Sweet Bites

Chapter 09: Clematis

....

Johan, a wide smile splitting his face, revealing his dimples, entered the house. He was met by Alex, his roommate, grinning like a mischievous child, holding up a math homework assignment. The smile instantly vanished from Johan’s face, replaced by a long, weary sigh. He knew Alex wouldn't waste a second when it came to things like this – no escape from the promised homework help.

"At least let me rest first," Johan groaned, slumping onto the living room couch. A sigh of relief escaped him as his exhausted body relaxed into the comfort. He barely registered Alex sitting across from him, pouting expectantly.

"I need this done before sunrise," Alex declared, his voice carrying an oddly ancient tone.

Johan's eyes widened, a chuckle bubbling to his lips. "God, you sound old. What century are you from?" he teased. This earned him a withering glare from Alex before Lancel, another roommate, emerged from the kitchen, pink apron askew, and smacked Johan on the head.

"Ow!"

"Respect your hyung," Lancel said sternly.

Johan, rubbing his head, opened his mouth to retort, then thought better of it. Lancel was the one hyung he couldn't win an argument with.

"Lancel hyung, I was joking! Not disrespecting," Johan explained quickly, fearing an impromptu rap battle – a contest he always lost.

"Oh, is that so?" Alex nodded, then turned to Lancel. "What's with the face, Yoongi?" he asked. Lancel pouted adorably, snuggling up to Alex, his only hyung.

"Hyung, Johan promised to do my homework, but he's making excuses again, just like last time," Lancel whined, employing his most effective aegyo.

"Hey! I said I'd rest first!" Johan protested, leaping from the couch before Alex could start nagging.

"Where were you? Why are you so tired?" Alex asked, glancing at Lancel, who shrugged when Johan remained silent.

"He came to me this morning and borrowed the Kumamon costume you got me for my birthday," Lancel said, looking pointedly at Johan, who avoided their gazes, desperately searching for an explanation.

"What did you do with that costume? Don't tell me you're working at your father's company again," Alex asked, suspicion lacing her voice.

"Are you hiding something?" Lancel added.

"I'm not," Johan mumbled, shaking his head. "Now excuse me, I'm going to shower." He started to leave, but Alex and Lancel grabbed his arms.

"Spill," Alex demanded, her serious expression making Johan gulp. He knew she suspected he'd done something stupid again. And he had. But it wasn't that bad, was it?

.......

"Really? What did you guys talk about? Did he mention me?" Aira's excitement was palpable through the phone. The moment Seoyeon mentioned Julius, the usually lazy girl transformed into a bundle of sunshine. She thought, God, this girl really missed him.

"Yes, he talked about you, a lot," she replied truthfully. During her conversation with Julius, the topic had shifted to Aira, and she'd noticed a definite change in his tone. "I have his number. I'll send it later."

"Later? No, I want it now," Aira responded after a moment of breathless silence.

"Okay, fine, I'll send it now," Seoyeon chuckled, nodding even though she couldn't see her.

She ended the call, sent Julius's number, then headed upstairs, carrying a bouquet of clematis and ten boxes of Kisses chocolates. She arranged the flowers, inhaling their sweet fragrance.

"Welcome home, little buddies," she murmured, smiling at the flowers. "Now, let's taste the chocolate." Excitement bubbled inside you.

........

"WHAT?!" Alex shrieked, smacking Johan's arm after he confessed about Seoyeon and the chocolates. "You shouldn't have given her those chocolates! She shouldn't eat too much sweets when she's on her period; it'll worsen her cramps," she scolded. Johan's eyes widened in guilt. He knew how to soothe cramps (thanks to his sister), but he didn't know about the side effect of containing too much chocolate during period.

Uh oh. Based on Seoyeon's enthusiastic reaction to the offer, he knew she was a chocolate lover. She was probably already devouring the Kisses.

"Aish," Johan groaned, tugging his hair. "Hyung, eotteokke?" he asked, sounding desperate. Alex sighed.

"Go check on her," she said. Johan turned to Lancel.

"What?"

"You heard me. Go to her place. Forget my homework," Lancel said flatly, crossing his arms.

Should I? It felt weird to just show up, especially since she didn't know he was the Kumamon guy.

"This is the first time," Lancel said, breaking Johan's thoughts. "This is the first time you've done something crazy for a girl. You like her," he smirked, exchanging a knowing glance with Alex.

"Wait, I didn't say I liked her. I just didn't want her with that guy; they looked so happy, and it hurt my eyes—" Johan stopped, surprised by his own words. Alex and Lancel gasped. What the—why am I saying this? he thought.

"That explains it," Alex smiled.

"It does," Lancel agreed.

"No, it doesn't!" Johan insisted, but they wouldn't believe him. "Ugh! Whatever!" He stormed to his room, slamming the door, throwing himself onto his bed. "Why are you doing this to me, Seoyeon?"

Knock, knock, knock.

"Hey, are you alright?" It was Maki, the sunshine of their house.

"I'm fine, hyung," Johan mumbled, his face buried in the pillow.

"I know you're not joining us for dinner. I don't know what you guys were arguing about," Maki said, his footsteps approaching. "Here, I brought you food. Eat, okay?" He patted Johan's head before leaving.

Johan lay on his back, staring at the ceiling, his mind consumed by Seoyeon. Is she okay? Does she know about the chocolate? He shook his head, trying to banish the thoughts, then looked at the food Hoseok had brought. How sweet. He smiled, then sighed. Damn, I can't eat with these thoughts. He stood up. "I'm going out," he yelled from the kitchen.

"When will you be home?" Alex called.

"I don't know. I'll text," Johan replied, leaving the house.

.......

Seoyeon's POV

9:34 PM

I tossed my third box of chocolates into the trash. Two hours of chocolate indulgence had left me lightheaded, giddy, as if I'd parachuted onto a stress-free island. But then, a sharp, searing pain ripped through my lower abdomen. "Ouch," I groaned, clutching my stomach. The menstrual cramps hit me with brutal force, sending me sprawling onto my bed. "Aw!" This was unbearable.

I tried to sit up, but my body trembled with pain. My legs felt numb, my breath shallow. Panic flared. Was I dying? No, no, no. I still had so much to do—finish my studies, travel the world with Aira, maybe even meet a celebrity crush… Okay, scratch that last part. It's just cramps, I told myself, trying to rationalize my overreaction.

Ding Dong!

The doorbell startled me, making me jump. It had to be Aira. Perfect timing. I needed someone. Gathering my strength, I hobbled downstairs, each step a groan.

"I… need… to… open… the door… quickly…" I muttered, my legs feeling like jelly. I didn't bother peeking through the peephole; it had to be Aira. Who else would come at this hour? I only have Aira and Julius… Wait, Julius knows my address. Why am I forgetting things?

"Thank goodnes—" My words died in my throat. Standing on my doorstep was Johan. He leaned against the doorframe, hands in his pockets, a cool, almost detached expression on his face. What on earth was he doing here? I straightened, trying to mask my pain. "What are you doing here?" I whispered, my voice weak.

"I came to get my jacket," he said curtly, stepping inside without a second thought, bumping my shoulder with his. He didn't even wait for my reaction, moving past me like he owned the place. The impact nearly sent me tumbling. This jerk! I was taken aback by his cold indifference.

"Hey! I didn't say you could come in!" I followed him into the living room, my eyes narrowed. I tried to grab his arm, but I was too weak. He settled onto the couch, utterly at ease. "Hey, you can't just barge into my house!" I said, but he just stared blankly ahead.

This was insulting.

"Give me my jacket," he commanded, his tone flat. He stood, walking towards me, his proximity making me step back until my leg hit the coffee table. He leaned in, his breath warm against my neck. "You can tell me if you want to keep it, babe," he whispered, his voice husky, a teasing smirk playing on his lips. A blush crept onto my cheeks. Seriously, I wanted to punch that smirk off his face.

I pushed him away, glaring. He landed back on the couch, still smirking, his gaze unwavering. "Stay here," I said firmly, pointing at him. He eyed me up and down, blatantly checking me out. I spun around and headed upstairs, trying to hide my pale face.

"Here. Take it," I said, throwing the jacket at him. He caught it effortlessly, and I rolled my eyes. He sniffed the jacket, noticing the fresh scent.

"You washed it?" he asked, his gaze shifting from the jacket to me.

"Of course," I said, crossing my arms. "I wouldn't return it dirty."

"Oh," he nodded. "How sweet of you, thanks." His eyes softened, a genuine smile replacing his smirk. For a moment, I was thrown. Wait, why do I care?

"Welcome. Now leave," I said, waving dismissively. I felt harsh, but I couldn't help it. The pain was intensifying. I was about to collapse.

"Okay," he stood. "I'll see you at school on Mond—" He stopped, his eyes widening as he noticed my pale face and the beads of sweat on my forehead. "Seoyeon? Why are you sweating? You look pale. Are you alright?" Concern softened his features. He reached out to touch my forehead, but I swatted his hand away.

"I'm fine," I snapped, taking a step back. He frowned.

"Seoyeon, I'm concerned," he said softly, stepping closer. His words sent a flutter through my chest. Before I could react, his hands were on my cheeks, his touch warm and gentle.

I stood frozen, wide-eyed. There was something in his touch… something different.

"What are you doing?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper.

"You're cold," he said, his voice laced with worry. "You're not okay." Then, in a swift, surprising move, he scooped me up into his arms.

"Yah! What are you doing? Put me down!" I cried, clinging to his neck, fear and panic rising. He was carrying me towards my room. A thousand scenarios flashed through my mind, each more terrifying than the last. I was too weak to fight him.

"Bed," he said, his expression serious.

Oh no.

.....