HEAT • Chanrosé

twenty

I decided to split the final chapter. It feels better this way.

———————

Chaeyoung was done.

She was tired and upset, too angry for tears. After feeling like she had just lost Chanyeol, she didn't care who else went with him and hoped to God one would be Jungkook. Funny how everything had changed. Not even close to how it once was, where she hoped that she wouldn't be left standing alone in the end. This whole mess was partly due to her not waiting to lose Jungkook, but it didn't matter now.

Because she was truly done.

As she left the kitchen, Chaeyoung's mind raced to organize her thoughts that didn't included cuss words and screaming her lungs out, even if that was all she wanted to do. Her eyes were on the back door, ready to finally just put it away. Then maybe she could leave, quit. Start somewhere else because even though she thought she was strong, her heart clearly wasn't.

Her hand had barely touched the handle when a different force opened it from the other side, making her take a step back. It was like her senses knew it was him before she could even register it. His scent, his presence, his stare. Her body had been bathed in it so many times that Chaeyoung just knew.

Chanyeol paused before taking the step in. She swore she could see his hard facade drop right as their eyes met, the first time since he had sent her away in the cab. It flared, flickering before it was was gone. He only faltered for that half of a moment before his coldness returned double-fold. There was absolutely no flame of anger, or spark of warmth. Just dull cold.

Her sight fell from the chill, drifting just over his shoulder as Jungkook trailed behind him. His doe eyes only glanced at her momentarily as they walked passed, but that wasn't what she was paying attention to.

"Prep or go home." His harsh voice ordered the both of them. Chanyeol wouldn't look at her again or even direct the words to her, his order was only to the thick air around them.

It had been seconds, but her world stopped. Only resuming when he was gone, disappearing back into his office. His hiding place. She wanted to scream and yell, clench at his jacket and get him to stop and look at her. Talk to her. Chaeyoung was upset that he wouldn't listen but she also didn't blame him. He was hurt, and she wanted to make it better. If he would just listen then maybe she could.

The expecting eyes of Junhoe and Sehun locked on her when she walked back into the kitchen. Jungkook was rubbing at his eyes, they needed to talk. She wanted to talk, or else this service would be a wreck. A complete shit show. Even then, could it be saved at this point?

"Chef wants us to prep, but can you give me and Jungkook a second?" She asked softly, not looking at any of them as she pulled her father's knife from its sheath. The only thing to give her slight comfort were those two little initials.

"Chae..." Junhoe hesitated, she didn't haven't to look up to know he was glancing at Sehun.

"5 minutes. If Chef gets on your ass, blame me." Even just the title Chef hurt to speak allowed.

She heard Sehun sigh, mumbling to Junhoe that they could just take a smoke break. Junhoe reluctantly followed, shooting her one last look of reassurance before they turned the corner. He always could tell when she was the most upset, explaining why he didn't want to leave.

Chaeyoung turned to face Jungkook directly, she could feel the tension in her chest by just looking at him. The pressure that had built was becoming unbearable, everything with Chanyeol and the boy in front of her. Even just seeing Chanyeol walk past her as if they were nothing anymore was enough to make her want to break down but this had to be settled. Her mind was in shambles, it felt like her life was in shambles. Or was about to be if it wasn't already.