Flowers Are Bait

Chapter 24:

Chapter 24:

“Lee-yeon... Lee-yeon...”

Lee-yeon felt an odd mix of emotions when she heard her name being called. The way Kwon Chae-woo called her name sounded so different from the way Hwang Jo-yoon did. Kwon Chae-woo pressed his fingers to his temple as though this was giving him a headache.

“Stop calling my wife’s name before I kill you.” His cold gaze was sharp as a blade. Kwon Chae-woo, at that moment, looked a man possessed. A beast in a human mask.

It could have been an illusion, but she felt the temperature drop. The tension in the air was palpable. Hwang Jo-yoon froze, holding his breath. It wasn’t only him who held his breath, Lee-yeon didn’t dare move. She recalled the murderer she had seen two years ago.

What if his headache leads him to recalling his past? Lee-yeon felt restless. Her heart pounded.

Kwon Chae-woo turned to look at the glass on the table. He let go of her hand he was holding. What is he thinking? What is he going to do? Is he going to... No!

Lee-yeon hurriedly grabbed his arm and and placed it on her waist. Kwon Chae-woo paused for a moment and turned to look at her. His eyes were cold and flat like a calm sea. “Do I really have to stay still?” he asked.

Lee-yeon didn’t respond. “About what I asked earlier... eyes and the mouth. I really want you to choose this time.” His face was gentle and calm, as though he had never been angry before. “Or maybe the right ball or the left?” Lee-yeon blinked in confusion. “Are those options better than before?” he asked.

* * *

To diffuse the situation and to prevent Kwon Chae-woo acting out, Lee-yeon hurriedly left the cafe with him. Her heart pounded so hard that she thought it might explode.

To protect Kwon Chae-woo from harm, shehurriedly left the cafe with him. In the meantime, her heart started beating so fast that it felt like it was going to explode.

He frowned slightly, then smiled. “Well, that’s not very difficult.” He looked at her fondly.

Lee-yeon scratched the nape of her neck and turned away from his gaze awkwardly. “By the way, Kwon Chae-woo...”

“Yes?”

“Why did you say you would kill him?” She looked up at him.

“I am sorry,” he said, lowering his head.

“No... don’t apologize. I was just curious. I have never seen saying something like that.”

Kwon Chae-woo looked at her. “I don’t know. Every time he called you by your name so rudely, I nearly went out of my mind. I felt angry.”

“Were you really going to...”

“I was trying to restrain myself from ripping out his mouth.” Kwon Chae-woo clenched his jaw. “You looked so uncomfortable. It seemed to me that you would burst into tears. I wanted him to shut up.”

Lee-yeon slowly raised her head. Their eyes met. A flicker of relief flashed across his face as though he could finally breathe again.

“That man was already dead in my mind, Lee-yeon,” Kwon Chae-woo said, touching her eyes. “I can’t be gently and friendly towards people like him even if I tried to.” He smiled sheepishly.