Chapter 289: AFRAID?

HANEUL quickly turned off the phone and set it aside, just as the PD walked in. The man glanced at the phone with a raised brow but didn’t say anything. It was clear he’d noticed Haneul had been using it, but he chose not to comment. Haneul let out a quiet breath of relief.

"Haneul-ssi’s mother and Taeyang-ssi aren’t back yet?" Kyungho asked, noticing that Haneul was alone in the room.

"Yes," Haneul said, slightly puzzled. "Weren’t you with them, PD-nim?"

The PD nodded. "I went to check on the van. Your mother and Taeyang-ssi are probably still talking."

What the PD had just said quickly caught Haneul’s attention. He noticed the startled look that crossed the PD’s face, a clear sign that he hadn’t meant to let it slip that his mother and Taeyang were talking alone.

"What do you mean, PD-nim?" he asked.

Kyungho rubbed the back of his neck. He must have been more exhausted than he thought if he couldn’t even keep his mouth shut. But he’d already said too much, so he might as well answer properly.

"Taeyang-ssi asked your mother if he could speak with her," he said.

Haneul’s brow furrowed slightly. Did Taeyang really ask to talk to his mother? It was probably about the temporary mark. Knowing Taeyang, he was probably telling her that he would protect Haneul and wouldn’t take advantage of the situation. Haneul didn’t know whether to feel moved or conflicted about that.

Before he could dwell on it, the door opened again and his mother walked in. He was about to greet her with a smile when he noticed Taeyang trailing behind her. Instantly, the mark on his nape throbbed, and heat rushed to his face. He dropped his gaze, cursing himself inwardly. Why was he acting so flustered? He couldn’t keep being awkward around Taeyang every time they were in the same room. Especially now, when they’d have to be around each other constantly.

He took a deep breath and lifted his head again. This time, he managed a smile that felt almost natural. Or at least he hoped it was. He was curious about what they’d discussed, but he decided not to ask. He had a feeling he already knew the gist of it anyway.

Eunji gave the PD a nod before walking over to the side of the bed. Her son had already changed out of his hospital gown into a pair of sweats the PD had brought yesterday. "Are you ready to go, Haneul-ah?"

Haneul nodded. "Yes, Mom. I’m ready."

Eunji smiled and gave her son’s cheek a gentle pat. Then she walked over to the couch where her travel bag sat. She reached for it, but the PD got there first, lifting it before she could.

The PD let out an awkward laugh when she glanced at him. "Let me carry this for you, Haneul-ssi’s mom."

Eunji shrugged. If the PD wanted to play bag carrier, she wasn’t going to stop him. She turned to check on Haneul, who was just about to stand up. But the moment he did, he nearly tipped to the side, as if he’d lost his balance. Before she could react, Taeyang was already there, steadying her son with a firm grip on his elbow. Their eyes met for a brief second, then they both looked away and stepped back from each other like they’d been burned.

She looked back and forth between the two. Haneul was clearly trying to act normal, but Taeyang was staring at him like a lost puppy desperate for any scrap of attention. She let out a quiet sigh. If they were already acting like this now, she had no idea how they’d manage to keep their new bond a secret from everyone else for the next month.

For her son’s sake, she truly wished they could. Although her guard against Taeyang had lowered because of the conversation they had, she still couldn’t help feeling uneasy about the whole situation.

But right now, the two of them needed to get used to being temporary mates. She winced at the thought, even just saying it in her head made her uncomfortable. But it was the truth, at least for now. So she might as well help them out, even if only a little.

***

Haneul wanted to move, but his whole body felt stiff. He was sitting in the van, on their way to the airport to drop off his mother for her flight back to Seoul. That wasn’t why he was so tense, though. It was because Taeyang was sitting right beside him.

He’d actually wanted to sit next to his mother so they could talk more before she left. But when he climbed into the van, she surprised him by steering Taeyang into the seat beside him and then taking the passenger seat next to the driver herself. The PD, who had been about to sit there, just scratched his head and settled into the seat behind Haneul and Taeyang instead.

Haneul tried to steady his breathing, but it was hard. The bite mark on his nape felt warm, almost hot, and he was acutely aware of it. Was it always going to feel like this whenever Taeyang was near? He could feel heat creeping up his neck, and he wanted to sink into the seat. This was so embarrassing.

Taeyang, though, misinterpreted Haneul’s stiffness as fear. He tried to tell himself it was probably just awkwardness, but a question kept nagging at him. What if Haneul was actually traumatized by the bite? Yes, Jeon Hyunsik was the one at fault, but Taeyang was the one who had bitten him. No matter the circumstances, it wouldn’t be strange if Haneul was afraid of him now.

That thought sent a chill through him. He didn’t know what he’d do if Haneul really ended up afraid of him. That would be the worst possible outcome. He probably wouldn’t be able to handle it.

Before he could stop himself, Taeyang turned to Haneul and blurted out, "Haneul-ah, are you... are you afraid of me?"