“Stop it!” “I was just saying that—YA! Did you just yell at me?!”   Hyukjae winced slightly, apologizing immediately for shouting at her Heechul-uunie over the phone. “But I told you to quit that topic already.”, she whined while curling up against her pillow. She’s in her room, chatting with Heechul over the phone one fine weeknight. She heard Heechul scoffed. “Oh please Hyukjae, we both know this isn’t new for you. Don’t make me laugh.” “But it is! Okay I admit I did it occasionally back then but it’s a whole lot different now! I’m a girl, I’m on the receiving end.” The last sentence was uttered in a very low voice, and Hyukjae blushed just by thinking about it. She didn’t even know why they’re talking about this. “All the more reason you should listen to me! I’ll tell you everything you need to know, every position that will satisfy you and your partner—“ “Unnie!”, Hyukjae shook her head, getting rid of the unwanted thoughts Heechul kept on poking through her. “But Hyukjae, you guys are a couple! I’m pretty sure Donghae’s thinking about it at this very moment.” “I’m pretty sure he’s not, Donghae is different I’m telling you.” “And how can you attest to that?” “Unnie, we’re talking about the guy who keeps a list of the things he wants to do with his girlfriend.” “Yes, and what makes you so sure there’s nothing like ‘sleeping with her’ or ‘making love with her’ or ‘getting down and dirty with her’ in that list, huh?” “Well probably there’ll be but it would come hundreds of numbers after the essentials like ‘watching the sunset together’ and ‘kiss in the rain.’” “Hyukjae, are you hearing yourself? You should be frustrated that you’re boyfriend wants this cheesy things more than your body!” Hyukjae bit her lip, stopping herself from yelling back at Heechul once again. She settled for a soft “I like cheesy things.” Unlike her relationships back then, which mostly revolves around material things and bedroom activities, Hyukjae wanted this thing she has with Donghae completely different. Because Donghae’s different himself.   Well of course besides the obvious fact that Donghae is a boy, Hyukjae’s not planning to rush on anything. She believed they have all the time in the world, and that they will last forever. It’s overly too cheesy and so unlike her but this is how Donghae makes her feel. This is how deeply inlove she is.   She heard a soft sigh on the other line, and as she was about to ask what’s wrong, Heechul spoke. “You’re really happy now, aren’t you?” Now that’s a question she could answer confidently. “I could never be happier.”, she said with a smile on her face. “You’ll be happier if you get laid! But okay, okay. I’m glad you’re happy Hyukjae, finally.” It’s odd because Hyukjae could actually picture Heechul smiling genuinely for her, odder that the wicked blonde possessed such emotions but Hyukjae knew her for so long that she believed she’s being truthful. Heechul’s one of her oldest friends, one that had been with her and witnessed her life, that if there’s one person who could testify that now’s the happiest point Hyukjae had ever been, it’s her, Heechul.   “Thank you unnie.”, she said, because it pretty much summed up everything. “Psh. Don’t go mushy on me now, brat.”, Heechul answered and she laughed. “I have to go now though, Donghae’s calling in a minute.”, she told the other, glancing at the clock on her nightstand indicating that it’s almost the time when Donghae usually calls. Heechul snorted, saying she’s beginning to ignore her now that she has a boyfriend but wished her good night anyway. Hyukjae chuckled and said goodbye.   No one can see her but she’s embarrassed to herself to admit she’s counting the minutes till her phone rings. When she reached number 203, her ringtone reverberated around the room and a wide grin appeared on her face.   It’s nothing really, her boyfriend’s just calling her, but Hyukjae just recently realized that the it’s the little things that actually mean a lot.   The talk went like the usual, there’s nothing much to talk about their day since they’ve been together, so they update each other with what they’re doing as of that moment, like lying on their bed, looking at the ceiling, talking to the person they could never live without..   Hyukjae’s voice was calm but she had already thrown two of her pillows across the room.   “Oh and by the way Hyukkie..”, Hyukjae bit her lip to stop the -eating grin. Somehow she’s still not used to Donghae calling her her nickname, it still brought shivers and more butterflies. “Mom and Yoona will be away this weekend to attend a cousin’s wedding. I wonder if you could.. you know.. come over and.. stay for the night?”   Now that caught Hyukjae completely off-guard. Did she hear Donghae right?
  “Well of course I’m not forcing you too, it’s just that there are some things I want to try out but it’s not that necessary and if you have other things in mind or you have something to do this weekend I understand and—“ “Donghae.” “Y-yeah?” “Shut up and give me a moment.” “Oh.. O-okay.”   Hyukjae should be blocking all of these wayward thoughts but she couldn’t help it, especially that she could imagine a little Heechul complete with horns and red bat wings urging her to think about it more. Okay maybe she’s overreacting, this is Donghae she’s talking to, he must have just set up a romantic dinner for the both of them for all she knew. Hyuukjae’s pretty sure it’s on the list, and them being alone for that weekend was just coincidental. Or Donghae saw it as a perfect opportunity to have the house all to themselves.. for the romantic dinner. Dinner and maybe some late night snuggling while watching DVDs. Yes, typical cheesy stuff for cheesy Donghae. She shouldn’t be thinking too much.   “Okay.” “H-huh?”, his voice was full of uncertainty and Hyukjae felt a little sorry because Donghae must have been nervous and confused. She blamed herself for being too paranoid. “This weekend. I.. I’m in.”, she informed and it was a little silent for a few seconds before she heard a sigh. “Thank you, Hyukkie.”   Lacking for things to throw since all her pillows were already on the floor, Hyukjae kicked her comforter and clamped a hand on to muffle a squeal.   -   “I’m staying over at Donghae’s place tonight.”, Hyukjae informed that weekend morning.   Lee Won Jun, her father, looked up from his breakfast. He quirked an eyebrow. “Donghae, the scholar, the one who took me in—“ “Yes I know him, Lee Donghae right? The one you were with when I saw you.” “Yes.” “And the one who came with you when we had that conversation back home.” “Yes.” “And the one who helped you move in here.” “Yep.” “And the one you had as your cellphone wallpaper?” “Yep.”, Hyukjae nodded while munching on her egg rolls then widened her eyes as realization hit her. “Hey, how did you know that?!”   Her father chuckled, which, Hyukjae admitted, to be very relaxing to hear since now they can laugh around each other. She’s still yet to call him dad, but they’re definitely taking this ‘building their relationship’ seriously they could actually talk without getting awkward anymore, joked around a little, and pushing their luck some more, they learned to tease each other. Just like now.   “I didn’t. I was just catching you but it turned out I’m right.”, her father uttered and Hyukjae pursed her lips, reminding herself to think twice before answering next time. “Donghae and you getting pretty serious?”, Lee Won Jun asked as he took his cup and sipped on his coffee. Hyukjae froze for a moment, a little uncertain if she should answer the question honestly. Her father gave her the impression that she could keep shut, and that he’ll respect her if she wouldn’t supply an answer. But what Hyukjae has with Donghae, is the most beautiful thing she ever had for God knows how long. It’s something she wanted to boast for the world to see, flaunt to anyone’s who’s listening, and she felt bad keeping it a secret to the other important man in her life. ‘   She gulped, taking a few deep breaths before facing her father. “I.. really, really like this guy. And when I picture my future, I see him with me. I have no plans on getting him out of my life just yet.”, she confessed, unable to meet her father’s gaze as she blushed, teeth nibbling her bottom lip. “I don’t think you have any plans to get rid of him ever.” She looked up and saw the soft smile on her father’s lips while he spreads a strawberry jam on his toast. He raised his gaze too, meeting Hyukjae’s and she saw the look of understanding. Hyukjae smiled back coyly.   “About this.. curse.”, her father started suddenly and the redhead stay stilled on her seat. “You told me it’ll be lifted once you find your true love, right?” She nodded, somehow guessing where the conversation was heading to. “Is Donghae..” “It doesn’t matter.”, Hyukjae cut her father off, speaking the same answer she had given Heechul and Yoona, and all others that would ever question what she and Donghae have in the future. “I don’t know what’s the witch’s definition of true love is, don’t know why she hasn’t appeared before me yet. To be honest I’m not really sure what’s taking her so long but it doesn’t matter. I’m with Donghae now and I am happy, whether she shows up or not, whether she thinks Donghae is not my true love or he is, it doesn’t matter. I’m with Donghae and he’s the only one I want to be with, cursed or not.”   Her father nodded, and Hyukjae thought even if he contradicts she’ll be firm with her answer. It’s true that the curse is the least of her worries now, Donghae will accept her whatever, whoever she is anyway. It’s them that only matter, she and Donghae.   “You know about this witch.. I have reliable sources and contacts to help and I can.. search for her if you know what I mean.”, her father suggested, Hyukjae comprehending his intention to help her look for the witch in case she never show up and she smiled. She shook her head though. “I don’t have anything against her now. In fact I think I should be thanking her. She made me like this, and that’s how I met Donghae. I met awesome people, got rid of fake friends, be a person of real worth, feel emotions I never thought I have the capacity to feel. And it, in some ways, led me to you too. It’s beyond crazy, this magic, curse and all of this, but I am happy and contented. Sometimes I think it’s not a curse at all, but a.. gift.”   The man nodded, the smiles on their faces were real. Lee Won Jun passed the sandwich he just made for Hyukjae, and the girl poured more cream on his coffee. It’s a pretty quiet morning and maybe they could share another conversation or two, but somehow they both liked the steady growth of their relationship. Maybe one day Hyukjae will learn to whine for her dad to buy her some things, or Lee Won Jun would threaten Donghae that he’ll beat him up if he dared to hurt his little girl, but for now they could say they’re happy being like this. Like friends.   Her father’s just one of the many beautiful presents Hyukjae received. Mentally she thanked the witch wherever she was, and state a silent heartfelt apology for messing up with her life back when she’s Eunhyuk.   Hyukjae’s happ