Free Web NovelChapter 124: The Bathroom Attack
Nico
The memorial service for my grandmother, Park Emi-Sook, ended in the blink of an eye. The entire ceremony carried a heavy, suffocating layer of awkwardness. Standing in the temple room with the lingering scent of burning incense, the tension among the family members was evident and was pretty obvious with the awkward glances we threw at each other. ƒrēewebnovel.com
After the massive blowout at the dining table last night, nobody dared to look each other in the eye. We all just stood there in our black formal attire, bowing before her portrait, going through the traditional motions while a deafening, uncomfortable silence filled the space between us.
But for me, the real awkwardness wasn’t even because of the family drama. It was because of the guy standing right next to me.
Ever since I woke up this morning, things had felt completely different between Alaric and me. I couldn’t help but wonder if he had actually been awake last night when I whispered those words against his chest.
Every single time he walked past me in the hallways of the villa, or whenever his shoulder brushed against mine during the prayers, I could swear I heard the heavy pounding of his heart. The way he was acting toward me was incredibly subtle but completely different, his gaze lingering on me just a second too long.
And as if that wasn’t enough to drive me insane, my own heart was pounding just as hard against my ribs. Right in the middle of the solemn ceremony, while the priest was chanting, I felt Alaric’s large, warm hand slide into mine. He squeezed my fingers tightly, anchoring me to the spot. I couldn’t help the small, breathless smile that broke across my face, and I stood there looking like a big fool in the middle of a funeral service, my chest bursting with a warmth I had never felt before.
The exact second the ceremony officially concluded, I didn’t waste any time. I leaned over, my lips brushing against his ear as I whispered, "Get prepared. We are leaving this miserable place the exact second we can get to the car. We have to return back to Osaka tonight and join our teams for the weekend race."
Alaric looked at me, his eyes softening as he gave my hand one last firm squeeze. "I’m already ready, Nicholas. Let’s just get through the next few minutes."
I nodded, and then after a few minutes, I excused myself to use the restroom down the quiet, polished hallway of the venue. I finished using the sink, splashing some cold water on my face to stop the lingering tremors in my hands. But just as I turned around to open the door and leave, the handle rattled violently. A large, broad figure stepped inside, slamming the heavy wooden door shut behind him and blocking the exit completely.
My stomach dropped into a cold, dark abyss. It was my uncle, Geum-ho.
"Look at you," Geum-ho sneered, a disgusting, mocking digital grin spreading across his face as he stepped deeper into the room, his heavy footsteps echoing against the tiles and forcing me back until my spine hit the marble sink. "So you’ve officially become a pathetic, gay bastard now? Is that what you are? Did I do that to you, Seo-jun? Did I make you like that during our little training sessions all those years ago?"
He let out a loud, booming laugh, the sound echoing sharply against the bathroom walls as he openly mocked me, his eyes scanning me with that same predatory look that used to haunt my nightmares. Before I could even process the movement, he lunged forward, his heavy hand clamping down firmly on my shoulder, pinning me to the counter.
The moment his fingers touched my skin, my entire world shattered. A violent surge of pure panic ripped through my body. I felt my throat instantly tighten up, a suffocating weight pressing down on my chest as the horrific, buried memories of my childhood came rushing back to my head like a tidal wave. I felt completely repulsive, every single cell in my body screaming at me to get away, to strike back, but my muscles were totally paralyzed. I couldn’t push him away. I couldn’t even breathe.
"What’s the matter, Seo-jun?" Geum-ho taunted, leaning his face closer, his breath hot against my cheek. "Lost your tongue? Where is that arrogant mouth you had at the dinner table last night? Do you really think Father would support you?" He laughed and gripped my chin. "He didn’t support you all those years ago, so why the hell do you think he will support you?" he yelled angrily, mixing his Korean words with English. "You can never ever escape me because I already have great backing and Father wouldn’t let this family be affected because of this."
I began hyperventilating, taking in short, ragged gasps of air as the white bathroom started to spin violently. My chest heaved, the agonizing feeling of choking taking over me as the darkness crept into the edges of my vision. I was on the absolute verge of blacking out right there on the floor.
Suddenly, the bathroom door was slammed open with a violent, splintering crash.
Through my blurred, tear-filled vision, Alaric stormed into the room. His eyes were wide with pure fury. Without a single word, he lunged forward, grabbing Geum-ho by the front of his collar and using his entire upper body strength to shove him completely off me, sending my uncle stumbling hard across the room until his back crashed against the opposite wall.
Alaric instantly turned around, his strong arms wrapping securely around my shaking frame to keep me from collapsing onto the tiles. "Nicholas! Hey, look at me. Breathe, Nicholas! Are you alright?" He asked, his deep voice filled with a terrifying panic I had never heard from him before.
"Ric..." I muttered slowly, my voice cracking into a broken whisper as I desperately clutched the fabric of his suit jacket, burying my face into his neck, soaking up his familiar scent. "You’re here, Ric. You’re actually here..."
"I’ve got you. I’m right here, I promise," he whispered back fiercely, tightening his grip around my waist to support my trembling legs.
