In the morning when I wake

 and the sun is coming through

oh, you fill my lungs with sweetness

and you fill my head with you

23^rd September 2020

“Good morning sleepyhead.” Kai watched how the lady struggled to open her eyes as she buried her head deeper into the soft pillow. It was her little habit that he realized whenever he watches her sleep. Ever since he had been sleeping over at her room, he would always make sure that he wakes up earlier than her so he could watch how she would lift her heavy eyelids to look at him before flashing him the world most stunning smile. However, he couldn’t sleep yesterday. He was worried that she would be in pain so he spent the entire night watching her sleep instead. He wanted to make sure she was alright.

“Good morning.” Aleyah replied him with a tired smile hanging on her face. Her thumb grazed his cheeks lovingly, “did you sleep well last night?”

He nodded his head, “You?”

“Yeah. But I still feel tired.” She yawned as she pulled the sheets to cover her body, her eyes were closing once again.

“Looks like I’ve overworked you last night.” He buried his face into the crook of her neck, inhaling her fragrance.

Last night. Aleyah blushed at the memory of their intense love making last night. Adrenaline rushed through her veins as she recalled how they were each other’s name continuously right before they reached the peak as one body. It was so arousing, blissful and addictive that she felt embarrassed by herself for having such dirty thoughts.

Kai could feel her cheeks flushing at his words. Her innocence in bed was surprisingly a big turn on for him; he loves how shy she would get when she sees him or when she’s in front of him. She doesn’t need to wear the iest lingerie to because her body had already become his favourite drug. He was already addicted right after the first try. “How do you feel? Does it still hurt?”

She ran her hands through his soft brown hairs, “A little. But it doesn’t hurt as much as yesterday.”

“That’s good.” He blew hot air into her ear causing her to chuckle at the ticklishness as she dodged away but was locked by his strong arms around her waist.

“Stop it Kai..” Instead of stopping, the man was nibbling on her soft spot which was his victory and her instant defeat. She could feel herself heating up as his hands started to ignite the fire all over her again. “You need to go for your rehearsal…”

“I can always be late.” He showed no sign of stopping causing the lady to whimper again.

“Don’t... It’s not good.. for your… image.” Aleyah struggled to say those words through the kiss they shared. “Be.. good…”

Kai stopped obediently as he pouted. His hair was ruffled messily and he looked really adorable on top of her like this, “I hate my life.”

“Hahah, and why so?”

“Because I have to leave now. I don’t want to.” He buried his face into her neck again and whined. “Why is it that you get to report at 9 and I have to report at 730?”

“Because you have to do your makeup and hair but I don’t?”

“That’s why I hate my life.” She could feel him pouting against her neck and she couldn’t help but to chuckle as she patted his head gently. “I don’t want to leave you.” He whispered lovingly.

“Go now.” Aleyah urged. As much as she would love to spend the entire day cuddling with him in this bed, she knew better that they both have other responsibilities to fulfill. “I will give you a reward if you are not late for your rehearsal.”

“Really?” He propped himself up immediately, his eyes lighting up with a suggestive smile spreading across his lips. “Reward?”

“It’s not what you think it is. I don’t have a dirty mind like you.”

“I don’t have a dirty mind, I have a y imagination.”

Turning herself over so she was back facing him, she rolled her eyes, “Oh god, ego freak alert.”

“Excuse me, it’s the iest ego freak alive.”

Pulling the sheets above her head, Aleyah pretended to ignore him. His overflowing confidence was also another reason why she loved him. It was just a part of him that contributed to the Kai today. And she can’t deny that she does love his iness. Receiving no response, he turned her over and dragged the sheets off her, “So I will be rewarded later?”

“Yes. Provided if you go now.”

“I’m going! I love you baby. See you later.” Kai sprang up after sealing a kiss on her lips, “We will continue later alright?”

Of course that wasn’t said without giving his favourite lady a wink alongside with his signature smirk.

******

“Kai!” Kyungsoo called the man when he was heading towards the van that will take them to the rehearsal venue.

“Where were you last night? I thought you said you were going to get something?”

Instinctively, Kai gulped. Last night. He was at Aleyah’s room, making love with her. Unsure if it’s the images of previous night appearing before him or that he was feeling nervous for lying to Kyungsoo, he could feel his cheeks reddening. “I did. I slept over at Xiumin hyung’s room after.”

“Xiumin hyung?” Kyungsoo muttered to himself as he watched Kai climbed into the van weirdly. How could he sleep over at Xiumin hyung’s room when the latter spent the night at theirs?

-

“You look happier today.” Sehun stood behind Aleyah. Although she was still wearing her specs, something else on her look different. It didn’t take him long to realize it was the stunning smile that mysteriously disappeared for the past week.

“Really?”

“Yeah. What’s so funny about my message to our China fans?” He saw how she was smiling at the letter he asked her to translate when he wrote nothing hilarious in it.

“Nothing…” Aleyah lowered her head, trying to hide her flushed face. The scenes of last night kept appearing before her and she didn’t even realize that she was grinning unconsciously.

“C’mon tell me.” The blonde male urged. He wanted to know the reasons to her happiness and if possible, he wants to be there to witness whatever that make her joyous. “Unless you don’t see me as a friend.”

“Of course I see you as a friend!” The lady spun around at his slightly disappointed tone. She meant what she had said. As much as she wished she could share her happiness with Sehun, the next person she trust other than Kai, she couldn’t. Because this isn’t a relationship that involves only Kai and her, Solbi was implicated as well. Her own reputation can be tainted but she has no heart to destroy the other woman who did no harm to her.

“It’s just… I’m excited for Chen’s birthday celebration party tonight.” She lied. “I have never been to a club before.”

“I see.” Sehun nodded his head interestingly.

*******

After the concert, Aleyah went back to her room to place her bag. The crew had decided to throw a big scale after party at a nightclub in Beijing to celebrate the success of the last concert, ending the annual world tour on a good note as well as for Chen’s belated birthday. So everyone went back to their room to prepare for this night event, determined to enjoy themselves before they return to Seoul the next day. She walked over to the dressing room drawer to look for her Identity Card when something on her bed caught her eyes.

Walking towards it, she saw a black long chiffon dress laid beautifully among the white sheets. A pair of matching black stilettos and an opened jewellery box containing a simple heart shaped necklace was beside it. She picked up the box gingerly and read the note that was placed in there,

I’m sure you will look stunning in these. I will pick you up at 130am, see you.

P.S: Don’t worry I did not break into your room, I got the house keeping to help me. (:

From,

Sehun.

Looking up from the card, she looked at the items on her bed again. They were so gorgeous that she was definite they would make the ugliest woman on this earth beautiful instantly. Because not only did they possess the ability to make one feel good after wearing them, but they also carried Sehun’s thoughtfulness. All these were sufficient to make any woman glow with everyone’s envy but Aleyah didn’t feel blissful in any way. Instead, her heart started to feel heavy.

-

“Wow Aleyah.” The birthday boy exclaimed the moment he saw her walked in with Sehun beside her. “You look stunning.”

“Thank you Chen. Happy belated birthday.” Aleyah handed him the gift she handmade for him. “Hope you like it.”

“I will.”

“Aleyah, why are you wearing a long dress to club?” Chanyeol complained, “I was still hoping to see you in a short dress or something.”

His words caused Sehun to smack him in his head as they took a sit among the boys. “Do you have a problem with the dress I bought?”

“You bought?” Baekhyun gaped while Luhan and Suho sniggered. Someone on the other hand downed a cup of liquor that he held in his hand after hearing that.

“Yeah. Sehun bought it for me. Shoes too.”

“The only thing I bought that she didn’t wear is the necklace.”

“I’m sorry Sehun, I forgot. I was rushing.” She lied. Somehow she just couldn’t bring herself to wear that necklace. Her sixth sense told her that it’s more than just a necklace.

“Is okay.”  The blonde male smiled at her. Although he was quite disappointed that she didn’t wear the necklace (the most important gift among all that he had prepared), he comforted himself that at least she wore the dress and shoes he bought. Initially he was still worried that she might not wear the dress due to the backless part that exposes a quarter of her back since she was always very conservative. But he was glad that he bought this dress because she looked breathtaking in it.

“Let’s continue with our game.” A low voice spoke and Aleyah looked up at him just in time to see him gulped down two cups of hard liquor continuously. Worry coated her hazelnut eyes instantly.

“Aleyah, do you know how to play 5 10 15?” Luhan distracted the lady beside her. She shook her head.

“Okay the game goes like this, you can shoutout any numbers from 0 to 65. At the same time, you can extend your hand (5) or clenched your fist (0). If I manage to guess the correct number and it matches with the number of fingers among us, the person after me will have to drink.”

“And that will be you, in my case.”

The lady nodded excitedly as she stretched out her hand to the middle of the circle. Everyone followed after suit.

“25!” Chen shouted, in hope to get Kris drunk but failed.

“45” Kris said calmly as Luhan pouted because he didn’t get to drink.

“20!” Luhan called out. “Hahah Aleyah, drink!”

She took the glass from him and sniffed it before she put the brim on her lips. Even though they had mixed it with Coke for her, the liquor smell still surged through her nose causing her eyebrow to furrow. She wasn’t a fan of drinking and she had no idea how’s her liquor tolerance; she was quite worried that she would be gone after finishing this cup.

But before she could taste the liquid, Sehun snatched the cup away from her. “I will drink it for her,” he said before emptying the cup.

“Sehun!” Aleyah exclaimed at his sudden action, she could see his face flushed when he turned over the cup to show the group of them that he had finished every drop of it.

“That’s my man.” Luhan leaned back and slapped Sehun’s back.

“Way to go bro.” Kris fistpumped him.

“Thank you.” She thanked him as she instinctively reached out to pat his back when Sehun started coughing.

“I’m fine. Let’s continue.”

As the game goes on, Sehun’s face was getting redder while Kai’s became increasingly annoyed. Because Luhan was so good at the game that Aleyah had to drink at least twice every round and this was all blocked by the blonde male who was sitting beside her. An hour into the game and right before the lady were 7 empty glasses, all finished by him.

Despite his low liquor tolerance, the male forced himself to finish everything. He knew s well enough to know how strong the booze was without having to taste it. The fact that they were all alcoholic, especially Kai who was unbeatable in terms of drinking, made them increase the alcohol to satisfy the thrill they could get from this game. However, he didn’t have the heart to watch the lady finish that glass Luhan passed her. That burning sensation in the throat wasn’t comfortable and he was sure it wasn’t something she would like too. Among all, he just didn’t wish to see her drunk.

“Aleyah, join us at the dance floor?” Kris invited her while the rest made their way out of the VIP area. They were getting bored with the game and were itching to dance instead.

“Erm…”

 Kai looked at her as he communicated through their eyes, pleading her to come with them. He wasn’t feeling good having to hear Sehun picked out her outfit for the night and also helping her in the forfeit. And it didn’t get any better as he watched how the male placed his chin on her shoulders now. Their faces were only an inch away from another. It was way too close and he had to get her away from him because he knows how Sehun would get all touchy when he’s drunk.

“I will pass. Someone needs to look after Sehun.” She looked at Kai – who was beside Kris- as she replied. Her eyes begging him to understand her plight but all she saw was disappointment as he turned around to walk away.

“You can actually go with them. I can look after Chen and Sehun at the same time.” Kyungsoo told her as he watched how she faked a smile at him with her dull eyes right when Kai turned around to leave.

******

I love this chapter's title. Budding. If you had realized, every character in this chapter had some thoughts/feelings developing. Esp Sehun and Kyungsoo. And this also marks the end of the world tour, they will be heading back to Seoul after this. Will they be able to continue their underground relationship like they had? 

Just want to know, are you guys alright with the pace of the story so far? Is it too draggy? Too detailed? Or should I fast forward it? Let me know your views thanks!