Bring It On! - Chapter 72

Chapter 72.

I had no choice but to get into the passenger seat, confronted by his unyielding stubbornness. 

Click. Jay closed the door and circled around the hood to slide into the driver’s seat. The engine purred smoothly as it started. I stared at the dim, gloomy underground parking lot, my thoughts in turmoil.

Was it really okay to let him drag me along like this? I didn’t even have my wallet, no money at all, and I wasn’t sure he would even bring me back to the hospital. 

I was worried about leaving Suho alone. Chewing my lower lip, my hand eventually reached for the door handle.

“This is really not going to work…”

Before I could finish speaking, his upper body leaned toward me. I instinctively stopped talking as Jay suddenly surged forward. He reached for the seatbelt, tugged it firmly until it clicked, and secured it tightly.

“Don’t even think about running. Sit still.”

He lightly tapped my cheek with his finger and then pulled back. The warmth of his voice and breath lingered faintly on my forehead. I rubbed my forehead with my fingertips and glanced to the side.

“Where are we going?”

“Shouldn’t you have guessed by now?”

“We’re not going to your place, are we?”

“Why ask if you already know?”

Jay shifted gears and smoothly drove off. I stared at the side of his face while he focused on the road, then lowered my gaze. His long, elegant fingers skillfully maneuvered the steering wheel.

“Why are you staring like that?”

“…Do you even have a license?”

“Kind of.”

“‘Kind of’? ‘Kind of’?! What in the world is that?”

Judging from his look, I doubted he had ever gone through the proper steps at the licensing office with a written test, skills, and driving exam done. He seemed the type who would have learned to drive by stealing his dad’s car back in school.

“Don’t worry. Unless a dump truck hits us, the car is sturdy enough. You won’t die.”

“I want to get out.”

“Trust me just once.”

Vroom. Jay pressed the accelerator hard. The car surged forward, and my body was pressed back into the seat. I grabbed the passenger handle with both hands in panic.

“You crazy bastard!”

“Crazy bastard?”

“Why, why are you speeding up! Ah, okay! Sorry, I, I was wrong!”

As soon as my apology escaped, he eased off the accelerator. When the car fully stopped at a red light, I exhaled the tense breath that had been lodged under my chin.

“Ha… you insane almost-murderer.”

Turning my head, I saw Jay leaning his forehead on the hand gripping the wheel, laughing.

Got me.

I realized I’d been played, falling for his teasing. I rubbed my stiff neck with my palm.

“Haha. Why are you looking around like that?”

“Checking for something to hit.”

“There’s nothing.”

“Like an emergency escape hammer.”

“Should I buy one?”

“Now. Hurry, I’m in a rush.”

I opened the glove compartment, only to find it completely empty. There’s not even a pack of wet wipes. I slammed it shut and exhaled an annoyed sigh, pressing my back against the seat. 

Then I glanced to the side. Jay chuckled, and our eyes met. It had been ages since I’d seen him laugh like that.

As I kept staring, his expression stiffened awkwardly. Unaware that he’d been laughing, he rubbed his mouth with his large hand. 

Even when the horn honked behind us, he didn’t move, instead undoing two buttons at his chest.

After that, our conversation was a string of utterly trivial, meaningless chatter. It was barely even considered talk.

Outside, the scenery changed. Towering buildings gave way to quiet streets lined with grand, luxurious houses. Did places like this even exist in Korea? Even after entering the residential area, we drove for quite a while.

I could sense we were nearing our destination. The flood of my words dwindled. I was certain no buses ran here. Checking the GPS, it was a full two hours by car from the hospital. 

How would I get back? My head began to spin with worry as the car finally stopped.

Someone ran up and opened the passenger door. I froze at the sudden motion, while Jay, completely unfazed, got out without even turning off the engine. While I hesitated, he leaned over, gripping the top of the car to look inside.

“What are you doing?”

I didn’t answer his urging and got out of the car. Before me stood a mansion far grander than any of the houses I’d seen so far. The walls were stacked high like a fortress, and the top floor of the mansion towered even above them.

…So he’s rich, huh.

Being stuck seeing him only in the hospital, I hadn’t really felt the weight of his wealth. But arriving at his house, it hit me again. He really was part of one of South Korea’s top three corporate royal families.

The beautifully landscaped garden was lit along every path, and an outdoor pool was visible on the side. At the end of the flashy driveway stood a grand structure that looked like something straight out of a myth. 

I followed him inside, unconsciously opening my mouth in awe. My own family wasn’t poor, so high-end homes didn’t usually faze me, but this place was on a whole other level.

What is this, a luxury gallery? The whole house felt like a single work of art, with meticulously designed and uniquely styled furniture scattered throughout. The aesthetic taste of the homeowner was undeniable. And ironically, this house belonged to Jay.

Every detail, from the lighting to the texture of the walls, showed careful attention. I could spend the whole day just exploring and still not take it all in. Everything inside was fascinating, but one thing caught my eye above all.

“…A piano?”

A black grand piano was placed in front of a floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the garden. It gleamed smoothly, clearly well cared for. Lost in thought, he grabbed my hand and pulled me toward him.

“Stop spacing out so much.”

He led me upstairs. Opening the door at the end of the hallway, I saw a cozy, modern bedroom. It was quite a contrast from the luxurious first floor.

“This is my room.”

“……”

“And the room you’ll be staying in from now on.”

Thunk. Jay pushed me in and closed the door behind us. With the space sealed off, the dazed awe I’d felt wandering the mansion faded, and I quickly regained my composure.

“I’m supposed to sleep…. here?”

“Technically, next to me.”

“That’s the same thing.”

“I’ve been busy since early this morning, so I’m a little tired.”

“……”

“I’ll go wash up. You can use the bathroom outside. I’ve left fresh clothes for you.”

Jay walked off toward the bedroom’s bathroom after stating his instructions. I quickly grabbed the hem of his shirt.

“Wait, wait. What about my stuff? You said Director Park would move it. Where is it?”

“It’ll come when the time is right.”

“When will that be?!”

“After a good long sleep.”

***

Jay’s steady breathing brushed against the back of my head as he dozed, drifting in and out. He must have been exhausted. 

He fell asleep immediately after pulling me into his arms. I stared blankly into the pitch-black room, then reached out. Tap. Touching the mood light on the side table, it cast a gentle glow.

“Hmm…”

As Jay shifted, I patted his hand and slowly, carefully slipped out of his embrace. I’d once thought escaping his arms while he slept impossible, but after doing it several times, I’d become skilled. I placed a pillow where he had been and stretched lazily.

“How did I even end up here…”

Being dragged here so abruptly and chaotically, I was still in disbelief at my current situation. I idly explored Jay’s expansive bedroom. 

I noticed a door connected to it and opened it, expecting a dressing room, but it revealed a small study instead. Turning on the indirect lighting, I saw tall bookshelves covering the walls. Hmm… probably decorative, I thought, looking at the books.

Scanning further, I found a section filled with countless unmarked files. I grabbed one. It was rude, yes, but he’d rudely dragged me here, so it was fair.

The files were sheet music. Endless, intricate notes flowing like complex equations. Suddenly, the grand piano from the first floor came to mind. Beneath the sheet music were countless awards. 

I suspected they were purchased, but each bore Jay’s real name, Cha Yoon, engraved in English.

“…He’s a pianist?”

It seemed incongruous with his other persona, yet somehow felt more fitting than his role as the art hall’s representative. His fingers were long and elegant, perfect for piano. I was genuinely surprised.

Then it struck me. I’d only thought of the time we spent on the deserted island together, never bothering to learn about him beforehand. It wasn’t fair to blame his indifference. 

I searched “Cha Yoon” on my phone. Within a second, information flooded the screen. His school, job, family, and both major and minor news.

“Wait… what is this?”

Among the extraordinary profile details, one thing shocked me most. I held the phone close to my eyes, unable to believe what I was seeing. I refreshed the page, then zoomed in with two fingers.

“This can’t be real.”

My hand holding the phone trembled slightly from the sheer shock. I was so stunned I didn’t even notice someone approaching.

“What are you doing here?”

“…!”

The ceiling lights turned on, revealing Jay. I gasped, dropping my phone. Thud. He frowned at the sound. My eyes widened as I stared at him.

He was five years older than me.