Stay Stay Stay ||Choi Yeonjun||

33

I watched silently from the shadows enjoying the view. Yeonjun was standing in my bathroom in his pyjamas— a white tank and plaid trousers, smoothly gliding the razor over his cream slathered jaw. He shaved away the last bit before splashing water and pat drying his face. He raised his arm to reach the cabinet and pulled out his aftershave. I sniffed in my favourite scent, relishing the strong pleasant smell.

"I think there's a thief hiding right here—"

And I'm yanked out of my hiding space behind the door, spun around to land in the loop of his arms. His lips are tilted in a smirk and eyes narrowed playfully.

"What are you doing here, Ms Chae? "

"Watching my boyfriend, if you don't mind Mr. Choi. "

His hands travel down to my hip, pulling me closer so he can whisper in my ear.

"Is that so? "

His fingers which were gentle till now, start tickling me till I'm laughing breathlessly with tears in my eyes, pleading him to stop.

"Cmon, I wanted you to check the sugar in the brownie mix... Mom won't eat it if it's too much! "

He follows me to the kitchen. I present him a small spoon of brownie batter. He eats it up, even licking the spoon clean.

"It's absolutely perfect! Come, let's put it in the oven then we can go shower. "

"Yeah, let's— wait we?! "

I cough looking up at him. He gives me that look... A little heated, a little playful, which makes me hurry.

After an hour or so, we had gotten dressed and left for Mom's house with our brownies in hand. I walked up to the house, opening the door and letting myself in as Yeonjun was bringing in some boxes of lights and some accessories.

"Mom, we are here! "

I place the covered tray of brownies on the table. The house is diffused with aromas of Mom's cooking and there are continuos clangs of pots and pans. Mom and, surprisingly, Mrs. Shim bustle out of the kitchen. Mrs Shim is quick to come around cooing at me, jostling me in a hug. I was excited to meet her too since it had been so long, that I forgot that there could be a catch. And the catch presented itself soon.

Yeonjun enters announcing his presence and keeps down the box and at the same time Jake saunters out of my old room.

"Ah, Ahrin-ah, Jake said you two already met at his friend's wedding! He was planning to surprise you today, but... Well it's alright I guess. "

Mrs. Shim keeps on rambling, unaware of the tension brewing in the room. I look to Mom for help. She gets the cue and pulls Mrs. Shim back into the kitchen, which did not really help.

"So he even comes here, huh? Wow, how long are you playing this game? "

Jake starts with his nonsense again. I just don't realize what his problem is but I am so tempted to give him a broken nose for talking about Jun like that.

"Shut up Jake, you can't—"

"Why?! Does it hurt to hear—"

A sickening crunch of bone breaking echoed through the house as Jake was thrown off balance and I was left with bruised and smarting knuckles. Mrs. Shim and Mom rush in hysterically checking over him.

"Ahrin, why would you—"

My mom starts scolding me. In hindsight, I did not really act that mature. But boy, did it feel satisfying. It was not like me, being violent, but God does this idiot compel me!

"I'll get him to the hospital! "

Yeonjun informs, rushing to grab Jake and lead him out side to his car. Jake was struggling against him, elbowing and kicking which further made me mad.

"YAH, you bastard! Don't hurt my Jun or I'll give one more broken bone to cry for! "

That gets him to stop. The two men strap on their seatbelts, scowling. I was going to get in, but Yeonjun waved me off and drove away. I turned back to find Mom still looking furious and Mrs. Shim clutching her apron and crying.

"I'm sorry Mrs. Shim,.. But he has been acting up and insulting me for so long that I... "

I look down, avoiding her teary eyes. But a soft hand pats my head. Mrs. Shim's lips trembled.

"I'm so sorry on his behalf. He has been acting so off after he left for States. I heard when he was being mean to you on that video call on his birthday. I scolded him for that too, you know. He.... I don't know what's wrong with him these days. "

I try to comfort the crying woman. I needed to talk to Jake. This was so not him. Mom served cups of iced tea for us and we three sat in silence waiting for the two men to return.

Yeonjun called me to let me know Jake went home. Yeonjun came back. But the tension was so apparent, none of us could relax or eat. So, we left early. Sitting in the car, I drummed my fingers on the dashboard figuring how to break this conversation.

"Just tell me... "

I looked at my man, still sitting patiently looking at me with that same soft loving gaze even after being harangued like this. I don't know how he feels about Jake, or how he might react.

"Jun, I'm so sorry... "

"It's alright Ahrin. He clearly has some issues. "

I sighed looking out of the window to stare at other speeding cars on the street. Don't I know my Jun? The most caring, selfless understanding man I've ever met. Even if no one will, he would understand. And I will make it clear for him.

"Jun, can you drive me to Jake's apartment? He is a jerk, a mean bastard, but once upon a time he was also my best friend. This is not like him. I want to talk to him once. "

Yeonjun just nods, smiling slightly as he changes lanes. I take a deep breath once he stops the car in front of the apartment complex.

"Do you trust me, Jun?.. "

"More than myself, Rin. You've taught me how to trust and not be paranoid. I didn't know that before you. I didn't know that loving someone could be this. . . easy, like free falling. Except, I know you won't let me be hurt."

I can't help but get a little teary-eyed, smiling at him. He beams back at me, clutching my hand in his warm ones.

"I'm waiting, go talk to your friend. "

With his assent, I got out of the car and walked up to his apartment. I rang the bell. There was some shuffling, a muffled thud, some muffled swearing and Jake finally opened the door.

He had a deer in headlights look, very confused and very disoriented. I cleared my throat.

"May I come in? "

He recovered finally, opening the door wider and moving out of the way. I walked in, trying not to stumble on the multiple boxes and stuff strewn about untidily. I walked upto the displaced sofa and sank in it.

"What do you want..? "

Jake asked grumpily, avoiding my eyes.

"To talk to you and finally figure out what's crawled up your ass to make you act like that, you little shithead! "