Winston spoke gently and kissed Yujin’s temple, then laid him back down to sleep before leaving the bedroom. He went down to the kitchen and drank a glass of water, then suddenly frowned and turned to walk in another direction. Winston headed to the bar. He noticed that the shelves along one wall, once full of liquor bottles, were quite depleted. A sigh escaped his lips unintentionally. He must have been drinking with his friends. If Yujin made friends and had a good time, wasn’t that a good thing?
Jealousy is ugly when you can’t even spend time together, Winston.
Chiding himself harshly, he calmed his emotions and headed to the bathroom. He needed to take leave as soon as possible. Once this matter was finished, they should go on a trip together for a few days. Yujin was probably very lonely. He would have to apologize and comfort him a lot.
Where would Yujin like to go? While showering, Winston thought over various places in his mind.
“Welcome, Andrew. You really came alone.”
Yujin greeted him at the door with obvious happiness. Andrew had come alone as promised the last time he visited. His eyes looked clearer than usual and his hair was neatly combed back, making him look quite like a Campbell family member. Yujin was happy and glad again to see him looking sober, smiling repeatedly.
“Come in. Want something to drink? You’ve quit drinking now, right?”
“Yeah.”
Andrew nodded. Yujin’s cheeks flushed red with joy.
“Then tea would be good. Come on in quickly. I’ll make some. I have some delicious fruit tea.”
Pulling Andrew’s hand urging him to hurry, he awkwardly followed Yujin inside. Yujin sat him on the sofa and quickly went to the kitchen to get teacups, scoop tea leaves, and bustle about.
“How do you feel? Are you okay? I heard it’s really hard for a while after quitting drugs.”
“I’m fine.”
Andrew answered while watching Yujin bustling about.
“I wasn’t even addicted to begin with. I just did it lightly a few times, that’s all.”
“I see.”
Not knowing much about that, Yujin simply accepted it.
“Well, that’s a relief. Glad you’re done now.”
There should be some cut lemon somewhere.
While the water boiled, Yujin rummaged through the cupboard looking for other ingredients. Just as he spotted a jar containing irregularly shaped brown sugar and reached to put it back, Andrew suddenly hugged him from behind.
“Eek...!”
Startled, a rough breath and scream burst out. He dropped the jar, shattering the ceramic and scattering sugar on the floor, but Yujin couldn’t move at all. Behind him, frozen in place, Andrew panted heavily and said,
“Forget the tea, Yujin. We have more urgent things.”
Yujin didn’t understand what he meant. Shaking and unable to make a sound, Andrew grabbed Yujin’s waist tightly with one arm and started moving his other hand at will. When his hand, rising from waist to chest, reached the nipple, Yujin nearly fainted. Something unpleasantly erect rubbed against his buttocks. He knew what it was but couldn’t admit it.
“W-what, what are you doing...?”
His voice trembled with tears.
‘Yujin, come here.’
The voice of the man he had forgotten suddenly resurfaced in his mind. The low, husky voice and shining purple eyes were vivid, as if right in front of him. He froze completely.
“Hoo, hoo.”
He felt hot, damp breath at his ear. Andrew rubbed his groin against Yujin’s buttocks, whispering continuously.
“You were looking forward to this too, weren’t you?”
“N-no, ah...”
Yujin was terrified and couldn’t even pronounce properly. Only managing a sound, Andrew sneered and chuckled.
“No use pretending to resist. Oh, is that your taste? Then I’ll do it that way.”
“N-no, no, no... aaah!”
Andrew grabbed Yujin by the hair and threw him down. Yujin screamed as he fell to the floor, and Andrew climbed on top, wildly rubbing his lips. Yujin struggled desperately to escape but was powerless against the man’s weight and strength. Tears filled his eyes with disgust and fear when—
Yujin.
Suddenly, Winston’s face came to mind. A mysterious power seemed to surge within him. He wildly flailed his hands, trying to grab anything, and at that moment caught a shard of broken ceramic. Without thinking, he swung it.
“Ugh!”
With a dreadful scream, the weight pressing on him disappeared. Yujin scrambled off the floor and looked back to see Andrew clutching one arm and groaning. Without wasting time, Yujin dashed into the bedroom.
“You damn bastard...!”
Andrew cursed and chased after him. Panicked, Yujin locked the door behind him.
“You fucking bastard, open this door! You’re going to die today, you filthy bastard! You dared to seduce me first...”
The door rattled as if it might break at any moment. Trembling with fear, Yujin frantically looked around. Finding what he was searching for, he grabbed it and shouted.
“I’m telling Winston!”
Andrew suddenly quieted at the shout. Yujin found courage and yelled again.
“I’m telling you everything you tried to do to me, I’m calling right now! Winston won’t let you get away, really!”
His heart was sincere, but reality was impossible. His phone had just died due to battery running out. Frantically pressing the power button, Yujin went pale and hurried to find the charger. Andrew, silent for a while, suddenly slammed the door. Yujin almost screamed but clamped his mouth shut, barely holding it in. From the other side came Andrew’s heavy breathing and words.
“Fine, then I’ll tell Winston you seduced me.”
“What? That’s not true!”
“You told me to come alone!”
Yujin protested, but Andrew shouted.
“I got fucked over by a bastard like you and ended up like this. If Winston finds out, will he believe me, his brother? Or some bastard like you?”
“He’ll believe me, obviously! Are you stupid?”
Yujin shouted without hesitation.
“Winston loves me. He trusts me more than anyone! Me too! Think about what Winston will do to you when he finds out what you did. He won’t forgive you, because you’re family!”
He was certain of this. Winston would trust him above all.
A heavy silence fell for a moment. Yujin, tense, stared at the door. Then, with a deep sigh, Andrew’s voice came.
“...Sorry.”
The earlier bravado was gone; Andrew apologized in a dejected voice.
“Look at what I’ve become. Please don’t tell Winston. I don’t care if he hits me or whatever... Damn it, fuck!”
Spitting out curses, he went on, helpless.
“Please, I’m sorry. I beg you. If he finds out, my mother might kick me out. If my father removes me from the will, I won’t get any inheritance.”
Fear filled Andrew’s voice. Even from his trembling tone, it was clear how cornered he was. Thanks to that, Yujin calmed down a little. He couldn’t call anyone anyway. Letting Andrew leave now while he backed off was the best option.
“Okay.”
Yujin opened his mouth with a barely calm voice.
“I won’t tell Winston. But get out of this house right now. Don’t try to trick me; CCTV sees everything. If you don’t leave within a minute...”
“Okay, okay, I’m going! I’m going now!”
Before Yujin finished speaking, Andrew shouted urgently and hurriedly left with loud footsteps. Soon after, the door sensor on the wall pad beeped that the door had opened. Yujin checked the screen and saw Andrew fleeing like a runaway. After watching the door close, Yujin finally let out a relieved sigh and collapsed to the floor.
Sugar...
Suddenly recalling the jar he’d broken earlier, Yujin shakily descended the stairs. He barely reached the kitchen, knelt down, and began gathering the scattered pieces and sugar. Suddenly fear hit him again and his breath grew rough.
“Huuu...”
Shaking his shoulders, Yujin sat down right there and started quietly sobbing.
