"Claire is fine, apparently. He didn't stay there, but she isn't critical or anything. He said it wasn't a serious attempt, and I guess we're okay. It's too soon to say…. I'm just trying to go with the flow and take one step at a time. I have no idea what I'm doing or even want, so I'm not making rash decisions." That's an understatement of the century.
"Sex… Clear the air, scratch an itch, and cement the fact that man is now yours. It'll make you feel a whole lot better and clearer about everything. Remove all the crazy tension around the two of you and push that hoe clearly out of the picture. Jyeon is already semi under the thumb, give him a night he will never forget, and he'll become an obedient puppy."
"That's the worst advice I have ever heard come out of your mouth." Amused by Greta's newfound love for Jyeon and this whole do-over thing we have going on. I roll my eyes at her and fish around for an outfit absentmindedly. Yanking out a dress and boots before tossing them back as too obvious that I'm trying to impress him.
"Is it though?" She winks at me again and dodges the pair of socks I throw at her head before turning and swooning off with a giggle. I hear her chuckling as she pads back to her bedroom across the hall. The click of the door signals she's going back to hibernation and has zero concerns about my welfare today. I guess Jyeon won her over once and for all.
I sigh and start hauling on fresh underwear and jeans, panicking as I fumble to get something on fast and rush to kick the door shut to put a bra on. Checking outside before I close it and relax when I note the bathroom door is closed, so he probably missed that entire conversation. Thankfully.
It is just after eight am, and I have had nowhere near a decent amount of shut-eye to function correctly or think straight. I sort of envy Greta and her ability to go back to bed, but I also want to see what this report says about the car. Maybe once and for all, I could put it out of my mind, and it was nothing more than an electrical fault or a fluke. Perhaps all these years, I suspected something that nobody ever did to me. It's a possibility.
I work fast and dress in a fitted pullover, jeans, ankle boots, and run a brush through my hair, reaching for facial wipes to fix the smudgy mess of last night's tears. So engrossed in making myself half presentable that I completely miss the fact Jyeon has returned, looking styled and sophisticated with minimal effort.
"You're beautiful; you know that, right? I don't think I ever said it to you, but you are. You always were." Jyeon's sexy huskiness startles me, making me jump as I spin my head around to see him taking over Greta's pose at the door. Watching me get ready as if it's the most mesmerizing thing he has ever laid eyes on, and I blush from the top of my head right down to my toes. Unused to open admiration from him, the way he's looking at me heats me a little too much. Squirming to control the wave of hormones that's been dormant too long.
"Maybe you need glasses." I shake my head, smiling despite my rebuttal, and go back to applying some moisturizer and give myself a final look over. There's no point making a considerable effort if I am to shower soon anyway. I look like I always do, only with some tiredness, shadows, and a slightly pale complexion.
I get up from my kneeling position on the floor in front of my full-length mirror and brush myself down, flinching when his warm hand slides around my waist, and he tugs me back against him. Nestling my butt to his groin and rests his chin on my shoulder. He gazes at me in our reflection, smiling and locking eyes on mine, and settles himself comfortably as if we always did this.
"Sometimes I'm scared this isn't real, and I'll wake up, and you'll have never been here. It terrifies me."
I rest my body against him, sliding my hand over his flat on my abdomen, loving the feel of his skin and naturally hot body temperature that's always much higher than mine. Sinking into his embrace and seeking out his eyes in the mirror.
"I know what you mean. It doesn't feel like any of this is happening…. Like I'm dreaming, and if I wake up, I'll be back on the island, and you'll never have come." It's not something I allowed myself to think of before, but the thought of waking up and none of this being reality leaves a horrible pang in my heart, and I shiver.
It's insane how he's made my heart U-turn in only a couple of weeks, from loathing and pain to hope and the possibility of something I always wanted from him. I still have reservations and no real clue about our future, given I still want to go home, but I'm not going to think about tomorrow. Live for the moment. Do what Greta said, take it one step at a time, and see where we end up.
"I meant it when I said I would follow you anywhere. I lost you once, and I don't intend to live through that again. I know you find the change in my heart something to doubt, but I really do love you. I need you, Sohla. I'm willing to do anything to make sure I stay by your side for the rest of my life, even follow you home."
His words, the way he nuzzles his cheek against mine and stares at me as if I'm the most prized possession in the world, chokes me up. Tears mist my eyes as my heart swells to almost bursting, and I impulsively lift my hand and cradle his face while watching his perfect reflection.
"I love you. I never said it to you, not once in all these years, but I always did. I still love you as much."
Jyeon's eyes mist over like mine and his eyebrow twitches before he turns me in his arms and wraps me up in another bear hug. Held tight, as though nothing in the world could get through his strong arms and powerful body to get at me, and I close my eyes to bask in how good this feels. Safe and secure, and it feels like I'm finally home. It's becoming his favorite thing, and I'm not complaining.
Greta was right, and no one in the world could ever get into my heart because Jyeon was always there. No man could replace what he is to me, even when I was heartbroken by him. Tom never stood a chance because a man was always standing in front of me even when I couldn't physically see him.
"I'll never hurt you again. I'll never give you a reason to doubt me or leave. Not ever again. I'll never be so stupid to stray away and deny what you are to me. We can be happy together, I know it. I have faith in it." It's a murmur, almost whisper in my ear, and he turns and kisses me on the cheek, lingering and holding us together. The small affections he showered me with as a child, yet this feels much more intense.
My body warmed up with his temperature and my heart racing in happiness. It's an acute kind of pain that comes from feeling good, not hurt, and yet it makes a lump lodge in my throat. Tears are welling up, and I'm going to end up an emotional mess all over again if we stay here doing this.
"We should go and get this over and done with. Finally, get an answer." I pull away to release myself, and he leans down to touch his nose to mine, edging me close again, so our eyes meet, and I'm caught in the circle of his arms.
"I'm praying it was a mechanical fault because I don't know what I'm going to do to a person if I find out someone deliberately tried to take you from me. I won't be responsible for my actions." It's a low, gravelly truth, and a fierceness flashes through his eyes that convinces me he means it.