Chanmi hasn't been to such a good party in a long time. Tonight, the alcohol tasted perfect to her. Perhaps it was the presence of Rowoon, who took care of her while her friend was busy relieving the tension between her and her beloved. She completely forgot about Chanmi, focusing on Jin. It was fortunate that there was Rowoon, who could take care of his friend's sister when the alcohol finally went to her head and she couldn't stand up straight.
She giggled like crazy when the boy announced to Jin that he would take care of his sister and drive her home. He was a friend whom her brother trusted implicitly. They had known each other since elementary school, and one would jump into the fire for the other if need be.
As they left the club and headed toward the cab stand, the redhead embraced the boy at the waist and snuggled her face into his back. She smiled under her breath, not intending to let him go. He always treated her well, sometimes even spoiled her like a child. He was the second guy in line behind Chansung, whom she trusted and adored for many years.
And now that Chansung was gone.... When she found out he was dead, she had only him.
- Do you think they will reconcile? My brother and Jisoo? - She asked unexpectedly as they stood in the middle of the sidewalk, and she still wasn't going to let him go. Rowoon looked confused by her behavior, but turned a blind eye because she was drunk.
- I was up-to-date on his amorous dilemmas. Watching them tonight, I have no doubt that they are both crazy about each other; however, something is standing in the way of them being able to be together.
The girl muttered in response.
- I don't have the strength to go. I overdid it with alcohol, Rowoon said.
The brunet rolled his eyes and smiled slightly. He pushed her hands away from him and turned to face her. She raised her head and looked at him with misty eyes. At the last moment, he managed to catch her hands as she wobbled dangerously backward.
- So why did you drink so much?
- It was out of happiness because you came back. - The boy did not hide his surprise that the redhead tonight was so open about her feelings. - And now my head is spinning terribly.
Held by his hands, she crouched in front of him and hid her face in her knees. She did not have the strength to go on. He sighed loudly and squatted down opposite her.
- You haven't changed a thing. You still act like a little girl.
Chanmi raised her face and pouted her lips like a child.
- Maybe it's because I'm afraid to grow up? That I emotionally prefer to remain a child so as not to endure the pain of adult life?
- But you know that at a certain age, you just have to start thinking seriously and not be afraid to take the next steps? You can't live in the past. There comes a time when you have to start thinking ahead. Youth does not last forever, and it passes far too quickly to delay making important decisions. You need to eventually gain more confidence, royal.
The girl smiled when he called her "royal." When she was younger, he always addressed her that way.
- Jin nagged you that I still live in the past and am afraid to grow up? That I isolate people I don't know from me because I don't trust anyone?
Rowoon nodded.
- He is just worried about you.
Tears glazed in her eyes.
- I try to hide it, and yet it shows so much?
The boy stroked her head.
- Don't worry. I'm back, and that means you will regain your fullness of life. I won't let you lose your best years of youth.
- In that case, you came back at the best time, Rowoon. - The boy straightened his legs, but she still couldn't get up. - Can I just stay here? I don't have the strength to go on.
A scream came out of her mouth as the brunet took her in his arms.
- I'll carry you to the carriage, little princess. Don't worry about anything. Your brother would kill me if you didn't make it home.
- And will you make it before midnight?
- Do you realize that it's already after two o'clock?
- That means I'm not royalty.
The boy couldn't contain his laughter. No doubt there was still a child slumbering inside her.
*
Jin stood with his arms crossed over his chest watching Jisoo, who was leaning with her back against the wall of the building, piercing him with her eyes. Near them stood people smoking cigarettes. They were discussing, and their voices mingled with each other, creating chaos.
Jisoo pointed her finger at her beloved and squinted.
- Tonight won't change anything. We won't be together. Think what you want. We may love each other, but we come from two different worlds. I am Cinderella, you are the prince. Finish. - She crossed her hands in front of her face, at which the boy raised an eyebrow. She had gotten as drunk as his sister and was now living somewhere in a fairy tale world. - I am a frog, you are a prince. Even if you kiss me, you won't change anything.
- And it was not the other way around?
- Never mind - she replied in a serious voice. - And so we will not form a relationship.
- And you'll insist that it's because we come from different worlds? Stop freaking out, Jisoo. You didn't have a problem with it before.
The girl got a drunken hiccup.
- Then I was blinded by love.
- And now you are blinded by fear of my mother? - She murmured. She stared at him with wide-open eyes, unable to get a word out. - You don't have to say anything. It's difficult to lie when you're drunk. I hit the nail on the head. You are afraid of my mother. Did she threaten you?
- Jin...
- She hates maids because of her painful past. My father cheated on her with a beauty who worked in our house many years ago. It scares her to think that now you have seduced me.
- You are right. That's precisely the point. Your mother threatened me, which is why I no longer intend to have a romantic relationship with you.
- And that's why you betrayed me with that man over there? You wanted me to hate you and give you sanity because you are afraid of my mother?
- I'm afraid I'll be left destitute and end up on the street. I grew up in an orphanage, I have nowhere to go and no one to ask for help. I have no choice. I have to listen to your mother and isolate myself from you, even if it tears my heart.
- And you think I'm going to let you do that? - Jin walked closer, not taking his eyes off her. - She won't even touch you with a finger. I won't let that happen.
- This is her house. You are her son, so she has the most say. I am not worthy of you destroying your relationship with your mother.
- You are worth more than my mother, who puts everyone in corners. I care more about you. That which can get stuffed.
- Jin, please...
Tears gathered in her eyes. She lowered her face, and he lifted her chin and forced her to look into his eyes.
- I really care about you very much. This is the first time I'm truly in love, and I'm going to fight for it. I can fight even with my mother.
- But I am afraid. Your mother is scary and in this fight it will only get to me. She loves you and will do anything for you, she is even capable of killing me to remove me from your life.
- What. - A silly smile appeared on his face. - What are you talking about?
- I'm serious, Jin. Your mother has threatened to kill me if I don't take her words seriously.
The boy took her face in his hands and looked deeply into her eyes.
- Let that witch tries to pull even one hair out of your head, and I swear I won't let her go.
- I don't want you to fight with your mother. I would rather not be part of a splintering family.
- But I want you to be part of my family, so I won't let you go. Never.
*
Chanmi was singing disco songs when Rowoon helped her out of the cab. They stood in front of the gate, and he tried to cover her mouth with his hand so she wouldn't wake up the household members.
- Be quiet - he repeated with laughter in his voice, as he was amused by her behavior despite everything.
- I won't be quiet if you accompany me.
He held her hands, and she bent to all sides, shaking her head.
- Why are you so rude after alcohol?
- It's the alcohol that is naughty, not me - she corrected him, stretching her lips in a smile. - At least I can be happy for a while before the gray reality comes.
- Can you manage to walk into the house alone? - He was worried that she would not be able to reach her room.
- Of course she will, Mr. Rowoon said.
The boy let her go and watched her carefully as she approached the gate. The third time, she managed to enter the correct code, which opened the door for her. Then she turned to him, proud that she had managed without his help. Rowoon raised his thumb in the air, watching with amusement in his eyes as she hung on to the door as it passed.
- Are you sure you can handle it?
- No worries. I'll take care of her. - The brunet furrowed his brow as a young man he was seeing for the first time with his eyes appeared next to Chanmi. - I am her brother-in-law. I will safely escort her to her room.
The cold look that Jieun's fiancé directed in his direction was a signal that he did not like his presence.
- In that case, I leave her in your hands.
- Rowoon, no! He's a bastard and a pervert! - shouted the girl, but a poke from her brother-in-law brought her back to order. - Bye, Rowoon! - She sent him a kiss, and an embittered Jungkook led her home.
- Rather, you are not as Chansung described you. It's apparent that you now enjoy an entertaining life and the company of newly met boys. - The redhead sent him a furious look. - And what's worse, you're happy, even though today you learned that your best friend is dead.
Chanmi jerked out of his grasp, wobbled, and her back hit the wall when they were in front of the entrance to the house.
- You're wrong. I just tried to be happy, at least for a while before the gray reality hit me again.
Jungkook stood in front of her, so close that he was even touching her with his body. She lifted her face and looked at him with a warning look.
- And this moron tried to help you?
- His name is Rowoon and you have nothing to do with it. Step back. - She tried to push him away, but he grabbed her hands and pressed her against the wall, not allowing her to make any move. - What are you doing? Don't you allow yourself too much? It's hurting you.
- I'm here to protect you, so I can afford to do much more.
- And you will follow me? Is that how I am now? You waited for me half the night instead of accompanying my sister?
- Your sister doesn't care about me, I'm only interested in you, Cha-Cha. Have you already forgotten why I came here? For you.
With each passing moment, he worried her more and more. What else was he capable of going to?