Koi No Yokan ___ Inevitable Love

31. Hurt/Comfort

"Dae! Speaking" I replied

"Hi! Hope you're doing great I just wanted to confirm the pick-up time with you, when will you be able to hand over the painting tomorrow, please let us know your preferred time slot"

I was confused at what he was saying, I didn't get any order in the first place then why would I be handing over any of my paintings? "What painting? What are you talking about ?" I asked

"The painting Ms. Hwang. The one that got short-listed by Passion to Perform" the guy said 

Passion to perform, the competition I desperately wanted to win, I needed to win. "My painting got short-listed?" I asked with disbelief.

"Ofcourse that's why we're having this conversation, didn't you get an email?" The guy sounded tired.

I was so busy I didn't see my phone all day, let alone check my email. I got selected! I got selected! I couldn't believe it. I was jumping up and down with joy and excitement. I turned to Han seojun with a huge smile "My painting got selected" I told him and tackled him in an embrace. He pulled me closer, hugging me. "Ms. Hwang you still there?" that voice, from the phone, was so loud I could still hear it even when the phone was not pressed against my ear. I realized what was I doing, putting that poor guy through so much, he just wanted a time to come and get my painting. "Sorry for that, Yes I'll hand over the painting tomorrow" 

I asked about some other details, regarding packaging requirements and stuff like that. The guy told me curtly that everything was in that email which I apparently didn't read, I didn't blame him for his rudeness because he sounded tired or maybe because I was too happy to mind anything. I immediately looked for the email and gasped with excitement, I turned around to face Han seojun and jumped at him again, looping my arms around his neck, "My painting will fly all the way to Canada!" I exclaimed squealing with happiness, he chuckled at my behavior, lifting me up with his long, sturdy arms, swaying my body from side to side. I tightened my grip on him, and sighed, not with disappointment or hopelessness, this time I sighed with relief and contentment.

Han seojun lowered me, my feet touched the ground but he didn't let go, his hold got tighter on my waist as I rested my chin on his shoulder, "I'm so proud of you" he whispered in my ear and a shiver ran down my spine. I wanted to stay like that, at that moment forever but I had a painting to pack. "Come on! There's a lot to do, I have to buy bubble wrap..." I could have completed that sentence if he had not interrupted me with his lame attempt at acting, "I'm so tired I must go get some sleep, the cafe is always bustling with girls to get my services" he said yawning and stretching out his arms pretending to be tired.

I knew what he was doing, I retraced my footsteps and walked over to him, I stopped at a distance that was far closer than ever "Really? How much  do they pay you for those services?" I asked leaning in,  my face closer to his, and he just smirked "My services aren't cheap" he said leaning in, "I can pay you with a kiss" I said and that was it, his smirk was gone, replaced by something else that I couldn't pinpoint. Lust? Want? I could see his Adam's apple bobbing up and down as he tried really hard not to stare at my lips.

I was really enjoying that, intimidating him, making him speechless. I stared at his lips for a second, making it obvious, Han seojun started to lean in slowly, his gaze shifting from my eyes to my lips