We parted ways in the office and I found it unusually warm inside. I started to perspire and often dabbed at my forehead. I slipped on a headband that I kept at my desk in hopes that it would help me cool off. "Hey, Chang." "Seungseo. What's up?" "You look hot. Why don't you take-" "I'm fine." Hyunjoon had forced me to wear a sheer shirt without anything underneath and told me to wear a heavy coat on top of it. It wasn't an all bad punishment, compared to what he did to me the night before. I squeezed my eyes shut as I remembered the sharp and piercing pains from the knives. "Are you sure you're fine...?" "Yes. What did you come over here for?" "We we're going to throw Mrs. Kong a small party and were wondering if you could help." "I can." I got up from my seat then followed him to the room.

With each step I took, it seemed to get hotter. We entered the room and I was greeted with more heat. "Oh, Chang." "Sunwoo..." He seemed to have sensed my discomfort and took me out of the room. "Why are you wearing this thing indoors?" "Hyunjoon told me too. He did it on purpose. He knows the scars and bruises could be seen with the top." He grabbed my hand again and took me to the bathroom. He pushed me into a stall then closed the door behind us. It was cramped, and my embarrassment wasn't helping me cool down. "Wear my jacket." "But-" He started unzipping the coat then snatched it off of me. I crouched down in hopes of hiding all the scars left on me by Hyunjoon. "Changmin, stand up."

"No..." "Please...?" I slowly stood up while continuing to try and conceal them. "If you really don't want me to see them, I'll just step out." He opened the door and I found myself stopping him. "Thank you..." He held my hands then gently kissed them. "You're too beautiful to be caged up." I pulled him back in then locked the door. I unbuttoned my shirt in order for him to have a better look. "This is awful..." I flinched at his touch then started to relax. He continued to follow the scars and I noticed he had started crying. "No one should have to suffer like this..." It was a weird bonding moment between us, mostly because it happened in a bathroom stall. However, a part of me felt I had grown stronger because of him. I didn't feel as weak and pathetic as I had before.

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Mrs. Kong cut the her cake and soon pieces of it were distributed among those who were present. I happily ate my piece as I sat next to Sunwoo. "Feeling better?" "Yes." Hyunjoon entered the room with a few others and my cheery mood had shattered. I felt his eyes on us as I figured he took note of the coat on Sunwoo's lap. A part of me believed that I'd die tonight. "Sunwoo..." "Hm?" "I don't want to go home." "I'm aware of that, but-" I dropped everything and shook him by his shoulders. "I don't want to go home. Please!" I was soon hysterical and felt numerous pairs of eyes on me. I didn't care. I wanted to live. I had to get away. "Quiet down...and stop crying." He wiped my face with a napkin then picked up the cake and plate I had dropped. "I'll take you with me, okay?" Tears streamed down my face as I nodded.

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I yawned as I made myself look busy. "Chang, let's go home." I shook my head then briefly pointed at the screen, "I have to do this here. I'll catch a taxi home." Hyunjoon seemed skeptical, especially after my outburst. "Then I'll stay with you until you finish." That was it. My life was over. He sat next to me and watched me closely. "Oh, you're still here Hyunjoon? Thank the lord. We need you." He was soon taken away and Sunwoo appeared at the same time that they had left. "Did you...?" "Come on before he figures out what's up." I quickly grabbed my things and shut my computer off. We hurried out of the building and made our way down the block. "You don't drive?" "Nah, I only live some stops away on the train." I hesitantly moved closer to him then became surprised when he draped his arm over my shoulder. "I'm gonna give you a night to remember." I pulled away in horror. "I didn't mean sex, silly." "Oh..." "There's more to you than just a good fuck." He booped my nose and pulled me closer again. "I could get used to this..."

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He opened the front door then a light flickered on. I hesitantly walked in and marveled at the cleanliness of it. "Did you have any important back home?" "A picture and a few books." "What about clothes?" I shrugged. None of them were really mine. Hyunjoon picked out everything that I'd wear. From the necklace or choker to the boxers. I had little to no say in anything. "I see...Do you want to call your parents?" "They don't really care about me...I do want to call my brother..." He handed me the house phone and I quickly typed in his number. The phone rang for a while until he finally answered. "Hello?" "Changsan? It's me, Changmin..." "Mini hyung? You haven't called in ages!" "I know...I...I couldn't..." "Why not? Too busy with work?" I started crying as I told him everything, beginning to end.

I had forgotten Sunwoo was in the room until he placed some light food and water on the coffee table. He mouthed that he'd be in his room if I needed him and disappeared from sight. "I can't believe it...You were such a good person. Let me thank the guy helping you. For starting to protect my older brother." I stood up then peeked into rooms until I found Sunwoo's. "What's up?" "He wants to talk." Sunwoo took the phone and started conversation. I couldn't help but feel I could rest easy with Sunwoo. Something about him made me believe that he'd never hurt me the way Hyunjoon did. I strongly believed it.