The days following Jun Ho's revelation were a blur of emotions, but there was one undeniable fact—I couldn't keep living in fear. The mere thought of Hyun Su showing up again, the knowledge of Jun's mother actively trying to harm me, had left me feeling unsafe. And yet, in the midst of all the turmoil, Jun and Seong were my constant. They hadn't let go, even when I'd pushed them away.
One evening, after dinner at Allure's apartment, Jun and Seong sat me down on the couch, their expressions serious but soft. Jun's arm draped protectively over my shoulder, while Seong sat opposite, leaning forward with an intense look in his eyes.
"Censia," Jun began, his thumb absentmindedly rubbing circles on my arm, "We can't keep pretending things are okay while you're out here on your own. It's not safe."
I tensed slightly, knowing where this was going. "Jun, I'm fine. I'm at Allure's place—she keeps the doors locked. Hyun Su won't—"
"We don't trust that," Seong interrupted, his voice calm but firm. "We've already talked about it, and we want you to move in with us."
I blinked, unsure if I had heard him correctly. "Move in? To your mansion?"
Seong nodded. "You'll be safer with us. No more hiding from your life, from us. We want you to be with us all the time."
Jun smiled, squeezing my shoulder. "Think about it. You'll be close to us. We'll be able to protect you, and…" He trailed off, looking a little unsure before continuing. "It'll be like a fresh start. No more distance."
My heart raced at the thought. Moving into their enormous mansion sounded luxurious, but it also felt like a step I wasn't sure I was ready for. It was tempting to be under their protection all the time, to feel safe, but what about all the complexities in our relationship? And then there was Nathan—their growing jealousy of him had been straining things lately.
"I… I don't know," I said, biting my lip. "What if this makes things worse?"
Jun's expression shifted, a small frown forming on his lips. "What do you mean?"
"You and Seong, you've been fighting because of Nathan. It's like every time I get close to anyone else, you two think I'm…" I hesitated, choosing my words carefully, "…betraying you."
Seong leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "It's not about betrayal. It's about us wanting you to know that you belong with us. That we don't want anyone else in your life… not like that."
A sigh escaped me, the weight of their words sinking in. They wanted me close, not just for my protection, but because they couldn't stand the thought of anyone else, even a friend like Nathan, taking my attention away from them. It was both flattering and suffocating at the same time.
"Okay," I whispered, the decision slipping out of me before I could overthink it. "I'll move in with you."
Jun's face lit up immediately, and he pulled me into a tight embrace. "You won't regret it," he murmured into my hair. Seong's smile was more reserved, but there was relief in his eyes as he nodded in approval.
---
Moving in with Jun and Seong was a whirlwind. They picked me up early one Saturday, loading all of my belongings into their car with an efficiency that almost made me laugh. Seong drove, Jun in the passenger seat while I sat in the back, watching the city slowly fade into the background as we approached their gated mansion.
The house was breathtaking. The large driveway, manicured lawns, and towering structure were intimidating at first, but once I stepped inside, there was a warmth I hadn't expected. Maybe it was the way Jun and Seong smiled at me, or the fact that they had cleared out space in their closet for my things, but it felt…right.
Life quickly settled into a routine. Every morning, Seong or Jun would drive me to work, dropping me off with a quick kiss and a promise to pick me up later. They made me breakfast, brought me tea in bed, and filled the house with laughter.
But there was one thing that didn't go away—the jealousy about Nathan. Despite the warmth and love they showed me, I could see it in Jun's eyes whenever Nathan's name came up, the way Seong's jaw would tighten if I mentioned something funny Nathan said.
---
One afternoon, Jun and Seong had just dropped me off at work when Nathan showed up in the lobby. He was leaning against the reception desk, a casual smile on his face as he waved me over.
"Hey, Censia," he said, flashing that charming grin of his. "How about we grab lunch today?"
I hesitated for a second before nodding. "Sure, that sounds nice."
We ended up at a small café around the corner, chatting about work, life, and how I was settling in with Jun and Seong. But I couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching us. When I looked out the window, I saw it—Jun's car parked across the street. My heart sank. They hadn't left. They were watching.
Nathan was oblivious to it all, still rambling on about a new project his company was taking on. But I couldn't focus. All I could think about was the confrontation that was likely waiting for me at home.
When we finally finished lunch and said our goodbyes, I took a deep breath and braced myself for what was to come.
---
That evening, the tension in the house was palpable. Jun was quieter than usual, his eyes following me everywhere, while Seong seemed more distant, keeping his attention on his laptop.
It wasn't until after dinner that the conversation I had been dreading began.
"Censia," Jun started, leaning against the kitchen counter with his arms crossed. "You had lunch with Nathan today."
It wasn't a question—it was a statement. I sighed, turning to face him. "Yes, I did. He's my friend, Jun. We were just catching up."
Jun's jaw clenched, and I could see the irritation flicker in his eyes. "He's more than just a friend to you, isn't he?"
Seong finally looked up from his laptop, his gaze shifting between me and Jun.
I shook my head, trying to keep my voice calm. "No, Jun. He's not. I've told you both that I'm committed to you, but you keep doubting me every time I spend a little time with someone else."
"That's because he's in love with you," Jun shot back, his voice rising slightly. "You don't see it, but we do."
Seong, ever the mediator, stepped in before the argument could escalate further. "Let's all take a breath. Censia, you need to understand where we're coming from. We just want to protect what we have with you."
"And I get that," I replied, feeling a lump in my throat. "But you can't control who I talk to, who I spend time with. Nathan is just a friend. That's all."
Jun stared at me for a long moment before turning away, his shoulders tense. "I just don't want to lose you," he muttered, his voice barely audible.
My heart softened at his words, and I walked over to him, placing a hand on his arm. "You won't. But you need to trust me."
Seong stood up, joining us, his expression thoughtful. "We trust you, Censia. We just… don't trust Nathan."
I smiled softly, relieved that the tension was starting to ease. "Maybe one day, you'll both realize there's nothing to worry about."
For now, though, the jealousies lingered, like a shadow over our otherwise happy days. And as I lay in bed that night, sandwiched between Jun and Seong, I couldn't help but wonder if things would ever truly be normal.