Chapter 8
Jaeyel’s grip on his drink loosened slightly as his heart jumped to his throat.
What…? Why was he here? Wasn’t he supposed to be busy?
Yang stood still, gaze fixed on Jaeyel, unreadable as always.
Waiting.
Jaeyel quickly looked down, suddenly finding his shoes very interesting.
Minseo, sensing the tension, cleared his throat. “Uh… I’ll get going first,” he said, nudging Jaeyel lightly before stepping back.
But before Minseo could take a step, Jaeyel spoke up. “No,” his voice was calm but firm. “Let’s just leave together.”
The words hung in the air.
Yang’s expression didn’t change, but there was the slightest shift – a twitch of his jaw, a flicker in his eyes.
Jaeyel ignored it.
He greeted Yang with a polite nod, as if he were nothing more than the CEO, then moved to step past him. “Excuse us-”
Yang blocked his path.
Jaeyel sighed, already exhausted.
But before he could say anything, Yang’s attention shifted.
His sharp eyes locked onto Minseo.
Minseo stiffened.
The intensity in Yang’s stare sent a visible shiver down his spine.
Jaeyel noticed immediately and sighed. “…Don’t scare him.”
A silent beat passed before Yang finally looked back at Jaeyel.
Minseo, still tense, hesitated before taking a step back.
“I’ll go,” he muttered, then shot Jaeyel a knowing look. “Sort it out.”
Jaeyel’s face flushed. “Sort what out?” he mumbled, but Minseo was already walking away.
Jaeyel awkwardly shifted his gaze to Yang, only to find that the sharp, almost predatory look Yang had given Minseo was gone.
Now, those same eyes were on him – calm, softer, but no less intense.
Without a word, Yang tilted his head toward the car, a silent gesture for Jaeyel to get in.
Jaeyel let out a quiet sigh, knowing there was no point in refusing.
The car ride was silent.
Not an awkward silence, but one thick with unspoken thoughts.
Jaeyel stared out the window, but his mind was far from the passing streetlights.
He felt it.
Yang’s gaze flickering toward him between turns. It wasn’t just once or twice, it was consistent, intentional.
Jaeyel exhaled sharply, finally turning to face him. “What?”
His voice came out more annoyed than he intended, but he didn’t take it back.
Yang didn’t answer right away.
His fingers tapped idly against the steering wheel before he finally asked, “What’s is it?”
Jaeyel frowned. “What do you mean?”
“You’re in a bad mood.”
“I’m not.”
Yang hummed, unconvinced.
Then, as if something clicked, his entire presence shifted.
“Is someone bothering you?”
The air in the car turned ice cold.
Jaeyel picked up on it right away – the way Yang said it, the slight sharpness in his tone.
His grip on his cup tightened as he glanced at Yang’s side profile.
His expression hadn’t changed much, but his entire aura was different. It was sharp, heavy, like he was already planning something.
Jaeyel straightened, suddenly wary of how this might go. “No,” he said quickly. “No one’s bothering me.”
Yang said nothing.
Jaeyel shifted in his seat, feeling a little restless.
Trying to change the mood, he suddenly remembered Jemin – how everything had fallen apart for him so quickly.
Jaeyel found himself glancing at Yang, debating whether he should voice his thoughts. Before he could decide, Yang spoke again.
“Tell me everything,” his voice was calm but firm. “Don’t hide anything.”
Jaeyel blinked, slightly caught off guard. He scoffed. “That’s impossible.”
“It’s not.”
This time, Yang’s tone was sharper, making Jaeyel flinch.
“I need to know everything going on with you,” Yang continued, “so I can protect you.”
Jaeyel froze.
His stalker – Yang’s brother, Yin, was already locked in a mental facility.
If anything, Yang was the one who should be careful. He was the one who had threats looming over him.
Still, after a moment, Jaeyel exhaled and hesitantly said, “It’s not like something’s wrong, I just…” He trailed off, choosing his words carefully. “I was thinking about Jemin sunbae. How he’s suddenly… out of the group…”
Yang blinked, his tone almost careless as he asked, “Who?” as if the name meant nothing to him.
Jaeyel frowned, taken aback.
But then, after a beat, something shifted in Yang’s eyes.
His expression cooled, his voice dropping slightly. “Ah.”
Jaeyel watched him closely, trying to read something, anything from his face, but Yang gave nothing away.
Then, casually, Yang said, “He probably touched someone he shouldn’t have.”
Jaeyel’s stomach dropped.
Realization settled in.
It was because of him…
Because Jemin messed with Jaeyel.
And Yang didn’t like that.
Jaeyel gulped, unsure what to feel. His fingers tightened around his drink as conflicting emotions swirled in his chest.
He didn’t know what unsettled him more… the fact that Jemin was removed so easily or that Yang made it happen without a second thought.
