I stared at my phone for a long time, rereading Jun's message.
"Come over tonight. Seong and I want you to see the place. It'll be fun."
The invitation had come unexpectedly, but the thought of spending more time with both of them—even after the awkwardness of the past few days—had me hesitating. Something deep inside told me that this was more than just a casual evening together. It felt like a next step. But was I ready for that? Especially after everything that had happened?
Still, curiosity—and maybe something more—won out. By the time the evening rolled around, I found myself standing outside Jun and Seong's house. No, not a house—a mansion. My eyes widened as I took in the grandeur of the place. It was massive, with wide windows and beautifully manicured lawns. It looked like something straight out of a luxury magazine, completely different from the small, cozy apartment I called home.
I swallowed my nerves and rang the doorbell, the chime echoing through the halls inside. The door swung open, revealing Jun with a wide smile on his face, looking as effortlessly handsome as ever.
"Censia," he greeted warmly, his eyes lighting up as he pulled me into a tight embrace. "You made it."
I smiled nervously, glancing over his shoulder at the sprawling interior behind him. "I did. This place is... stunning."
He chuckled softly, brushing a lock of hair behind my ear. "Yeah, it's a bit much, isn't it? Come on, I'll give you a tour."
---
The inside of their home was even more impressive than the exterior. Marble floors, high ceilings, and elegant art pieces filled every room. It was overwhelming, yet Jun made it feel more grounded, leading me through each room with playful commentary. He pointed out the ridiculousness of some of the décor, poking fun at the lavishness.
As we moved from room to room, I realized that Seong wasn't around. "Where's Seong?" I asked as we walked past a grand library.
"He's in his office, catching up on some work," Jun replied, his tone light. "But don't worry, he'll join us soon."
Most of the evening was spent with Jun. We explored the house, laughing and talking, and somewhere along the way, things started to feel easy again. The tension that had been sitting between us melted away, replaced by the familiar warmth I'd come to expect from Jun. We found ourselves sitting close on the couch in their living room, talking about everything and nothing, just enjoying each other's company. His arm was draped casually over my shoulders, and there was an undeniable tension building between us—an intimate electricity that hummed just beneath the surface.
Every time our eyes met, I felt my pulse quicken. It was like being drawn into a gravity I couldn't resist, and soon enough, Jun closed the space between us, his lips brushing softly against mine. The kiss deepened, slow and tender, and my hands found their way to his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart beneath his shirt.
Just as we started to lose ourselves in the moment, I heard the front door open. I pulled back slightly, my heart racing.
"That must be Seong," I whispered, trying to calm the storm of emotions swirling inside me.
But it wasn't Seong.
---
Jun's expression changed as a tall, elegant woman entered the living room, her heels clicking against the marble floor. Her hair was perfectly styled, her clothes immaculate, and her gaze—sharp, assessing—fell immediately on me.
"Jun," she said, her voice cool and poised. "I didn't realize you had... company."
Jun stiffened beside me. "Mom," he began cautiously. "This is Censia. I wanted her to meet you."
His mother's eyes flickered over me briefly, and I could feel the judgment in her gaze. She didn't offer a handshake, nor did she sit down. Instead, she folded her arms, her lips pulling into a tight, disapproving line.
"I see," she said slowly. "And what exactly do you do, Censia?"
The way she asked made it clear that she already had assumptions about me—and none of them were flattering. I swallowed hard, forcing a polite smile. "I work as a waitress, ma'am."
Her brows lifted, and I saw the flicker of disdain in her eyes. "A waitress," she repeated, her tone dripping with disapproval. "I see. Well, Jun, you've always had an... interesting taste in women."
My chest tightened, embarrassment creeping up my spine. I opened my mouth to say something, but Jun's mother wasn't finished.
"I'm sure you're aware, dear, that Jun comes from a certain... class," she continued, her words laced with condescension. "It's important to surround oneself with people who... belong."
Her meaning was clear, and it hit me like a slap in the face. I glanced at Jun, expecting him to say something, but his expression was tense, conflicted. Before he could respond, Seong appeared, stepping into the room. His eyes darted between the three of us, and immediately, he seemed to sense the tension in the air.
"Mother," Seong greeted politely, his voice calm but firm. "I think you've said enough."
Jun's mother shot Seong a cold look but didn't argue. Instead, she sighed dramatically, turning her gaze back to Jun. "I'll leave you to your... guest," she said, her tone making it clear she wasn't pleased. With that, she turned on her heel and walked out of the room, her heels clicking sharply against the floor as she left.
The silence that followed was suffocating. I could feel the heat rising to my face, the hurt settling deep in my chest. Jun was still beside me, but he hadn't said a word. Seong walked over to me, his expression softening.
"I'm sorry about that," Seong said quietly. "She's... difficult."
I forced a smile, but it felt brittle, fragile. "It's fine," I lied. "Really."
But it wasn't fine. Her words had cut deeper than I wanted to admit. I could feel the sting of them lingering, burning beneath my skin. I stood up abruptly, needing to get out, needing space to breathe.
"Censia, wait—" Jun started, but I shook my head, grabbing my bag.
"I should go," I said quickly, my voice shaking. "Thank you for inviting me, but I... I just need some time."
Without waiting for a response, I rushed toward the door, the hurt and embarrassment overwhelming me. Jun called after me, but I couldn't stop. I needed to get away from the mansion, from the sting of his mother's words, from the realization that maybe I didn't belong in their world after all.
---
For the next few days, I avoided their calls and messages. I needed space, time to think. Every time I replayed that moment in my mind, the sharpness of Jun's mother's words echoed louder, making me question everything. Could I really be with them, knowing the kind of scrutiny I'd face? Could I stand to feel like I didn't belong in their lives?
I spent the days throwing myself into work, trying to forget the hurt, but no matter how hard I tried, the ache in my chest wouldn't go away.