Crave You Forever
Chapter 21: It took someone from me

Chapter 21: It took someone from me

Just as he was about to gather his thoughts, the sound of footsteps broke the silence. Haeun quickly straightened up, his heart racing as Yeongsoo walked into the room, his presence commanding even when he wasn’t trying. His sharp eyes immediately found Haeun sitting at the table, a smirk playing on his lips as he took in the scene.

"Done thinking things over?" Yeongsoo asked casually, as if he hadn’t just stepped into the middle of Haeun’s internal crisis.

Haeun swallowed, feeling his face flush as he glanced at the fork still lying on the table. "I... I guess," he mumbled, not wanting to admit what had just happened.

Yeongsoo raised a brow, clearly amused. "You guess? You were awfully quiet in here," he teased, stepping closer. "What did you decide, Haeun? Or should I not ask?"

Haeun glared at him, trying to regain some sense of composure. "I said I’ll trust you," he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.

Yeongsoo’s eyes flickered with interest, and for a moment, the smirk on his face softened into something more sincere. "Trust, huh?" He leaned against the counter, folding his arms across his chest. "That’s a good start."

Haeun shifted uncomfortably in his seat, the intensity of Yeongsoo’s gaze making him nervous. "Don’t think it’s anything special," he quickly added. "I’m only doing this for the baby."

Yeongsoo chuckled, his cold tone still present despite the amusement on his face. "Of course. It’s all for the baby."

Yeongsoo watched Haeun intently for a moment, then his eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "You look tense," he said, pushing himself off the counter. "How about we get some fresh air?"

Haeun blinked at him, still trying to process the whirlwind of emotions. "Fresh air?"

Without offering further explanation, Yeongsoo walked over, gently grabbing Haeun’s wrist and pulling him up from the chair. "Come on," he said, his tone softer than before. "I think you could use a change of scenery."

Haeun hesitated but found himself following, curious of what Yeongsoo was planning. The two made their way outside, and the cool air hit Haeun’s face, calming him slightly. He glanced at Yeongsoo but didn’t ask where they were headed, simply trusting him—something that felt strange, given their history.

Minutes passed as they drove in silence, the city fading into the distance. Haeun furrowed his brow, glancing out the window as unfamiliar landscapes rolled by.

"Where are we going?" Haeun finally asked, the quiet atmosphere making him nervous.

Yeongsoo only smirked in response, his eyes fixed on the road. "You’ll see."

They eventually pulled up to a secluded area, the sound of waves faintly reaching Haeun’s ears as Yeongsoo parked the car. His confusion was mixed with curiosity as Haeun stepped out, the cool breeze carrying the scent of saltwater.

"We’re... at the beach?" Haeun asked, looking around at the vast stretch of sand and the gentle waves lapping at the shore. He hadn’t expected this, not from someone like Yeongsoo, who seemed too calculating, too serious for something as peaceful as a beach trip.

Yeongsoo walked ahead, his hands casually tucked into his pockets. "Thought it might help you clear your head."

Haeun stood there for a moment, processing it all. The ocean breeze was calming, and for the first time in a while, he felt like he could breathe a little easier. Slowly, he made his way down to the shore, his steps tentative as the cool sand shifted beneath his feet.

As they reached the water’s edge, Yeongsoo stopped and turned to face him. The sunlight reflected in his eyes, giving them a softer, almost gentler glow. "You’ve been carrying a lot on your shoulders," he said, his voice lower now, almost drowned out by the sound of the waves. "But you’re not alone anymore, Haeun."

Haeun swallowed, feeling his heart tighten. He had never expected such words from Yeongsoo. He looked out at the ocean, its vastness mirroring the uncertainty he felt in his heart. "Why are you doing this?"

Yeongsoo stared out at the water for a moment before answering, his voice cold but sincere. "Because I meant what I said. I’ll take care of you and the baby. Whether you trust me fully or not, I’ll always be by your side."

Haeun shifted on his feet, he felt like a lot of things that had supposed to happen in his life, one step at time had been packaged and given to him in a big box.

But maybe, just maybe, Yeongsoo wouldn’t be bad.

He glanced up at Yeongsoo, his lips tugging into a slight smile, though it was brief. "Thanks," he mumbled, his voice softer than usual.

Yeongsoo nodded, the tension between them easing and flowed out along with the waves. "Don’t mention it," he said, then gestured to the sand. "Let’s sit for a bit."

As they sat by the shore, the rhythmic sound of the waves filled the silence between them. Yeongsoo leaned back, gazing out at the horizon, his expression unreadable. After a moment, he broke the silence, his voice quieter than before.

"I hate the beach," he admitted, almost casually. "But I thought it would be nice to bring you here. You like it, don’t you? Do you want to take off your shoes and feel the sand on your toes?"

Haeun blinked, surprised by the offer. It was unexpected, but the idea of feeling the sand between his toes, something so simple and grounding, sounded appealing. He nodded, and without hesitation, Yeongsoo bent down and began helping him take off his shoes, his movements gentle yet firm.

As the cool sand touched his bare feet, Haeun sighed softly, he liked the beach but he couldn’t remember the last time he went to one. Being the eldest son had its rules, he couldn’t play around like he used to.

He glanced over at Yeongsoo, who was now leaning back again, staring out at the ocean with that same distant look.

"Why do you hate the beach?" Haeun asked, his curiosity piqued by the sudden confession.

For a moment, there was silence.

The air around them felt heavier, charged with something unspoken. Haeun could feel the shift in Yeongsoo’s demeanor, the slight stiffening of his posture. Then, Yeongsoo spoke, his voice low and cold, almost detached.

"I lost someone to it or rather it took someone from me," he said simply, his eyes never leaving the water.