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*After midnight*
-Jaemin's POV-
After having a pleasant talk with Narae, we slept to enjoy tomorrow's weekend. And even though I called it a day with worries inside my head, noting Narae's closeness calmed me down. It is unbelievable how I changed after she came into my life, and sometimes, I don't want to recognize it regardless of its veracity. Yet, I'm glad to count on her in these moments; after all, I believe we are better this way. Now, we have someone to rely on when things get complicated.
I'm cuddling against the pillows while keeping my eyes shut, but sudden hiccups blared the room. Eventually, I opened my eyes after blinking a few times, and instantly I saw Narae holding onto the bedsheets. I couldn't tell if I imagined it at first, but as I continued to see her tight grasp and hear the faint hiccups, I got closer to her.
-Narae? – I softly spoke while looking at her, immediately noticing the sweat on her forehead. -Narae, honey? – I worriedly said before holding her between my arms, trying to wake her up.
I patted Narae's cheeks, being gentle with my touch while trying to wake her up. Shortly, she opened her eyes and looked at me while breathing fast. Immediately, I held her against me while stroking her back.
-Relax, you are here with me. – I murmured before kissing Narae's head, attempting to calm her down.
-I'm sorry for waking you up. – Narae said before getting away from me, but she looked away embarrassedly.
-Why do you apologize? It's okay. – I sincerely said, but Narae shook her head as some tears began to drop. -Narae, what's wrong? Huh? – I worriedly questioned while holding her shoulders.
-It was a bad dream; nothing to worry about, Jaemin. – Narae assured me before resting her head on my chest. Instantly, I surrounded her body against me while trying to comfort her.
-Do you want to talk about it? – I asked while looking down at Narae.
-There's nothing much to say. – Narae blankly said before the hiccups began to sound again. Now, Narae is sobbing against my chest, causing me to hold onto her tighter.
-The wedding? – I suddenly questioned, causing Narae to hide her face. I sighed, understanding what disturbed her dreams. -No one will force you to marry someone you don't love, Narae. I already told you to leave that to me, okay? – I reminded her, concerned.
-I wasn't getting married, Jaemin. – Narae mentioned, causing us to get apart from one another. I looked at her, confused, not knowing how to react. -You were at the altar with Eunju. – Narae described, my eyes opening more after hearing her words.
I shook my head repeatedly, feeling anxious about Narae's dream. -I will never marry her, Narae. I promise. – I said without hesitating my words, immediately holding her hands tightly.
Narae nodded while cleaning her tears, but then she placed her forehead on my shoulder while trying to calm down.
-Breathe, honey. Okay? Everything was inside your head; the pressure is slowly getting to you, so don't let it take control over you. Got it? – I told Narae, who nodded in response, shortly turning her head to look at me. I removed some of her tears away while staring at her, concerned.
-Many things will change even if we don't want to, Jaemin. And I have to be ready for anything, but for the first time, I think it's too much to bear. – Narae mournfully spoke.
-But nothing will change between us. – I assured Narae.
-Jaemin—
I interrupted her. -No, Narae! I won't let you go; don't you understand how much you mean to me? – I expressed before holding her head closer to me. She hugged me back before finding her way to my cheek; she kissed it and snuggled against me.
-You also mean everything to me, Jaemin. You can't even imagine. – Narae murmured.
-So, fight for us, fight as I've seen you do before. – I told Narae, causing her to get away from me, and then she looked at me while caressing my neck.
-Fearless and reckless Narae, now can lose someone. – Narae worriedly mentioned.
-You won't lose me. – I claimed.
-I'm scared, Jaemin. I never felt like I could lose somebody because my friends were everything I had. But now, everything changed; I have you. – Narae sincerely said, but I shook my head at her words before getting closer to her.
-Narae, relationships can have their highs and lows, but no matter what happens, I won't leave you alone. And no one will keep us apart, okay? – I spoke before smiling at Narae, wanting to comfort her somehow.
Shortly, Narae nodded before trying to grin back at me. Her attempt caused me to snicker slightly, but then I began to hug her while breathing deeply.
*Next morning*
-Narae's POV-
After yesterday's nightmare, you decided to take this situation just as you would do with any other problem you had before. Eunju threats hit you in a sensible part; however, Jaemin is right when he told you to confront the current obstacles as you did in the past. Therefore, you will step up whenever Eunju tries to do something else to make you look unstable in the time you have left inside JJ's Company.
Currently, you are inside Jaemin's apartment while texting with your friends through the group chat. However, at the same time, you are looking at the news. Last night, you recognized someone at the coffee shop; it happened during your break. You saw this man that looked similar to someone you used to know. And since he's successful in his expertise area, you are doing quick research on him.
-You prepared coffee for me too. I'm glad you remembered it. – You heard Jaemin say before feeling his lips on your head. He sat next to you while drinking his coffee but then stared at you, intrigued. -Am I interrupting something? – Jaemin asked.
-No, no, sorry. I only checked something—
Before you could continue, your phone started to ring, causing you to look at it, confused. Suddenly, you saw a message from Emma.
"Yesterday, I forgot to tell you that Mr. Yong visited Jaemin's father, and I heard them speak about your boyfriend. His father asked Mr. Yong to meet with Jaemin. The hot Yong Sangkyu is going to Jaemin's place right now!" – Emma.
As soon as you read the message, you looked at Jaemin, concerned. But then, the doorbell rang, making your eyes widen immediately. Briefly, Jaemin stood up from the table, but when he walked by your side, you held his hand.
-Narae? – Jaemin looked at you, confused.
-Look! – You said before showing your phone to Jaemin. Immediately, he read Emma's text, making his expression change. Without hesitation, Jaemin went towards the entrance with an angry look on his face. -Jaemin! – You called him before following him from behind.
When you reached the door, it was too late; Jaemin opened the door before you could stop him. And there he is, standing at the entrance, Yong Sangkyu.
-Sangkyu, what a pleasure to have you here. In a weekend. – Jaemin said before bowing at Yong Sangkyu, Eunju's pick for you.
-I talked to your father, and we agreed it was the right time to meet after so long. – Sangkyu spoke before looking behind Jaemin, soon noticing your presence. -Is that the talented Cha Narae? – Sangkyu suddenly asked, his works making you shiver.
-Good morning, Mr. Yong. – You bowed before Jaemin looked at you.
-Narae, go to change; I'll take care of it. – Jaemin sternly said, but then Sangkyu's laughs caused both to glance at him. -What's so funny? – Jaemin asked.
-No, no, I'm only surprised by how you treat Ms. Cha. According to my sources, you must have a relationship with Eunju. – Sangkyu mentioned while smirking.
-Eunju isn't anything to me. Narae is my girlfriend, so get that straight. You came to talk about business, not about my love life. – Jaemin earnestly spoke before glancing back at you. -Narae, go to change. Now. – Jaemin ordered, which you nodded for in response.
-Jaemin, she looks lovely. A cute oversized sweater and some socks; who doesn't love that? – Sangkyu said, making you look away immediately.
If Mr. Yong doesn't shut up, Jaemin will kill him.
-Yes, she looks cute. But I can only see my girlfriend that way; no one else can. Do you get it? – Jaemin claimed while looking at Sangkyu, upset.
-You became so overprotective by some words. I suppose this side of you is new to me, my old friend. – Sangkyu said while facing Jaemin, both of them close to one another. -We can talk about business with Ms. Cha dressed this way. I won't oppose. – Sangkyu said before looking back at you, but Jaemin stood in front, immediately blocking his view.
-I know what Eunju wants you to do, but I won't let it happen. – Jaemin claimed while closing his fists.
-You aren't the one to decide fate. We'll see what happens after the project. – Sangkyu said, almost challenging Jaemin. Both are about to get into a fight over you.
Narae, do something!
You listened to your thoughts, causing you to walk towards them. Immediately, you stood in front of Jaemin while holding him back.
-It's enough. – You softly said while looking at Jaemin, causing him to calm down. But then, you turned around and glanced at Sangkyu. -Mr. Yong, I don't know what your intentions are with all of this babbling. However, our collaboration is only business-related; therefore, I ask you to search for us during working hours, not during the weekend when we are resting. Besides, we need the entire team to see the project, so I politely ask you to leave. – You expressed while looking at Sangkyu earnestly, attempting to be as polite as possible.
-You must be the happiest man with this beauty, Jaemin. – Sangkyu said while still smiling at you. -Alright, Ms. Cha. I'll search for you this upcoming week and may discuss our business interests. – Sangkyu told you before touching your hair. Immediately, you stepped away as Jaemin took you away from Sangkyu.
-Keep your hands steady, Yong. – Jaemin angrily said, making Sangkyu smirk. Then, he bowed at both before walking away, and soon Jaemin slammed the door.
You closed your eyes while breathing fast but then focused on Jaemin. Shortly, you got towards him and started to hold him tightly, trying to calm him down.
-Relax, okay? Nothing happened. – You said while stroking Jaemin's hair.
-He touched you! Narae! – Jaemin angrily said.
You chuckled before looking at Jaemin while holding his head with your hands. -Jaemin, you are overreacting; it was only a strand. – You pointed out as Jaemin kept his eyes on you, briefly pulling your waist against him. He breathed heavily before kissing your lips passionately, causing you to hold onto his shoulder for stability. You followed Jaemin's movements while leaving open-mouthed kisses on his lips, trying to keep up with the intensity of the moment.
Eventually, Jaemin pulled away as both started to recover the lost air while breathing heavily.
-Are you feeling better? – You asked while looking at Jaemin, both keeping a short distance between each other.
Jaemin nodded before closing his eyes. -He called you cute! – Jaemin complained, causing you to laugh at his expression.
-Oh, come on! Jaemin, you have to keep it together! – You teased him before cluttering his hair. -Do you think I care about what Mr. Yong has to say? Honestly, I worried more about your sudden confrontation than what he told me. – You assured Jaemin, capturing his attention once again.
-Are you for real? – Jaemin asked, this time calmer. You nodded before pecking Jaemin's lips, making him look away from you embarrassedly.
-You are overprotective, my love. – You said as Jaemin laughed at your words, briefly taking a deep breath.
-Do you mind? – Jaemin asked, which you shook your head for in response. And then, you hugged Jaemin while stroking his hair.
-Try to control yourself at work, please. – You told Jaemin, making him groan at your words. You chuckled while keeping him between your arms, attempting to think about the upcoming war zone you might experience at work.
I trust Jaemin, but Mr. Yong isn't his favorite person at all. So, I wonder how we are supposed to work together on a project. But leaving our job aside, it appears Mr. Yong is aware of Eunju's plans, and he understands where she wants to be after this collaboration between companies.
-Narae. – Jaemin said, causing you to focus on him instead of your thoughts.
-Yes? – You answered while still holding Jaemin tightly.
-Never leave me. – Jaemin said, making you scoff.
-Alright, I'll stay with you. – You replied while feeling Jaemin's warmth against you.
To be continued...