Ice Hearts || ATEEZ ✔️

thirty-one.

Y/n's POV

It was dinner time when we were done cleaning up my house from the fight yesterday, the doorbell ringing just on time as our pizza arrived. "I'm done eating, I'll bring the porridge up for Jongho." I said as I raised from my seat, heading towards the kitchen. Holding the bowl with one hand, I knocked on Jongho's room door softly before opening it slowly.

He was already sitting up on his own, head turning towards me with a smile. "Open up, Jongho" This time, it was me trying to feed him as he looked at me weirdly. "Come on, I let you feed me remember? Now, it's your turn." I said as I pushed the spoon towards his lips that were gradually turning into a smile and mumbled an "Okay, noona.".

Jongho cleared the whole bowl within 20 minutes as I fed him while we talked. "Jongho, I'm really sorry. You shouldn't be the one injured, I should-" I started blabbering as I looked at his injured figure until he cut me off, putting his slightly cold hand on mine. "No noona. I was not careful, it's really none of our fault, okay? Noona please, stop blaming yourself." He said pouting, significantly unhappy that I was upset.

"Remember how I told you I was weak and I don't want to be anymore? I failed, badly. All I could do in front of them was freeze in fear, just wanting to hide; I couldn't even look at them in the eye." I mumbled as I played with his fingers. "Y/n? Y/n look at me. It's fine, trust me. Everyone has their fears and weaknesses, it's whether or not we can overcome them and it's up to you. I believed you will get over it soon, so you have to believe in yourself too." Jongho gave me a warm and assuring smile as I gave him one in return too.

"Thank you for your wise words, Jongho-ah. But that doesn't mean you get to call me by my name, I'm still your noona, always am." I ruffled his hair as I brought the empty bowl down to the kitchen, seeing everyone gathered in front of the television. The movie had ended, and the boys had dozed off again as usual; Ae Ri and I were the only ones awake.

"Unnie? Are you okay?" Ae Ri whispered to me, not wanting to wake the boys. I nodded and after some thought, signaled for her to meet me at the balcony. "What is it, unnie? Anything wrong?" She asked worriedly as she glanced at me with her innocent eyes. "I'm fine, Ae Ri. I just thought that maybe I should tell you what had happened between SKZ and I."

Flashback to October, 5 years ago

"Happy 100th day anniversary, Channie oppa!" I beamed at him, showing him the cupcakes that I had baked for him proudly. "You too, love." Chan smiled as brightly as I did as he handed me a bouquet of flowers which I accepted happily. To celebrate our 100-day relationship, we went to the amusement park. We had probably looked like the happiest couple there; hands locked, smiles wide. Time passed so fast when we were having fun together, we even had dinner at a fancy restaurant. We were heading home when Chan suddenly received a call from his housemate.

"Everything's ready? Okay, we are on the way back." That was all I had heard him say as we went back to his house. Is he preparing a surprise for me? I got so excited, anticipation filled me as I swung our interlocked hands to and fro. "What's ready, oppa?" I asked him curiously. "You will know soon, Y/n love." He gave me a smirk which I misread as a playful smile.

"We're back!" Chan announced as we stepped into the warm house. "Hey, Y/n noona." Hyunjin and Felix greeted me with a wave as I sat next to them on the sofa while Chan had gone up to his room. "Guys, do you know what is oppa planning for me?" I questioned them, unable to contain my excitement. "Oh, we can't tell you but you will definitely love it."

My smile fell when I saw him come down the stairs with... ropes? What's he gonna do with those? With me? "I need you to be good, Y/n. You just need to listen to us and we won't hurt you. Now, call your parents and give me your phone." Without a choice, I did as I was told and immediately after handing them my phone, they tied me up against a chair in the basement. My world came crashing down on me as I heard Chan threaten my parents for money. "One and a half million, give us that amount and we will return her in one-piece, if not we can't guarantee her safety."

With that, he hung up the phone and smashed it against the wall, breaking it into pieces. "Oppa please, let me go. My parents, they can give you the money, you don't have to do this to me. Please! Just let me go, I won't tell anyone about this." I begged him as I struggled against the thick ropes, scratches appearing on my wrist as they burnt. "Shut up, Hyunjin you stay with her." Chan ordered as he gave me a tight slap, leaving with the others after that.

That action had indeed shut me up, not just my mouth but also my heart for him, for all of them who I thought had loved me. Hyunjin stayed with me in the basement, it was silence except for my sobs. I had no idea how much time had passed, it just seemed like forever down here in the dark room. The silence was interrupted as Hyunjin's phone chimed. He stood up to leave without even looking back.

To be continued...

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~thedouble_a (5/5/20)