Sleepover
HERSHEThe next day...
Irene her PC without bothering to look at their IM. She knows Seulgi woke up late today.
Irene pulled out her phone to reread a message from Seulgi thirty minutes ago: 'Driving now. See you later. Love you!'
Irene covered , trying to suppressing a squeal from escaping . Until this moment, she can't bring herself to believe that they are together now, that Seulgi is hers, that out of the many fangirls in the office it is her who had caught the latter's attention.
"I guess that smile means you're okay now, huh?"
A cold voice from behind startled her. Irene was so high in clouds she didn't notice Krystal is already looking over her shoulders.
"Is that Seulgi?" Krystal walked back to her table.
Irene glared at her friend. "I'm still mad at you, do you know that?"
"Mad at me for what?"
"For telling Seulgi."
"Oh, that. So, she really went to your place yesterday, huh? Shouldn't you be thanking me instead?"
"But you told her everything... and it's embarrassing..." Irene covered her face.
Krystal chuckled. "So, did you two talk about what happened?"
"Yes, and we're okay now."
"Okay like?"
"Just... okay..."
"Will you spill out more details?"
Irene remembered how exactly the talk went. But her mind jumped on what happened during their dinner date, and even on their phone talk that made her giggle in delight numerous times on her bed last night.
"Oh. My. Gosh. I know that face, Irene!" Krystal pointed at her. "I know that face!"
Irene, who didn't realize that she was already smiling, immediately pursed her lips. "What?"
Krystal bent down in front of Irene. "Tell me, can I squeal now?"
"Squeal for what?"
"Well, you said you two are okay, right? Does that mean that she already knows you love her?"
"Yes..."
"And you know that she loves you too, right?"
"Mmm-mmm..."
Krystal held Irene's hand tightly. "So, are you guys together now?"
Irene smiled coyly. Thinking about the revelation yesterday still sends giddy feelings all over her body.
Irene nodded. "Yes, officially together since yesterday."
And Krystal really did squeal.
---
Irene is passing by the elevator area when the lift door opened, revealing Seulgi from behind.
"Hey," Seulgi greeted, walking towards her.
For the first time in her life, Irene doesn't know how to greet someone. She knows a simple hi would do. However, a part of her wants to run and embrace the approaching person. She was thankful that her brain is functioning well at the moment, keeping her sane and reminding her they are in the office.
"Hi."
"I missed you..." whispered Seulgi.
The urge to wrap her arms around Seulgi is kicking again; Irene hugged herself instead. "We were together just last night, right?"
"I know. But I still miss my baby."
"You're crazy."
"I'm crazy about you."
Irene playfully hit Seulgi's arm. "I didn't know you have this mushy side."
Seulgi chuckled. "You don't like mushy?"
"I can handle mushy as long as we're not doing it here in the elevator area where all the employees are passing by."
"Right, right."
"Where's your necklace?"
Seulgi pulled out the thing inside her shirt to show it. "Did you think I'd forget to wear this?"
"No. I'm just making sure you wear it out now."
"Hmm? Really? What's with the sudden change of mind?"
"Just letting your fangirls know you belong to somebody else now. Tell them to talk to me if they are having issues with it."
Seulgi's mouth formed an O shape. "Wow. You look hot when you're possessive, huh." She nudged Irene a little. "I like it."
"I'm serious, okay?"
"I know, I know..."
"It's almost 8 o'clock now, Seulgi. I suggest, instead of flirting here early in the morning, you better log into your PC now or else they'll tag you late."
Seulgi straightened her body and saluted. "Yes, boss."
Irene laughed. "I'm serious, Seulgi. It's already 7:59." She showed the time on her wristwatch.
"Oh . I really should go now. See you later, honey."
Irene watched as Seulgi disappeared from her sight.
If she knew she'd be this happy, she shouldn't have denied this for long.
---
It was Friday afternoon the same week. Seulgi and Irene are still in the parking lot, discussing where to have dinner this time.
"Why don't we go to your Aunt Vic's restaurant?" asked Irene.
"I want to but it's gonna be a long drive." Seulgi slumped over the steering wheel. "I'm kind of tired. Aside from the distance, I'm sure there'll be heavy traffic because it's been raining the entire day."
Irene tapped Seulgi's nape. "Are you feeling all right? Is your head aching?"
"It's just lack of sleep. Someone has been keeping me up late since Tuesday."
Irene raised an eyebrow. "What, so you don't like talking to me?" She was about to pull her hand but Seulgi grabbed it.
"Hey, I'm just kidding, okay?" Seulgi kissed the back of Irene's hand.
Irene still managed to pull her hand away. "Hmph. If you don't want to stay up late, then go find someone who will not talk to you every night."
"Hey, are you seriously mad at me?"
"Don't talk to me."
Seulgi chuckled. She poked Irene playfully. "Hey, baby, stop being grumpy or else..."
"Or else what?"
"Or else... I'll kiss you..."
Irene turned to Seulgi. "Some kind of threat there, huh?"
"Well, it is a threat to someone who has never kissed, right?"
"Wow. Talking like you're an expert?"
Seulgi blinked.
"Unless you lied to me, I believe you and Joy never kissed before, right?" said Irene, smirking.
"Are you trying to tell me I can't do it?"
Irene raised her palms up. "That didn't come from me."
"Hah, are you challenging me? I can give you a lip-lock right here, right now."
Irene snorted, expressing her skepticism.
Without further ado, Seulgi leaned forward in a swift to bring their faces closer. Victory sparkled in her eyes when she noticed Irene unconsciously moved back in defense.
"What? Afraid of me?" asked Seulgi, smirking.
"N-no." Irene looked away, blushing. "I just didn't expect that."
"You've challenged the wrong person, honey."
"Oh really? Is it normal for your heart to beat that fast? I can literally hear it, honey."
The two engaged in a staring contest until Seulgi gave in. She eventually pulled back with a defeated smile.
"Admit it to yourself, Seulgi, you just can't do it."
"You're lucky I deemed this place inappropriate for our first kiss," said Seulgi, finally starting the car engine. "Come that time you'll be in trouble, woman."
Irene chuckled. "If you say so. So where are we going?"
"I don't know. Is there any specific food you'd like to eat tonight?"
"Why don't you cook dinner for me this time?"
"You mean at my place?"
"Yeah. While watching a movie?"
"Sounds great. But what time should you be home?"
"Who says I'm going home? I'll sleep over there."
A smile broke out across Seulgi's face. "This will be fun."
---
They bought some ingredients from the supermarket before heading to the apartment.
Although everything looks organized and clean, nothing has changed since the last time Irene's been there; the couch is in the same position. The furniture is still placed at the same exact place Irene had seen them before.
Seulgi went straight to the kitchen with the grocery bags. She filled up a glass with water and puts it on the counter. "Thirsty?"
"Oh, thanks." Irene walked towards the kitchen and drinks from the glass. Her eyes roamed around the area. "This place could use some colors, Seulgi."
Seulgi was busy arranging the ingredients on the counter. "Ah yeah? Feel free to redesign it."
"You've been living here for years and you haven't thought of adding some decorations or so?"
"Interior designing isn't my thing. It's boring."
"It isn't boring. You are boring." Irene put the glass down. "Your apartment looks boring because of you."
Seulgi snorted. "I'm sorry, what did you say?"
"You ARE boring."
"Oh yeah, really?" Seulgi dropped the cloth and slowly took steps towards Irene, a mischievous grin plastered on her face.
Knowing something's up with her girlfriend's mind, Irene took a step backward. "Seulgi, what are you thinking?"
"Nothing. You wanna see how BORING I am?" Seulgi slowly resumes walking step by step, trailing her hand along the counter.
"No, Seulgi..."
"Why don't we have a little fun so you won't get bored?"
Irene took another step backward. "Seulgi... this is not fun, okay?"
"Booo!"
"Eeeeee!" Irene attempted to flee but her attacker ran after her.
"I see the baby wants to play chase, huh?"
"You won't catch me!"
"Let's see then. Waaaaa!"
"Eeeeeee!"
They eventually reached the couch where they were circling around.
"Seulgi! This is not fun anymore!" Irene exclaimed, still trying her best not to get caught.
"Not until I catch you!" Seulgi jumped over the couch and caught Irene around her waist. "Gotcha!"
"You cheated!" Irene can't do anything now as Seulgi's arms were wrapped around her.
Seulgi plonked herself down on the couch, along with Irene who landed on top of her. Both were panting from the little chasing they had.
"Your heart is beating fast," said Irene, her ears against Seulgi's chest.
"Yeah, chasing you have always made my heart go crazy."
"You're being mushy again."
"People are mushy when they are in love, honey," said Seulgi, caressing Irene's hair.
"Oh, really?"
"You're so beautiful." Seulgi kissed Irene's head. "I love you."
A sweet smile drew across Irene's face. "Why do you love me?" she asked, wagging her feet.
"I don't know. Do I need reasons to?"
"Well, not really. Just wondering."
"How about you, why do you love me?"
Irene looked away, thinking of anything to say. She gave up in the end with a smile. "I don't know either."
"See?" Seulgi traced a finger on Irene's face. "When did you realize that you love me, hmm?"
Irene scrunched up her face. "Hmmm. I'm not sure. Maybe this Monday, at the party?"
"Just this recently? Seriously?"
"I don't really know. I mean you've always been special to me, and I know I've been jealous of your girls ever since. But yeah, I didn't think I was in love at first. How about you? When did you realize that?"
A smile slipped across Seulgi's face. "I forgot."
"Ugh. You're not supposed to forget things like that," Irene retorted, slapping Seulgi's arm.
"Haha! I'm just kidding."
"So, when exactly?"
Seulgi let out a loud exhale. "Remember the first time we had breakfast together in the office?"
Irene looked up trying to recall when it happened. "Mmm, that was last December, right, before the New Year's off?"
Seulgi guided Irene's head to her neck as she hummed to agree. "I went home that day smiling, realizing that I'd fallen for you."
"Wait, you mean you already felt it even before we went to Haeundae?"
"Y-yeah..."
"Oh my gosh, Seulgi. Oh my gosh..."
"What?"
"You took advantage of me in Haeundae!"
Seulgi laughed. "Oh, c'mon. I wasn't the one who pushed us to go there, remember?"
"Yeah, but you still managed to score while we were pretending!"
"Hey, the farthest we've done is cuddling in front of Joy and Sungjae, okay? And let me remind you that pretending wasn't my idea. If I had known better I think you liked me long before we've actually flirted."
"Yah! Conceited!"
Seulgi quickly stole a cheek kiss from Irene. "Mmm! You're so cute!"
Irene blushed. She leaned forward to kiss Seulgi's brow, cheek, and then chin. Irene buried her face back into Seulgi's neck.
"Can we cuddle like this for a little while?"
"How come you kissed my face yet avoided my lips?"
"I'm afraid I might be bad at it."
"Impossible. Want to practice on me?"
Irene looked up and saw Seulgi already looking at her. She buried her face back down again. "I don't want to disappoint you..."
"Oh, you surely won't. C'mon, look at me," said Seulgi, lifting Irene's chin and gazing into her eyes.
"S-should we really do it now?"
"Don't you want to?"
"Umm..." Irene looked up the ceiling. "I'm feeling conscious because your lights are too bright."
Seulgi smiled and traced a finger on Irene's lips. "Excuses." Out of nowhere, she felt Irene's stomach growls against hers. "The kiss can wait but your stomach can't. Let me get up now to prepare something for my baby."
"But I still want to cuddle," said Irene, tightening her hug.
"We can cuddle all night long, honey. Let me just prepare you my masterpiece recipe."
"And that is?"
"Boiled eggs. Perfectly boiled eggs."
"Wow. That's exquisite."
"And mouthwatering." Seulgi winked. "Why don't you take a shower first while I prepare food? I'll get you pajamas."
Irene had always loved a nice hot shower on a cold rainy day. She can't take the smile off her face while listening to the sizzle of the pan from the kitchen.
She still can't believe that this is happening now.
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