When That Door Opens - Chapter 3
In a place he’d never been before, he should have hesitated or felt awkward. But there was none of that in the man’s actions. Even in simple movements, his fearless and unrestrained nature was evident.
“…Blood?”
Yvonne muttered as she noticed the red droplets on the floor. They trailed behind the man like a long tail. Only then did Yvonne realize why he needed a new shirt. The back of the shirt he was wearing was torn, and the area around it was stained bright red with blood. Although she had never seen someone injured before, she could tell that the wound was a cut from a blade.
‘He’s bleeding so much.’
Yet, the man’s demeanor when she briefly interacted with him showed no signs of pain.
‘But it can’t be painless.’
He shouldn’t keep bleeding like this either.
With that thought, Yvonne quickly gathered some first aid supplies and bandages from the corner of the shop. It was an uncharacteristically bold move for someone usually so cautious and thoughtful. By the time she realized it, Yvonne found herself already knocking on the fitting room door.
“What is it?”
“I have something for you before you put on the new shirt. May I come in for a moment?”
“…Come in.”
As she carefully opened the fitting room door, she was relieved to see the man still holding the shirt in one hand. Realizing she wasn’t too late, Yvonne’s face briefly brightened. But the moment she saw the man’s bare torso, her face turned crimson. She quickly lowered her head and spoke.
“S-Sorry. I noticed you were injured. I brought some bandages and medicine…”
But there was no reply. Thinking he might be extending his hand like when he gave her the robe, she looked up. Yvonne unconsciously took half a step back. The man’s sharp gaze was fixed intently on her.
They stood there, silently staring at each other. Yvonne witnessed various emotions flicker through those eyes that had earlier left her breathless. First, there was caution, then curiosity, and finally…
“Are you not afraid of blood?”
Creepy.
Chills ran down her spine at the sound of his voice.
“…Yes, I am.”
Yvonne answered calmly, forcing herself to look at the man’s long, gaping wound. The crimson gash was still oozing blood. It felt strange even to her, extending a helping hand to a complete stranger.
“But I can’t just leave someone who’s injured. It looks painful.”
Ah. That’s why. Because it looked painful. No, because it was undoubtedly painful, yet he seemed unaffected. It bothered her.
“After all, you’re a customer who visited my shop.”
Yvonne said, placing the bandages and medicine on the table.
“You’re bleeding a lot, so please make sure to treat it.”
As she turned hurriedly to hide her inexplicably blushing face, the man’s deep voice stopped her.
“The wound.”
His voice was heavy and firm.
“I can’t quite reach it.”
She slowly turned back to look at him. Meeting his gaze for the third time, she was struck anew by his beauty and sensuality.
“What is your name?”
“It’s Yvonne.”
“Alright, Yvonne. My name is Jerome.”
The end of his introduction lingered in the air. He picked up the bandage from the table and handed it to her.
“Do you think you can heal this, Yvonne?”
Jerome smiled. The eyes that had been as sharp as a finely honed blade now smiled at her, and in that moment, Yvonne knew. Even if she were torn into pieces, she wouldn’t be able to turn away from those eyes.
* * *
“What are you thinking about so deeply?”
Yvonne, lost in her memories, was brought back to reality by the hands wrapping around her waist. The warmth of Jerome’s body against her back and his hot breath on her neck made her entire body tense.
“Yvonne?”
“Ah… I was just thinking about the past for a moment.”
“The past?”
There was a subtle edge to Jerome’s voice.
“The past with whom?”
“…Jerome.”
Yvonne frowned slightly as she said his name, and Jerome, who had been kissing the nape of her exposed neck, chuckled softly.
“I’m just teasing. I’m with you, but you’re not paying attention to me, so I got jealous.”
“I was thinking about the day I first met you, Jerome.”
“The day we first met?”
Jerome’s eyes widened slightly in surprise as he turned her around to face him.
“All of a sudden? Why?”
“Just because. Seeing you today reminded me of that day.”
“To think of the past me while with the present me…”
