Everyone is Obsessed With Me (reupload)

Chapter 19

Hanbal felt like he was floating in the sea. He heard voices echoing in his ear and felt bliss flooding through his soul. Although he couldn't open his eyes, he felt a pair of arms wrapped tightly around his hips. They gripped him as if afraid he might drift away if they loosened even slightly.

Hanbal struggled; he could feel his lungs filling with water, his mouth opening and closing, yet no sound escaped. After a few minutes of struggling, he froze when a familiar face floated before him. It was his face. No, it was Ye Joon, to be exact. His slightly wavy hair, black eyes, light freckles, and that all-too-familiar scar on his right eye. He was taller, standing an astonishing 6ft, with a mildly muscular build, so instead of being face-to-face, it was more like chest-to-face.

Silently, Ye Joon floated closer, his face calm and serene, his body oddly warm on Hanbal's skin. He caressed Hanbal's face, his eyes filled with affection, almost like a parent gazing at their child. His lips curved into a rare smile, and his slightly downturned eyes stared deep into Hanbal's own cat-like ones. As if he were truly drowning, Hanbal felt he could not breathe while staring at himself. Has Ye Joon always looked this pretty?

"-----" He said something, but Hanbal could not hear it. "----, my dear. How you've grown..."

Gently, the hand caressing his face moved to the back of his head. Then Ye Joon bent down slightly and kissed his forehead; his lips felt unfamiliar but comforting. It was like petals brushing against wood. Hanbal found himself leaning into it, as though he craved it. The spot where Ye Joon had kissed him burst open, and he slipped from the figure's embrace, sinking deep into the abyss. Through his fading vision, he watched as the figure that had once embraced him clung to Ye Joon until he withered like a dying flower.

"Gasp!" Hanbal shot upright, his heart pounding so loudly that it drowned out his senses. His palms were sweaty, and his legs were trembling violently. "Ugh-"

He leaned over the side of the bed and retched, but only saliva dripped from his lips. He thought back to the dream. The way he could see himself. The way he didn't feel like himself, but like someone else.

"My stomach," he groaned as he slowly got out of bed, sweat dripping from his forehead. Walking toward the bathroom, he paused in front of a full-length mirror and examined himself. The upper part of his chest near his neck was rubbed red, and his arms were bandaged from where he scratched himself. Even his nails were neatly patched up. What kind of psycho torments a child like this only to heal them afterwards?

No, it's Osric he is talking about. Of course, he would do this.

Just as he exited the bathrooms and climbed back onto the bed, there was a knock on the door. Before waiting for a response, it opened, revealing Butler Shen, his expression cold and his posture dignified.

"Young master, how is your body?" he asked, his voice deep and detached. When he reached out to examine Hanbal's body, his touch was surprisingly warm.

"Its alright," Hanbal whispered, glancing away to hide his discomfort. Noticing this, Butler Shen dutifully withdrew and stepped aside, hands clasped behind his back.

"The Lord noticed the lack of servants attending to you, so he has gifted you a new one. He hoped he would be to your taste."

When Butler Shen moved aside, his steps were quiet and precise, like those of a retired assassin. Behind him stood a tall man with tan skin, brown eyes, and neatly braided hair. He wore the butler's uniform, crisp and immaculate.

Hanbal felt his throat tighten. His mouth curled into a frown, and his eyes twitched as if he'd been struck. His heart pounded wildly against his ribs, as though his ribcage might shatter.

Suddenly, a distant face appeared in his mind, warm and soft like spring sunlight. Just as quickly, his once-rapid heartbeat went numb, as if someone had poured cold water all over it. He knew it was rude to stare, but he couldn't help himself.

"Young master," The new butler spoke, his voice smooth and soothing, his eyes curved like crescents.

Butler Shen studied Hanbal for a moment before silently moving toward the door. As though he could read Hanbal's thoughts, he left them alone, standing casually outside like a vigilant guard dog.

The new butler remained steady, head bowed in respect, hands clasped behind his back. The room fell silent; even the sound of their breathing seemed absent. Hanbal wanted to speak, but his lips only parted and closed like a gaping fish.

"Name.." he finally managed, his voice still hoarse. "What's your name?"

The butler smiled, his cheeks sinking slightly to reveal two small dimples.

"My name is Cain, Young Master," he said with a bow.

"Cain...mhm," Hanbal rested his chin on his hand, scanning the butler from head to toe. The more he looked, the more he felt this man was a reincarnation of his father. Well, they do look strikingly similar.

"Yes, Young Master?"

"It's nothing. Leave. I want to be alone."

"As you wish."

Once Cain left, Hanbal faintly heard two sets of footsteps receding down the hallway. He took the opportunity to lie back down. His chest hurt from the storm of emotions, and his head ached as if a thousand bricks had been hurled at it.

Although that man looked like his once-beloved father, he knew it was just wishful thinking. Perhaps his lonely, exhausted mind was trying to comfort itself. Perhaps finding someone familiar in a stranger was its way of surviving all those years alone.

When he was young, his father worked two jobs and tried his best. But it still felt lonely. Every morning, Ye Joon woke up alone and ate his meals alone. On rare evenings, he would have dinner with his father, who smiled warmly as Ye Joon spoke about his day with the bright enthusiasm of a child

Hanbal turned to the side and stared out the window. He has always lived for himself because there had been no one else in his life. Though he remembered a time when he was younger, a small boy a year younger than him used to follow him everywhere. The boy was even more unfortunate, living alone in a dilapidated house and surviving on his father's kindness. His hair was as black as the midnight sky, and his eyes were a striking shade of emerald. Whenever Ye Joon's father wasn't home, he spent his youth with the child until even he left.

After that, Hanbal lived selfishly, spending his money and time only on himself. He never allowed anyone to get close. Not that people would have wanted to, anyway.

He would not change that. Cain looked like his father, but there were so many other people in this world who resembled someone else. He would continue to live selfishly and leave this place behind.