"I just don't understand why you can't stop tutoring him, it's obvious he doesn't like you and his just trying to find a way to get rid of you." Yuna said as we walked out of the school.
"I'm just trying to help him, and I'm not going to let him think that he has won over me." I replied.
"What are you trying to say? You just told me this guy was touching you Inappropriately during your session." She stated, "you're just going to let him touch on you just to prove that his not going to push you away."
I mean she was right but I also couldn't understand why I would want to be around him.
"Wait." She stopped looking at me surprised.
"Don't tell me you like Jihoon!" She gasped.
I scoffed, "don't be ridiculous, why would I like Jihoon out of all people."
Yuna sighed shaking her head, "now it's all making sense, you like Jihoon that's why you're trying so hard to be close to him." She gasped.
I rolled my eyes, trying to dismiss her claim. "You're overthinking this, Yuna. I'm just being persistent because I hate giving up on people, that's all."
But Yuna wasn't buying it. "You're not fooling anyone, especially not me," she said, crossing her arms. "I know you, and there's no way you'd put up with all of this unless there was something more."
I sighed, feeling cornered. "Even if I did like him—which I don't—what would it matter? It's not like he'd ever feel the same way."
Yuna softened her tone, placing a hand on my shoulder. "Maybe not, but that doesn't mean you should keep putting yourself in situations that make you uncomfortable. You deserve better than that."
Her words hung in the air, and I couldn't help but feel a pang of doubt. Was I really just being stubborn, or was there something more to this?
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Later that same evening as I got home and before I could settle down I suddenly got a text from Jihoon:
Jihoon: I won't be free Friday, I want my tutoring session tonight.
A wave of anxiety washed over me as I stared at Jihoon's text. The suddenness of his demand, especially after everything that had happened earlier, caught me off guard. I didn't even have time to process Yuna's words from earlier before being thrust back into this strange, twisted situation with Jihoon.
Minji: Tonight? It's kind of late…
I hesitated before pressing send, knowing that Jihoon wouldn't care about my hesitation. Sure enough, his response came almost immediately.
Jihoon: So what? You know the place, be here in 30 minutes.
I stared at Jihoon's message, feeling my pulse quicken. There was no way out of this; once Jihoon had his mind set on something, he didn't let go. I could try to reason with him, but I already knew it wouldn't work.
Minji: Fine, I'll be there soon.
I sent the message, feeling a knot tighten in my stomach. The idea of going to his place again so soon after our last encounter was nerve-wracking. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I knew it probably wouldn't be just about studying.
As I got ready to leave, Yuna's voice echoed in my mind. "You deserve better than that." It was a simple truth, but somehow it didn't feel that easy. There was something about Jihoon that I couldn't shake—something that kept pulling me back in, even when I knew better.
I arrived at Jihoon's place just before the 30-minute mark. The house loomed ahead, its lights dim and uninviting. I hesitated at the door, taking a deep breath before ringing the bell. My heart pounded as I waited, the seconds stretching out like hours.
Jihoon opened the door with that same unreadable expression he always wore. His eyes flicked over me, taking in my tense posture. Without a word, he stepped aside to let me in. I walked into the house, the silence between us heavy and thick.
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"Let's get started." I said as I sat down placing the books on the table.
He looked over at me with a grin and came over to sit next to me.
I could feel my heart skip a beat, suddenly he leaned on the table resting his head in his hand. He flashed a big smile at me and slightly chuckled, "now that I think of it you're kinda cute, not really my type but I would take you to bed." He blurted.
I could feel my face turn red, "we will do Korean language and literature." I said.
Jihoon's words hung in the air, leaving me momentarily stunned. My mind raced, trying to find the right response, but nothing seemed appropriate. I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks, and I desperately tried to focus on the task at hand.
"Korean language and literature," I repeated, opening the textbook in front of me. I kept my eyes on the pages, refusing to look at him.
Jihoon chuckled again, clearly enjoying my discomfort. "You're really serious about this tutoring thing, huh?" he teased, leaning closer.
I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. "Yes, I am. So if you're not going to take this seriously, then maybe we should just stop."
Jihoon didn't move away; instead, he reached out and casually flipped the pages of the textbook.
"Alright, alright. Let's see what you've got." His tone was light, but there was something in his eyes that made me uneasy, like he was still toying with me.
Suddenly he got behind me, wrapped his arms around my waist, pulled me back close to him and started sniffing my hair.
"Don't mind me just trying to figure out what shampoo you use." He whispered in my ears.
"I can just tell you." I said nervously
"No I want to find out myself, just continue with the lesson." He smiled.
I tried to ignore the presence of him but it was so hard to focus with his breath brushing against my skin and his hands roaming my body. "Nice small waist, nice plump butt, And a decent looking face." He stated.
"Umm…so as you can see." I stuttered as his hands slowly slid his hands under My shirt, gently cresting my skin and suddenly he started pinching me nipples.
"Ah!" A very sudden sound came out of my mouth, "ha, I like that sound." He chuckled as he continued playing with nipples.
I bit down on my lip, trying to suppress any more sounds from escaping, but the sensation of Jihoon's fingers grazing my skin sent shivers down my spine. My heart pounded in my chest, and it was getting harder to focus on anything other than the way his touch was making me feel—both uncomfortable and strangely… something else I didn't want to admit.
"Jihoon, stop," I managed to say, my voice barely above a whisper.
He leaned in closer, his breath hot against my ear. "Why? You're not saying no." His tone was teasing, but there was an edge to it, something dark and challenging.
I swallowed hard, trying to regain control of the situation. "This isn't funny. We're supposed to be studying."
"Oh, I'm studying," he said, his voice dripping with amusement. "I'm just studying something a little more interesting than what's in that book."
My skin prickled under his touch, and I could feel the heat rising to my face. I didn't know how to respond—part of me wanted to push him away, to make him stop, but another part of me was front , caught between fear and something else that I didn't want to acknowledge.
Jihoon's hands continued their slow, deliberate movements, exploring every inch of skin they could reach. "You're really sensitive, Minji," he murmured, his voice low and intimate. "I like that."
I clenched my fists, trying to will myself to move, to do something, but all I could manage was to turn my head slightly, just enough to catch a glimpse of his face. His eyes were dark, filled with something I couldn't quite name, and it made my heart race even faster.
"Please… stop," I whispered again, but the words lacked conviction, and I knew it.
Jihoon chuckled softly, his lips brushing against my ear as he spoke. "You don't really want me to stop, do you? I can tell, Minji. I can feel it."
His words sent a jolt of electricity through me, and I felt my resolve crumbling. I hated how he could read me so easily, how he seemed to know exactly how to push all the right buttons.
But I couldn't let him win. Not like this.
With a surge of determination, I reached up and grabbed his wrists, pulling his hands away from my body. I finally turned around to face him, forcing myself to look into his eyes.
"This isn't a game, Jihoon," I said, my voice trembling slightly but stronger than before. "You can't just mess with people like this. I'm here to help you, but if you keep doing this… I'm leaving."
For a moment, Jihoon just stared at me, his expression unreadable. Then, slowly, a smirk spread across his face, but there was something different in his eyes—Suddenly he pushed me and pinned me down to the floor.
"That's not a threat sweet heart, that's a reward for me." He smirked.
"So how about we have fun." He replied as he pulled up my shirt and his fingers traveled on my chest. "I'm tired of playing with these," he said as he flicked my nipples.
"Maybe I should try down here." He grined as he slowly slid his hand down to my pants.
"Wait!" I quickly grabbed his Wrist, "why are you doing this?"
"What a stupid question, you said if I continue you will stop tutoring me. So I'd rather have a little fun before you leave." He stated.
Panic surged through me as Jihoon's hand continued its downward path. My heart pounded in my chest, each beat a desperate plea to find a way out of this. I tightened my grip on his wrist, trying to stop him, but he was stronger, and the smirk on his face told me he knew it.
"Please, Jihoon," I gasped, my voice shaking. "You don't have to do this. This isn't what you want."
His eyes flickered with something—amusement, maybe, or disdain. It was hard to tell. "You think you know what I want?" he sneered, his voice dripping with contempt.
"You're here because you think you can fix me, help me. But I don't need your help, Minji. I don't need anything from you, except maybe a little entertainment."
He leaned in closer, his breath hot against my neck. My whole body went rigid, every muscle tensing as I struggled to think of something, anything, that could get me out of this.
"Is this your idea of fun?" I asked, desperately trying to keep my voice steady. "Hurting someone who's trying to help you? Is that what makes you feel powerful?"
For a moment, Jihoon hesitated. His smirk faltered, and something dark and conflicted flashed across his face. But then, just as quickly, the mask was back, and he leaned even closer, his lips brushing against my ear.
"You don't know anything about me," he whispered, his voice cold and low. "And you never will."
My breath caught in my throat, but I refused to let the fear paralyze me. I had to do something—anything—to stop this from going further.
"You're right," I said, my voice trembling but firm. "I don't know you. But I do know that this isn't you. You're better than this, Jihoon. You don't have to prove anything to me by hurting me. You're already stronger than that."
For a moment, time seemed to stand still. Jihoon's eyes locked onto mine, and I could see the storm of emotions raging behind them—anger, confusion, maybe even a flicker of guilt.
His hand stopped moving, hovering just above the waistband of my pants. His grip on my wrist loosened slightly, and for a brief moment, I thought I might have reached him.
But then his expression hardened again, and he pushed himself off me, standing up abruptly. He looked down at me, his face a mask of indifference.
"Get out," he said, his voice cold and detached.
I scrambled to my feet, my heart still racing. "Jihoon—"
"Just go," he snapped, his eyes narrowing dangerously. "And don't come back."
I hesitated for only a second before grabbing my things and heading for the door. As I reached the threshold, I glanced back at him. He was standing there, staring at the floor, his fists clenched at his sides.
"Jihoon," I said softly, hoping he'd look at me, even if just for a second. But he didn't move, didn't acknowledge me at all.
TBC