Breath Taking

3: "A Turn For The Worst..."

•• Yugyeom's POV ••

I walked through the all too familiar pathway leading to my... Home? I guess... I rang the doorbell once, Brring! Seeing how my stepmother is annoyed by repition and believes that one is enough.

I smiled as I saw one of our maids, Jessy, open the door for me. "Goodmorning sir" she greeted, making me groan. I hate formalities. "I told you to just call me Yuggie" I clarified. I noticed her gesturing with her eyes and lips to the living room, to her left, meaning dad and her wife must be there.

And most likely Youngjae, ughh! I don't really want anything to do with him nor the Choi name. Well... I guess they're going to be Kims soon, seeing that dad seems to have no intention to cancel their stupid wedding even after all my begging.

I nodded and walked inside to cause no further delay. I put on my most proper voice and straightened my posture, I gave Jessy the duffle bag for her to hide it in my locked room, to only she and I has the key to.

I walked through the main entry hall and into our grand living room, that might as well go against it's name because of the dead bear rug on the floor and all these taxidermy... Ugh, creeps me all the time.

"Oh, father I'm home~!" I chimed then bowed a proper 90° to him then to my stepmother, Jihyan... She had a look on her face, a look of pure anger? Why? My anxiousness grew as Jinhyan walked ever so slowly towards me. She raised her hand at me then...

Smack!

A stinging sensation immediately erupted in my left cheek as my head was forcefully turned to look at the side. She... Just... Slapped me..? "J-Jihyan!" My father called out but she acted out as if she didn't hear a word. "Where were you?! Do you not know it is already past 11:00 o' clock!!" She shouted directly at me.

I could only look at my feet as I knew her deadly glare was burning holes through me. "I-I was a-at work ma'am" I tried my best, but I couldn't help but stutter. I felt the tension got higher as a few seconds of silence fell upon us, then she spoke.

"Oh, 'work'. Where you haven't  even brought me nor your father? Not even your brother, to inspect?!" I gulped, then nodded "..And what had I told you about stuttering?! You imbecile!" She raised her hand once again...

Smack!

Again, this time on my right cheek. She slapped me...

"S-stop ple-please..." I begged, on the verge of tears. "I told you! Do not beg! Are you still not listening?!" Smack! Another one, to the opposite cheek. I was ready for another blow but thankfully, father had interfered "Jihyan enough!" He grabbed her in his arms before she could attack me again.

"No! This child needs to be taught a proper lesson Hajin!" Jihyan argued, fighting against my father's hug. I prayed for father to hold on for dear life as I grew scared of the woman thrashing around in front of me. "Mother! That is enough!" I heard Youngjae's voice and immediately turned my head to see him.

He was currently standing stuck at the main entrance of the living room. He had a horrified look on his face. How long was he standing there? I thought as he came closer to me. Suddenly and without warning, Younjae engulfed me in a huge hug. Protectively holding the back of my head as I clutched at his back, sort of hugging back.

I bawled my eyes out, blocking out their conversation with my sobs...

•• Youngjae's POV ••

I saw everything, from where my mother started yelling to where she slapped Yugyeom... I knew my mother had this abusive side to her. I luckily surpassed that, but I see now that Yugyeom hasn't...

I didn't know what else to do. So I engulfed him in a hug whilst holding his head and patting his back. I glared daggers at my mother, sure, I was getting yelled at for that later but I wasn't just going to let her harm Yuggie like this.

I led my little brother up to his room, placing him on the bed before leaving him as a cute snoring sleepy head. I kissed his forehead then tucked the sleeping giant in properly. I switched on the small lamps then turned off the main light before leaving his room, making sure the door was locked from the inside in case mother had some plans to continue her 'scolding'.

I went to my own room, locking the door behind me and plopped face first on my bed. All this was too much...

I sighed as I felt the mattress vibrate from my phone's buzzing. Bzzz bzz! Bzzz bzz! The relentless buzz of the notifications swamped my phone. Giving up, I picked up the annoying thing and was immediately greeted with 7 new messages from Jackson...

What did he want now?

AnnoyingWang: Hey Youngjae

Annoying Wang: I dropped off your younger brother!

AnnoyingWang: How come you've never introduced me to him?

AnnoyingWang: I got to know him in the car. He seems sweet~

AnnoyingWang: Seriously dude, 10/10 your little bro's real cute!

AnnoyingWang: Dude, at least answer me. Ya snober

AnnoyingWang: Or at least give a reaction. Or else, this handsome Wang won't forgive you!

I rolled my eyes at the last one. So full of himself like always.

ChoiSunshine: Whatever. I'm busy.

ChoiSunshine: And now isn't really the best time Jackson

AnnoyingWang: Why what happened?

ChoiSunshine: It's just another issue with mother. I can work this out myself.

AnnoyingWang: What? Man... Did she hurt you again?

ChoiSunshine: No not me... Yugyeom...

AnnoyingWang: WHAT?!

AnnoyingWang: WELL WHAT DID SHE DO?! IS THE KID ALRIGHT?!

AnnoyingWang: Oh God, she's the absolute she-devil!

ChoiSunshine: First of all, I caught mom abusing him

ChoiSunshine: Seondly, he's alright now. Sleeping like an angel in his room

ChoiSunshine: And third of all, I already know that...

AnnoyingWang: I have to go...

AnnoyingWang: I hope Yuggie will feel better soon. Sleep well sunshine

-AnnoyingWang is now offline-

I sighed, turning off my phone and placing it on the nightstand. I placed my head on the soft pillow and let sleep engulf me. Maybe tomorrow will be a better day...