It had been a week since their sultry night.
Irene noticed that Y/N always sat in the back seat in her lectures, that's why she couldn't get a clear glimpse of her. However, now her eyes couldn't help but look at Y/N, again and again. A few times she would call her name, just to see how much dominance she had over her.
"Miss Y/N."
"Y-Yes, Miss Bae?"
She loved it.
Keeping control over herself was getting hard for Irene. She fought with her will every day, deciding to keep her hands to herself, but sometimes she couldn't and let it go with the flow.
Subtle touches and teases were fun for her. The risk gave a kick to her adrenaline and Irene enjoyed it. She liked how Y/N's eyes would dilate whenever she would bend over her desk or when she was up too close to her.
"My eyes are up here, Y/N."
"Huh? Sorry, Miss Bae."
~
After an interesting and exhausting day, Irene decided to go grocery shopping. She realized that her refrigerator was practically empty at this point. So, after the university came to an end, she got in her car and drove to the store.
Entering through the sliding doors, Irene picked up the trolley on her way to the aisles. She picked up the necessary items or products she needed. Skimming through the list in her mind that she made a few hours ago, she noticed that something was missing.
"What is it?"
Pondering over the question while walking, she reached the cereal aisle. Her eyes wandered to the different cereal boxes and then it hit her.
"Oh, right. Honey loops."
Irene scratched the tip of her chin while looking through the lower shelf of the aisle and then looked at the middle shelf too. However, she couldn't find the ones she wanted. Eyebrows furrowed with disappointment, she looked up and then her eyes caught the yellow box.
"Oh."
Her favorite cereals were on the top shelf. Unfortunately, the top shelf was slightly high from her height. Irene looked around to see if she could ask anyone for her help, but no one was in sight.
Tip-toeing, Irene wiggled her fingers to reach for the box or maybe tip it over so she could grab it, but her attempts failed. She sighed and looked down at her feet with utter chagrin.
Suddenly, she felt a body pressed against her back and Irene stiffened at the proximity. She had her eyes wide in surprise and was about to kick the person with her elbow when she inhaled the perfume.
The same perfume from a few nights ago. The same perfume that had been ingrained in her brain like a tattoo.
Y/N.
Irene looked up at the hand and then turned around to be face-to-face with the reason for her excitement.
"Miss me?" Y/N asked as she picked up the cereal box and looked down at Irene with a broad smile.
Irene felt her heart skip a beat at the warmness in her voice and the adoring look in her eyes. A smile crept on her lips as she looked into her eyes and nodded, replying, "You don't even know."
Irene saw how Y/N was blushing slightly and her eyes were now looking away from hers. She looked down to see Y/N's flannel shirt and slithered in her hand under it. Y/N suddenly jolted under her cold touch.
"You're warm, "Irene whispered.
Y/N gulped visibly as her eyes quivered back to Irene's. She clutched the cereal box tightly in her hand as the slow caresses that Irene was doing on her stomach were making her weak in the knees.
Irene smirked at her responsive body and said, "I see. The effect of my touches is still there."
"Yes, "Y/N whimpered out.
Irene's hand trailed down, playing with the button of Y/N's jeans and slightly pushing it against the skin. Y/N gasped loudly at the sensation as now her eyes were slowly becoming darker in shade.
However, a gruff cough pulled them out of their interaction and they stepped apart. Irene looked away at her trolly and Y/N heaving lightly with a flushed face.
The next thing they heard was a deep chuckle and they both turned their heads in the direction of the voice. There stood an old woman, who might be in her late fifties, looking at them with a motherly smile on her face.
"Ah, youth, "she commented at which Y/N and Irene exchanged awkward glances.
"We're sorry for the inconvenience, ma'am, "Irene said and bowed to her with an apologetic smile on her face.
Y/N followed the pursuit, bowing deeply.
"Oh, stop it, "the old lady waved her hand in dismissal. "You don't have to apologize for anything. You both look lovely together."
Irene's heart almost stopped at her comment. The words like these seemed to haunt her nowadays and when she looked at Y/N, she saw her expressions.
Y/N was shocked too.
"Ma'am, you're mistaken, "Y/N tried to explain as she exchanged a glance with Irene. "W-We are not... together."
"Really?" the old lady's smile turned into a frown and she shook her head. "That would've been wonderful because your eyes tell you that you love her."
The old lady pointed out at Y/N and Irene stared at her with wide eyes. Y/N was now a blushing mess as she vigorously shook her head and hands together, denying her words.
"N-No, ma'am! It's not what it looks like. I-I don't..." Y/N's voice trailed off as they saw the old lady turning around and walking away from them.
Irene stared at Y/N with a now panicked heart and uneasy emotions. The thought of relationships was already absurd to her and now associating it with Y/N made her feel something that she couldn't explain. Not yet, at least.
"I-Irene?" Y/N's voice pulled her out of her trance and she looked away from her.
Taking the cereal box from her hand, Irene moved her trolly towards the cashier as Y/N hurriedly followed her. Y/N was worried that this might be the end of their interactions because she was not ready to leave Irene, not when she knew that she had started to feel something for her.
Y/N watched as Irene paid the cashier and lifted the grocery bag in her own hands. She insisted on picking them up but Irene didn't utter a word since the old lady's interaction with them.
Y/N started to get scared now.
Silence never suited Irene and it was terrifying to think if she'd deny her next words. So, Y/N followed her quietly.
Reaching out of the grocery store, Y/N noticed Irene sighing out lowly and shaking her head slightly. Irene walked forward as they were now on the way to the parking lot where Irene's car was parked.
Irene unlocked her car and kept her bags in the backseat. She closed the door and then turned around to face Y/N. She saw how Y/N had her eyebrows furrowed and hands clasped together while fidgeting with her fingers.
"How are you gonna get home?" Irene asked.
"I-I came with my friends here. I'll go with them, "Y/N timidly replied as she looked down at her feet.
Irene clicked her tongue and stepped closer to Y/N. She raised her hand and lifted Y/N's face with her index finger under her chin. Y/N looked into her eyes and felt everything else disappearing around her for the said moment.
"You left your friends to help me?" Irene asked her as she caressed her chin gently.
Y/N nodded without breaking eye contact. She saw Irene stepping closer further, invading her personal space as her breath hitched in her throat. Every time Irene came closer to her, something inside her made her feel giddy and she loved the feeling whatsoever.
Irene stared at her face, trying to remember every little detail. She snaked her arm around Y/N's waist and pulled her flush closer to her as Y/N's hands got settled on her waist.
"It's been years since I went grocery shopping with anyone, "Irene carefully cupped her cheek. "Thank you for helping me, Y/N."
Irene watched how Y/N's eyes lit up like stars at night and her smile made its way to her lips, saying, "You would have done the same for me."
For the first time in months, Irene blushed. Not due to anger or annoyance, but out of shyness. She felt this warm and fuzzy feeling weakly tickling her insides but unconsciously she suppressed it.
The trauma still lingered prominently in her heart and mind, and she feared experiencing the same emotions again.
Tipping over, Irene pressed a kiss on her lips. Y/N smiled against her lips as she gently squeezed the woman in between her arms. Irene was mesmerized by the way Y/N softly moved against her. The kiss was not heavy and passionate, it was sweet and heart-fluttering.
Before Irene could do anything further, Y/N pulled apart with a smile. She stepped away from her and said, "You should go home. You must be tired today."
Irene gave her a small smile and nodded. She opened her car door and sat in, buckling herself to the seat. She lowered her window and waved Y/N a tiny goodbye.
"Bye, Irene. Take care, "Y/N said, smiling ever so brightly.
Revving up her engine and reversing the car, Irene was set on her way home. She firmly grasped the steering wheel as the image of Y/N smiling at her popped into her head. She couldn't help but smile properly, without any restraints.
She bit her lower lip as the warm feeling still snuggled close inside her.
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Is Irene going soft for Y/N? 🤔