Between the Lines | Riize Wonbin

Chapter 16: Quiet tensions

The apartment was buzzing with energy as the party continued into the late hours of the night. The air was thick with the scent of alcohol, sweat, and the thrum of loud music that pulsed in Juhee's chest. The crowd seemed endless, faces blurring into a kaleidoscope of laughter and movement, but for her, everything was distant. She leaned heavily against the kitchen counter, her drink nearly slipping from her hand as the alcohol dulled her senses.

She had lost track of time, of how much she had consumed, but the warm, fuzzy sensation in her limbs told her it had been enough. More than enough. She was far past tipsy now, hovering in that space where everything felt lighter, easier—and a bit too unstable.

Karina had disappeared into the crowd somewhere, leaving Juhee to wander the edges of the party. She found herself back in the kitchen, resting her head against the cool surface of the counter as the noise around her faded into background static. Her thoughts were disjointed, bouncing between the argument with Jaehyun and the awkward tension that had surfaced between her and Wonbin.

Wonbin.

The thought of him sparked a jolt of something in her stomach—an awareness that he was here too, somewhere in the apartment. She'd seen him earlier, leaning against the wall like an island of calm in the sea of chaos. He hadn't been drinking, at least not much, and he'd kept to himself, watching the party unfold without much interest.

Juhee's vision swayed slightly as she blinked, trying to focus. The room felt like it was tilting, and she giggled at the sensation, her hand reaching out to steady herself against the counter.

Before she could collect herself, she heard footsteps approaching. She lifted her head lazily, squinting through the dim light until her gaze landed on Wonbin. He stood in the doorway of the kitchen, his tall frame casting a shadow across the floor, his expression neutral as his eyes swept over her drunken state.

Juhee blinked up at him, a dopey grin spreading across her face as she recognized him. "Wonnnnbin," she slurred, her voice playful and loose. "There you are."

He crossed his arms, leaning against the doorframe, his face unreadable as usual. "You're drunk."

"Nooo, I'm fine," she insisted, giggling again as she lifted her drink, almost spilling it in the process. "See? Totally fine."

He sighed quietly but didn't move from his spot. "You should stop drinking. You've had enough."

Juhee's head lolled to the side as she looked at him, her eyes unfocused but warm. "You know... you're kinda blurry," she mumbled, her words spilling out without filter. "Everything's kinda blurry. But you... you're just standing there. Like a statue. All serious."

Wonbin didn't respond, his gaze remaining steady on her. He watched as she swayed slightly on her feet, her balance faltering as she took another unsteady step toward him.

"Did you know," she continued, her tone light and rambling, "that... that I can't feel my face? It's like... numb. Isn't that weird?"

She pressed her fingers to her cheeks, poking herself as if to check if her face was still there. Wonbin's expression didn't change, though he exhaled softly through his nose, as if holding back a sigh. He stepped forward, catching her elbow just as she stumbled.

"You're going to fall over," he said quietly, his voice even. He gently guided her back to the counter, making sure she didn't topple over. "You need to sit down."

Juhee pouted, but allowed him to steady her. "Why is everything spinning, huh? I just wanna... wanna stop spinning."

Without waiting for his response, she slumped down onto one of the kitchen stools, resting her head on her arms. Her hair spilled across the counter as she let out a small groan of frustration. "I don't feel good, Wonbin."

He watched her for a moment, his eyes narrowing slightly in thought. Then, without a word, he moved to the other side of the kitchen, opening one of the cabinets. Juhee watched him with bleary eyes, her curiosity piqued but her mind too muddled to question what he was doing.

Wonbin found a small jar of honey and poured some hot water into a cup, mixing the honey in with a spoon. When he returned to her side, he placed the cup in front of her.

"Drink this," he said, his tone firm but calm.

Juhee blinked at the cup, frowning. "What's that?"

"Honey water. It'll help with your hangover."

She scrunched her nose at the idea but obediently reached for the cup, her fingers fumbling around the handle before she brought it to her lips. She took a cautious sip, grimacing slightly at the taste, but continued to drink it slowly.

Wonbin stood by, watching her carefully but with no visible expression of concern. He was quiet, allowing her to finish the drink in silence. Once she set the cup down, she let out a small hiccup and leaned back, her head spinning even more.

"I don't... I don't feel so good," she mumbled, her voice soft now, the energy draining from her.

"You're going to feel worse in the morning," Wonbin replied, his voice still calm. "But this will help."

Juhee groaned again, burying her face in her hands. "I just wanna sleep."

He watched her for another moment before taking out his phone. His fingers moved swiftly over the screen as he made a call, holding the phone to his ear. Juhee barely registered it, her mind drifting in and out of focus.

"Jaehyun?" Wonbin's voice broke through her hazy thoughts. "Yeah, she's at the party... No, she's fine. She's drunk. Can you come pick her up?"

Juhee's eyes fluttered open at the sound of her brother's name, but she was too tired, too out of it to protest. She let her head slump against the counter again, her breathing growing heavier as the alcohol pulled her further into sleep.

Wonbin ended the call and pocketed his phone, his gaze lingering on her as she mumbled something incoherent under her breath. She was completely out of it now, her small frame slumped against the counter, her breathing slow and steady.

Without a word, he moved closer, lifting her gently into his arms. She stirred slightly, her head lolling against his chest as he carried her toward the back room where the noise of the party was less intense. He laid her down carefully on the couch, pulling a blanket over her as she drifted into a deeper sleep.

He watched her for a moment, her face relaxed and peaceful now, completely unaware of the world around her. There was no visible concern on his face, no softness in his expression, but his movements were careful, almost deliberate, as he made sure she was comfortable.

As the sounds of the party continued to hum in the background, Wonbin sat down on the chair opposite her, leaning back against the wall. He pulled out his phone, checking the time, waiting for Jaehyun to arrive.

The night outside was dark and still, a sharp contrast to the chaos within the apartment. And yet, in this quiet moment, with Juhee fast asleep and the weight of the night's tension settling in, Wonbin remained a silent observer, watching over her with the same calm detachment he always carried.