at nothing to keep his family safe. The case being closed was just another example of that.

Yeonjun's gaze drifted towards the window, and the familiar sight of the N Seoul Tower jolted his mind into awareness. He was in Seoul.

Yeonjun didn't question how he ended up in Seoul, assuming his parents had arranged for his transfer. He took it for granted, knowing their influence and resources would have made it possible.

Yeonjun's eyes widened with concern as he asked, "How is halmeoni? I left her alone at the fair."

His mother's soothing voice calmed his worries, "She's safe, dear. The doctors suggested we keep her at home, as she was getting anxious here at the hospital. A nurse is supervising her."

Yeonjun's face relaxed, relieved that his grandmother was being taken care of. He had been so caught up in his own ordeal that he hadn't even thought to ask about her until now. He felt a pang of guilt for not being there for her, but his mother's reassurance eased his mind.

Just then, the door swung open and a woman in her late 20s sashayed into the room. Yeonjun's eyes widened as he recognized Hana, his former blind date, who had been infatuated with him. She was dressed to the nines in an extravagant and lavish outfit, flaunting her wealth and status. While she may not have been as affluent as Yeonjun's family, her attire screamed opulence, showcasing her own impressive social standing. Her presence was as bold as her fashion statement, and Yeonjun couldn't help but feel a sense of unease as she approached him.

"Let Hana spend some time with Yeonjun," his father suggested, his voice firm but polite. "We should leave." He nodded to his wife and the others in the room, indicating that it was time for them to exit, allowing Hana some private time with Yeonjun. With that, the group began to file out, leaving Yeonjun alone with the extravagant and imposing figure of Hana.

Hana's arms wrapped tightly around Yeonjun, her perfume and presence suffocating. He felt a surge of discomfort and awkwardness, his instincts screaming to break free. With a polite but firm gesture, Yeonjun gently pushed Hana away, creating some much-needed distance between them. "Hana, please," he said softly, trying to mask his unease with a courteous smile. The sudden separation seemed to take her aback, but Yeonjun couldn't help but feel relieved to have his personal space restored.