I wake up the next morning feeling refreshed and alive in a way I haven't any time in recent memory. The intimacy I shared with Inha last night was like coming home. My body remembers him, the way we move together, the familiarity of his touch.
As I get ready for work, I can't stop smiling to myself. The ache in my heart that has been there since I first laid eyes on Inha is gone, replaced by a warmth that spreads through my entire being. I know now why I fell in love with him in the first place.
At the office, I find myself daydreaming about last night instead of focusing on work. Memories of Inha's lips on my skin, his hands roaming my body, make me shiver with desire. I have to stop myself from reaching out to him, to ask him to skip work and meet me for a repeat performance.
But my mind also drifts to Yul. I think about the pain in his eyes when I confronted him about the memories of us together. The sorrow and regret that seemed to emanate from him. I wonder what could have possibly happened to drive such a wedge between the three of us, to make two men I clearly loved deeply into strangers. In Inha's case, adversaries.
I'm determined to find out. Just like I didn't give up on Inha, I won't give up on Yul either. If last night proved anything, it's that the love and passion is still there, buried under years of hurt and misunderstanding. I have to believe that if I can unlock those feelings with Inha, I can do the same with Yul.
I'm optimistic about all of this now. If I can bring my strange little family back together, make us whole again, it will be worth it. Maybe this was what we needed. Maybe that was the whole point.
Maybe I should try and reach Yul the same way I have with Inha. I need to bring back whatever it was I felt for Yul and bring him back to me. Inha and I may have regained that part of our relationship, but my journey is far from over. I have to keep going, for all of us.
During my lunch break that afternoon, I decide to call Yul.
"Yeah?" There's a brief hesitation before he answers, like he's surprised I'm reaching out. For some reason, I get the feeling it's unusual for him to actually take my calls, though I'm not sure why I have that impression.
"Hey, it's me," I say, feeling suddenly awkward. "What are you up to today? I was hoping we could maybe get together for a bit."
"Oh, I… I actually have a magazine photoshoot this afternoon for a fashion editorial," he replies. There's a touch of uncertainty in his tone, like he's not sure if he should be telling me this.
A pang of disappointment hits me. "Oh, that's... That's cool." I don't know why I feel the need to see him so badly today, but the urge is strong.
There's a pause on the other end of the line. Then, "You could come by the shoot, if you want." The words seem to surprise him as much as they do me. "Just for a little while, between sets or something."
I blink, taken aback by the invitation. Part of me wants to say no, that I wouldn't want to impose or be in the way. But the larger part of me is screaming yes, leaping at the chance to be around him again. "Are you sure? I don't want to be a bother."
"No, it's..." He trails off, then seems to find his resolve. "I'd like you to come. If you're free."
The certainty in his voice bolsters me a bit. "Okay, yeah. Just send me the details."
He does, and I spend the rest of my workday with a strange mixture of nerves and excitement swirling in my stomach. What will it be like, seeing Yul in a professional environment? Will more of my memories come back? Will I be able to get a better grasp on whatever happened between us?
I don't know, but I'm anxious to find out. Things may still be broken, but I think I can see it now.
* * *
I pull up to the downtown studio where Yul's photoshoot is taking place, my stomach fluttering with nervous anticipation. Taking a deep breath, I send him a quick text letting him know I've arrived.
A few moments later, Yul appears in the entrance, that familiar lopsided grin on his face as he waves me over. He's dressed casually in ripped jeans and a plain t-shirt, but there's an unmistakable air of cool confidence about him that makes me take note.
"Glad you could make it," he says as I approach. He looks me over briefly, and yet again there's a flicker in his eyes like he wants to say something, to do something. I think I see his hand twitch and stop, like he was thinking about reaching out to me, but then he turns around and it's gone.
Yul leads me inside, striding ahead of me as we weave through a maze of equipment, clothing racks, and busy crew members. I try not to gawk at the barely-dressed models milling about, focusing instead on Yul and the authoritative way he carries himself in this environment.
"This is where all the magic happens," he says with a wry smile, gesturing around the makeshift studio space. "They've got me doing some shots for a big menswear spread in next month's issue."
He guides me over to a small seating area off to the side, out of the way of the controlled chaos. "You can hang out here and watch if you want. I shouldn't be too long between sets."
I nod, lowering myself onto the plush sofa as Yul heads off to prepare. From my vantage point, I have an unobstructed view of the main set area, the bright lights and flashes from the cameras already beginning.
I settle in, eyes roaming over the controlled chaos unfolding before me. Crew members scurry about, adjusting lights and tweaking camera settings as models strut back and forth across the set.
But it's Yul who captures my attention most.
He strides onto the set with an easy confidence, holding a giant camera steady in his hands.
Yul exchanges a few words with the shoot directors, nodding in understanding before taking his position behind the bright lights and flashing cameras. He's the picture of intense focus, body shifting naturally as he angles the camera. He shouts instructions to the models, adding encouragements and compliments when they get the poses right. He bends down to get better angles, dropping onto one knee, turning and angling, moving to find the perfect shot. His tattooed biceps flex as he holds the heavy camera steady, and a little pang of hunger curls in my belly.
There's an undeniable magnetism about him as he works, an almost palpable energy radiating. I find myself leaning forward, utterly transfixed by the way he commands the set with such effortless cool.
The shoot progresses at a rapid clip, but Yul never falters. He transitions seamlessly between moody glares and playful smirks, exuding an authenticity that the camera can't help but capture. This is clearly his element – a side of Yul I've never witnessed until now.
As entrancing as his physical presence is, it's the professionalism and dedication he exhibits that leaves me most impressed. Gone is the quiet, reserved demeanor I've grown accustomed to. Here, Yul is completely in his element, radiating a captivating blend of raw sexuality and utter self-assurance.
I can't tear my eyes away, utterly spellbound by this new facet of the man I've only just begun to know again. There's an allure to seeing him so focused and in command – one that stirs a simmering warmth low in my belly.
As I watch Yul expertly navigate the photoshoot, I feel a sudden jolt in my chest. The world around me blurs, and I'm no longer in the bustling studio.
I find myself standing in a dimly lit room, clad in scant, classy lingerie. Yul is there too, a camera in his hands as he directs me on how to pose.
"That's perfect, Yena," he says, his voice low and husky. "Just like that."
The flash from the camera momentarily blinds me, but I trust Yul implicitly. He moves around me, capturing every angle with a casualness that makes me feel both vulnerable and empowered all at once.
"You're doing amazing," he murmurs, his gaze never leaving mine. "Just a few more."
I feel a flush creep up my cheeks, but I push through the embarrassment. There's something incredibly intimate about this moment, my focus is all on Yul as he captures my image through his lens.
As the photoshoot progresses, the energy in the room shifts. The atmosphere becomes charged, heavy with anticipation. Yul's camera clicks and flashes, capturing every curve and line of my body. His gaze is intense, hungry. I can feel the heat of it even from behind the lens.
He moves closer, his breath hitching as he lowers the camera. His eyes never leave mine as he sets it down on a nearby table. The room is suddenly silent, the only sound our shared, ragged breaths.
Yul steps forward, his hands finding my waist. His touch is electric, sending a jolt of desire through me. He pulls me close, his lips brushing against my collarbone. I gasp, my fingers tangling in his hair.
His kisses are slow, deliberate, trailing up my neck. Each one sends a shiver down my spine, igniting a fire within me. I can feel his heart pounding against my chest, matching the rhythm of my own.
His hands move up my body, tracing the curves of my waist, my hips, my breasts. Every touch is a promise, a tease. I arch into him, wanting more. Needing more.
Yul's lips find mine in a searing kiss. It's a question, a plea, a demand. I answer with a kiss of my own, pouring all my desire, all my need into it. Our kiss deepens, our bodies pressing closer.
The world fades away until it's just us, lost in each other. The photoshoot, the studio, the camera - none of it matters. All that matters is this moment, this connection.
I can feel Yul's restraint, his control. He's holding back, waiting for my signal. I pull away, my breath coming in ragged gasps. I look into his eyes, see the raw desire reflected there.
"Don't stop," I whisper.
And he doesn't.
The flashback fades, leaving me hot and flustered. I blink rapidly, my gaze finding Yul once more as he moves with grace and precision on the set. The memory of our intimate photoshoot lingers, the heat of it searing my skin.
My view of Yul shifts, no longer seeing him as just a friend or a man I'm trying to find my comfortable zone with. The way his muscles flex as he holds the camera, the confident smirk on his lips as he directs the models – it's all incredibly sensual. I can't help but feel a deep, burning desire to explore this side of him further.
I know it's time for me to push for more with Yul, to fully realize him as my husband. But I also know, deep down, that it won't be as easy as it was with Inha. Yul is complex, a wall that I haven't quite broken through yet. I'll need to be patient, to tread carefully if I want this to go the way I want.
As I watch him work, my mind races with thoughts of how to approach this. I'm determined though, stubbornly refusing to let what we had slip away, whatever it was. I want Yul, in every sense of the word. And I'm willing to do whatever it takes to make that happen.
But for now, I simply watch, taking in every detail of his movements, every flicker of emotion that crosses his face. I commit it all to memory, knowing that these moments will be key in my quest to win him back.
The photoshoot wraps up, and Yul makes his way over to me, a tired but satisfied smile on his face. "What did you think?" he asks, his voice low and intimate.
I meet his gaze, my heart pounding in my chest. "I think you're incredible," I reply honestly, my voice barely above a whisper.
His smile widens, a hint of pink coloring his cheeks. "I just snap the pictures. It's the models who carry the shoot."
I shake my head, "It takes a practiced eye to make everyone look good. I didn't realize you were such a professional. It's impressive."
We stand there for a moment, the air between us crackling with tension. I can feel the pull between us, the magnetic force that draws us together. But I also sense the barriers that still stand between us.
I know it won't be easy, but there's got to be a way.
For now, I simply offer him a small, reassuring smile. "I'm proud of you, Yul," I say softly, reaching out to squeeze his hand. "You did amazing today."
Yul clears his throat and avoids my eye, but I think he accepts the compliment.
And as we leave the studio together, Yul still keeping a safe distance between us, I decide not to let it deter me. I'll get to him somehow. I have to.