Running away from the male lead

Chapter 4: I couldn’t protect him

I ran to Yesung’s room, to see my dad holding a vase as Yesung cowers, in the corner. I have no idea what happened between them, but without a second thought, I push my Dad and grab Yesung to hide him behind me.

“What are you doing, this is none of your business.”, he threatens as a push Yesung, behind me and shake my head, saying no. 

“Move.”, he demands. When I don’t move he slaps me on the face.

“This is what you get for not listening.”, he says as he slapped me a bit more, before storming out of the room. 

As soon as I hear steps down the steps, I turn around kneel on the floor, checking to see if he hurt anywhere. He bursts out into more tears.

“Are you hurt? Tell me, it is okay. I am here.”, he doesn’t reply and just clutches onto me. His rests on my shoulder as I pick him up and sit on the bed. Trying to get out of his embrace I try to remove his hands from around my neck. He starts shaking his head and grips onto me harder.

“I am sorry, you got hurt because of me.”, he mumbles as he dries onto my shoulder, my shirt now wet. I run my hand across his back, and turn my head and kiss him on the back of his head.

“That is not your fault, don’t even try to blame yourself. If it is anyone’s it is Dads, not yours.”, seeing that he was straining his neck, I picked him up as he wrapped his legs around my waist. I walk around the room, kissing his head in intervals as the hiccups. His body slowly goes lax.

Checking that it was 5, I slowly walk to my room, with Yesung in my arms. Laying him in my bed, I walk to the mirror. Seeing the red print on the side of my face, I sigh. I walk into the bathroom and wash my face, and apply some soothing cream on my face.

It seemed like concealer could fix this. I hated the pain, although my parents from my other life, wear dismissive of my presence they never physically abused me. I walk to my bed and look at Yesung, he curled up with one leg over my pillow hugging it. Smiling I ruffle his hair. 

”Young Miss, we are so sorry. We tried, but we couldn’t stop it, and before we could come to get you, young master screamed.”, I nod in understanding. I look at her, she was starting at Yesung, with guilt in her eyes. Seeing her honesty.

”It is okay, it is the thought that counts, next time whenever anything points to Dad lashing out, call me immediately. Don’t wait for it to start, tell everybody this. Also, can you get the dress that was delivered for me and the suit for Yesung, which are downstairs.”, the maid nods before bowing and walking out.

After another hour, I decide that it time to get ready.

”Yesung, come on wake up. Come on I will wash your hair.”, drowsily he gets up and walks to the bathroom. Nearly falling over in the process, giggling I hold his shoulders and guide him to the bathroom.

Washing his hair and then drying it with a towel, I notice him holding in a wince. Narrowing my eyes, I touch him on the left shoulder, and then on the right shoulder, he winced. 

”Get up, why didn’t you tell me you were in pain. Pulling his shirt down, I notice a bruise on the edge of his shoulder. I close my eyes, I couldn’t protect him. Taking a deep breath, I grab the ointment from my medicine box and slowly apply it onto the bruise.

”I am sorry, didn’t want to worry you, Sis.”, giving him a small smile, I point to the suit. Nodding he walks to it, and goes into the bathroom, to change. I rush into the walk-in closet and quickly change into a long black dress, which hugged me in a soft way, the silk dress grabbed at my waist but fell loosely over my hips. The dress had thin straps, and the top half clung to me, showing off my figure. I take a brush and brush my hair, untangling my hair and styled it into a ponytail, trying my hair with a silk black scarf which fell to my shoulders. 

I walk out to see, Yesung glaring at the black-tie on the floor. Chuckling I bend down to pick it up and dust it off. After that, I tie it for him and smooth the collar and brush his hair. I take a look at the watch on my wrist and rush to put on makeup. Quickly covering up the red mark, I put on some simple makeup and a hold Yesung’s hand and walk down.

Nodding at the fact that I looked presentable, my Mom got into a car with Dad as followed behind in a different one. I would be technically meeting my grandfather for the first time, he didn’t seem that bad, just a bit cold.

(Party)

”Hey Aera, what’s up?”, Jinyoung says as he walks up to me, rolling my eyes I give him a smile.

”We saw each other yesterday, why are you acting like we haven’t seen each other in years, so annoying.”

We talked for a few minutes when I noticed my grandfather talking to some people. It was like he felt the stare, he turned around and when he saw that it was me he beckoned me forward. I make my way there with Yesung behind me. 

I bow and seeing me bow Yesung does too. Satisfied with my respect and behaviour, some of them smile approvingly, ” This is my granddaughter, Aera, she is the top business and computer student in school.”, shocked that he knew, I still keep silent hiding my astonishment.

”That daughter and son-in-law of mine, seem to be oblivious to her. Area don’t worry, these 3 are my best friends”, I smile at them.

”Ohh you have Yesung with you, Yesung, come out from behind your sister. Yesung walks and stands in front. Looking at them, he smiles and converted with them. 

Yesung is an exceptionally clever child, so he knew his manners and could hold a proper conversation.

”Wang old man, you have two amazing grandchildren. They are much better than your daughter.”, you would expect that he would be mad at what they said but he didn’t mind. The only reason he maintained a good-on-the-surface relationship with his daughter in front of the public was for his two grandchildren.

After a few minutes, both us excised ourselves and walked to where Aunty was standing. My changes may be good, but Aunty made them look beautiful. As I chatted with Aunty, I kept an eye on Yesung. He was talking to some other kids who were there. 

Jinyoung, came to me with a grin, ” Aera do you know how many people asked my mom where she got this dress. Each time she said she got the dress at ’RK’ but her personal stylist made the changes. They asked her about you, but my mom deflected them each time.”

Aunty just squeezed my shoulder and gave me a smile as she walked if to go and socialise. She stood next to Uncle and they shifted around the room. Jinyoung and I stood with a glass of non-alcoholic drink. Suddenly Yesung walked to me and asked me to accompany to the bathroom, as he goes in I wait outside. He runs out with his hands wet, I take out a handkerchief for him to set from the purse I bought. He grabbed in on hand.

”Sis bend down, you have a few strands falling on you face.”, giving into his request I bend down. But this small gesture would create a huge problem later on. After drying his hands he returns or folded.

As we are about to walk off, my grandfather comes into the corridor.

”Aera, Yesung come here. How is everything at home?”, I stiffen before, forcing my body to relax.

”Everything is fine, grandfather. How is your health, are you taking your vitamins everyday?”, I ask hoping to change the topic. His eyes become slits before he let’s go and replies saying that he is taking care of his health.

”Aera I heard from your uncle how you are doing in school. I will take Yesung back to the Hall, why don’t you go and fix your makeup, I can see the red mark on your face.”, he says before he walks off with Yesung.

Now I understand why he asked me about what happened at home, I walk to the bathroom and take a few minutes to fix my makeup.