—

[Heechul's Pov] 

“You have to sleep now.” I softly said and gently brushed her hair.

“But...” She pouted and gave me a look, I should say a cute one.

“It's getting late and If your uncle comes home and see you still awake, he might scold us.” I jokingly said and she crossed her arms.

“Don't go anywhere, okay? Just stay beside me while I'm sleeping.”

“I will.” After a long debate with Nini, she finally agreed to sleep and I had to stay next to her until she fell asleep. I haven't had my dinner and I'm kind of hungry.

After an hour, she drifted herself to sleep while I was caressing her hair, helping Nini to sleep comfortably. I could hear my stomach growling so I stood up and slowly made my way outside.

I went downstairs and straight up into the kitchen. I opened the fridge to see what they had but got disappointed when I saw none.

They were out of stock. I haven't checked the refrigerator yet. The other ingredients they have are placed on the drawers and this is my first time opening the fridge so I have no idea it's empty.

“What should I eat?” I whispered, rummaging the fridge and see what I could eat at this hour.

A potato, bacon and lettuce. Maybe I can fry the potatoes and turn them into chips and I can wrap the bacon inside the lettuce. Aish okay, I'll have this for now.

I chopped the potatoes and fried them along the bacon. It only took me a while to prepare my dinner and after that, I prepared everything on the table and sat down.

I was about to eat when someone rang the doorbell. I sighed and abruptly stood up to open the door when I reached the doorknob, I slowly opened it and he was already standing in front of me.

“Why you took so long?” He asked and rolled his eyes.

“I was busy preparing my food. I'm sorry.” I replied and moved a bit so that he could get inside.

“You haven't had your dinner yet? Oh I bought this one and we can have this together.” Jungsoo said as he raised the paper bag he had in his hand and went straight to the dining table. I quietly followed him behind and when he sat down, I sat down on the other side. He unpacked the foods he bought and prepared everything on the table.

“Let's eat.” Jungsoo said as he started eating. We had a peaceful kind of late dinner but also comfortable one.

I quite enjoy our dinner and he seems in a mood tonight. I hope he's always like this cause I hate it when I have to deal with his mood swings.

“How's everything? Was she a good girl?” He was the one who spoke to me and started a conversation.

“Everything's fine and she really is a good one. I don't know if I should talk about this topic...” I said as my words trailed off and was a bit hesitant.

“Spill it. I don't mind.” Jungsoo replied and only focused on eating.

“She told me a story about her life.” I began. He dropped off the utensils he was using as he stared at me; completely speechless of what he just heard.

“R-really?”

“Hmm. I admire her for being strong and she's so positive. Not everyone could go through it but her, she's different. I'm glad at least I helped her.” I responded and smiled a bit.

“She opened up to you?”

“She did. She even said that I was the one who saved her but I know, you saved her too. She's just a kid so she's probably having a hard time to figure everything out. Anyway, it's a good thing that she's finally getting brave to open up a sensitive topic. I know she took so long to mustered up all her courage and I'm so proud of your niece.” I explained and my eyes were on him, observing his reaction.

“I think she feels so comfortable around you that's why she brought up the topic. Did she say something else?” He asked, curiously.

“She hopes she can save me too.” I whispered, I don't know if he heard it but I just wanted to vent out the things I had inside my mind and chest.

“Save you too? Why?” My eyes snapped open and shook my head.

“N-nothing. I was talking to myself.” I lied, waving my hands off in front of him.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. I'm sure.” I said, reassuring him and I'm glad he didn't push it anymore and let the topic go.

“Are you done eating?” I asked, trying to change the topic. 

“Oh yes.” He answered and finished all the foods he had in the plate.

“Let me wash the dishes and you should rest now.” I insisted and took all our plates.

“Okay, I'll go upstairs first. Thank you.” He said, I nodded. When he went upstairs, I sat down again and placed my head on the table. I turned into the other side and bore my eyes on a picture frame.

“My heart is hurting... I couldn't breathe... I feel something heavy in my chest... Why? Why can't I be myself? I miss the old me. I wanted to start a new beginning but how? How dare I? I never deserved it... I never.” I said, hitting myself as the tears finally escaped from my eyes.

—

[Jungsoo's Pov] 

“My heart is hurting... I couldn't breathe... I feel something heavy in my chest... Why? Why can't I be myself? I miss the old me. I wanted to start a new beginning but how? How dare I? I never deserved it... I never.”

I shook my head and tried to brush off the things I had in my mind. I haven't gotten a proper sleep last night because of the heartbreaking words I've heard from Heechul those s keep me up all night.

“Are you okay? You look unwell.” Ara said as she entered my office.

“I'm f