Chapter 106
Ye jun
I woke up way too early that morning with my ribs still yelling at me every time I breathed wrong, but Dad was already blasting around the house like someone had promised him a million bucks if he got us out the door on time. "Boys, come on! Cars are packed! We don’t want to keep the Thais waiting!" he shouted up the stairs while I stood in my room staring at the empty spot where my duffel bag used to be. Yeah, still gone. Si Woo had done a great job hiding it somewhere I couldn’t find even after tearing my closet apart twice.
I yanked on a hoodie, pulled the sleeves down over the fading bruises, and stomped downstairs. Si Woo was already by the front door, keys in hand, looking like he hadn’t slept much either. His hair stuck up in weird directions and those red flecks in his eyes kept flashing every time he glanced my way. "You’re riding with me," he said before I could even open my mouth.
"Like hell I am," I shot back, grabbing my small backpack. "Dad can drive me. Or I’ll walk. Fresh air might do me good after all your bullshit."
Dad popped his head in from the garage. "Ye Jun, stop arguing and get in the car with your brother. We’re taking two vehicles anyway. Saves time." He winked like this was some fun family adventure instead of the trap it actually was. "Ohm’s family is already heading up. Big weekend ahead!"
I groaned loud enough for the neighbors to hear and shoved past Si Woo. "Fine. But if you pull any caveman crap on the drive, I’m jumping out at the first red light."
Si Woo just smirked, that tired, annoying smirk, and grabbed my backpack before I could stop him. "You talk big for someone who still flinches when I get too close."
"Shut up," I muttered, but I followed him to his car because fighting Dad on this would only make everything worse. The drive started quietly. Too quiet. I stared out the window at the passing buildings turning into trees while Si Woo kept one hand on the wheel and the other tapping the gear shift like he wanted to punch something.
After about twenty minutes he cleared his throat. "You still mad about the bag?"
I laughed, short and mean. "Mad? Nah. I love when my stepbrother treats me like a runaway puppy he has to lock up. Really warms my heart. You gonna hide my shoes next? My phone? Maybe chain me to the bed at the cabin so I don’t embarrass you in front of Ohm?"
His grip tightened on the wheel. "I said I was sorry about the bruises. What more do you want? You were the one smiling at that guy like he hung the damn moon."
"Because he asked about my day without growling or grabbing my wrist, genius. Novel concept, right? Being nice." I turned in the seat to face him. "And yeah, I’m still mad. You hide my stuff, you pin me against walls, you scent the whole house like a jealous dog, and then you hug me like that and expect me to just forget? My ribs still hurt, Si Woo. Every laugh, every breath, it reminds me."
He sighed heavy, eyes flicking to me then back to the road. "I know. I hate that I did that. But you keep poking me with him. Texting? Laughing at his jokes? What am I supposed to do?"
"Not act like I’m your property?" I snapped. "Newsflash, I’m not. Dad’s deal doesn’t mean you own me."
We went back and forth like that the whole way, voices rising then dropping when we remembered Dad was in the car ahead. Si Woo would mutter something about "that polished prick" and I’d fire back with "at least he doesn’t leave marks" and his eyes would go redder. By the time we pulled up to the ferry for the island, my throat felt raw and my chest tight in that stupid way it always got around him.
The island cabin was actually pretty nice once we got there big wooden place right by the lake with a long dock and trees all around. Ohm’s family had already arrived. Their cars sat parked neatly out front. We unloaded bags while Dad clapped Si Woo on the back and told him to "be on his best behavior." Yeah, good luck with that.
Inside, the place smelled like fresh wood and whatever Thai food they were already prepping. Ohm’s parents greeted us with big smiles and polite bows. Ohm stood right behind them, looking fresh and put-together in a simple button-down, hair perfect. His younger brother, waved awkwardly. Their little sister, peeked out shyly then ran off giggling when Dad tried to say hello in broken Thai.
"Ohm," Dad boomed, shaking hands. "Great to see you again."
Ohm’s eyes lit up when they landed on me. "Ye Jun. You made it. Looking good after that dinner the other night." He stepped closer and gave me this warm smile that actually reached his eyes. "I was worried the drive might tire you out. Lake air helps though. If you want, after we settle in I can show you the best spot by the water at night. Stars look insane out here."
I felt Si Woo stiffen beside me like someone had poked him with a hot iron. "Sounds nice," I said, letting my voice go a little brighter on purpose. "I’d love that. Tell me more about the lake later?"
Si Woo’s leg bumped mine hard as we moved toward the living room. I didn’t look at him.
Dinner happened fast after everyone unpacked. The long table in the open kitchen-dining area got covered with food grilled stuff, spicy salads, rice, things I didn’t even know the names of but smelled amazing. We all sat down and Dad started talking business right away with Ohm’s dad, laughing too loud at every joke. His mom kept offering more food to everyone, especially his kid sister who kept stealing glances at me and giggling.
I ended up squeezed between Si Woo and Ohm because of how the seats worked out. Perfect. Si Woo dropped into the chair right next to me so fast I barely had time to breathe. His thigh pressed against mine under the table immediately, warm and solid, like he was marking territory without saying a word. Every few minutes his hand would brush my leg "by accident" while he reached for something, fingers lingering a second too long.
Ohm, on my other side, stayed all charming and easy. "Ye Jun, you have to try this one," he said, spooning some spicy salad onto my plate. "It’s my mom’s recipe. Not too hot if you’re careful." He laughed when I took a bite and my eyes watered a little. "Okay, maybe a bit hot. Here, drink this." He poured me a cold drink from the pitcher, his fingers brushing mine when he handed it over.
Si Woo’s hand landed on my thigh again, higher this time, squeezing once before he pulled it back like nothing happened. "Pass the rice," he muttered, voice low and rough.
Ohm didn’t miss a beat. "Quiet spots are the best. The dock at night is perfect for that. No noise, just water and stars. I’ll show you after dinner if you’re up for it, Ye Jun. We can skip the boring adult talk."
"That sounds great," I said, smiling right at him while I leaned into the table a bit so my shoulder wasn’t touching Si Woo’s. "Lead the way whenever."
Si Woo’s leg pressed harder against mine. I felt his whole body tense, that alpha scent of his spiking strong enough that even I noticed it cutting through the food smells. His eyes kept flickering with those red flashes every time Ohm opened his mouth. He was barely holding it together, knuckles white around his chopsticks.
The younger brother, tried to join in. "Phii, tell them about the time you fell in the lake last year!"
Ohm grinned and launched into the story, making it funny, waving his hands. I laughed along, really laughed, because part of me wanted to see Si Woo squirm. Yeah, I was still angry. Still hurt from the bruises and the hidden bag and all the times he’d grabbed me like I belonged to him. Laughing at Ohm’s jokes felt like payback, small and sharp and satisfying.
"Careful," Si Woo muttered close to my ear while everyone else chuckled at the story. "Keep laughing like that and I might do something stupid."
I turned my head just enough to whisper back, "Do it. See if I care. Maybe Ohm will drive me home if you lose it."
His hand brushed my thigh again, this time not pulling away right away. Fingers pressed in light, almost gentle, right over where one bruise still ached. I sucked in a breath but didn’t move. My body reacted anyway, that stupid flip in my stomach mixing with the anger until I didn’t know which was stronger.
By the time plates got cleared I was full and buzzing. Si Woo stood up fast when everyone started moving. "Ye Jun. Walk with me. Need to talk."
I raised an eyebrow. "Talk? Now? We talked the whole drive."
"Now," he said, voice low but not leaving room for argument. His hand closed around my wrist, not hard like before but firm enough that I felt the pull. I let him tug me toward the back door because fighting in front of everyone would just make Dad ask questions.
Outside the night air hit cooler, lake sounds soft in the background. Si Woo didn’t stop until we were a good distance from the cabin, near the trees where the light from the windows barely reached. He spun me around and backed me up against the rough bark of a big tree, one hand on my shoulder, the other bracing beside my head. Not pinning hard. Gentle this time, but close enough that his chest almost touched mine.
"Stop," he said, breathing heavy. "Just stop with him. The laughing, the smiling, the ’show me the lake’ crap. You’re doing it to mess with me and it’s working. I know I screwed up with the bruises. I know I hid the bag. I’m sorry, okay? I keep saying it but you keep pushing."
I tilted my chin up, heart pounding loud in my ears. "Pushing? Me? You’re the one who can’t sit through dinner without your hand on my leg the whole time. What, marking me in front of his whole family? Real subtle, Si Woo. Real alpha."
His forehead dropped closer, almost touching mine. That scent flooded everything, warm and messy and way too much. "Because you’re mine to look out for. Not his. Not anyone’s. Every time he looks at you like he wants to take you somewhere private it makes me want to drag you upstairs and fuck. I’m trying here. I’m trying not to grab you hard again. But you keep testing me."
I laughed, but it came out shaky. "Testing? I was just eating dinner. Being polite. You’re the one who’s losing it over a guy pouring me a drink. Pathetic, honestly. Big bad stepbrother reduced to thigh-grabbing under the table like some kid."
He shifted closer, body pressing me back against the tree just enough that I felt every inch of him. His nose brushed along my jaw, scenting me heavy, slow breaths that made my knees want to buckle. "I hate this," he whispered, voice rough and cracking at the edges. "Hate how jealous I get. Hate that I left marks on you. But I don’t hate you. Never did. Stay close tonight. Don’t go off with him. Please."
My hands came up without thinking, pushing at his chest but not really pushing. My body betrayed me again, leaning into the warmth, heart racing stupid fast while my brain screamed at me to shove him away. "You suck at apologizing," I muttered, voice smaller than I wanted. "One hug last time and now this? You think scenting me against a tree fixes the bruises? Fixes you hiding my stuff so I can’t leave?"
"I know it doesn’t," he said, pulling back just enough to look at me. His eyes had that red glow but softer now, mixed with something that looked almost scared. "But I don’t know how else to show you I mean it. Don’t run. Not this weekend. Not when he’s here smiling at you like that."
I opened my mouth to snap something back, something sarcastic about how his jealousy wasn’t my problem, but the words stuck because his thumb brushed my cheek light and careful and my chest squeezed so tight it hurt worse than the bruises.
Right then footsteps crunched on the gravel behind us. "Hey, you two! There you are."
Ohm’s voice cut through the dark, cheerful and clueless. He walked up carrying a couple of cues, grinning like he hadn’t just interrupted whatever the hell this was. "We’re setting up the snooker table inside. It’s an old one but it works. You guys want to play? Kit’s already bragging he’ll beat everyone. Ploy wants to watch."
Si Woo froze, body still close to mine for another second before he stepped back fast, running a hand through his hair. His eyes flashed bright red again. "Snooker?" he said, voice tight. "Now?"
"Yeah, why not?" I said, forcing a grin even though my legs felt shaky and my skin still tingled where he’d been pressed against me. I slipped past him toward Ohm. "I’m in. Never played much but I’m a fast learner. Show me how it goes, Ohm?"
Ohm laughed and handed me a cue. "Sure thing. Come on, it’s easy once you get the hang of it. I’ll walk you through the rules first."
We headed back inside, Si Woo trailing behind us like a storm cloud. The snooker table sat in the big rec room off the living area. His brother was already chalking a cue, his swisher perched on a stool swinging her legs. The adults had moved to the porch with drinks, their voices drifting in.
Ohm stood next to me at the table, explaining stuff quick and patient. "Okay, so more balls than regular pool. Red ones worth one point, then the colors in order yellow two, green three, and so on up to black seven. You have to hit reds first, then a color, alternate like that. Goal is to clear the table with the highest score."