Abnormal

5

Sitting in the tub and trying to relax was pointless.

The hot water only made the pain a bit worse as I kept my eyes shut.

I didn't want to look at the bruises on my stomach or attempt to see the ones on my back.

It would only hurt more...

I didn't mean to flinch and gasp at the sudden touch.

Jimin's delicate touch on my skin makes me shiver. I couldn't tell if I was shivering out of slight fear or if I was enjoying his touch.

Then again, enjoying his touch also scared me.

I barely look at him when he suddenly speaks.

"I'm sorry, my love." He deeply sighs.

"I didn't mean to hurt you so badly." He mutters.

I harshly swallow the lump in my throat.

"Are you saying you still intended to hurt me?"

My fear slowly comes back when his hand stops running down my back above the water.

"Lavana, you need to understand why I had to...punish you." He mutters before looking me in the eye.

"You didn't come home until past 7. I was worried sick and I...I looked out the window to see with you that Hoseok fellow." He bitterly says while looking as if he's replaying what he saw earlier in his head.

"Jimin-"

"I know I should handle my jealousy better, but I hate the idea of another man taking you from me." His voice cracks while he looks me in the eye.

My shivering continues when his hand goes up my back to my cheek.

My breath hitches when his thumb slides across my lips.

"I love you so much that it's sickening." He groans before roughly kissing me.

I was too frozen to react. I didn't know how to react when he suddenly gets in the tub to hover above me.

That dark look in his eyes as he kisses turned sweet and slow didn't make me think properly before he tore his clothing away.

"Jimin!" I whimper beneath him.

I was too lost in his touch, kisses, and everything to even worry about the water spilling onto the floor.

"I love you, Lavana." He groans in my ear over and over.

"Only I can love you like this." He mutters against my skin while running his hands up my thighs.

Only Jimin has ever touched me like this.

I wonder if that's because he's the only man willing to love a woman with such a body.

****

"Good morning, Lavana!" Hoseok waves from over the little gate.

"Good morning!" I wave back.

"What are you doing?" I ask.

"Planting our own tea leaves. A friend of Mrs. Min's brought them from London after her trip." He smiles before standing up straight and wiping his hands off.

"How are you?" He asks.

"Was Jimin worried like you thought?"

I just nod.

"A little but he calmed down afterward. A hot bath helped him a lot."

He chuckles.

"Speaking of baths. I should take one before preparing the food."

I follow behind him as we go inside.

He walks past the stairs to his room in the further back before I go up to Sung-Shu's room.

"Lavana!" He jumps out of his bed to hug me.

I have to shush him before returning the hug.

"Guess what? Mama, we're all going to the park together!"

My eyes widen with interest.

"Is that so?"

He happily nods.

"We're going for a picnic." He lightly bounces on his feet.

"Lavana and Hoseok are not coming with us."

I suddenly see Mrs. Min standing outside of his room.

Sung-Shu frowns.

"Why not?" He complains.

"This is a family picnic. It'll just be me, you, and your father." She tells him.

"But I want Lavana to come. She's my family too." He pouts while holding my hand.

"She's the nanny, Sung-Shu. She gets paid to take care of you." She bitterly states before walking back down the hall to the master bedroom.

"You take better care of me than she does." He sadly mutters.

I sadly smile.

"And I enjoy taking care of you, you know that, right?"

He smiles a bit before nodding.

"Come, let's get you dressed."

****

"It feels a bit odd being here alone," I mutter as Hoseok and I sit in the backyard.

"It's more peaceful though, don't you think?" Hoseok smiles before giving me a glass of lemonade.

"You're right. I guess you try to enjoy as much as you can when no one is home, don't you?"

"I sure do." He nods as he taps his glass against mine.

"Are you doing alright?" He suddenly asks.

"What do you mean?"

He tilts his head in thought.

"You're a bit more tense than usual." He gestures to my posture.

The pain from the leftover bruising doesn't hurt as much if I sit up straight.

"I-I've been getting some back pain lately. I think it's our bed." I mutter.

"Ah," He nods. "Well, just to be safe, you should probably see that new doctor in town."

"I-I don't know. Plus, Jimin and I are trying to save on money, so-"

"I'll pay for your appointment." He says after sipping from his glass.

"H-Hoseok, no. I couldn't ask you to do something like that-"

"You're not asking, I'm offering. And shouldn't a lady accept courtesy when it's given?" He teases.

I can't help but smile while shyly looking down.

"You're too kind to me, Hoseok."

He slowly shakes his head.

"I'm too kind to the people that hurt your feelings."

"Hoseok-"

"I know you say you're fine but...as strong as you may seem, a woman's heart can only handle so much pain, Lavana."

He sighs.

"Just, please, go see that doctor before you go home this evening. His office isn't too far from the prison."