Chapter 105
Ye Jun
I woke up to the sound of my own heartbeat pounding in my ears like it had a grudge against me for not getting on that bus last night.
My eyes felt gritty from all the almost-crying I did before I finally passed out, and when I rolled over in bed the first thing I saw was Si Woo.
He was slumped in the chair by my desk, legs stretched out, arms crossed tight over his chest, looking like absolute hell. Hair all messed up, dark circles under his eyes, and yeah, that faint red still flickering in them like he hadn’t slept a wink. The duffel bag I had half-packed was gone from the closet. Of course it was. He probably snuck in here at some point and hid it because god forbid I actually do something for myself.
I sat up fast, rubbing my face hard with both hands. "What the fuck are you doing in my room? Stalking me now? That’s new. Usually you just wait till I’m in the hallway to grab my wrist like some caveman."
Si Woo didn’t move at first. He just stared at me, jaw tight, like he was trying to decide whether to yell or throw something. Then he let out this long breath that sounded more like a growl. "You think this is funny? Sneaking around in the middle of the night after that bullshit dinner? I heard you moving around. Thought about dragging you out of bed right then but figured you’d scream the house down and ruin dad’s precious deal."
"Oh wow, look at you being all considerate," I shot back, swinging my legs over the side of the bed and standing up even though my whole body felt heavy and sore from the bruises that were still yelling at me every time I moved. I kept my sleeves pulled down low. "Real big of you. So what, you stole my bag? Hidden it somewhere so I can’t leave? That’s mature. Real alpha behavior right there. Bet that makes you feel all big and strong."
He stood up too, fast, chair scraping loud against the floor. "I didn’t steal shit. I moved it so you wouldn’t do something dumb like run off in the dark and get yourself hurt. You really think I’d just let you walk out after everything? After you spent the whole dinner smiling at that rich prick like you were two seconds from hopping in his not so fancy car? It’s not even as good as mine. "
I laughed, short and sharp, the kind that didn’t reach anywhere near my eyes. "There it is. The jealousy again. You couldn’t even eat your food last night because Ohm asked me how my day was. Poor Si Woo, big bad stepbrother getting all twisted up because someone was actually nice to me without treating me like a bargaining chip or a toy. Must be killing you. Want me to text him right now? Say thanks for last night, maybe ask if he wants to grab coffee later? Bet that would make your eyes go full red again. It’d be hilarious."
"Don’t." His voice dropped low and rough, and he took a step closer. I flinched without meaning to when his hand twitched like he wanted to grab my arm again. The bruises from before flared up hot under my sleeve and I pulled back quick, bumping into the edge of the bed. Si Woo noticed. Of course he noticed. His face did something weird, like it cracked for half a second, the red in his eyes dimming a bit. "Shit. Ye Jun. Last night... I shouldn’t have grabbed you like that. Not after... fuck. I know I went too far with the bruises. I was pissed and jealous and you were pushing every button on purpose with that secret little smile you kept giving him."
I crossed my arms, trying to keep my voice steady even though my chest felt like someone was squeezing it. "Pushing buttons? Me? Nah, I was just being a good son. Helping the family, remember? Whatever helps the family. That’s what I told dad and that’s what I told you. One dinner. Play nice. Smile for the rich guy. You were the one vibrating in your seat like you wanted to flip the table every time he looked at me. And now you’re in here playing guard dog because I almost left? Hilarious. Really. I almost want to laugh but my ribs hurt too much from all your ’affection’ lately."
He ran a hand through his hair, messing it up even more, and sighed this heavy sigh that made him look smaller than usual. "You think I like this? You think I enjoy feeling like I’m losing my mind every time that Ohm guy opens his mouth around you? He’s all polished and patient and shit, rolling up with his loud music and expensive wine like he’s better than all of us. And you... you were eating it up. Laughing at his jokes, sitting right next to him. I know you were doing it to mess with me. To twist the knife because you’re mad. But running away? Packing a bag like some kid running from home? That’s not you fixing anything. That’s you bailing and leaving me here wondering where the hell you went."
"Oh please," I said, rolling my eyes so hard it almost hurt. "Leaving you? Like you’d actually miss me instead of just missing your favorite punching bag or whatever I am to you on a Tuesday. You only get all red-eyed and possessive when someone else shows up. The rest of the time I’m just the annoying stepbrother you can shove around when dad’s not looking. Admit it. This whole thing is about control. Not me. Never been about me."
Si Woo stepped even closer, close enough that I could smell that alpha scent of his that always got stronger when he was worked up. It hit me hard, making my stomach flip in that stupid way I hated. I didn’t back up this time even though every part of me wanted to. "It’s not just control, you idiot. You think I don’t know I’ve been an asshole? I do. Last night after you went upstairs I sat in my room replaying every shitty thing I’ve done and yeah, it sucked. But you can’t just disappear. Not like that. Not when dad’s got this deal cooking with Ohm’s family and one wrong move blows everything up. We have to play along for a bit longer."
I snorted. "Play along. Right. Because that’s worked out so great for me so far. Bruises, fake smiles, and you hiding me like I’m your prisoner. Super healthy family dynamic we’ve got going. Maybe I should thank Ohm for the dinner. At least he didn’t leave marks."
"Stop talking about him." Si Woo’s voice got sharper, the red flashing brighter for a second before he caught himself. He reached out slowly this time, not grabbing, just his fingers brushing my sleeve where the bruises were. I flinched again but didn’t pull away. "I’m sorry about the marks. For real. I was out of line. But you keep poking me with that Ohm shit and I... fuck, Ye Jun. It drives me crazy because I know what you’re doing. You’re testing me. Seeing if I’ll explode so you have an excuse to run."
"Yeah well maybe I am," I muttered, looking away because staring at his wrecked face was making my throat tight. "Maybe I’m tired of being the family glue that everyone steps on. Dad’s all excited about this business thing and you’re all jealous alpha mode and I’m just supposed to sit there and take it with a smile. One more dinner, one more trip, whatever. Then what? I stick around for more of this? Sounds fun. Sign me up."
He didn’t say anything for a beat, just stood there breathing heavy. Then dad yelled from downstairs, voice all cheerful and loud like he had no clue what was happening up here. "Boys! Breakfast! And Ye Jun, get down here quick. Got some good news about the deal with Ohm’s family. We’re all going on a little weekend thing next week. Cabin by the lake. Bonding time, business talks, the works. Can’t have you missing it, son. This could be huge for us!"
I groaned loud enough for the whole house to hear. "See? Trapped. Again. Dad drops the family outing bomb and suddenly I can’t disappear without looking like the ungrateful stepkid who ruined everything. Perfect timing. Thanks universe. Really feeling the love right now."
Si Woo let out a short laugh that sounded more tired than anything. "Told you. We have to stick it out. At least for the weekend. After that... we talk."
"Talk," I repeated. "Sure. Because our talks always go so well. You growl, I jokf my way out, someone ends up with bruises or a hidden bag. Super productive. Maybe this time you can apologize again while you’re at it. ’Sorry I treated you like shit but please don’t leave because dad needs the deal.’ Real touching."
He grabbed my wrist then, gentle this time, thumb brushing over the sleeve without pressing. "I’m not good at this apologizing thing. You know that. But last night... seeing you smile at him for real, even a little... it hit different. Made me realize I don’t want you gone. Not like that. Stay for the trip. We’ll figure the rest out."
I yanked my arm back but not as hard as I could have. My heart was doing that annoying flip again and I hated it. "Figure it out. Right. While you’re scenting the air like that and making me feel all... ugh. I hate how much my body reacts to your stupid crap even when my brain is screaming run. It’s not fair. You get to be all wrecked and sorry and I get to stand here wondering why the hell a hug from you would probably feel too good right now even after everything."
Si Woo’s eyes softened a fraction, the red fading more. He pulled me in then, arms wrapping around me in this awkward but solid hug before I could dodge. His chin rested on top of my head and that scent wrapped around me thicker, warm and messy and way too comforting. I stiffened at first, bruises protesting, but then my shoulders slumped a little. I didn’t hug back. Not fully. But I didn’t push him off either.
"See? This is what I mean," I mumbled into his chest, voice all muffled but cracking at the edges. "You do this and suddenly I don’t want to leave as bad. It’s annoying. You’re annoying. Big dumb jealous stepbrother who hides bags and apologizes like it’s pulling teeth. I should text Ohm anyway just to watch you squirm more. Bet he’d be nicer on the lake trip. No hidden bags from him."
"Try it and I’ll throw your phone in the lake," he muttered back, but there was no real heat in it. His arms tightened a bit, like he was scared I’d slip away if he let go. "Just... don’t run. Not yet. Give me the weekend. Please."
I sighed, long and rambly, feeling that exhaustion settle in deep mixed with this stupid longing I didn’t want to name. "Fine. Weekend. But only because dad’s announcement trapped me and because your hug is stupidly warm even when I want to punch you. After that? Who knows. Maybe I’ll still bail and leave you to explain to dad why his perfect deal boy ran off. Wouldn’t that be funny? Me on a bus somewhere laughing while you’re stuck here with red eyes and no one to be jealous over."
He didn’t laugh. Just held on tighter for another second before letting go slow. "Breakfast. Before dad comes up here yelling again. And Ye Jun... I’m watching you. No more secret packing."
I felt that pull again, the hate-how-much-I-want-this feeling twisting in my gut. The bruises still ached when I moved wrong. The bag was still hidden somewhere. But sitting there with Si Woo’s eyes on me, dad’s oblivious chatter filling the room, and that leftover warmth from the hug lingering... yeah. Running didn’t feel as simple as it did last night.
I hated it. All of it. The way my chest hurt with missing something I hadn’t even left yet. The way my thoughts kept bubbling up to cover how close I was to cracking and just telling him how tired I was of fighting this pull. But I kept the grin on, kept the jabs coming, because what else was I supposed to do? Cry at the table? No thanks. I’d save the real sad stuff for when no one was looking. For now it was breakfast, fake family plans, and Si Woo watching me like I was the only thing that mattered even if he sucked at saying it.
Part of me wanted to laugh at how messed up it all was. The other part wanted to curl up and finally let the tears out because yeah, I was stuck. And worse? Some stupid part of me didn’t totally mind it right now, bruises and all.
I couldn’t wait forthe week end trip tho.