Finally, finally it was time for her to go home!
Switzerland was beautiful, especially in the spring, but all she could think about was being back in the arms of her love.
"I thought he was the one more in love with you, but it seems like you're equally smitten!" Kang Ji-hye teased as Ha Chae-yoon was furiously packing the week before their flight out.
Chae-yoon shrugged, "I'm crazy about him."
"And it doesn't help that he has a gorgeous new colleague, right?"
It was pointless to deny it. She had a small bout of jealousy at the photo Min Tae Gu shared a few days back.
"Chae-yoon! Guess what?! A couple of publishers are interested in my manuscript!" Min Tae Gu told her in one of their calls.
"That's great news, Tae Gu! How does it work now? Do you choose who gives you a good deal? What is a good deal in your line of work anyway?" Ha Chae-yoon asked.
He explained the royalties and ownership of work and the other details of the potential deal. "I'm leaning toward this smaller publishing house but there's a part of me that wants to go with the bigger company so that more people could read my work."
"I don't know what would be the best decision but I trust your judgment," she said, loyally. "Do I get your first print?"
"Of course! I actually want you to read the final manuscript before I clear it for printing. Do you think you'd have time to do so when you get back?" He asked, shyly. "I don't want to burden you but your input is important to me."
"Of course! I would love to!" Ha Chae-yoon said.
"Great! I have another meeting with them in the coming days. The good thing about this is I get a lot of free meals!" Tae Gu shared, chuckling. "I have photos from our dinners. Do you want to see?"
When he sent over the photos, Ha Chae-yoon saw a few people but a couple of women caught her attention because she was very well aware of the look they were giving HER boyfriend — pure adoration and lust. She knew these looks very well because Ha Chae-yoon was certain she was giving Min Tae Gu the same looks.
"You didn't tell me there were pretty women around you," Chae-yoon said.
"Oh. Well it wasn't important," Min Tae Gu replied.
It appeased her that he didn't deny that they were pretty but it didn't strike him enough to have to tell her. Still, she couldn't help how she felt. When they ended the call, she checked on the local time in Seoul and sent a message to a certain shop at the market to make a special deliver to Min Tae Gu.
"Chae-yoon, I got your gift," he told her when they got into another call the following day.
"Follow the instructions very well, you hear? Those ducks need to go to the southwest of your bedroom so that we will have eternal love," she ordered. "And that amethyst! IT IS IMPORTANT."
"I know. It protects against infidelity," he concluded.
Ha Chae-yoon flinched. "Sorry. I... I didn't mean to doubt you... I just... sorry, can you forgive me?"
"Does this mean you want to keep me forever?" He asked.
Ha Chae-yoon blushed and she was grateful he couldn't see. "Yes. I wouldn't spend that much on feng shui items if I didn't."
A notification to switch to video call popped up. When she accepted, Tae Gu's handsome face appeared. Moving his phone away, he showed her his outfit for today's meeting.
He had a tie with Chae-yoon's face on it and a huge pendant with an infinity symbol along with horseshoe one around his neck. "Is this enough to assure you that you're the one I want to spend an eternity with?"
Ha Chae-yoon burst out laughing. "Yes. Thank you."
"Come home soon, alright?"
"I will. I miss you so much!"
"I miss you, too! I can't wait until you're back home!"
*
Ha Chae-yoon checked and double checked her flight status to make sure that everything was clear and there would be no delays expected on her return home.
As she sat on the plane and watched the colors of the sky change upon take off, she smiled as she looked back to their two-month time away. She was happy to be in a relationship where she felt secure about her partner's loyalty and love. Her only worry was his past trauma and how this would test his limits.
He held on and made steps to help him get through it. He also made sure to make her a part of it, telling her honestly when he was struggling but assuring her that it was not something he wanted to make her feel guilty about. "I just want you to know my experience and how I'm trying to work through it," he told her.
"Thank you. I hope you know how proud I am of you," she informed him back.
Since they had been together, she had slowly become more emotional and when it comes to him, sweet and caring. She never thought she would be the type but she surprised even herself. What was even more surprising was that, she also loved it when Min Tae Gu took care of her.
"You slept late again, didn't you?" He reprimanded in one call.
"There was so much to study and I wanted to do well in our exam today! We could get additional training if Ji-hye and I get high marks!" She defended.
"I understand that but you're on your third day with barely any slept. That can't be good for your body," he gently reminded her. "If you faint and miss a day, you might have to extend your stay there. I don't have a note for your for Day 61, you know? And sixty days without kisses is too much! Take pity on me!"
Ha Chae-yoon giggled. "Well, if you put it that way... I'll make sure to sleep early tonight and rest up this weekend. No extensions on this trip. I can't leave those lips alone for one day longer than necessary."
Checking the flight monitor, she happily noted that it was less than two hours left! She didn't care about the people that might be at the airport but she was going to give Min Tae Gu a kiss as soon as she saw him.
She would also share with him more good news: their promotion already went through and she was now Senior Inspector!
Would it cause problems if she earned significantly more than him now? She was only thinking in these terms because the two months they spent apart made her realize that there was no one else she wanted to be with and she wanted to start a life with him as soon as possible.
She would give it a few days and then she would ask him.
First, they were going to have a reunion.
Second, give feedback on his book. Their conversations focused heavily on her training and now it was time to show him that his dreams mattered to her.
Then, it was time to discuss the rest of their lives.
Ji-hye laughed at how impatient Chae-yoon was with the whole disembarking, getting luggage and immigation check process. "Geesh! I pity the people who will see you make out with your Mr. Min when you see him."
Ha Chae-yoon rolled her eyes at her before craning her neck to see how many people were in front of them at the line to exit the gates. "I'm sure we'll look like those you see in movies. Min Tae Gu looks like a handsome actor after all!"
Minutes later, she proved her words true as both Ha Chae-yoon and Kang Ji-hye literally stopped in their tracks when they spotted Min Tae Gu.
As promised, he was wearing a shirt with her face on it and was holding a huge sign that said "HA CHAE-YOON'S BOYFRIEND" with an arrow that pointed to him. He was wearing a leather jacket, jeans, and he had a hair cut that was styled to show the world his perfectly chiseled features.
Everyone passing by gave him admiring looks.
Ha Chae-yoon was thrilled at seeing him again because she missed him terribly. Her heart soared seeing the one she loved most and her body reacted at being physically steps closer to her very attractive partner.
Unconsciously, she bit her lip.
Ji-hye nudged her and whispered, "Go!" Then, sighing dramatically, she added, "I guess I have to find a temporary partner in 9months."
Chae-yoon narrowed her eyes at Ji-hye but didn't deny it. "Bye, Ji-hye. I have three days off. Only call me for emergencies."
Then, she ran away from her friend and called out, "Hey, Boyfriend!"
Min Tae Gu lit up when his eyes landed on her. "You're home!"
Cupping his face, she nodded. "Yes. I'm home. I missed you!"
"I missed you, too." Rubbing their noses together as he held her tightly, he asked, "Let's go?"
Ha Chae-yoon nodder. "Kiss me first."
And he did.
—-
A/N: one last part for this prompt! As promised, I have a surprise for a few of you. I have a giveaway! I used to do this and am happy I can do it again as a thank you for the love shown for these stories I post. The mechanics will be posted in the next update but I will be giving away this Inevitable choker related to BinJin's Smart commercial. ❤️
Stay tuned and thank you again! 🥰