Satisfied with the fear she had instilled, Chaeyoung's lips curled into a subtle, triumphant smirk, a testament to her power and influence. She turned away, leaving Joon standing alone, the lunch money he almost lended her still clutched in his hand, as the whispers of the students swirled around him like a maelstrom.
The cacophony of emotions bombarding him from all sides was overwhelming, and as an empath, Joon felt the weight of their fear, anxiety, and curiosity bearing down on him like a physical force. The world seemed to spin around him, and Joon's breath caught in his throat as a panic attack threatened to consume him.
Being an empath was often touted as a superpower, a gift that allowed one to tap into the emotions of those around them. But for Joon, it felt more like a curse, a constant barrage of feelings that he couldn't escape. Overwhelmed and unsure of how to cope, Joon fled to the restroom, seeking solace in the solitude.
He stared at his reflection in the mirror, his eyes wide with anxiety, and began to chant softly to himself, "Breathe in...out...breathe in...out..." The words became a mantra, a desperate attempt to calm the storm raging within him.
Meanwhile, Chaeyoung navigated the halls of DCS with an air of confidence, her stride long and purposeful. Despite the rough patch she was going through with her father, she refused to let it show, instead projecting an aura of invincibility. As she walked, students parted ways, their eyes cast downward in a mixture of fear and deference. No one dared to approach her, except for Joon.
"Hi," Joon said, falling into step beside her as the school bell signaled the end of the day. Chaeyoung's expression turned cold, her eyes flashing with annoyance. "Look, I don't know why you keep talking to me like we're friends or something, but stop it," she said, her voice dripping with disdain. Her face twisted into a scowl, as if the very idea of Joon's friendship was repulsive to her.
As Chaeyoung walked away, her phone beeped with a message from her father: Meet me at home for dinner. She let out a mirthless chuckle, the sound tinged with sarcasm. "Like things couldn't get any better," she muttered to herself, shaking her head in exasperation.
When she stepped out of the imposing school building, she was greeted by her sleek limousine and two burly escorts, their faces expressionless. "It's about time," Chaeyoung sighed, rolling her eyes as she slid into the luxurious vehicle.
The 30-minute drive passed in silence, and when she arrived at her sprawling mansion, Chaeyoung paused, gazing up at the grand structure. "Home or hell?" she wondered aloud, a tired sigh escaping her lips after a long day of hunger and stress. No breakfast, no lunch, and now, the prospect of dinner seemed uncertain.
Two hours later, her father finally arrived, and the household staff scurried out to line up in an orderly fashion, their heads bowed in respect. The caretaker stood at the forefront, greeting President Park and his fiancée, Eunji. The President emerged from an even more luxurious limousine than Chaeyoung's, his driver opening the door with a deferential bow.
"Good evening, Mr. Park. We're glad to see you," the spotless maid said, her voice smooth as silk. Mr. Park's expression was stern, while Eunji's face radiated confidence, her head held high as she clung to his arm. It was unusual for Mr. Park to stay at this mansion, as he typically resided in a separate estate with his fiancée, leaving Chaeyoung to her own devices without any parental guidance or care.
"Is Chaeyoung home?" Mr. Park asked curtly, disregarding the maid's greeting. His brusqueness was reminiscent of Chaeyoung's, but whereas she was bound by her father's expectations, Jongnan's rudeness was unchecked, a reflection of his unbridled freedom.
"Yes, sir. She's in her room," the maid replied, her head still bowed. "Let her know about my arrival," Mr. Park instructed, already walking away with Eunji trailing behind him like a devoted shadow.
"Yes, sir," the maid responded, though he was already out of earshot.
Meanwhile, Chaeyoung was ensconced in her room, lost in thought. She was acutely aware of the dynamics at play outside her closed doors – her father's obsession with wealth and reputation, her stepmother's materialistic motives, and the school's superficial perception of her. Few people knew the complexities beneath her prickly exterior.
Chaeyoung's phone beeped, signaling a notification from Instagram. The sender's username, @leejoon007, caught her off guard. "Hey. Just wanted to apologize if I made you mad today," the message read. Chaeyoung's expression twisted in skepticism, not because Joon's persistence annoyed her, but because his sudden kindness seemed implausible, leaving her questioning his true intentions.
"What the hell... are you stalking me or what?" Chaeyoung's message was laced with annoyance. Joon's response was immediate, as if he'd been waiting for her reply. "No, it's not like that," he sent, accompanied by a nervous smile emoji.
"Let's get to the point," Chaeyoung typed, her patience wearing thin. "What do you mean?" Joon asked, his response swift.
"What do you want from me? Money? Fame? What?!" Chaeyoung demanded an answer. "What?! I don't want anything," Joon protested.
"Then why do you keep following me like a clingy chihuahua?" Chaeyoung shot back, her skepticism evident. "I just wanted to help," Joon replied after a noticeable pause.
"What could someone like you possibly help me with?" Chaeyoung's message dripped with condescension. "Never mind," Joon said, going offline abruptly.
"Ugh," Chaeyoung groaned, tossing her phone onto the bed. "Why can't everyone just be honest?" she exclaimed, her frustration boiling over. Hunger was making her irritable, and every passing second seemed to amplify her anger.
As she pondered her situation, Chaeyoung's thoughts turned to her father. "There's no way he ordered them to starve me", she rationalized. "I'll just get whatever I want. No way I'm letting my day get any worse. April 26th, 2025– I won't forget this messed-up day", she vowed.
Chaeyoung summoned her chef, and to her relief, her food supply hadn't been cut off. As the chef busied himself in the kitchen, a maid rushed to Chaeyoung's room, knocking loudly.
"Who's there?", Chaeyoung asked, irritated by the disturbance. "My apologies, ma'am", the maid replied.
"Come in," Chaeyoung said, rolling her eyes. The maid entered, bowing with her head lowered as was customary.
"What is it?" Chaeyoung asked curtly. "I'm sorry for the disturbance, but Mr. Park has asked me to announce his arrival to you," the maid said, her voice subservient.
"So that's why you nearly broke my door? Do you know your salary can't even pay for it?", Chaeyoung's voice was laced with fury. "I'm sorry, ma'am", the maid replied, her voice tinged with sadness.
"Leave", Chaeyoung commanded. The maid humbly exited the room, carefully closing the door behind her.
Ten minutes later, Chaeyoung made her way downstairs, her stomach growling from the lack of breakfast and lunch. As expected, she found Eunji clinging to her father's hand, a gesture clearly designed to provoke her. However, Chaeyoung remained unfazed.
"Good day, Father", Chaeyoung greeted, her tone disciplined and controlled. Jongnan was taken aback by her demeanor but chose not to comment on it.
"I know I was harsh with you the other evening", he began. "And I had to resort to measures that would affect both of us," he paused, glancing at Eunji. "I acted without thinking, and thanks to Eunji here, I've decided to forgive you".
The phrase 'forgive you' only fueled Chaeyoung's anger, but she bit her tongue, aware that speaking out might lead to further consequences. Eunji smiled sweetly at Chaeyoung. "What your father is trying to say is that he'll let it slide...but on one condition," she said, feigning innocence.
Chaeyoung's thoughts turned inward, her skepticism evident. "I wonder why she fakes being nice in front of me when it comes to my dad. She can be all wicked to me, and my dad won't even lift a finger...as long as it doesn't get to the media," Chaeyoung thought to herself, her distrust of Eunji's motives growing.
"And that is?", Chaeyoung asked, her voice devoid of enthusiasm. "What could possibly be worse than letting me take the bus?" she thought to herself.
"This isn't an option for you to decide, it's a necessity," Jongnan began, his words dripping with deliberation. "I've made a few calls, and after some consideration, Eunji and I have made a decision." Jongnan's tendency to elaborate excessively was a trait Chaeyoung found infuriating. He couldn't seem to get to the point, instead opting to build suspense.
Chaeyoung rolled her eyes slightly, waiting for him to reveal the decision. "And that decision is..." he started to say, but before he could finish, Chaeyoung's phone beeped with an incoming message from Joon.
I always wondered why people treated you differently, and till now, I still don't see why, the message read. You asked me why I kept following you... it's because I know you needed someone to talk to, and I wanted to be there to help... even though you don't really know me.
Just as Chaeyoung was processing Joon's words, Jongnan continued, "And the decision is that you'll move to the U.S to have a better education system as I can see the education here in South Korea is very poor", Chaeyoung's eyes widened in shock, her mind racing with the implications. "Is that their way of getting rid of me?" she thought to herself, a mixture of anger and confusion swirling within her.