"Are you done yet?" asked Karina. She's currently grooming her hair in front of the mirror.
"Two more minutes, okay?"
"Ugh! You're so slow, Winter!"
The bathroom door creaked open, revealing Winter from inside. "Slow? You're the one who woke me up late, like five minutes ago, asking me to get ready right away."
"Well, I never knew that it would take me a lot of effort to wake you up, honey," said Karina, putting emphasis on the endearment.
Winter walked towards her. "Are you done yourself?"
"Yes, I'm ready. Hey, what's that!" Karina was surprised to see Winter's face still drenched in water, having an I-jusy-woke-up hairdo.
"What? I washed my face," said Winter innocently.
"And are you doing out like that?" Karina grabbed a towel to dry Winter's face.
"Tsk. You're such a kid, Winter."
"Mmmm. I wasn't planning on going out like this, f-y-i," said Winter, her voice muffled against the towel.
"Whatever." Karina dropped the towel and stared at Winter's hair. "What are you gonna do with that?"
"This?" Winter brushed her fingers through her hair while peeking at the mirror.
"Let's just leave it like this."
"Tsk. No!" Karina cupped Winter's shoulder and turned the latter to face her.
"It's better this way." She fixed Winter's hair with her hands. She knew that it didn't need much effort. Whether Winter has messy or combed hair it'll surely look nice on her.
"Now how do I look, honey?" Winter asked with her thumb and forefinger against her chin, flashing her signature smile that Karina loved and hated at the same time.
Karina couldn't help but admire her hair art. Winter has changed into a new pair of t-shirt and shorts for dinner. The funny thing about it is the simpler she looked the more her charm shows up. "You're okay."
Winter pursed her lips. "Just okay?"
"Yeah, what were you expecting me to say?"
"Anything but okay, you know."
"Ahm, okay. Then what adjective would you like me to use?"
"I don't know, maybe 'striking' would do," Winter answered, beaming.
Karina raised an eyebrow. "Oh, really?"
"Or maybe attractive, gorgeous, stylish, or dazzling.."
Karina cocked her head to one side, expressing her disagreement. "I didn't know you were conceited, honey."
"Why thank you, honey."
Bzzz...
"I guess that's our call," said Winter, walking over to open the door.
Karina went to get her sling bag from the couch. "Just wait, I'm looking for my phone." She was still busy rummaging through the couch when she heard Minju's voice outside.
"Oh hi, Win!"
"Hey, Min, looking pretty tonight, huh?" said Winter, leaning against the door frame. "Where's Minho?"
"He's almost done retouching his makeup," said Minju, rolling her eyes. Winter laughed at the joke. "Well, you look charming yourself. That tshirt looks perfect on you."
"Charming your face," Karina muttered when she finally found her cellphone.
"Ah, yeah? You're the one who gave this tshirt, remember?" asked Winter.
"I know, I know, see? I always choose what's best for you."
Karina made a face while approaching the two people by the door. She looped her arm through Winter and said, "Honey, I'm ready."
Winter turned to her fake lover, touched the tip of Karina's nose and smiled.
"Hey there, beautiful." She went back to Minju and said, "Okay, shall we?"
"Wait, Winter, let's fix this first." Minju stopped them to arranged Winter's tshirt.
Winter wasn't expecting that but had to stay still.
Karina rolled her eyes.
Just in time, Minho stepped out of their room and locked the door.
"Where do you want to eat guys?"
Minju turned around after she's done with the tshirt. "Let's go to Flames.Barbeque is Winter's favorite, right?"
"Yeah, I was already imagining and drooling over barbeque since last night," said Winter.
"I knew it. Are you going to order the usual?" asked Minju , giving Karina an idea that they've already gone there several times.
"Yeah!" Winter grinned wildly, showing off her excitement. "I haven't eaten there since you left, Min. I'm going to order that same old meal. I miss that."
"Me too, Win, I miss the same old meal. Let's go." Minju grabbed Minho's hand and started walking ahead of them.
Karina flexed her jaw.
This girl is really bitching me.
----
Flames Restaurant
Minho had picked a private room for them. Like the last time they had dinner, the couple's were sitting in front of each other by pair. Minju and Winter ordered the usual meal they used to get before. Minho ordered the house specialty. Karina was having a hard time deciding on what to pick so Winter ordered for her instead.
Their setup tonight was like a déjavu of their last dinner together. Karina noticed how Minju keeps on pointing out the things that she was doing with Winter before. Karina knew that the war isn't over yet.
Although it's not obvious to Minho and Winter, karina feels that Minju is silently attacking her from time to time. If it wasn't for Winter's unconscious support, she knows she'd been long defeated. She isn't doing anything to counter-attack but Winter has been treating her like a princess the entire evening, making Karina think that it's pissing Minju off.
Whatever sweetness Winter is showing her, Karina is completely aware that it's only a part of their acting. However, the more she's exposed to it the more she feels like she's getting used to it. Winter has her own unique ways of showing her sweetness without making Karina feel awkward about it. She just enjoys how Winter pampers her.
"Baby, you should try this one. Winter was using the fork to hold the meat in place while slicing it with a knife. She planted the fork on it and turns to Karina. "Aaahhhh!"
Karina opened her mouth as Winter held the fork to her. "Mmm." Winter waited for her to response with a curious look on her face. "It's delicious," said Karina, beaming.
"You like it?" Winter looked happier with Karina's reaction.
"Yeah, it's flavorful. I want more, honey."
Winter turned to her plate, still smiling. "Sure, sure. I'll slice some more for you."
"I think I'm gonna have diabetes just by staring at you two," said Minho, pointing his fork at them. Karina and Winter laughed while Minju raised an eyebrow. "How long have you been together again?"
"They've only been together for two weeks, Soo. It's normal for new couples to be that sweet when the relationship is fresh and young," said Minju.
Winter and Karina looked at each other.
"Oh really? But you weren't that sweet to me darling when we started," said Minho, smiling at Minju.
A smile drew on Karina's face. She tried not to make it obvious.
"Well, just your luck, Soo. I'm not that clingy type of girlfriend," Minju snorted.
Karina didn't mind being attacked again. Instead, she grabbed her fork to get some food on her plate and give it to Winter. "Mmm, try this one, honey."
Winter opened her mouth to take in the food. "The barbeque her is one of the best," she said in between bites.
"But honestly, Winter, your cooking is much better than this," Minju butted.
Karina felt what Minju is trying to point out. She turned to Winter and said, "Really? You can cook this?"
"Uh-huh." Winter nods as she scoops another food into Karina's mouth. "Want me to cook for you?"
That was the question karina has been waiting for. She agreed immediately.
"I want to taste your cooking. Minju told me last time that you're really good at it."
"She did?" Winter glanced at Minju who confirmed the statement by nodding.
"Okay. Let's plan that for next week." Winter went back to slicing the meat.
"Can I sleep over?" asked Karina , tugging Winter's sleeve.
Clank!
"Oops, sorry, slippery," said Winter, grinning at Minju and Minho. She was too surprised with the question that she accidentally dropped the utensil on her plate. She's not sure if Karina was serious about it or not. But since they were acting, she played along.
"Y-you want to?"
"Of course, I want to. I haven't slept in your apartment yet after we got official," said Karina.
"Uh.. sure. Let's do that next Friday so we could stay up all night watching movies. Sounds good?"
"Sounds great!"
Their topic jumped into tomorrow's party all throughout their dinner. After finishing their food, Minho started telling stories about their Singapore experience. Winter and Karina were eagerly listening. Karina was comfortable resting her head in Winter's shoulder with their arms linked.
Winter's mind wasn't focused on Minho anymore. She's more like savoring the moment while it lasts. She's not sure if it'll be the last time she can hold karina like that freely. Once they go back to their room everything will be normal again.
Winter groped to reach for Karina's hand under the table. Unexpectedly, karina opened her hand to let Winter hold it. Winter can't hold off her smile.
She partly turned her head aside to discreetly smell Karina's hair. She wants to memorize the moment in her mind --- or freeze it if she can. Karina's scent, weight, and warmth are giving her contentment. Winter knows she can stay still for hours as long as Karina is leaning on her that way.
Winter lightly squeezed Karina's hand. She knows that Karina wouldn't mind it because the latter is seriously listening to Minho, even throwing in some questions from time to time. Winter's hear skipped a bit when Karina squeezed her hand back.
She trailed her fingers on Karina's hand and massaged Karina's thumb between her fingers. For the third time that night she was happy that Karina returned the favor by squeezing her hand back. It was like two lover playing each other's hand.
Winter was on cloud nine at that moment. She can't explain it, but she has a feeling that Karina enjoys whatever she's doing. She held Karina's hand tight between her two hands and went back listening to Minho.
----
All of them were too tired for another adventure after dinner. They've all decided to call it a day. The couple's went back to their respective rooms after wishing each other good night.
After Karina had brushed her teeth she noticed Winter arranging the pillows o their bed. She shook her head after realizing what Winter is doing.
"So, you're really putting pillows in between us?"
Winter looked at Karina, confused. "I thought you were serious about this?"
Karina smiled. "Winter, I'm not afraid of you, okay?"
"I know, but I am afraid of you."
Karina grabbed the nearest pillow in her reach and threw it to Winter. "Crazy!"
Winter sat cross-legged on the bed after catching the pillow. "Haha! Let's sleep now, baby. I'm tired."
"Baby your face," Karina snorted. She can't deny though that it sounded sweeter now that they are alone.
"You don't like it when I call you baby?"
"You can call me anything you like."
"Okay," Winter smiled like an innocent child. She lay on the bed and readied herself to sleep. "Good night, baby."
Karina folded her arms on her chest and chuckled.
I have to admit I like it more than honey.
Karina climbed on the bed and lay on her side. After surrendering her weight on the bed, she sighed as a wave of tiredness hit her. It has been a long day.
As the bed gives her the comfort she needs for a good night snooze, she knows it wouldn't take long before she falls asleep.
Karina shifted her body to check if Winter has already doze off to wonderland.
Winter's back is leaning against the middle pillow.
"Winter?"
Winter partly turned her head aside. "Yeah?"
"You tired?"
Winter turned around slowly. "Yeah, you?"
"Same."
"Ain't sleepy yet?"
"Sleepy. I just want to say that I had a great day. Thanks."
Winter managed to make a smile even though she's really sleepy. "I had a good day too, and thanks for the massage earlier."
"Nah, it's just a payback for picking me up this morning. Did that ease your stress somehow?"
"Yeah. You didn't end up killing me anyway."
Karina punched her in the arm. "Yah!"
Winter laughed, decreasing her sleepiness a bit. "Minju's party tomorrow starts in the evening. What do you want to do in the morning then?"
"Are they going with us tomorrow?"
"I don't think so. They could be busy preparing stuff, you know."
"So, we're on our own?"
"Yeah, I guess. Do you want them to come with us?"
"Honestly, I don't. It's kinda uncomfortable if your Min is around. I have a feeling that she's checking everything I do."
"Oh, I'm sorry. I told you, Minju is a nosy person, Rin."
"Well she's not just nosy, she's jealous of me."
"It's because your acting is convincing, Ms. Actress."
"Well, you're good at it yourself, Winter."
Winter smiled. "You think so?"
"Yeah, you seem to be a natural actress yourself there," said Karina. "Why are you laughing?"
"Nothing. I'm just thinking about this crazy stuff that's we're doing right now."
"You call this crazy?" asked Karina, raising an eyebrow. "All of this because of your Minju."
"Nah, I told you, we're not going here for that, okay? Let's just enjoy tomorrow alone. I'm gonna show you around here."
"Really?" Karina got excited.
"'Yeah. Let's enjoy the day together, okay?"
"Yes!"
Winter patted Karina on her head. "So, we better sleep now. I'm dead tired."
"Okay." Karina turned her body against the middle pillow. "Good night, honey."
Winter smiled in response and said, "Good night, baby."