The next time Jongin saw her, it was during their lunch break on the next work day. She was visibly down, but she sat on the bench next to him. He doesn’t bother asking, and she is staring at her feet.

He knew a little more about the story now. Kyungsoo had texted him that his mom said that Chaeyeon’s parents had taken away her phone because she had come home so late. Since when was ten at night defined as late? And she was a college graduate, not fourteen.

“How was meeting the guy?” Jongin asked gently, crossing his legs and shoving a piece of kimbap into his mouth.

“Rotten.” turned down even more. “All he did was brag and then he looked down my top.”

And as she’s distracted, he lifted her chin. She quieted as he turned her face, and his fingers traced at where the bruise had been. He could tell that she had some makeup on top. Her bottom lip trembled a little, and she pushed his hand away.

“They said that I was being selfish and they were watching out for me.” She buried her head into his shoulder. “And that if I wanted to move up the company, I should do what they say. They are trying to secure my future or something.”

“They’re scared that you’re going to leave too,” Jongin murmured, tucking a lock of her hair behind her ear before wrapping an arm around her shoulders. Her parents had always pushed her, academically and mentally. She didn’t want to d