Hello!

I'm here again with chapter three of this story. And before I can get down to business, I want to say thank you for all your support in following my story. This was a hard chapter for me to write especially if am doing a big development on Ji Hoo and Jan Di's characters. I wanted to also include the pool scene where Ji Hoo tries to make a move on Jan Di but he's interrupted. This particular scene will come in the next chapter. Even the New York scene will come in the following chapter.

The following morning, Jan Di awoke a bit disoriented, but she was sure she was not in her hostel but in Ji Hoo's house, in his room, and his bed. She blinked a few times, trying to remember how she ended up there. The events of the previous night slowly came back to her—the comforting presence of Ji Hoo, the care and warmth he gave her after almost drowning in the pool, and the way he had carried her to his room to rest, covering her body with his so he could regulate her body temperature.

Thinking about it made her feel like she was the luckiest woman in the world to have someone who would go to such lengths to take care of her. She could not help but smile as she recalled the tenderness in Ji Hoo's actions, realizing how deeply he cared for her well-being. She was aware of his feelings for her, as he had expressed them before. But at that moment, it became clear just how much he loved and cherished her. It was a feeling she would never take for granted, making her heart swell with gratitude and love for him.

"Awake?" She heard his voice by the door and turned to see Ji Hoo standing there with a warm smile. She nodded, unable to hide her happiness at his presence. His unwavering support and affection were like a soothing balm to her soul, making her feel safe and loved. "Are you still feeling cold?" He asked, concern evident in his eyes as he stepped closer to her. She shook her head, feeling the warmth of his presence envelope her.

"Thank you for saving my life," she said gratefully, her voice filled with genuine appreciation. "I might have drowned in that pool if you hadn't been there to pull me out."

His eyes softened, and he gently brushed a strand of hair behind her ear and looked at her with a tender expression, his eyes reflecting a mixture of relief and adoration. "I couldn't bear the thought of losing you," he confessed softly, his voice filled with sincerity. "I will always be here to protect you, no matter what."

Jan Di's heart swelled with affection as she gazed into his eyes, feeling overwhelmed by the depth of his love and commitment. "But how did you know I was at the pool?"

He smiled warmly, his thumb caressing her cheek. "My heart heard you calling out to me. It guided me to you, Jan Di-ah." Jan Di's eyes widened in astonishment, captivated by his words. She could hardly believe that their connection was so strong that he could sense her presence even from a distance.

Caught in the moment, Ji Hoo leaned in, pressing a kiss on her forehead before whispering, "You are always on my mind, Jan Di-ah. No matter where you are, my heart will always find its way to you." Jan Di's heart fluttered at his words, realizing the depth of their connection and the intensity of his love for her.

After their heart-to-heart conversation, Jan Di showered and went to the dining room to have breakfast with Ji Hoo and their grandfather. She looked around, and there was no sight of Grandfather, so she decided to ask, "Sunbae, where is Grandfather?"

Ji Hoo looked up from the frying pan, a small smile playing on his lips. "Yes, Jan Di-ah," he replied softly. "Grandfather has gone to the clinic. He wanted to make sure everything was for his appointments with his patients later today. But don't worry, he'll be back soon." Jan Di nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. She walked to the kitchen, trying to help with preparing breakfast, but Ji Hoo stopped her, taking her to the stool to sit down.

"Let me handle the cooking, Jan Di-ah," he said gently. "You're still fragile from yesterday and need to rest. I'll make sure you have a hearty meal to regain your strength." Jan Di smiled gratefully, appreciating Ji Hoo's thoughtfulness. She leaned back on the stool and watched him fry the eggs and flip the pancakes with practiced ease. The aroma of the sizzling bacon filled the air, making her stomach growl in anticipation. Jan Di could not help but feel lucky to have such caring friends as Ji Hoo during this challenging time.

"I will arrange the table," she said, walking to the dining area and setting the plates and silverware neatly. She returned to the kitchen and opened the cupboard, pulling out Marple syrup for the pancakes. Jan Di smiled as she poured the sweet syrup into a small pitcher, knowing it would perfectly complement Ji Hoo's delicious breakfast.

As she walked back to the dining area, Jan Di noticed Ji Hoo setting their breakfast on the table with great care and attention to detail. He arranged the pancakes in a stack, garnished them with fresh berries, and placed a small vase of flowers in the center of the table. He then drew out the chair for her to sit in. Jan Di could not help but smile as she could not get over the fact that Ji Hoo was a gentleman more than his other friends.

"Thank you, Sunbae," she said, taking a seat and noticing how his hand lingered on her lower back as she sat. She was wearing his shirt since she had no clothes to wear at his house. The white shirt was so big that it reached halfway up her thighs, making her feel like she was too exposed to his eyes.

Ji Hoo had noticed Jan Di had no clothes, so he had decided to offer his shirt while he bought her a new dress, but the moment she walked into the dining room to the kitchen, his eyes were on the way his shirt clung to her curves and accentuated her every movement. It was as if the shirt had transformed into a second skin, igniting a sense of desire within him. He could not help but admire how effortlessly she carried herself, feeling a surge of possessiveness wash over him.

His gaze had been on her legs and bare thighs and had traveled to her chest. He could tell she had no bra on underneath, as her s moved freely with each step. The sight heightened his anticipation, fueling his imagination with possibilities for the rest of the morning.

Forgive me, Jan Di-ah, but I will not buy you any dress today. Stop looking!

He mentally berated himself, but he could not tear his eyes away. The way her curves accentuated the fabric of his shirt and her firm pressed against his shirt was mesmerizing, and he found himself longing to run his fingers along the contours of her body. He knew he had to regain control of his thoughts before they got the best of him, but her magnetic pull on him was undeniable.

And now, pressing his hand on her lower back and feeling her warm skin against his palm, even with the shirt on, was more than he could take in. He needed to control himself before he lost all sense of restraint. Didn't she know how alluring she looked in that shirt? The way it hugged her curves and accentuated her figure was driving him wild. He could not help but wonder if she was intentionally trying to provoke him or if she was simply unaware of the effect, she had on him.

"Since you cooked, I will do the serving." Her voice brought him back to reality. He looked up to see her standing there with a playful smile on her lips. She knew exactly what she was doing to him and enjoyed every bit of it. But he reminded himself that this was Geum Jan Di, his otter, an innocent, sweet girl who, even when she seduced someone, was unaware of it.

He could not help but find her innocence endearing, and he could not resist playing along with the game that she was unconsciously playing. He studied her face as he handed her a plate, noticing the subtle blush on her cheeks. The way her hair fell over his face added a touch of softness to her already captivating features. In these moments, he realized how effortlessly she could captivate anyone's attention, including his own. It was a reminder that despite her unintentional seduction, she was still just a young girl navigating the complexities of love and relationships.

Ji Hoo rose from his seat, attempting to pour the Marple syrup on his pancakes, but in doing so, he brushed against her , feeling it hard even in the fabric of the shirt she was wearing. Their eyes instantly met as the accidental touch sent a jolt of electricity through them, and their breathing became ragged, and time stood still.

What now? They both thought.

Caught in the moment, Ji Hoo stood upright, looking down at the short girl, who was a few inches shorter than him. He always loved her height—not too tall or too short, simply perfect for him. As they stood there, the air thick with tension, Ji Hoo could not help but feel a surge of desire coursing through his veins. He knew he had to make a move, but the question lingered in his mind—would she feel the same way?

As they exchanged hesitant glances, Ji Hoo mustered the courage to break the silence, his voice barely above a whisper. "I will take you to the pool and help exercise the muscles in your injured shoulder," he offered, his eyes filled with genuine concern.

"But I can't go wearing your shirt around all day. How about tomorrow?" she asked, a small smile playing at the corners of her lips. Ji Hoo nodded, relieved that she had agreed to his offer.

"Tomorrow sounds perfect," he replied, his voice filled with anticipation. His hands then settled on her small waist; his touch gentle yet firm as he pressed her into the table. With a soft sigh, Jan Di let out a small gasp of surprise and pleasure. Ji Hoo's heart raced as he felt the warmth of her body against his, cherishing this intimate moment. He could not help but wonder what tomorrow would bring for the two of them.

…

His face inched closer, and before the impact, Jan Di stuck her fingers on his lips, but Ji Hoo began them gently instead of removing them. The taste of her fingertips sent a shiver down his spine, igniting a desire he had never felt before. His eyes locked on hers, and his hand massaged her back as they continued to share this passionate exchange.

"Your fingers are sweet," Ji Hoo whispered, his voice filled with longing. Jan Di's heart raced as she felt his warm breath against her skin. She attempted to pull them away, but Ji Hoo's grip tightened, refusing to let go.

"What are you doing?" she asked him. "What I've wanted to do for a long time," Ji Hoo replied, his voice husky with desire. Jan Di's heart pounded in her chest as she looked into his eyes, torn between the intensity of the moment and her own conflicted emotions.

"Friends don't do this," she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. Ji Hoo's grip loosened slightly, his eyes searching hers for any sign of reciprocation. Jan Di's mind raced, unsure of how to navigate this unexpected turn in their relationship.

"But I am a man as well, this man who has spent two years loving you from afar," Ji Hoo confessed, his voice filled with vulnerability. "I can't deny my feelings any longer, Jan Di."

His words hung in the air, leaving Jan Di grappling with her own emotions and the weight of their complicated history together. She knew that whatever decision she made would have far-reaching consequences for both. "Sunbae..." she said.

"Jan Di-ah," he replied softly, his eyes searching hers for any sign of reciprocation. He raised his second hand to her face, gently brushing her hair to the side as he leaned in closer.

The tension between them was palpable, and Jan Di could feel her heart racing in her chest. Her eyes closed as she felt a gentle caress on her left ; even through the fabric, it was enough to send shivers down her spine.

"It's...ticklish..." she said shyly, her voice barely a whisper. Ji Hoo's touch lingered for a moment longer before he pulled away, a small smile playing on his lips. The air between them crackled with unspoken desire as they both struggled to find the right words to say.

"Can you close your eyes and look ahead," he asked. "What would have happened if I didn't go after her and instead stayed behind? Would you have fallen for Gu Jun Pyo instead?" he asked, his voice filled with uncertainty. She hesitated for a moment, her eyes still closed, before finally responding. "I don't know," she admitted softly. "But you were able to find proper closure with her."

Ji Hoo did not know if her answer was OK with him or not, but he could not deny the pang of jealousy that washed over him. He had always harbored feelings for her, and the thought of her being with someone else, even if it was just a hypothetical scenario, made him ache. Deep down, he wished she had chosen him instead. And at this moment, he felt lucky that she was here with him since he could feel that somehow deep down, she had feelings for him, but some commitments were holding her back He could not help but wonder if those commitments were the reason, she had not chosen him. Perhaps there were circumstances beyond their control that prevented them from being together. Regardless, he cherished the moments they shared and hoped that one day they could explore their feelings without any obstacles in their way.

"I will wait until you are ready," he said softly, his voice filled with both patience and longing. He understood that love takes time and that sometimes people need space to figure things out. He wanted her to know that he was willing to wait for as long as it took because what they had was worth it. With a hopeful smile, he added, "Just know that whenever you're ready, I'll be here, ready to embrace whatever the future holds for us."

After breakfast, Ji Hoo said he would go for the lecture. "But I have the same lecture as you," Jan Di protested, insisting on going to class.

"You nearly froze to death yesterday, Jan Di-ah; I can't risk your life right now," Ji Hoo replied, concern evident in his voice. "I'll feel better knowing you're safe and warm at home." Jan Di sighed, realizing that Ji Hoo was just trying to protect her, but she couldn't help feeling frustrated at being treated like a delicate flower.

"But I'm fine now," Jan Di insisted, trying to reassure Ji Hoo.

"I will share whatever I have learned in class with you later," Ji Hoo offered, trying to compromise. "But for now, please understand that I just want you to be safe." Jan Di nodded reluctantly, understanding Ji Hoo's concern for her well-being.

"I will clean the dishes."

"No need," Ji Hoo replied, carrying her in a bridal style to his bedroom. Jan Di blushed, feeling a mix of embarrassment and gratitude for Ji Hoo's chivalrous gesture. She slowly wrapped her arms around his neck, hiding her face in the crook of his neck, feeling his hands touch the bare skin on her thighs while he carried her. As they entered the bedroom, Jan Di couldn't help but feel a surge of warmth and intimacy between them.

Ji Hoo gently set her down