collateral damage 🔞 - COMPLETE

•seven• before

Haerin-ah... Wake up..."

The fog lifts, and I crack my eyes open to see a grinning Jeongguk. Our bodies are completely naked and intertwined under the duvet. He runs a warm hand up my back and fiddles with my hair as I put my forehead on his chest.

"What time is it? Can't we sleep more?"

His chest rumbles from his laugh, and I slap his bare shoulder.

"I have to go baby... I'm supposed to meet Jimin at the train station in 2 hours."

A sudden panic overtakes me... I fear him leaving... It feels wrong all of a sudden, and I cling tighter to him. He kisses my head and tries to move me, but I'm not letting go. I have a belief that if he goes, nothing will be the same.

Just as he's about to say something, my door bursts open, and a panicked looking Naeun runs in.

"Miss Haerin... Your parents... They are here!"

Jeongguk and I sit up swiftly, and I jump from the bed not caring that I'm naked. I run to the bathroom to brush my teeth and try to make my hair look neat. When I finish I'm met with a dressed Jeongguk, who looks absolutely terrified. Naeun unnie hands me a dress that I put on, and I turn to her.

"Do they know that Jeongguk is here?"

Unnie shakes her head, and I breathe a little easier. I go to my boyfriend and tell him that Naeun will bring him down the back stairwell to get him out. He looks confused, but does what I say.

"Hae... Are you going to be alright?"

I nod weakly, and give him a peck.

"I will... I'm sorry for this Gguk... I don't want them to meet you this way... Do you understand?"

"Yeah... I was scared, but I would have faced them if you wanted me to."

"Not today... I love you!"

"I love you too Haerin-ah!"

We shared a long, deep kiss until Naeun unnie clears her throat. It was time to go.

When they are out of sight, I head to the stairs to go and greet my parents. I felt frustrated already because I was supposed to go with Jeongguk and Jimin to see them off. I entered the dining room to find them sitting and enjoying breakfast. I bow to them and after wishing them 'good morning' take my seat.

A plate of pancakes is placed on the table in front of me, but I am not hungry. I'm just waiting for whatever they are going to say. My experience is that I should not speak unless spoken to. I take a sip of the orange juice and sit quietly.

"Are you not going to eat?"

My father's harsh voice brings me back to the present. I look at him, seeing nothing but disapproval, and I pick up my fork. I cut a small bite of the pancake, and place it on my tongue. As I begin chewing, my whole mouth fills with saliva, and I choke down the bite. I must have a pained look on my face, because my mother comments on my 'ugly' expression. The rest of the time, I cut and move tiny bites to my mouth, feeling like any moment I'll throw up.

My mother is just opening her mouth to speak when the doorbell rings stopping whatever was about to be said. I continue to move food around my plate, but don't eat any more. A sense of relief washes over me when I hear Jimin's voice greeting my parents. I look up at him, and thank him through my eyes for being here.

"I came to pick up Haerin. She's agreed to bring me to the train station and then keep my car here until my mother can retrieve it in a day or two. I hope it's not too much of a bother."