Chapter 8 | Sobered

After sobering up a little, Seulgi found her stance more stable after getting out of the wine cellar. The bright rays of sunlight made her supposed to be sedated state into a more focused mood. She has to keep it together. This is their first date and she cannot afford to mess this one too.

She looks at Joohyun. She clearly is feeling the buzz of the wine. Maybe she shouldn’t have insisted on drinking the wine first thing in the morning.

She takes Joohyun’s hand and holds it lightly. She still holds the half-empty bottle of wine in the other hand. The boldness comes slightly from the liquor and the rest because she just wants to do it. God, she wanted to do it every day for the rest of her life.

“This is still okay, right?” She remembered how she held Joohyun’s hand after the street accident without permission. She failed again. She meant to ask before doing it but her mind seems slower because of the alcohol.

“Sure.” Joohyun is actually lightheaded. But with Seulgi holding her hand, she feels her heart thumping slower like the first time the photographer held her hand. Now, she gets why Seulgi wanted to go on a date in this place. The view of the vineyard is just amazing. Though it is the middle of the day, the breeze is cool and perfect.

As Seulgi led her walking by the aisles of trellises, Joohyun sees the dangling green little grapes over. This time might not be the season for harvest yet, she thinks.

“Are you enjoying our date so far?” Seulgi asks as she hasn’t heard anything from the pretty lady anything after asking permission for holding her hand.

“Of course. I’m just appreciating the view. This moment needs to be kept.” Joohyun is just too happy at this moment. Seulgi had brought her feelings left and right. Now, this person is giving her a world she never thought she can see.

“I agree. You are meant to be kept.” Seulgi stops to walk. She looks at Joohyun’s eyes with so much intensity like the shorter lady is everything she sees. “I won’t rush things. I know everything is new for you. But that’s fine with me.”

Joohyun feels the blood rush to her cheeks. Seulgi just gets her weak to the bones. The photographer’s words are like honey to her ears. She hasn’t heard anyone appreciate and respect her this way. Not ever. Even her past boyfriends never adored her as much as Seulgi is doing right now. “Are you keeping me?” She asks boldly.

“I will. If you let me.” Seulgi says in half flirting and half serious tone. She regrets her answer a bit. She just stated that she’s not going to rush things but Joohyun just has to taunt her with a dreaded question.

“I think you’re already keeping my hand. Let’s see if you can keep my heart too.” Joohyun looks at their hands intertwined.