Vows and Bullets
Chapter 93: [Bonus - ] Signs

Chapter 93: [Bonus Chapter] Signs

(Author’s Note: Since you all sent me Summoning Pens asking for a bonus Chapter, here it is. I hope you enjoy!)

[Music Recommendation: "Waste It On Me" by BTS & Steve Aoki - instrumental version by Paintamelody]

He leaned closer and brushed his finger on my cheeks.

"So if someone hurts you or bothers you, they are doing it to me as well."

"Liar. You don’t like me that much," I scoffed and averted my eyes.

"Really? If that’s the case, then..." he asked as he grabbed my hand and made it touch his chest, "why does it hurt me here, too?"

"H-huh?"

My eyes widened hearing those words. I looked back at him only to see his knitted eyebrows and wretched expression. Was he serious, or was it all an act?

"H-How would I know? I can’t tell what you’re feeling for sure."

"... Right," he whispered.

So close... we were too close at that time. His arms were still wrapped around me, and because of that, I could somehow hear a loud beating of a heart.

Ba-dump! Ba-dump! Ba-dump!

Was it mine? Or was it his?

And why was he suddenly being so nice?

I’m not used to the kindness.

And for some reason, instead of feeling grateful for it, it’s making me scared!

I’m too scared to trust him.

And most of all...

I’m too scared to fall.

What if I fall, but in the end, this was all one great lie, and he just needed me as a pawn for whatever his goal was?

’No. I can’t. I wouldn’t be able to bear the pain if that happened. So before it does....’

"Ye-Ji’ya."

Eun-Woo whispered my name so gently again... like the sweet whisper of the devil.

"Eun-Woo’ya, please stop this," I pleaded, with my eyes on the verge of tears. "Don’t be kind to me. Don’t be sweet to me. Don’t protect me and care for me unless it’s for the mission, and we’re doing it as a facade. And please, stop trying to flirt with me! You don’t like me that way, and I don’t like you that way, too. And it will never be like that so, please! Stop it!"

"Why?" he asked sternly.

His eyes looked straight into mine as if trying to read my mind.

"... Are you falling?"

"No!" I quickly denied it.

"Then it’s fine," he replied. "Even if I act nice—be sweet, or care for you... and even if I touch you like this," he said as he pulled my body closer, "or kiss you," he lifted my chin and kissed me briefly, "... you won’t fall for it."

For some reason, I couldn’t move. And I didn’t know what to say.

"Whatever I do, you won’t fall for it," he continued. "So it’s alright. Just keep being cold like that, and I’ll keep showering you with affection as much as I want. I already told you that before, right? Unless...

"You’re already falling, but you’re just afraid to embrace it."

"N-No..."

"Ha-ha. My wife is such a liar."

"I said, no—"

Alas, he kissed me again... passionately.

Too passionate that... all the arguments in my mind faded away in an instant.

"Uhmm... Aaahh..."

"Hahhh..."

How cruel. He knows I’m weak against his kiss, so he shuts my mouth with it.

I know very little about love and romance, but if lonesome makes you feel like this... could it be considered... lo—

"...No," I shook my head and pushed him back.

Our lips parted, and I covered his mouth with my hand.

"Stop."

"If you’re asking me to stop kissing you, I can do that. But if you’re asking me to stop liking you, I’m afraid that’s out of my control."

"Eun-Woo’ya..."

"I understand if you’re afraid since this is all new to us. Even I don’t know much about it but... I can’t stop. And I don’t understand why. Now if you want to trample on my feelings or act cold towards me, it’s alright. Do as you want. Just make sure you’re happy with that—not like the face you’re showing right now."

"Are you nuts? Who would be happy trampling someone’s feelings?"

"You don’t want me to like you or be affectionate with you, but you also don’t want to trample on my feelings? How indecisive of you. And that makes it crueler, don’t you think? You should at least tell me clearly what you want."

"I already told you to stop. I said, I don’t like it, but you keep doing it again!"

"Because you’re lying."

"... I’m not lying."

"See? There you go again. Once you’re capable of saying that to me with 100% truth, maybe then, I will stop. But until you do, I won’t."

"Eun-Woo’ya..."

"Ye-Ji’ya, I guess those zodiac sign personalities have a little truth in them, huh?"

"Huh? What?"

"I stumbled upon it once. They say Libras are indecisive. They don’t know what they want... just like you."

"T-That has no scientific basis."

"I thought so too. But do you know what it said about Scorpios?"

"... What?"

Smirking devilishly, he answered me.

"Once Scorpios set a goal for themselves, they NEVER give up."

"Y-you... Doesn’t that mean you have NO intention of stopping?!" I snapped at him.

"Ha-ha-ha! Oops. I got busted."

Just like that, the heavy tension earlier lifted. I got back to my seat since he pulled me towards him earlier and put on my seatbelt. I then turned my head towards the car’s window, sulking and avoiding looking in his direction. Tsk. He really couldn’t be stopped. He confessed it himself. Moving forward, I need to be stronger to ensure I don’t fall for his tricks. Ugh.

Soon enough, he started driving again until we finally reached our home. His trusty aide welcomed us with the good news that the intensive "house cleaning" was done. Eun-Woo complimented him and asked to meet in his office. As for me, I went straight to the bedroom to shower and rest. I still needed to pick on a pile of dresses for the masquerade. And of course, that includes the mask, shoes, and accessories I would wear.

It was after dinner that I finished picking. Since I had nothing else to do, I decided to get an early sleep while Eun-Woo still hasn’t come back to the bedroom. I wonder what he’s so busy with during these times—probably planning someone’s demise.

As I slumped my body on the bed, I soon got a notice on my smartwatch. I quickly checked what it was.

"Emergency Notice: Lee Yoon-Ah in possible danger. Mythos agent on the way."