The day after that night, everything felt… complicated. The buzz of excitement had faded, replaced by a flood of uncertainty. What had I done? How could I ever fit into their lives? How could they want me when they already had each other? These thoughts gnawed at me throughout my shift at the hotel, making the hours drag by.
I'd been waiting for this to blow over, for them to realize they didn't need me after all, but the more I tried to shake the thoughts away, the more they seemed to stick. By the time my shift ended, my mind was racing, a tangle of emotions I couldn't untangle.
The rain had started again, soft at first, a gentle drizzle that quickly turned into a steady downpour. I walked faster, eager to reach the quiet of my small apartment, where I could sort through these feelings in peace.
But then, I heard it—footsteps behind me. I slowed down, my heart pounding. Turning around, I saw him. Jun, holding an umbrella, jogging to catch up with me. His smile, though slightly breathless from the run, was warm and disarming.
"Censia!" he called out, closing the distance between us, his dark hair damp from the rain despite the umbrella.
I stopped in my tracks, feeling the rush of anxiety and something else—something that tugged at my heart. "What are you doing here, Jun?"
He finally reached me, standing under the umbrella, shielding me from the rain. His eyes searched mine, and the intensity of his gaze made my breath catch. "I couldn't stop thinking about you."
I blinked, surprised by the bluntness of his words. "Jun… this, what happened, it was… it was a mistake." The words were shaky, as if I didn't fully believe them.
"A mistake?" His voice was soft but steady, as though he wasn't willing to accept that answer. "It didn't feel like one."
I looked away, trying to find the words, trying to explain the storm of emotions that had been whirling inside me all day. "You and Seong… you have each other. I don't… I don't fit into that. You can't be in love with two people."
Jun stepped closer, his hand brushing my arm, sending a shiver down my spine despite the cold rain. "Why not?" he asked, his voice low, filled with quiet conviction. "I'm crazy about Seong, yes. But I'm crazy about you, too."
I stared at him, speechless. The sincerity in his eyes made my chest tighten, my head spinning. "That's not how love works, Jun."
He stepped even closer, so close I could feel the warmth of his breath against my skin, his voice barely above a whisper. "Love works however it feels right. And this? You and me… Seong and me… it feels right."
I opened my mouth to protest, but before I could say anything, he took my face in his hands, and in one fluid motion, his lips were on mine. The rain fell harder, soaking us both, but I didn't care. I couldn't think of anything else but the way his lips moved against mine, soft yet urgent, full of a passion I hadn't felt in years.
I tried to catch my breath, but every time I thought I could pull away, his kiss deepened, pulling me under. My knees felt weak, like the ground was slipping away beneath me, and I found myself gripping the front of his jacket to steady myself.
When he finally pulled back, I was gasping for air, my heart racing. His thumb gently brushed my cheek, wiping away a raindrop—or maybe a tear—I couldn't tell anymore.
"Tell me you didn't feel that," he murmured, his forehead resting against mine.
I couldn't speak. My entire body was buzzing, my mind swirling with thoughts I didn't want to admit. All I could do was nod slightly, still lost in the haze of that kiss.
Jun's lips curved into a small smile. "Let me walk you home."
I hesitated for a moment, but something about the way he looked at me—so full of tenderness, so full of want—made me nod. Without another word, he took my hand, and together we walked through the rain, the umbrella forgotten, as if the world around us had ceased to exist.
---
By the time we reached my apartment, we were both soaked through, shivering slightly. I fumbled for my keys, the reality of the moment starting to creep back in, but the warmth of his hand in mine still lingered.
As we stepped inside, the coziness of my small one-bedroom apartment greeted us, the soft light and warmth contrasting with the cold rain outside. I grabbed a towel and tossed it to Jun, who was already peeling off his wet jacket.
"Nice place," he said, his smile teasing as he glanced around.
"It's nothing special," I muttered, suddenly feeling a little self-conscious. My eyes landed on the old Christmas sweater my mom had knitted me last year, still draped over the back of the couch.
Jun chuckled as he spotted it. "You've got good taste," he teased, slipping it on before I could protest.
"You're ridiculous," I said, shaking my head, but a small smile tugged at my lips.
Jun sat down on the couch, stretching out as if he'd been there a hundred times before. "So, what's for dinner?"
I rolled my eyes, trying to shake off the lingering effect of that kiss. "Japchae," I said, moving toward the kitchen. "You can relax. I'll handle it."
But Jun wasn't the type to just sit still. He followed me into the kitchen, standing so close I could feel the heat of his body against my back as I chopped vegetables. "I could help," he murmured in my ear, his voice low, sending a thrill through me.
I paused, my heart racing again. "I've got it under control," I whispered, but his hands on my hips said otherwise.
His lips brushed the back of my neck, and I felt my breath hitch. "You're amazing, you know that?" he whispered, his voice full of emotion. "Last night… I haven't stopped thinking about it. About you."
Before I could respond, there was a knock at the door. Jun pulled away with a grin, and I let out a breath I didn't realize I'd been holding.
"That's Seong," Jun said casually, heading to answer the door.
---
Seong stepped inside, shaking off the rain and offering me a warm smile. "Am I interrupting something?"
I felt a flush rise to my cheeks, but Jun just laughed. "Perfect timing. Dinner's almost ready."
As the three of us sat down for dinner, something about the moment felt oddly… comfortable. Like this strange, unconventional situation could somehow work. We ate, talked, and laughed like it was the most natural thing in the world, and for a while, the doubts I'd had earlier seemed to fade.
After dinner, I stood up, stretching. "You guys can take the bed," I offered, nodding toward my bedroom. "I'll crash on the couch."
Seong shook his head. "No way. We're all sleeping in the bed. Together."
I stared at him, half-expecting him to be joking, but the look in his eyes told me he was serious. Before I could protest, they gently guided me toward the bedroom. My heart raced again as I found myself lying between them, Seong curling up against Jun, and Jun wrapping his arm around me.
The room fell quiet, the soft sound of rain against the window the only noise in the darkness. As I lay there, with Jun's steady breathing beside me and Seong's warmth on the other side, I couldn't help but wonder if maybe—just maybe—this strange, impossible situation could work after all.
The next morning, sunlight filtered through the thin curtains of my small apartment, casting a soft glow over the room. The events of last night felt surreal, almost like a dream—Jun and Seong sleeping beside me, the way their warmth surrounded me, and the silent understanding between the three of us. I lay there for a few moments, letting the calm wash over me, but as the sun climbed higher, reality started creeping back in.
Quietly, I slipped out of bed, careful not to wake them. I could hear their soft breathing behind me as I padded into the kitchen, eager for a moment of solitude before the day began. The doubts from the previous night returned, nagging at me. Was I really meant to be part of their relationship? Or was I just an outsider, a temporary thrill?
As I started brewing coffee, the familiar creak of the bedroom door caught my attention. Jun appeared, still groggy and disheveled, his hair a mess and a lazy smile on his lips. He stretched, yawning, and made his way toward me.
"Morning," he murmured, his voice low and raspy from sleep.
I smiled, handing him a cup of coffee. "Morning. You slept well?"
He nodded, taking a sip. "Yeah, but I have to get ready for work soon."
I felt a pang of disappointment at the reminder. Of course, they had lives outside of me. Jun must've noticed, because he reached out, wrapping an arm around my waist and pulling me closer. "Help me get dressed?" he asked, that mischievous twinkle in his eyes.
I couldn't help but laugh softly. "Did you bring clothes with you?"
He shook his head, grinning. "Seong thought ahead. He brought our work clothes over last night."
I blinked in surprise. "He did?"
Jun nodded, still holding me close. "He knew we'd be staying over, so he packed us a change of clothes. It was his way of planning ahead, I guess."
I smiled at that. Seong always seemed so practical, and in his own quiet way, he had made sure they could stay with me. My heart warmed at the thought.
---
After a few more quiet moments in the kitchen, Jun led me back to the bedroom where their neatly folded work clothes were already laid out on the dresser. I watched as he pulled his shirt over his head, revealing his toned chest, still warm from sleep. He glanced over at me, catching me watching him, and smiled that same boyish grin that made my heart flutter.
"You're supposed to be helping, remember?" he teased.
I rolled my eyes but couldn't suppress my own smile as I stepped closer. "Fine, but don't expect this every morning."
Jun's laugh was soft and teasing, but there was an unmistakable tenderness behind it. He sat on the edge of the bed, watching as I buttoned up his shirt, my fingers smoothing out the fabric. I tied his tie, standing between his legs as I looped it around his neck. He was watching me the entire time, his gaze warm and focused, like I was the only thing that mattered.
"Maybe you should do this more often," he murmured, his hands resting lightly on my hips as I finished with the tie.
I smirked, tugging gently on the tie to straighten it. "And what makes you think I have time to dress you every morning?"
He pulled me closer, his eyes sparkling. "I'll make it worth your while."
Before I could respond, he kissed me softly, his lips brushing against mine in a way that sent a shiver down my spine. I melted into him for a moment, forgetting everything else as his arms wrapped around me, pulling me into the warmth of his embrace.
But as we pulled apart, I glanced over at the bed and noticed Seong sitting up, already dressed and lacing his shoes. There was a coolness in his demeanor that hadn't been there before. He didn't meet my gaze, didn't smile or make any playful comments. He just quietly finished getting ready, avoiding eye contact.
A lump formed in my throat. I had expected things to be a little awkward, but Seong's indifference stung in a way I hadn't anticipated. He had always been the one to make me feel at ease, the one to keep things light. But this morning, it felt like he was distant, detached, and the coldness sent a wave of uncertainty crashing over me.
Jun noticed the shift and kissed my forehead gently. "Don't worry," he murmured. "He'll come around."
I nodded, trying to brush off the sadness that clung to me, but it stayed with me throughout the day. Even after Jun left for work, the memory of Seong's indifference lingered, casting a shadow over my mood.
---
The hours passed slowly at work, my thoughts weighed down by doubts. I couldn't help but wonder if I really fit into their lives or if I was just complicating things. The more I thought about it, the more convinced I became that this relationship—if I could even call it that—was destined to fall apart.
By the time my shift ended, I was feeling drained and deflated. I had hoped that being busy would distract me from my worries, but instead, it had only made them worse.
As I was getting ready to leave, one of my coworkers called out to me. "Censia, someone left something for you at the front desk."
I furrowed my brow, confused. "For me?"
She nodded, a knowing smile on her face. "Yep. Looks like you've got a secret admirer."
Curious, I walked over to the front desk—and there, waiting for me, was a stunning bouquet of flowers. Roses, lilies, and daisies, all artfully arranged in a vase that seemed almost too perfect. My heart skipped a beat as I reached for the small card tucked inside.
The handwriting was familiar:
"I'm sorry about this morning. Dinner tonight? I want to make it up to you. Also, I've got something else to discuss."
The note was signed simply: Seong.
A smile tugged at my lips. Maybe I had been overthinking everything. Maybe Seong wasn't as distant as I'd feared. The flowers were his way of reaching out, of making amends.
---
Later that evening, I stood outside the hotel, the flowers in my arms, waiting for Seong to arrive. When I saw him approach, my heart lifted, but then I noticed he wasn't alone. A tall, well-dressed man was walking beside him, his presence commanding and confident.
"Censia," Seong greeted me with a small but warm smile as he approached. "I'm glad you're here."
I smiled back, still holding the bouquet. "Thanks for the flowers. They're beautiful."
Seong's smile grew a little, his eyes softening. "You deserve beautiful things."
Before I could respond, Seong turned to the man beside him. "This is Min-ho, a good friend of mine. He's looking for a new personal assistant, and I thought of you."
Min-ho extended his hand, his smile polite but genuine. "Seong speaks very highly of you. I'd love to discuss the position if you're interested."
I blinked, surprised. "A personal assistant?" I glanced at Seong, unsure of what to say.
Seong nodded, his expression serious but kind. "You deserve something more than what you're doing now. This could be a great opportunity."
I stared at him for a moment, the weight of his words sinking in. Seong, who had seemed so distant that morning, had gone out of his way to help me. The flowers, the job opportunity… it was his way of showing me that I mattered.
"Thank you," I finally managed to say, my voice soft. "I'll definitely think about it."
Min-ho nodded, his expression encouraging. "Take your time. If you're interested, let's arrange a meeting soon."
As Min-ho said his goodbyes, Seong stepped closer to me, his hand gently brushing my arm. "I'm sorry about this morning," he said quietly, his voice filled with sincerity. "I didn't mean to make you feel left out. I just… I wasn't sure how to act."
I looked up at him, my heart softening. "It's okay. I understand."
Seong smiled, and for the first time that day, it felt genuine. "I'll make it up to you," he promised, leaning down to press a soft kiss to my forehead.
As I stood there, holding the flowers and feeling the warmth of his kiss lingering on my skin, the uncertainty that had clouded my mind all day slowly faded away. Maybe things weren't perfect, but in that moment, I realized that we were all trying—and that was enough.