I stretched out then noticed I was alone in bed. I checked the floor and saw a makeshift bed that was empty. I rubbed my eyes and saw that it was after 11am. I quickly got out of bed in a panic then noticed a small sign had fallen to the floor. I picked it up and read it over.

"Morning Chang! Take it easy today. I told them that you wouldn't be in today. They surprisingly didn't ask questions. Breakfast is in the microwave. Have a good day off!"
-Sunshine

I couldn't help but smile at the small message. I walked to the kitchen and checked that there was food in the microwave. It was still warm, but I decided to heat it up a little bit. Things felt different when you weren't constantly fearing for your life. It felt nice to be able to move around unlike all the other times I had stayed home. I was either rendered lame for an entire day or locked in the bathroom with little to nothing to eat. I relished in this new found freedom as I ate the heated up food. It was then I decided to have Hyunjoon arrested, but I wasn't sure how to go about it. It's not like I could just walk in and declare that he's been abusing me without evidence.

ㅈ ㅈ ㅈ ㅈ ㅈ ㅈ

Night had fallen and I closed the book I had halfway finished. Sunwoo wasn't back yet and it started to worry me. I picked up the phone he gave me then called his number. No answer. I started worrying that Hyunjoon had done something to him. I couldn't stand the thought of Sunwoo getting hurt because of me, so I borrowed his clothes and headed out the door.

ㅈ ㅈ ㅈ ㅈ ㅈ ㅈ

I arrived at the company and headed inside. I was greeted by those who were still there. I didn't know where to look. "Excuse me, have you seen either Hyunjoon or Sunwoo." "No." I found myself repeatedly asking until someone said they saw them head up to the last floor of the building. That floor was usually deserted as it was the floor were international meetings were held and we didn't have many of them. I prayed to any and all supernatural beings that Sunwoo was okay.

I exited the elevator and all was quiet. Was I too late? I walked around then heard the faint sounds of voices and thuds. I hurried towards it and saw Hyunjoon almost hit Sunwoo with a chair. I didn't know what to do, but just standing there wasn't going to help either of us. I entered the room just as Hyunjoon swung the chair. I was instantly knocked out.

ㅈ ㅈ ㅈ ㅈ ㅈ ㅈ

I could soon hear voices then let my eyes open. My head throbbed as I sat up. "You're up." Fear took over me as Hyunjoon looked at me with his soft yet cold eyes. I started to cry. My brain pounded against my skull as I continued. This pain was nothing compared to what I'd feel later. A nurse walked in then sent Hyunjoon out. "It's great to see you're awake. Heard you had a nasty fall." "A fall? Who told you that?" "The man who just left." "I did not fall!" She seemed taken aback by my raised voice. "What do you mean...? You didn't fall?" "He hit me with a chair..." She wrote something down the immediately left the room. This time Sunwoo came in looking worse than I did.

"How are you...?" "Awful..." He nodded then sat in the chair. He had scars on his face and dried blood around his mouth, on his arm and fingers. "What happened...?" "Your adorable lover got physical with me as you experienced. Took me by surprise." "He's not adorable, and he's definitely not my lover." It felt good to say that. I smiled to myself as I repeated the statement in my mind. "Think they'll let me stay overnight?" "I doubt it..." His face became sullen and caused me to frown. "We can ask..." He gently patted my head then started up a word game. It was a nice change of pace.

ㅈ ㅈ ㅈ ㅈ ㅈ ㅈ

I quietly lied on my side as Sunwoo had gone out to get a few things. My thoughts ran wild as it thought of everything Hyunjoon had put me through. How did it get to this point? I couldn't remember. I clearly missed the signs. I was idiotic for thinking things would get better with time. Things only got worse and eventually I became his slave. All these realizations came crashing down on me and created anger and sadness in me. I was weak. I couldn't even save myself. I silently cried as I beat myself up over everything.

The door opened and I quickly wiped away my tears. "Are you still awake?" I remained quiet, wondering what would happen if he believed me to be sleep. "So you are...You deserve it. You've been nothing but stressed." I soon felt fingers running through my hair and gently massaging my scalp. I couldn't help the sigh of satisfaction that left my mouth. "I want to protect you...Ever since I first laid eyes on you. These feelings for you continued to grow and it's just...overflowing." He continued to massage my scalp then I felt something soft on my cheek. I rolled over and met his gaze. "You have feelings for me?" His look of surprise caused me to laugh. I felt light. "Of course I do. Why wouldn't a friend have feelings for a friend?"

"That's true. Thank you, Sunwoo. For everything you've done." "I want to do this. I want to help." I softly smiled at him. I had started to wish I had met Sunwoo before Hyunjoon. Maybe then...