My Lover ~ Jeonghcheol Of Seventeen

Betrayal by kind smiles 🥺

Years ago...

After that stormy night when Cheol lost his mother, even though so many nights have passed but the sky was still veiled beneath dark clouds precisely how Cheol's emotions lay dormant within him, buried beneath layers of numbness.

Cheol lost all the life in him, he didn't cry but his eyes became eerie by the gleams of sorrows and loneliness that refused to fade. Amidst in unspoken sadness, even his father was unable to provide the warmth he deserved any longer, the lingered shadow of responsibilities on his shoulders, he had to leave Cheol behind to lost in melancholic reverie. Each morning, Cheol stared the door whenever his father left for his job, a piece of Cheol's heart always broke and fell from his heart making him almost numb to life.

Days went by leaving Cheol trapped in a maze which was suffocating, an oppressive sadness that clung to every corner.

Then one winter evening alone in an empty room, he cast his eyes around, taking in a world that was somehow seem fake and then misery took over, Cheol's heart clutched to his chest. An enigmatic voice was ringing in his ears screaming and weeping, he covered his ears firmly by his palms but the voice did not go away. For days he'd fought back the truth, but he couldn't do it further.

He ran from the house, needing to escape. His steps ceased, he was there, standing in front of that same abandoned house from where his mother rescued him, before she left him alone forever.

Empty and alone....

Pain took him, and his knees collapsed, he sat, face hidden behind his hair. The ache in his chest would not relent. It burned without end as though to remind him of his loss, the reality grasped his mother won't come to him now, never.

His body went cold, but before stillness could swallow him, he felt a sudden warmness close around his wrist...

"Cheol, come home or you'll catch cold."

He gazed up and found "Jin-Ae", kneel down before him. At first, he couldn't understand was he dreaming? But when she run her fingers through his hair and stirred them softly. He could feel his heart beat calming down, as their eyes met across the darkness his eyes filled with tears, she held out her arms and hugged him.

That was the moment when Cheol finally cried days after losing his mother. He had cried so much and for so long, up until he emptied his heart and Jin-Ae stayed with him the whole time holding him in her arms safely and dearly.............................................................

Cheol was recalling the halcyon days of the past when Jin-Ae, the one who always been there with him to share every happiness, pain and sorrow. How she became the evocative warmness to him, whenever he was all alone, their shared long conversations, promises and countless smiles. How she pressed him close to her heart. Was it all merely a façade??

"Noona" (Cheol whispered)

He took out the documents from his pocket which Soohyun's father gave him.

"Are you behind Soohyun's accident?? Just say all of this is a lie and I would believe you." (Cheol muffled his voice was shaken.)

A cold silence fell over...

Cheol, what happened?? (Mr. Choi who now entered the threshold of the living room asked, his voice strained with concern).

Before him, Cheol and Jin-Ae, Cheol who was glancing at him, whose eyes were blazing with unshed emotions and Jin-Ae who was carrying the coldness in hers. Mr. Choi's breath hitched, caught in his throat, he sensed the overwhelming fear, in one sight.

Cheol struggled to form words but before either could say anything, the sound of siren of the police blown and formed a stir in the air, a moment later two police officers were at their wide-open door. Mr. Choi's brows formed a deep, puzzled crease as he peeked towards Cheol, searching for an answer he couldn't find.

Mr. Choi- do you know why they might be here?? (he asked)

HBut Cheol did not say anything and then his gaze hinge on Cheol but received nothing in answer.

"Mrs. Jang Ji----. (A female officer said but before she could finish Jin-ae interrupted her).

Jin-Ae- They are here for me. (She glanced up as she spoke, her nerve finally found its voice and she gave a bitter smile).

Jin-Ae walked past Cheol and stood before her father, her lips curled into a humorless smirk, her glare unwavering, a sight was next to impossible, but it was true.

Jin-Ae- Everyone should be held accountable for all their wrong doings, after all no one could avoid their fate far beyond. isn't it Appa? (She raised her eye brow, indicating something more deeper). I surrender. (She threw her hands up, she scoffed) Still, a life behind the bars is nothing compared to a life under shadows of suffocating lies. (she whispered a sound that echoed in the hush room, the once smooth cadence of her speech turned pointed).

Cheol continued to stare at his sister while she was speaking to their father, he stood miserable and trembling with broken heart, taking in every syllable that she spoke, while their father expressed his feelings in a big silence.

She moved towards the door, up to take a path she was so keen to take, without any remorse. The pace of her foot falls revealed her urgent need to escape, then she stopped one last time perhaps longing to see Cheol but she held it back, she refused to see Cheol fell in pieces.

Shuddering, Cheol glanced toward Jin-Ae, the sense of betrayal raw. He closed his eyes, going silent as he tried to drag emotion back under where he didn't need to feel them. But as he opened his eyes his expression went blank, a stark difference from the pain that had been there a moment before, his thoughts were now stuck on Jin-Ae's words to her father. "Everyone should be held accountable for all their wrong doings, no one could avoid their fate far beyond."

What if there was more to it, maybe more lies, more secrets more betrayal. How many other mysteries are there wild and free forgotten under the kind smiles, and still persisting because of happy faces, never suspected by anyone.

Cheol's heart pounded with the mix of anxiety and urgency his mind raced with millions of thoughts and collided all at once, could his own family unwittingly or wittingly emmesh him into a labyrinth of lies and secrets.

When he glanced over at his father, eyes filled with hope, he had nothing tangible to solve this confusion, but his father's ever-consistent silent treatment and quiet anger which lasted through years, emerged like always.

A voice called him, and without a word, he dashed out of the cottage, his heart pounding rapidly in his chest as he raced to find the answers and burn all the webs of confusion he's been surrounded by....

_---------------------------------------------------------_

Hey loviles how's the chapter? I hope you liked it guys.❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Do check out the other story.

It's Written on the stars. 😊