🎵 wendy rv - return

The sound of the waves became louder. Together with the color of the sky that is getting darker, indicating that the weather will soon change. Not just that, the direction of the wind also felt even more erratic than before.

In the midst of weather where people should have been looking for shelter, you all still didn't move. There was no sign of either Jeonghan or the assistant leaving first.

"I remember you." You started, "You're Mr. Kim's assistant."

"Correct. I'm Park Juwon." He politely bowed while introducing himself further.

Unlike you who slightly bowed your head to return his politeness, Jeonghan showed no intention of doing so. He felt uncomfortable with Juwon's appearance also the fact that Juwon followed you all the way to Naksan.

Jeonghan got off the hood of the car then hugged your waist--carrying you down safely. He then looked at Juwon from head to toe, looking pass him as well as where his black sedan was parked. At first Jeonghan was suspicious whether Mr. Kim was in there, but after observing the engine was off, it didn't feel like there was anyone inside.

"Why are you here?" Jeonghan finally spoke. In a more cynical voice he asked again, "What do you want?"

"I'm just carrying out the orders I was given."  Juwon answered flatly.

Jeonghan tugged on your wrist gently when you were about to say something--his eyes seemed to say let him take over, you just need to take cover behind him.

So you did. The two steps back you took were replaced by Jeonghan who moved closer to Juwon.

With almost the same height, their eyes immediately stared coldly at each other as soon as they met.

"Whose orders? What kind of orders?" Behind his calm voice, you were one hundred percent sure Jeonghan was very angry right now.

Juwon's unclenched jaw needed to be clenched again when his phone rang. Jeonghan's question had to be put aside so he could answer the call. At first Juwon was discussing about work matters with the caller. Even though he was just talking on the phone, his attitude was still very stiff. However, suddenly Juwon's gaze slowly shifted from the beach view to you.

"...What?" You couldn't help but to feel weirded out.

Jeonghan stepped to the right to block Juwon's view. He pointed two fingers at his eyes then at Juwon's, "Watch it before I gouge it out of your skull."

"Yes, correct. She's here." Juwon didn't seem bothered at all. Once or twice he looked up at the sky after hearing a soft rumbling behind the clouds.

"I'm pretty sure it's your boss who called." You whispered to Jeonghan, tugging the hem of his denim jacket slightly.

"Why is he only my bo--"

"Because I got fired already?" You remind him when he look over his shoulder to you.

"Shit. Sorry, I didn't mean to." He gritted his teeth in guilt.

"That's cool. Besides, I don't think I want to work for him anymore."

"Consider yourself lucky." He rolled his eyes while snorting softly then returned his focus to Juwon who had hung up the phone.

Juwon remembered to pick up where he left off, "I was asked to keep an eye on her, to make sure she doesn't cause any more trouble."

"May I remind you that it was his niece who caused more complicated problems?" Jeonghan said in your defense, brows furrowed now.

Juwon was silent for a few seconds. A few drops of rain fell right at the same time as Juwon stretched out his hand--landing right on his palm. The way he just brushed it off, his overly calm attitude made you shudder a little, he almost looked like a robot.

"Mr. Kim would like to meet her now. And I suggest we hurry before the rain gets worse." No, Juwon said that not out of empathy if any of you got wet in the rain, but because he wanted to carry out his duties as soon as possible.

"If he wants to see her, he needs to see me as well." Jeonghan didn't even flinch when rain dripped into his eyes.

"Han, let's just go.." You muttered softly.

His cold eyes filled with warmth again when he saw you--noticed your hair was starting to get wet. He cursed under his breath for everything that ruined his perfect day just minutes ago as he guided you into his car.

"Jeong--" You reached for his hand when he was about to leave.

"I'll be quick." He let out a soft sigh along with a warm smile. When he removed your fingers from his wrist--that feeling scared you.

"I promise," He tapped your nose gently before he turned back to Juwon.

The raindrops became heavier and heavier, making it difficult for you to read the movement of their lips. If Jeonghan really insisted on meeting Mr. Kim, surely he will use the opportunity to express his anger about your dismissal too.

You bit your thumb as you watched Jeonghan's movements. Several times you tried to open the door when Jeonghan pushed Juwon's shoulder, when they looked like they were going to fight.

"Damn it--" Jeonghan already knew that you, who were stubborn, would definitely not obey, so he locked the door from the outside.

When Jeonghan got back into the car, he didn't even care if the seat was wet. He took off his coat then threw it into the back seat. He waited until Juwon returned to his car then drove in the direction Juwon had gone.

"What did you two talk about?" You grabbed as many tissues as you could find in his car to wipe the excess water from his hair and face, "What did he say to you?" You asked again when he didn't give you any answer.

"Some bullshit." Jeonghan turned the steering wheel a little bit too sudden, making your head bumped against the window.

"Ow.."

"Shoot, I'm sorry." He quickly hit the brake to check on you, "I'm really sorry." He repeated.

Jeonghan rubbed his eyes repeatedly when his vision was a little blurry. The rain that had been pouring on him earlier, he only felt the effect now. He felt cold even though the heater was turned on, his hands were shaking even though his body temperature felt normal when you held them. He could feel his throat tightening when he wanted to talk.

"Hey, hey, look at me." You held his hand tightly, knowing that the intense stress was causing him to have a panic attack.

The rhythm of the breath that Jeonghan exhaled through his mouth was still not normal. Through his hazy eyes he watched your demonstration of taking a deep breath then exhaling slowly.

"Deep breath, Yoon Jeonghan, deep breath." You placed a hand on his chest, giving it a gentle pats following your heartbeat.

"Okay...okay, I'm okay.." It took a while for him to get better but you waited patiently.

"That's right. You're okay, everything's gonna be okay."

Jeonghan gently placed your palms on his cheeks, his thumb caressing your knuckles softly just like how yours are caressing his cheeks.

"Do you feel better now?" You lowered your head to seek for his eyes. He nodded with a shaky sigh escaping his lips.

"Do you want to tell me about what you and Juwon talked about that made you like this?" Again, you look into his eyes.

He looks unsure. A couple of times he opened his mouth to speak but in the end he only bit his lip to silence himself again. But the sincerity he could feel from your eyes, as well as your patience in waiting without forcing him, made him finally opened up.

"When he said that you're not worth it, it just drives me so fucking mad." He sighed in disbelief.

But what if Juwon is right--you're conflicting with your own self.

Jeonghan can finally drive again after he regained his composure. Even though Juwon's car is already out of sight, Jeonghan already know where he's heading. He skillfully typed in a name of the place in the car's GPS with one hand, then follow the route shown on it.

"You know, I think I'll be fine if I meet him alone." At least you think you'll be okay. Considering you've met him before, what could be worse, right.

Jeonghan didn't miss a second to think. He just answered straight away, "No."

"Han, listen.."

"No, you listen to me. I said no." He insisted, "Last time he almost managed to get rid of you from my life. Who knows what he will do now."

You only realized the sun was no longer there when Jeonghan turned on the car's headlights. When you check the time on your phone, apparently it's past dinner time already.

"Okay, fine. But promise me there will be no violence involved." You warned him. And again, when he didn't give any answer, "Yoon Jeonghan."

"Alright." He rolled his eyes slightly.

"Alright what?"

"Alright, I promise to try my best not to punch that asshole in the face." He took the right turn while groaning, "That's the best I can do."

The estimated travel time on the GPS screen shows that there are still around forty-five minutes until you arrive at your destination. Both your and Jeonghan's hair and clothes that were previously damp have started to dry out. You and Jeonghan took turns blowing your nose with the remaining supply of tissues you had.

"Who are you texting?" Jeonghan glanced when you're too focused with your phone.

"Since when did you become so possessive?" You asked back with a light chuckle.

"Since I realized I get jealous very easily." He nodded his head toward your phone again, "Who?"

"I'm telling my mother that I might unable to eat dinner together." It's your turn to rolled your eyes at him, "Happy now?"

Jeonghan's lips curved into a small smile as he nodded. Seeing that, you turned your head out the window as your thumb discreetly deleted the latest message you sent to someone who clearly wasn't your mother.

The GPS shows the way very accurately. At the same time as it stops showing the way, you have arrived at a magnificent vacation house. Jeonghan parked right next to Juwon's car. At the door entrance, Juwon's figure was already visible, waiting for the two of you.

Even though you both knew you had to get out of the car, neither of you moved. You were sure Jeonghan was feeling the same nervousness as you. There's nothing scary about coming face to face with Mr. Kim. It was the possibility of him being able to separate the two of you that made you reluctant to move forward.

"Okay..let's go." You unbuckled your safety belt, about to get off the car.

"Wait--" Jeonghan called out.

You look over your shoulder into his eyes.

"..I love you." He blurted out, "Whatever you're thinking right now, just remember that."

Before he could hear your reply, Jeonghan got out of the car first. You watched him grabbing his backpack from the car trunk then continued to steps forward. Of course he didn't leave you. He stopped then wait patiently with his hands in his pocket. Before following him out, you send another message to the same person. Hoping you can stall as much time as they need.

Juwon and Jeonghan exchanged cold glances when their shoulders brushed against each other. From how Jeonghan know where Mr. Kim's room was located, you assume he's been to the vacation house before.

"There you are!" Mr. Kim greeted cheerfully as the large double doors opened, "Welcome, welcome. Make yourself at home. Ha-ha-ha!"

"Suddenly I forgot what home sweet home is." Jeonghan fake a rather loud laugh to match Mr. Kim's laughter.

Mr Kim was sitting on a one-seater sofa made out of expensive woods and red velvet cushions. Meanwhile you and Jeonghan sat right in front of him. When there was a knock on the door, Juwon invited the butler to come in to serve hot tea at the table.

"I've got to say I didn't expect to see you here today, Yoon Jeonghan." Mr. Kim was smiling but doesn't look pleased.

"Cut the bullshit." Jeonghan also answered with a smile as he scooted forward in his seat. He rested his elbows on his knees, then with ten fingers interlocked, he asked, "Why did you ask your assistant to follow Y/N around?"

"Did I? Ha-ha-ha.." Mr. Kim took a sip of his hot tea.

Feeling the tension is too high, you decided to jumped into the conversation, "May I ask why do you want to see me?"

"Okay, okay, let me explain." Mr. Kim finally shows more seriousness. He took a glance at Juwon where Juwon immediately caught the code to take something from the other room.

"Indeed, I asked Juwon to keep an eye on you, miss. Why, you may ask? Because it seems like you haven't fully understand the consequences we've talked about the other day." Mr. Kim loosened his tie slightly as he stood up. He left his tea and walked straight to the whiskey bar in the corner of his room.

"You're putting his career--" Mr. Kim pointed at Jeonghan, "--at risk for the sake of temporary romance. Believe me, I know it will be temporary."

"My career or your profit?" Jeonghan sneered.

"Both, of course!" Mr. Kim sound quite proud with his answer.

"I don't understand why is it SO wrong to love someone in your eyes." Jeonghan scoffs with his brows furrowed.

"No, of course not." Mr. Kim exhaled a sarcastic laugh while staring at Jeonghan. He then poured himself another shot of whiskey, "Loving someone isn't wrong...as long as they're equal to you." His eyes shifted from Jeonghan to you.

"Pardon?" It's clear from the way Jeonghan talk that he's deeply insulted, "You're not my parents. What gives you the right to control who I deserve to love?"

"I won't restrain you if you're not part of my agency." Mr. Kim sat back on his sofa, put his whiskey glass on the table and crossed his legs, "At least aim for an idol too. I can introduce you to some famous group members. That could increase your popularity."

"I fell in love as a person, not just as an idol or your business puppet." Jeonghan stood up and you quickly grabbed his wrist before he could take further steps forward.

"Han, please calm down--"

Jeonghan managed to pull his arm away. He was full of anger when he bumped against the table. The sudden impact made the glasses fell and spilled their drinks everywhere, some even crashed onto the floor.

"Yoon Jeonghan...!" You hurriedly wrapped your arms around his waist from behind, holding him in place with the remaining energy you had, "I'll go back to LA if you don't listen to me!"

Hearing that, Jeonghan immediately stopped struggling. You keep asking him to stop in quiet whispers, taking a step back at a time. If it weren't for you, he wouldn't have complied. You only loosened your arms when he finally leaned against you.

"Let's just go. I'm not wasting my time here." Jeonghan grabbed his backpack after you let go of your arms, he unzipped it and turned it upside down, spilling a lot of cash everywhere--he kept shaking the bag until the last money came out. After that, he threw his bag onto the table, not caring if a lot of the cash was wet from the spilled drinks.

"Ten million won." Jeonghan announced, "Y/N no longer owes you anything."

When Mr. Kim stood up, you thought there was going to be another commotion. However, when Mr. Kim actually clapped his hands while laughing, all you could feel was goosebumps.

At the same time Juwon returned with several documents in his hand. Remembering the last time the document didn't produce good results, you couldn't help but to feel a little traumatized guessing what was written there now.

"It's a big advantage to have a rich idol boyfriend, isn't it?" Mr. Kim asked with a sarcastic smile while nodding his head towards Jeonghan, telling Juwon to hand the documents directly to him, "I also have something for you."

"I told you she's not worth it." Juwon mumbled quietly but still enough for Jeonghan to hear.

All you could feel was yourself collapsing inside, stomach turned upside down. Especially when you're familiar with the format used in the document--in fact, the more you read it, the more you realize that it is not only similar but is actually the exact same format as your dismissal letter.

"Wait-- You can't do this, he didn't do anything wrong..! It's all my fault!" You stepped forward between them.

"I agree. But Yoon Jeonghan doesn't." Mr. Kim simply said.

When you looked back at Jeonghan, he was still stunned. Even though his eyes looked empty, you knew his member was one of his greatest sources of happiness. Because of that fact alone, guilt immediately haunts you.

"Please retrieve the dismissal letter. I'll do anything to fix this mistake.."

"Y/N." Jeonghan called out, though you didn't answer him.

Mr. Kim glanced at the floor for a bit, "Maybe if you show me how truly sorry you are, I'll consider it."

A big smile spread across Mr. Kim as you slowly lower yourself about to go onto your knees. The pain in your legs that hasn't fully recovered doesn't feel comfortable. Even so, you refuse to look weak in front of Mr. Kim.

"CHO Y/N." Jeonghan shouted as he lunged forward to grab your wrist, forbidding you from going any further.

"I can't let him kick you out just like that! You didn't do anything wrong!" You shouted back at him. No matter how hard you tried to pull your hand away, he was much stronger than you.

"I don't care--"

"You SHOULD care! Think about your members? Will Seventeen be Seventeen without you?" Your heart raced in your chest as you looked into his eyes, "Will you be okay without them..?"

Jeonghan opened his mouth, his lips forming the word "No," then caught your eye again. His breath was stuck in his throat.

You stared at him, eyes not blinking, until you heard the words you hadn't known you were waiting for.

"But I won't be okay without you either...I can't move forward without you by my side."

Just then, the door flew opened. Seems like the guests weren't invited by Mr. Kim either--he himself looks quite surprised by the sudden arrival.

"Wow, what a mess." Woozi hissed through his awkwardly gritted teeth while looking around the room. His small eyes then met yours, while smiling widely he then said, "I got your message. Sorry I'm late."

"I thought the message didn't come through." You let out a sigh of relief, almost stumbling backwards, probably would have fallen if Jeonghan hadn't grabbed you in time.

"Minghao took the wrong turn." Woozi pointed at Minghao who made an entrance with his new blonde hair.

"Sorry." Minghao shrugged.

Woozi then sit comfortably on the couch you sat earlier. Along with Seungcheol and the rest of Seventeen members.

Hoshi had just finished reading the document addressed to Jeonghan. He nodded casually--even grinned to himself then placed it on the table, letting it get wet along with the other stuffs.

Seungcheol stared at the big clock on the wall right above the big bookshelves in the room. When the clock's second hand made a full turn, the minute hand passed the number twelve, indicating that the day had changed, Seungcheol clasped his hands together with a wide smile.

"Now that we're all gathered here, let's talk about our contract renewal, shall we?"