Far From The Same ~Joshua Hong~

Chapter 2

Once dinner was over,  everyone congregated to the living room. Jin-ah was left to clean up. Mei and Yuri tried to help, but Jin-ah told them to go relax. Joshua wanted to go see her but had to wait until the time was right. A few glasses of wine later, Joong-Ki was dazed out. He was watching a tennis match with the guys,  the girls curled up next to their men. 

Joshua felt like it was the perfect time to sneak away. He nudged Mingyu and signaled that he would be back. Mingyu automatically knew what Joshua was going to do. "I'll keep him in here."

Joshua stood up and walked down the hall. Thankfully, Joong-Ki didn't notice since his eyes were glared to the TV, holding his 5th glass of wine. Joshua looked back once again to make sure Joong-Ki was watching. Perfect. Joshua turned into the kitchen and smiled when he saw Jin-ah leaning against the counter, drinking a small glass of wine while staring at the flowers he gave her.

"Hey, Jins. Want some company?" Joshua asked, as he came walking over, and leaned his back against the counter across from her. He was the one who gave her the nickname Jins. It stuck after that. The rest of the group called her Jins, besides Joong-Ki.

Jin-ah gave him a small smile. "I'd love that. How's work? Seungcheol doing well?"

He smiled. "Yes to both. He's getting married next week, actually. He sent invites out a few months ago. Didn't you guys get one?"

Jin-Ah stopped mid-sip. "We are invited? I didn't see the invitation."

Of course. Classic Joong-Ki.

"You are friends with him and his fiance, Min."

Jin-ah nodded her head, finishing her wine. "Guess Joong-Ki doesn't want me to go."

He rolled his eyes. "Might need to convince him. Seungcheol would want you to go, you know."

"Yeah, I want to go as well." She started rubbing her neck, her fingers trailing down her collarbone to where the bruise is.

Joshua took a step forward. Jin-ah froze and looked at him.

"Joshua?"

"You trust me, right?"

She nodded her head. Joshua grabbed a towel and placed it under water. He turned towards her and lifted the towel up to her face. Jin-ah didn't move, already knowing what he was about to do. She let him. Joshua gently wiped the cloth on her cheek, removing the heavy foundation. She winced a little.

He gasped at what he saw. The section near her ear and cheekbone were red, a small bruise already starting to form. He set the towel down and caressed the side of her face, his thumb brushing over the bruise. He then moved down to her collarbone, where he moved her shirt aside. There was another bruise right below the bone.

Jin-ah's heart was beating fast. She was feeling warm, his touch sparking something inside her. The butterflies were there, too.

"What happened, Jin-ah?"

"I-I had a small accident at work this morning. Nothing major." She gulped. Lies.

Joshua didn't buy it. He knew she was covering up for Joong-Ki. He let it go, though. Not wanting to push her. They glanced into each other's eyes. There were so many unspoken words that they wanted to say but couldn't. Joshua was about to slide his hand into hers when they were interrupted.

"What's going on in here?"

Jin-ah's eyes widened, stepping back until her back hit the counter. She didn't dare look over. Joshua glanced at Joong-Ki.

"Nothing. Just helping her with dishes. She was telling me about her accident at work this morning."

Joong-Ki looked over at her, her head still bowed. "Babe, go say goodbye. Everyone is leaving."

Jin-ah pushed off the counter and walked out, passing Joong-Ki. He gave her a pat on the butt as she walked by. She flinched. Joshua rolled his eyes.

Once they were alone, Joong-Ki walked over and crossed his arms, glaring at him.

"You need to back off, Joshua. She is mine. She fell for me. I won, you lost. I don't want you near her again. Got it?"

Joshua scoffed. "You knew exactly what you were doing when you went after her. You knew how much I cared for her and liked her. You took her from me. I was going to ask her out, but then you came in."

Joong-Ki chuckled. "And now you get to watch from the sidelines. I'll make sure to send a wedding invitation. Now, get out."

Unbeknownst to them, Jin-ah had heard it all. Her heart broke for Joshua. A single tear escaped her eye, falling down her cheek. Oh, Joshua. If you only knew the truth.

A figure walked by her, not knowing she was there. Once Joshua got to the door, he stopped and looked back, sadness written on his face when he saw her, but still gave her a small smile. Jin-ah wanted to say something, to stop him from leaving, but couldn't. Especially when she felt an arm wrap around her shoulder. Joong-Ki.

Joong-Ki smiled. Joshua glared at him as he opened the door and then walked out, leaving her to the devil.

"Ah!" She yelled out.

Joong-Ki yanked her arm hard and dragged her to the bedroom. "You are in big trouble, love."

Jin-ah knew she was in trouble the minute Joshua stepped foot into their home and gave her her favorite flowers. But she loved it. She really loved Joshua,  but had to protect him. That was why she was with Joong-Ki. Even though it was hurting both Joshua and her, she was doing this to save him. Save him from Joong-Ki's wrath.

She took the yelling and beatings. Her body was aching and screaming. This time, she didn't try to fight back or defend herself. She took it, with one thing on her mind. Joshua.