BAE JIHO'S POV
Seated in the car, the ghost of our earlier tension hung heavy in the air. The drive was a silent symphony of stolen glances and the soft hum of the radio. "Thank you for the late-night drive," I finally said to Jinwoo, breaking the silence. "I really needed it." I added, watching a subtle smile play on his lips. "Glad I could help," he replied. "And you don't have to stress about this anymore. Once the statements from both our companies are released, this whole thing will cool down and disappear on its own." He reassured me. "I hope so," I replied, my gaze fixed on the passing scenery, "I haven't been able to focus on anything." My phone buzzed, a jarring reminder of the world outside.
"Hey," I answered Mia's call, my voice barely a whisper. "Hey...where are you?" she asked, her voice tight with worry. "Never mind that," she continued, her words urgent, "Wherever you are, stay put. You can't come home." I frowned, "Why?" I asked, my curiosity piqued. "There are news reporters everywhere," she explained, her voice hushed, "They're probably waiting for you to give an interview once the statements are out." I glanced at Jinwoo, a silent question passing between us. "Look, we'll talk later. Don't come home until I say it's okay," she added, before abruptly ending the call. I let out a long sigh, trying to make sense of it all. "Is something wrong?" Jinwoo asked, his brow furrowed with concern. "That was Mia," I replied, "The apartment's crawling with reporters. I can't go back yet." "They must be angling for an interview after the statements are released," he responded, his voice thoughtful. "Then let's find you a place to stay until things cool down."
I pondered my options,"It can't be a hotel, though, right?" I asked, searching for a more secure solution. "I know a place...safe enough," he responded, his eyes meeting mine with a knowing look. I stared at him, hoping he would elaborate...
I turned to him, my gaze fixed on his profile, waiting for him to break the silence. The anticipation was almost unbearable, the weight of uncertainty was pressing down on me. "Where are we going?" I finally asked, my voice barely a whisper. "You'll see," he replied, a hint of a smile playing on his lips..
*
"Wait, this is your house?!" I exclaimed, my voice a mix of surprise and confusion as we pulled up to a familiar driveway. "It is," he replied with a mischievous grin, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Wait, why? I mean, what will your parents think?" I questioned, my brow furrowing with concern. "They'd think I brought my girlfriend over," he replied, a playful smirk tugging at his lips, "I'm pretty sure they caught on... that it wasn't true," I replied. "Well, maybe Junho and my dad, but Yifen pretty much buys into the idea of us being a couple," he teased, as I sighed nervously.
"Don't worry about my dad and Yifei; all three of them are out for some family company team-building activity and won't be back for two days. You can sleep over until all of this blows over, and I'll send you back to your apartment," he reassured me, his words a comforting balm. "Shall we then?" he questioned, his eyes meeting mine, a hint of anticipation in his gaze. "Let's go!" he added with a chuckle, a warmth spreading through me as I followed him inside, ready to embrace the unexpected turn of events.
Following him, I couldn't help but feel a flutter of anticipation. "I'll show you to the guest room; you can freshen up, and I'll order us something to eat while we wait for the statements," he said, his voice a low rumble.
Arriving in the guest room, I closed the door behind me with a sigh, the weight of the day settling upon me. Lost in thought, I sat down until a gentle knock roused me from my reverie. It was Jinwoo, standing in the doorway with folded clothes in his hands. "You can change into these," he said with a warm smile, turning to leave, but then paused, as if struck by a sudden thought. "Is there anything you're craving? I'm going to order something." I nodded, a small smile playing on my lips.
"I'll have anything," I replied. "Anything... got it," he said, before disappearing. I watched him go, and a warmth spread through me, a feeling I couldn't quite place.
Back in the room, I freshened up and changed into the clothes he had given me. They were his, and the comforting scent of his lavender perfume lingered, a subtle reminder of his presence.
*
As I descended the stairs, the tantalizing sizzle of food filled the air. Peeking into the kitchen, I found Jinwoo, completely absorbed in cooking. A smile tugged at my lips as I approached. "I thought you were ordering out," I said, watching him startle and turn around. "I was, but then I saw these in the refrigerator and thought I'd flaunt my cooking skills and make us something," he replied, a playful glint in his eyes. "Do you want any help?" I asked, my gaze drawn to the way his brow furrowed in concentration, the curve of his jaw, the strength in his arms. "No, I'm good. Just have a seat and wait," he replied. I nodded, pulling up a stool by the counter, my gaze fixed on him.
" Here you go.." he said, His voice rumbled softly as he set down a bowl of rice, a symphony of side dishes already arranged on the table. 'Let's eat,' he announced, his eyes sparkling as I surveyed the spread, trying to decide where to begin. 'It's all good, trust me,' he said, a hint of defensiveness in his tone as I chuckled. 'I know,' I replied, 'You always talk about your love for cooking in interviews, so now I get to see if it's the truth or just a well-crafted bluff.' I took a bite of the vegetables, and then paused, savoring the taste. My eyes widened. It was incredible. I sampled more dishes, each one a revelation. He truly was a phenomenal cook. 'Take your time, eat as much as you want,' he reminded me with a smile, as I realized I was devouring everything. 'Hmm,' I mumbled shyly, my mouth full, as he chuckled."
*
"After our meal, I was practically vibrating with impatience, eyes glued to my phone. 'Why is the statement taking so long?' I blurted out. 'I just got off the phone with Manager Hong – it'll be posted in a few minutes,' he said, setting down a plate of perfectly sliced apples and a glass of warm water. A small act of kindness that didn't go unnoticed. 'Thank you,' I whispered, as he settled in beside me. 'Anxious?' he asked, his voice soft. I just nodded. 'We don't know how this is going to go.." I admitted. 'It doesn't matter. As long as it's out there, this situation will calm down..,' he said, his smile a steady anchor. I took a slow sip of the water..and continued to vigorously scroll through my phone.
'It's live!' he announced, and I practically lunged for my phone. The statement was a masterpiece of damage control: Jinwoo dropping me off after a dinner with Vivian and her team, the whole shebang. It was well-crafted, and the comments started pouring in. Most were positive, but you can't please everyone. Some people just weren't buying it....but since majority were I figured m it was all going to work out in the end.
*
With a heavy sigh, I set my phone down, my gaze drifting to the ceiling. "Well, that's that, then," I murmured, and he nodded in agreement. "Indeed," he said, and a tense quiet filled the space. "So... does this mean you'll be back at the apartment?" I asked, trying to sound casual. "Not right away. We need to let things simmer down first," he replied, avoiding my eyes. I nodded slowly. "Why? Are you already missing me?" he teased, nudging my shoulder. "No, I just... I don't want you stuck in a hotel. It's gotta be miserable," I said, trying to lighten the mood. "Why hotels, though?" I pressed, watching his expression shift. "You have your place, your folks' place here, right? It's massive, plenty of room. Plus, it's practically invisible to everyone. So, why a hotel?" I asked curious for an answer....
"I hate this place," he admitted quietly, a touch of bitterness in his voice.."It wasn't exactly my happy place growing up," he added, his voice laced with a familiar sadness....." You don't have to talk about it.." I offered..." It's okay..I can talk about it.." be replied..as I listened..
"This house..." He paused, his gaze drifting around the room, "It's a vault for a particularly painful memory...He met my eyes, a flicker of vulnerability in them. "After we moved here with Dad, after Mom... after she was gone, we were both shattered. Grief pulled us apart. Dad retreated, locked himself away, and became someone I barely recognized. He drank, and the man I knew vanished. He wasn't there for me, and I tried to understand, to give him space... "
He took a shaky breath. "I can forgive him for hiding, for the drinking, for the distance... but I'll never forgive the day I found him..." He stopped, the words catching in his throat. "You don't have to..." I repeated...but he shook his head. "I found him... in his room...lying on the floor..with his wrists... cut" His voice cracked, and the pain was palpable.
Tears pricked at my eyes, mirroring his own. "I got to him in time. The hospital... they saved him." I reached for his hand, my fingers gently closing over his..." Up untill now I still don't know why he did it.. yes he lost Mom...but I lost her too. I was struggling, too. And he decided to leave me alone...?" The anger surged..."I don't know if I can ever truly forgive him for that." He added...letting out a sigh as he turned and looked at me then, his eyes a storm of agony and lingering rage...."I've killed the vibe, haven't I?" He asked, rising from the couch. "God, no... I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have asked," I mumbled, and he chuckled softly. "Hey, there's nothing to apologize for," he said, then paused. "Text your friend, and if your place is clear, I'll drive you back. Just say the word." He turned, and as he walked away, my chest felt heavy. I hated that I'd dragged him back to that memory.
HAN JINWOO'S POV
I sat by the pool, the water cool against my legs, the silence a welcome embrace. My mind replayed the day, each detail sharp, like talking about it had opened the wound anew. Sighing, I steeled myself to dive in, but then Jiho appeared, settling beside me. "Want some?" she offered, handing me a beer. "I shouldn't, considering I'm driving you home," I said. "Don't worry about that; I'll head out tomorrow morning," she replied. I turned to her, "Are the news reporters still camped out at your apartment?" "Apparently," she sighed. "You don't mind if I stay the night, right?" she asked with a smile. "Of course not," I replied. "Now, come on, have this. I don't want to drink alone," she said, popping the tab on my can. But the beer frothed over unexpectedly. "Oh!" she exclaimed, quickly pressing the can to her lips. "I'm so sorry... here, you can have mine," she offered, grabbing another. "No, I'll have the one you opened," I said, reaching for it. "Are you sure? Half of it spilled, and I just drank from it," she said, a smile playing on her lips. "It's okay," I said, taking it from her. She watched me, still. "It's fine," I said, taking a sip..as she cracked open another.
Watching her take one sip after another, I said, "You should slow down with that." "You don't have to worry about me; I'm a heavy drinker," she replied, and a chuckle escaped my lips, earning a glare. "No, you're not," I countered. "Back at the barbeque, you got drunk after two glasses," I commented. "Well, that's because I was tired that day. When I'm tired, I get drunk easily," she defended herself. "I just don't think it's a good idea to even be drinking with you right now," I added. "Why?" she questioned. "What if you say something again and then conveniently forget it the next day?" I replied, a sigh filling the air. "I can't tell if you really don't remember or if you're pretending to," I added, watching her gulp down her beer. "My mind keeps leaning towards the latter." "It's definitely not the latter; I really don't remember saying anything to you that day," she replied. "Really?" I questioned, and she nodded, reaching for another can. I stopped her, placing my hand over hers. "What are you doing?" she questioned, turning to me, her gaze meeting mine. "I don't know how long you're going to keep denying it, but you should know that I'm quite persistent. The more you deny, the more I'll ask, and I'll make sure you eventually give in," I added with a smile, watching her lips tremble... "Let's head back in; it's getting chilly," I continued, letting go and standing up.
*
As we walked back inside, the warmth of the house enveloped us, a stark contrast to the growing chill outside. I watched her, gauging her reaction, trying to decipher if the tremble in her lips was from the cold or something else. The air crackled with unspoken words, a silent battle of wills playing out between us.
Inside, she moved towards the kitchen, seemingly intent on grabbing another drink. I followed, my gaze never leaving her, the playful banter from before replaced with a subtle tension. "Maybe we should switch to something non-alcoholic," I suggested, my voice softer now, a hint of concern lacing my words. She turned, her eyes meeting mine, and for a moment, I saw a flicker of something I couldn't quite name – vulnerability, perhaps, or maybe just a hint of surrender.
Instead of arguing, she simply nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. "Maybe you're right," she conceded, reaching for a bottle of sparkling water instead. As I watched her pour a glass, I couldn't help but feel a sense of victory, not because I'd "won," but because the invisible wall between us seemed to have softened, just a little. Maybe, just maybe, we were finally getting somewhere.
*
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BAE JIHO'S POV
"There aren't many stars tonight," I sighed, tilting my head back to the rooftop sky. "Qingzhen rarely offers a good show," he agreed, his voice a low rumble beside me. "But if you want to see a sky spill out its secrets, Xiyi is the place." "Xiyi?" I questioned, my curiosity piqued. "It's the countryside, a world away. I filmed there once, and I swear, I spent every night lost in the stars." A wistful smile played on his lips, and I found myself smiling back. "Want to chase those stars with me sometime?" he asked, his eyes meeting mine, a question in their depths. "Me?" I repeated, a thrill of surprise shooting through me. "Yes, you. Consider it our next adventure." I chuckled, a light, happy sound. "You're making a habit of revealing your hidden gems to me." "Think we'll even have a chance?" I asked, a practical thought bubbling up. "Now that the rumors have died down and the shoot with Vanessa is wrapped, I'm bracing for a storm of work, and you probably are too." He shrugged, a spark of mischief in his eyes. "We'll carve out the time. Work is like a relentless tide, but if you tell it you need a moment to breathe, it usually gives you one." He paused, then added with a playful grin, "So, no backing out. It's a date." He held out his pinky finger, a silent invitation. "Promise?" he murmured, his gaze locking with mine, the night reflecting in his eyes. "Fine. Promise," I whispered, our fingers entwining....My heart did a little dance, as the world narrowed to just us.
I do remember every word... the way my heart hammered against my ribs that night. The way I said that he makes me feel... like the world is both spinning and perfectly still. Why can't I just say it? Why does my tongue turn to lead, my feet take me two steps back for every one he takes forward? What am I guarding? My heart, I suppose. The one that aches to run towards him, but hesitates at the edge of the cliff. I just hope, when I finally find the courage to leap, he hasn't grown tired of waiting.
*
The next morning, the air crackled with unspoken words. "My ride will be here in a few minutes," I said, the words feeling a bit too loud in the sudden quiet.
"Are you sure I can't drop you off? It's on my way to the office anyway," he replied, his voice a low murmur. I nodded, the dating rumors a fresh wound. "We need to be cautious... they've just been cleared." He understood, his gaze steady.
"It's here," I added, rising. "Leave that. I'll clean up afterwards," he said, his eyes following my movements as I placed the cup and plate down. "I'll get going now," I said, the words feeling a bit too final. "Text me when you arrive," he replied, and a hesitation fluttered through me. "I'll walk you to the gate!" he said, his voice a gentle command.
At the gate, I reminded him, "You can't get out otherwise." He nodded, the taxi driver a potential witness. "Bye," I said, and he held out his hand. "What's this?" I questioned, a smile playing on my lips. "Handshake," he replied, his grin widening. Our hands met, a spark igniting as our gazes locked. "Be safe," he said, his voice a low rumble as he slowly let go. I wished he'd held on. "Okay," I replied, and turned to leave. As I got into the taxi, I leaned back, the memory of his touch a warmth against the morning chill.
*
*
MIA'S POV
"You better tell me everything about you and Han Jinwoo and whatever you were up to during your time away..." I said, the taxi pulling to a stop at the airport."Just focus on your reunion with Edward," she shot back, her voice laced with a playful edge. I sighed, a mix of anticipation and nerves bubbling inside me.
"Are you nervous?" she asked, her tone softening."More like... a chaotic cocktail of emotions," I admitted, a smile tugging at my lips. "It's been over two years of long-distance, you know? That's a lot of time."
"I'm sure he's feeling the same way," Jiho reassured me. "But you two have always had something special. It'll all work out."
"Okay, I gotta go," I said, stepping out of the taxi. "His flight lands in five minutes." After quickly paying the driver, I turned to head inside when I heard his voice calling out to me. "Excuse me, Miss!" He held out the bouquet of flowers I'd bought. "Oh, my gosh, thank you!" I exclaimed, rushing back to grab them and then practically sprinting into the airport lobby.
*
Standing in the bustling airport lobby, I watched a kaleidoscope of reunions unfold. Lovers embracing, families reuniting each scene was a heartwarming testament to the power of connection. Would my reunion with Edward be the same?
Before he left for his business abroad, we'd only been dating for three months. I'd almost ended things, convinced I couldn't handle long-distance. But he'd insisted we could make it work, and, against all odds, we had. Still, the doubts lingered. Was I nervous about him coming back? Absolutely. The fear of being on different wavelengths after so long gnawed at me.
*
Lost in thought, a familiar touch jolted me. Hands covered my eyes, and even before a sound, I knew. Edward. His cologne, a phantom of memory, filled the air, his breath a whisper on my neck. A smile bloomed, and I sighed, "Edward!" Unwrapping his hands, I turned to him, not a pixelated image, but real. His smile was wide, his eyes crinkling at the corners. Before I could speak, he embraced me. "I missed you so much," he murmured, holding me tight. Tears pricked my eyes as I melted into his warmth. "I missed you too," I whispered back...and in that moment, all the fears and uncertainties vanished, the world narrowed to just us, his familiar scent, touch, and embrace.
*
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