Mi Appartieni

Chapter Eight

          Joshua stands on the balcony off the room Seokmin has provided him, the one he stayed in last night and the one he will stay in for the next five days. He's looking out to the distance, taking in the beautiful views that surrounded Seokmin's estate. 

He knows he made a mistake by coming here. He knows he should have called Jeonghan and he still thinks about calling him every minute. He keeps getting held back though for a number of reasons. 

He didn't think he was worth the fight that would transpire if Seungcheol sent his men to save him, he couldn't admit to his best friend that he had lied to him, and he was too afraid of Seokmin to defy him.

The smallest part of him also believed that Seokmin wouldn't hurt him, that Joshua would be safe here with him. Although, that part was was so small it barely existed. Joshua just wanted to get through the next five days without messing up then he would be free of this dangerous man... Right?

Joshua's phone ringing pulls him out of his thoughts. He sighs in relief. It was Jeonghan. "Hello?" Joshua says once he picks up the call. "Shua!" Jeonghan says happily on the other end, "I hope I didn't wake you. What time is it there?"

Joshua looks at his watch, "Almost eleven. I was awake, just getting ready for bed." "What did you do today?" "Oh um... just tried to keep myself busy. I should have only booked a few days here instead of a week. I want to come home and see you." He hears Jeonghan chuckle in fondness.

"Come home then. I'll have Cheol book you a ticket on the next flight." "N-No." Joshua says nervously. He knows Seokmin would never let him leave early. He knows he was told he wasn't a prisoner. But Joshua also knows there was no getting out of this even a minute earlier than Seokmin expected. For whatever reason that may be. 

Joshua is still not sure why Seokmin wanted this in the first place but he seems like a man who gets what he wants no matter what.

"I want to come home but I'm also not ready to leave yet. I want to spend a little more time in the place I put my mom to rest." That wasn't a complete lie. That was the whole reason Joshua booked a week in Italy, so he could spend some time in the place his mother always said her life began, the place where he was born.

"Just say the word Shua and I'll have you on the next flight home to me." Joshua smiles, "Thanks Hannie." "Oh and Shua, why does your location say you're still at the new hotel? Didn't you say you'd be going to your original hotel tonight?" 

Joshua knew Jeonghan would ask this. He already had a lie on deck. He hated lying to Jeonghan so much but there was nothing he could do about it. He knows he can't tell the truth right now.

"I decided to stay in the new hotel. I wanted something closer to my mom's field. I'll give Seungcheol the money back that he spent getting me the other hotel." "Oh, no, Shua you don't have to do that. But, are you sure the new hotel is safe?"

Joshua looks down at the bodyguards below his balcony. "I-I'd say its safe." For now anyway. "What's the name of it? Just so we know since the tracker only shows us where in Italy you are. It doesn't tell us the names of buildings." "O-Oh uhm well it doesn't really have a name."

There's a deafening silence on the other end. "Joshua." Uh oh. Jeonghan only calls him Joshua when he was upset. Joshua gulps. "What do you mean it doesn't have a name?" "W-Well, I guess it's not an official hotel per se it's more like a-" "Like an air bnb? Like as in, a complete stranger's house?!"

"Hannie it's okay." Joshua tries but he knows it's too late. "Joshua, I know you always try to see the good in people and always give people second and third chances but you can't be so trusting. What if these people want to hurt you?"