You're My Escape[S.Coups FF]✅ - Chapter 10: Chapter 10

Ara's eyes were filled with tears, her body trembling with the weight of the situation. Seungcheol, though equally shaken, gently held her, his heart aching at the sight of her distress. He whispered comforting words, trying to soothe her as best as he could.
"It's going to be okay, Ara," Seungcheol murmured, his voice filled with determination. "We'll figure this out. I promise."
As Ara continued to cry, Joshua, Mingyu, and Jungkook stepped in, their faces lined with concern. Joshua approached Ara, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"Ara," Joshua said gently, "maybe it's best if you go home for now. Talk to Jeonghan calmly when he's had some time to cool down. We know how he loves you it's just that he's a little angry."
Ara nodded, wiping her tears. She looked at Seungcheol, her eyes filled with worry and sadness. "But what about you,cheol? I don't want you to lose your best friend because of me."
Seungcheol gave her a reassuring smile, though his own fear was evident in his eyes. "Don't worry about me. Just go home and take care of yourself. I'll think of something."
Mingyu stepped forward, giving Ara an encouraging nod. "We'll help you, Ara. Just go home and let things settle down a bit."
Jungkook chimed in, trying to lighten the mood. "Yeah. Jeonghan hyung can't stay mad at his precious sister for too long."
Despite the situation, Ara managed a small, grateful smile. She gave Seungcheol one last hug before turning to leave, escorted by Joshua and Mingyu. Jungkook stayed behind with Seungcheol, giving him a supportive pat on the back.
"We'll fix this," Jungkook said firmly. "Jeonghan will come around. He just needs time."
Seungcheol nodded, though the weight of the day's events pressed heavily on him. As he watched Ara leave, he took a deep breath, steeling himself for the difficult conversation that lay ahead with his best friend.
Joshua and Mingyu dropped Ara off and headed back to their homes, leaving her standing at the doorstep of a silent house. Her parents were out visiting friends, leaving the place eerily quiet. She walked through the empty hallway, her heart pounding as she approached Jeonghan's room. The door was closed, and she knocked gently, once, then twice, calling out his name.
"Oppa? Oppa, please open the door," Ara's voice trembled. She tried calling him again, but there was no answer. Tears started streaming down her face as she knocked more urgently. "Oppa, I am sorry. I'm so sorry. I should have told you first, but I was scared. Oppa, please open the door and talk to me. Please, oppa, I was really scared that you-"
The door suddenly opened, revealing Jeonghan's stern face. His eyes were a mix of anger and hurt. "Scared?" he said, his voice sharp. "Scared of what, Ara?"
Ara looked up at him, her tears blurring her vision. "Scared that you would be angry, that you wouldn't like the idea of me dating your best friend. I didn't want to lose you, oppa. You're so important to me. I was afraid that if you didn't approve, it would ruin everything and Your friendship with cheol. "
Jeonghan looked at her, his resolve wavering as he saw the sincerity in her eyes. He stepped aside, opening the door wider. "Come in, Ara. Let's talk."
They both settled down on the bed, sitting cross-legged and facing each other. Jeonghan's expression remained stern, but there was a hint of vulnerability in his eyes. Ara took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts.
"Oppa, I know I broke your trust by not telling you sooner," Ara started, her voice still shaky. "But please understand, I was just so scared. I didn't want to hurt you. I had feelings for cheol from a long time but i couldn't share because he was your best friend and i thought he didn't liked me but a week ago he confessed and i was happy but i didn't wanted to break our promise that's why I want you to know that cheol and I decided not to date until we had your permission. We didn't want to disrespect you or go behind your back. We were waiting for the right time to tell you. Yes i agree we were talking and meeting behind your back but we just couldn't bring ourselves to tell you."
Jeonghan nodded slightly, his eyes fixed on her. "I understand that, Ara. But you need to realize that hiding things from me only makes it worse. We're family, and I want to protect you. That's why it hurts so much to find out like this. You know i had an idea about this but i ignored it because i thought my sister and my bestfriend won't hide anything from me. I'll be the first one to know about this but i was wrong. Listening about this from some random people in the college hurted me a lot today. You or him should have been the people to tell me first about this."
Ara reached out and took his hand, squeezing it gently. "I know, oppa. And I promise, I'll never hide anything from you again. cheol and I, we were just trying to figure out the best way to tell you. We were worried about how you'd react."
Jeonghan sighed deeply, looking down at their joined hands. "Ara, I just want what's best for you. If seungcheol is really serious about you, then I need to know that he'll take care of you and respect you. That's all I care about. Yes i know i am overprotective for you but its just because you are my only sister. And the only thing that matters to me is You and your happiness."
Ara nodded, her eyes pleading. "He does, oppa. He loves me, and I love him. He was even ready to wait until you gave us your permission. We didn't want to go behind your back."
Jeonghan's expression softened further, the anger in his eyes giving way to concern. "I can see that, Ara. And I can see how much you care for each other. It's just... hard for me to accept that my little sister is growing up and finding love."
Ara smiled through her tears, feeling a glimmer of hope. "I know, oppa. And I'll always be your little sister. But I also need you to trust me and support me in this."
Jeonghan squeezed her hand back, a small smile finally breaking through his stern facade. "Alright, Ara. I'll give Seungcheol a chance. But if he ever hurts you, he'll have to answer to me."
Ara's face lit up with relief and gratitude. "Thank you, oppa. Thank you so much. I promise, you won't regret this."
Jeonghan nodded, pulling her into a tight hug. "Just be happy, Ara. That's all I want. "Just promise me one thing, Ara. If anything ever feels wrong or if he ever hurts you, you'll come to me first."
"I promise, oppa," Ara said, hugging him tightly again. "Thank you for understanding."
Alright, Ara. Let's take this one step at a time. And for now, let's keep this between us until we all sit down and talk together, okay?"
Ara nodded, smiling through her tears. "Okay, oppa. I love you."
"I love you too, my little sister," Jeonghan replied, kissing her forehead."
As the sun set, casting a warm glow over the city, Jeonghan's home was filled with a sense of anticipation. Everyone had been called to gather there that evening. Mingyu and Jungkook arrived together, their usual banter slightly subdued by the seriousness of the occasion. Scoups and Joshua arrived shortly after, with Scoups looking visibly nervous and tense.
Joshua patted him on the back reassuringly. "It's going to be fine, Seungcheol. Just stay calm and be honest."
Scoups took a deep breath, nodding. "I know, Josh. It's just... Jeonghan. What if he doesn't accept it?"
Joshua smiled gently. "He's your best friend, and he cares about you both. Just trust that he'll understand."
The group made their way into the living room, where Jeonghan and Ara were already waiting. Ara gave Scoups a small, reassuring smile, trying to ease his nerves.
Jeonghan stood up, gesturing for everyone to take a seat. "Thank you all for coming," he began, his tone calm but serious. "I called you here because we need to discuss something important."
Everyone settled down, the air thick with tension and expectation. Scoups sat next to Ara, his heart racing.
Jeonghan continued, looking directly at Scoups. "Seungcheol, Ara told me about your feelings for each other. And while I admit it came as a shock, I appreciate that you both wanted to wait for my permission."
Scoups nodded, swallowing hard. "Jeonghan, I want you to know that I love Ara. I've loved her for a long time, and I respect her and your family. I would never do anything to hurt her or betray your trust."
Jeonghan's expression softened slightly as he looked at Scoups. "I know, Seungcheol. I can see how much she means to you. But you need to understand that Ara is my little sister, and I've always been protective of her."
But i want you to leave my sister alone. I don't want you to date her."
Scoups's eyes widened in panic, and he immediately blurted out, "No, Jeonghan, please don't say that. I love her and I'll keep loving her till my last breath. I love her more than words can say. I promise to cherish her, protect her, and make her happy. I will never, ever do anything to hurt her. I'm ready to face any challenge, even if it means dealing with your overprotectiveness," he said in one breath
Jeonghan, ara, mingyu , jungkook and joshua burst into laughter, the tension breaking as he saw Scoups's genuine reaction. "I'm just teasing, Seungcheol. Relax. I trust you."
Jeonghan sighed, glancing at the others. Mingyu, Jungkook, and Joshua all gave him encouraging nods. He took a deep breath and finally spoke. "Alright. If you both truly love each other and are committed to being honest and respectful, then I'll give you my permission. But," he added, looking sternly at Scoups, "you better take good care of her, Seungcheol. No mistakes."
Scoups smiled, relief washing over him. "I promise, Jeonghan. I won't let you down."
Ara beamed, taking Scoups's hand. "Thank you, oppa."
The tension in the room melted away, replaced by a sense of relief and happiness. Mingyu and Jungkook cheered, while Joshua smiled warmly at the couple.
Jeonghan finally smiled too, feeling a weight lift off his shoulders. "Alright, everyone. Let's celebrate this new chapter. But remember, I'm still watching you, Seungcheol."
Scoups laughed, nodding. "I wouldn't expect anything less."
The evening turned into a joyous celebration, filled with laughter, love, and a renewed sense of unity among the friends.