I saw him parked outside my house. Casually dressed and carrying his usual, overflowing swag.

“Hey.” He greeted as soon as he saw me open the gate. He met me and kissed my cheek, which undeniably, still made me blush.

“Hey.” I said, trying to hide my growing blush.

I saw him smile and he opened the passenger seat of his Bentley for me. And then he slid on the driver’s seat and started to drive. We were enjoying our quiet time and it wasn’t anything uncomfortable which was what I liked when I was with him.

I noticed he was playing music that he always played whenever I was in his car. Or was it just coincidence? In about 15 minutes, we reached school and started going to class. This had been our routine for the past week.

It has been exactly 8 days since he asked me to try. Try us. And now we are.

We entered class and I’m still not used to all the staring I receive ever since news broke out that we were dating. It wasn’t my thing to have my relationship status publicized but being with someone like Jiyong brought along things like this. But I’m not complaining. Not yet anyway.

“Good morning oppa.” I said to Youngbae oppa when we sat beside him. He saluted me and grinned then went back to his phone.

“Where’d you wanna have lunch later?” Jiyong asked me as we settled in our seats.

“I don’t really feel like eating lunch today but I’ll just join you wherever you want.” I said smiling and I saw him frown.

“You should eat, you know. You’re getting thinner.” He said, concern written all over his face but I knew he was just saying that. I gained weight the past month and now I’m trying to lose them again.

“Awww. You’re so sweeeeet.” I said, pinching his cheek to which he winced and shook his head then he started to attack me with his fingers. He tickled me in the area which had me laughing hysterically.

“I’m so sorry to interrupt you two but I have to start the class now.” I heard from the front and immediately straightened myself, noticing all our classmates staring at us. It made me flush more. Then I heard Youngbae oppa trying to hide his laugh and Jiyong punching his shoulder lightly.

We found ourselves in his restaurant again. God, he knows I can’t resist the food here. Ugh.

“I already ordered.”  He said, smiling widely at me. I just rolled my eyes at him. “Come on babe, you can’t be mad at me for wanting you healthy.” He reached out for my hand and started massaging it. I just can’t stay mad at him for long. Ugh.

“I’m not mad.” I said slowly, my hand relaxing in every press he made.

“Good then.” He picked up my hand and kissed it swiftly then let it go. But… my hand massage… “I have something for you.” He shifted in his seat to take something from his pocket. “Give me your hand.” I stretched my hand out, he took it and placed something on my palm and clasped it.

“What’s thi—“ it was the thin gold, diamond studded bracelet I’ve been looking at when we went to the new shop he was talking about a few days ago. I looked at it closer and it was more beautiful up close than when I saw it inside a transparent box. It was gorgeous. I pulled myself together before I started drooling over it. “What… I can’t accept this.” I immediately shoved my hand to him, suddenly remembering the price of it.

He took my hand, I breathed relief and a bit of disappointment when I thought he’d take it back, but when I tried to pull my hand away, he grabbed it and clutched the bracelet to it.

“Perfect.”

“I can’t—“

“Of course you can. We’re together now. You’re my girlfriend and I can give you whatever the hell I want and you will take it.”

I almost laughed at his reaction if only he didn’t look too serious. “Jeez. Okay. Alright. Chill dude.” I said with a fluttery feeling inside me. I reached out for his hand and held it. “Thank you baby.” I could see he was a bit shocked by my use of the term. I was shocked myself. It’s the first time I called him that and the first time for a long time that I called someone by that endearment.

He smiled, took my hand and kissed it again. “Chae… I like hearing you call me that but…” he looked down as if feeling shy.

“But?” I asked feeling anxious about what he’s thinking.

“But… I also would like you to call me oppa.” He said and I don’t know why but I suddenly started laughing. Maybe it was because I thought he was gonna say something serious and all. I laughed some more but only came down when I saw his serious face. Oh hell, he was serious.

“Oh, you’re serious?” I said as my laughs died.

“As serious as I can get.” He said and then the food came. Thank God for the impeccable timing.

We ate silently. I think this might be the most awkward moment I had with him for the last week we’ve been together. Come to think of it, I have never called him oppa. He’s the first person to ask me to call him oppa. And as I remember this isn’t the first time he asked it. We finished our meal and silently drove back to school. I stole glances at him to gauge his mood but his poker face was the best.

What’s with ‘oppa’ anyway? It’s just a word plus it could just mean big brother. Babe, baby even bae are more affectionate and for me, more appropriate to call someone you’re in a relationship with.

The rest of the day flew by and I found myself dreading the end of my class because that would mean I would have meet him to send me home because I didn’t bring my car. Ugh. I seriously considered taking a cab but would he think I ditched him. Ugh. it.

I walked slowly towards the parking lot, hoping that he was in a better mood than when we awkwardly separated earlier. I reached the place and didn’t see him. Heck, I didn’t even see his car. I looked at my watch and it was 6:24. Holy cow, it took me 24 minutes to get here?! How slow did I walk?! I looked around but still didn’t spot him or his car. Hmm. Maybe he left. I let out a bitter chuckle. Guess I really will get a cab after all. I was a bit disappointed and mad that he just left. Didn’t even send a message or something. But on top of that, I couldn’t hide I was hurt. I clutched my bag tighter and walked chin up towards the gate.

It was getting dark already, I looked at my watch and it was 6:37. God, how slow could I walk? I reached the main entrance of the school and it was almost deserted, except for the guard and few students, probably waiting for their ride.

I fished out my phone from my bag, deciding to call Bom unnie to come fetch me. But before I could even press call.

Beep beep.

A car suddenly stopped in front of me.

I didn’t need to check to see who the driver was because I was pretty sure he was the only person driving a lambo in school.

I still stood there. Awkwardly. I was still kinda pissed that he didn’t even text me a simple ‘I’ll be late’ or anything to indicate he was still gonna be there.

His door opened and he walked out with that undeniable swag oozing from him.

“Hey. What’re you still doing there? Let’s go.”

I felt my eyebrows pull together and a frown form on my face. He saw it too. He walked towards me slowly, not taking his eyes off my face, but I’m not backing down either.

“Hey. What’s wrong?” he asked gently as he reached me and held my arm, ducking his head lower so we were eye to eye.

I scoffed and wanted to roll my eyes but I decided not to. What’s wrong? What’s wrong?! What’s wrong is that you weren’t there when I thought you were gonna be and you didn’t tell me whether you’ll be here or not and you made me feel ing left behind! And it ing hurt!

Of course I didn’t tell him that.

Was he still upset about the oppa thing and this is how he handles it? Totally immature.

Maybe I was overreacting. We were like, what? Together for a week? Definitely not the time to be possessive, clingy or feeling any extreme emotion. So I breathed in deep, closed my eyes for a second or two and managed to form a smile on my face. I gently tugged my arm away from his hold and proceeded to the front seat. “Nothing. Nothing’s wrong.” I said and closed the door, leaving him standing there.

He jogged toward the driver’s seat and drove off. We didn’t say anything to each other the whole ride. I was thankful there was music playing in his car or it would have been a lot more awkward. I kept counting the streetlights as we drove towards my house. Ugh. Since when has my house been this far away? I feel like time was moving so slow. I could feel every second tick by.

Finally!

I could see our gate and in just a few seconds I could be outta here. He stopped in front of the gate and I hurriedly clutched my bag, wanting to get out of here. I was just waiting for him to unlock the door so I’d be out of his hair and in my room where I can wallow in this foreign feeling that is undeniably stirring within me.

“Chae…” I heard him call softly. I closed my eyes, breathed in deeply before looking at him.

“Yes?”

“Did I do something? Did I screw something up? because if I did, I didn’t know. I’m sorry.” He said looking directly at me with sad eyes. I was kinda pissed that he didn’t know why I was being like this but seeing him like this, looking absolutely apologetic made me forget my annoyance at him. I decided to come right out and say it.

“Okay look. I got pissed okay? I went to the parking lot and didn’t see you there. Even your car wasn’t there. I thought you had left without me. I thought you were still upset about what happened during lunch. I got a bit mad. Then you suddenly just showed up normally as if nothing happened. I mean, nothing happened, yeah. But you didn’t even text or call me. You didn’t say if you were gonna be there or not. If I have to go home by myself or what. I felt left behind. It kind of hurt, you know…” I said, trailing at the last words. I didn’t intend to let out that information.

He looked at me the whole time I said that and now I feel a flush growing. Hearing myself say those things were so new to me. I’ve never been like this to my past boyfriends. It was just a freaking car ride. Ugh. I guess I really did overreact. I started to feel embarrassed. Plus, he was still staring at me, making me shyer than I already am. God. I needed to get out. I tried opening the door but he pulled me to him and the next thing I know was I was seeing his collarbones, with my cheek pressed against his chest.

“Babe, I’m sorry. Something came up… I… I’m sorry I didn’t text or call. I thought I would be back in time but it took longer than I thought. And I had to change cars too. If you’ve noticed, we’re in the lambo now. I took us to school with the Bentley, remember?” he spoke softly to me. “I’m really sorry if I made you feel that way. Of course I would never leave without you. You don’t ever need to go home alone. I’ll always be here… Chae. I’m really sorry.”

I breathed out after hearing him say those things. I felt a twinge in my chest as he said those to me. I felt the vibration in his chest while he was talking and it was the best feeling ever. I felt him kiss the crown of my head. We weren’t really in the most comfortable position because of the car parts between us but I wouldn’t wanna be in any other place than this.

After about a while of silence and being in that same position.

“Chae…” he said softly.

“Hmm?”

“My back hurts.” He said and I couldn’t help but laugh. Gosh, he really did know the right words to say. I tried to pull back to my seat again, still giggling. But I couldn’t even move because he held me so tightly.

“What’re you doing?” he asked when I started pushing him away a bit.

“Letting go. Your back hurts, remember?” I said, still giggling.

“What? Never say that. Babe, never let go.” He whispered to me and kissed my temple.

My heart thumped so loud, I was scared that he could feel it too. “Aigoo. You’re so corny. Come on. It’s uncomfortable sitting like this. Let’s go inside.”

He pulled back a bit to look at my face but never really letting go. “You’re inviting me in? At like 7 in the evening?” he faked a surprised face with eyes wide and all that then started wiggling his eyebrows suggestively. We were sitting on our own seats now.

“Shut up. It’s not like it’s the first time you’re coming in my house. And don’t get any ideas either! I just cooked too much this morning and there are a lot of leftovers.”

He feigned a look of shock and put a hand on his chest “Babe… I can’t even… you’re inviting me in so I can eat your left overs? You’re so sweet.” He said sarcastically.

I can’t help but laugh at his reaction. Honestly though, this guy knew everything he needed to say to make me laugh.

We ate happily with him teasing me about my cooking. Talking about me just taking up culinary arts instead to which I just brushed him off.

“This is really good though.” he said for the nth time.

I decided to ignore him after the fifth time he said it. I fetched him a glass of water which he took gratefully. I was finished eating for a while now but he was still eating. How much can this skinny guy eat? But I’m thankful he’s here because all the food I cooked this morning would have been wasted.

“You have a sister right?” I suddenly asked, feeling like I should get to know him more.

He looked at me surprised for a bit but then returned to eating. “Yeah. I have an older sister. You have a sister too right?”

“Yeah. She’s younger. She’s studying overseas.” I added. I suddenly felt like we knew little about each other.

“Is she married? Your sister?” I asked.

“Oh um no. Not yet. But she’s engaged.” I felt like his answers were too clipped. He wasn’t offering anything more than what I’m asking.

“So tell me more about your family.” I asked and he visibly stilled. He put down his bowl slowly and I suddenly regretted asking the question. He looked at me blankly. He breathed in deep.

“What do you wanna know?”

“Anything you would want me to know. But if you don’t want to share anything, that’s cool too.” Lie. Of course it’s not cool. I wanna get to know him more but of course I didn’t wanna pressure him.

“My sister works in my dad’s company. I told you before that my father works in a company right?”

I nodded.

“Well, he owns that company too.” I felt an ‘O’ shape form on my mouth but I wasn’t really that surprised. Well, duh, he’s rich. They’re house is like ginormous! Plus they owned the best restaurant in the area.

“Is that why you’re taking up business management? For your company?”

He smirked and scoffed but didn’t really answer my question. He turned to me and probably saw me confused by his reaction. He smiled softly and put his arm on the backrest of my chair.

“Enough about me. How about you? Why are you taking up interdisciplinary studies?”

“Well, I haven’t really thought of what I really wanted to do yet. I mean, I have interests but I haven’t fully decided what I really want to do.” I shrugged. It was true. I really wasn’t sure of what I wanted to do. It was the reason why I study hard to see what I’m good at. My family never pressured me to do anything I didn’t want. My dad said, it’s my life and I should decide what I want, to which I’m really grateful.

“Ohhh. I’ve seen your sketches.” I heard him say carefully.

“What sketches?” I narrowed my eyes at him.

“The ones you have in your notebook. They’re pretty good Chae.”

I felt a small smile form on my face.

“Thanks. But they’re just drawings. Not some real stuff.”

“They looked pretty real to me Chae. You have talent. You have an eye for fashion.” He said and started eating again.

Designing is something I really liked to do. But then again, cooking is also something I liked to do.

“Aren’t you done eating yet?” I asked as he was still chewing.

“Nope.” he smiled that gummy smile again and he had some food stuck on his teeth which me laugh.

“Gosh. Where do all that food go?” I said. “You’re so thin.”

“Yah! I’m not thin! I’m… fit.” He said as he finished his last bite.

I scoffed. Fit. Yeah right. “Youngbae oppa is fit.” I said.

He put his bowl down and looked at me intently. “Chae.”

“Hmm?” I asked curious to why he was serious all of the sudden.

“Why do you call Youngae, oppa?”

Not this again. I rolled my eyes, intent on not answering him.

“I just wanna know. I’m not saying you shouldn’t call him that. I just wanna know.”

“One. Because he’s older than me. Two, because he really reminds me of someone very close to me.”

“And who would that be?”

“My brother. Wait. Not really brother. But you get it.” I said, starting to fix the table.

“Nope. Not really.” He said and started helping me.

“When we moved to France, I didn’t know anyone. I was young. I didn’t know their culture, their language, so I had a hard time. Then one day when I went to buy some chocolate at the store, I got lost. I didn’t know what to do. Asking help from the people was useless because we didn’t understand each other. I sat down by the road and just watched people walking by and hoping that I would see someone I know or even my parents if they were already looking for me. I just sat there. It felt like hours. Then some kid sat beside me and looked at me for a long time. We just sat there. Then, he stood up and started circling me.” I chuckled at the memory. “He sat down beside me again and extended his hand and introduced himself. He was two years older than me. He asked if I was lost and when I said yes, he started scolding me. Saying that a little Korean girl like me shouldn’t be walking the streets alone. He sounded like my dad but he was a kid too.” I smiled, remembering that moment. “He sent me home and ever since then, we became close. He became my brother.”

Jiyong nodded. “But why Youngbae?”

“I don’t know too. They have the same vibe? I guess. Plus, he’s the same as my brother. He doesn’t bother me. Not like someone else i know.” I said hiding a smile while I wiped the table.

“But you said before I don’t bother you.” He said and started washing the things we used. It felt so natural. What we we’re doing, as if we’ve done this for a long time.

“Yes OPPA. You don’t bother me.” I said and smiled at him. “Happy now?”

“Very.” He said and smiled while finishing up the dishes.

“If you like that word so much, why don’t you just call me oppa?” I said and he laughed uncontrollably then started splashing me with water.

Gosh. This kid.

Sorry for the long wait! If anyone is still waiting. I've been super busy with life and I didn't have any inspiration to write. So yeah. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this chapter. Kinda long. Tell me what you think :) I'm already working on the next one and I'm excited about it :)