𝑩𝒂𝒄𝒌 𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒔𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒍𝒍 //𝑺𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒚 𝑲𝒊𝒅𝒔 𝑭𝑭//

~𝟮𝟱~

When we got home, I moved towards the stairs when I heard Lee Know call my name. I turned to him.

"I did say it earlier, but I just wanted to tell you again for good measure. Thank you for cleaning up my face. I appreciate it. Even though I made you freak out like that."

"It's okay. You didn't know. It wasn't your fault."

"I know, but I still feel guilty."

"Well, is there anything I can do to make you feel less guilty?"

"Actually, yes. But I doubt you'll like it."

I wanted to ask what it was, but Felix stopped me from doing so. He came to stand next to Lee Know, brushing his bangs out of his face.

"Sorry to interrupt, but Channie Hyung wants to see you in the operations room, Ava."

I nodded, thanking him for letting me know. As I turned to walk up the stairs, I gave Lee Know a look to let him know we would continue the conversation later. Then I jogged up to the second floor. Just as I got to the operations room, I could hear yelling coming from the inside. I didn't want to eavesdrop, but as I turned away, I heard Chan say my name. It was muffled through the door and was said slightly softer than the rest of the sentence, but I was sure I heard it. I contemplated whether I should just walk away or stay within earshot. Just as I decided I was going to walk away, the door slammed open, and a fuming Chan came out. He stopped in his tracks when he saw me, his expression softening. He hung his head slightly, eyes to the floor.

"How much of that did you hear?" he asked, still looking at the floor.

"Not much. I just heard my name, that's all."

"Good. Because if you heard what I had said, you would probably look at me very differently."

"Why? Did you swear?"

I smiled slightly when his ears turned red, confirming my suspicions.

"It's okay. We all get angry sometimes. I just hope it didn't cost you your job."

"Hopefully not. But if it does, at least I said what needed to be said."

I nodded at him as he looked up again. He looked at me for a moment before I remembered why I came there in the first place.

"Oh, Felix told me to come see you. Was there something you wanted to talk about?"

"Actually yes, thank you for reminding me. I saw the marks on Lee Know's face. He said you cleaned them up for him. I was wondering what he told you about what happened?"

"He just said that he had a drink to clear his mind. Then someone came at him, and he was trying to protect himself. The guy broke a bottle over his head. That's where the marks came from."

"Oh."

When he didn't say anything else, I got worried.

"Why? Did he tell you something else? Do you think he lied?"

"No, no, not that. I was just making sure. He was quite vague when I asked about it, so I just wanted to hear if you had any other details."

"Oh okay. And was there anything else?"

"Yes. Have you talked to him yet?"

"Today or..."

"No, I mean the thing you wanted to talk to him about."

"Oh, no not yet. But I don't think it's necessary anymore. He seems to be back to normal now."

"I'd still talk to him if I were you. Just to get it off your chest. Otherwise it's going to bother you."