seven eleven - choi chanhee

14

"i want to be honest with you, lexie," chanhee said, as they both lay in bed on another sleepless night. it had been a week since the incident and mirae seemed to be coping quite well. she was just grateful that her mom and dad came just in time because god only knew what could have happened. 

"what do you mean, you're always honest with me?" she said, turning over to face chanhee. 

"i just don't know how to tell you...my father..he...he..."

"there's no rush, baby. just tell me in your own time." she said, sitting up slightly and rubbing his hands with her own. 

chanhee took a deep breath. he was about to share what had been weighing him down for so long. he had never even told any of the boyz. the only person who knew was his brother, because they spent countless amounts of hours together crying locked in the bathroom to try and escape their deranged father. 

"my father...he raped me and my brother until i was six. nearly every week...that's why i was so angry at him emailing me and asking to see them. i wish i just stayed away from them for my whole life." 

lexie was shocked, to say the least. she was not expecting anything like this. she couldn't even imagine what it was like to have parents like his, so she just listened patiently, trying to hold back the tears as she watched him break down before her. 

"i'm disgusting...i know. i should have told you sooner," he said, hiding his head in his knees and sobbing so hard that his entire body was moving up and down. 

"no. stop, chanhee. i still love you, i'm never going to stop. there's nothing you can ever say or do to make me think less of you. i'm glad that you told me now. it must have been weighing you down for so long...i can't imagine what it must have been like..."

"it's my fault, though. my fault. what if you didn't get there in time? mirae would have to live like that, like i did. like i am still living. shameful, embarassed, humiliated, scared, haunted."

"but we did get there in time, she'll be ok. we just have to support her. and i'll support you, jagi. you're the love of my life and i'll help you get through anything. we don't ever have to see them again. we can make sure of it,"

"how?"

"well, i was thinking of moving back home...i miss my family,"