UNTAMED DESIRES | SVT | JEONGCHEOL

6 - Bad Romance

<Choi Mansion>

"I can't say a few things out loud, please understand. I've genuine reasons for that. I once made this mistake and things got this fucked up." Seungcheol scoffed.

Jeonghan blinked, caught off guard by Seungcheol's sudden change in demeanor overnight.

The older was back to his nonchalant self, the vulnerability from last night gone, hidden behind his usual mask of arrogance.

He sighed, the weight of everything felt too heavy to even try and break through the older's walls.

Instead, he nodded, "I understand."

Seungcheol looked away after which he spoke, "You can ask questions. I'll answer as much as I can."

Jeonghan pursed his lips, his mind searching for the right question to ask. There were so many things he wanted to know, but he had to tread carefully.

He inhaled deeply and asked the first question that came to mind, "Are the people who are currently hurting you, they're your...family?"

It felt like the question alone could light up the whole room.

"Pass." Seungcheol stated almost immediately.

A flicker of frustration passed across Jeonghan's face. He took a moment to compose himself before trying a different approach.

He looked at Seungcheol, studying his expression, his eyes narrowing slightly.

"Alright, skip that one. How about this," Jeonghan asked, his tone steady, "Is there anyone who is able to stop what is happening to you right now? Someone with that...that power and authority to stop all of this or help in any way?"

"No." Seungcheol muttered.

Jeonghan sighed, this time louder and heavier. He rubbed his face with his hand as if to ease the growing tension.

He decided to take another approach. He looked at Seungcheol, his voice almost pleading this time, "Seungcheol, please. How many people are involved in doing this to you? The ones who torture you? How many?"

Seungcheol sighed, "I don't even knows. I keep encountering several different people. Listen here Jeonghan, even I don't know what's exactly going on here. There's no point of asking me questions and relying on my answers."

Jeonghan clenched his fists under the table, the feeling of helplessness and frustration growing stronger.

He leaned forward slightly, his voice filled with impatience, "Then what do you want me to do? Just sit with you in silence? Watch them hurt you again and again and do nothing?"

He shook his head, unable to hide the growing anger. He tried to control his tone, "Seungcheol, you're not giving me anything to work on here. You're not even trying. Do you want me to leave?"

"Yes, I do." Seungcheol gulped the lump in his throat, "This is not a place to stay anyways. But guess what? You've yourself trapped yourself here.

And you really want to do something for me huh? Tell me, are you confident over that?"

Jeonghan fell silent for a moment as Seungcheol's words hit him like a dagger. He felt trapped, the frustration boiling within him. But there was a deeper feeling, one that pushed him to answer with an unwavering determination.

"Yes."

His voice was resolute, the certainty in his tone unshaken. He looked at Seungcheol, his eyes set.

"I am confident."

Seungcheol scooted closer to the younger, his right hands remained cuffed as usual.