24.

the bad boy cares

AS JULIAN'S ANXIETY intensified, he pivoted abruptly, urgency etched on his face. "We need to leave now," he declared.

Akari met his worried gaze, picking up on the tension in his voice. "Alexander knows you now, and I can't risk anything happening to you," Julian explained.

"Okay," Akari nodded understandingly, realizing the importance of reassuring him. Without wasting any time, they swiftly maneuvered through the crowd, making their way to the exit. The distant sounds and the throng of people faded as they ventured farther from the bustling event, eventually finding solace in a secluded spot.

Their steps led them to a quiet corridor near the engineering block. Akari settled on a staircase, and Julian joined her, the air heavy with the weight of the situation. They both, in the safety of the privacy, took off their masks.

"That happened," Akari said, the reality of the situation sinking in. Alexander now knew her, a thought that added a layer of uncertainty to the night.

"That shouldn't have happened," Julian expressed his frustration, his grip on Akari's fingers tightening. "I'm really worried."

"Hey," Akari spoke calmly, trying to reassure him. "I'm going to be fine," she added, attempting to soothe his anxiety. "He saw us, but he's not doing anything right now."

"Which only means he has another plan," Julian responded with concern. "I shouldn't have come here; I shouldn't have mentioned the wall plate. You wouldn't have bought it. I'm just—"

"Julian," Akari interrupted firmly, gently holding his chin to make him look at her. "I'm okay, and I wanted to buy it. It was a beautiful piece, and anything that means a lot to you means a lot to me," she said softly, her fingers stroking his cheek tenderly.

Julian's eyes reflected a mix of emotions, dominated by fear and concern. "You mean a lot to me," he confessed, leaning into her touch with a sigh. Akari's heart skipped a beat at his words, the connection between them deepening in the quiet staircase.

"You mean a lot to me, starlight," Julian breathed out, his hands cupping Akari's cheeks with a gentle urgency. His eyes reflected a profound fear, a vulnerability laid bare. "I can't put you in danger. I cannot have anything happen to you," he confessed, the weight of the situation pressing down on him. In that moment, the mask he wore to shield himself from the world seemed to slip away, revealing the genuine concern etched across his features. The fear of losing her, of entangling her in the perilous threads of his own life, was a burden he couldn't shake off. Akari, sensing the gravity of his emotions, met his gaze with unwavering understanding.

"I knew what I was up against when I decided to help you," Akari spoke with determination, her gaze unwavering. "I knew it was going to be challenging and dangerous," she added, acknowledging the risks that came with entangling herself in Julian's tumultuous world. "I'm not leaving. I'm going to stay right by your side and fight through this. As long as you are here, nothing is going to happen to me," she declared, her voice carrying a resilient assurance. In those words, she not only reassured Julian but also fortified their shared commitment to face the storm together.

"You don't have to do this, you know," Julian said, his eyes reflecting genuine concern. "You could ask me to leave right now, and I would go. Don't feel obligated to help me just because I'm here. If you feel uncomfortable, just ask me to leave," he urged, his words carrying a selfless consideration for Akari's well-being. In that moment, his sincerity shone through, emphasizing the importance he placed on her comfort and safety.

Akari's expression shifted from calm reassurance to a hint of offense. "Do you really think I'd ask you to leave?" she retorted, her tone sharper than she intended. "I'm not here out of obligation, Julian. I'm here because I want to be. I've made my choice, and I'm not abandoning you. So, don't undermine that by suggesting otherwise," she concluded, her eyes holding a steadfast determination.

The weight of their unspoken emotions hung in the air, creating a shared silence that echoed the complexities of their situation. Each absorbed in their thoughts, Julian and Akari found solace in the quiet understanding between them.

"Why?" Julian asked. In response, Akari took a deep breath, her gaze unwavering.

"I do this because you matter to me," she began, sincerity resonating in her words. "This is not just about helping you with the investigation or buying a wall plate at an auction. It's about standing by your side, facing whatever challenges come our way together. You're not alone in this, Julian. We're in this together because you mean a lot to me." Her honesty cut through the uncertainty, laying bare the genuine connection that had formed between them amid the chaos and mysteries surrounding them.

Julian, caught in the intensity of the moment, took a moment before responding. His gaze held a mixture of gratitude and vulnerability.

"I've never had someone stand by me like this," he admitted, his voice carrying the weight of his past struggles.

She nudged Julian playfully and quipped, "Well, consider it a service. A 24/7 bodyguard, investigator, and occasional wall plate bidder – all in one."

Julian couldn't help but crack a smile at her attempt to lighten the mood.

As the shared laughter subsided, Julian's expression shifted to one of sincerity. He looked into Akari's eyes and admitted, "You know, Akari, I would do the same and more for you."

In that moment, beneath the dim glow of the corridor's lights, Julian's gaze held a depth of emotion as he spoke. "Akari, I've carried a crush on you for as long as I can remember, from the first time we crossed paths in Oakland school." His words, wrapped in sincerity, lingered in the quiet space around them. Akari felt a warm flutter in her chest, realizing the depth of his feelings, and the air around them seemed charged with newfound understanding.

"I've always been drawn to you, Akari," he began, his voice a gentle melody in the stillness. "When I left the school, your memory lingered, a constant presence in the back of my mind."

Julian's gaze held a depth of sincerity as he continued, "Then, in university, fate played its hand, and there you were again. The feelings resurfaced, deeper this time. But, Akari, I hesitated. You were so immersed in your studies, and I didn't want to be a distraction. So, I kept my distance, quietly admiring you from afar."

Julian's heartfelt words stirred a mix of emotions in Akari. A warm feeling settled in her chest. "I never knew..." She spoke.

"I know you didn't, I was very good at hiding it," Julian chuckled, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. Akari blushed, and was thankful that it was dark enough to hide it.

As he spoke, the vulnerability in Julian's expression mirrored the unspoken intensity of his emotions. "I thought about you often, wondering how you were, what you were pursuing. I never thought I'd see you again, but when I did, those feelings intensified."

"There were these little things about you, Akari," he confessed, his tone filled with a tender nostalgia. "I loved the way your eyes sparkled when you were passionate about something. The way you absentmindedly played with a strand of your hair when deep in thought—it was endearing. And the little smile that appeared when you were genuinely happy, that was my favorite."

His words painted a vivid picture of the quiet moments he had cherished, the subtle details that had left an indelible mark on his heart. "Even the way you carried yourself, with this quiet strength and grace, it drew me in. Your laughter, the way you crinkled your nose—it was like a melody. These details, Akari, they became a part of my thoughts, my memories."

"And then there were your quirks," he chuckled, the warmth evident in his eyes. "Like the way you'd get lost in a book, completely oblivious to the world around you. Or how you'd hum a tune when you were happy, creating a melody that lingered in my mind. These were the details, Akari, that made you uniquely you."

Akari's surprise was palpable as Julian unfolded the story of his enduring feelings. The revelation left her heart fluttering against her chest, caught off guard by the depth of his emotions. A delicate blush tinted her cheeks, and the shy glint in her eyes betrayed the whirlwind of emotions within. Unable to maintain eye contact, she fiddled nervously with her hands, a subtle gesture of the internal joy and happiness that danced through her.

"Look at me, starlight," Julian whispered, his fingers gently lifting Akari's chin. As their eyes locked, a myriad of emotions swirled between them, a silent dance of connection that whispered more than words ever could. In that moment, the world around them faded, leaving only the warmth of their shared gaze and the gentle flutter of butterflies in Akari's stomach.

"Julian..." Akari spoke, her eyes briefly flickering to his lips. Julian, attuned to the unspoken language between them, leaned forward. Akari, overcome with a sense of happiness and giddiness, reciprocated, drawn by an intense desire to touch and hold him. In that moment, the world around them ceased to exist, a burning desire igniting within Akari, wanting more contact with Julian.

"Akari!" Ha-eun's exclamation of Akari's name cut through the air like a sudden jolt, snapping both Akari and Julian out of the shared moment. The intensity of their connection lingered in the charged atmosphere as they quickly sprang apart. Julian, with a hint of embarrassment, fumbled to put on his mask, while Akari took a moment to catch her breath, her thoughts still tangled from the unexpected closeness.

Ha-eun's widened eyes locked onto Akari and Julian, an undeniable realization dawning on her. Fleur, rushing to catch up, noticed the shift in the atmosphere. As Ha-eun took a couple of steps closer, the unspoken tension between Akari and Julian lingered, wrapped in the awkwardness of the moment.

With a swift motion, Akari silenced Ha-eun's potential outburst, clamping her hand over her best friend's mouth. Fleur, now beside Ha-eun, tried to gauge the situation from their expressions. Ha-eun's muffled gasp hinted at the revelation swirling in her mind.

Akari, looking at Julian, took a deep breath, realizing that the secret was now exposed. She retrieved Julian's mask, pulling it down to hide his identity, but it was too late to erase the shock that had registered on Ha-eun's face. The weight of the revelation hung in the air as Ha-eun, her eyes wide, finally managed to articulate her astonishment.

"Is that... Julian Jones?" Ha-eun's whisper carried a mix of disbelief and awe. Akari, attempting to downplay the situation, gestured for her to keep quiet, but Ha-eun couldn't contain her excitement.

"The secret guy is Julian Jon—" Ha-eun's exclamation was cut off by Akari, who quickly stifled her friend's words. "Shut up!" Akari hissed, her gaze shifting between Ha-eun and Julian, who stood with a sheepish smile, adjusting to the unexpected revelation.

"I think it's time to go home," Fleur announced. "Let me bring my car around,"

"Why is she not shocked?" Ha-eun asked, her curiosity and confusion now directed towards Fleur.

Well.

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So, Ha-eun finally knows! What a roller coaster chapter! 😂 The almost kiss though 👀 Hope you guys are enjoying. Sorry for the constant book cover changing, I just can't decide on one 🥲