The sound of hasty footsteps abruptly filled the surrounding. After one swift kick to the door, two figures in the dark welcomed an empty room with thuds and rattles. Only the city lights from the picture window that illuminated the room. It was enchanting and magical with the crescent moon hanging low, but the two figures couldn't care less about it all. They had important things to do other than gazing far to the skyscrapers.
Another sound of footsteps, now bare, and the opened-door could be heard once again. The digital clock by the nightstand indicating almost midnight glowed in the bedroom, but none of them realized the curfew they forgot. Not that they really had one in the first place. After all, they only had each other to control the time.
In between the millionth time rattles, one click to the switch finally revealed a woman and a man in one tangled mess behind the closed door. It was all hair grabbing, low groans, and body heat. Their faces couldn't be seen from behind as they kept on pushing each other in a long hard kiss with no urge to breath. They were each other's thirst and hunger.
With one hand occupied under her ass to hold her steady in his arms, the man tilted her head to deepen what they already trapped into. He grazed his teeth to her lower lip before sucking it to earn a soft moan as her hand slid low to his chest. She was feeling helpless with how much he worked on her already swollen lips. That fact was incredibly strange enough for they hadn't drawn a single blood on it. But the touch only made him press her further to the door and caged her to another passionate kiss; he demanded her attention fully.
To another hell, or maybe mighty heaven.
Still locked in the long and hard battle lips, he slowly carried her to the bed. As he adjusted their positions to sit with her legs straddling him, the woman whispered, "I thought this is supposed to be a pasta date." only to be cut off by another smack on her chapped lips. Wetting it again.
"My bad," the man finally breathed out with a quick peck. "But I only said a date," was he mumbled after that to her neck as he brushed his lips lightly. Teasingly.
The woman's body shook with pleasure. Her breath fanned the man's side face, then found its way back to his opened mouth. Both of their heartbeats thumped hard, crazily, to the rhythms they created. And there was no doubt, it was going no end with one simple need.
Just, how did this happen?
***
Eleven hours ago (Seokhoon's POV)
"So, I heard from Jenny you're going on a date tonight."
I was practicing in my study when the smug face of Minhyuk came in without a knock. It was another day, another morning where he showed up without notice to my apartment. After he was discharged from military and I went through the third year for my double-degree in both Business and Music, he basically became my close friend again beside Jenny. We made up easily thanks to the game of survival years ago in Hera Palace. It was pretty epic, I could say.
Stopping the practice and standing up from my piano seat, I approached him, who already made himself comfortable on the black leather couch. As I took opposite him, I answered, "Yeah, I do. Why?"
"With who? Have you finally moved on from Rona?" he asked. He grinned brightly as he waited for my answer.
Move on? That's too much hard work.
I scoffed. "No, the dinner is with Rona. Don't you know she's back to Korea today?"
Minhyuk nodded. "I do. Jenny told me she's going to pick her up later. Are you coming, too? You know, shooting a scene where you bring flowers and she jumps to hug you like in Love, Rosie," he said in between his cookies munching that he probably grabbed (stole) from the kitchen.
I deeply frowned. Didn't know which film he was talking about. Eventually I only answered, "No, she told me to wait for her in the hotel. We're going to have dinner there."
"You are?" he questioned again in which I hummed. "That's weird. I thought she's missing you so much that she wants to see you right away. Bet she's already seeing someone else," he sighed.
Well, I miss her too. A lot.
And I'm sure she definitely hadn't moved on from me.
Don't ask. I just knew.
"You know about the rumor she's engaged with one of her friends in NY, right? I think it was that famous pianist, James or something. They held a mini concert last year," he said further.
It was Noah actually, but never mind.
Although I knew he was only joking, my fist unknowingly clenched in fury. The thought of that baseless rumor in one of the articles I accidentally (it wasn't actually) read filled my head again. And that was annoying me.
"What about it?" I hissed.
Minhyuk shrugged. "I don't know. They seem close enough to have a night stroll together and a morning visit to Tiffany & Co." As if he had a nice idea, he carried on, "Wait—what if she actually brings James with her? Like, introducing him to you at dinner. You should be prepared."
How thoughtful. Just because he soon enough settled into marriage with Jenny, he could lay easily with proud smile and puffed-up chest. But no, I believed he still lost that one cell in his brain. I pitied Jenny for it.
"If she really is, she would tell me other than 'see you soon' with a flying kiss emoticon," I retorted. "And she was excited when I called her to ask for it. So, what you said is invalid."
What I said was really true. That time after we started to occasionally sent messages through mails (it's old, I know), I brought out the date since she'd come for her first-time concert here. She said she was nervous but happy that she had a chance to go back to the homeland. To see me.
I'll not scratch that.
Minhyuk bravely snorted at my answer. "That's casual, you know. I sent it to her every time I cheered her good luck in our chat. Don't flatter yourself," he pointed out with a mock wave.
This asshole.
Before I could punch him in the face, he already stood up and reached for the door-handle. Like he knew what's gonna happen with him around my angry situation. In one glance back, he said, "Just so you know, Rona also sent it back to me."
"Fuck off!"
***
Two hours ago (Seokhoon's POV)
I was barely handling my nervous-self as I waited for Rona to come down for dinner. Since I arrived at the hotel (very early at that), I couldn't stop my shaking legs. Pathetic, I know. But If there was one thing I could say about how much Rona petrified me with only her existence was uncanny. Almost unreal with how much I developed it into something.
One time in high school when Jangdae assaulted her right in front of me, I was basically untamed with possible anger management issues. And never even talked about that time where Eunwoo sneered at her for giving me my favorite chocolate drink; which I never get a chance to enjoy in a while. Hell, I was the evidence of a possessive boyfriend back then. To the point I was afraid if that was really a mere liking to a girl or my hidden obsession in which I secretly inherited from my sperm donor.
But, the moment I saw her sitting across me, I knew neither of those was right. I was, still am, madly and hopelessly at the same time, in love with her.
Bae Rona. I three words eight letters her in all the languages and signs that existed in the world. Wherein, the simple word that always revolved me screamed whipped.
Staring at her from where I seated, my eyes took in all of her in the kind of I believed was longing. She only sat there with her smile, I couldn't take mine from her. Because she just looked beautiful, mesmerizing, in white. With her raven hair curls, black doe-eyed, and strawberry lips, I was gifted with her appearance.
And the words I could utter were "Hi" like a sudden lump in my stomach that I resisted.
"Hi," she sighed as she looked content with how we held our gazes.
I wondered if she was as nervous as I was before coming here. If the anticipation couldn't be controlled by simply eating and talking in the most friendly way. I was pondering.
"It's been a long time, I guess. Five or six years I think?"
Five years, one months, twenty days.
And I am not definitely counting it.
I chuckled lightly. "Yeah, five years." Clearing my throat as I reverted my gaze, I said, "How do you hold up? Flying back here must have left you feeling strange."
"Not quite. Jenny helps me a lot to fill in what I'm missing." Holding back the stare, she mumbled, "Especially you. I miss you, Seokhoon."
Without missing a beat, I replied back, "I miss you too, Rona." still with the same longing that digging a hole in my hollow chest. As she returned the same one.
Again, clearing my throat, I sipped the orange juice I already ordered beforehand. Clearly, I didn't want to show my humble drunken side yet if we chose to clinking wine or champagne. According to Minhyuk, it was not cool. Because I always searched for Rona.
Pathetic, I know.
"How's Seokkyung?"
Her question made me fished out of my mind. I cleared my throat, again, as I answered dryly, "Fine... Good. She's busy with her lessons at school and academy."
"You must be proud," she pointed out with a smile.
I love that smile of hers. It's endearing.
I nodded as I hummed. Still in daze upon seeing her smile. "What about you? Have you already visited them?"
Nice one, Seokhoon. Very nice.
Rona stopped eating at that. I was mentally facepalm myself for asking something I shouldn't have. But I knew, there was no helping it that we had to talk about it. After all, she left without saying a proper goodbye. Even after she met with her dad before it.
"I did. Right after I arrived, I asked Jenny to drive me there," she exhaled. Suppressing a smile to the grim line, she brought up another topic, "Anyway, I heard from Jenny that you're going to have recital next month. Going well with the preparation?"
Mirroring her smile, I nodded. Also grateful for her never-changing understanding at my lack. "Busy with practice. Though, sometimes, Minhyuk will intervene with his nonstop ramble about his marriage with Jenny next Spring."
She laughed at that, more relaxed than before. So bright and pretty that I couldn't help but stare again. Because like I said, she always had that magic spell that lured me more and deeper to her.
"I bet he's a bit of a handful," she commented in which I snorted.
"Not a bit. He spent too much time at my apartment and with Jenny, rather than finishing his degree. I don't understand how they could marry when they didn't have a proper job."
She sighed, "Well, as long as they're happy with what they have now, why not? Minhyuk's small business is going in such a good road and Jenny also will be an intern at local magazine soon after she graduates." Looking at her two small hands clasped together, she whispered, "More than that, I envy them the most."
Somehow, hearing what she said, I just knew it was directed to me. How I carelessly left her twice because I thought she'd be happy without me. How I hurt her by breaking up five years ago. But then again, it was hypocritical of me to think it was for the best.
Being with her was always the best for me. For us.
Still, I asked, "Why?"
"Because a certain person hasn't asked me yet," she said. "Not even for being his girlfriend. I think he's already given up on me."
Her remark made me chuckle. Arching my back to lean in closer to her with a smirk, I asked again, "Really? Please elaborate me on that. You know, maybe, I can help you."
"Thanks for the offer, but I might have to pass." She sighed again, "I think it's better for me to be with Noah. You know him, right? If you saw my concert it is."
I tensed up right away. Boring my eyes to her. That James or something again. "You're not serious, right?"
She shrugged. As if it was as casual as breathing air, she explained, "Maybe. He's handsome, kind, and humorous. The kind of traits every woman would swoon for."
I narrowed my eyes on her. "Including you?" she nodded without hesitation.
"You know, he's also very polite and treats me—"
I cut her off by bending my upper body to face her. Only inches at distance as we could feel each other's breath. She stopped talking at my sudden action; how her eyes widened for a second there. Looking at my eyes before lingered on my lips. Like anticipating.
And I almost smiled with how she was being affected, reacted, by it.
Balancing my upper body with two hands flat on the table, I whispered, "Did that James also do this to you?"
"What?"
Before I regretted what I did next, I dipped my head to meet her halfway as she closed her eyes. Tilting my head, touching, and zoning out into her. I did it all, then grabbed what I always need the next second. Her lips.
She immediately reacted at my touch, leaning into it. Slowly, our lips moved steady as we savored the taste. With every touch she did, I couldn't help the urge of feeling it more. And Rona, sharing the same thoughts and feelings, opened her mouth for me to slid in my tongue and enter her fully. Almost making me lose control.
I didn't know for how long we kissed, sucking her soul like a devil I hid. But when it turned fast to a rough, and almost sloppy, with each time I pulled at her to me, she broke the cherry knot.
"What?" I sighed as I sat back down and drank my forgotten juice. Taking the chance to calm my heartbeat.
Rona also took the time to catch her breath. The red blush on her cheeks barely noticed if I didn't glance at her. It was either the effect of our kiss or maybe embarrassment for doing things in public. Maybe both.
"We're still outside."
"So, if we're not around people, I can keep going?" I arched a brow.
"Yeah," she answered carelessly as my eyes flickered back to her. Couldn't help but grin. "Wait--What?"
Without replying back to her shock, I stood up from my seat and walked to her. Not averting my gaze from how she looked up to me. When I finally stood behind her, I leaned in as I trapped her between my arms. She flinched at my gentle brush to her neck before loosening up. Watching how her raven hair fell to her back that showed the side of her face.
Blowing my voice to her ear, I breathed out, "Can I go to your room?"