Attractive.

Polite.

Gentleman.

Fun to be with.

Those were the words that best describes your first impression on Yixing and he didn’t disappoint.

As time passed, you figured that he really seemed to be that way.

Yixing was fast becoming a good friend to you and Luhan.

He was someone you could hang out with whenever you were in need of company; someone you could depend on; and someone you looked forward to seeing, besides Luhan, of course. In return, you were also there for him whenever he needed you.

There was no problem with it since he was someone that Luhan could trust. Which you found a bit confusing since that was the first time Luhan trusted a guy so easily when it came to you. You remembered asking him about it and he just told you, “I have a feeling that he’ll take good care of you and wouldn’t take advantage of you.”

So far, Luhan’s instinct seemed to be reliable. Yixing has never made you feel uncomfortable. Yes, the two of you were close, but it never crossed the limit beyond anything platonic.  He never hugged you long enough to be considered inappropriate, never lingered when he gives you a peck on the cheek.

You weren’t gonna lie. You felt instant attraction when you first met him.

Yixing was good-looking and y. It was a given. He was like a magnet that attracts women’s attention. Unfortunately, you were not an exception. You were a lady engineered to be susceptible to his charms. But that didn’t mean you would give in to it if given the chance. You have Luhan. You love Luhan. You have a wonderful boyfriend who deeply loves and admires you. You were already lucky to have him. Besides, you were already good friends with Yixing. And it wasn’t like he was attracted to you as a lover.

He just moved in to town for his job. His family and friends are away. That was why he befriended you… so that he would feel less lonely.

You and Luhan are his closest friends here, and you wouldn’t do anything that would jeopardize the harmonious relationship the three of you have.

----------------

There were moments in every relationship where it seemed as if nothing was going right. It was a challenge that every couple would face.

It was a test to see how much the other would go an extra mile just to make things right again; a test to see as to who loves more, who gives more.

You were in a bar whose name you forgot, trying to drown your sorrows.

How many shots you’ve had, you lost count of it.

How many times Luhan told you he was sorry, you stopped counting.

He’s been calling you nonstop but you refused to answer it.

You just stared blankly at it.

You loved him so much; loved him so much that it was tiring already. You grew weary to love a person you weren’t sure to love you the same way as you did love him. Your heart was aching too much. Today was your eighth anniversary. Eighth ing anniversary and he failed to come home.

On normal circumstances, you would’ve understood. But you were missing him so much you could grieve over it. Another reason… you were yearning to have a family already and there was no sign of him proposing any time soon. You started to wonder whether your relationship is heading somewhere. You were thinking negative thoughts. Maybe you were just wasting your years with him. Maybe he didn’t see you in his future. 

You started to sob. What a pitiful sight to behold... a drunk, crying, woman who was all alone.

The bartender just shook his head at you, and the customers near you either left or turned their backs on you.

You asked the bartender to give you another shot of Vodka.

When he went over to hand the drink to you, you grabbed his wrist. “Tell me, am I an ugly person? Am I the type of woman you would want to have fun with but never marry? Huh? Tell me.”

He scowled. “Drunkards,” he muttered quietly and shook his head.

He tried to loosen your grip on him but you wouldn’t budge. There was this aching need to know the truth. And you were really drunk to think that you would get it from an unknowing bartender who was annoyed with you for keeping him from his other customers.

You felt another pair of hands remove the hold you have over the poor bartender.

Your heartbeat raced.

Luhan.

He came for you.

You knew he couldn’t take you being mad at him.

He’d come for you.

Your eyes trailed from the hand that was holding yours to his face, and you couldn’t help but to laugh out loud.

‘Ridiculous...  ______, you are ing ridiculous!’

You were laughing so hard that you removed your hand from him and clutched it on your stomach.

“How many shots you’ve had?” You turned to see a serious-looking Yixing.

“I don’t know how to count! You teach me.” You giggled at him.

Seeing you that way made Yixing’s blood pressure shoot up. He didn’t know what was going on with you, and he was being wise enough not to assume anything.

“How did you even find me, Yixing? Did you put a tracking device on me?! Oh no!” you foolishly searched your body for such device.

“Stop it. You told me to meet you here. You sent a message on my phone. And it’s a good thing I got here on time. You’re trashed already.” He blew out a breath, and face palmed himself.

“Oh! Did I? I don’t remember. Never mind. At least you’re here. Drink with me.” You called the bartender’s attention for another round of drinks when Yixing pulled you out of your seat.

“How much is her bill?” he asked the bartender, who in turn said the amount. He pulled out money from his pocket and left the change for tip. He then dragged you outside of the bar.

“Hey, Yixing! What are you doing?! Let’s go back inside! We’re just about to have fun!” you tried to pull him back but of course, you wouldn’t be able to do so. He’s a whole lot stronger than you especially in your current situation.

“We’re going home, ______. You’re drunk.”

You whined at him and tried to remove his iron grip from you. “I still want to drink!”

“No! You’re being petulant, ______. Trust me when I say you’re going to regret this come morning.”

“And who are you to stop me?!” you stood your ground and glared at him.

“Well, I’m your friend! I care about your sorry ! You would go home with me even if I have to force you and haul you up on my shoulder!” He couldn’t help but to raise his voice at you. You were frustrating him.

You relaxed your arm that was in his grip and looked at the ground.

“Well, at least someone cares for me.” You then went willingly besides him and walked like a new-born with your unbalanced steps. You keep on stumbling and Yixing has had enough.

He took your arm to stabilize your balance and crouched down in front of you. “Get on.”

You giggled at him and hopped on his back. You were tired of walking; it was making you even more dizzy.

You both shared a comfortable silence after that.

Your head started to feel heavy and you decided to lean it on his shoulder, facing his neck.

You instinctively smelled it which caused L Yixing to stiffen for a second.

“You smell good, Yixing.”

He ignored you and continued walking.

“But Luhan smells better. He has this certain smell that I love. I can’t describe it. But it’s something that I miss all the time. I miss burying my face on his neck. Whenever I inhale his scent, I feel warm and happy. It makes me feel complete, makes me feel like I am… home.”

You closed your eyes then and took a nap.

Yixing felt your breath get even and knew that you were asleep. He tilted his head a bit, trying to look at you. But with your position, his moves were limited. He sighed heavily.

Yixing wanted you the first time he laid eyes on you. There was just something about you that called to him. That was why he went out of his way to help you. He enjoyed those earlier conversations but was crestfallen when he was told that you were with someone else already.

He backed off after that, especially when he met Luhan. Luhan was all around a nice guy. Yixing wanted a woman who was filial. He wouldn’t do anything that would make you be tempted to betray Luhan. He had deep respect for your relationship. That was why he kept on trying to bury his affections for you … but to no avail. He still liked you. But then, he was determined not to act on it. You and Luhan trusted him so much and he wouldn’t do anything to make you both do otherwise.

Sometimes, it would get difficult to hang out with you anymore. The more you spend time with him, the more he gets attracted to you. But he seemed to enjoy inflicting torture on himself since he couldn’t seem to distance himself for you.

You jolted awake when you felt Yixing put you down on a bed. You scanned the area to see that you are in your room.

“How did you know the password? Did I text it also?” you tried to be playful but sounded sarcastic instead.

“I called Luhan. He told me the code,” he said as he removed your shoes. “Could you stand and get a change of clothes or should I do it for you?”

You sighed and placed your lower arm above your eyes. “Just hand me the night gown that I hang up in the bathroom, Yixing.”

He went to retrieve your sleepwear and you muttered “thanks” when he handed it to you.

“Do you need anything else? If not, I’m heading out.” He waited patiently for you. When it seemed to him that you have fallen asleep because of your closed eyes, he started to walk away.

“Yixing, I need you to be honest with me.”

He froze in his steps and turned to look at you.

You sighed and removed your arm from your eyes, lifting your upper body to move to a sitting position.

“Am I the kind of girl you would want to have fun with but never marry?”

You looked at him straight in the eyes. Your bloodshot eyes make his heart hurt.

“Of course not. Why would you think that?” he approached you and sat on the bed, facing you.

“Do you know how long Luhan and I have been together? Eight years. Eight years and I still don’t have any ring on my finger.” You raised your left hand and showed him. “I feel like I’m wasting my time and effort only to arrive at a dead end. I don’t even know why I’m acting this way. I just suddenly thought of it today. It’s our anniversary, you know? And I feel pushed aside. I can’t help but feel as if Luhan’s taking me for granted. I just… miss him.” You started bawling like a child then.

You covered your face and bowed your head in shame, but you couldn’t stop from letting your emotions out.

“I love him, Yixing. I love him so much.” You stared in his eyes and he never felt so helpless. Your eyes were filled with sorrow and yearning, and your flowing tears made it worse. You looked so heartbroken that it was breaking his heart also.

He went closer to you and pulled you into his arms. You encircled your arms in his back and laid your head on his chest and cried to your heart’s content.

Yixing just stayed silent. He didn’t know what to tell you. All he could offer was his chest for you to lean on.

“I’m being childish, right? Maybe it’s because of PMS.” You laughed while you cry.

Yixing looked at your face and just caressed your head.

After a while, you abruptly detached yourself from him.

“I’m sleepy.” You stated and quickly lied down to sleep.

Yixing was slightly amused. But then again, this was you. Nothing unusual.