Chanmi walked at Jungkook's side looking at the stores they passed. The boy forcefully dragged her out of the house, forcing her to go shopping. He threatened her that if she didn't agree, he would kiss her to death. He was capable of this, so the girl finally nodded at his proposal. She enjoyed walking around the mall, but preferred to do it in the company of a friend. He was getting on her nerves.
She threw an angry look at him as he grabbed her hand and dragged her into a women's clothing store.
- I don't want anything from you - she communicated when they were greeted by the saleswoman.
- Please give her the latest models. All the clothes fit her figure - he turned to the woman.
- Of course - replied the saleswoman.
The redhead once again raked him with her eyes.
- Don't think to yourself that this is how you buy my heart.
- I do it because I feel like it. I dreamed of taking my beloved woman to the mall and buying her the most expensive clothes.
- You had strange dreams - she scoffed. - I guess, however, that you never took my sister, since you didn't love her.
- She did not deserve even a blouse from me from the lump.
- Sometimes there are nicer things in the lump than in expensive boutiques. Bite your tongue - she muttered.
Jungkook smiled broadly at these words.
- I love it when you chastise me, pretty girl.
The girl took the clothes the saleswoman handed her and entered the fitting room. Since this moron wanted to buy her new things, she wasn't going to turn down the offer. After all, he had forcefully dragged her out of the house, so let her pay now.
The first one she wore was a white dress with lace at the neckline, which emphasized perfectly her waist. It was beautiful and Chanmi fell in love with it at first sight.
She looked at her reflection as the smile died down from her face. Her radiant face turned gray and bruises formed under her eyes. It was a terrifying moment, as she saw death behind her.
It was just a moment when she became weak and collapsed.
- Chanmi, are you okay? - From outside, she heard Jungkook's concerned voice. When she didn't answer him, she didn't have to wait long because he entered the fitting room. - What happened? - He asked in a caring voice, putting his hand to her face. He looked at her with such tenderness in his eyes that she then realized once again how much he cared about her.
- It made me feel faint. I'll get there soon - she whispered, trying to breathe deeply.
Jungkook helped her up. She stayed in the dress she was trying on, and he asked the saleswoman to pack the rest. He paid for the purchases and, holding her in his arms, left the store.
This was the first time Chanmi didn't mind being embraced by him. She kept her head on his shoulder, at that moment feeling truly safe at his side.
As if it weren't enough that she felt bad and was trying to recover, Jieun was walking from across the street. She looked like a viper preparing to attack when she saw the sight in front of her, which caused venom to spill out of her mouth.
- Now walking embracing around the mall, behind your back, laughing at me! - She raised her voice, and Jungkook rolled his eyes. Chanmi didn't even have the strength to argue with her. She wanted her sister to just go away and give her a holy peace of mind. - There is no doubt in my mind that you have the blood of a slut flowing in you. Who knows who your biological mother was? - attacked the redhead.
- Can you behave yourself? We are in a public place - Jungkook admonished her.
Jieun grabbed him by the chin, looking at him with frantic eyes.
- Behave? Look at you! My ex-fiancé and fake sister are walking around the stores, embracing each other like they're in love. How can I calmly look at this?
- I felt bad. He is only helping me get to the car - Chanmi defended herself.
The brunette's gaze found the bags of the brand-name store.
- But he managed to buy you many clothes. Fascinating, because he never wanted to take me shopping, let alone buy me anything.
- Because you never deserved it - he muttered under his breath.
Jieun slapped him in the face, not caring that they were the center of attention. People passing by were interested in the drama that was unfolding before their eyes.
- And so you won't have time to enjoy it for long. Death is written in her eyes - she replied maliciously.
Chanmi looked at her with sad eyes, feeling tears gathering under her eyelids.
- What do you know about the contract with the devil? - She asked directly and noticed that Jieun's face had gone pale. - Since I'm about to die anyway, just tell the truth. What did my parents do, why did they take care of me, if they never treated me like a daughter, but a substitute product? Why did they get rid of me only now, when I am already on the verge of death?
- How did you know about the contract with the devil? - She asked in a concerned voice. - What else do you know?
- That your family is the most fucked up and cruelest family in all of Korea - Jungkook said through clenched teeth. - Why should Chanmi die? What contract is it exactly about?
- Just enjoy her while you can because her days are numbered. You won't help her. She will soon be taken away by him - she declared, after which she passed them and walked away with a quick step. Jungkook looked behind her and pressed his lips together. If it weren't for Chanmi, whom he had to take care of, he wouldn't have let this witch just walk away.
*
With caring eyes, he looked at the girl who sat next to him on the seat, blankly staring into the space in front of him. They were in Jungkook's car, still in the underground parking lot that was designated for mall customers.
- Let's go home now. I've had enough for today - she said, massaging her forehead.
- Are you all right? Are you feeling better yet?
- Meeting my sister only made my condition worse. She really hates me, yet I should hate her more. She is evil to the marrow of her bones.
Jungkook took a deep breath and let the air out as he leaned his back against the chair.
- Don't consider her to be a sister anymore. She's a monster who, along with her mother, set you up to be devoured by the beast. This family is just waiting for you to die. I don't know what interest they have in this, but I could see from Jieun that she is excited about this day. She is excited. She clearly has headaches.
Chanmi couldn't stand it and burst out crying. She hid her face in her hands, leaning forward. Jungkook stroked her back, guessing how she felt.
- I can fight the devil himself, but I won't let you walk away from me. I'm too obsessed with you. I will not lose you shortly after I sacrificed so much to get close to you - he declared. - To me and to Chansung, you are everything. I am serious. We are capable of sacrificing our lives to help you.
She lifted her face and looked at him with broken eyes.
- I don't think you know what you are talking about. I know you are crazy and capable of anything, but....
- I am capable of anything to save you because I am in love with you up to my ears. You can consider me pathetic, hate me and chase me away like a dog, but I really feel what I have never been able to feel for another girl.
She looked at him with shocked eyes, unable to believe that with such ease, just at that moment he was able to declare what he felt for her.
- I am embarrassed by you - she said in a whisper, wiping tears from her cheeks. He smiled at these words.
- This is a good sign because it indicates that you don't hate me. - Chanmi furrowed her brow, so he explained it to her more clearly. - If you hated me, you would be indifferent. You wouldn't feel embarrassed, and that means I still have a chance.
- A chance to do what? - She asked, pretending she didn't know.
- For you to love me.
- I'd already rather die than fall in love with you - she declared, fastening her belt. - Let's go home. I want to lie down. I still don't feel well.
The brunet glanced at her for a split second, then started the engine and drove out of the parking space. Chanmi stuck her gaze in the window, not intending to look at him even for a moment after what she heard.
Why did she feel such excitement? It shouldn't be like this.
*
She was dozing off in her room when she felt something strange begin to happen to her body. She opened her eyes, but couldn't move. She was lying sideways on the bed, paralyzed. With wide-open eyes, she stared at the wall, able to swear that she saw there a giant spider that passed by her face. It was black, but looked like a misty ghost that dissolved into the air as it entered the ceiling.
Her breathing sped up as she felt a presence behind her. She wanted to scream, but couldn't. Her voice trapped in her throat. Something heavy walked in on her, brushing a strand of hair away from her cheek. The thing sat on top of her, and she found it increasingly difficult to breathe.
- It won't be long now... - it whispered in her ear, and then she opened her eyes. She lay in the same position, staring at the ceiling and still feeling the strange weight on her.
She twisted onto her back, and her heart was beating like crazy. She carefully looked around the room, but saw nothing.
- What was that? So very frightening - she whispered.
She raised herself to a sitting position, and then tears flowed from her eyes. She hid her face between her knees and burst into tears.
She had had enough of everything. Why did this happen to her? Why couldn't she live a normal life with a family that would love her?
- I don't want to die at such a young age.... I still have so much ahead of me.
She lifted her face when she heard the creak of a door. Her best friend entered the room and immediately ran to her when he saw the state she was in. He sat on the edge of the bed and took her in his arms.
- Please don't cry, Chanmi. The sight of your sad face makes my heart steal. I would rather not see you suffering after so many years when I managed to meet you again.
She cried on his shoulder, not controlling her emotions, and then he hugged her even tighter.