Ruby(Red 2) JC [Revised]

9: Chan's Story

"I'm so happy, you cousins are finally going out for an outing!" Aerin chirped, her voice filled with excitement as she carefully selected her clothes from the wardrobe.

"You won't be bored, right?" Seungcheol asked, a hint of worry in his tone as he wrapped his arms around Aerin's waist, burying his face in the crook of her neck to inhale her sweet vanilla scent.

"Of course not," Aerin reassured him, turning her head to place a soft kiss on his cheek. "I'll probably work a bit. I have an online meeting, and I need to finalize some designs for the new collection."

"Don't work too much, okay?" Seungcheol pleaded, his concern evident in his eyes. "Make sure to have lunch. I ordered for you already."

Aerin nodded, her heart warmed by his thoughtfulness. Leaning into his embrace, she tilted her head up to receive a gentle kiss on her forehead from Seungcheol, their love and care for each other shining through in their tender exchange.

                                           _

Seungcheol entered the bedroom, expecting to find Aerum there, only to encounter Jeonghan casually sipping his coffee. Confusion flickered across Seungcheol's face as he scanned the room.

"Where's Aerum?" he inquired, his brow furrowing slightly.

Jeonghan set down his coffee cup with a nonchalant shrug. "She's already waiting for you in the car," he replied, his tone casual.

"Okay, cool," Seungcheol responded, turning to leave the room. But before he could make his exit, Jeonghan's voice stopped him in his tracks.

"You're planning to play with her for how long, Cheol?" Jeonghan's voice dripped with a mixture of sarcasm and amusement.

Seungcheol tensed, his jaw clenching as he turned to face Jeonghan, who wore a smug smirk on his lips. Closing the distance between them, Seungcheol's voice lowered to a dangerous growl.

"What are you talking about, huh?" he demanded, his gaze piercing into Jeonghan's.

Jeonghan held his ground, meeting Seungcheol's intense stare with a defiant gaze of his own. "Oh, so it's the other way around? Well, that's true," he retorted, his tone dripping with disdain.

Seungcheol raised an eyebrow, his patience wearing thin. "Your sweet girlfriend isn't what she looks like," Jeonghan continued, his words like venom. "She's an absolute snake and gonna poison you soon."

The accusation struck a nerve in Seungcheol, and he felt a surge of anger rising within him. "Jeonghan, I swear to—"

But Jeonghan cut him off, his voice insistent. "I knew you wouldn't believe me, but listen to your heart. You still love me, don't you? Isn't she just a fake imitation of me?"

Seungcheol's silence spoke volumes, his mind betraying him with memories of loneliness and vulnerability, memories that Aerum had helped him escape from. But he quickly pushed those thoughts aside, refusing to let Jeonghan's manipulative words sway him.

"At least she never left me behind for anyone, unlike you, Jeonghan," Seungcheol shot back, his voice laced with bitterness.

"That's what snakes do," Jeonghan countered with a smirk. "They never leave their prey until they are dead."

Seungcheol's patience snapped, and he grabbed Jeonghan by the collar, their faces mere inches apart as they locked eyes in a tense standoff.

"Jeonghan, you left me when I fucking needed you the most," Seungcheol seethed, his voice low and menacing. "Now I don't fucking need you anymore. Stay the fuck out of my and my wife's life."