Yihai smashed the lamp against the wall then immediately thought "shit, I loved the designs on that lamp". The thought didn't linger for long as the cause of his action crawled it's way into his mind again. He looked up at his father with blood shot eyes. The older man was sitting calmly, not perturbed despite his teenage son's violent outburst.
"I'm not your property," he hissed at the older man, fists clenched tightly on his thighs. "You can't keep expecting me to do whatever you want."With that he stood and barged out the living room, making his way downstairs to the exit and ignoring the stern calls of his father. He left the house with a very loud bang to the door, undoubtedly cracking something.Two weeks later, Yihai was looking out the rain stained window of the black Range Rover, refusing to acknowledge the presence of his father beside him. That night two weeks ago, he'd hidden away in Jian's house tho it wouldn't exactly classify as "hiding away" because everyone knew how close the duo were and whenever something happened with his father (which isn't rare) that was the first place he went too.That night wasn't an exception when he found out they were moving back all the way to South Korea.He'd felt infuriated. Not only because he would leave the life he was finally starting to love here. Maybe because it was the way he had no say in anything happening in his life.That was the same thing that happened eight years ago after his parent's divorce. Yihai had wanted to stay with his mother, go with her to Thailand but no. He was too weak and too underaged to do anything. And he hated feeling like that.Now here he was, in Seoul with his father, not remembering a lot of the city he grew up in. It was all a blur of broken distant memories never to be reenacted again.Hey! Thank you so much for reading this. I would appreciate it so much if you left me a review and your thoughts on this book!
The house still retained memories so strong it hurt Yihai. He sighed when they pulled into the mansion and his eyes ran over the little flower garden where his mum usually sat under a bare cherry tree and read one of her novels. It was even more beautiful during spring when the pink leaves of the tree fell gently about her and she sat there, so serene, looking like she was pulled out of a bright fairytale. The movement of the car stopped and Yihai barged out, not wanting to spend any more second with his father, straight into the huge doors of the house which wasn't locked. He guessed somebody cared for it in their absence. Expecting them back. When Yihai left with his father for Hong Kong seven years ago, he hadn't expected to be back to Seoul. Hadn't expected to be back in this house that smelled like the rose oil his mum personally rubbed into all the wooden furniture, giving it that warm cozy smell and feel. He knew that he had disliked the idea of moving to a new country, leav
The next few days, Yihai didn't leave his room. Not that his father cared. Even the maids cared more as they checked in regularly to ask if he needed something to eat, or if he wanted anything at all. He did need something because he spent those days rearranging and redecorating his room so it'll be a far cry from the old designs. His bed was pushed to the window, the couch removed, he changed the sheets and blanket to a dark red, he got a new desk, high enough to be comfortable for his extremely long legs and he even ordered a huge standing mirror just for the fun of staring at his ridiculously good looking face and long body. The stickers were peeled off the walk in closet door, taking strips of wood with it . Yihai made a mental note to change the whole door entirely one day. The day he finally left his room, he was on a journey to the kitchen downstairs to grab a bite. He passed by the living room then saw a guy with dyed orange around his age with a woman dressed simply in a p
Yihai couldn't believe himself thinking this but he missed school. At least there he could meet more people his age and try and see if he could find a friend. Tho he didn't think he would find anyone like Jian. He missed his best friend. Jian was really the best he could ever ask for, and Yihai wasn't even sure he deserved a friend like him. He'd met him when they just moved to Hong Kong and he was enrolled in a new school. Yihai was an angry little child then (still is) that was always invited to the teacher's desk after every class to settle whatever trouble he'd caused. He didn't know how it happened, but his memory of being close to Jian started when he pushed Jian out of his way because he was being to slow to pack his books into his power rangers themed bag and Yihai was extremely hungry and needed to go eat. The other male had fallen and scraped his knee on the edge of a chair. He didn't cry but he looked pained, apologizing to Yihai for blocking his way. An apology that mad
Two weeks inside the house was the boiling point for Yihai to finally feel suffocated and want to desperately meet the outside world once more. He headed out in simple black slacks and red, white checkered shirt with simple flip flops. The cool autumn weather was tolerable enough, and nice enough for a walk. When Yihai headed out the house and started making the long journey to the gate with no one stopping him, he wondered where in the world he was going because the mansion was situated miles away from civilization. He may probably even get kidnapped by cannibals and no one would ever know. He shook the thought out his head when, ten minutes later he got to the gate and the gateman paid not much attention but a short glance as he pressed a button and the single gate for people to pass slides open. Yihai walked out. He stretched immediately he was outside the house, smiling at the golden colors of the miles and miles of trees around him. He shut his eyes and appreciated the light b
"Okay Jaesung, who are you?" Yihai asked. Jaesung frowned, but still answered anyway. "I just said I'm Kim Jaesung." Yihai raised his face to the sky and released a breath then looked back at him. "I mean your identity, who-" Suddenly Jaesung's eyes went wide and he pointed behind Yihai, shouting. "Look! A Phoenix." Yihai did look back but then frowned as he turned back, realizing something and feeling utterly stupid. "Phoenix's don't-" He was met with Jaesung offering him a huge ass red apple with a really cute laugh that his ears liked the sound of. "You fell for it. Here, let me be a good host. Welcome." Yihai was wary but he collected the apple, rolling it around in his palms. "You didn't answer my question." Jaesung grinned as he went deeper into the woods. "I'm Kim Jaesung the first, son of queen mother Jeongyeon." Yihai wanted to bite something at how frustrating Jaesung was as he followed him, his steps tentative and slow while Jaesung kept greeting every bird he saw wi
They arrived at a tiny waterfall with a beautiful lake glistening in the evening sun. Jaesung had taken Yihai's hands again and led him up some small rocks as the gingerly made their way behind the water fall. There was a small cave there. The evening sun reflected an orange light in and it smelled like damp dust, but not too bad. "This is my favorite place to watch the sunrise or sunset," Jaesung said. "It's beautiful through the waters." Yihai looked out through the waterfall and was captivated by how beautiful the rays of the sun looked through it. "It's good." Jaesung found a dry patch of ground and sat down while Yihai stood awkwardly, toeing at the ground. "How was China? "It's good," Yihai said then corrected himself as he sat down beside Jaesung, watching the dimming sun through the waterfall. "It was good." "You changed a lot, Yihai," He could feel Jaesung's stare burning into the side of his face. "You're nicer for a start." Jaesung laughed, a melodious sound Yihai w
Yihai being the rebellious child he was had not come downstairs for dinner with his dad and stupid business partners but instead he stayed locked up in his room, chatting with Jian on Line. He was informed that his ex-girlfriend, Irene had moved on with a senior, Sicheng. Not that he really cared anyway. If anything, he was happy she found someone who liked her because he didn't have an ounce of feeling towards her during their depressing relationship. After his chat with Jian, he tried to replay the sound of Jaesung's giggle-like laughter in his head. There was nothing weird about it, right? He just loved the sound of another human's laughter. The next day, some maids had brought in numerous sets of a school uniform for him. Apparently, his dad had already registered him in a notable prestigious school he had a satisfying share in. Yihai couldn't be any more happier to start school. Which explains why the next Monday he was ready by 6am and too nerve wracked to eat breakfast. H
When they got into the school's huge silver gates, Jaesung grabbed his bag and got down first and went ahead into the building without glancing at Yihai who felt infuriated and disappointed at the same time. He got down also, slamming the door and angrily adjusted his bag on his shoulders. It was his first day at school and he knew he'd broken at least seventeen rules in the school book. His shirt was flown out and a button undone, revealing his white undershirt, he was wearing a chain bracelet on his wrist, his hair still had leftover silver dye, he was wearing hazel contacts but he was going to lie and say he had an eye problem. At least he was early and there was no disciplinarian teacher outside yet. Class 5C was where he was placed and he managed to find it without asking anyone for directions. The class was noisy when he entered with half the girls taking selfies while making weird faces and noises at the phone. The boys were the ones making the most noise, hollering loudly
There was an open field just a little distance away from Ren's house and only a few drunk kids were spotted before finally they all went away. Jaesung led Yihai down into the field while chattering to him about random things. Yihai listened."This place is somewhere Ren's uncle built with me, Ren, Jay and Yejun a few years back." Jaesung explained as trees started appearing and then eventually getting thicker. He whipped out his phone and out on the torchlight. Everywhere was eerily quiet with the low sound of music from Ren's house floating around.Soon they got to a tiny clearing and mounted on a huge tree was a huge, sturdy looking treehouse. Yihai gaped at it because he'd never seen a tree house before talk more of being in it."It's majestic, right?" Jaesung beamed with pride as he looked at Yihai then back at the treehouse. "Maybe this is what gave me the idea that I could build when actually, Ren's uncle had a big hand in it, we were just 14 year old helpers."Jaesung's laugh di
Around 5 in the evening, Yihai and Jaesung left for Ren's party. It was in another district of Seoul and a bit far, both from Yihai's house and School. No wonder he sees Ren come extremely late to school everyday, walking without a care through the empty halls while lessons are on.In about 35 minutes when Yihai was beginning to think Ren's house wasn't even located in Seoul anymore—maybe they were actually driving to Japan—the bus stopped then he and Jaesung got down at a bus stop that was close to a train station."Don't tell me we're going to get on a train," Yihai said, suddenly feeling exhausted.Jaesung laughed, slightly pushing him as he did so. "No, but we're going to walk... it's a bit far, so I'll call Ren to come pick us up."Jaesung was about to bring out his phone but Yihai held his hand firmly. "How far if we walk?"Jaesung blinked and stuttered, "About 25 minutes."Yihai shrugged, "Not too far, let's walk.""It's getting...d-dark.." Jaesung slightly gulped. "It's a fores
"Yihai, your phone is perfectly fine." Jaesung observed, staring at Yihai playing Shadow Fight2 on his phone. The latter blushed, caught in his own lie."Wow, that's surprising..." He trailed off stupidly while Jaesung smiled. "Okay, you caught me... I lied.""Why?" Jaesung asked, tilting his head a bit as the bus halted at a stop. Yihai had insisted they go on public transport instead of Chauffeur Moon taking them."I wanted to spend time with my friend, anything wrong with that?" Yihai asked and not waiting for an answer, he stood and started heading towards the door. Jaesung stayed for a second before following suit, speaking quietly to himself."No, there's nothing wrong with wanting to hang out with a friend." Jaesung smiled, a mix of sadness and happiness. "Get yourself together, Kim Jaesung."The duo trekked the short distance to the mall, in search of tissue papers. Jaesung filled in Yihai on his new plans for the squirrel hideout
Jaejae: sorry ren, i can't come anymore tonight >~Ren: why?? what's up?Jaejae: i have to take care of someone, they're sickRen: who?Jaejae: someone special ^^-Jaesung looked up from his phone when he heard a knock on the door of his little room. He furrowed his brows. Who could that be? His mum never knocked.Oh! Was it Garderner Jung? Jaesung once borrowed those gardening boots from him for his little forest project. Speaking of that, he decided to abandon using rocks and just use sticks. But when it rains, won't they get wet?Maybe a little rubber to cover the top."Here's it Uncle, I'm sorry I didn't-Yihai?"Yihai looked down at the boots Jaesung was holding then his eyes skimmed the white shirt and boxers the older was wearing, revealing his thin milky legs.Jaesung threw the boots aside, heat creeping to his cheeks. "Uh...what are you doing here?"Yihai looked up a
The next day, Yihai was holed up in his room, under a thick blanket as he stared blankly at the lights he dimmed to the lowest.The atmosphere was depressing. His curtains were drawn shut, enveloping the room in darkness if not for the dim lights. His aircon was practically at the lowest and the silence was deafening.Yihai blinked tiredly then sneezed. He must have slept twice in the span of three hours this morning. It was about afternoon now, he guessed since he was too lazy to reach out for his phone and check and it was too dark to see the clock.Yihai was almost sure he heard a cricket when a knock sounded on the door."I'm not hungry, go away!" He said as loudly as he could despite his headache. "And I took my drugs in the morning, don't bother me.""Ah...okay." Jaesung said on the other side of the door and Yihai, despite feeling like his head was about to tear apart, shot up straight."Jaesung! It's okay, you can come in
Jaesung was dead tired as he entered the staff room exclusively for only him, Yejun and Ren. He saw Ren and a red-haired guy kissing on a couch and he frowned at them, instinctively glancing around a room and his mood falling when he didn't see who he was looking for."Ren!" He chastised, aiming a hand towel he was holding at the Japanese male's head. "Staff shouldn't mingle with customers."The guy who looked like he was 20 or something turned red.Ren smirked, "I'm not a worker today.""I'm telling your uncle." Jaesung half-heartedly threatened, referring to Ren's uncle who was the owner of this place. The red haired guy paled."Go ahead," Ren looked amused then the guy stood up quickly and scrammed. Ren released a breath immediately he was out the door. "Ugh, thank goodness you came, he was too sloppy."Jaesung shook his head and sighed, going into the small room where he kept his uniform. He came out minutes later, fully dres
Yihai had texted Chaffeur Moon that he would be out with Jaesung so he shouldn't bother waiting.On the way, Jaesung was unusually quiet and looking nervous, not chattering off Yihai's ears like he usually did. Yihai gave up on the sixth attempt to make him try to say more than two words.Their bus ride was silent, as they stood because it was full and Jaesung avoided his eyes, entertaining himself with ad boards they passed by."Is it something illegal?"Jaesung blinked and looked at Yihai before looking away and cracking a smile. "What do you mean?""Your part time job?"Jaesung chuckled nervously. "It might be in some people's terms... but it shouldn't be."Yihai narrowed his eyes at him.Suddenly the bus jerked as it drove over a bump and Jaesung lost balance and fell forward, holding Yihai's shoulders to balance himself, their faces inches away. Surprisingly, this didn't bother Yihai as much as Ren's did.
It seemed like the whole of Ren's table decided to migrate to where Yihai and friends were sitting. Including Yejun. Who, for the sake of keeping the school's fire insurance intact, sat far away from him but the occasional hateful eying were there whenever the two locked eyes.Minsoo had cheerfully sat beside Junho, to the distaste of the blond male who kept threatening to stab him in the eyes with his chopsticks if Minsoo as much pokes his cheeks one more time. He did manage to successfully stab Minsoo at the back of his palms and the dark haired boy only laughed as he gripped his red hand.Changmin, the chatter-box was unusually quiet and awkward with Saint writing into a book beside him.Yihai decided to ignore them all, trying to finish his food quickly so he could leave. But Lien wouldn't stop leaning over to talk to him."My mum is from your hometown," she said in a really cute voice Yihai found annoying. "My dad's hometown isn't too far fro
They'd walked home together the previous day. Talking about anything and everything.Jaesung was the most enthusiastic one, asking Yihai everything about his life in China. How his school was? Okay. Did he have a lot of friends? Only one. A girlfriend? A few but the one before he came to South Korea was the longest.Yihai also did find out that the other was a little bit older than him, with months. He had a part time job somewhere that closes late at night, tho he didn't specify. And he had a girlfriend at school.That last piece of information had Yihai feeling something he couldn't understand. It was like his heart dropped from the highest building in the world and fell onto the cold hard floor in a sad lump.Like earlier said, he didn't understand why he felt like that. But he did not like it.It didn't help that Jaesung promised to introduce him to her tomorrow at school.Yihai had shrugged in response.When they'd