*.☽.*
I didn't know how long the drive was until we finally stopped because I was so engrossed with snuggling with Baekhyun, his warm skin felt so good against my hands. The elder man, whose face now seemed clearer to me turned to us. I could see a small portion of his graying hair under his old fashioned beret. Without a smile and his strict looking face, I instantly thought how grumpy he seemed to be. His scrutinizing eyes darting on my hands inside his shirt, caused me to feel one hundred percent awkward. As a result, I hesitantly pulled my hands out of his clothes, my face absolutely red from embarrassment. Thankfully, I heard Baekhyun clear his throat and asked the man why we stopped.
"Well did you expect me to drive you all the way out in this snow right?" He said with a raised eyebrow and hoarse voice.
I was surprised with the way he responded, scared even. He sounded really angry as if Baekhyun asked the wrong question.
"No." Baekhyun answered in a hesitant tone. "Of course, I didn't." He paused to clear his throat once more and it was so noticeable that he was way too uncomfortable right now. "I didn't mean to-"
Baekhyun had to stop talking when the elder man turned around to turn the engine off, took his seat belt off before going out of the truck.
Baekhyun and I ended up exchanging looks.
Did he just ignore us?
I opened my mouth to ask Baekhyun something when we both heard the door opened, the man standing outside holding the door for us.
"Now, get off of my truck." He demanded in a serious tone.
My heartbeat grew wild thinking how we'd end up freezing outside if we get out of the car. I held Baekhyun's hand firmly, meeting his eyes hoping he'd get my message for him to do something to convince the man.
"Sir..." Baekhyun muttered. "If it's okay..." I saw his Adam's apple move as he swallowed. "Can you let us stay here for tonight?"
The man's forehead creased as soon as Baekhyun finished speaking.
"I mean...my girlfriend's absolutely going to freeze outside." He went on and it was obvious how we was already begging the man. "I promise I'll pay-" His statement got interrupted once more when the elder cleared his throat loudly.
I was startled, squeezing Baek's hand in the process.
"What are you talking about?" He sounded so mad. "No one's staying in the truck." He dismissed as he walked away, making room for us to get off.
Hopeless, I felt Baekhyun sigh right next to me as he urged me to get off. He got down first and helped me afterwards. The wind sent shivers down my spine the moment my body was exposed outside. When my foot touched the snow-covered ground, Baekhyun draped an arm around me right away, pulling me closer into a hug.
Worried, I leaned closer to him while he brought a hand to my face. We stared at each other, both looking anxious of what was going to happen to us now.
"Oh for heaven's sake!" The elder man exclaimed making us both alarmed. "Why are you two acting like it's the end of the world?"
"Well..." Baekhyun gulped. "We might really die out here-"
Third time, it was the third time he got interrupted. I had never seen someone talk to him like this and I didn't know how I'd react.
I'm pretty sure the old man doesn't know who Baekhyun is.
"No one's going to die." He stated, his eyes growing wide.
I got confused and I was sure Baekhyun was too due to his furrowed eyebrows.
"I asked you two to get off the truck so we could head to my house." He added in a matter of fact tone.
Relief rushed through my veins hearing what he just said.
"Really?" For some reason, Baekhyun and I chorused.
Without answering us, he proceeded to shut the door of the truck closed before he went on the lean the way. Baekhyun looked relieved as he glanced at me for a moment before we followed the man.
***
We walked through a narrow road which was only a few meters away from the truck before we saw a small house. It looked so cozy with its roof fully covered by snow. It was made of wood and I could already imagine how warm it'd be inside. We weren't even at the doorstep yet when the door opened, revealing an elder woman. Like the old man, she seemed to be in her early sixties. However, unlike him she had a heart-warming smile plastered on her face.
She must be his wife, I concluded.
This idea was proven right when she immediately leaned in to kiss the old man on the cheek as if welcoming him home, causing Baekhyun and I to exchange looks right away.
Oh, my heart wanted to melt at the sight of an elder couple being affectionate in front of us.
"Well, who are these two extremely good looking visitors we have here?" She asked her prying eyes on us.
"Let them in." The man replied quickly, not giving us the chance to introduce ourselves to his wife.
"Oh, of course." The sweet sounding granny said, stepping aside so we could come in.
As we got in, I instantly wanted to melt due to the warmth and the coziness aura that the house radiated. I was so drawn to the atmosphere that I didn't notice Baekhyun bent on his knees, helping me with my boots. The corners of my lips curved up right away with what he was doing.
"Are you two married?" There went the question once more, this time from the old woman.
We both froze, Baekhyun was halfway done taking off my last shoe as he turned to the woman before looking up to meet my eyes.
"They're not married." It was the old man's voice that we all heard next.
Looking away, I tried to locate him but he wasn't in the room with us anymore. He must be on the next room then and must have heard his wife asking us the same question he asked a while ago.
"Oh." She muttered, sounding sad or something.
Baekhyun, finally done helping me to take off my boots, stood and went to clear his throat. I glanced at him and I was certain he was ready to open his mouth to say something but the woman in front of us chuckled, catching both of our attentions right away.
"Well, by the looks of it, you two are likely to get married." She told us, her eyes forming into crescents as she spoke.
My heartbeat doubled hearing her say those words. I swear, this whole getting married thing was making me antsy and fluttery at the same time.
"That's what he said." The old man said once more, this time revealing himself on the door from the room on the left.
Without his hat, he still looked grumpy. His hair is almost silver and only had a few streaks of black left. His hands were shoved in his pockets as his eyes were on us.
"Really?" His wife exclaimed, her hands meeting together excitedly.
I didn't really know how to respond to that, so I tilted my head away for a bit. Then all of a sudden, I felt Baekhyun's hand on mine, giving it a squeeze. Turning to face him, I directly met his gaze. He was looking at me and I could sense the affection in his eyes.
"Yes." He muttered, making me forget my uneasiness. "I definitely..." He paused for whatever reason I didn't know but his eyes never left mine. "Will."
Oh God, the words coming out of his mouth and the way he was looking at me right now. Someone tell me how to survive this moment.
I didn't realize that I was holding my breath until we heard the woman's voice.
"Oh, they're under each other's spell...." She said softly, this time standing next to her husband, her hands on his waist. "Right dear?"
The elder man only cleared his throat as a reply to her question. He looked like he didn't want to agree with his wife or something.
"Anyway, come now let's get you two something to eat." The woman went to us, taking my hand to lead us inside.
***
We ate some very delicious meals. Though it was a simple dinner, my stomach ended up full and contented with the food they served. We introduced ourselves, skipping the part that Baekhyun's a singer/celebrity. Later on, we got to learn about them too. The old man, remained quiet most of the time while his wife talked to us from time to time. Her name was Kim Shin Myeong and her husband's name Kim Dong Yoon. According to her, it was just the two of them in the house since their only son now lived in Seoul with his family and they only come to visit once in a while. She also noted that Baekhyun looked quite familiar to her but Baekhyun, who wanted to keep his identity a secret told her that his face was quite common. She laughed at his remarks calling him such a humble man.
Later on, she led us to the room on the right. The house was not so big and it looked pretty traditional which I truly loved. She opened the door by sliding them apart, revealing a small but very cozy looking room. There was a tall closet on the right that's made of wood, a small desk right next it. There was a lamp on the table. The wooden floor was bare but it felt so warm under my feet.
"This used to be our son's room." She said. "I'm sorry if it's small."
"Oh it's okay Mrs. Kim." I immediately told her. "You don't have to apologize. Actually, we are really thankful to you and your husband for welcoming us to your beautiful house."
My statement immediately earned a smile from her which made me feel good. Seeing her reminded me of my grandmother and this somehow made me feel nostalgic.
"I really hope we're not causing you burden or something." Baekhyun said, who was standing right next to me.
"Don't worry." She replied. "I'm always happy every time we get to have visitors. And you both seem nice and so in love." She added, emphasizing her last two words.
"Well I guess she's too obvious right?" Baekhyun said in a teasing tone, pointing at me. "You're right Mrs. Kim she's head over heels in love with me."
My mouth fell open before I slightly hit him on his chest sending the woman burst in laughter.
"Actually..." She muttered when she stopped laughing. "You..." Trailing off, she pointed at Baekhyun. "You're the one who can't seem to keep your eyes off her."
Baekhyun, not saying anything tilted his head down and lift a hand to his nape, scratching it as if he just got exposed.
"She must mean the world to you." She said, her eyes on him.
I watched how his lips formed into a beautiful smile before opening his mouth to respond.
"Yes..." He paused and turned to face me. "She does."
The way my heart wanted to explode of love for him. If he only knew how much his words meant to me, how much they make me want to cry, how much they make me weak in the knees.
"You should say yes." I heard the woman's voice.
Blinking as I turned to look at her this time, I found out that she was talking to me.
"I'm sorry?" I apologized, not getting what she meant exactly.
"I mean when he asks you to marry him." She stated. "You should say yes."
Oh.
I didn't know why but I immediately panicked inside, my heartbeat growing wild behind my chest. I was so aware that Baekhyun was waiting for my response as well and my moron self couldn't even find the words to say right now. My cheeks started to feel flushed as I stood there speechless. This was somehow overwhelming for me.
"Don't worry Mrs. Kim, I'll do everything to get her to say yes." Baekhyun told her, saving me from further embarrassment.
"You better do." She replied, a wide smile plastered on her face before telling us to wait for her.
She went out of the room and left us alone.
I stared at Baekhyun feeling a bit sorry for not being able to respond to the elder woman's statement. I just hope I didn't give him the idea that I didn't want to marry him.
Marry. I gulped, realizing the weight of this single word. Do I want to marry him?
Marrying Byun Baekhyun? Holding my breath, my brain seemed to have stopped working as I started to space out.
"Hey baby..." His slightly husky, low voice made me snap out of my thoughts and caused me to meet his eyes. "Are you okay?" He asked.
I nodded hesitantly, not knowing what else to say to him.
"Do you still feel cold?"
I nodded once more. "But just a bit."
"Come here." He replied, stretching his arms out to welcome me into a hug.
Smiling automatically, I leaned towards him and succumbed into a heart-warming hug. Closing my eyes, I hoped that this would last for a long time but I felt him pull away as soon as the elder woman came in once more.
She had with her a light blue mattress and about four huge pillows that Baekhyun immediately took from her. He followed her to the side and placed the cushions on the floor. When she turned around, she gave searched us both from head to toe.
"I'm gonna get you both clothes to change into." She said and left once more even before we could say anything.
***
10:36PM
We both stood in front of each other, both trying to stifle a laugh due to how we looked right now. He was wearing a loose, grey, long sleeved sweater and a plain black pyjamas. I, on the other hand, was wearing a loose, short sleeved, white shirt paired with a plaid pyjamas. We also both didn't take off our white socks.
"You look amazing." He said, a playful smile visible on his handsome face.
"Stop kidding me Baekhyun." I told him, turning around while pulling the sleeves of my shirt. "I'm not a kid anymore-"
I wasn't able to finish my statement when I suddenly felt his hands around my waist, meeting right over my stomach. Then, his chin landed softly on my shoulder before I felt him tilt his head closer to mine and gave my cheek a peck.
"Even if you wear a curtain, you'd still be the most beautiful woman to me." He said, his warm breath fanning my skin. "Not to mention, the sexiest."
I laughed at his absurdity before I took off his hands on my waist so I could face him. My hands landed on his face, cupping it before tiptoeing to kiss him on the lips. The kiss lasted for a couple of seconds before we went back to stare at each other.
"Okay...BABY." I replied, the corner of my lips turning up.
"Ugh!" He groaned, stepping away from me while his hands landed on his waist.
I got confused with his reaction. I stared at his back as he turned and faced the other way. I didn't say anything and decided to just wait for him to justify whatever this was. Next second, he swiftly turned to face me once more with an unreadable expression on his face.
"I feel like my heart is doing multiple somersaults whenever you call me baby." He said before he, without a warning, advanced towards me.
His hands immediately found their way to hold my face steady before he leaned closer to dismiss the minimal space between our mouths. He kissed me slow but passionately this time, making my head spin the instant his tongue seek entrance. My cheeks were burning as I tried my best to keep up with the pace of his lips on mine. I was so into it, my legs turning jelly, my heart fluttering and beating like crazy at the same time, my head filled with thoughts of not wanting him to stop.
However...
Knock knock...
My hands, having a mind of their own, immediately found their way to his chest and pushed him away from me. And maybe I did it with so much force that he made a few steps back, shock written all over his handsome face.
I didn't even have time to apologize to him when Mrs. Kim's figure showed up on the door. Totally and definitely flustered, I bit my lower lip as I focused on her. There was a confused or probably a suspicious look on her face as she looked at Baekhyun, who I must note, seemed like a statue.
He must be so shocked.
"Is he okay?" She asked.
"Uhm..." I gulped. "Yeah. He's fine..." I added forcing a smile. "Don't worry."
"Okay..." She replied and it was obvious that I was not able to convince her. "But why is your face so red?"
I swallowed before I lifted my hands to cover my cheeks which were obviously hot, not sure if it was still due to the kiss or the embarrassment that was slowly eating me now.
"She's fine." It was Baekhyun this time.
Turning to him, he seemed like he had gotten over the shock.
"She was cold and I told her I'd take off my sweater so I could give it to her and I'd sleep naked..." He paused to meet me in the eyes.
My eyes grew wide in disbelief. Did he just say that in front of Mrs. Kim?
"She got too flustered that's why she looks like a strawberry right now." Baekhyun added in a casual tone and with a crazy smile on his face.
"Is that so?" The woman asked, her forehead creasing before letting out of a soft laugh before turning to me. "Don't worry dear, I brought you an extra coat so you won't get cold anymore."
I'd really die of embarrassment because of what he said.
"Here." Mrs. Kim said as she walked towards me to hand the brown coat to me.
"Thank you Mrs. Kim."
"You're welcome dear." She replied with a sweet smile. "Now, you two go to sleep."
I nodded, ignoring Baekhyun who went to stand next to me. I watched her get out of the room and right after the door closed I shot Baekhyun a questioning glare.
"What?" He asked, sounding so innocently.
"I can't believe you." I hissed, not wanting anyone to hear us. "You could've have come up with a better excuse other than sleeping naked next to me."
"Well sorry since my brain kinda stopped working because you pushed me too hard and almost gave me a heart attack."
I sighed, finding him so unreasonable right now. I turned around to wear the coat that was given to me, at the same time to avoid him.
"Well thank you for embarrassing me in front of her." I grumbled.
"What?" Disbelief was evident in his tone. "What was so embarrassing about that?"
I glared at him. "Yeah, what was so embarrassing about that?" I said in a low but sarcastic tone.
I heard him sigh before I walked towards the mattress.
"C'mon baby, are you really mad at me because of that?" He asked, still standing on the same spot.
"Can you keep your voice down?" I snapped. "I don't want them to hear us arguing because that'll be embarrassing too." I added before I laid down on the mattress, pulling the comforter up to my shoulders.
I heard him sigh once more as he sat next to me and I felt him staring at me, so I faced the other way. I felt him lay down on the other half of the mattress.
Gosh, I swear this was making me feel so weird.
We didn't always argue like this and this was a bit awkward. I couldn't explain why but I was so annoyed right now, I was so irritated because of what he said to her. I forced my eyes closed and tried to shut everything out around me, including him...of course.
Minutes passed...
I didn't know how many minutes it had been exactly but when I couldn't hear anything from him anymore, I thought that maybe he had fallen asleep already. I shifted my position and slowly turned until my back touched the floor. I was expecting to see him facing the other way but he wasn't. He was facing me instead as if he had been doing it the entire time. He got an arm right under his head while the other one rested on his side. His eyes, though a bit sleepy, were boring into mine.
I could have looked away, I could have avoided him again but I didn't. I gazed at him as well instead.
The silence, as we both continued to stare at each other, seemed to have calmed my irritation down. I came to think that maybe I just overreacted and I should be the one who should be sorry. Settling with this thought, I opened my mouth to apologize but to my surprise, he turned the other way.
I swear, he saw me wanting to say something but HE STILL TURNED THE OTHER WAY?
Wanting to cry out of frustration, I bit my lip as I turned the other way as well, sulking. However, I couldn't even process a single thought in my head yet when I felt him placed an arm over my waist and gently pulled me closer. I was too startled to even protest nor break free from him. Totally forgetting that I was mad at him.
My heart almost melted when he snuggled his head closer against my neck. Suddenly, the rage behind my chest died down and I had to blink my eyes a couple of times to recover from what he was doing before I closed my eyes in surrender and succumb to my weakness.
My weakness that is Baekhyun.
We both remained quiet for the next whole minute. I listened to our steady breathing and concentrated on his hand on my stomach.
"I'm sorry Baby." He said, his voice just above a whisper, sending my eyes opened. "I didn't mean to embarrass you." He added as he held me tighter.
Biting my lower lip, I felt so drawn to him because of his gentle but apologetic voice. With this thought in my head, I felt him make me face him by making me lie on my back. He reached for my hand and held it like it's fragile, his thumb caressing my skin.
Lost in the moment, I just watched him while his eyes were fixed on our hands. He looked so gentle, I swear my poor heart was going to melt at any second.
"Don't be mad at me anymore...hmm?" He said, this time his eyes met mine and affection seemed to overflow from his eyes and it was greatly manifested when he slowly brought my hand closer to his mouth to kiss it, his eyes never leaving mine.
Baekhyun and his sweet ways. He'd really leave me crazy mad and then crazy in love with him the next moment.
"How can I ever stay mad at you when you're like this?" I told him in a small voice.
With a beautiful smile on his face, he shook his head sideways chuckling.
"I can't let my baby go to sleep mad at me you know." His smile spreading across his handsome face. "I'm scared you might appear in my dreams and break up with me..." He suddenly became serious. "That'll be terrifying."
I held his gaze for a couple of seconds, sure that he was thinking about our previous break up and the things that followed after. He was probably even thinking about the things that occurred yesterday.
"Come here." I said gently, wanting to keep his mind off those stuff.
Now, lying next to me, I slipped my hand around his so I could snuggle against his chest. Being this close to him, I could still somehow feel that he didn't really ease up totally. So, lifting my head up so I could look at him, I told him something I hope could help.
"Please dream of me sticking up by your side as we get through this, will you?"
He looked at me, unblinking.
"Okay, babylove?"
I swear I didn't know how I came up with my last word.
His previously saddened eyes grew wide.
"Babylove?" He asked.
I felt my cheeks heating as I tried my best not to look away while the corners of his lips turned upwards.
"You're calling me Babylove?" The teasing in his tone surely didn't escape my ears.
"Don't you want to be my Babylove?" I replied using every ounce of courage I have left in me.
He chuckled, his resounding laugh making its way to my stomach, waking up the butterflies.
"Of course I do." He answered, pulling me closer, making my head rest against his chest once more. "I'll be your Babylove until our real Babylove shows up."
Until our real Babylove shows up.
Until our real Babylove shows up.
Until our real Babylove shows up.
I held my breath, what did he mean by that?
"What do you mean?" I asked without having to look at him.
"Nothing..." He muttered and I swear I could almost hear him smiling. "Goodnight Babymommy."
I swallowed hard when I heard his last word.
Oh my god Byun Baekhyun, I screamed in my head.
First, he was like I'll marry her someday and now he's calling me Babymommy.
Someone please tell me how to stay sleep tonight, better yet how to stay sane.
***
6:03AM
It was amazing how I woke up so early this morning. It was so cold even with all the coats and the blankets. I turned to Baekhyun who was still soundly sleeping. At the back of my head, I knew that clinging to him will wake him up but I was so cold. Desperate for warmth, I selfishly moved closer to him until there was no space left between us.
Just what I had predicted, his body jerked the moment I slipped my hand around him. With his eyes opening, he shot me with a surprised look that immediately turned soft right away.
"Are you cold?" He asked, his low and slightly raspy voice filling my ears.
I could only nod in response before he snuggled me with the most satisfying hug ever. Sighing, I savoured how good this was. It like drinking your favourite cup of coffee on a rainy afternoon, yes it was that good.
"Sorry to wake you up-"
I apologized when I looked up to face him but my words were cut by a soft and steady kiss from him.
"Good Morning Beautiful." He said after his lips were detached from mine.
I could only smile at him, afraid that my words would ruin the moment.
***
We were cuddling for the next few minutes before Baekhyun told me he had a better idea to keep me warmer. I immediately thought of one thing and I had to tell him to dismiss the thought right away.
"You knew what happened last night when we kissed Baekhyun, we almost got caught. Are you crazy?"
"What?" He looked genuinely surprised. "What are you talking about?"
Dumbfounded, I just stared at him.
"I mean, of course I know what you're talking about and I like that idea very much..." He paused for a bit as if to ponder on the thought but later on shook his head sideways as if dismissing it right away. "But yeah, I'm sacred you'd push me away so hard again that I'd end up in Jupiter this time so, no."
He was speaking so fast, I couldn't help but burst out laughing and even hitting him on the chest because of his crazy remarks. I was about to ask him what he meant then but he slowly got up from the mattress and walked until he was a few feet away from me.
I stopped laughing, curiously looking at him. What was he planning to do? I thought hard of what he was probably thinking of doing when a sudden realization hit me.
Oh god! UN Village!
"Oh my god Baekhyun, I swear if you're going to attack me with your body rolls..." I wasn't finished ranting and warning him when I saw a handsome and cocky grin on his face.
Then without a warning, started to sing and dance the most bridge aka the most sensual part of his song. I had seen him perform this so many times but this was the first time he was doing it for me.
Rolling, rolling, rolling hills
His body rolls oh my god, I swallowed.
I was laughing so hard yet feeling so flustered at the same time, I gripped on the pillow next to me and covered my face with it for a second.
"Oh my god Baekhyun stop!" I told him but he only winked at me as he did the next choreography.
Rolling, rolling, rolling hills
He even did that lip bite he sometimes does while his hands slowly graze his head down his body. He was so into it like a professional performer that he is and I couldn't help but be amazed at how he was smoothly doing his body rolls again right before my eyes as he repeated the whole verse.
But then for some ultimately, unexpected reason, the door of slip open and revealed Mr. Kim's wondering face, his eyebrows furrowed at Baekhyun who, on the other hand stopped in the middle of a body roll.
Oh no.
"What are you doing!!!" Mr. Kim's asked, sounding as grumpy as ever.
I looked at Baekhyun only to find him stuttering.
"I...uhm...I.." He stuttered, his face red from being flustered.
Oh my god, I wanted to laugh so bad, I had to subtly hide my face behind the pillow I was holding. I bit my lip so hard, desperate not to burst out laughing.
"I'm dancing." I heard Baekhyun say, making me look at him once more. "I learned a new dance choreography from youtube the other day so I'm showing it to her for feedback." He blurted out, obvious that he was tensed.
Mr. Kim was glaring at him and I couldn't blame Baekhyun from being this uncomfortable.
Oh, my poor bubbub.
"Well then since you seem to have a lot of energy, better get ready so we could plow the snow off your car." He told him. "Do you understand?"
"Y-yeah." Baekhyun nodded like a child being scolded.
Mr. Kim turned around to leave, even slid the door closed already making Baekhyun cover his face with his hands. However, the door slip open once more, Mr. Kim's head popping.
"You should stop dancing by the way."
"Eh?" Baekhyun uttered, his forehead creasing.
"You don't look good when you dance." Mr. Kim added before he finally left the embarrassed-looking, jaw dropped Baekhyun, alone.
I looked at Baekhyun who seemed to have a meltdown at any moment from now. His I couldn't imagine how he must felt though I really wanted to laugh right now. I looked away for a moment, tilting my head down to the pillow I was holding. However, all I could think was his face when Mr. Kim caught him on the spot.
"I swear if you laugh Park Hae Won..."
He was so red in the face when I saw him again, standing unmoving on the same spot, his eyes on me before he looked away to run his fingers through his hair. Wanting to somehow comfort him, I continued to fight the urge to laugh as I stood and walked towards him and hugged him.
"He said I don't look good when I dance...." I heard him say. "So, have I been clowning myself all these years?"
I leaned away, cupping his flustered face with my hands, making him look at me.
"No, you look good when you dance Baek." I told him, biting my lower lip so I wouldn't laugh.
Staring down at me, he looked suspicious.
"You want to laugh, don't you?" He asked.
"NO." I lied, firmly.
"Liar." He replied. "It's obvious you're dying to laugh!" He added, pouting.
Though I tried to hold it in for the next few seconds, I miserably failed. I removed my hands off his face and started to laugh so hard. I even had to step away from him, my hands meeting on my stomach as it hurt, my eyes turning watery. I kept recalling how flustered he looked when Mr. Kim showed up, it was so funny. I never imagined I'd see him that way.
The entire time I was laughing, he never said a word. Even when I finally looked at him once more, he just stood there looking hurt.
"Oh I'm sorry Baek." I told him as I went to him and went to wrap my arms around him. "I'm sorry for laughing, I'm so sorry." I said, unable to hide the hint of smile on my voice.
"It's okay at least you're having fun." He replied as he removed my hands off him and went to walk back to the mattress on the floor.
He's sulking... and I it so cute when he does it.
"Hey Baby?" I called him but he ignored me as he lay down, so I followed him. "Hey..." I muttered but he was determined to ignore me by facing the other way.
I could just imagine his pout from where I sat. Oh this poor baby, I couldn't blame him from acting this way. That was way too embarrassing and I would've melted right away if that was me. However, as I continued to stare at his profile, I realized how much he meant to me. I appreciate how he was being his true self around me like this.
I stood and moved to the other side he was facing. Laying down, I made sure my face was adjacent to his. His eyes were closed and his face wasn't that red anymore. He hand his arms crossed over his chest and it was too obvious that he was still sulking. I knew he could feel me close to him right now and was just pretending not to care.
Oh how I love this man.
I leaned in to give his lips a peck but even after I leaned away, he still didn't budge. I smiled at how he was playing hard to get before I went in for another kiss, this time a soft and steady one.
His eyes remained closed.
"I love you even if you're ignoring me right now." I muttered as I settled watching him this time and for some reason, my heart wanted to burst out of love for him. "You're the best thing that has ever happened to me."
As if in slow motion, his eyes opened and directly bore into mine.
"If I'd live another life, I'd still choose to cross paths with you. I'd still want a Byun Baekhyun in my life." I added, meaning every word accompanied by a reassuring smile.
"Even if I don't look good when I dance?" He asked sounding like a total baby.
Smiling, I nodded.
Removing his hands off his chest, he placed an on my shoulder and gave it a gentle rub.
"I wish you could be me for a day or for an hour..." His words were so sincere, they left me wondering. "So, you would know how much my heart wants to explode of love for you..."
Oh.
"I don't know how you do it, but I can't keep my eyes off you. I can't get enough of you. And no matter how many times I kiss you, I'd still end up wanting to kiss you more. I want your body close to mine all the time, I want to make love to you non-stop." There was a playful but subtle smile on his lips that made me smile in return. "I want and need a Park Hae Won in my life no matter what."
That heart-warming feeling resurfaced behind my chest, giving me the urge to cry.
"And someday, when the time is right...I'll ask you to marry me." He went to tuck my hair behind my ear before softly grazing his delicate fingers on my jaw. "And I'll do everything to get you to say yes to me." He added before pulling me into an affectionate hug.
Marrying him, the thought still sounded so unreal to me. So, ethereal.
"But for now, I can't wait to get out of this place." He stated, once again mortified. "Ahhh, I've never been this embarrassed in my whole life." He added as he buried his face on the pillow.
I chuckled, recalling the scene once more. He also looked very cute being like this, I liked it.
"Stop laughing." He demanded, lifting his head from the pillow.
"Okay." I agreed, a lingering smile on my lips. "But you're so cute Babylove, I can't help it."
"Stop calling me Babylove for now too, or else we'd start making babies right here, right now." He threatened.
The smile on my face instantly disappeared.
"Okay." He copied right before he leaned away to get up.
"Where are you going?"
"You heard Mr. Kim." He answered. "I don't wanna get scolded by that old man again and embarrass myself more."
Honestly, this was so fun.
Seeing this side of his was so refreshing, I think I have fallen for him more. If that was still possible.
***
10:13PM
Baekhyun and Mr. Kim just came back from taking care of the snow around his car. Baekhyun's hair was dishevelled, his nose and cheeks were red, probably due to the cold. He must have worked so hard, ploughing the snow as he was obviously catching his breath when he came in the front door. I suddenly went to him to remove the snow on his hair and even on his face.
"You okay?" I asked him in a quiet voice.
He glanced at Mr. and Mrs. Kim who were on the other side of the room and when he found out that they weren't looking, he mouthed a silent 'I feel like dying'.
Unable to hide my amusement, I gently patted his head.
"You did a good job..." I said before I tiptoed to bring my mouth closer to his ear to whisper something. "Baby."
He let out of a soft laugh and it must have caught the couple's attention as they both looked at us at the same time. We straightened our postures as Baekhyun cleared his throat.
"You two should eat and get going while the snow is still tolerable or you might get stuck here for another day." Mr. Kim stated before he made a move to leave the room.
***
12:35PM
After bidding goodbye and thanking Mrs. Kim, Baekhyun and I climbed on the truck. Mr. Kim was going to drive us to the entrance of the main road where they left his car a while ago. The snow had indeed eased up, though there were still layers of them on either sides of the road.
We drove for around ten minutes before I caught sight of his Black Audi. The truck stopped right behind the car and Mr. Kim instantly turned around to us.
"Mr. Kim, thank you very much for helping us out. If it weren't for you, we might have frozen out here. I promise, I'll repay your kindness someday." Baekhyun said and it was very obvious to me that he was being careful with his words towards the man.
"Just check the weather before you plan a trip like this or you'll end up killing yourselves." He replied in a serious tone, unsmiling as always.
"Yes sir." Baekhyun answered right away.
"Thank you Mr. Kim." I stated, taking his attention. "You and Mrs. Kim are such wonderful persons. We're really grateful."
He just nodded at me.
"I guess we'll get going now..." Baekhyun announced. "Goodbye Mr. Kim." He added as he pushed the door open.
"Wait, I'd like to talk to you." Mr. Kim said all of a sudden, his eyes on me.
Baekhyun and I exchanged looks. None of us moved as well.
"You can go wait for her in the car." He told Baekhyun.
Baekhyun hesitantly nodding in response, he gave an unsure look before he got off the truck. He kept glancing at me as he walked towards his car right in front of the truck. My eyes were on him when I hear Mr. Kim spoke.
"You should marry him." He said without a warning.
Surprised by his unexpected remark, I looked at him.
"When I saw him last night, it was so obvious that he was so worried about you. He said he left someone in the car and that she's mad at him for leaving."
I couldn't believe Mr. Kim was talking nicely to me this way.
"You know he did the right thing, right? You two would've frozen if you both stayed in the car."
"Yes." I tilted my head down, a bit embarrassed by my childish act.
"This morning while we were dealing with the snow around his car, he told me something."
My heartbeat grew fast, curious.
"What is it?"
"He said he wants I have." He paused as he looked at Baekhyun who was waiting outside. "A wife who stays by his side until he's old and grumpy like me."
I couldn't believe Baekhyun had the guts to call him grumpy. I let out of a chuckle.
"He said he wants it to be you." He added, catching me off guard.
I gulped, unable to process my thoughts for a moment until Mr. Kim spoke once more.
"That man..." His eyes on Baekhyun once more. "It's clear he loves you with his whole heart." His voice suddenly went soft and fatherly, my heart was melting. "I don't know where you got him, but he's one of a kind...you should marry him."
***
You should marry him.
You should marry him.
You should marry him.
I kept thinking about Mr. Kim's first and last advice as I gaze at Baekhyun as he drove. He would glance at me and catch me staring from time to time too but he'd only smile at me, even reach for my hand to give it a kiss a couple of times.
By the time we reached the highway, his phone rang. It must have been the time we got signal. It was also only this time when I remembered my phone which I instantly looked for inside my purse. My eyes grew wide at how many messages I had received. I was about to check on them when I heard Manager Kang's voice on speaker.
"Baekhyun!" He explained, relief evident in his voice. "I have been calling you since yesterday."
"I'm sorry Hyung. Something happened, I took Hae Won somewhere but the snow was really bad we got stuck and there was no reception too."
"Are you both okay?" His manager was obviously worried.
"Yeah. I guess." He answered paying me a glance. "We're on our way back to the house now but it'll probably be after a few more hours."
"It's fine, can Hae Won hear me now?"
Baekhyun looked at me and I suddenly felt nervous.
"Yeah, she's listening. Why hyung?"
"Haewon." He called.
"Yes, Manager Kang?" I asked, unable to hide how tensed this was making me already. "Did something happen?"
"Yes." He answered briefly.
My heartbeat grew wild.
Oh god, here we go again.
"Someone saw you..." He trailed off and I couldn't help but hold my breath. "And filmed you."
"WHAT!?" It came from Baekhyun.
The car suddenly came into a halt, leaving the tires squeaking in the process. I was too shocked not knowing if it was because of sudden stop we made or due to Manager Kang's information.
"What do you mean someone saw and filmed her?" Baekhyun fired right away. "When, where? HOW?" His forehead was creasing and he was clearly displeased by the news.
I, on the other hand, was dumbfounded.
"On the rooftop of your condominium building."
Rooftop. I gulped. Oh my god. My stopped lagged.
Baekhyun and I held each other's gazes.
***
3:57PM
We got to his house as he drove extra fast. He instructed Manager Kang to wait for us in the house and he was indeed there when we got home. To my surprise, Kyungsoo was there too. We were all in the living room including Mr. Yoo.
Baekhyun and I sat next to each other as we watched the video that was taken that night. It was so weird seeing myself on the ipad screen where the video was playing.
"It's so unfair!" I yelled atop of my lungs. "Baekhyun doesn't deserve any of this hate. Why does it have to be this hard? Why does it have to be this complicated for the both of us." It was obvious that I had started crying.
"Can't you just let us be? Is it too much to ask? We both just want to be happy. Why does this world have to be so cruel on us? Why!!!!!?" I screamed before and cried my heart out.
"Baekhyun...." I continued to shout in between my sobs. "I'm so sorry you have to go through this just to be with me...I'm sorry I'm not someone the public approves for you. I'm sorry you had to fight everyone so you could keep me by your side. I'm sorry I can't even protect you."
"Byun Baekhyun....I love you!"
"Be a little kind to us...Please."
***
My hands were slightly trembling by the time we finished the video. I couldn't move nor say anything. Heck, I didn't even know what to feel about this. But when I finally was able to look at Baekhyun, I found out that he was just as quiet as I was.
I wanted to know what was going on in his head right now.
"Do you remember being followed that night Hae won?" It was Manager Kang.
I shook my head.
"Did you see someone on your way to the rooftop?"
I paused, recalling sharing the lift with a woman.
"There...there was a woman with me on the lift but she got off a few floors away from the rooftop." I answered.
"Then it must be her. She must have followed you and filmed you." Manager Kang told me.
"I'm sorry." I apologized and from my peripheral vision, I saw how Baekhyun stared at me. "I'm sorry for not being careful. Instead of helping out, I've caused all of you more trouble."
I felt Baekhyun's hand over mine on my lap and I was about to apologize to him when Kyungsoo spoke.
"You don't have to be sorry Haewon." He said in his deep voice.
Baekhyun and I looked at him at the same time.
"This video actually..." He trailed off as he looked at Manager Kang for a moment as if asking for permission to continue. When he nodded, Kyung turned to me and Baekhyun once more. "It kinda helped with the situation."
I got confused, did he just say it helped?
"Haewon's leaked video has been on top of the platform searches since its release yesterday earning it millions of views on the same day. If you checked the comments, a lot of people were saying that they're on your side." He added, this time looking at me.
What?
"Kyungsoo's right." Manager Kang agreed. "Based on the response, people might have understood how hard it is for Haewon as well. Since they got a glimpse of what you're going through, you got their sympathy."
Baekhyun and I exchanged looks before Manager Kang showed us some of the comments on the video.
Oh my god, she loves him very much my heart is breaking for her. This woman, whoever she is, she deserves Baekhyun so much.
His immature fans should wake up and realize that they're making him and his girlfriend suffer. They just want to love each other freely. Oh poor souls.
Why can't everyone just be happy for her and Baekhyun? She obviously loves him! Look at her crying her heart out apologizing for making this hard for Baekhyun when it's also really hard for her.
The way this woman loves Baekhyun, I want my future girlfriend to love me like that.
From now on, I'll protect her anyone who says bad stuff about her. Please be a little kind to her and Baekhyun. When did humanity become so cruel?
"I'm sorry I'm not someone the public approves for you. I'm sorry you had to fight everyone so you could keep me by your side." Honestly, this society should wake up. When did loving someone have to be approved by the public? Who are we to dictate someone's life? Damn, this world is messy.
Please let her and Baekhyun alone! Please let them be together. They deserve to be happy!
The way a lot of people hated Baekhyun because of choosing someone they don't even know is absurd. Look at her, she clearly deserves Baekhyun.
Baekhyun-ah, please love whoever you want. I will support you. No, actually...please love her. You deserve a woman like her who loves you with her whole heart.
I didn't know I was already crying while reading the comments until Baekhyun pulled me for a comforting hug. The way the positive comments were overwhelming me right now was kinda out of hand. Letting my guard down, I cried in his arms.
"Hush...it's okay Baby. It's okay." He hushed, gently rubbing my back.
After a few minutes, I had calmed down but excused myself for a glass of water. By the time I was making my way back to the living room, I heard them talking about an interview. I stopped on my feet, I didn't know why I had to but I did.
"This is the right time for you to get interviewed Baekhyun." Manager Kang said.
"Manager Kang is right Baek." Kyungsoo agreed right away. "Hearing directly from you will help for sure."
There was silence for a few seconds before I heard Baekhyun's voice.
"No." He said firmly.
I saw how Manager Kang and Kyungsoo looked at him, both wondering.
"I don't want an interview." He added. "I want more than an interview."
"What do you mean?" Manager Kang asked, looking and sounding confused by Baekhyun's remarks.
I saw how Baekhyun tilted his head down for a moment before taking a deep breath as he faced them.
"I want a fan meeting."
Manager Kang's mouth fell open.
"Baek, you know the company won't allow you to have one. With the status of your tour refunds, they'll be highly doubtful of your fans' response on this one."
"Tell them I'd sponsor everything. I'll pay for the venue, for the staff, for all the tickets. I'll pay for everything. Book the place I where I always hold my fan meetings."
"We might not fill the venue Baek, so it's better to just do it on TV."
"That's why I'll pay for all the seats hyung, so even if the venue is empty they're gonna get paid. If no one comes, then it's my loss and not anyone's."
It broke my heart. Just the thought of no one coming, god it's heart breaking.
"Are you sure about this man?" Kyungsoo asked, worry evident on his tone.
"Even if there's only one or a couple of fans who will attend, I'd still push with this fan meeting."
I felt a pang in my heart hearing how he was entertaining the thought of having only one or two fans supporting him this time. There were millions, he had millions of supporters...
...is it really possible for them to abandon him like this?
Please not like this, not Baekhyun.
***
Instead of going back to the living room, I made my way to the poolside area. I couldn't bring myself to be with them again in the living room. I didn't think I could still handle more stuff than I already knew. I sat on the chair and watched the water hoping it'd help me. My mind was in chaos, not even knowing which thought to entertain first. Things were like a blur in my head, like fragments that I my brain automatically shakes off.
I stayed there for about twenty minutes before I decided to leave my spot. I went inside the house and found the living room empty, instantly settling with the thought that Kyungsoo and Manager Kang had already left. I went to the kitchen hoping I'd find Baekhyun there but he wasn't there too. He must be in his room, I thought.
Reaching his room, I found the door ajar. I didn't really have to peek or something to know that he was watching that video. I could hear my muffled voice, my words almost inaudible from where I stood but I just knew that he was watching it again.
Pushing the door quietly, I entered the room without him noticing. He was sitting on the bed right next to the bedside table, his phone on his hands. There was an afflicted look on his face though I could only see his side profile.
It hurt, it hurt seeing him watching it again.
With how things were right now, he shouldn't have seen me in my most vulnerable moment. So, wanting to stop this right away, I walked closer to him and sat next to him. When I got his attention, I slowly took his phone away from him and placed it on the bedside table before I cling to him.
"Sorry you had to see that..." I said, after a few seconds of silence.
I heard him take a deep breath before draping an arm around me, making us lay down on the bed. As soon as our backs hit the mattress, I felt his finger delicately tracing my arm.
"Please don't be sorry for loving me..." He told me, meeting my eyes.
Instead of answering, I shifted my position to hug him. I didn't know what to say but I knew how I would want him to feel. I wanted him to feel loved.
I want him to know that I'm here now.
We shared a few minutes of silence until I thought of something I wanted to say.
"He said I should marry you."
It was obvious that he was surprised.
"Who?"
"Mr. Kim..."
"But he hates me." He replied as if he just contemplated. "How come he'd say that?"
"He doesn't hate you." I said with a gentle laugh.
"Yes he does." He said firmly. "He even said I don't look good when I dance."
I laughed harder, recalling the scene between them this morning. I wasn't even finished laughing yet when I heard him spoke once more.
"Hey baby, I have something to ask you but please don't answer it."
"Huh?" I replied confused, without looking at him.
"If I ask you to marry me, will you say yes?"
D-did I just... did he just...
I blinked my eyes for a couple of times, forcing my brain to form coherent thoughts. I looked at him only to meet his loving gaze. There was a serious look on his eyes but a subtle soft smile on his lips.
I stared at him, intently...
..like seeing him for the very first time.
~♥~
AN: Hey Loves! Here you go! I'm pretty sure there are errors here since I just wrote this in one go without proofreading it like I initially planned since something urgent came up today. I'll check on them when I have time for sure. I just really want to update today like I promised. :)
Merry Christmas!!!