Pay With Your Heart
Chapter 271 - Stay Away From Me

Eun-Sun didn't know what had caused the sudden change in the atmosphere until she saw the headline being discussed on t.v.

Her eyes darted towards Dan-Han, who had his signatory nonchalant look on his face like he had no care in the world; neither was he bothered by his father's hard glare.

"You did this, didn't you?" Father Lee asked in an unpleasant tone, making everyone at the table glance at Dan-Han with a confused look on their faces except Mrs Lee and In-Ha.

"I did." Dan-Han didn't even bother to deny it. He looked so unfazed by his father's reaction, which slightly irritated him.

"You..."

Father Lee was about to say something else when his wife suddenly placed her hand on his hand under the table. The man looked at his wife, who surreptitiously signalled him to stay calm as they were currently in a public place, and it wouldn't be nice if they began to wash their dirty linens outside, especially in the presence of the people with them at the moment.

Father Lee sighed when he saw his wife pleading gaze. He paid one last look at Dan-Han, "We'll talk about this later." He said before returning to his meal, and so did everyone else.

Eun-Sun was quite confused by the drama that had just played out. One second, things seemed to had been going on fine and the next?

What was going on?

But why had Dan-Han gotten the Choi family arrested? Did something happen? She pondered as she looked at Dan-Han, who tilted his chin towards her plate, silently asking her to eat.

She let out an exasperated sigh before paying attention to her food.

Half an hour later, dinner came to an end, and everyone began leaving for their rooms or wherever they wanted to.

Dan-Han was about to leave with Eun-sun when his father called out to him, "Dan-Han, come with me." He said before walking away.

Dan-Han stared at his father's disappearing silhouette. He could already tell why he was being summoned, and honestly, he didn't want to go.

Eun-Sun noticed the reluctant look on his face and said, "You should go. I'll wait for you."

He cocked a brow at her silently, asking if she was sure, and Eun-sun nodded.

"I won't miss you too much if that's what you're worried about." She said, planting a kiss on his cheek. He patted her head before giving her the key to the room and walked away.

Eun-Sun watched him leave with complex emotions in her eyes. She had no idea what this was all about, but she felt it had something to do with her. Was it about what happened in the Lee mansion or about what happened to Mrs Lee? She remembers Dan-Han's subordinate telling him Mrs Lee had passed out after arguing with her husband because of the Chois.

'No, that couldn't be the reason.' She shook those thoughts out of her head. Those reasons were too trivial for Dan-Han to get them arrested. It had to be something else.

She was about to walk away when she spotted In-Ha exiting the hall.

"In-Ha!" She called out, but he didn't answer her. He continued on his track like he hadn't heard her call his name even though he did.

Her brows furrowed as she watched him.

"Kang In-Ha!" She called out a little more loudly, not minding that she was in a hotel, but again In-Ha didn't even stop.

That was it! She frowned as she hurried after him.

"I believe you're not deaf!" She snapped as she blocked his path. Her eyes were ferociously staring at him.

She watched him sigh as he raised his gaze to her, "Do you want something?" He asked in a cold and distant tone, surprising Eun-sun.

What?

"Really? Is that it? If I want something?" She scoffed in disbelief.

"Are you okay?" She asked as she raised her hand to touch his head, but he took a step back, making Eun-sun narrow her eyes at him confusedly.

"I'm fine." He still spoke in an indifferent tone, and that pissed Eun-sun off.

"Kang In-Ha, do you have hormonal problems?" She asked in an angry tone, her eyes revealing her anger. In-Ha couldn't help but glance at her fiery looking face when she asked that question.

'Hormonal problems? Him?' Only her could say such a thing.

Eun-Sun could not tell what was up with him? A few weeks ago, he had avoided her after he took her out. He apologised after a week, and now he was acting up again?!

After waiting for a few seconds without him saying a word, Eun-sun took in a deep breath to calm herself before speaking up again, this time in a calmer tone.

"In-Ha, did I do something wrong? If I did, tell me so I can apologise for it." Her tone was sincere, and In-Ha could hear the emotions behind her words. He knew she was going through a lot this period, especially with Dan-Han's father, who made things difficult for them.

He intentionally gazed at her eyes. Words he'd love to say were forming in his head. Should he tell her?

Tell her he was tired of watching her being with someone else? That he badly wanted her for himself and that he was in love with her, and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't let go of his feelings, and these past few days had made it worse. Tell her that she didn't have to endure Dan-Han's father's attitude towards her if she loved him instead of his friend.

His friend! Damn it! Why did it have to be Dan-Han of all people?

"So?" She urged, taking a step towards him.

In-Ha felt his brain muddle up when her scent wafted through his nostrils.

"I.." He struggled to say something, but Jae-Hyun's words came blaring through his head.

"Eun-Sun, please stay away from me," For his sake and hers. "I don't want to hurt you." He couldn't bring more issues into her life as it was. But weren't his words going to do the same to her?

Her eyes blinked rapidly in shock at his words. She should stay away from him? What did he mean? Eun-Sun was more confused now than ever.

In-Ha sighed inwardly when he noticed how his words had hurt her, but he couldn't say anything else. He needed to leave before he did something rather stupid.

"I'm sorry." He said before walking away, leaving Eun-sun in a dumbfounded state.

W-what was happening?

Why was everybody acting up?