Dedicated to everyone who didn't expect an update tonight. :) 

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B Y U N   B A E K H Y U N 

Okay. I didn't expect that. 

"Chanyeol?" I repeated just to be sure. 

Mrs. Park nodded, a string of blonde hair falling over her right eye. She brushed it off with a gentle flick of her hand. "But may I ask, why are you suddenly out of his room?" She glanced to where I came from and I followed her gaze half-expecting Chanyeol to be there. 

"I would just want to ask for some ointment for his wounds." I explained and her eyes widened a bit. "They're not serious, no stitches needed. But they are wounds, so..." I trailed off, watching her expression turn from nervousness to understanding. She watches me with her piercing grey eyes and I don't know what to feel. Should I be uncomfortable? 

Mrs. Park turned on her heel, her night dress swaying as she moves. "Let me help you with that, then," she says as she gave me a smile. "Follow me." And I did. We slowly walked down the glass staircase and I can't help but admire the whole structure again. Everything is just so clear and transparent. It seems like the whole house itself stands with no walls at all. 

"You have a wonderful home, Mrs. Park," I can't help saying. It's the truth and I have to point it out because it's too obvious. I could hear a distant melody and I soon realized it's from a giant glass stereo at the living room. 

Mrs. Park let out a small laugh. "Call me Cynthia." she said. "That's my name. We don't want us to be awkwardly formal, do we? And thank you, Baekhyun. Chanyeol's late mother designed some of this place." She turned her head as she waited for me at the foot of the stairs. When I reached her, we started waking towards the back of the house. I assume we're heading to the kitchens. 

"I'm sorry," I said upon her mentioning Chanyeol's real Mom. "I didn't mean to..." 

"No." Cynthia said, waving me off. "I take no offense. I respect Chanyeol's Mother as much as I respect Chanyeol's personal decisions." With her last statement, she gave me a long look. When I can't take her stare already, I looked down. 

We walked along a hallway with numerous doors and the smell of meat filling my nose. We entered a room to the left and there's a small cupboard at the rear wall. The room is filled with medical supplies and Cynthia walked over a cabinet and she pulled a drawer open to retrieve some cotton and bandage. 

"You're here because my husband is not around," Cynthia started, her back to me. She's still rummaging into the drawer and I continued to watch her back. "He would surely get mad and he would probably kick Chanyeol out of the house. My husband is a disciplinarian, you know. She has his own rules, own beliefs." She pulled a cylindrical plastic container out of the drawer before pushing it close. Cynthia then turned to me and she rested her back on the cabinet, sighing. 

"Chanyeol was only six when I married his Father." she said, her eyes drifting off to some memory. "I watched him and Sandara grow up, I witnessed most of their lives. I was only able to get pregnant four years ago and I thought I was barren until then. I treated them like my own children and I love them really deeply."

Such confession is not what I expected from her. She doesn't look like the kind of person who would open up to someone she just met. I don't really know what to say so I kept quite and tried to listen more. 

Cynthia sighed again. "They are growing up too fast," she said as she smiles, looking back at me. "You guys are growing up too fast and I'm totally blown away. My stepson is goal-oriented, composed, calm..." then her smile widened a bit. "And then you came." 

I swallowed because I am expecting that her next words would be about me and Chanyeol breaking up. But hey. We just made up. Are we facing another unbeatable wall here? 

"He cares about you, Baekhyun," she said in a very gentle voice and her eyes started to soften with what seems like tears. "I had never saw him think and care about anyone like that. I had never saw him look at someone like he does with you. I can feel him bursting with so much love and faith in you and I don't know what to feel anymore." she looked down, sighing again. "I am afraid for him and for you. I am afraid that in the future, you might not be able to stand what's awaiting your forbidden relationship." 

Her eyes found mine and I can feel her searching for answers. "Love is beautiful, isn't it?" she whispered. "But sometimes, it comes with so much pain and torture and you bleed from it but you wouldn't care. Because... you love. And then again, it's beautiful." 

I swallowed the heavy lump on my throat. I suddenly feel her faith in us pushing me down to earth. It's heavy and I feel utterly responsible for what's to come. Chanyeol's stepmother is trying to warn us, but I can feel her belief that we could somehow get through everything. 

"I love him," I muttered and my voice sounded too firm even for me. "I know this thing isn't easy. At all. I had second thoughts, I admit. But I will look at him in the eyes and I will know nothing else." 

Cynthia paused, listening to my words. She slowly stepped towards me and she gently took my hand, placing the first aid kit on my palm. "Go ahead," she smiled. "He needs you." 

I looked up at her. "Thank you," I whispered and we both know I am thanking her for more than the medicine kit Chanyeol needs. "You may never know how much but... Thank you, Cynthia." 

"Chanyeol said you're a wonderful person," she said as she gazes at my face. "I can see that now." 

Chanyeol lies on the bed without any shirt on and I sat beside him, my legs crossed under me. I am wearing a new pair of satin pajamas Cynthia gave me. I feel fresh after shower and really, really at home, which is weird and lovely. The music in Chanyeol's room is loud with Western songs and I can't understand some of their words. It's chaotic. 

"What took you so long?" Chanyeol asked as he watches me. 

I dabbed white ointment to his wounds, on his chest and abdomen. Chanyeol flinches every time my fingers brushed against his flesh. "Cynthia and I went for a talk." I admitted, glancing fast at him. 

Chanyeol raises his brow. "You call her by her first name," he said. "Why is that?" 

"She asked me to." I shrugged. 

"Wow." Chanyeol breathed and he's now watching me with amazement flashing in his eyes. "Only her close friends call her by that." 

I can't help but feel flattered so I gave him a big smile. "You got a really, really adorable guy here so it's really no surprise," I teased, giggling. 

Chanyeol laughed, shaking his head. "Adorable and proud." 

I pressed a finger on the last bare wound on his tummy and he yelped in pain. That sent me laughing as Chanyeol glared at me. It's no use though, he doesn't look angry at all. He's really undeniably... handsome. 

I moved over and trailed my finger over a wound on his cheek, putting ointment on it. Chanyeol sighed and he closed his eyes, his lips curving into a smile. "You know I would fight for you, right?" he whispered, his hand resting on my thigh. "So don't be afraid." 

I smiled though he can't see my face. "That's really sweet, Chanyeol," I whispered. "I promise to be right here, too. Always." 

Chanyeol's smile faded and he clutched on my thigh real tight now. "Don't break that promise," he muttered and his voice is suddenly shaky. "I can't bear if you'll break that, Baek." 

My hand held his face gently and I slowly leaned down and planted a soft kiss on his lips. "Not anymore," I breathed. "Not ever." 

I felt his hand on my cheek and he slowly brushes my hair away from my face. "I believe you." 

"You must." I said and we both grinned. 

That night, we slept in each other's arms and I never felt such safety and assurance in my entire life. 

Love is beautiful. It really is. 

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Thank you for reading! Good night loves~ 

Godbless! Pray hard. ;)