The last few days had been overwhelming. After Jun's outburst at work and Hyun-Su's relentless teasing, I felt like I couldn't catch my breath. I'd tried to focus on preparing a quiet dinner at my apartment to mend things with Jun and Seong, but even that felt strained. Seong had texted earlier, saying they'd be over soon, along with Ji-Ho. I was hoping it would give us a chance to reset and talk things through.
I glanced out the window nervously, waiting for them to arrive, when a knock on the door startled me. Checking the time, I realized they were early.
But when I opened the door, my heart sank.
It wasn't Jun or Seong—it was Hyun-Su.
He stood there, dressed in a sleek black jacket, an unsettling smirk on his lips. "Hey, Censia," he said casually, as if we were friends. "Can I come in?"
Panic surged through me. "What are you doing here? You need to leave, Hyun-Su."
Ignoring my words, he pushed his way inside, his eyes scanning my small apartment. "Come on, don't be like that. I thought we could hang out, just the two of us."
I took a step back, my heart racing. "No, you need to leave. Now."
His eyes darkened, and for the first time, I saw a dangerous glint in them. "I don't think you understand, Censia. I'm not leaving. Not until we've had some time together."
Before I could react, he grabbed my arm, yanking me close to him. I struggled, fear pounding in my chest, but his grip was too strong.
"Let go of me!" I shouted, trying to break free. But he only tightened his hold, his other hand cupping my face, forcing me to look at him.
"You don't get it, do you?" he hissed, his voice low and menacing. "I've been obsessed with you since the moment I laid eyes on you. And you're going to be mine, whether you like it or not."
My mind raced, and I fought to keep calm. Where were Jun and Seong? They should've been here by now. I twisted in his grip, desperately trying to get away, but he was relentless, backing me up against the wall.
Tears pricked at my eyes as I struggled harder. "Hyun-Su, please—"
Suddenly, the door burst open with a loud crash.
Jun.
He stormed in, Seong and Ji-Ho right behind him, their faces twisted in rage. "Get away from her!" Jun's voice roared, fury radiating from him as he launched himself at Hyun-Su.
In an instant, Jun tackled Hyun-Su to the ground, his fists flying in a blur of anger. Hyun-Su tried to fight back, but Jun was relentless, his punches coming hard and fast. Seong rushed over to pull me away from the scene, wrapping his arms around me protectively. Ji-Ho stood over them, his phone already out, calling the police.
I could barely breathe, the adrenaline and shock coursing through me. Hyun-Su groaned in pain, blood trickling from his nose as Jun slammed him into the floor again.
"Jun, stop!" Seong finally intervened, grabbing his arm to pull him away. "The police are coming. You've done enough."
Breathing heavily, Jun stood up, glaring down at Hyun-Su with pure disgust. "I told you to stay away from her," he growled, his voice shaking with rage.
Hyun-Su whimpered, his once arrogant demeanor shattered. Before he could say anything, the police arrived, Ji-Ho having guided them upstairs. They handcuffed Hyun-Su, dragging him out of the apartment as he shot me one last, hateful glance.
Jun didn't take his eyes off Hyun-Su until he was completely out of sight. I could see the tension in his shoulders, his fists still clenched at his sides.
Once the police had gone, an uncomfortable silence settled in the room. Seong had his arm around me, his presence soothing, but Jun was still fuming. He paced around the apartment, running his hands through his hair, clearly struggling to contain his anger.
"You should have listened to me," Jun finally said, his voice low but full of frustration. He didn't even look at me as he spoke. "I told you to stay away from him. I told you he was trouble, but you didn't listen."
I flinched at his words, guilt flooding me. "I didn't think he would go this far," I whispered, feeling small under his gaze.
"That's the problem, Censia!" Jun exploded, his voice rising again. "You never see things for what they are. You think everyone's just harmless, that no one could possibly hurt you. Well, look what almost happened!"
Tears welled up in my eyes, but I forced them back. "I didn't ask for this, Jun."
"No, but you didn't stop it either!" he snapped, his words cutting deep. "You let him into your life, and now look where we are."
Seong, who had been silent until now, stepped in, his voice calm but firm. "That's enough, Jun. She didn't ask for any of this. Don't blame her for something that's not her fault."
But Jun shook his head, his anger still simmering just below the surface. "I need some air," he muttered, grabbing his coat and storming out of the apartment.
I stood there, frozen, my heart aching. Seong pulled me closer, his hand stroking my hair as he tried to comfort me. But the weight of Jun's words lingered in the air, suffocating me.
After a few minutes, Seong led me to the couch, sitting beside me as I curled up into a ball. "He'll calm down," he said softly. "He's just upset right now."
I nodded, but the tears I'd been holding back finally spilled over. "I didn't mean for any of this to happen," I whispered, my voice cracking with emotion.
"I know," Seong murmured, his arms tightening around me. "I know."
Despite his comfort, the guilt and fear gnawed at me. Jun's anger, the near assault, the tension between all of us—it was too much. I couldn't stop the flood of tears as I cried quietly into Seong's chest.
When Seong gently suggested we go to bed, I shook my head. "I can't. I just... I need to be alone."
Seong hesitated but finally nodded, his eyes full of understanding. "Okay. But we're here for you, Censia. Always."
I forced a small smile, grateful for his kindness, but I couldn't bring myself to move. When Seong eventually went to bed, I stayed on the couch, curling up under a blanket and hugging my knees to my chest.
The apartment felt so quiet, the only sound my soft sobs as I cried myself to sleep.
The next morning, I woke up with swollen eyes and a heavy heart, unsure how to face the day—or Jun—again.