We are lounging on Lee Ye's cozy balcony, sunk into soft floor cushions that seem to mold perfectly around us. My head rests comfortably on his lap while he remains absorbed in the tablet in his hand, his fingers absentmindedly threading through my hair, occasionally tugging at the loose strands like he cannot help himself. I take the opportunity to study him, really study him, tracing every detail of his face as though I am trying to memorize it for a very long time.
How can a human being be this beautiful?
"I've noticed how you get so immersed in your tablet," I say, tilting my head slightly to look up at him, even though his eyes remain glued to the screen. "What are you always staring at?"
He does not answer immediately. Instead, he sets the tablet aside with deliberate calm, then looks down at me, his gaze steady and unreadable. After a beat, he says, "That's a secret."
I scoff and sit up, slipping away from his lap. "Fine. Keep your secrets. I was just going to get some water anyway."
I barely make it a step before his hand shoots out, wrapping around my wrist and pulling me back. The motion is quick, effortless, and before I can process it, I am back on his lap, this time straddling him. My breath catches, and judging by the slow smirk spreading across his lips, he is very aware of the position we have ended up in.
I clear my throat, suddenly super aware of everything.
He narrows his eyes slightly, amusement flickering through them. "You want my attention, huh?"
I blink at him, flustered, my cheeks warming despite my best efforts to stay composed.
"What are you even saying?" I mutter, attempting to pry his hands off my waist, but his grip tightens just enough to make me freeze.
For a moment, I distract myself by glancing around the balcony. The space is filled with lush greenery, plants tucked into every corner, vines curling along the railings. It is peaceful, almost dreamlike, and it makes me realize just how much he loves his greens.
When I notice he has gone quiet, I turn back to him. The playfulness is gone. His expression is serious now, his eyes locked onto mine with an intensity that makes my breath hitch.
I soften, lifting my hand to cup his cheek, and he leans into my touch without hesitation.
"What's on your mind?" I ask gently.
He does not answer, and I raise an eyebrow, a small smile tugging at my lips. "You've been staring at me nonstop. Did you miss me that much?"
He nods, slow and certain. "Mm-hmm."
The simple response sends a shiver down my spine. He wraps both arms around me, pulling me closer as if trying to shield me from every pair of eyes in the world. My confidence falters under the weight of his gaze, and I find myself looking away, suddenly shy.
I rest my forehead against his, exhaling softly. There is a quiet comfort in this closeness, but beneath it lingers a fragile fear. A part of me still cannot shake the feeling that this is all too good to be real, that at any moment I might wake up and lose everything.
When I open my eyes again, he is still there, still looking at me like I am the only thing that exists.
My arms slide around his neck instinctively, and he exhales, his warm breath brushing against my skin. My eyes flutter shut as I let myself sink into the moment.
Then his deep voice comes, low and steady. "You asked me how kissing you felt."
A smile slowly forms on my lips, my heart picking up pace as I wait.
"It was electric… magnetic. And now, I don't think I will ever stop thinking about kissing you."
He doesn't wait for any response. In an instant, his lips are on mine.
The kiss is slow, deliberate, and achingly gentle. His lips move against mine with a softness that sends warmth spreading through my entire body, chasing away the chill of the night air. It feels like a quiet confession, like something deeper than words.
I melt into him, my fingers slipping into his dark hair, holding onto him as the world around us fades. There is no rush, no urgency, just a steady, undeniable pull that grounds me completely. The kiss deepens naturally, a soft sound escaping me that he captures without hesitation.
Time stretches, bends, disappears...
When the need for air finally forces us apart, he does not go far. His forehead rests against mine, his breathing uneven as he lingers there, eyes still closed for a brief moment longer.
When we finally look at each other again, the moonlight catches the softness in his expression. There is something raw there, something unguarded, and it makes my chest tighten.
I smile, unable to help it, and he mirrors me instantly. His thumb brushes lightly against my cheek as we stay like that, suspended in a quiet understanding.
Then he speaks.
"I've been waiting for the perfect time to ask you something."
My brows knit together slightly. "Ask me what?"
He does not hesitate. "Be my girlfriend, Ahn Seo Yeon."
For a second, my heart forgets how to beat.
Then a shy smile spreads across my face. I lean closer, my lips brushing his ear as I whisper, "Yes. I'll be your girlfriend."
He pulls me into a tight embrace, holding me as though he never wants to let go. I hear the quiet exhale that escapes him, like a weight he has been carrying has finally been lifted.
He presses soft kisses along the side of my face, and I cannot help the laughter that bubbles out of me.
I feel… happy. Truly, completely happy. He brings a kind of joy into my life that I did not even realize I was missing.
"Let's do something fun."
My eyes widen instantly at his words, and then, heat rushes to my cheeks as I suddenly remember the very questionable underwear I am currently wearing beneath my clothes.
Oh no.
What?!
A few minutes later, we are seated across from each other at his long, extravagant dining table, the kind that looks like it belongs to a royal family. The setting feels oddly familiar, and it takes me a second to realize why.
This is exactly where I sat the first time I met him, listening to him go on and on about his endless rules.
Oh, he was such an ass.
I let out a small laugh at the memory.
He notices immediately.
His eyes narrow slightly, and I straighten up, clearing my throat. "Nothing."
"So," I begin, gesturing vaguely at the blank sheet of paper and pen placed in front of me, "is this really necessary?"
He nods without hesitation. "Of course. I want to know everything you would like us to do as a couple."
I scoff under my breath, shaking my head. "This is your definition of fun? Isn't this a little childish?"
"I can hear you." He says smoothly.
I freeze, then glance up at him, attempting innocence.
He leans back in his chair, studying me with a knowing look. A slow, teasing smirk forms on his lips.
"Earlier, when I said we should do something fun… were you thinking of something else?"
I nearly choke on my own saliva.
My body reacts before my brain can catch up. I shoot up from my seat, then immediately sit back down, squeezing my eyes shut in mortification.
"Leave me alone." I groan, grabbing the pen and aggressively scribbling on the paper just to avoid looking at him.
"I'm writing. Don't distract me."
He leans back even further, arms folding across his chest, satisfaction written all over his face.
"I see." His deep voice fills the room.