Just because two lips join doesn’t mean two hearts meet.

3^rd December 2020

When Aleyah woke up the next morning, the bed beside her was already empty. Kai was no longer there, all he left her was the warm bedsheet and his lingering scent. She had tried so hard not to fall asleep last night but looked like she failed. The moment she opened her eyes, he was gone again, like how it was like in her dreams everytime. But the only difference now was that she didn’t wake up in tears, because she knew everything that happened last night was real; he came and showered her with love.

She pulled on the bathrobe that was left beside her bed and headed to the bathroom. He still cared about her till the very end, afraid that she would catch a cold with her body. However, when she looked into the mirror’s reflection, Aleyah noticed the purplish marks around her neck. She pulled down her robe slowly, realizing that it trailed all the way to her chest. Kai had marked her, for the first and last time. He had always been careful with her, even in terms of protection but yesterday they had lost control in everything they did.

Her hands traced over them lightly before turning around to take a shower. The cold water wet her hair before running down her body, making her shiver but it served as a reminder to her. She knew well enough about the promise she had made to herself yesterday night. Till sunrise she was his, but after sunrise, she would be Sehun’s. From now onwards, there would be no more Kai in her life, there would only be Sehun.

The lady tortured herself with the cold water running down her skin in winter. Until she was ready then she stepped out of the bathroom. It wasn’t easy for her to switch off the faucet back there but she still managed to gather all her courage to. Pulling out a black printed long skirt and a white top from the cupboard, she put them on before standing in front of the dressing room table and draped a simple brown scarf over her neck. She knows the marks would heal in a few days but the scar Kai had caused probably never would.

Just as she spaced out, the doorbell that rang pulled her back to reality. She quickly swallowed the morning pills that she always kept in her purse in case of emergency before reaching for the door; she couldn’t afford to be pregnant. And right there it stood Sehun in tuxedo, a bouquet of flowers in his hands. Reality had started to kick in.

“Good morning dear.” He smiled sweetly at her, “Happy 2^nd month anniversary.”

Aleyah looked at the flowers, it was her favourite, tulips.

“Thank you Sehun.” She replied meekly.

“Are you ready? Shall we go?”

She turned back and looked back at her empty room once again. Kai and her figures could be seen smiling happily in there and her lips hooked up in tuned with it. Taking a last glance, she shut the wooden door before her and faced the blonde male. Some stuff she just has to learn how to let go isn’t it? Although it doesn’t make sense to let go of something she wanted for so long but it also doesn’t make sense when there’s nothing there since Kai and her love had already come to a perfect end.

“I’m ready.” She replied confidently with a genuine smile this time, “Let’s go Sehun.”

******

“Stop it hyung.” Kyungsoo hit Luhan’s chest playfully.

“What’s up?” Sehun joined the duo with Aleyah in his embrace. Everyone was formally dressed for Kai’s big day and was all in a light-hearted mood to welcome a new family member into the Exo family.

“Guess what maknae?” Luhan went beside Sehun’s ears, “Kyungsoo and SoYeon slept in the same room yesterday night.”

The mentioned male looked at the others around him who was eyeing him with teasing glances, “Yah hyung! You call that whispering?!”

“You won’t want to hear me raise my voice.” Luhan poked in his misery further, causing him to roll his goldfish eyes.

“Woah, hyung. I hear wedding bells ringing.” Sehun asked the older as he rubbed the arms of his lover in his embrace. Truth to be told, he was jealous of Kyungsoo. It was a blessing to be able to wake up to the person you love the most but Sehun knew Aleyah and him was far from that stage. Today marked the second month of their anniversary but all they did was holding hands and hug. Yes, he wants to sleep with her but not in the wrong way of bedding her. He just wants to hug her to sleep and wake up with her in his embrace. It wasn’t too much to ask for in their relationship right? “When are you getting married then?”

“Definitely faster than you.” Kyungsoo spat back at him, “I need to go and fetch SoYeon. See you guys.”

“Kyungsoo wait!” Aleyah called out. “Are you going back up? Let’s go together.”

“Where are you going?” Sehun asked her curiously.

“I left Solbi’s handflower in my room.”

“I will go with you.” Sehun offered, making Luhan and Kyungsoo roll their eyes. They knew their maknae was so madly in love with the lady that he just couldn’t separate himself from her even just for a little while. This had been the case ever since they got together and in their eyes it was loving and adorable.

“It’s okay.” She declined, “Go and mingle with your seniors.”

“I can do it later.”

“The wedding is starting, there’s no more time Sehun.”

“But I want to introduce you to them.”

“Aleyah, I will get it for you.” Kyungsoo offered, “If you don’t mind me going to your room of course.”

She looked at Sehun before nodding at Kyungsoo and passed him her room key. Sehun had been exceptionally clingy today, but not that she mind. She needed his company and she needed to learn to love his company too.

“398?” He looked at her weirdly when he saw the room number neatly printed on the card.

“Yeah, 398. Why?”

“Oh.. nothing. Just surprised you are staying opposite us.”

“Guys, Kyungsoo just used the word us.” Luhan exaggerated, causing Sehun and Aleyah to chuckle at his comical actions.

“Gosh, leave me alone!”

-

“Ladies and gentlemen, please be seated.” The host, which was Chanyeol announced. Sehun held Aleyah’s hands and sat at the table for Exo members and their other halves only.

Kai stood at the front of the grand ballroom, his eyes were looking around at the decorations she made. It was indeed her style, he laughed to himself dryly. It was amazing how he knew it was her works with just one look at the flowers. His eyes then automatically search for her and he saw how Sehun had his arms wrapped around her waist lovingly. While she had her eyes locked with him.

“Thank you everyone for gracing this event and giving your blessings to the couple. As many of you may know, they had gone a long way to stand here together today. If everyone would all rise and welcome soon-to-be Mrs Kim JongIn.” Right when Chanyeol’s words ended, the wedding march was played. The doors were opened and in came Solbi in a wedding gown. However, Kai’s eyes couldn’t tear away from those hazelnut eyes of hers. Till his bestman, Kyungsoo tugged his jacket then he looked away unwillingly, towards Solbi. But even when he had his eyes fixed on the woman marching down the aisle, it wasn’t Solbi he saw, it was Aleyah. How often he had been picturing the lady walking down the red carpet, towards his embrace so they could lead a life happily ever after.

“Miss Han Solbi, will you take Mr Kim JongIn as your lawful husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do you two apart?”

Without any pause, she looked into Kai’s eyes, “I do.”

“Mr Kim JongIn, will you take Miss Han Solbi as your lawful wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do you two apart?”

“I… do.” Kai felt himself choking out those 2 words as he continued to look through Solbi, into Aleyah’s hazelnut eyes. If vengeance was all he was seeking, why was it that he felt so torn when he sees her sorrowful masked eyes? He was supposed to be happy, not like this. He regrets it so badly now but it was all too late to undo what he had done. He had to pay the price for his recklessness as they exchanged their wedding rings, the world’s smallest handcuff.

“I hereby announce you husband and wife. The groom may kiss the bride.”

Kai felt another tug at his coat before snapping out of his thoughts. Slowly, he cupped Solbi’s face as he inched closer towards her. Everything was done so systematically without any emotions. When he pressed his lips on hers, the man took one last look at the lady in another man’s arms, before closing his eyes shut. From that moment, he no longer believed in the idea of soulmates, or love at first sight. But he was beginning to believe that a very few times in life, if one was lucky, he or she might meet someone who was exactly right for them. Not because they were perfect, but because their combined flaws were arranged in a way that allowed two separate beings to hinge together. He was lucky to meet her in this life but they were not fortunate enough to write a happy ending together in the end.

“Finally.” Sehun heaved a sigh of relief for his hyung, sincerely happy that he was getting married to the woman he loves. Instinctively, he pulled her tighter into his chest. One day, he told himself, Aleyah and him will be like them, exchanging the most touching wedding vows in the presence of everyone. But it would definitely be more grand than this.

“Why are you biting your lips again?” Aleyah let Sehun free her lower lips from her teeth and graze them lightly with his thumbs. Tears stung her eyes almost immediately, for memories of Kai doing that flashed before her. But it was soon contrasted with the scene of him kissing Solbi in front of her. And her heart hurts.

“My lips are dry.. I.. I forgot to put on my lip balm.” She turned away and reached for her bag on the bench, hoping to hide her teary eyes. He couldn’t see her like this. But right when she turn away, a force pulled her back. Sehun spun her around and pulled her close to him, crashing his lips on her. Aleyah’s watery eyes widened in shock as his cold thin lips moved against hers. Compared to Kai’s minty breadth that was refreshing and electrifying, Sehun’s tasted of nicotine; cold and bitter. And that was what she had to get used to now.

Aleyah watched the newly weds kissed passionately with everyone’s attention on them. Nobody had realized how Sehun and her were sharing their first kiss. With a last glance, the lady closed her eyes as her lips responded to his. From now onwards, she was Sehun’s, all Sehun’s, only Sehun’s. 

*******

Another chapter that no one proofread it for me. My friend is having her exams now. /: More or less like a filler chapter, that's why I cut out quite a lot of emotions because this chapter will get very draggy if I put Solbi, Kai, Aleyah and Sehun's feelings in.

Anw, if you guys realized, we have a new poster! All thanks to balloon_ for your lovely poster! It's pretty isn't it?

Here are 2 videos for today since I didn't update for so long. One of them is a trailer video for my next fic, and the other is a video I've made for Sehun and Aleyah. 

Have fun watching!