CHAPTER 5 – The Rest House
1606 Words
Zackarya had already returned home. His face was dark, his eyes clouded with irritation.
Not a trace of a smile could be seen—only anger and tension clung to his expression like a storm waiting to break.
Juen quietly went down to the kitchen to grab something to eat.
“Good evening, Zackarya,” he greeted softly.
The tall young man turned, his sharp tongue ready even before he spoke.
“Get lost,” Zackarya snapped coldly.
Juen froze, staring silently at the arrogant man towering over him.
What’s wrong with this snake? Always angry at the world, he muttered in his thoughts, keeping his face calm as he slowly turned and walked back upstairs.
Inside his room, Juen threw himself onto the bed, frustration in his chest.
“Not even an explanation? Damn it!” he whispered.
Zackarya, still downstairs, clenched his jaw as thoughts raced in his mind.
Later, little cat. You’ll push me again until I have to teach you a lesson… he thought bitterly.
The Next Day
It was the weekend. Juen stayed home, peacefully studying inside his room, preparing for his upcoming exam. Hours passed in silence until late afternoon, when he finally decided to step out to eat.
But the moment he opened his door—he froze.
Standing right in front of his room was Zackarya, his tall figure blocking the doorway, brows furrowed, face dark with irritation.
“Ah… aah, wh-what are you doing… standing there?” Juen stammered, instinctively stepping backward into his room.
Oh Lord, is he possessed again?
Is he planning to use me as his punching bag? I can’t even fight back, he thought nervously as he retreated.
But before he could close the door, Zackarya stepped forward, cornering him against the wall.
He leaned closer until their faces were only inches apart, his eyes burning with unreadable intensity.
“Come with me to the rest house,” Zackarya said flatly.
“To… to where?” Juen swallowed hard, his heart racing.
“Just pack some clothes.”
“But I have exams next week. I need to study,” Juen protested.
Zackarya scoffed, his patience thinning. “Damn it, can’t you just catch up later?”
Juen looked down, his voice barely a whisper. “I don’t want to go.”
Zackarya’s handsome face hardened, like a storm forming behind his eyes. Without another word, he ordered the house staff to pack Juen’s things for him.
“Zackarya, I said I’m not going!” Juen shouted—but before he could react, Zackarya had already lifted him off the floor and carried him out of the house.
“Say another word,” Zackarya muttered darkly as he strapped Juen’s seatbelt in the car, “and I’ll kiss you until you can’t even breathe.”
“U-until what?” Juen asked, widening his puppy-like eyes in mock defiance.
Zackarya smirked faintly at his reaction, the tension between them shifting for a second.
Once everything was packed, the car rolled through the open gates.
“How long will it take to get there?” Juen asked softly.
“About three hours,” Zackarya replied. “So just sleep.”
At the Rest House
By 4:30 in the afternoon, they arrived.
The rest house stood like a mansion surrounded by beauty. The gates were lined with pink flowers, and inside, a fountain sparkled under the sunlight. Butterflies danced around the green garden, and the soft rustle of the trees made everything feel peaceful.
Juen’s eyes sparkled as he stepped out of the car. He was drawn to a tall, majestic tree near the house. For a brief moment, he forgot about his anxiety—his heart quietly admitting that he loved this place.
That Evening
By 8:30 p.m., dinner was set.
The table glowed under the romantic light of tall candles and red flowers. The dishes looked exquisite—like a royal feast.
As Juen approached the table, Zackarya sat there, calm and composed, but there was warmth in his eyes—something gentler than usual.
“You can sit now. Let’s eat,” Zackarya said softly.
“There’s so much food! The candles, the setup… it looks like a palace,” Juen said, smiling faintly.
Zackarya only smirked, his gaze lingering on Juen longer than necessary.
As they ate, Zackarya opened a bottle of wine and poured a glass for Juen.
“I don’t drink,” Juen said, refusing politely.
Zackarya paused, lowered the bottle, and looked away, disappointment flickering in his eyes.
After dinner, Juen stepped outside to the veranda, letting the night breeze touch his skin. He closed his eyes—until a pair of arms wrapped tightly around him from behind.
He felt Zackarya’s breath against his ear, warm and trembling.
Juen tensed and pulled away, turning to face him.
“Zackarya…”
Zackarya held his hand firmly, looking into his eyes.
“I don’t like how people look at us,” he said.
“I don’t like what they might think.”
“I don’t like how our parents see us. I don’t like being in this situation…”
As he spoke, tears welled in his eyes, voice breaking with every word.
Juen reached up and gently wiped the tears from his face, his touch soft and forgiving.
Their eyes locked—and Zackarya leaned in. He kissed Juen, and for a fleeting moment, Juen stopped resisting. Passion took over as their hearts collided, until Zackarya gently lifted him into his arms and carried him to the bedroom.
But just as he was about to lay Juen down, Juen whispered his name.
“Zackarya…”
Zackarya stopped, breathing heavily.
“What?” he asked, voice rough with emotion.
Juen sat up, tears threatening to fall, and ran out of the room.
Moments later, Zackarya followed him—and found him under the same tall tree Juen had admired earlier that day.
“Juen!” Zackarya called out, his voice echoing through the quiet night.
Juen stood there, his back turned, shoulders trembling.
“This… this is wrong, Zackarya,” he said. “What we’re doing—it’s not right. To others, it’s a sin.”
“Wrong? Sin?” Zackarya’s voice broke.
“Damn it, Juen, we’re not even related by blood! We’re not siblings—you know that!”
“But your parents adopted me to be your brother,” Juen said softly, his tears finally falling.
Zackarya stepped closer, his voice trembling as he spoke through his tears.
“I’d be willing to break every rule if you’re the reason those rules exist.”
“I’d be willing to make the same mistake again and again if you’re the reason for it.”
“I’d even choose to be a sinner—if sin means loving you.”
They both cried, their hearts unraveling beneath the moonlight.
“Then I’ll go,” Juen said through his tears. “If distance is what it takes to help you forget me… then I’ll go.”
“Don’t,” Zackarya whispered brokenly. “There are many others in this world, Juen—”
“There may be many others,” Zackarya interrupted, “but I’d choose you every single time.”
Juen said nothing. His silence spoke more than words ever could.
He turned away, tears streaming down his cheeks as he walked back toward the house, leaving Zackarya alone under the great tree—heart shattered, eyes lost in the pale light of the moon.
The Next Day
They returned home from the rest house. The air was cold and heavy. Their parents greeted them warmly.
“Welcome back, children!” Mrs. Fuentes said with a smile.
Zackarya stopped walking. “Children? Last I checked, you only have one child,” he said bitterly, his voice low but sharp.
Juen looked at him, eyes red and swollen.
“Did you two have a fight?” Mr. Fuentes asked, worried. “The helpers said you went to the rest house. I’m sure you wouldn’t go there if things weren’t fine. What happened?”
Zackarya forced a smile. “Ah, right. Juen was actually planning to study abroad,” he said, glancing at Juen. “He told me he wants to continue his second year of college there. Isn’t that right, Juen?”
Juen froze, his heart sinking. He didn’t expect this—Zackarya himself creating the reason for him to leave.
After a long silence, he finally managed to whisper, “…Yes.”
“That’s wonderful!” Mrs. Fuentes said. “Which country do you want to study in?”
“I… I’m not sure yet,” Juen replied softly. “I’ll start doing research soon.”
Then, quietly, he excused himself and went to his room.
The Morning After
Juen woke up early and went down to join breakfast. The dining table was quiet—four people eating but no one speaking.
Afterward, as Juen studied in the living room, Mr. Fuentes asked,
“Juen, have you decided where to study abroad?”
He smiled kindly. “You still have three years before graduating. One day, both you and Zackarya will manage our business. So it’s important that you choose someone as smart and graceful as your mother to stand by your side.”
Juen froze mid-sentence, his pen trembling slightly.
Maybe this is what’s right, he thought. Maybe distance is the only way to escape what I feel.
“Juen,” Mr. Fuentes said again, smiling proudly, “Do well abroad, okay?”
“O-oh… Yes, sir,” Juen replied softly, forcing a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.
- Writer
