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CHAPTER TWENTY: LIKE IT OR NOT
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Torture.
Everything felt like pure torture.
The entire car ride all the way back to his supposed home felt as if he was getting stabbed in the heart multiple times. And through it all Joshua had tried to show no signs of weakness, but his plan failed.
He silently cried, having to take in being yelled at by his father's guards. At that moment he resented his father. His father threatened to ruin the woman he loved's life and was, if not already, ruining his own.
He was never coming back and he knew it. No one knew where he was, Taehyung probably thinks he's out still, and you most likely think that you're in the safety of Taehyung's home.
Guess he had to disappoint both of you.
Tears of frustration and pure sadness rolled down his cheek. Joshua had gotten so used to living the life he dreamed of, even if it wasn't perfect. He was finally happy in that short amount of time and was grateful for everything he was given. He was used to texting Vernon on the daily, rocking out to Ricky Martin with you as the two of you 'cooked', and he was used to having a sense of comfort in times like this.
"Stop crying, dipshit." A man sitting beside him spoke out, his words hitting like venom through the tone and facial expressions he made. At this point, Joshua had hit his breaking point and the tears were uncontrollable. He always thought that if he had to go back, he'd at least get to say goodbye, not like this.
"Listen kid-," The same man spoke, this time in a much softer tone than previously, causing Joshua to look up from the floor and take in this man's appearance. He was tall and well built, his biceps were noticeable at first sight, and his skin had been tanned. It was hard to tell what his face looked like since he wore some sunglasses, but from what it seemed he had a square faced shape and he wore a regular suit that the other guards wore as well.
"We're about to get to your dad pretty soon and if you don't get yourself together, things won't go as smoothly as they're supposed to. Trust me on this, if I had to pick, I wouldn't have done this but it's my duty to follow orders so I did. Also, I know your dad, and I know how he is. So, just listen to what he says or he will not hesitate to hurt the girl, understand?" The man warned him as he approached Joshua, looking at him dead in the eye.
Joshua listened to his words, and looked back at him and nodded, showing clearly his confidence and determination. Eventually, the tears stopped flowing. As much as he hated it, he was going to have to follow his father's orders, to protect you and your future. It didn't matter if your future was with Joshua or not, you were still a person and are innocent, you deserved to have an amazing future.
He didn't want to be responsible for ripping that away from you, not in a million years. The truck stopped, indicating that they had arrived at the destination. And the previous guard didn't hesitate when making Joshua stand up on his own two feet, slowly leading him into the inside of the mansion.
Joshua looked up, his bangs covered his eyes so he only saw fragments of the house. It was the exact same just like when he first ran away. He hated even stepping foot into this place. The guards brought him up to his bedroom, shoving him in there, causing him to stumble onto the floor.
Joshua had never felt so weak before.
Slowly, but surely, he soon held himself up. Taking a quick glance of the room that had felt so foreign to him now. A different guard this time spoke up, "Get yourself cleaned up and look presentable. Your father will be coming down to meet you in an hour. And don't even think about running." He warned, in a much stricter tone that was really intimidating.
Joshua nearly flinched, but obeyed, responding with just a simple, slow nod. The guards shut the door, leaving him alone in such a huge space. A space he spent nearly all of his teenage years in, and those years were far from delightful. If anything this room felt like a prison, and he was the prisoner once again.
But he knew he couldn't let his father win this fight. Despite already doing a lot of damage, it wasn't over just yet, at least for Joshua it wasn't. Joshua couldn't show just how much his dad had broken him, giving him that victory was on the top of the 'to not do' list.
There was a fire in his belly, rage. A flood of emotions erupted inside Joshua and he couldn't take it anymore, it was as if he had found a new strength in himself. He quickly stood up, walking over to the large wardrobe in the corner of the bedroom, rummaging through it to find the nicest suit he owned. And just his luck, he had found it.
He did just as he was told, and was finally looking presentable compared to his raccoon-like-self from earlier. There was a knock on the door, but not the harsh ones his father was always do. This time it was light and gentle, and with that he immediately knew who it had been. Joshua rushed to the door, opening it, expecting it to be his beloved little sister.
But was met with pure disappointment.
"Welcome home, Jisoo." She greeted, a smirk fell upon her lips. "I can't believe you made me wait for you for so long. Don't you know how much I missed you? But finally, you're home!" She chirped, clapping her hands together. And quickly made an attempt to engulf Joshua into a hug, which he luckily managed to swiftly dodge.
Joshua rolled his eyes, glaring dead in her eye. "What are you doing here, Yeri?" He gritted his teeth as he looked at the woman who was keeping him from his happiness and freedom.
His 'fiancée', Kim Yerim.
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heya sorry for not updating, school has finally started. and since it's high school, crap tons of homework that i have to do. but i promise to update as much as possible despite the wild schedule i have going on right now.
but other than that i appreciate you all and thank you so much for you love and support on this story. and i'll see you all in the next chapter!
