V. Taking Chances

“All the things I feel I need to say
I can't explain in any other way
I need to bold
Need to jump in the cold water
Need to grow older with a girl like you”

~I’d Rather Be With You (Joshua Radin) 

(Past)

Seohyun.

I woke up brushing that stupid grin off my face. Somehow in the middle of my waking moment, her voice played in my head when she gave me a name. Last night wasn’t a dream but it felt like one and the feeling was a reason enough for me to feel light and excited.  My enthusiasm was even more heightened when my eyes fell on a familiar fabric on my chair and my mind wandered towards her. I grabbed the receiver and asked the operator to connect me to her suite. Thankfully, she received my call.

“Hello?”

“Good morning, Seohyun-ssi, it’s me…” I smiled when I heard her sleepy voice giggled softly, “I have something here that I believe belongs to you.”

“Hmmm? What? I don’t remember—“

“I’ll describe it for you, damsel…” I suppressed a chuckle as I cleared my throat looking at the object, “It’s white and lacy… hmmm and it may seem too innocent but, thinking of you and it… there’s nothing innocent about that thought.” I heard her laugh, “No? Still cannot remember? Okay, last night I took it off you while kissing your—“

“Fine! Fine!”

She laughed again and I swear I could imagine her flushed red cheeks. I may have gone totally erted but my thoughts are just early in the morning.

“I remember now, thank you for the details…”

She continued softly with a giggle so I decided to push my luck, “Damsel, you’re supposed to say something like ‘I love it when you .’” She laughed again.

“I am going to ignore that. Hmm… okay, it would be awkward to ask someone to bring it to me, isn’t it? Probably wrap it up?”

“I have a better idea.” I sat up with legs crossed in front of me. My day was starting rather wonderfully, “How about if I hold this hostage ‘till you say yes to dinner later?”

“Tonight… hmmm… how about lunch?”

“Don’t try to avoid the dark, damsel,” I said seriously then chuckled when I heard her hmph-ed at me, “Kidding aside, my friends made plans for today so I can only be free tonight.”

“Hmmm….”

“Please say yes, I believe this is your favorite… we don’t want you to lose it,” I was keeping my fingers crossed while attempting to make my voice extra manly as I continued, “Unless you want me to have it, you know, keepsake?”

“Can you please put it down?”

I laughed with her and lifted a brow as if she could see me, “How did you know I was smelling—I mean, holding it?”

“ert.”

“I’m just joking, it’s still on the chair—untouched.”

“Really? Why does it seem so hard to believe?”

“Come over so you’ll see…” Frankly, I had the urge to do just that—get that sinful object and hold it admiringly in my hands but I didn’t want to be that creep.

“Your way of inviting a girl over is something, huh? Okay, I’ll meet you tonight.”

“Yes!” I found myself throwing my fist up in the air. Okay, I was turning into a hormonal teenager.

~~~

We agreed to meet that night in one of the little restaurants outside the resort. She came wearing a black tube dress that fell just a little above her knees giving me a good view of the length of her milky white legs. I gaped admiring the woman in front of me and wondered why she just appeared before me after all these time. I stood and met her by the door and her timid smile made me want to jump on her immediately. She had that effect on me.

Our dinner was almost uneventful since all we did was eat. We talked a bit but they were nothing but casual conversations. I walked her back to her suite and handed her the paper bag that contained her undergarment when we reached the front porch.

“So…” I faced her and brushed my hand on her jaw. She looked at me with eyes hooded and cheeks pink. Carefully, I bended closer and kissed her cheek softy, “This is good night…”

Her lips curved in a shy smile as she nodded then shot a quick glance on the door beside us. However, to my surprise, she sat on the last step of the stairs and patted the space beside her. I sat and watched the sea in front of us.

Despite not knowing her real name or even other essential things about her, I had this feeling that I have always known her. It was like knowing a person all your life despite being with her for barely a week. It may sound sappy but being with her for a couple of days were like having her all my life.

“How long will you be here?”

My thoughts were halted by her gentle voice. I turned to her but she was not looking at me, “Tomorrow evening is our flight back. We’re checking out after lunch.” Finally, she looked at me and I noticed her eyes flashed wider for a moment. Pursing her lips, she looked away again so I asked, “You? Until when will you be here?”

“I’m here for two weeks. Next week is my last.” She looked at me and smiled, “It’s too bad we just met now. Will you see me before you leave?”

Somehow, leaving didn’t feel right.

I