It was Sooho's birthday today, and we were all busy decorating.
"If it wasn't for his busted leg, we'd be in Yangyang right now," Yeongyi huffed, taping up streamers annoyed.
She suddenly shoved her phone into Sieun's hands. "Here, take my pictures."
Sieun hesitated before sighing, lifting the phone as she struck a pose. "You're acting like it's your birthday," he muttered, but still took the shots.
I watched them quietly too tired to stand up and work.
Sieun was at the stove, carefully making seaweed soup for Sooho. While me and youngyi lounged on the couch.
"Is this one cute?" Yeongyi asked, shoving her phone in my face. "Help me pick which ones to post."
She stood up and walked over to Sieun, peeking into the pot. "Ya, he's not even here yet. Why are you already making it?"
Absentmindedly scrolling through her photos, I paused when I saw one of me and Sieun. A small smile tugged at my lips, and I was about to send it to myself when a new message popped up.
Boemseok.
I stole a glance at Yeongyi, who was too busy fussing over her pictures to notice anything. Taking the chance, I opened the message.
Why was he texting her?
Boemseok: "Are you guys at the party room?"
Boemseok: "I'm nearby. Let's meet up."
My brows furrowed, but before I could even process it, another text popped up.
Boemseok: "Don't tell Sieun or Sooho. I have a gift for him."
Bullshit.
Boemseok hated her. There was no way he was suddenly reaching out just to give Sooho a gift. He was up to something.
There was no way in hell I was letting this ruin today.
"Guys, I have a quick errand to run," I said, casually slipping her phone into my pocket. "We forgot to get his favorite drink."
"I'll come with you," Sieun offered, already moving to stand.
"No need," I said quickly, flashing him a reassuring smile. "I'll be fast."
Before he could argue, I leaned in, pressing a quick kiss to his cheek. His face turned red instantly, just as I knew it would.
And with that I turned on my heel and walked out.
I stepped into the café, spotting him right away. He looked up, clearly not expecting me.
"What are you doing here?" he asked, brows furrowing in confusion.
I tilted my head, flashing the biggest smile I could muster. "Didn't you want to give Sooho a gift?"
"Where is Youngyi?" he asked frustrated, 'I thought you don't like her?"
Boemseok exhaled sharply, clearly annoyed. "I don't have time for this," he muttered, looking away.
"Listen here, I don't know why you decided to get involved, but that's your misfortune," he sneered.
"You're going to do exactly what I say."
"Or what?" I challenged, keeping my stance firm.
Boemseok grinned, pulling out his phone and tilting the screen toward me. It was a picture of the party room we had booked.
"I've got around 20 guys who wouldn't hesitate to break in and tear the place apart," he said, voice dripping with amusement. "So, are you ready to go?"
Sooho had only just arrived, but he was already completely engrossed in his video game.
"She'll be here soon, don't stress," he said without looking up, glancing briefly at Sieun, who hadn't moved from his spot near the door, eyes scanning the hallway.
"Have you even tried calling her?" Youngyi asked.
"What do you think?" Sieun replied, rolling his eyes.
He had tried-multiple times-but her phone was out of reach, and every call went unanswered.
"I'm starving," Sooho groaned, tossing his controller aside.
"Let's start eating and blow out the candles later," Sieun suggested, still staring at the unread messages he had sent.
Sooho gasped dramatically. "That's the best idea you've had all day." He stood up, making his way to the table youngyi following him.
Sieun sighed, calling her one last time before setting his phone down.
That's when a notification caught his attention-Boemseok had messaged Sooho.
Frowning, he grabbed the phone and clicked on the message.
"Stop ignoring my calls.
Bangbaero, Gangnam, Seoul."
An address.
But it was the next message that made his breath hitch-a photo.
Eunji.
"Fuck," Sieun muttered under his breath, the realization hitting him like a punch-she had gone out alone.
Meanwhile, Sooho was completely oblivious, stuffing his face. "Wow, this is so damn good," he mumbled between bites.
He turned to Sieun. "Come on, you're missing out."
"Your girlfriend will be here, chill, bro," Youngyi added casually.
Sieun barely spared them a glance, his fingers flying across the screen as he quickly deleted Boemseok's previous messages. Blocking his number, he shut off Sooho's phone and discreetly hid it.
Grabbing his jacket, he headed for the door. "I'm going to the convenience store."
"Right now?" Sooho frowned.
"Your girlfriend will be fine, just sit down and eat," Youngyi chimed in.
Sieun hesitated for a moment, glancing at them one last time-completely unaware, completely at ease.
Without another word, he left.
Eunji sat on the cold floor, her back pressed against the metal chair, wrists tightly bound behind it. She had kicked one of the guys straight in the nose earlier, which was probably why they made sure to tie her up properly this time.
Boemseok smirked, holding up his phone. "Sooho says he'll be here as soon as possible."
Eunji rolled her eyes. "Damn, are you really that pathetic?"
His smirk dropped instantly. "Shut the fuck up," he snapped, eyes burning with irritation. "You're the one tied up and surrounded. Maybe act like it."
Eunji scoffed, unfazed. "Please, as if things would be any different even if my hands were free."
Eunji's gaze shifted to Wonyoung, who lounged in his chair without a care in the world.
"Don't look at me like that," he drawled. "I got paid for this."
"For what?" she asked, narrowing her eyes.
He smirked, raising his fists in a mock fighting stance. "To fight Sooho."
Her head snapped back to Boemsoek, fury burning in her eyes. "Wasn't sabotaging his bike enough for you? Now you're dragging him into a fight too? What the fuck is wrong with you?"
Before Boemsoek could respond, the door creaked open.
A figure stepped inside.
Sieun?
