Kang Yeosang

"Seonghwa! You're here!"

As we hop off Seonghwa's car, his grandmother jogged towards us and embraced him tightly. Seonghwa smiled and returned the hug. When they pulled out, his grandmother averted his gaze away from her grandson to my eyes.

"Oh! You must be Seonghwa's fiancé!" She exclaimed then tackled me into a hug this time. I was surprised at first but I awkwardly smiled at her.

"Hehet, that's right ma'am."

Facepalm. God, this is so embarrassing.

"Honey, don't call me ma'am. You are going to be my grandson-in-law. Call me Granny." She giggled and I nodded at her statement, "Oh, come in, come in." She motioned us to enter the house.

I looked at my surroundings. The inside of the house was pretty neat and organized. Vintage paintings were hanging on the wall and vases with green plants were displayed. The house isn't big but not small either, it was the perfect size for them.

"Have you guys eaten dinner?" Seonghwa's grandfather asked this time, readying the dining table with his wife.

Seonghwa shook his head, "Not yet, Grandpa. We just came from school." He answered while pulling the chair backwards and motioned me to sit on the wooden chair.

"Thank you." I mumbled under my breath and let out a small smile.

Seonghwa nodded and took a seat beside me. I diverted my gaze to Seonghwa's grandmother, who was smirking and wiggling her eyebrows at the action Seonghwa made.

"How adorable." His grandmother cooed, "I can't wait for your wedding!" She added in excitement and I awkwardly laughed at her words.

"I want to have grandchildren." Seonghwa's grandfather said all of a sudden. I swallowed greedily, feeling a wave of anxiety. As if the way Seonghwa's grandfather didn't bother or mind my presence.

"I'm sorry." I bowed my head with a frown. I must not passed his vibe check.

He looked up to me with his lips pursed, "It's nothing. I personally think you're way better than Lia. You're polite and a little timid and I like that. Unlike your sister, I didn't like her since the first I saw her—"

"Grandfather!" Seonghwa gripped the knife with his gaze abruptly turned into a glare. "Your opinion is not needed in this table." He said with gritted teeth, still balling his fist in annoyance.

His grandfather shrugged and continued to eat. Seonghwa's grandmother bit her lip in embarrassment, "Don't mind him, he didn't take his pills yet." She apologized on behalf of her husband while the man beside her just rolled his eyes.

I reassured her, "It's okay."

After a few moments, we finished our food quietly. None of us even spoke a word during the dinner which was slightly awkward.

It was a relief that Seonghwa's grandparents accepted me despite being Lia's brother. But I didn't like the fact that Seonghwa's grandfather disrespected Lia a while ago. It was weird. Lia is sweet and a nice girl. I wonder if she acted differently to other people.

"Oh, let me show you your room." Seonghwa's grandmother stood up and instructed us to follow her upstairs. Seonghwa and I immediately complied, leaving his grandfather on the table.

"Here it is! I cleaned it for you, kids." She opened the door and invited us in.

It was indeed clean. White tiles and dark blue walls with pictures hanging. There's a queen-sized bed, perfect for two persons. A huge walk in closet beside the bed and a nightstand on the other.

Seonghwa faced his grandmother, "Grandma, don't you have a guest room?" He asked as he dropped our bags down to the floor.

She furrowed her eyebrows in confusion, "No, honey. Our guest room is filled with lots of junk. Basically, I made it into a storage room. Besides, why do you need a guest room for when both of you could just sleep here." She told him while pointing the bed in front of us.

"Alright, Ma." Seonghwa forced a smile.

"I must leave you two alone now. I'll go now to clean the dishes." She informed and was about to leave when she paused her pace to look at me, "Oh and Yeosang? Please feel comfortable in this house. Don't hesitate to ask me if you meed something." She gave a sweet smile before leaving the room.

The moment his grandmother left the room, I spotted Seonghwa sitting on the floor while unzipping his bag that is contained with clothes.

"I'll sleep on the floor." Seonghwa muttered loud enough for me to hear and stood up to walk to the bathroom, probably will take a shower.

"N-No, Seonghwa. I'll be the one to sleep on the floor." I tried to insist.

"Nonsense." He deadpanned, "You're a guest, it will be rude of me to let you sleep on the floor." He said before shutting the bathroom door closed.

I sighed in defeat, sitting down the bed. I looked at the blue sheets and rubbed it gracefully.

"It will be better if you and I could sleep in this bed together."

—

It is twelve midnight and I am still wide awake. Laying on the bed with blankets wrapped around my body. I don't know if it's the new environment surround me or Seonghwa's presence in this room, which could probably be the reason why I couldn't sleep.

I turned my body to the side to look at Seonghwa. The room was pitched black so I couldn't see his figure clearly.

I sighed inaudibly as I tried closing my eyes and attempt to sleep, but a hasty growl was heard inside the room, and it is coming from Seonghwa.

I took a glimpse to see what he was doing. He stood up and walked to the balcony.

I didn't hesitate to follow him, so I stood up and as well walked to where he was standing. Seonghwa was looking at the stars up in the night sky.

Seonghwa must have noticed my presence so he spoke, "Have you ever made a wish on a star?"

I was taken aback by his sudden question but I responded softly, "Yes."

He fixed his gaze on me, "Really? Did it come true?" He asked before looking back to the stars.

I rest my hands on the fence on the balcony.

Yes. Marrying you was my wish, but not the way I wanted it.

"Let's just say I need to be careful on what I should wish for." I forced out a smile.

"You regretted it?"

"I don't know." I shrugged, "How about you? Have you made a wish?" I asked him this time.

"Oh yes, I did." He smiled.

"May I ask what is it?"

Seonghwa let out a throaty laugh, way too forced. I could see a set of tears visible in his eyes.

"I wish to marry my soulmate, but now even fate doesn't want me to marry her. The stars probably took her away from me."

Listening to him made my heart froze on the spot. I have come to realize that if I didn't make that wish, this wouldn't happen. I've realized that I am the reason for this mess. Lia's death, Seonghwa's heartache and depression, this arranged marriage, all of the things happening to us.

I wonder what would happen if I didn't make that wish. The wish that changed our lives.

I heard Seonghwa bursting out his tears. To my surprise, it was the first time I saw him cry. Seonghwa covered his face using his left hand to cover his tears.

"Hwa..." I mumbled his name and didn't hesitate and have the courage to hug him.

I caressed his back and gently pulled his head on my shoulder for him to cry on while mumbling the words, "it's okay, Hwa. I am here."

Seonghwa cried harder and I let him snuggle into my neck. I continued to rub his back to comfort him. I tried my best to focus on him instead of my heart that is insanely beating fast.

Seonghwa pulled out from the hug and looked at me with those teary but beautiful eyes. "I just miss her so much."

"I do too, Hwa," I responded with assurance. "Now, don't cry. I don't want to see you cry. I want to see the happy Seonghwa that I used to see at school."

Seonghwa rubbed his tears away. "It is just hard for me to move on from her."

"I know, Hwa. I understand." I took a step backward, "It's late. You're probably tired. We should sleep now."

Seonghwa nodded in agreement and we walked into our room.

I was about to tuck myself in bed when Seonghwa just stood there looking at me as if he was about to say something.

"I know this sounds gay and childish, but can I sleep next to you?"

I couldn't help but giggle, "You aren't comfortable with the floor, are you?" I teased him but he rubbed his nape in embarrassment.

I scoot to the left for some space available for him. He lied down beside me and I suddenly inhaled sharply. I unknowingly grinned at the moment we are in. I could already feel my heart fluttering.

A few moments later, I heard a light snore coming from Seonghwa. I figured he is already sleeping, so I scoot closer to admire his face even though it was dark.

Unexpectedly, he unconsciously flung his arm around my body and pulled my closer to him. Our faces are just a mere inches away. Still shocked but smiled in the end. I brushed a few strands of his hair away from his eyes, and before closing my eyes, I said:

"Lia may not be here to make you happy, but I'll make sure that we will create the best moments of your life."

--

sorry for not updating for the past week. ive been busy with school 😀🔪

anyway since it's my birthday on (03/19) here's a gift from me! omg im seventeen right now i cant believe im getting old!!