Bound by Shadows .jc

CHAPTER 1

                Blooms and Brews

It was another peaceful morning in the heart of the city, and Jeonghan was in his element, surrounded by the sweet fragrance of freshly bloomed flowers. The sun streamed through the large glass windows of his cozy flower shop, casting a warm golden light over the bouquets that decorated every available surface. The air hummed with soft music, just loud enough to add a rhythm to the busy yet serene atmosphere. Birds chirped faintly outside, and the gentle rustling of leaves could be heard from the nearby park.

Jeonghan inhaled deeply, savoring the calm that his little flower shop, Blossoms & Petals, offered him each day. Life hadn't been easy for Jeonghan, though it was hard to imagine it now as he gently rearranged a bouquet of roses and tulips, his long, delicate fingers moving with practiced precision.

Innocent and naive, Jeonghan had spent most of his life sheltered by his parents' love and protection, making the world seem like a safe, beautiful place. His parents had always shielded him from the harsh realities lurking beyond his bubble of security, worried about his trusting nature. Jeonghan had a rare gift for seeing only the good in people, a quality that both endeared him to others and made his parents anxious for their only child.

As he fluffed a particularly stubborn petal, Jeonghan allowed his thoughts to drift back to his childhood, a simpler time when his biggest worry had been whether the sunflowers would bloom in his parents' garden. His passion for flowers had been evident since childhood, and he had long dreamed of becoming a florist. With the guidance of a senior florist in his hometown, Jeonghan began learning about the delicate beauty of nature. But tragedy struck when he was just sixteen. In a cruel twist of fate, his parents were taken from him in a sudden accident, leaving him alone to face the harsh realities of life.

Despite the traumatic memories, the heartbreak, and the betrayals he faced over the years, Jeonghan had grown into a gentle, beautiful young man. At 29, he remained kind and optimistic, believing that there was good in everyone and that, no matter how dark the world might seem, he just needed to find that light in people. He was, in every sense, a living angel—too pure for a world filled with shadows.

Today, his mind was far from those dark times. The door to the shop creaked open, the soft jingle of the bell pulling Jeonghan from his reverie. He looked up to see Joshua, his best friend, stroll in with his usual easygoing smile. A music teacher for kids in town and a part timer at jeonghan's flower shop.

"Morning, Han," Joshua greeted, dropping a coffee cup on the counter in front of him. "Your usual. Extra vanilla syrup, just the way you like it."

Jeonghan's face lit up as he took the cup. "Ah, the angel has arrived. You're my hero, Josh. This is just what I needed." He took a deep sip, sighing contentedly as the warm sweetness spread through him.

Joshua smirked, leaning on the counter. "Yeah, well, don't get too used to it. I'm already late for class, and if Seokmin calls me out in front of everyone again, I swear I'll—"

Before Joshua could finish his sentence, the door burst open with a loud crash, and in tumbled Seokmin, his boyfriend and ever-enthusiastic ray of sunshine. His energy was so boundless that the small shop seemed to buzz with it the moment he stepped inside.

"Jeonghan Hyung, you wouldn't believe what happened this morning!" Seokmin exclaimed dramatically, his eyes wide with the kind of excitement that only Seokmin could muster. His hair was a little disheveled, and there was a smudge of paint on his cheek—evidence of his latest artistic venture. "I was painting the new mural for class, right? And then—oh, hi babe," he added, as if just noticing Joshua. He planted a quick kiss on Joshua's cheek before continuing, not missing a beat. "And then—boom! My brush flew across the room, and it landed smack in the middle of my professor's face!"