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An uproar circulates around town. An accident just occurred at the business center. A bus and a truck rammed together damaging a couple of cars by the nearby mall's parking area. Police officers contain the situation accordingly. A couple of by-standers are also injured based on hearsays.

It worries Seunghee. Jeonghan has been in that mall for a while now and he's supposed to be coming back any moment. But because she's concerned, she thinks that it's taking him too long. She thinks twice and thinks again, feeling really disturbed and agitated. Then she decides to go out and check on him herself. He better be okay, she tells herself.

She walks down the street calmly at first. She's still a little mad at him but she thinks otherwise. Maybe she's going over the top. She's being unfair. She better trust him even more. He says he will not do it again right? And besides, it's inevitable. Someday, in some way, she'll definitely give in to him. She knows because she loves him. But right now, she's just not ready.

Anger thrown aside, she feels really anxious now. Jun's accident was enough. He better not be involved in that accident. She might breakdown if something serious has happened to him. She's almost running now, not really looking forward. All she cares about is to see him well and safe.

Not thinking straight, she bumps into someone. The impact has made her fall into the ground, scratching her hand. The person she clashes into is holding some groceries but still standing on his feet.

"Seunghee, are you alright? Why were you running?" he says putting down what he's holding and reaching out his hand to her.

It's Jeonghan. Seunghee looks up to him teary-eyed. She's so relieved. She's so thankful, she feels like kissing him but she bolts up fast and hugs him tightly instead. Jeonghan is surprised of her sudden gesture.

"I was so worried about you. Thank goodness you're okay," she exclaims.

"Why? What happened?" he is clueless as to why she's acting this way.

She faces him and tells him, "There was an accident at the center earlier. I was anxious you got caught up in it. You are so late coming back so I felt really worried. I almost died of heart attack. Why are you so late anyway?"

"I was looking for this cucumber and it was out of stock at the mart so I went to other stores. Why don't you come with me next time? It's such a hassle searching for these stuffs," he answers so casually, smiling at her.

She wipes her tears and stares tenderly at him.

"I was at the other mall when the accident happened at the center. It was a mess, a couple of cars were caught in it and a couple of bystanders were injured too. Though it's been contained by the authorities now."

"Why didn't you even call me? I was worried sick." she pouts at him.

"You were mad at me right? I thought you wouldn't take my call. And why didn't you call me, instead of running straight to the scene? It's chaotic there right now," he tells her.

She frowns at him. She never thought of calling him.

"Let's just go home," she walks away trying to hide her embarrassment.

He chuckles at her. She's even harder to contain than the commotion that occurred at the center. But it's nice to know that she's not mad anymore. He's concerned they won't be able to enjoy their stay because of her mood.

He follows her and puts his arm around her shoulders.

"What do you want to do later huh?" he asks.

She gives in and answers him, "I just wanna be with you. I'm sorry for the other days by the way."

He only smiles at her, "It's okay. Though it would be nice if we make up for the lost time tonight."

"And just want do you have in mind?"

Seunghee can see the mischievousness in his eyes again. He gives her a peck on the forehead.

"Just cuddling and nuzzling and..."

"We have to go to your parents. Did you even tell them you're in town?" she cuts him off intentionally.

"That I haven't done."

"Aren't you even excited to see them? Or your younger sister perhaps?"

She continues nagging at him that he just shuts up and lets her. She can be really chatty at times. But he's just relieved that they're finally okay now as they continue to walk back home.

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Seunghee has been feeling guilty for a while. She watches Jeonghan thoroughly since they arrived at home and she just can't get the feeling off her chest. She loves him, more than anyone in this world but she can't give him everything he asks of her. Just how do you justify that? It's not a way to prove or measure anything, but still, if the person you love is hurting because of you, how can you say you really love him enough. These thoughts have been circling inside her head since the thought of losing him came about. She wants to do something for him. She needs to.

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It's 6PM and they both decide to visit Jeonghan's parents early the next morning. The lovers are sitting together, closely cuddling at the family room, watching their favorite animé shows.

"Hey, do you want anything?" Seunghee asks playing with his hair, curling them on her forefinger.

Jeonghan is all eyes on the television set though, "What kind of thing are we talking about?"

"Anything that comes to your mind."

He turns to her now, "On what level do you permit me to?"

"On the highest level?"

He goes back to watching, disregarding her, "Maybe some other time. You won't be able to grant my wish right now anyways."

"Try me."

She's being pushy. She wants to carry this out. She has finally decided to give him everything. But Jeonghan doesn't bite it. He won't jump into conclusions again. He'll wait for the right time and place for his fantasies to be realized. He touches her chin and smiles.

"I'm okay. I don't want anything. I just want to be with you right here and now. That's all I want."

Seunghee pouts at him. Just when she's the one approaching him, he rejects her. Seunghee bolts up and walks away, annoyed.

"I'll just take a shower."

"Just don't be dangerously comely or I might have other ideas again. I don't want you ignoring me for the next couple of days again," Jeonghan exclaims.

She snubs him and goes inside her bedroom.

Jeonghan leans his head over the headrest and gives off a heavy sigh after she's gone, "Just what are you doing to me?" he tells himself and groans.

His inner calm is barely holding up and if she continues teasing him, he might just go home simply to avoid her. Though he doesn't really want to do that. He brushes the thoughts away and continues to concentrate on watching. 

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"Jeonghan-ah!" Seunghee calls from inside the room. "Can you help me with my dress?"

"I'll be right there!" he replies.

Jeonghan stirs away from the TV and paces his way to the room, mindlessly thinking of what's awaiting him.

He steps into the room's open door and witnesses a mind-blowing sight.

"I can't reach the zipper. I think it's stuck," she says.

Seunghee is facing the mirrors with her back to the door, wearing a halter black dress, which is unexpectedly unzipped. The zipper goes way down from her waist line up to just below her nape. Her back's soft, smooth skin is on display together with her lacey blue bra.

Jeonghan is inarguably stunned by the view. This is probably too much for him. What's the use of calculatingly restraining himself when a scene like this pops out of nowhere? Or is she doing this intentionally? Damn! He's going out of his mind. She's too hard to figure out.

Brushing all thoughts aside, he obliges and walks over her calmly.

"Just pull the zipper up," she instructs.

Jeonghan's hands just moves on its own. He's so caught up in the moment that all he wants to do is feel the small of her back as he slowly zips the dress up. And maybe zip it down again later. His thoughts are rampaging.

Seunghee is watching his reflection on the mirror. She tries to read him and feeling the touch of his fingers running up her spine as he zips the dress up, she's sure he has no other thought in mind. She's still a little nervous about it, but this time, she will offer herself to him, entirely. She just hopes she won't back down later.

After zipping the dress up, Jeonghan can still find himself composed. He doesn't want to make another blunder. He gave her his word. He will wait. So he clears out his mind and is ready to go back outside.

"Next time, don't wear anything with a zipper. It's troublesome."

But as he turns away, he suddenly feels a pair of soft arms tightly wrapped around his waist from the behind. He's speechless.

"Don't go, Jeonghan-ah."

Her face is resting closely on his back, along with her body.

He tries to keep his heart from skipping a beat with this bold gesture from her. Loving her is simply the best thing, but the hardest thing too.

But next to that, she utters words he never thought he's gonna hear this soon, "I don't ever wanna lose you to anything or anyone. And much more feel regret for having hurt you more than anything else. This morning's accident made me realize again how much you mean to me. And I'm never taking you for granted ever again. I'm sorry for being mad at you when you only wanted to let me feel how much you love me. Can you let me make it up to you now?"

This time, his manliness explodes. But he tries to contain his surging desires by loosening up her hold on him and facing her, gripping her shoulders gently and asking her.

"Are you high? Is it crystal clear to you, what you're talking about?" he tries to crack a joke to lessen the tension he's feeling.

"I've never been sure my whole life," she says firmly.

"Are you really willing to bare your all infront of me? You said we should talk about these things."

"That's why we're talking."

"Do you really want to do this? Now? Here in your room?"

"I said I'm ready now. Why don't you wanna believe me?" she's getting impatient and irritated.

"Because I don't want you make decisions just for the sake of soothing me."

Seunghee can't understand him. Why is he raising all these questions and argument right now?

"Do you know how hard this is for me? Are you rejecting me?"

"No, it's not like that... I'm glad. Really glad. It's just that..."

He can't find the right words to say. He's just worried that he might scare her away once he starts. Because he won't possibly be able to stop.

"It's just that I've been waiting for this all this time. I just can't believe you're granting me this one wish."

"I shall be able to grant any wish you want because I love you beyond any limits. That's why I'm starting now."

He's dying of happiness. He's staring into her eyes, feeling absolute joy. Waiting is good, but now that she wants it, it's even better.

The nerve-wracking situation is too much for Seunghee to bear that she just wants it end. So without a word, she shoves her head and crashes her lips with his, nervously but aggressively.

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To be continued...

(16.03.22)