AMF | Chapter 2.2

A wave of fatigue washed over him. Eunho shook his head and walked past him. As he was about to leave the unexpected guest, Yieon stopped him with a gentle tone.

“You asked for help.”

Eunho’s steps halted.

“You said you wanted revenge, to screw him over. You said you’d use any means and asked if I could help. Yes, you pleaded like that.”

Yieon lightly tapped his chest with his finger. Indicating that Eunho had pleaded with him.

“Did I really say that?”

“You did.”

“…I just said it was nonsense. Even if I were to take revenge, I don’t need your help. I’ll handle it myself.”

“If you take my help, you can screw him over more thoroughly.”

“Why? Just because your family is better than LE’s? Yeah, I looked you up too. You’re the grandson of the Shinkang Group. It’s a family worth boasting about.”

“I’m glad you took an interest. But it’s not just because of the family.”

Yieon answered without hesitation. Then he wore a mysterious smile. His jet-black eyes held a mix of confidence and amusement. The look suggested he had something up his sleeve, making it hard for Eunho to move.

What is he thinking? No, stop caring. But curiosity had already grown too large. The other person possessed a charm and power that others couldn’t easily imitate. It felt like there was definitely something, making it hard to look away.

“Then… what else is there?”

Even to his own ears, his voice was filled with curiosity. Realizing he had revealed too much of himself, Eunho clamped his lips shut. Just then, Yieon glanced somewhere and tilted his head. His already sharp eyes narrowed, becoming even more piercing. He put his hands in his pockets and murmured quietly.

“An uninvited guest is coming. Let’s talk after we get rid of them.”

“Uninvited guest?”

“See for yourself.”

Eunho followed his gaze, puzzled. Soon, his entire face stiffened. Two men were walking towards Eunho with bright smiles. One of them was holding a large bouquet. The one with the bouquet had a face as bright as the sun.

Unknowingly, Eunho took a few steps back. Watching him, Yieon turned completely towards the painting. His attitude was indifferent, as if it wasn’t his problem.

“Ugh.”

Suppressing the rising nausea, Eunho gritted his teeth. Meanwhile, the two men, seeing Eunho, smiled even brighter. One of them raised an arm high and called out in a cheerful voice.

“Eunho, darling!”

Several people turned to look at the affectionate call. Eunho’s complexion turned pale. It wasn’t because of the attention. It was the suffocating feeling from Dohoon’s natural act of pretending to be a loving fiancé.

Goosebumps ran down his spine, and he shuddered. Seeing Dohoon’s bright face brought back vivid memories of what he had seen that day. His heart pounded as if it would burst, and he felt like his hair was standing on end. Even witnessing dozens of bugs wouldn’t be as repulsive.

“Your face looks worn out. You said you were better, but it doesn’t seem so.”

Dohoon approached, wearing a concerned expression. He looked like a kind and loving man worried about his fiancé’s condition. It was also the face that had fooled Eunho all along.

“…No.”

Unconsciously, Eunho averted his gaze.

“No, nothing. I’m fine.”

He kept mumbling similar words, swallowing hard. He felt his hands trembling, so he quickly hid them behind his back.

Should I just slap him now? Grab him by the collar and ask why he did it? But his trembling hands had no strength. He was afraid he might faint rather than hit him. Eunho barely lifted his head to look at the person accompanying him.

“Sunbae, are you okay?”

The person asking was holding a bouquet of roses. Instead of answering, Eunho alternated his gaze between the bouquet and the person’s face. The continued silence made the person smile awkwardly.

“I got a gift.”

Eunho quietly asked, fixing his gaze on him.

“Did you get it from Dohoon…?”

“What?”

The person widened his eyes. His face was white and gentle, looking puzzled as if he didn’t understand.

“Haha, why would I give Minjun a bouquet? And we only met here at the exhibition. It must be a gift from an acquaintance congratulating him.”

Dohoon interjected with a friendly smile. Eunho, without breathing, locked eyes with the person, not Dohoon. The person, receiving Eunho’s gaze, tilted his head in confusion.

His name was Ryu Minjun. He was a junior from Eunho’s university and a particularly cherished younger brother. Minjun was a rising new artist, having returned from studying abroad and starting his career. Several of his works were featured in this special exhibition. Remembering the piece he had seen earlier, Eunho bit his lip.

“Yes, I got it from someone else.”

Soon, Minjun smiled with his eyes and blushed.

“Thanks to you, my painting is displayed. People sent flowers to congratulate me. This bouquet is one of them.”

“…Really?”

“Thank you so much, sunbae.”

Minjun stepped closer to Eunho.

“You always told me I’d succeed. I kept those words in mind while working. You’re my idol.”

“…”

“One of the pieces in this exhibition was inspired by you. It always feels like there’s light shining behind you. I painted it with that light in mind.”

“You never told me that.”

“I was too shy to say it. It’s a confession I’m making now.”

Then Minjun smiled at Dohoon.

“Sunbae treats me really well. He even introduced me to other gallery representatives.”

“Oh, I’m jealous. Our Eunho is such a good person. He treats people around him so well. Sometimes I worry. I wonder how he can be so caring.”

Minjun, with a look of agreement, grabbed Eunho’s shoulder. Eunho felt a sense of disgust, as if a large, black cockroach had landed on his shoulder.

“People with caring personalities usually have soft hearts, Eunho. I’m always worried.”

“…”

“Eunho?”

Thump, thump, thump!

The pulse under his ear throbbed violently. He couldn’t open his mouth. It felt like if he opened his lips, his heart, which was pounding as if it would burst, would pop out.

“Are you okay? Shouldn’t you go inside and rest?”

“Sunbae, are you okay?”

The two surrounded Eunho, bringing their faces closer. Among them, he sensed Dohoon’s Alpha pheromone scent. A scent that had once felt comforting now felt unbearably repulsive. Eunho’s pupils trembled.

What should I do? I’m not ready yet. He had no idea what to do or how to handle it. Then suddenly, Yieon’s words came to mind.

‘You said you wanted revenge, to screw him over.’

Eunho, eyes wide open, mulled over what he had said. Strangely, he felt like he could breathe again, as if he might survive.

“…I’m fine, just a bit dizzy.”

“Fine? You’re swaying!”

Dohoon snapped. Minjun, standing beside him, widened his eyes in surprise and frowned. An unknown emotion quickly crossed his once gentle face.

“This won’t do, let’s get you inside. Rest a bit and have some water.”

Eunho shook his head and gently removed Dohoon’s hand from his shoulder. Dohoon tried to grab his wrist, wondering why he was being so stubborn. Just as Dohoon’s fingers reached out, someone approached the three of them.

“Long time no see, Lee Dohoon.”

Dohoon’s mouth dropped open. His once calm and gentle face hardened, showing a hint of hostility. Just the change in expression made Dohoon look like a different person. His eyes gleamed with malice, and his lips were set in a tense line… a face Eunho had never seen before.

The person who approached was Kang Yieon. He was looking at Dohoon with a relaxed gaze, as if he was used to Dohoon’s hostility.

“Why… why are you here?”

“To enjoy some culture. It was worth the visit, it’s a great exhibition.”

“Why is someone who should be in America…”

“My grandfather said he missed me too much. What can I do? I had to visit.”

“Is that all?”

“What else? Does there need to be another reason?”

Dohoon didn’t hide his disbelief.

“You run a business. A businessman wouldn’t come to Korea for such a trivial reason.”

“You were really interested in me, Dohoon. I’m touched.”

Yieon nodded lightly.

“Well, you’ve always been interested in me. I almost thought you liked me.”

“Are you crazy…?”

“Just kidding, relax.”

Yieon brushed Dohoon’s shoulder with his palm. It was a light yet strangely lingering touch, a tap that could be seen as either a tease or a flirt. Dohoon’s eyes twitched, unable to hide his dislike for Kang Yieon.

Watching the three of them, Eunho suddenly felt nauseous. He might actually throw up if he stayed. He quickly covered his mouth with his hand.

“Ugh.”

“Eunho!”

“Sunbae!”

As he bent over, Dohoon and Minjun panicked. They grabbed Eunho’s right and left arms, checking his complexion. Their faces, full of concern, seemed like masks to Eunho. Masks hiding their true selves, meant to deceive the foolish Seo Eunho.

“I-I need to go to the restroom for a moment…”

“I’ll go with you.”

“No, I want to go alone.”

Eunho waved off Dohoon, who was trying to follow him, and ran without looking back. His stomach was still churning, as if someone was stirring it violently from the inside.

.☘︎ ݁˖ .☘︎ ݁˖ .☘︎ ݁˖

Eunho didn’t throw up. As soon as he distanced himself from them, the nausea disappeared. Leaning against the wall, he caught his breath. People passed by, their faces serene as they came to see the exhibition. None of them looked unhappy. Eunho felt engulfed in a loneliness that made him feel completely alone.

After a moment, Eunho shook his head and straightened his back. He decided to stop wallowing in emotions. He had been endlessly angry and sad over the betrayal for days. At this rate, he might really fall into depression. Eunho didn’t want that. Why should he suffer when the wrongdoers were living just fine?

‘Yeah, why only me?’

His eyes, once moist, dried up. Eunho’s face became surprisingly cool.

‘Why, only me?’

Repeating the words, his emotions settled like sediment, bringing a sense of peace. Eunho pulled out something along with his phone. It was Yieon’s business card.

― Hello.

“Are you still with Dohoon?”

The person on the other end paused before slowly answering.

― No, we parted ways.

“You seemed to know Dohoon. Why didn’t you tell me? Never mind, just come in. Let’s finish our conversation.”

― …

“Come in, let’s talk in my office.”

― You said we should go our separate ways. Changed your mind already?

“Yes.”

Eunho whispered softly, ensuring no passerby could hear.

“I’ve changed my mind.”

Silence followed. While the other person remained quiet, Eunho stroked his neck with his palm. He could feel the pulse pounding beneath his hand, beating so fast it seemed it might burst.