Chapter 26

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With Haein

Haein furiously left the mansion, instructing her guard to pick her up. Once she got into the car, silence engulfed her. Her eyes reflected a storm of emotions—anger, betrayal, love, care, longing, frustration, and sadness.

A tear escaped her eye. “W-Who am I to him? I am no one to him, right?” she whispered to herself.

“Why is he like this? D-Did I fail as a noona? Did I fail to keep them safe? My Kook and Eun are suffering because of that… that fucking moron! Why is he doing this?” she thought bitterly, cursing Kim. (Why not? He’s the cause of everything…)

(What do you guys think about the past? Any guesses?)

When Haein arrived at her and Eunwoo’s apartment building, she wiped her tears before getting out of the car.

The luxurious apartment was something she had booked specifically for her and Eunwoo to live in comfortably, they thought to move there this week. She stepped inside and immediately noticed that the place was empty.

Feeling worried, she dialed Eunwoo’s number. He didn’t pick up. She tried again and again, but there was no answer. Her concern turned into panic. It was already 9 p.m., and her thoughts spiraled. Being a mafia leader herself, she quickly tracked Eunwoo’s location.

To her relief, the tracker pointed to the restaurant where Eunwoo worked part-time.

She hurriedly got into her car and drove to the location. Upon arriving, she stepped into the restaurant and spotted Eunwoo busily attending to customers, smiling brightly as he carried out his duties as a waiter. A wave of relief washed over her, and she let out a quiet sigh.

From her spot, she observed Eunwoo’s cheerful demeanor, smiling softly as she watched him interact politely with the customers. That’s when Eunwoo noticed her. His face lit up, and he walked over to her with a playful grin. Bowing dramatically, he greeted her, “Welcome to Yoori’s Restaurant, ma’am!”

Haein couldn’t help but chuckle at his antics. Bowing back with equal drama, she replied, “Thank you for the warm welcome, sir!”

Eunwoo chuckled, his playful nature shining through. “How did you find this place, noona?” he asked.

Haein’s expression quickly shifted as she fake-glared at him, grabbing his ear. “Yah! Why didn’t you pick up my calls, huh?” she scolded, raising her eyebrows.

“A-Ahhhh, noona, you called? When?” Eunwoo asked innocently, pulling out his phone. Upon seeing the numerous missed calls from Haein, he scratched the back of his head sheepishly, smiling.

“It was on silent, noona,” he explained with a nervous grin.

“This better be the last time, Eun,” Haein warned, her voice stern.

Eunwoo saluted her playfully. “Yes, ma’am!” he responded with exaggerated obedience, making Haein chuckle.

Haein knew Eunwoo worked part-time, as he had once told her that he got bored staying home alone. Since he enjoyed it, she allowed him to continue.

“Come on, let’s eat here,” Eunwoo said, dragging Haein to a table. They sat down, and Eunwoo brought food for both of them before they started eating.

“How was your day, Eun?” Haein asked.

“As usual, noona,” Eunwoo replied nonchalantly. “Yours?”

“Hmm, good,” Haein said with a smile.

Eunwoo hummed in response, but something suddenly came to his mind. He took out his phone, opened an article, and showed it to Haein. “Did you see this?” he asked curiously.

Haein glanced at the screen—it was an article about Kim’s event scheduled for tomorrow. She nodded. “N-Nae, I know. He even invited me,” Haein said hesitantly.

Eunwoo gritted his teeth and looked away in frustration. “Why the fuck is he always meddling?” he muttered angrily.

“E-Eun,” Haein began, trying to calm him down, but he cut her off.

“Leave it. Let’s eat,” Eunwoo said, shaking his head as he resumed eating.

Haein sighed and began eating as well.

After a brief silence, Eunwoo asked, “Did you meet uncle?”

“Nae, I met him,” Haein replied with a smile.

Eunwoo smiled and nodded. “Umm, Eunnie, let’s shift to a new apartment. You’ll stay with me, hmm?” Haein suggested with a warm smile.

Eunwoo’s face lit up with excitement. “Really?” he asked, already thrilled.

Haein chuckled and nodded. Eunwoo quickly gave her a hug and sat back down, grinning like a kid. Haein chuckled at his behavior.

Just then, they heard a woman’s voice.

“Eunwoo?” the woman called.

Eunwoo turned to see who it was and immediately stood up. “Ah, Ahjumma! Come on,” he said warmly, holding the woman’s hand and guiding her to a chair.

“Noona, this is Yoori Ahjumma,” he said with a smile, introducing the woman—the owner of Yoori’s restaurant.

Haein stood up and bowed politely. “I’m Park Haein, nice to meet you,” she greeted with a smile.

“Aww, you’re so pretty, Haein-ah,” the woman complimented.

Haein smiled warmly in response.

“Is she your sister, you said?” Yoori whispered to Eunwoo.

“Nae, she is my noona,” Eunwoo said with a bright smile.

“Aww, you are so lucky to have a brother like him,” the lady said to Haein.

She smiled and replied, “Nae, I am so lucky to have him,” with a proud smile. Eunwoo blushed.

“Wait, I’ll bring some juice,” Eunwoo said and got up to bring the juices.

“Thanks for taking care of him, Ahjumma,” Haein said politely.

“It’s nothing. I am always thankful that he helps me. He doesn’t even ask for a salary, saying he’s happy with the food alone. He always has that bright smile on his face. I’m glad to see him smiling always… I repeat, you must have done something good in your past life to have a brother like him,” the lady said again, making Haein smile proudly.

Soon, Eunwoo arrived, and they started eating while chit-chatting.

Once they were done eating, Haein and Eunwoo got into the car, and this time, Eunwoo was driving. They spoke about random things until they reached the apartment. After arriving, they both took quick showers.

“Eun, come here,” Haein called out to Eunwoo.

“Nae!” Eunwoo responded, pausing the TV before heading over.

“Yes, my boss?” Eunwoo asked dramatically, making Haein laugh.

“Here, keep this there,” Haein said, handing him a vessel to place on the upper shelf of the closet.

“Yes, ma’am,” Eunwoo said, taking the vessel and putting it away. While doing so, his sleeve slid up slightly, revealing a cut on his arm.

Haein’s soft expression immediately turned to concern. Once Eunwoo was done, he turned to Haein, but she quickly took his hand. Eunwoo immediately pulled it back, realizing what Haein had noticed.

“I-It’s nothing, noona,” he said, attempting to walk away, but he was stopped by Haein’s stern voice.

“Eunwoo, come here.”

Eunwoo gulped nervously and walked back to her.

Haein reached for his hand again, but Eunwoo hid it behind his back. “Show me your hand, Eunwoo. Don’t make me angry,” Haein said sternly.

Reluctantly, Eunwoo slowly held out his hands. Haein rolled up his sleeve and gasped when she saw the cut. It was a bit deep, with dried blood.

“Yah! Are you crazy or something? What the fuck is this?” Haein asked, tears welling up in her eyes.

“A-Ani… i-it’s nothing, j-just a small cut—” Eunwoo tried to explain but was cut off when Haein smacked his other arm.

“What small cut, huh? Look, it’s a bit deep!” Haein said as she dragged him to the living room. She made him sit down and went to her room to grab the first aid kit.

Haein began treating his wound. “N-Noona, sorry. Please don’t cry, na,” Eunwoo whined.

“What sorry, huh? Look, it must be painful. Why are you like this, Eun? Can’t you even treat your wound? It must have hurt,” Haein said while cleaning the cut.

“Ani, it doesn’t hurt at all,” Eunwoo said, lying through his teeth.

Haein glared at him, and he gulped, looking down.

“How did you get this wound, huh?” Haein asked.

“I-I… on a mission,” Eunwoo finally admitted.

Haein sighed in frustration, muttering curses about Kim under her breath. Once she was done cleaning and treating the wound, she sighed and stood up, only for Eunwoo to grab her hand.

“N-Noona, mianhaeyo,” he said softly.

Haein didn’t respond. “Eunwoo, let me go,” she said, still avoiding eye contact.

“Noonaaaa,” Eunwoo whined, making Haein sigh.

She turned to him and started scolding him. “Don’t you even take care of yourself, Eun? What if something worse had happened? Then what—sorry again? Even if you get hurt, you must tell me. Always hiding things from me! Do you think hiding your pain will make me worry less? It makes me worry even more when I find out on my own. How many times have I told you not to do this, huh?” Haein continued, her frustration pouring out.

Eunwoo looked down, listening quietly. “I’m sorry, noona. I won’t hide things anymore,” Eunwoo said.

“Always the same excuse, just like him. Did you both make some kind of resolution?” Haein said but immediately realized what she had let slip.

Eunwoo looked up at her with teary eyes. Haein’s eyes softened instantly when she saw the tears in her brother’s eyes.

“H-Hey, why are you crying, Eun?” she asked, and in an instant, Eunwoo burst out crying.

Haein panicked and hugged Eunwoo. “Hey, hey, why are you crying? Is it because I scolded you? I’m sorry, Eun,” she said, but Eunwoo shook his head.

“N-No, it’s not that. K-Kookie,” he said between his sobs.

“H-Huh?” she asked, confused.

“H-He’s asking me to kill him. H-How can he say that??” he cried.

“W-What?” Haein asked, utterly confused.

“T-Today, he was about to get hit by a truck. I saved him, but he asked me to kill him. W-Why is he like this?? I-I hate him. I hate him for doing these things. I will never forgive him!” he said, crying even harder.

Haein just kept rubbing his back soothingly. “Eunwoo, don’t cry, please. He must have said it in frustration or something,” Haein tried to comfort him, but Eunwoo shook his head.

“A-Ani! He meant it! He’s saying I-I’m wishing for his death. H-How can he be like this? He’s such an idiot. I won’t forgive him,” Eunwoo cried.

Haein also had tears in her eyes. “E-Eunwoo-ya, don’t cry. I’ll speak to him, hmm?” she said softly.

“There’s no need to speak with that idiot. Let him be,” Eunwoo said through his sobs.

Haein sighed and continued rubbing his back. “Everything will be fine, Eun, don’t worry,” she said.

Eunwoo just hummed, staying in her embrace.

“I missed you a lot,” Eunwoo said, sniffling.

“I-I am so sorry, Eun. I swear I’ll never leave you alone again,” she said.

Eunwoo nodded and stayed like that for a while.

“Sleepy?” Haein asked gently.

“Hmmm,” Eunwoo mumbled sleepily.

Haein chuckled softly and broke the hug. She looked at Eunwoo’s tear-stained, sleepy face.

“Come on, go to the room and sleep,” she said.

Eunwoo hummed and got up. Haein followed him. Eunwoo plopped onto the bed, and Haein covered him with the duvet, gently patting him to help him fall asleep.

“I am so sorry, Eun. I will never, ever leave you alone again. You’ve gone through so much. I’ll protect you no matter what. I’ll also protect Kookie. I don’t know why he’s like that, but I swear he isn’t doing it intentionally. I believe in my Kookie. I just want you both to be like before,” she thought while gently caressing Eunwoo’s hair.

Hey guys how was the chapter i hope you all like it

Pls do comment…

And yeah so as i asked whether to detail the flash back or not 2 of them said to detail it.

So I’ll do, the first flashback part will take like 3+ chapters.

Still if you all want to give any suggestions please leave it.

10+ comment is today’s Target…