Unraveling Feelings...
A soft purring sound pulls me from my slumber..
Blinking slowly,, I reach out instinctively,, my fingers searching for the warm little ball of fur I fell asleep with last night... But my hand lands on cold sheets. My brows furrow,, confusion slicing through the remnants of my dreams..
Where is she??
Sitting up,, I rub my eyes,, the sunlight sneaking through the cream curtains,, The bed is empty. My heart sinks for a brief moment. Then it hits me—the memory of last night crashes over me like a wave..
Adrian...
The kiss...
His hands cradling my face,, the intensity in his eyes, and the raw honesty in his voice when he whispered,, "Don't let him come close to you..."
My cheeks heat up instantly,. I bring my fingers to my lips,, brushing them gently as if trying to relive that moment again... That kiss… it was more than a kiss... It felt like a silent confession,, one that left my heart pounding long after it ended.
I shake my head,, snapping myself out of the haze. No. . I need to pull myself together. I can't let him see how easily he affects me.. He already knows too much...
After a quick shower,, I pick a pink and white frock—soft chiffon with delicate lace near the neckline. It hugs my figure gently,, and I slip into black heels to finish the look. Elegant but understated... My heart pounds at the thought of facing him again,, but I take a deep breath and head out.
The staircase is quiet,, the grand chandelier glinting above me as I descend.. Voices echo from the dining hall,, and as I step closer,, I see Luka first.
He looks up the moment I enter and smiles, warm and genuine. "Good morning,, Rimi."
Before I can respond,, Lily suddenly appears and hooks her arm through mine.
"Well,, well, look at you,," she teases. "You came down alone today?? No Adrian??"
I shrug,, trying to stay neutral. "He's probably around. He can come on his own..."
Lily smirks. "Riiight.. You're not blushing at all,, by the way."
I glare playfully at her. "I'm not..."
But she leans closer and whispers dramatically,, "Rimi,, where's your kitten?? Wait—don't tell me. She's with Adrian,, isn't she??"
I stiffen. Heat floods my face like a guilty child caught sneaking candy..
Lily gasps. "Oh. My. God. You're blushing!! Every time I mention Adrian,, you turn red!!"
"I'm not blushing!! We're just friends!!" I snap a little too loudly.
Several heads turn.. Guests glance over with raised eyebrows and whispers begin to spread.
Lily crosses her arms. "Then why are you yelling??"
I bite my lip,, my gaze darting away. She's enjoying this far too much.
"Look over there," she whispers,, nudging me.
I follow her gaze—and my breath catches.
Adrian...
Dressed in a fitted black dress shirt with the sleeves rolled to his forearms,, his lean but strong frame is impossible to ignore.. But what completely melts my heart is the tiny creature curled in his arms.
My kitten...
She's purring contentedly in his grasp,, and he strokes her fur with an expression so tender it doesn't seem real. His jawline,, his gentle smile—it's like a scene from a dream.
I instinctively touch my lips again...
"You're blushing again,," Lily teases,, poking my ribs.
"I was just… looking at my kitten,," I lie weakly.
"Uh-huh,. Not the man holding her like a proud father??"
I don't answer. My voice fails me...
Then Adrian starts walking toward us,, every stride confident,, his eyes never leaving mine.
He stops just inches away...
"Here,," he says softly,, holding out the kitten.
I reach to take her,, but our fingers brush—and I swear time freezes. A jolt runs up my arm, and I pull back too quickly..
Adrian watches me,, a flicker of amusement playing in his gaze.
Lily clears her throat dramatically. "Okay,, lovebirds!! Focus. Today's flower hunt time!!We're going to the most famous florist in town. That means Mike,, Luka,, Adrian,, and you and me,, Rimi."
I blink. "What about rehearsal??"
"Everyone else will rehearse today. You and Adrian are rehearsing tomorrow,," she says with a smirk.
Of course...
I groan quietly. "Is it necessary to come to the florist??"
Lily raises a brow. "Yes,, I want my wedding to be perfect. That means you're coming.."
Before I can argue more,, Adrian's voice cuts through.
"Why is Luka coming??"
I stiffen. That voice… the edge in it..
Lily tilts her head innocently. "Because he's my brother and he's helping with the arrangements??"
Adrian's gaze drifts to me. "He seems to be around a lot..."
I pretend to fuss over my kitten,, avoiding his gaze. I don't miss the tension in his voice..
We move toward the dining table,, and I take a seat. Adrian slides in next to me—not across from me,, but right beside me. His presence is overpowering.
"I'm not forcing you,," he says quietly. "Just… when you're ready. I'll wait.."
His words from last night echo in my head again. I bite my lip,, turning to him..
"Adrian,, not now. Not here..."
He doesn't press. But he doesn't move either...
Then Luka joins us,, sliding into the seat on my other side.
Adrian's posture stiffens instantly...
"Rimi,," Luka says warmly. "Have you thought of a name for her yet??"
I shake my head. "Not yet.."
Luka smiles. "Didn't you say you'd ask Adrian??"
"I tried. But he was asleep when I went back..."
Luka nods,, unaware of the cold stare Adrian is giving him right now... I'm caught between the heat of two burning suns...
Suddenly,, my kitten jumps onto Adrian's lap. He catches her with ease and chuckles..
"You like your dad more than your mom,, huh??"
I nearly choke on my toast..
Luka and Adrian both reach for a glass to offer me,, but I ignore them,, grabbing one myself.
This again???
Luka gently pats my shoulder. "You okay??"
Before I can nod,, Adrian's hand darts out—gently but firmly brushing Luka's hand aside and placing his own on my back..
The tension could be cut with a knife..
I freeze. Luka blinks in surprise,, but says nothing.
I remove Adrian's hand slowly and pick up my kitten,, cradling her. When I glance up,, Lily's watching us with a raised brow.. She's definitely going to interrogate me later.
After breakfast,, I slip out to the garden for some air. The breeze is soft,, and the silence helps clear my head.
But of course,, moments later,, Adrian follows.
"Why is he always around you??" His voice is low, jealous.
I sigh,, turning to him. "Adrian,, don't start."
He takes a step closer. "Seriously,, Rimi. Does he have to follow you everywhere??"
I cross my arms. "He's Lily's brother.. He's helping with the wedding."
"That's not the only reason,," Adrian mutters.
Before I can answer,, Luka approaches us with a bouquet of fresh lavender in his hands..
He offers it to me with a charming smile. "For you."
Adrian steps in immediately,, blocking the bouquet with his arm.
"She's allergic to lavender.."
I blink. "I'm not…"
Adrian leans close,, whispering, "You are now."
I glare at him. Luka raises an eyebrow,, confused.
"Thanks,, Luka,," I say, taking the flowers before Adrian can protest further.
Luka grins and walks away. Adrian's jaw is tight..
"I can't stand how he looks at you.."
"You're being unreasonable.."
"I'm being in love..."
His words freeze me.
Before I can gather my thoughts,, Mike and Lily call out. "Time to go!!"
As we head toward the cars,, Adrian suddenly grabs my hand.
"Rimi's going with me,," he announces.
I open my mouth to argue,, but my kitten jumps into his arms again,, making herself right at home.
Adrian chuckles. "See?? She agrees. She likes dad more..."
I blush furiously.
Lily howls with laughter.."Just leave them already. These two are hopeless.."
"Lily!!" I squeak.
She winks and walks off with Mike...
Adrian keeps holding my hand,, his thumb brushing over my knuckles.
"You heard them,," he says softly. "Everyone knows now..."
I meet his gaze. "Adrian…"
"You still think I was drunk when I confessed. But I remember every word. I wasn't drunk. I was terrified."
I swallow,. My heart feels like it's about to explode.
"Come back to Korea with me,," he murmurs. "Let's tell our families we love each other."
I look away,, the wind catching my hair.
"Adrian… shut up. Let's just go to the florist."
He chuckles but finally lets my hand go. "One day,, Rimi. One day, I'll hear you say it."
As we reach the cars,, Luka holds the door open for me.
"Come with me??"
Before I can respond,, Adrian loops his arm around my waist.
"She's with me."
Luka's eyes narrow. "Rimi??"
I pause,, torn between the two.
Then I look at Luka with a gentle smile. "You go ahead.. I'm going with Adrian."
And with that, I slip into Adrian's car,, kitten in my lap,, heart pounding like a drumbeat.
To be continued...