𝗦𝗖𝗛𝗢𝗢𝗟 𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗣 | ʸᵃⁿᵍ ʲᵘⁿᵍʷᵒⁿ

- 49 -

-

I SAT ON MY BED, feeling the weight of the awkward encounter still lingering in the air. My heart raced like a drum in my chest as I scrolled through my phone, desperately trying to lose myself in the screen's glow. The soft sheets wrapped around me felt comforting, but the tension was palpable, making it hard to breathe. Just as I thought I could escape my thoughts, I heard the familiar sound of the bathroom door handle turning.

I looked up, and there he was—Jungwon, stepping out with his hair still damp, droplets of water glistening on his skin like tiny jewels. He stood there shirtless, the muscles in his arms and chest subtly defined in the low light. My cheeks burned hot, and I quickly turned my gaze back to my phone, pretending to be engrossed in whatever was on the screen, though my mind was racing in a completely different direction.

He reached for a shirt that lay crumpled on the dresser, its fabric soft and inviting. As he pulled it over his head, I caught a glimpse of his broad shoulders and the way his skin seemed to glow in the dim light. Once dressed, he walked over to the other side of the bed and flicked off the lamp, plunging the room into a cozy darkness that felt thick with unspoken words. Then, he sat down beside me, the mattress shifting slightly under his weight.

I felt every nerve in my body tense up as I glanced at him, our eyes locking for what felt like an eternity. The intensity of that moment sent my heart racing even faster, and I quickly looked away, focusing on my phone as if it held all the answers. I heard him shifting, adjusting his position, and then, without warning, an arm slipped around my waist, pulling me closer to him.

A startled squeak escaped my lips, and shock coursed through me like electricity. My face instantly felt like it was on fire, and I was flustered beyond belief.

"Have you fallen for me?" Jungwon whispered softly in my ear, his breath warm against my skin. A shiver ran down my spine, and I turned beet red, instinctively pushing him away.

"No," I said, my voice barely audible as I kept my body turned away from him, trying to hide the embarrassment creeping up my cheeks.

"Come on," he coaxed, his tone playful yet persistent, almost like a child pleading for a treat. His arm left my waist, but I could tell he was reluctant to let go. "If you haven't fallen for me, why are you acting so weird?" His eyes sparkled with mischief, and I could feel the heat radiating from his body, mingling with the warmth in the room.

Gathering my courage, I turned to face him again, our eyes meeting once more. The darkness made it difficult to see him clearly, but I could sense the curiosity etched on his face.

"I don't know," I replied quietly, the words slipping out before I could think them through.

"You're cute but confusing," he remarked, a teasing lilt in his voice. I felt a rush of warmth spread across my cheeks, and I was thankful for the shadows that concealed my embarrassment. How could it be possible that I was developing feelings for my rival?

I shifted in my spot, feeling the awkwardness of the moment hanging between us. Jungwon's teasing words kept replaying in my mind, and I wanted to escape the strange tension. Instead of answering, I focused on the shadows on the wall, trying to avoid his gaze.

"Let's just forget it," I finally said, trying to sound casual as I picked up my phone, pretending to be absorbed in my notifications.

Jungwon leaned back against the headboard, arms behind his head, a smirk on his face. "Forget what? That you squeaked like a mouse when I touched you?"

My cheeks flushed, and I shot him a glare. "That was not a squeak. I was just surprised."

"Sure, surprised," he said, chuckling softly. "You're cute when you're flustered."

I groaned, hiding my face in my hands. The embarrassment was overwhelming, and I wished I could just disappear. "We're rivals, remember? You're not supposed to say stuff like that."

"Why not? It's true. Besides, I'm not confessing my love or anything," he replied, his tone playful.

I peeked through my fingers and saw him watching me with a grin. "You're annoying," I muttered, trying to sound serious. "You're just trying to make me mad."

"Maybe I am," he said, leaning closer with a mischievous look in his eyes. "It's fun watching you squirm."

I scoffed and looked back at my phone, trying to hide the fact that i'm actually enjoying this.

"Hey, it's not my fault you're so easy to fluster," Jungwon shot back, clearly enjoying my reaction. "Just admit it, you like the attention."

"Like it? I'm practically dying over here," I protested, shifting away from him on the bed to create some space. The playful banter felt normal, and I was torn between wanting to laugh and wanting to hide.

Jungwon laughed, the sound warm and light. "See? You're smiling. I knew you couldn't resist."

"Okay, okay," I said, finally giving in with a huff. "Just don't make it weird, alright?"

"Who, me? I would never," he replied, pretending to be innocent, but his eyes told me he was far from it.

I shook my head, unable to stop the smile creeping back. "You're stupid."

"Yeah, but you love it," he grinned, and I felt my heart race at his stupid corny words.

"Just stop talking," I said, hiding my face in my hands again, unable to hide how flustered I was. "Please. You're so corny."

+*___________*+
A\N

I hope you guys enjoyed and liked this chapter. Please follow vote and comment to show your support. I am going to post new books soon so follow to get updated on when I post them.
I also have other books, so go check them out if you'd like!

Check out my other books, now out!

I LOVE YOU