Chapter 8 : Breakfast

Naeun's eyes fluttered open to a glorious sight.

Frankly, Kim Myungsoo couldn't be even more godlike… or so she thought.

He slept across her; near the edge of the bed, a large space in between them like no man's land.

“I'm sure loads of girls would kill to be in my position right now.” She whispered to herself.

Myungsoo began to stir slightly but went back to sleep. He sneezed and rubbed his nose unconsciously and Naeun couldn't help but smile at the scene.

Cute. She thought before shaking her head and getting off the bed

She showered quickly then dressed in the clothes she wore yesterday. Seeing Myungsoo's puffy eye bags sent a pang of guilt through her.

He must have stayed up until she fell asleep.

Suddenly having a light bulb moment, she surveyed the kitchen; opening cupboards and the fridge. There were Polaroids stuck on the fridge; one of them was a picture of Eunji pinching Hoya's cheeks, the latter looking annoyed with being treated like a five year old. The word ‘Lovebirds’ were scribbled at the bottom in red marker.

“So Myungsoo ships them too…” Naeun laughed to herself.

She mentally planned her breakfast extravaganza in her head before getting down to business. Whipping out a frying pan, she cooked some bacon and a vegetable omelette before toasting slices of baguettes and washing some fruit. She was cutting fruit on a bamboo chopping board when a voice interrupted her.

“What are you doing?”

She flinched in surprise, cutting her finger in the process.

“Ow.”

She didn't know when Myungsoo got so close to her but as she was washing the wound he held her wrist and even bandaged it softly after with such concentration that it made her blush.

He was dishevelled and groggy but...

Damn he looked good even when he was serious!

“What are you doing?” He asked again, his right eyebrow arching up curiously.

“I made breakfast.” She pointed to the set up on the balcony.

“You didn't have to.”

“I wanted to.”

He sighed before turning to her.

“At least be careful.”

“You scared me!” She protested.

“I'm sorry for surprising you. Now sit down and rest.” He abruptly demanded, pointing to the living room.

“I cut my finger, Myungsoo. It's not like I got hit by a bus.” Naeun scoffed.

“You're an art teacher Naeun ah, you can't paint or sketch if you hurt your fingers.” He tutted.

“Stop treating me like a child.”

“Stop acting like a child.”

“Eunji was right… You are arrogant…” She muttered under her breath.

“What did you say…”

“Nothing!” She scurried off to finish setting the table.

When they finally sat down on the table, Paris was already in full swing with traffic and the morning sun greeting them happily.

He cleared his throat.

“Thank you… you didn't have to prepare so much.”

“It was the least I could do. I hope you didn't mind that I totally raided your kitchen.”

“It's actually been awhile since I ate anything home cooked.” He chuckled whilst rubbing the back of his neck shyly.

She waited on edge until he finally took the first bite. He didn't seem to notice a very tense looking Naeun staring at him.

“It's good.” His head nodded in satisfaction.

“Really?”

“Really. Please eat some.”

They then had breakfast in friendly chatter with a very relaxed atmosphere.

When Naeun's memory flitted back to the Polaroid picture she couldn't help but let out a small smile. Myungsoo saw it clearly.

“What?”

“Nothing.” Naeun shook her head, still smiling.

“What is it?” He asked with a more demanding tone.

“I was just thinking… How is it that our friends haven't hooked up yet?”

“Well that's easy… they're both stubborn idiots.”

“But seriously… all the drives me insane.” Naeun said, exasperated at the thought of Hoya and Eunji's longing stares.

“How do you think I feel? I go to school with those two!”

“We should just lock them up in a room…” She muttered.

“Are you suggesting we play matchmaker?” He asked mischievously.

“Partners in crime?” Naeun held out her hand at him.

“This is going to be fun.” He gladly shook her hand.

“Considering that they set us up…”

“I'm glad they did… I found out the name if that pretty girl I bumped into that Sunday morning… What a lovely morning that was…” He hummed.

“Don't pretend like you actually went on that blind date to find someone.”

“What if I did?”
“Come on… You're rich, smart, good looking…”
“I'm great looking.” He corrected her and she merely rolled her eyes.

“Surely you have a hoard of girls ready to throw themselves at you.”

“But none exceed my expectations.” He tutted.

“And I did?” She laughed. He was enjoying this conversation too much.

“Don't you think you are pretty, Naeun ah?”

“Nope… I've seen prettier girls.” She said blankly.

“I haven't.” He flashed her a charming smile.

“You're terribly good at complimenting.” She scoffed at his attempt at flirting with her.

“It's a habit one picks up after being surrounded by beauty for awhile … And even though I've only known such beauty for a short time… the glaringly exquisite shine doesn't diminish. It seems to only blind me day by day.”

“So you use poetry to pick up girls?” Naeun guffawed loudly. Eunji would probably reprimand her for her rudeness by now.

“Occasionally.”

“What terrible luck I have to have stumbled upon a man with such a ghastly talent.”

He smiled.

“If Shakespeare can do it, so can I.”

She rolled her eyes at him. Though she secretly enjoyed his company. There was something about Kim Myungsoo that put her mind at ease.

He was gentlemanly without being too snooty.

He was charming and witty.

And she was just strangely comfortable with him.

She snapped out of her reverie when she noticed he was smilling at her.

Finding an excuse to escape his excruciatingly seductive gaze, she cleared the tray and took it to the kitchen. But he took it away from her forcibly, citing:

“Women shouldn't carry heavy things.”

Then when she tried to wash some plates, he shooed her away.

“Let me wash the dishes since you made breakfast.” He insisted.

So she sat there comfortably watching his lithe movements attentively when the doorbell dinged.

“I'll get it.” She sprinted to the door and opened it before Myungsoo could even react.

“Myungsoo?” Hoya strolled in without a care. His eyes abruptly widening when they landed on Naeun.

“H-hyung?” Myungsoo stuttered, entering the room, his hands still wet.

“Always a pleasure to see you, Naeun... though I never do get to see you so early in the morning. You're glowing today.” He smiled happily.
A little too happy that it was borderline creepy.

“Thank you?” Naeun said, unsure of how to reply to his comment whilst Myungsoo glared at the elder, understanding Hoya's fast and very far-fetched assumptions.

“Look at the time! Oh my gosh! Sorry Myungsoo I have to go… My class!” Naeun panicked when she realised she only had two hours to go back home and open up the studio again.

She quickly grabbed her bag off the sofa before bowing her head slightly to the two men.
“Thank you for letting me stay here for the night. I'm sorry for troubling you.”

“Not at all and you're welcome.” He smiled at her and she blushed slightly when suddenly Hoya coughed to break the awkward moment.

“I'll leave now. Thanks.” She bowed one last time before walking towards the door.

“Are you sure you don't need me to walk you to the metro?” He called out last minute.

“No, it's fine. I can manage.”

“Take care of your health more!” He scolded her.

“Deh. Au revoir.” She nodded shyly.

When the door shut close behind her Myungsoo let go if his breath without even noticing he was holding it anyway.

Hoya grinned from ear to ear and patted the younger's back.

“Did she sleep in your bed?” He asked, trying to suppressing his glee.

“Umm… yes?”

“Well, that escalated quickly.”

And for once, Myungsoo had no reply, because he was red with chagrin.