AGENT OH (EDITING)

CHAPTER 7: PAIN

She winced as his hand landed harshly on her cheeks, the pain shooting up instantly. Tears, which she had been fighting back, finally broke free, trickling down the corners of her eyes. She hadn't intended to mock Lay's efforts or the constant vigilance they maintained to protect her, but it seemed futile to her."Sehun," Kris intervened, attempting to hold him back, but Sehun's slap had already landed before he could fully restrain him.Amber tightened her grip on Rachel's shoulder, leading her towards the car in silence. Rachel sensed that Amber's silence ran deeper than mere frustration; it was a storm brewing beneath a calm surface. They sat in the car, where Suho, the driver, greeted them with a bow. Rachel exchanged glances with Amber, but her friend remained composed, a mystery veiled behind her tranquil demeanor.Upon arriving at the blue house, now referred to as Rachel's bedroom, Amber still hadn't spoken. "Am...""Rachel, are you okay? Are you hurt?" Ahjumma's concern was palpable as she inspected Rachel from head to toe, ensuring she wasn't injured. Rachel glanced at Amber, finding her absent, lost in thought. Rachel stood there, speechless, her mind elsewhere. Her eyes were reddened; had she cried? Had Rachel truly overstepped this time? She never imagined she would yearn so desperately to hear Amber's voice. She wanted to explain that it wasn't her fault, that she had gone there for her sake. But her own demeanor only added to the tension.Ahjumma caught Amber's gaze and sighed before turning to Rachel. "You must be exhausted. Go take a shower and change. I'll prepare dinner." She glanced at Amber once more, who remained determined to ignore Rachel's presence. Rachel felt as though Ahjumma was subtly urging her to leave, if only to ease Amber's distress.With heavy steps, Rachel dragged herself to the bathroom.

"Are you okay, Amber?" Ahjumma's words stopped her just before she could close the bathroom door. Peeking outside, she felt a pang of guilt for eavesdropping, but she couldn't resist. Ahjumma's usually reserved demeanor had shifted as she held Amber's hand and gently rubbed her back. Was Amber really crying? She noticed a tear slipping from Amber's eye. "Did I hurt her too much this time?" she murmured, feeling her own tears welling up.Amber shot Ahjumma a pained look, and now it was clear – she was crying, silently. "Imo (Aunt), Lay," Amber managed to say before burying her head in her lap, tears streaming down. Rachel's heart broke at the sight, and she dropped to the floor, closing the door behind her."Lay," she whispered to herself, realizing that Lay was the reason behind Amber's distress. He had been injured saving Sehun, while they were there to protect Rachel. Amber's concern for Lay struck Rachel deeply; she had never seen her friend so worried for anyone else.For the first time in years, Rachel felt a twinge of jealousy. Amber had harbored a crush on Lay for years, and it was because of him that she always wanted to return to Korea. Lay's condition, teetering between life and death because of Rachel's presence, made her feel the weight of guilt. Sehun's slap, though directed at her, seemed deserved – he was true to his word, indifferent to her status as the President's daughter.But Rachel never asked for their protection. Why did they constantly put their lives on the line for her? Rising from the floor, she felt the chill of the bathroom, realizing she had been lost in despair for too long.Amber lay quietly, gazing out at the starless night sky through the window. Rachel knew she was trying to calm herself. Slipping into bed beside her, Rachel felt Amber flinch momentarily before ignoring her presence completely. The least she could do to assuage her guilt was to offer comfort. Wrapping her arms around Amber, she hugged her tightly. "He'll be fine, Amber. I'm so sorry for the trouble I've caused."Amber didn't speak, but she lightly squeezed Rachel's hand, ruffling her hair affectionately. "Rachel, it wasn't your fault. We knew the risks of our job."Turning to face Rachel, Amber wiped away a tear. "Rachel, I'm sorry for making you worry," she said, shaking her head before returning the hug, this time reciprocating it.Their moment was interrupted by Amber's ringing phone. Reluctantly breaking free from Rachel's embrace, she reached for the phone. Seeing his name on the screen, her eyes widened slightly as she answered. Maybe he was calling to share news of Lay's well-being."Sehun."Rachel didn't know what Sehun said to Amber, but seeing her calm expression, tears, and soft smile, she knew – Lay was going to be okay.

*

Sehun's voice crackled with relief as he relayed the news to Amber. "Yeah, Amber, he's completely fine. The surgery went well, and he's unconscious for now, but he'll wake up soon." With a heavy sigh, Sehun hung up, slumping down next to Luhan. He loosened his tie, rubbing his temples wearily."You should head home now, it's late," Sehun suggested, but Luhan knew he wouldn't comply. Sehun leaned his head against the wall, closing his eyes. Luhan observed him closely, noticing the weariness etched on his normally expressionless face. How long had Sehun been pushing himself like this? Despite the ups and downs, Sehun always wore a mask of happiness, but Luhan knew he often courted danger, walking a fine line between life and death every day."Are you gay?" Sehun's sudden question jolted Luhan from his thoughts. Sehun's eyes remained closed, but his tone was unmistakable. Was Luhan hearing things?"What do you mean?" Luhan replied, taken aback."Quit staring at me," Sehun said, this time with his eyes open. Luhan chuckled, lightly punching him."Lu, Lay's awake," Xiumin announced, and they hurried to Lay's room.Luhan burst in, his anger barely contained. "You little piece of shit!" Chen held him back as Lay, slightly frightened, shifted towards Suho and Kris."Hey, calm down! Lay just came back from the brink of death, and you're ready to kill him?" Baekhyun retorted, quickly ducking behind Jongin as Luhan's gaze turned fiery."He's my brother, for your information," Luhan shot back."You scared me half to death! What would I do if something happened to you?" Luhan's voice broke as tears streamed down his face. Chen released him, his expression sad, adding to the heavy atmosphere.Luhan hugged Lay gently, mindful of his stitches. But a light smack on the head was in order. "Ouch, Luhan!" Lay grunted, rubbing his head as everyone laughed. Sehun maintained his poker face, but he seemed calmer now. Luhan motioned for him to come closer to Lay's bed.He patted Sehun's shoulder lightly. "Thanks, Lay, for saving me back there." Guilt still gnawed at him."Don't feel guilty, Sehun. It wasn't your fault," Lay reassured him with a sincere smile."Yeah, don't be, because you have other things to feel guilty about," Chen interjected, cryptically. Luhan and Lay looked puzzled, oblivious to the situation."What do you mean, Chen?" Lay asked, confusion evident in his expression."He slapped Rachel," Kris deadpanned. Luhan's mind reeled. Did he hear correctly? Kris just said Sehun slapped Rachel. Lay's mouth hung open, prompting Luhan to shut it with a gentle smack."The least of my worries will ever be giving that brat a piece of my mind," Sehun hissed, his anger palpable. Luhan hoped Rachel was okay; getting slapped by Sehun meant she must have truly infuriated him this time."We'd all feel the same if she actually did what Sehun thinks she did," Suho added, dripping sarcasm."Huh?" Sehun flinched, confusion writ large on his face."Why are you all beating around the bush like melodramatic characters in a soap opera? Just spit it out!" Baekhyun exclaimed, unable to tolerate their cryptic conversation any longer. He strode over to Sehun. "You slapped Rachel out of anger because you believed she put herself in danger again, leading to Lay getting shot. But the truth is, she went there because someone told her Amber was hurt and she was genuinely worried. And the rest, as they say, is history."Sehun's face flushed with realization. "I still don't get it.""Someone told her Amber was injured, so she went to check on her," Kris clarified, and Luhan watched as Sehun's mask of indifference crumbled, replaced by genuine despair."And Amber forgot to mention her bathroom door got stuck for a few minutes," Jongin added, completing the story."I don't care," Sehun muttered before storming out of the room.