LEE TAEMIN
I lay in bed trying to sleep but I couldn't. I didn't want Eunsoo to find out like this. I wanted to tell him by myself. There's the problem with Eunsoo and then there's Uncle Byung. If everyone who ran away from Tiger Corp is getting killed, that means Uncle Byung could be in danger. I still need to figure out what he knows.
I closed my eyes but suddenly thought of Eunsoo. I groaned and pulled the blanket over my head.
....
I kept staring at the door, waiting for Eunsoo to walk in. The restaurant was packed today but Minah and I could handle it. I just want to see him but then, I was scared of how he would act. He would probably still not want to talk to me.
I went into the kitchen to keep the bowls, when I suddenly felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned around and saw Eunsoo.
" Hey...drop that. We've got orders for tables three and five "
" Oh....okay"
....
We were finally closed and just cleaning up the restaurant. Eunsoo was talking and joking with me even better than before. After cleaning, he told me to wait so he would walk me to the bus stop. I felt really weird but I just said okay.
While walking, Eunsoo kept talking to me normally but I still felt weird. It feels weird to see him just gloss over that incident. Almost as if he read my mind, Eunsoo stopped walking and turned me towards his direction.
" Hi "
" Huh? "
" I'm Kyung Eunsoo....let's start over "
He stretched his hand out for a handshake. I looked at him for a while and then at his outstretched hand. I smiled and took his hand in mine.
" Hi I'm Lee Taemin. It's nice to meet you "
" Likewise "
We both laughed and stared at each other. I was still laughing, when Eunsoo suddenly walked towards me and hugged me. His hands on my waist made my knees wobble. He lowered his head unto my shoulder and I could feel his warm breath on my neck. He pulled out from the hug but didn't move back. Having him this close to me made me realize just how tall he was. He suddenly ruffled my hair and moved back.
It took me a while to realize just how close he was to me,as we walked. I felt warm flesh on my palm and looked down. Eunsoo placed his hand in mine and held it lightly. I looked up at him as my heart pounded in my chest. I smiled back at him as he smiled at me.
We got to the bus stop but Eunsoo still wouldn't let go of my hand.
"call me as soon as you get home. okay?"
"okay...I will "
He looked a little reluctant to leave. I was about to say something when he suddenly stepped forward and lowered his head. I felt warm lips press against mine as he placed a light kiss on my lips .He didn't push, he didn't invade...just a light touch of a pair of lips as his second hand moved to my waist.
He pulled out and gave me a kiss on my cheek before stepping back .
"Don't forget to call me "
"Uhmmm...Yeah...sure...ok"
KYUNG EUNSOO
As soon as the bus left, I buried my head in my hands as the reality hit me. Why did I do that? Why? Why? Why? I didn't even think about how he would feel about it. What if he felt weird or uncomfortable? What if he starts avoiding me? I am such an idiot.
Back in my room, I kept staring at my phone waiting for him to call me. I should probably call him. It's been a while now. I was still contemplating, when a message came in.
" I'm home now. Thanks for walking me "
I was frustrated at just how awkward I felt. I took a deep breath and typed in " Okay. Goodnight " and tossed my phone aside. I buried my head in my pillow and soon fell asleep.
....
I kept wiping the tables and tried to brace myself for when Taemin walks through the door. The door opened and my heart did a little dance when I saw him. I know we're in a really difficult and dangerous situation in our lives currently but I couldn't help but let myself get swayed. I waved at him with a small smile and he just smiled and rushed over to the counter. He kept avoiding my gaze and was unusually quiet. I think he is mad at me.
......
I sat in a corner of the store and texted Moon Hyejin again but the reply was still the same....a lake and a pudding. I don't know what I'm supposed to do with these. I don't have much time. My dad's trial is in a few days.
I looked over at Taemin as he grabbed his bag and headed for the door. I got up and walked over to him. He looked at me with big puzzled eyes, as I held his hands and dragged him out of the store. We walked into a corner and I held him against the wall.
" Listen....about yesterday....I'm sorry for making you uncomfortable. I just acted without thinking and...."
I was suddenly cut off by the warm lips that crashed on mine. I felt his hands grip the collar of my shirt as he pulled me towards himself. I stood still, trying to process what was going on. He pulled out and looked up at me in the most beautiful way I could ever imagine. He looked so delicate and beautiful. Would it be alright for me to put the whole situation behind me for now and just be happy with him right now? What would happen to us after this? I looked at his eyes and just couldn't hold back. I wrapped my hands around his small waists, leaned towards him and took his lips in mine. He slowly moved his hands around my neck and pulled me closer. I sucked on his lower lip as my hands molded perfectly with his waist. I dipped my tongue into his mouth and his tongue welcomed me with no hesitation. His mouth tasted like chocolate tea. I raised my right hand to cup his face and kiss him more. His hands in my hair almost made me lose it. I pulled out of the hug and placed small kisses on his forehead, eyes, cheeks and lips before pulling him in for a hug. I felt him melt against me as he rested his head on my chest. He wasn't small.....I was just too big for a nineteen year old. I wrapped my hands around him and lowered my nose into his hair.
He was all smiles as we walked hand in hand to the bus stop. Seeing him happy made me so happy but it also made me scared. I don't know how long our happiness will last or what more those people will take from us.
" I was thinking we should go over to Hyejin's apartment tomorrow. We don't have much time. My dad's sentencing is three days "
" Sure. Let's do it. Hold on....what about work?"
" Don't worry about it. I'll just tell my mum thatyou're sick and can't come in. Just meet me at the bus stop by 1pm "
" Okay. Why don't we tell them what's going on. They'll be more careful that way and besides this really isn't something we can do on our own "
" My mum would never believe me. It seems she's already convinced that my dad killed uhmm.....your....uhmm...your dad"
" I think she's just stressed. She may not show it often, but she's really worried about your dad and you guys "
" Telling her this would make her even more worried. What about you? How is your mum coping?"
" My mum likes to act tough but she really isn't. She acts like everything is fine but oftentimes, I have heard her cry all night. Telling her about this will likely shatter what's left of her shield. As for me, saying I'm okay would be a really big lie but there's nothing I can do "
I gave his hand a gentle squeeze and smiled at him. He looked like he was holding in a lot and carrying too much.
" You said something about your father's actions....what did you mean by that?"
" My dad did a lot of terrible things. Your family got tangled up in all of his mess,my Uncle seems to be hiding something and Tiger Corp is more disgusting than you think "
He pulled his hand from mine and reached into his bag and brought out a small book which he handed to me.
" What's this?"
" I want you to read it. It'll help you make better sense of what's going "
" Uhmmm....okay"