Crave You Forever
Chapter 104: Bai Youran’s doom (2)

Chapter 104: Bai Youran’s doom (2)

The next morning, Haeun stirred awake to an empty bed. The spot where Yeongsoo usually slept was cold, as if he’d been gone for hours. He rubbed his eyes, the soft morning light filtering through the curtains.

Sitting up, he glanced around, confused. Yeongsoo never left without a word.

Before he could dwell on it, the quiet padding of small feet echoed from the hallway. Suho appeared, his hair a mess of dark strands, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. He looked up, still half-asleep, and blinked at Haeun.

"Hyung, where’s Yeongsoo-hyung?" Suho mumbled, voice groggy as he clutched his stuffed rabbit tightly to his chest.

Haeun swung his legs over the side of the bed, trying to hide the unease creeping into his chest. "I don’t know," he said softly. "I thought he’d be here."

Suho yawned, his expression still drowsy. "Maybe he’s making breakfast?" His hopeful tone carried an innocent optimism, but Haeun knew better. Yeongsoo always told them before going anywhere. Always.

"Maybe," Haeun replied, forcing a calm tone as he gently patted Suho’s head. "Let’s check."

They walked into the kitchen together, but the space was still and empty, the silence stretching too long for comfort. The usual scent of food wasn’t there, only the faint traces of last night’s meal. No sign of Yeongsoo.

Suho frowned, his small brows knitting together. "Hyung never leaves without telling you... right?"

Haeun knelt beside him, placing a steady hand on Suho’s shoulder. "No, he doesn’t," he said, keeping his voice gentle even as worry coiled in his chest. "He probably just had something important to do and didn’t want to wake us."

Suho bit his lip, fidgeting with the hem of his pajama shirt. "Do you think something’s wrong?"

Haeun hesitated, then shook his head, giving Suho a reassuring smile. "No, I’m sure he’s fine. He’ll be back soon."

But as Suho clung to his side, Haeun couldn’t shake the gnawing worry in his gut. Where could Yeongsoo have gone without telling either of them? And why did it feel like this was the calm before the storm?

Haeun ruffled Suho’s hair, offering a gentle smile despite the knot of unease tightening in his chest. "Let’s not worry too much," he said softly. "We should get on with our day. How about we make breakfast together?"

Suho blinked up at him, looking a little uncertain. "You? You can cook?"

Haeun let out a chuckle, though it was a bit forced. "Hey, I can cook! Just not... fancy stuff like Yeongsoo." He glanced toward the kitchen. "But I can handle toast, eggs, and sausages."

Suho snorted, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Toast doesn’t count as cooking, Hyung."

"Then you’ll just have to help me make it count," Haeun teased, gently nudging him toward the kitchen.

They moved around the space, the atmosphere gradually lightening as they settled into the rhythm of preparing a simple meal. Haeun wasn’t used to doing this—Yeongsoo usually took charge—but today he had no choice. He cracked eggs into a pan, the sizzle filling the room, and Suho busied himself popping slices of bread into the toaster.

"You’re better than I thought," Suho admitted, watching as Haeun expertly flipped the eggs.

"I have my moments," Haeun replied with a smirk. "Besides, this is basic stuff. If I tried making what I was actually craving, we’d probably burn the house down."

"What were you craving?" Suho asked, genuinely curious.

"Ramen noodles, Yeongsoo has his way of making them," Haeun confessed, glancing at the batter-less counter with a sheepish grin. "But I don’t have the patience or skill for that right now."

Suho laughed, shaking his head. "We’re better off with toast and eggs."

The scent of sausages frying and toast browning soon filled the air. It wasn’t elaborate, but it was warm, comforting, and enough to push aside the lingering worry about Yeongsoo—at least for the moment. They set the table together, simple plates of food laid out neatly.

As they sat down, Suho looked across the table at Haeun. "You don’t do this often."

Haeun’s smile softened. "No, but it’s nice, isn’t it? Just us, having a quiet morning."

Suho nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Yeah... it is."

They ate in companionable silence, the clinking of chopsticks against plates was the only sound in the room. But in the back of Haeun’s mind, the question still lingered.

Where are you, Yeongsoo? And what are you dealing with alone?

After breakfast, Haeun stretched and let out a satisfied sigh. "Alright, time to clean up." He ruffled Suho’s hair again, earning a small, playful scowl from the boy.

"I’ll wash the dishes," Suho offered, sliding off his chair. "You cooked, so it’s only fair."

Haeun arched a brow, clearly surprised. "Look at you, being responsible. Are you sure you’re nine?"

Suho rolled his eyes but couldn’t help the faint smile tugging at his lips. "Go take your shower, Hyung. I’ll handle it."

With a chuckle, Haeun left Suho to the dishes and headed to the bathroom. The hot water was soothing, washing away some of the lingering tension. As he stepped out, towel draped around his shoulders, he heard the faint clatter of dishes being put away and smiled to himself.

Once Suho finished up, he took his turn in the bathroom, leaving Haeun lounging on the couch, feeling an unexpected wave of drowsiness wash over him. The baby’s making me tired again, he thought, rubbing a hand over his belly.

When Suho emerged, fresh-faced and dressed, Haeun was already sprawled on the couch, eyes heavy. "You okay, Hyung?" Suho asked, voice tinged with concern.

"Just sleepy," Haeun mumbled, sinking deeper into the cushions. "The baby’s making me lazy."

Suho frowned but didn’t press. Instead, he grabbed a throw blanket from the armrest and gently draped it over Haeun. "Then take a nap. I’ll be quiet."

Haeun opened one eye, smirking faintly. "You? Quiet? That’ll be a first."

Suho made a face. "Go to sleep already."

*********

The hotel room was dimly lit, the glow from the city skyline filtering through the floor-to-ceiling windows. The soft hum of the city below created a muted backdrop of sound, but within the luxurious suite, the silence was heavy with tension.

Yeongsoo stood near the window, dressed in a silk shirt, partially unbuttoned, the smooth fabric clinging to his form, emphasizing his lean frame. His black slacks hung low on his hips, tailored perfectly to his figure. The cool amber liquid in his glass swirled as he tilted it in his hand, taking a slow sip. The ice clinked softly against the glass, his every movement languid but deliberate.

Yet beneath the calm facade, there was an unmistakable tension. His eyes, dark and sharp, flicked toward the door every few moments. He wasn’t used to waiting—and certainly not for someone like Bai Youran. His impatience simmered just beneath the surface, a dangerous edge softening into nothing but a sultry facade.

Then the door clicked open.

Bai Youran stepped inside, his expression smug, as if he were the one holding the power. He shut the door behind him, his eyes raking over Yeongsoo like he had already won.

"You always were dramatic, Yeongsoo," Bai drawled, his smirk widening. "The silk shirt, the drink... trying to seduce me, or just flaunting your victory?"

Yeongsoo turned slowly, letting his eyes meet Bai’s, cold and unyielding. He set the glass down on the sleek marble counter with a soft thud, his lips curling into a slow, calculated smile. "Isn’t this what you wanted, Bai Youran? Me, all alone, waiting for you?"

Bai chuckled, taking a step forward. "I wanted you humbled," he said, his tone dripping with satisfaction. "And it looks like I got exactly that."

Yeongsoo tilted his head, the smile still playing on his lips. "You’ve been playing this game for so long, Bai. Don’t you think it’s time for it to end?"

Bai narrowed his eyes, the smugness giving way to something more guarded. "What are you getting at?"

Yeongsoo’s smile widened, but there was no warmth in it now. Only something cold and final. He stepped forward, each move graceful, like a predator closing in on its prey. "I meant," he said softly, his voice like silk over steel, "that I’ve let you play long enough."

Bai Youran’s confidence faltered. "You think you can scare me?" he hissed. "You think you can—"

His words cut off as Yeongsoo moved faster than Bai anticipated, slamming him against the wall. The soft clink of the glass on the counter seemed deafening in the sudden, charged silence.

Yeongsoo leaned in close, his lips brushing against Bai’s ear as he whispered, "No more threats. No more games. You don’t get to hurt my family."

Bai struggled, but Yeongsoo’s grip was iron. "You think you can get away with this?" Bai spat, fear creeping into his voice. "I have power—"

"You had power," Yeongsoo corrected, his voice like ice. "It’s gone now. And so are you."

The tension in the room thickened as Yeongsoo stepped back, his eyes still locked on Bai. The glass on the counter caught the city lights as Yeongsoo reached for it once more. He took another sip, savoring the moment, then set it down.

Bai Youran’s breathing was ragged as he tried to regain control. "You won’t—"

The door locked behind him with a soft click, and the realization dawned too late.

Yeongsoo’s voice was calm, almost soothing. "This ends now."

Bai Youran’s eyes darted toward the locked door, panic blooming across his face. He struggled to free himself, but Yeongsoo was unmoved, steady, his grip unyielding as he pressed Bai harder against the wall.

"You really thought I’d let you threaten what’s mine?" Yeongsoo murmured, his tone deceptively gentle, almost tender. "You thought I’d let you walk away?"

Bai’s voice trembled now, the arrogance stripped away. "You’ll regret this, Yeongsoo. There are people who will—"

"No one’s coming for you," Yeongsoo interrupted, his voice a soft, deadly whisper. "You’re alone. Just like you made sure I would be."

Bai writhed in his grasp, desperate now. "You can’t kill me," he gasped. "You don’t have it in you."

Yeongsoo’s smile returned, but it was colder, sharper. "You don’t know me as well as you think."

In one swift motion, Yeongsoo released him—only to drive a blade deep into Bai’s abdomen. The glint of steel caught the dim light for just a moment before it disappeared into his flesh. Bai gasped, a choked sound of shock and agony, his hands grasping at Yeongsoo’s shirt, smearing it with blood.

Yeongsoo leaned in closer, watching the light in Bai’s eyes flicker. "This is for Haeun," he whispered, twisting the blade with a deliberate, cruel slowness. "For my child."

Bai sank to his knees, his body convulsing as the life drained from him. "You... won’t... get away..." he rasped, blood trickling from his mouth.

Yeongsoo knelt beside him, placing the bloodied blade on the floor with care. "I already have," he said softly. "No one will miss you."

Bai’s body slumped, the last breath of life slipping away as his eyes glazed over, staring blankly at nothing. The room was silent except for the soft hum of the city outside, indifferent to the death within.

Yeongsoo stood slowly, wiping his hands clean with a silk handkerchief before tossing it onto Bai’s lifeless body. He adjusted his shirt, smoothing out the wrinkles as though nothing had happened.

He walked to the window, the city lights casting a cool glow over him. He took another slow sip of his drink, savoring the quiet victory.

With one final glance at the body, Yeongsoo murmured, "Goodbye, Bai Youran."

And then he turned, calm and composed, walking out of the room and into the night as if the devil himself had never been there.