67.

Author's Note: Guys this is like the longest chapter I've ever written ;__; I hope you won't find it boring! And when reading please read at a slow pace, but not too slow because there will be background music playing! With that said enjoy my loves <3 You'll know if you're reading at a good pace if the song matches the mood, if not I put the titles so you would know what song should be playing It doesn't really matter that much until the last two songs.

{Only tears}   

Kris shifted in his sleep as he threw his forearm over his eyes. The sun was beginning to eat up their room and he did not appreciate it. When he heard the phone ringing, he quickly glanced down at YunHee who was still sleeping on his chest. He smiled before answering the call.

            “Ah yes, have them bring breakfast to our room, thank you.” He answered, hanging up. Kris tried his best not to move too much in case he awoken the sleeping beauty before him. However he had other motives for not wanting her to wake up just yet. 

One, the simple fact that once she was awake, she would no longer be embracing him so intimately and he did not want anything more than to have the woman he loved in his arms. And two, he was afraid, afraid that when she was up, last night would only be a dream to her.

            Kris sighed, feeling content as he laid his head back onto the pillow. He nuzzled into her hair, inhaling the scent of apples from the shampoo she had used. “Apples still?” he chuckled as he secured his arm around her waist. “You really haven’t changed.”

            To him this was how it was supposed to be, this is how he always imagined it to be. Just him and the woman whom he loved the most together like this.

“I’m sorry for believing everything HyunRi said. It wasn’t until you left that I realized I was wrong. It wasn’t until you were out of my life, thousands of miles away that I realized how miserable I was without you. It was then that I discovered you were the one. The one who loved me just as much as I loved you. I guess a part of me back then was too oblivious and ignorant to accept it. But now that you’ve returned I won’t let you go. I won’t make that mistake of doubting my heart, doubting you. Even when the whole world is standing against you, you’ll never be alone because I will be right by your side, holding your hand. That’s how it should’ve been, that’s how it’s going to be from now on. I swear it. Harabeoji, Imo Zheng, I won’t let her down again. Not anymore.”

Kris shut his eyes for a brief second when an image of YunHee crying flashed before him. He never wanted to see her cry and he especially never wanted to be the reason for the tears in her eyes.

The only time he wanted to see water flowing from her eyes was when they got married to each other. That was the only exception for him. He remembered clearly what his heart was doing when she had a sadden expression on her face. It was breaking into a million pieces. He opened his eyes again and quickly kissed her scalp.

Next the scene of YunHee the night she was drunk pleading him to stay, played. He had already broken one promise to her and he wasn’t willing to break another. Then the events of last night refreshed themselves in his mind. Kris let out a light chuckle and pulled YunHee closer. That warmth, her body, that body which withheld the most splendid creature he had encountered was right. It was perfect for him, she was perfect for him. Everything from her laugh, her smile, her body, her eyes, her lips, her nose, her cheeks, to Kris the list was never ending.

He slowly pulled away from her so that he could get a better look at her. For a moment he let his eyes feast on her beauty. He brushed the back of his hand against her cheek and then leaned in to plant his lips on hers for a quick second. Her lips, her touch, her gaze, they were all the same. Kris was sure now that the old Jeong YunHee who everyone missed dearly was still there. And he also knew that it was his fault that she was suppressed from resurfacing. “Why don’t you show us the real you?”

No matter how hard YunHee tried to put up a cold appearance, Kris saw right through it. How? Easy, that’s what he had done when he had first moved into her home a few years back. And that’s exactly how he fell for her. Because even when he was bitter, beat-down and just plain weary of love, she never gave up on him. She showed him that people still loved sincerely, that love still existed. She proved to him by loving him. And he was going to do the same to her.

{Nice to meet you}

Kris was determined to show her that he wasn’t going to give up on her, on them. He was going to show her that he wasn’t the same guy who was scared of love and trust.  He was now a man who was capable to provide her with everything she would ever need. The man who would love her unconditionally and to the best of his ability.

Although Kris felt as if he was a new man that wasn’t the right phrase. He didn’t feel like a new man around her instead he felt like a better man.

YunHee didn’t change him instead she brought the best out in him. He was aware that the best of her was in there somewhere too, he just needed to find it first.

He was dead-set on making her fall in love with him just as she had done to him. And this time Kris was going to show no mercy. “You’ll forget about all the times you were hurt. From today forward you will only remember good memories. Good memories of you and me. Saranghae jeongmal saranghae Jeong YunHee. I always have and I always will. Without you I don’t think I would know what love is anymore.” Kris spoke, repositioning her back onto his chest.

            YunHee smiled in her sleep as her hand rested on Kris’ chest, going up and down in the same pattern as his breathing. When she realized that there was someone underneath her, YunHee recalled her situation with Kris. She pinched her brows together yet her eyelids remained sealed. She could feel his hot breath drumming against her skin and it was no mystery that it made her body heat up.

            She wanted to jump up and beat the daylights out of him but for some reason she liked how they were right now. She liked being back in his arms, those arms that always made her feel secure and safe. It wouldn’t hurt, she knew that. But then she recalled those same arms that once protected her, were also the same ones that had inflicted so much pain upon her. YunHee’s heart cringed at what she was doing right now and what she had done last night.

            She shouldn’t have cared for him, she shouldn’t have eaten the food he had bought for her, she shouldn’t have worried for him and most of all she shouldn’t have fallen in love with him again. Who knew all it took was one kiss for her to be back at where she had started.

            Not knowing what to do, YunHee remained exactly the way she was. She breathed out using her nose as she scooted in closer to Kris. Just this once, she told herself. After today, after the meeting she was going to ignore him. She didn’t wish to falter in his presence anymore. It’s not like she meant anything when she told him she would be okay as long as he stayed by her side. It was lie, a big fat lie. She was perfectly fine without him.

            Taking one for the team, that’s what she did. That’s all she did. This was what YunHee convinced herself to believe. She forced herself to think all of this was only business. It was strictly professional.

            Sleeping with a guy is being professional? YunHee furrowed her brows at that idea. When there was a knock at the door, her train of thought was immediately broken. YunHee could hear Kris exhaling as she felt herself being lifted up then placed back onto the bed. She opened one eye to see a server pushing a cart in. She sat up, rubbed her eyes and turned towards Kris who was a bit stunned to see her up so soon.

            “Good morning,” he greeted with a subtle smile. Instead of replying with words YunHee nodded in acknowledgement. “Did you have anymore nightmares?” She glanced at him for a little before shaking her head. “That’s good, well breakfast is here and the meeting is in an hour. So if you want to wash up first go right ahead.”

            YunHee kicked the covers off as she stood up on the bed. As the mattress absorbed her weight, she felt as though her legs were dead. Trying to take a step forward, she tripped over her own feet. But being swift, Kris had caught her before she could hit the floor.

{He’s my baby}

            She looked up to see him grinning now. “Falling for me again. I guess you couldn’t resist.” He teased, setting her on her feet. YunHee wanted to laugh at him and his cheesy lines but stopped herself from doing so.

            YunHee smeared on her poker-face and strutted by Kris as she slammed the door to the washroom. She pressed her back against it and shook her head vigorously. “Still learning stupid lines from XiuMin I see.”

            On the other side of the door, Kris heard the water running. He sat down but then a buzzing sound caught his ear. He scoped the room to discover that it was YunHee’s phone. He hesitantly got up and saw that it was a text message from no one other than Kim MyungSoo. Kris felt his jealousy come to a boil as he opened the text which read:

            ‘How is your trip down there? Are you safe? Did you eat? Call me, I miss hearing your voice.’

            He couldn’t help but scoff at what he had just witnessed. Kris then wore a mischievous smirk as he typed out a response. After doing so he deleted the evidence and returned the phone back to where he had found it. “Sorry MyungSoo but this time she’s mine.”

…

            Hearing his notification bell chiming, MyungSoo eagerly clicked the view button. However his smile faded at the message he believed YunHee had sent.

            ‘Yah! Why are you bothering me so early? Of course I’m safe, YiFan is here with me. I’m going to be busy the whole day so don’t interrupt me.’

            “She’s with Kris?” he muttered in disbelief. “Duh they’re on a business trip together! Of course she’d be with him Kim MyungSoo, you’re thinking too much.” MyungSoo raked his fingers through his hair when the doorbell was pressed. He tossed his phone on the table and jogged over to the entrance.

When he opened the door, XiaZi was standing before him looking rather breathtaking. She was in a flowy aquamarine dress which was short in the front but long in the back. It had floral print all over it accompanied by a pink belt which showed her figure. Her hair was down and curled out to perfection.

 MyungSoo had never seen her so dressed up before and he had to admit she was a sight worth seeing. He cleared his throat and finally managed to pry his eyes off of her. “Xia?”

            “O-oppa.” She stammered, awkwardly scratching her head. “Do you think you could do me a really big favor?”

…

            “It was very nice meeting you Director Kim. We are very pleased and impressed with you and your marketing skills. President Wu, I think you’ve found your match made in heaven.” Mr. Jo, one of the contractors working on the new resort remarked as he and his partner exchanged grins.

            Kris blushed at their comment and turned to face YunHee whose was still stiff. Suddenly a smile broke out. “I hope you both will do your best on this resort. We’re relying on you. Until next time please take care.” She answered, standing up and bowing to each elder before leaving. Kris quickly followed suit.

            “Didn’t you hear? They even think we’re a match made in heaven.” He restated once he was strolling besides YunHee. YunHee abruptly ceased and glared at Kris. Kris threw his hands up in defense, “Hey they said it not me.”

            YunHee now knew she had to ignore Kris for her own sake. Not even bothering to waste her breath on him, she simply exhaled and resumed walking. “Back to the hotel.” She ordered as soon as she stepped inside the car. The driver turned to Kris who nodded at him.

            “Neh Agasshi.” He answered but little did YunHee know that they were never going to arrive at their destination. Kris and his driver had another place in mind.

            The car was now on a dirt-road, surrounded by nothing but the vast forest. YunHee stared out the window and sensed something wasn’t right. And if being stuck in an automobile with Kris and his lame remarks wasn’t bad enough, the car crackled and grumbled and soon came to a slow stop.

{What I would do if I had a lover}

            “Why are we stopping?” she asked.

            “I think the battery just blew up.” The driver informed, unbuckling his seatbelt. YunHee gawked at him as her eyes widened.

            “Blew up? How is that even possible!?” she exclaimed.

            “This car is rather old and not good for traveling long distances, the battery probably got overheated.” He replied as he got out of the vehicle, he made his way to the hood.

            “Just my luck!” YunHee growled.

            “At least you’ll have me to keep you company!” Kris beamed, pressing in closely. YunHee backed away until her head was resting on the window pane. At this rate YunHee knew that there was no way she could avoid talking to him.

            “I’ve spent enough time with you.” She snarled, shoving him back. Kris feigned heartbreak as he shook his head.

            “Ouch, I’m starting to feel like you don’t want to spend time with me Yunnie. Tell me that I’m wrong.”

            “You’re not wrong.” She snapped, undoing her seatbelt.

            Seeing what she was doing, Kris became alarmed. “Where are you going?”

            “To go check if he needs help.”

            “Why, he’s a grown man. I’m sure he can handle it.” Kris pointed out, holding on her arm.

            “That makes one of you.” She grumbled, freeing herself from his grasp. When her hand touched the handle, Kris jumped up, resulting a greeting between his head and the roof to occur.

            “Ow,” he winced. YunHee zoned out at him for a few seconds completely frozen. Then she started laughing like a mad woman. Once her oh-so-familiar tune of laughter ran through his ears, Kris couldn’t help but smile.

             “Idiot,” she chuckled one last time before she reached out for the handle again.

            “Wait! I’ll go and see if he needs help! You’re a lady and uhm you’ll get dirty if you go out.” Kris attempted to reason, praying she would buy it. YunHee rolled her eyes and shooed him out with her hands.

            “Ah President did something happen? Are we no longer continuing with the plan?” the driver whispered, acting like he was actually checking out the car’s battery.

            “Yes, now tell her what we practiced, arasso?