A slap printed across Mina's face. "michyeoss-eo!" Her mom exclaimed, Mina's father held her back. "How dare you embarrass me in front of the whole family!" "You useless whore!" She shouted. Mina stood there taking everything as tears filled her eyes. Her mom sighed as she ran her fingers through her hair, she sat down on a chair and chuckled. "Why can't you ever be useful huh?!" "Maybe it's my fault, maybe it's my fault for giving birth to you!" She shouted.
"Get out of my side." She told her as she turned in her chair. Mina sniffled as she walked out of the office.
———
Lucas's POV:
A day after the party everything was normal, at least on my part. But Jun being Jun, he appeared about all the drama that was revealed during the gathering. I was a big person in my family drama, so I've learned to not get involved in any of it.
But today was another day where Jun was in my room laughing about everything that happened yesterday
"Did you see how her mom dragged her by the ear," he chuckled, I sighed as I closed my closet door. "You know what you did to Mina was really Unnecessary," He looked up at me his jaw dropped. "Don't look at me like that, if you didn't say anything to her when she spilled the drink on me none of that would have happened," I said joining him on the bed. "So you were just going to let her do that to you?" He asked, I nodded in response.
"dangsin-eun jeongmal michyeoss-eo" he groaned as he slumped on the bed. "ibwayo, naega malhalyeoneun geon solan-eul piugo sipji anh-assdaneun geoyeyo," I told him. "It doesn't matter Lucas, she is a witch and she deserves everything that happened to her!" He exclaimed, "But she's still our cousin." I added, he took a deep breath as he laid up. "You know what, let's not start." "How are things going with you and Steve?" He asked.
"What do you mean by that?" I asked confused as to where he was taking this conversation, "You know, like have you considered giving him a chance?" He asked, I sighed slumping onto the bed. "I really do like Steve but, I don't think I can commit. I'm still not over the idea of Liam." I said. Jun stormed off the bed and shouted, "Lukaseu, michyeoss-eo?" "How can you still have that same thought after everything those evil people have done to you!" He added.
"There my Friends, what else can I do." I said lying up, "Sesang-e, neo jeongmal michyeoss-eo!" He said running his fingers through his hair. "So If I hooked up with your boyfriend for years, would you be okay with that?" He asked, "No but, I will forgive you since you are my cousin. There's no point in fighting over a guy." I replied, "An deweyo !" "But you love this guy with your whole heart Lucas!" He exclaimed. "So can you be okay with your friend hooking up with him?!" He added.
Honestly, I understand where Jun was coming from, and maybe he is right. But Liam is my first love, and it's very hard to let go of your first love.
"Now listen to me Lucas, call Steve and beg him in your sweet voice," he said holding my shoulders and looking at me deep in the eyes. "Why should I beg him?" I asked confused, "beg him to come to New Zealand." He asked me, "Why?" "So you can show Liam and that bitchy friend of yours that you don't care about them; you can show them that you've found a new Caribbean hot babe." He said with passion-filled in his eyes.
I hesitated for a while, knowing that Jun's plans could either bring me trouble or turn out really well. "How am I supposed to beg him?" I asked, "Just call him tonight and tell him you miss him and you want to see him. But say it in your sweet low voice." He advised, "But make sure you do this all on FaceTime," "Why" I asked. "Because with face time he will feel your presence, you have to seduce him a little bit."
"What!" I exclaimed, "Why should I do that?!" I asked. "Don't you want to see him?" He asked crossing his arms, "yes, but why should I use my body?" "You're not necessarily using your body Cuzo, you just have to rock your booty short pj's and let your butt breath." He said smiling and shrugging his shoulders.
I shook my head in disapproval, there's no way I was going to give poor Steve false hope.
"But,.." he cut me off, "do worry, it'll work, You just have to bend and show a little skin. Also don't forget to use your soft voice." He told me patting my shoulders. "But isn't that basically sex over the phone," I said, Jun burst out laughing. "Oh my dear cousin, you have so much to learn." "Sex on the phone is way different from what I'm telling you, trust me I've done it." He said, "Just call Steve tonight and let me know tomorrow. I have a little date with Erick today." I he said as he walked out of the room.
I swear Jun never fails to surprise me, but then again it's Jun we're talking about. He is an open book, and everyone reads him.
Later that evening, Lucas hesitated before dialing Steve's number. The soft glow of the screen illuminated his face as he followed Jun's advice, trying to project an air of nonchalance and a hint of seduction.
I sat at my study table as I waited for Steve to answer his call. "Hey," he answered with a big smile on his face. A smile flashed on my face and my heart skipped a beat. "Are you home?" I asked, "Yup, there's not for me to do. So I'm stuck in my room." He replied, "Well I was about to go to sleep, but I wanted to talk to you first." I said turning into my soft tone.
"What, do you mess me?" He asked, "What if I say I do," I replied feeling my face turn a little bit red. Steve chuckled as he tossed in his bed, "Then, why don't you come back a see me." He suggested, "What if I want you to come to me?" "Do you want me to come to you?" He asked, I slightly smiled and nodded.
He smiled and nodded his head, "Okay then, I'll surprise you." I chuckled as I covered my mouth. We stared at each other smiling for a few seconds and then I decided to break the silence. "Do you want to see my pjs for tonight?" I asked, "Sure, I'd love to see my sweet Lucas in hiss Pj's" he remarked, "Don't be silly." I laughed as I got up.
I pushed the chair aside and showed him, it was a set but the shorts were booty shorts. "Now that I see it, you really are small Lucas." He pointed out, "No I'm not, you're just too big. I mean you are a Highschooler but you're built like my dad." I teased him. "Turn around for me," he said, "Umm, okay." I nervously slowly spin around.
"Yeah, you're pretty small." He remarked, "No, you're just too big." I smiled as I grabbed the phone and headed to my bed.
As I settled onto my bed, I couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and nervousness. The conversation with Steve took an unexpected turn, and I found myself wondering if Jun's unconventional advice was actually working.
"So, what's the surprise?" I asked, trying to steer the conversation away from my choice of pajamas. Steve chuckled on the other end of the line, "Well, it wouldn't be a surprise if I told you, would it?"
I smirked, realizing that Steve's playfulness was a welcomed distraction from the complexities of my own thoughts. As we continued chatting, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was tiptoeing on a fine line between genuine connection and the strategic game Jun had set in motion.
Eventually, the conversation shifted to more lighthearted topics, and Steve shared anecdotes from his day. Despite the underlying purpose of the call, I found myself enjoying the simple pleasure of talking to him.
As the night progressed, I could sense the anticipation building up.
"You know what Steve," I said softly, "what?" He asked, "My I get so lonely in my bed, I wish I had someone who can cuddle with me. I feel so jealous of Jun, he has some he ça cuddle and kiss good night." Suddenly Steve rose up from his bed looking excited. "I can cuddle with you, I can also kiss you good night. Just say the word and I'll be there!" He exclaimed joyfully, "There's no way you can do that, I'm not your boyfriend. Plus you live all the way in the Caribbean." I teased, "Don't worry, I can fly out right now." He said.
I laughed, "No, I was just joking. I wanted to see your reaction." "So you don't need company in bed?" He asked with a sigh, "Well, I kinda do. But the person that I want company from is giving someone else company." I sighed.
"But it's okay, I don't deserve company anyway." I smiled trying not to sadden the mood. "Who says so, you deserve all the company and all the love you need." He said, I smiled and shook my head. "I was told I didn't." "I don't care who said so, I'll give you all the company and love you need." "You just have to let me in." He said.
I stayed quiet not knowing what to say, my heart was beating fast and I could feel my face turn red. The last time I felt this way was when I made out with Liam in my closet.
But I couldn't be thinking about Liam at this moment, Steve is the one that's making me feel this way.
As Steve's words lingered in the air, I found myself caught between the past and the present. The genuine offer of comfort clashed with the tangled emotions I harbored for Liam. I couldn't deny the warmth in Steve's voice, and for a moment, I entertained the idea of allowing someone new into my life.
I laughed nervously, "I know that but, you know I'm having a hard time." "Maybe you don't get it Lucas, you're so stuck on him that you can't even see what's best for you." He said, "After all who am I to make you forget your first love, I'm just a guy you bumped into. I'm also the guy you will never pay attention to." He said as he ended the call and left me there in silence.
Steve's unexpected departure from the call left me stunned, the weight of his words sinking in. As the silence enveloped me, I couldn't shake the realization that my unresolved feelings for Liam were affecting not only my emotional landscape but also my potential connections with others.
In the dim glow of the room, I replayed Steve's words in my mind. The truth in his statement echoed, and I couldn't ignore the reality that my attachment to Liam was hindering my ability to embrace new possibilities.
Feeling a mix of guilt and confusion, I lay back on my bed, staring at the ceiling. The simplicity of Jun's plan to entice Steve now felt like a misguided attempt to escape the complexities of my emotions. It wasn't fair to Steve, and deep down, I knew that I needed to confront my feelings for Liam before involving anyone else.
The night stretched on, filled with contemplation and an undercurrent of regret. As the hours passed, I couldn't escape the fact that I was at a crossroads, torn between holding onto the past and stepping into an uncertain future.