Extricate | KyuWoo ✅

Ch9

The next day wasn't any better. I could still feel Hyunjoon's overbearing presence. Even then, it wasn't as bad as it used to be. It only became suffocating when he was near me. "Chang..." I froze. It was too early to be dealing with him. He slipped behind me then placed his hands on my shoulders. I screamed. "You okay...?" Seungseo and a few others looked at us. "We're okay." They looked away and I received a flick to the back of my head. "Don't you dare scream again you idiot." "Hey, I-" Sunwoo stopped then narrowed his eyes. "I see..." He walked over to us with a smile then squeezed himself in between us. "So, what are we working on?" "Ah, we were just talking." "You know the boss doesn't like that. Get back to work, 'kay?" He gently pushed Hyunjoon away then gave me a smile before rounding the corner.

Sunwoo was like a knight in shining armor. He always seemed to be there when I need him most, with the exception of two nights ago. I wanted him to stay by my side for forever. I want him to protect me, and I wanted to be able to return the favor. Was I becoming too dependent on him? I thought long and hard and decided on some things that I could start doing for myself. "Seungseo." He poked his head out of his cubicle and waited for me to continue. "Let's go out for lunch." "Sure." It felt good, doing something without being prompted or forced. I felt that it was something I could get used to. I discreetly smiled to myself as I continued to work. My ultimate goal now was to leave this place and gain my old job back, even if it's not the same position. I planned to take baby steps that would ultimately lead up to it.

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I happily sipped on my smoothie as Seungseo went on about office drama. "I can't believe they escaped by a hair." "Who has sex in the office after hours? That's just weird." "Yeah, but it's nothing compared to the argument right outside the CEO's office." I looked at him wide eyed. You had to have serious balls to do anything remotely stupid near the CEO's office. "They were demoted, naturally. Separated as well. I heard they're doing better this way." I downed the rest of my smoothie then sighed. "I plan to quit." "Huh?" "I said-" "I heard but, why...?" I shook my head as I flicked my straw around. "Personal reasons." I could tell he wasn't happy with the idea, but didn't voice it. "If it's best for you..." "It really is best."

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I had left work early and headed back to my old home that I used to share with Hyunjoon. I unlocked the front door and was grateful to see everything was still in place. I headed towards the bedroom then felt my body stop. I was trembling. "Not now..." Even if I could momentarily suppress my memories, my body couldn't seem to forget. I forced myself into the room and was appalled by the sight. The once beautiful room was now in shreds. drawers were open, cut up clothing littered the floor and the wallpaper was falling off. I could only imagine what had been done.

I managed to find the books and were relieved that they were unharmed. I opened one up and was glad that the photo was still inside. I quickly put them in my bag and hurried out the room. I couldn't stand looking at it. A part of me felt guilty as I was most likely the reason why it looked like that. My mind started thinking of what if he hurt himself and no one was around to help. Somewhere inside of me said I should stay, but common sense kicked in and told me to get the hell out. So I did. Just as I locked the door I felt an ominous presence behind me. "Please...don't let it be him..." "What are you doing here...?" I turned around and was surprised to see Hyunjoon's mom. She was just as dangerous.

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"I haven't seen you since half a year ago!" She squished my cheeks then asked me to open the door. I was going to be forced to stay whether I liked it or not. "Yeah..." "How's my Joon baby?" "He's great..." She walked in and marveled at the cleanliness. If only she saw the state his room was in. "Looks like I don't need to clean up." "If you don't mind I-" She looked at me with such intensity that words had failed me. I couldn't stand up to her in my entire lifetime. "You were saying?" "I was planning to cook, so, you don't have rt to." She smiled sweetly and praised me for being such husband material. I wanted t to leave. I hated his family.

I noticed she headed towards the front door as I cooked in the kitchen. "Joonie!" "Mom, what a surprise. How did you get in?" "Changmin let me in, silly." I moved my hand slightly and felt a burning sensation on the palm of my hand. I held in my yelp as they walked into the kitchen. "You're home early, Chang." I laughed nervously as the stew in the pot boiled. I was positive I wouldn't survive the night. "What are you making that smells so good huh?" "Oh, my mom's stew recipe..." "Really? You should teach me sometime. And you should learn too, Joon." I started to excuse myself then stopped. I shouldn't rely on Sunwoo for everything. I needed to get out of this myself.

We sat down and they happily ate what I had made. "This is really good. And these side dishes..." I briefly relished in their compliments then slightly tuned them out as I thought of ways to escape them. "Excuse me, I need to make a quick phone call." "You can't do it here?" "Ah, I can't. It's supposed to be confidential." They seemed to buy it and I quickly left the table. I dialed a familiar number and received an answer quickly. "Mini?" "I need your help." I explained everything to him and he seemed to agree with the plan. "Bless your heart, Changsan." "Anything for my older bro." I smiled softly after he hand hung up. I couldn't ask for a better sibling.