“How did you know I was there?”

“Aunt Jung called me last night, telling me that you didn’t get home from school. Then Junmyeon hyung called this morning, telling that he found you. Don’t you know that everyone was so worried? How could you be so careless?!” The man couldn’t help but raised his voice at her. “I looked for you the whole night, driving down the street to every single corner of the town!” He stopped to take a breath. “When will you stop making me worried? Goddammit!”

Aerin seemed to be offended by his raised tone. Tears were already pooling on her eyes as she listened to the man’s words. “I fainted, just so you know.” A lone tear slipped out of her eyes. “And this kind-hearted man brought me to his place and took care of me.”

“You should’ve called me right away! How if he weren’t a good person, how if he just want to—“

“I was ing unconscious the scene was taking up my life again and again,” she harshly wiped the tear rolling down her cheek and snapped. “How do you expect me to ca—“

Even before she finished, the man suddenly hugged her tightly. “I’m sorry…” He breathed, “I’m really sorry…” Her words and tone actually knocked his senses. The girl wriggled trying to let go of him, but he only tighten his hug and not letting her go. “I was just so scared. I don’t want something bad happen to you.”

When she realised that she couldn’t escape this giant, the girl just slowly circled her arms on his waist. He was just worried, and she understood. “I am okay, Chan. That’s all that matters now.”

“Promise me… Promise me you won’t go anywhere by yourself anymore.” Chanyeol her hair affectionately. “Please…”

Aerin only smiled and patted his back. “I promise.”

Chanyeol drove his Audi down the street in silence, but his hand never once left Aerin’s. He was holding her hand all the way through her house. Aerin herself, feeling a bit guilty, didn’t even try to let go of his hand. There’s something calming with the way he squeezed her hand every once in a while, making sure that she was real and still there with him. But it was just different.

Aerin threw her gaze outside. Her mind casually brought her back to this morning when she opened her eyes. She was longing for that rare feeling of security she felt earlier. Aerin still remembered how warm it was when those arms framed her petite body into a soothing hug. And the fact that just his simple companion could stop her nightmare made her wonder how. She still could feel his cold touches on her cheeks, eyes looking straight at her filled with worries. And of course it was still fresh on her mind how his warm gaze turned into a cold one when Chanyeol dragged her outside, leaving the apartment right after she took her bag, didn’t even have chance to speak some words of gratitude to Sehun, but she managed to bow to Kyungsoo which earn her a small smile and a nod.

“Aerin?” Chanyeol took her out from her sea of mind, gently squeezing her hand.”

“Hm?” She turned her head abruptly.

“You’re dazing.” He said, pulling out a small smile on his lips. “I was telling you, the three men were sent by Junmyeon hyung.”

“Oh? Right, I was about to ask you about it. He is here in Seoul?”

“Yes, he is.” The man turned his head and gazed at her for some seconds before turning his attention back to the road. Aerin could feel there’s something else he was contemplating to say. He tapped his fingers on the wheel nervously and pursed his lips into a thin line.

“What is it, Chan?” She asked, but still having a silence as an answer.

Chanyeol heaved a long sigh he didn’t know he was holding and decided to let her know, because she would, sooner or later. “And he’s here with your brother.”

The atmosphere turned colder although the sun was already in the midway through its journey. Sehun couldn’t help but felt the warmth was slowly dissipating as he laid his body on the bed. The young man brought his arms up covering his eyes before closing them as he wanted to steal some time for a short nap. He finally could have the bed all for himself after the whole night of staying awake and sharing the bed with a stranger. Everyone who knew him must have known how he couldn’t share his bed with just anyone.

But this time it was just… different.

Sehun took a deep breath, and he knew that something was off. His mind wandered back unconsciously to this morning. His closing eyes suddenly pictured how his arms seem to fit the girl’s petite body on his embrace. His back remembered how her small hand clutched on his sweater strongly, seeking comfort and protection. His hands suddenly felt how empty it was when she let go of his touch and ran to someone else’s hug.

Kyungsoo peeked through Sehun’s door after cleaning the mess on their living room. At least two crystal vases and a gypsum statue were crashed into pieces because of the commotion happened before. He had to sweep the floor to get rid of the crystal pieces or it would hurt their bare foot.

Sehun wasn’t on his bed nor his desk. Kyungsoo took some steps inside and checked the bathroom, but he wasn’t there either. He glanced at the slight opened door and found the younger was sitting on the balcony, blowing smoke from his cigarette. He pulled his lips up forming a small smile.

“Give me the lighter.” Kyungsoo said as he settled himself on the chair beside the younger. Sehun just quietly handed him the lighter and watched him lighting up the cigarette he took from the table. “You don’t smoke unless you’re stressed. Am I right or am I right?”<