‘I’m new to all this,’ Shin Hye spoke, breaking the silence. Her voice quaked slightly. ‘I don’t know whether to trust the agencies or not, but I do know what I’m doing. I don’t want you to be hurt, in any way, because of me.’ When she looked up at Min Ho, he was already looking at her tenderly. The look of anger was gone now, and in place of it, was a mixture of guilt and sadness.
He inched his way closer to her. ‘I don’t want you to be hurt because of me either,’ he said softly. ‘I don’t like you doing things that don’t feel comfortable to you. I don’t like that you have to listen to other people instead of listening to yourself. I don’t like that you have to go through all of this because of me.’ He took Shin Hye’s hand and caressed it before locking eyes with her. ‘Is…is this hard for you? Am I making things too difficult?’ Min Ho’s voice quivered, and he had a pained expression on his face. It was enough to break Shin Hye’s heart.
‘It’s difficult,’ she replied. ‘But it’s not because of you. If anything, I’d gladly bear through it if it means that I get to be with you. So stop worrying about me,’ she smiled. ‘I may be going to another country for a few days, but I’m not going anywhere.’
Min Ho cupped her face with his hand. ‘I don’t know why you put up with this… with me,’ he said. ‘But thank you. And I’m sorry.’
You don't need to be sorry, I'm willingly doing this because I want to be with you. You don't need to thank me, either. I'm also being selfish here. And lastly, I put up with all of this because I love you.
‘It’s because you’re hot,’ Shin Hye replied. 'It’s kind of a no-brainer.’
Min Ho let out a laugh. ‘You’re hot, too.’
‘I know,’ she grinned. Shin Hye threw her arms around Min Ho’s neck and hugged him tightly. ‘I really missed you, oppa. Next time, don’t invite other men to join our dinner. I was starting to get jealous,’ she told him.
Min Ho chuckled as he put his arms around her waist, pulling her closer. ‘Can I invite other women?’
‘Do you want to die?!’ Shin Hye tried to wiggle her way out of his arms, but he was too strong.
‘I’m just kidding. I promise,’ he said softly. 'Just you and me from now on.'
Shin Hye leaned back without removing her arms from his neck, and squinted at Min Ho. ‘Have I ever told you that I like you?’
Min Ho creased his brows, thinking about it. A few moments later, he scoffed as he loosened his arms around her. ‘Now that I think about it, you haven’t.’ He frowned. ‘Here I was, baring my heart and soul, and I don’t even know if you like me back.’
Shin Hye smiled apologetically. ‘Sorry.’
Min Ho was still frowning. ‘Sorry? That’s all you have to say? Chamna. Do you even like me?’
Shin Hye slowly leaned in and touched her lips on his. She retreated, then touched again, as if teasing him. She nibbled on his lower lip, gently easing her way into the kiss. She could sense Min Ho hesitate, probably surprised by her actions. She parted her mouth slightly to send the message, the tip of her tongue playfully tracing the opening of his mouth. As soon as Min Ho got the message, he pulled her close, keeping one hand around her waist, and the other at her nape. His fingers slowly laced their way through her hair, pulling her in. She may have been leading the first time, but Min Ho was surely the one in control now. He deepened the kiss, parting her mouth. He slipped his tongue in and searched for hers. She gasped a little, feeling the urgency in his touch. She would be lying if she said she didn’t feel it, too. Her body felt like jelly, and she could do little to avoid melting in his arms. His tongue was now wrestling with hers, and she let out a moan that she had been keeping. Min Ho pushed his body against her, laying her down on the couch. His lips made their way from his mouth to her neck, kissing and nibbling. Shin Hye shuddered, and bit her lower lip to keep her from making any more sounds. That was until he kissed his way up to the back of her ear, breathing hot air. Shin Hye squeaked slightly, unable to hold it in. She used her hands to cup Min Ho’s face and pulled him in, crashing her lips on his.
She was feeling dizzy, but she wanted more. She intensified the kiss and raked her hand through his hair. She could breathe him in right then and there. She had never felt that yearning before. As Min Ho responded with the same sense of hunger, Shin Hye’s hands had made their way to his back and slipped them under his shirt. Min Ho groaned as Shin Hye’s hands explored the contours of his back, sending shockwaves through his body. His skin felt tingly against hers. Min Ho pulled back and sat up. Shin Hye was confused at first, until he took off his shirt, pulling it over his head in one swift move, and leaned back to kiss her again. Shin Hye’s heart was racing, fully aware that it was getting out of hand. She pulled herself up, pushing Min Ho in the process. He was panting, and so was she. Their breaths were ragged as they looked at each other, neither saying a word. After a while, Min Ho looked down and slumped his shoulders. ‘I’m sorry, that was too much,’ he said.
Shin Hye shook her head. ‘Anya,’ she said faintly. When Min Ho looked up at her, she took his hand in hers and pulled him to stand up. Min Ho followed as she walked to the direction of her room. As soon as Shin Hye was about to open the door, Min Ho tugged at the hand that held his. She looked up and saw his careful expression.
‘Shin Hye,’ his voice was soft. ‘Are you… are you sure? I mean I want to be with you, but if you’re not…’
Shin Hye tiptoed and gave him a peck on the lips, effectively stopping him from saying anything more. She smiled. ‘You can stay the night.’