Sungmin found himself overly quiet in their so-called first family dinner. He doesn't know what to say and he doesn't know why
he has to be in this position? Why does it have to be Siwon and Kyuhyun for goodness' sake? He could have someone else as
step brothers but why does it have to be these 2?

"Actually, I'm very excited to meet Sungmin hyung."

He thought he heard his name. He eyed on Kyuhyun and Kyuhyun looked back showing a very fake sweet smile. He is excited to meet
me because he wants to make my life miserable! Sungmin just showed a short smile.

"Well, you have all the time you have to know my Sungmin." Lee Umma said with a genuine smile.

"Hyung, let's be good friends, be more than brothers, ok?" Kyuhyun said looking at his eyes, sending message through those
horribly frightening orbs as if saying you better say yes or my eyes will kill you.

Sungmin chuckled shortly and nodded. "That- that sounds great." he said forcing himself not to be obvious that he doesn't like
the thought of Kyuhyun staying under the same roof as him. Be good friends? Kill me, ok?!

"I look forward to knowing you more, Sungmin Hyung." Kyuhyun said sending him freaky stares which makes Sungmin swallowed with fright.

Sungmin looked down and still wonder how he could ever escape this situation when his eyes suddenly saw Siwon being quiet and
is just eating his meal. Siwon looked up and met his eyes making Sungmin blushed immediately as he knows they both remember
what has happened last week. His overly failed confession. Siwon swallowed shortly and smiled.

Sungmin smiled awkwardly in return. How could Siwon smile like that as if nothing happened? Oh dear Lord, he would swear he'd
give everything to take back everything he did on that day. He sighed. He's life is such a misery.

*******************************************

"Sungmin ah..." Mr. Choi called him as he take his bag from the receiving area. He looked at the older man who seemed to be hesitant
about what he wants to say. "Are you... I mean..."

Sungmin looked down. He needs to take this opportunity to talk to Mr. Choi. "Mr. Choi, I'll be honest with you." he said in a gentle,
respectful manner. "I'm not comfortable with this set-up." he looked down and thought of how to say it. "I like the fact that you
seem to be sincere with my mom but... I don't think I'll be comfortable staying in your house as a part of your family."

"You are part of my family now... because you are your mom's son...and I sincerely love your mom, Sungmin ah..."

Sungmin smiled shortly as he looked down. "I can see that Mr. Choi...but..." he blew air to get his courage. "I can't rely on you to
support me as well." he clenched his jaw for a while. He has his pride and he has to stand for it.

"At least let me serve the family. As a payment for my lodging..."

"Lodging?" Mr. Choi doesn't get it. "Sungmin ah..."

"I cannot do everything well...but let me help you manage the house; do the house keeping, do the laundry... anything."

"You'll be my son soon... I don't think that's a good idea-"

"I think it is..." Sungmin insisted. "Because I only have one dad." he looked down suddenly feeling shy that he finally said what is
on his mind. He bit his lips guilty that he let it slip off his tongue just like that. "I hope you understand."

Mr. Choi sighed but with a smile. "Your dad is proud of you, Sungmin ah. I'm not here to take away his place. I'm here to continue
what he wasn't able to fulfill...and that's to take care of you and your mom."

"Still... I insist that..."

"I can't argue with you about this, can I?" Mr. Choi asked with a smile, trying to laugh away Sungmin's seriousness. Sungmin just looked
down shyly. "If that'll make you feel comfortable in this house, then so be it." Mr. Choi said cooly. "But... I hope you'll learn to
love this new family and make yourself part of it..."

"Thank you, Mr. Choi."

"Alright, Siwon is waiting for you, he'll show you to your bedroom."

"My bedroom?" He thought Mr. Choi said he'll be sharing room with Kyuhyun...not that he is complaining about this new set-up, in fact,
maybe this is the first and only good thing about staying here.

"Well, I don't think my new son will be comfortable in that room. It's like a jungle in there." Mr. Choi said chuckling on his own
humor. Sungmin nodded and bowed slightly before taking his leave.

-------------------------------------------

Siwon walked with him in his new bedroom. "This will be your room. It's quite smaller than the other rooms because
it was a former guest room. We had it fixed recently when Appa said he will be taking you guys in. I hope you don't mind."

Sungmin shook his head quickly. "I'm fine with this. No matter how small this room is, I'm quite sure my room in my former house
is still smaller." he said and freed and awkward laughter. He doesn't have a room in their former house. The wooden bed where
he sits while making the kimchi, the wooden bed where his mom sleeps, the wooden bed they use in drying some of their
clothes, is the same wooden bed where he sleeps. There is no room other than the cramped kitchen and small toilet. And from there
he's not quite sure whether he can sleep in a comfortable wide house.

"Well, if you will need any help, my room is over there." Siwon said pointing at the left wing. Sungmin nodded and smiled at
him.

It was the first time he saw Siwon smiling at him. He has been a prince from a far for Sungmin. He always watches the taller
man from behind. His gentle aura and his handsome face has been in his dreams for a number of times and he knows he has really
developed a one-sided love for him. Right now, the person in front of him takes him as a brother. Why the hell did he even
thought of confessing? It was a good thing Siwon rejected him.

Siwon was about to walked when Sungmin called him shortly. "Siwon ah..." he said stopping the taller man from walking away.
The taller man looked at him with a questioning look. Sungmin smiled awkwardly and meet his eyes. "How long have you known
that your dad has been dating my mom?"

"Not so long ago. But I've heard about him wanting to marry your mom before last week so..."

Sungmin nodded. Now he knows that Siwon rejected him because he has a prior knowledge about this. "It'll be awkward to be in a
relationship with you since I know you'll be my stepbrother." Siwon said, sincerity in his eyes can be seen and a gentle smile
only for him.

"Of course..." Sungmin said as he nodded with a smile. How stupid of him to think of being in a relationship with his very own
stepbrother. But he doesn't know it at that time. What could have happened if their parents aren't going to get married? He looked
at Siwon again. "Well... goodnight. Thanks for your help."

He entered the room and Siwon walked towards his own room. He lied down on the queen-sized bed and placed his arm on his forehead.
What could have been if they were not stepbrothers? Siwon has been thinking about that since the day he has rejected Sungmin.

Sungmin was amazed with his room. Indeed it was smaller than the other rooms but heck, he felt like this 'small' room is as big
as their former house. The bed is nicely queen-sized with everything pearl white and moss green. He swear this is the first time
he has seen such a beautiful room. He has his own bathroom just like the other rooms and the windows are big enough for the wind
to enter just nicely. He sat on his bed and smiled widely. He has never sat on a soft bed.

He placed his baggage down and went in the bathroom for a quick bath before sleeping. His bathroom is a small haven too. He has his
own bath tub and a separate shower area. The scent of jasmine and lavender calmed him right after he entered in it. He took his time
to shower and to scrub his body. Indeed, this is a better life. Although, he's quite sure he'll pay for everything that he is enjoying
with his own will but... it's just great being in this place.

He sat on his bed as he dried his hair with the towel and placed it on a chair at the side. He placed his feet inside the thick
blanket and slid his whole body inside as well. He sighed. This is nice. He has never slept in such a soft bed. He bet angels will
be coming to his dreams tonight.

However, before he could even breath in the calming scent of his new room, he felt an arm snaking his body. What the hell? He sat up
immediately and saw Kyuhyun lying down on the same bed as his. What heck is he doing there? How did he even get in?

"Hyung... you didn't lock the door." he said as he rested his head on his palm, elbow resting on the pillow.

"W-what are you doing here?" Sungmin asked nervously. Is he going to get back on him after shouting and throwing a crumpled
paper on his face? Does Kyuhyun not like the thought of having another family that's why he's going to make Sungmin's life miserable? Or maybe
Kyuhyun just hated him so much and he didn't want to have another brother? . What the hell is he doing in his room?!

"I'm gonna be sleeping here."

*Author's note: woah! wait guys, calm down! I haven't uploaded the
10th chapter and there are 100++ subscribers?! well, i'm not complaining
but...yeah...i don't know hahaha. i feel the bliss and the pressure at the
same time *blush* i'm taking this positively as i know that everyone here
trusts me and likes the way I write my stories but yeah, halfly i am a little pressured.
it's just me, ok?!  and I love MDL, I won't compete with it hahahaa! *kidding
...are you guys going to break the record for me?!

I've seen some new people and old... oops... familiar people around. thanks
for the support. promise to stay with me until the end? although, honestly i haven't thought
of how the ending will be because i feel like i just started this story again. I told you
that this is inspired by Devil Beside You, right? but don't expect the exact thing to
appear here, i don't intend to write something that you guys have already seen :)
some parts are just inspired by the series, ok??

Comments and Subscriptions are loved kekekekekeke~!^^