Ivory (Sequel to Porcelain)

Chapter 16: Nightmare

After lunch, we all seemed to move a bit faster and work a bit harder. The delicious Chinese food gave us the energy needed to clean for a few more hours, which was inevitable considering we still hadn't touched the upstairs area. Donghyun asked me to straighten up the bedrooms (thank goodness, I got permission to avoid Kwangmin's room) and mop the floors. Once I was done, I spent the rest of my time helping Kwangmin get all the dusting done. Correction: I did all the dusting and Kwangmin stood by, watching me with a stupid-looking smile on his face.

It looked like we were finally done once the clock struck six in the evening. Tired, hungry, and worn out, the twins and I collapsed in the living room to await King Donghyun's next command.

He came in shortly, looking just as overworked as we did.

"Alright kids, I think that's a wrap for today," he said. At once, three exclamations of relief echoed around the room.

"It doesn't make any difference. I'm already dead," Kwangmin moaned in a muffled voice. He lay sprawled out on one of the sofas, his face buried in the cushion.

"I only have one thing left to say to you, Dad," I began. "What are we eating?"

Donghyun sighed. "Chinese leftovers? I really don't feel like cooking."

"That's fine. But after that, can you drive me back to mom's house?"

Kwangmin sat up. "Why are you trying to leave me?"

I blushed. "I'm not, I just...it's really getting to me that Sohyun's so mad at me. I was thinking maybe I could cheer her up with a trip to the mall or something tomorrow."

Donghyun nodded. "That's fine. I'll take you once I shower and eat." He stood up and headed towards the door, then turned around and looked at me. "By the way, there's a box of cookies in the pantry. Take them to your sister. They might help."

I smiled, remembering the giant sweet tooth Sohyun had. "Thanks Dad."

After he'd left, Youngmin rose to his feet. He looked at the two of us and announced, "I think I'll shower too. If neither of you mind."

I shrugged. "It's fine with me. I can shower at my mom's house."

"What about you, Kwang? You care if I take the bathroom?"

Kwangmin, once again lying with his face stuffed in the couch, kept silent. Youngmin just shook his head and walked out of the room.

As soon as the door closed and Kwangmin and I were officially alone in the room, the wild dark-haired boy shot up into a sitting position and grinned up at me. "Eunji, come here."

I blinked. A second ago he'd been sinking into the couch, grumbling like a sulky child. Now he resembled an overexcited puppy. "I thought you were tired?"

"I am. Oh yes, I am. Oh so tired. Truly exhausted. But come here."

The soft black leather armchair beneath me was way too warm and way too cozy. I couldn't get up even if I wanted to. But did I want to? Kwangmin's request for me to "come here", gave me an odd fluttery feeling in my stomach. What did he want me to "come here" for? We were, what, ten feet away from each other? If he wanted me to come closer...

I shook my head. "I'm busy. Relaxing. I need to save my energy for when I have to entertain my sister later."

Kwangmin pouted, making him even more puppy-like. My stomach continued to whirl. "Eunji! Please?"

"What do you want Kwang?" I asked, trying to mask my true feelings with an air of annoyance.