Chereads / A Love To Call Home / Chapter 17 - CHAPTER XVII

Chapter 17 - CHAPTER XVII

Ji-Hoon spotted Sana on the bench before she saw him. She sat with her bag clenched tightly on her knees, her eyes darting around nervously, as though she was afraid someone might recognise her.

The sight broke his heart in a way he couldn't quite put into words.

He approached carefully, not wanting to startle her, but she seemed to sense his presence. Her head snapped up, and the guarded look in her eyes melted into relief the moment she saw him.

Ji-Hoon didn't wait another second. In a few quick strides, he closed the distance between them and pulled her into his arms.

At first, she was tense, her body stiff against his. But after a moment, she exhaled shakily and melted into him, her arms snaking around his waist. They stood like that for a while, his chin resting lightly on her head, offering her the only thing he could at that moment: comfort.

When he finally pulled back, he took her hand and picked up her bag. Sana blinked at him, hesitant. "Where are we going?"

"Don't worry," he said softly, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze. "I know a secluded path that leads to the parking lot."

She nodded, her grip on his hand tightening.

Ji-Hoon guided her to the car, opened the door for her, and helped her settle into the passenger seat.

As he started the engine and drove off campus, Sana remained silent, staring out the window. Her fingers fidgeted with the hem of her sleeve, her mind clearly preoccupied.

Ji-Hoon slowly reached out and placed her hand on his. He glanced at her briefly, intertwining their fingers, his thumb brushing against her knuckles. She finally relaxed into her seat.

They arrived at Yangjae Citizen's Forest just as the sun began its slow descent.

The air was crisp and filled with the earthy scent of trees and blooming flowers. Sana took a deep breath, and half of her lingering tension seemed to melt away. Ji-Hoon watched her closely, his heart easing when he saw a small smile tug at her lips.

"Come with me," he said, taking her hand again.

They strolled along the winding paths, surrounded by towering trees and vibrant blossoms. The forest was a sanctuary, peaceful and quiet, far removed from the chaos of the city.

At a small store, they picked up a blanket, some finger foods, and bottles of water, placing everything into a basket. Ji-Hoon led them to a secluded spot beneath a towering oak tree, its sprawling branches offering shade and privacy. He spread the blanket on the ground, then sat down and patted the space between his legs.

She hesitated, her cheeks warming. "I-I'm fine sitting here" she said, pointing at the space next to him.

Ji-Hoon tilted his head, his voice soft but insistent. "Come here."

Her gaze darted around, making sure no one was nearby. Finally, she gave in, sitting stiffly between his legs.

Ji-Hoon chuckled quietly, wrapping his arms around her waist. "Relax."

It took a moment, but the warmth of his chest against her back and the calming scent of him soon put her at ease. She leaned into him, her body finally relaxing.

Ji-Hoon rested his chin on her shoulder, his arms tightening around her. A satisfied smile spread across his face, though she couldn't see it.

"So," he said after a few moments of silence, his tone light, "what happened? Tell me, and I'll take care of it for you."

Sana let out a small laugh. "What are you, a mafia boss?"

"For you? Absolutely." The way he said it – so matter-of-fact and near her ear – sent a jolt of electricity through her body. She ignored the strange reaction, though her cheeks burned a deeper shade of red.

Letting a small sigh, she pulled out her phone and handed it to him. "Here. This."

Ji-Hoon took it with one hand, his other arm still firmly around her waist. As he scrolled through the article, Sana began to speak.

"Now that I'm calmer, I think I might have overreacted," she admitted softly. "But this morning, when I was walking to class, everybody was talking and pointing at me. Even in the lecture hall, while the professor was teaching, I felt someone taking a picture of me."

Ji-Hoon's jaw tightened, his scrolling slowing.

"I don't like it," she continued, her voice trembling. "Being the centre of attention like that is…it's scray.it feels like I have nowhere to hide. I feel exposed. Vulnerable."

Her grip on his arm tightened as she sank further into his chest, seeking comfort. Ji-Hoon rested his chin on her shoulder again silently encouraging her to keep going.

"I thought I was living quietly, that only my art needed to shine. But I was wrong. Apparently, I'm in some popularity ranking. And all these things I thought were private – my job at the library, even my freelance work – turns out they weren't.

She turned to look at him, her brows furrowed. "And you."

Ji-Hoon raised an eyebrow. "Me?"

"Yes, you. You're on that list too. 'Mister Royalty.' I even know that you work at a club in Gangnam," she said, her voice edged with mock accusation.

Ji-Hoon's lips twitched into a smirk as he adjusted her back into his arms. "My girlfriend is such a cutie," he thought, though he could easily imagine how unsettling the attention must've felt for her.

His expression softened as he kissed her temple. "You didn't overreact, Sana. It's normal to feel like that under so much unwanted attention. Even me, 'Mister Royalty', I don't like it either. They crossed the line, pointing at you like that and taking pictures without your consent. They are the ones in the wrong – not you."

At his words, Sana felt a weight lift from her chest. They sat there in silence, as Ji-Hoon's words sank in.

After a while, Ji-Hoon leaned back slightly, titling her chin so their eyes met. "That being said, do you know what you look like?"

"What?" she asked in a small voice, blinking at him.

He smiled. "You look like a flower blooming under the sun – radiant and graceful. Even if you try to keep to yourself, you can't hide your vibrance. The way you walk, talk, and laugh…it sparkles, like morning dew catching the first rays of sunlight."

Sana's face was now a deep shade of red, her eyes wide as Ji-Hoon's words settled between them.

"You are beautiful, Sana," he continued, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "And not just on the outside. You've got beauty, brains, heart, and talent. Of course people would talk about you. How could they not? Your inner light shines brighter than you think. And one day, the world will talk about artist Yoon Sana. Hanseo? It's too small of a stage for you."

Her lips parted in surprise, but no words came out.

Ji-Hoon pressed a tender kiss on her forehead. "But if the attention ever gets too much, come to me. I'll kiss you like this…" He kissed her forehead again. "And hold you like this…" He tightened his arms around her. "Don't you feel better already?"

Sana giggled, turning to face him fully. "Thank you," she said softly.

Ji-Hoon raised an eyebrow. "That's it? I thought I earned myself a kiss"

She bit her lips suppressing a smile, hesitating she leaned in to place a soft peck on his lips. But before she could pull away, Ji-Hoon scooped her onto his lap, straddling her across his thighs. "Let me show you how it's done," he murmured with a smirk before capturing her lips in a kiss that was both demanding and intense.

Ji-Hoon's teeth grazed her lower lip, and Sana whimpered softly in response. Seizing the moment, he deepened the kiss, his tongue sweeping into her mouth. At first, his movements were careful - teasing, his tongue dancing with hers in a tantalizing rhythm.

Then, his control gave way to urgency as he explored every corner of her mouth, leaving no part untouched.

Sana felt her knees go weak, her body melting into his. Sensing her surrender, Ji-Hoon pulled back just enough to let her catch her breath, his eyes dark and heavy-lidded as they searched hers. But he didn't stop for long. He claimed her lips again, this time with a hunger that spoke of something primal, something yet unspoken. It was as if he was trying to tell her, through the press of his lips and the heat of his touch, everything he couldn't put into words.

By the time he released her, Sana was breathless, dazed, and utterly consumed. Her legs trembled, and she swayed slightly, as though the strength had left her body. She couldn't even muster the will to move a finger, let alone stand on her own.

Ji-Hoon's hands steadied her as he leaned in to pepper her face with soft, feather-light kisses. Her nose, her close eyelids, the corner of her lips – each received his gentle attention before he pressed a lingering kiss to her forehead.

"Come to me, Sana," he murmured, his voice low and velvety, wrapping around her like a warm cocoon. "I'll always be here for you."

Sana's throat constricted with emotion, words failing her. Instead, she summoned the last of her strength to wrap her arms around him, clinging to him as tightly as she could. She buried her face in his neck, inhaling the faint, familiar scent of him, grounding herself in his presence.

In that moment, a quiet certainty settled over her. She knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that she would never let go of Ji-Hoon. The thought was foreign at first, startling her in its intensity, but it didn't remain so for long.

This feeling blooming in her chest, too fragile yet too fierce to name – this was something worth fighting for. Ji-Hoon was worth fighting for. She made a silent vow then and there, holding him tighter: this man, this feeling, this life – they were hers to cherish, and she would do whatever it took to keep them.