On Thin Air

The Plan

"Where are you going?" his father asked when he started shuffling to his feet. Momentarily forgetting that he was in the company of lunch.

"It's just..." he couldn't figure out what to say. His heart was hammering. All he could hear and see was Sangki in his house, and Namjoo was alone.

"Sit down, we're not done yet."

His foot was arched, ready to spring his body up. The elders' grim eyes sat on him quietly waiting for him to proceed. Becoming a gravitational pull pressing down on him. Sehun sunk down on his seat, pressured to obey. An inner voice wouldn't shut up though.

"Sangki is at the house," Sehun said. "I should go."

"What? Already?" his father asked, which surprised him. Sehun stared at him inquiringly. "We said we'd come together later." Looking at Namjoo's father, "Didn't we?"

"Ahh...yes," the other man nodded his head.

Sehun looked from one to the other. "What are you talking about?"

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Just a few minutes ago Namjoo had opened the door for her uninvited guests. Now she was seated adjacent to them on the sectional couch flicking her nails together. Forget nervous. She didn't know how to react to the man who had harassed her a few days ago. To the wife who was oblivious to it.

Namjoo stared at the floor wondering why Sehun wasn't buzzing her back. The damn idiot just sat at his desk all day long. He had to have looked at his phone.

"How have things been with the house?" Seoyun perked up.

"It's fine." Namjoo quickly answered then turned when the doorbell rang. Hoping it was Sehun she excused herself to open the door. Wishing she could have choked herself earlier, because Sehun had keys to the house.

"Why, Namjoo, you are home," it was her step-mother.

Namjoo stared back at mother and daughter. It would make more sense if they were celestial beings who had landed on her doorstep. By accident or with intent to abduct her for an experiment. That would have been better, but her step-mother and step-sister couldn't just waltz here.

"Would you move?" Hea asked.

She honestly shouldn't have, but she stepped aside from blocking the doorway. The women filed in. Chins high as they infiltrated her home.

"I'm thirsty. Tell the maid to get me some water," Hea ordered as she passed. Further down the hall she chirped, "Mom, lets go in there. It looks like they're already here."

Namjoo stared after them. Worse than worse, she felt like she was back at home. It was an indescribable feeling that made her feel like she'd was in the dumps.

Closing the door she walked off into the kitchen, went through the cabinets, and filled the glasses with water.

"What are you doing?" Hyesoo walked in from the pantry room. Shuffling over she insisted, "Let me do it."

"Keep yourself busy," Namjoo instructed. "I can do this."

"Yes..." she hesitantly replied as Namjoo hefted the tray and turned to walk out.

Hea raised her brow when Namjoo returned to the lounge. "Have you lowered yourself to doing such menial tasks?"

"Your father would be embarrassed," Kim Jiyoo quietly mumbled underneath her breath.

"I believe lifting a hand to help around in the house is something everyone should do," Seoyun interjected.

Hea snorted appalled. "What is she talking about?"