The very first time I met him, it’s already midnight and wow wasn’t the street looked scary. I knew I shouldn’t dawdle that day when I was working with the math problem that seemed to make my brain scrambled here and there. It used to be so easy I would be done by afternoon, but it seemed that one of my brilliant students decided to pull some pranks on me because it was not only math. It was freaking calculus darn it and I wasn’t paid enough for it. I almost gave up but the smirk that the student gave me—I hope he learned his lesson somewhere in the way.

Back to where I’m supposed to tell you about how I met this bunch of strangers and a lanky man who’s so attractive with this bad boy aura, yeah, it was that very midnight I met them. My father said that our neighborhood wasn’t considered dangerous at night but hey you could always be prepared lest things go wrong. I was walking with a slightly faster than my usual pace –who wouldn’t in this hour- and oh fortune god, was I that lucky I had to go through this? I saw a group of people –I’m sure it was more than ten people- walked along the street with a different destination other than mine.

My lips murmured a silent prayer all of sudden to just let myself be invisible or something but before I could say anything, my shoulder was grabbed and I was pinned to the wall by one of them. For the love of God am I going to die is this it and all my thoughts were jumbled in the loud laughs that those people bombarded and I fisted my hands while looking at anything but them. It really felt like my world was going to end just like that until a young man cleared his throat and made his way towards me. I couldn’t help but look up and boy was he shining. His eyes were gorgeous and alluring. Suddenly, my body felt warm and all the tension that I had some time ago were gone. Wow what just happened-

“If you don’t want to get in trouble, play along, sweetie.” The young man lifted up my chin and soon, my lips were attacked. What- The act was sudden and all I wanted to do was push him and kick him on the crotch because dang it was my first kiss that he’s taking! Yes, I’m twenty three and I haven’t had my first kiss. Don’t judge me I’m not the only one! I couldn’t let this slide just like that. My first kiss was taken by a stranger... no. Just no. But then I remembered what he said. Okay, I don’t want to die so young like this so I did what he told me. I kept calm which wasn’t really hard to try because the feeling came almost naturally and this felt familiar no matter how weird it sounded.

When he kissed me...  it tasted strange. It was ugh so bitter and I couldn’t relate it to any taste that I’ve ever had. Coffee? No. Medicine? Nope. Green tea? Nuh-uh. So what? It did taste bitter and it choked me a bit in surprise but it left me wanting more. Call me freak but that’s what I really tasted when he slightly my lower lips and wow it’s getting hot here. When he pulled away, I let out a small whimper which was so embarrassing to be honest. I mentally hit my head because bad Seohyun you shouldn’t want to have more. Sure, he’s handsome and mesmerizing at some points but he’s a stranger for god’s sake! Not to mention a creepy one with a creepy gang behind him!

“Not bad,” he muttered and patted my head. Oh that felt nice. Again, I slapped my head mentally because Seohyun you’re thinking so sickly this couldn’t go on like this! You’re not a cat why would you feel this squirmy fluttery feeling inside your stomach when he did that. That was so wrong. Besides, why did his compliment sound very much like a judgmental comment? It offended me in many ways that I couldn’t exactly elaborate.

The laughing pack turned silent after that and I caught some of their jaw dropped like they didn’t believe at what just happened. If I could, I would roll my eyes and say hey if there’s someone who doesn’t understand what’s happening, it would be me and only me since you’re all in one group and shared your dirty secrets or something like that.

The young man who just kissed me clapped his hands and the others’ attentions were soon all over him. “Let’s go. Leave her alone for now.” What? Were you saying that we’re going to meet again? Part of me said no why the heck I want to meet a freak like you but the other part squeals so happily I didn’t believe that kind of thought existed in my mind. His eyes diverted to mine and he gave me a small smile, a sweet one that’s really different from what he first gave me and I stupidly smile back. “Have a nice dream, Seohyun-ssi.” Okay. That was super scary. How did he know my name? I didn’t have a tag name, obviously. And I’m surely sure not the type who blurted hi I’m Seohyun to every people that I met in the street. Except he could read my mind. Gasp. It’s impossible, right?

Well, the good news was, they all left with awe and whispers here and there. Uh... That’s it? You kissed me in front of a bunch of freaks and left just like that? Okay. As long as I’m safe, it’s cool. But no. I thought I was pretty much a person who doesn’t linger in the past but strangely, I felt a faint connection with the young man who just kissed me—not just because he kissed me of course- and it’s really hard to shrug off. I had a hunch that I’ll meet him again only I didn’t sure when. I hope it’ll be soon but I could never be too sure. Everything remained mystery until that one fateful day...

+++

Did I make it sound like he’ll spend one eternity before he meets me again? If I did, well, it’s really not that long before he popped out before me, alone this time, with a similar smirk draped over his lips and his –honestly, failed- swag as he trotted his way toward me. It was two days later when I had this strange spirit on my body to go to the library and borrowed some books for my teaching material. I asked my friends to come along but they refused, saying that just went there an hour ago. Blame my wretched fate.

Well, it wasn’t that bad actually. To go to library with a bunch of friends wasn’t really a good idea. I could get a handful of creepy stare that’d be shot toward me by the librarian that my friends were sure it’s been so long since she’s got laid. I admitted that that’s rude. But seeing at her cat-like scowl whenever we made a really small noise, I just couldn’t help but agree to it.

I decided to go to the novel section first before I torture my brain in a sea of mathematics and picked a book that seemed to shine I had to blink to make sure that I wasn’t hallucinating. Darn right I was because when I blinked my eyes several times, the book turned out to have this dull and boring color. I shrugged and took the book anyway. The title of the book was ‘Midnight Kiss’ which earned a roll of eyes from me because can this book be more cliché when I recalled my first kiss at that particular midnight.

I found the book triggered my interest as I made my way to one of the chairs and opened the first page. There was nothing much other than introduction and all that jazz. When I flipped the next page, I felt this strange aura around me and I looked up only to see a familiar young man was smiling at me. The book fell from my grasp and I could see from the corner of my eyes that I trembled a bit. It was that young man, the very same young man, only this one wear glasses and he had a neater appearance than what I saw at that nice.

“Hi,” he greeted with a small wave. “I’m Cho Kyuhyun. I teach Music and yes, we barely meet but I often see you in this library.” Cho Kyuhyun. It had a nice ring to it. “That book is not that good. If I were you, I wouldn’t read it.” He commented as he took the book that I was about to read and pushed it far from my grasp. “I recommend you to... uh. That section,” He pointed to one of the big shelves at the corner of the room and grinned. “A lot of good books are stacked there. You should check them out.”

I wasn’t sure what to do at the moment but I felt my heart beat so fast I could barely form any words. So I stood up without saying anything and walked to the shelf that he recommended and let out a big sigh when he’s out of my sight. Now that I could breathe easier, I began to look at the books around there and find another one that seemed interesting. When I was about to take the book, however, I was spinned slightly and again, I found my back crashed to the hard wall that happened to be at the farthest side of the library and darn did I just get fooled? I got myself trapped between his arms and there’s really no way for me to get myself out so I gave him a questioning look.

Before I could snap at him, again, he captured my lips so gently it felt out of the world and I basked in his comfortable warmth. Was kissing always feel this amazing? I didn’t think so. It felt really magical, like I was flying with my non-existent wings and my heart went thump-thump it sounded silly, but a good kind of silly.

When he let go, I was in daze for a moment before widened my eyes and pushed him as strong as I could. He didn’t even flinch a bit and laughed while taking my hands with his. “Are you upset? I’m sorry. I should’ve cleared this misunderstanding first before I scare you like that again.” Even his laugh was so attractive I felt really dumb at the moment. I should’ve hated him for making the fool out of me like that, not falling over heels on him like this.

“What do you say if we talk this out over a cup of coffee?” He offered in a gentle manner I almost melted in his fluid voice. I nodded because heck I was super pissed if I thought this over again and I was utterly confused by this kissing thing that I desperately wanted to hate but couldn’t. I hope this talk would go well and I wouldn’t have another sleepless night haunting me.

+++

I spluttered my cold coffee all over his clothes in surprise when he innocently say “You’re officially my wife now whether you believe me or not.” Wha— What did the jerk say? Wife— How?! How funny. This young man went all the way to steal—STEAL— my first kiss and he thought that somehow I let him slide by letting him kissed me without being slapped anyway so he expected that he could claim me as his wife all at once and I’ll coolly accept it? This ungrateful thief?!

“What are you even saying, Kyuhyun-ssi? It doesn’t make sense.” Yeah, I’m quite an introvert so I decided to keep my brash personality hidden until this Kyuhyun went over the line. Well, to be quite honest, he had crossed the line long ago and it’s nowhere to be seen anymore that it’s crossed too far. “Just because we kissed twice—no. Just because you kissed me twice, does it mean that we’re a married couple? Just like that? It’s nonsense.”

“If you were me, it does.” Kyuhyun slowly cleaned his face and the clothes off the coffee with his handkerchief—wow, talk about romantics. I mentally smirked. You freaking deserve it. “Actually, you became my wife the moment you kissed me back that night. It’s as simple as that.”

“It’s not.” I said through my gritted teeth. How’s that even possible? I didn’t say any vow and I’m sure even if this young man before me was very great in appearance wise, I wouldn’t want to marry to a stranger just like that. It’s not that simple.

“It is.” Kyuhyun retorted. He put the handkerchief and the table slumped over the table a bit, leaning closer to me. “I’m not who you think you are, Seo Joohyun-ssi.” Yeah. You’re not a gentleman that I first thought; you’re way worst than that. “I’m not exactly a human. I’m what you call power bearer. No. Not fire control or those kinds of mighty power. I’m more to protection, healing kind. Not offensive at all.”

I gaped. Wow. Just how stupid he thought I was? Power bearer? Say what? Haha so funny. “Ookay... So how’s that related to this wife thing?” It’s not the time to lash out whatever I had in the back of my mind.

“Well... Promise me not to cut me off before I finished with whatever I’m going to say?” Kyuhyun held out his pinky. I looked at him confusedly but held mine out while grumbling inhumanly to myself. Couldn’t this get sillier?

“I promise.” I said as crossed our pinkies together. He straightened his sitting position and took a deep breath, released it audibly, and took another one before started his fairy tale.

“So, I believe you’re familiar with werewolves and how they live together in a pack, right? My group whom you met that night is similar to that, only we’re more human and we don’t exactly stay in group every day. Yes, we live together, but not as close as werewolves are. The powers we have actually don’t really matter. It’s just, we heal faster than others—like way faster, and we don’t die caused by aging. It’s that simple, really. In the past, there used to be other offensive kind of power but as the world turn more simplified, so does our power.”

“Your point is...?”

“Ssh. You broke your promise. You said you wouldn’t cut me off.”

It’s kind of getting out of way if you think about it. I only asked why he would think me as his wife. Why did he go through all the trouble telling me this fairy tale thing then? I was getting sleepy. “I merely want to know why I am your wife again. We don’t even know each other. Well, I don’t know you so how do you assume so?”

“It’s our pack’s way of marriage. You see. Once in a blue moon, someone our kind will feel this dull connection with a woman who’s fated to be his wife. It’s sometimes true, and sometimes not. I know it may sounds strange for you, but if this woman whom this person has feeling of connection with is being kissed and she kissed back, then there’s where the line bonded. That’s when they, or should I say, we, kind of getting married. It’s like being marked except it’s not.”

“No way...” Okay, it was just a stupid tale like I’d always said and this was no different. “It’s making no sense.”

Kyuhyun smiled. It was sweet but it really burned my will to punch this man’s gut out for once and all. “Like I said, not if I were you, but very much yes when you were me, which you are, actually. Because now you’re part of me and my group now that you kissed me back, wifey.” Ugh, that nickname.

“B-but. Wouldn’t other’s reaction is the same if they’re being surrounded by a bunch of craps like you all and were aware that they could do nothing but stay put and follow through order not to get hurt? Does that mean everyone that you first kiss can be your wife?” And I was just being the unlucky one. Yes. It’s so plausible. I was so scared they would hurt me so I didn’t do anything and followed what he said. Anyone does that, right?

“Yeah, but no. Like I said, we’re not exactly what you call human, means that we’re different. If you’re not fated with me, then surely you’d either push me back out of instinct or forgot what happened at all. From what I see, you still have that scene so fresh in your mind. That means, the bond works very well more or less. You’re my mate now.”

That’s where hell broke loose. I slapped his left cheek so hard my hand stung and marched out of the coffee shop as fast as I could, going straight to my house. Strange. When I got home and saw my reflection in my mirror, I saw my left cheek was suspiciously red. I rubbed my hand over the red mark and suddenly, it felt so hard to breathe as I felt my heart clenched so tight I was almost sure I got a heart attack. It was all black several seconds later as my head, my body, all of me met with a hard floor all of sudden.

What’s happening?

+++

When I opened my eyes again, I found myself tucked on my bed with blanket draped neatly over my body. What time was it? I recalled going home at five o’clock sharp and— it’s been two hours since then. My mother should be home by then and I felt guilty. There’s no way his father would be the one who lifted him up here because he wouldn’t be home until ten tonight. What was that anyway? Was that really heart attack? I shivered at the thought.

I tried to get up but I felt a heavy feeling right on my heart and decided it’s best to lie down for several minutes. It hurt less by then but the pain was still there. “What the heck’s happening to me?”

“Are you awake?”

I almost jumped at the voice. I thought I was alone, but then I saw a familiar young man who was then sitting at the floor close to my bed. Wow the Cho Kyuhyun was here. Why I was not surprised? “What are you doing here?”

Kyuhyun looked at me worriedly (wow was I starting to see things) as he ran his fingers through my hair oh so gently. I swatted his hand away even though there’s this gnawing feeling that protested against my rash action almost immediately. Something whispered hey you’re doing it wrong— shut up you, whatever you were. “I’m sorry. I forgot to tell you that we’re severely bonded we’ll feel what’s exactly the other’s feeling. We’re still new so it’s still a bit out of control— I’m sorry.”

Wow. The jerk’s actually looked like he just committed the biggest sin (which was true in some ways) and was very sorry about it. “What do you mean?” It’s not that I was dumb, okay. It’s just, I kind of got it, but then again I didn’t get it. You know what I mean? No. Screw you then.

“It means exactly what I said. So, when you slap me, you’ll feel like you’re slapped too— which explain the red mark on your cheek. When I feel heartbroken, you will too. And because we’re somehow married, and new, it becomes twofold and I was really hurt when you pushed me away and it might be too much for you and you passed out.” Oh. Okay. “Don’t worry. Your mother is completely oblivious about this. I sort of break in through your window.”

I really wanted to flick him on his forehead for saying so casually that he just broke through my what— but it’s not the most important thing right then. “So that’s why I feel like my heart being trampled on and being crashed like I was hit by a car all of sudden?”

Kyuhyun gasped in surprise. “Was it that bad?”

“Worse.” I corrected. It wasn’t even close to describe. Wow. Heartbreak can be a pain in the arse sometimes. I finally made up my mind. It’s time to end this whole confusing thing after beating around the bush. “Look. If everything you’ve said is true, fine, I’ll believe you. But give me some time, okay? You can’t expect me to suddenly believe things that never exist in my life. I mean, it’s cool if you’re really not a human and have powers— fine. I can buy it. I can believe you because I have nothing much to do with it anyway. But you said that I’m your wife, mate, and I’m bonded to you blah blah- it’s just too much to take it at once. It’s about my life. My freaking whole life. I’ve never had a boyfriend, and suddenly I’m married, and I don’t even know- what. It’s not simple. So... Do you get what I’m trying to say?” I want you to stay away, for a very long time I hope, until I have everything sorted out in order.

“Sure.” Kyuhyun nodded slowly. He took my hand and kissed it and there’s this small spark going on inside my still weak heart. “I’ll be waiting, Seohyun-ssi.” And then he placed his lips over mine and everything abruptly became so slow around us and the pain that stubbornly stayed on my heart eased a bit, a bit, and then it’s gone completely. There were butterflies on my stomach and there’s tingling feeling on my lips when he pulled back. I sort of lost my breath for a moment before Kyuhyun worsened it by smiling so sincerely I’d melt into a puddle of goo if I could.

“Until then,” and there he went, opening the window and going down through it. It’s so uncool in many ways but then, I didn’t really pay attention so that’s fine. Whatever he did, he seemed to do it in high fashion way, so delicate and graceful, somehow untouchable but friendly. What am I even saying now? Okay, I admit he’s that great. I just couldn’t accept him like that... yet.

A small smile blossomed on my lips after he’s out of my sight. “Until then.”

+++

A/N: Ookay. If you happen to cross my fiction titled “Bitter Kisses” in my old livejournal, then yes, this fiction is sort of a whole remake of it. I wanted to crosspost it just like that at first, but then when I edited it slightly (only grammar, spelling, and blah blah), I decided to not post it at all and re-write it all over again. It’s just so... holy was-I-that-bad kind of fic. Well, it’s written when I was still in senior high school and I wasn’t really a fan of English at all (what am I talking about I’m still lacking so much even now *sobs*) so yeah... I changed almost everything (okay, I changed every-thing. The ending’s supposed to be all smileys and clear, not uncertain and somewhat sad like this). How did I do? (:

By the way, I remember having a friend (even though it’s not that long) with seosic as username in livejournal. Do you still remember me? *waves* (This is bbutlerflyy! ^^)