Chapter 25 

❝I wish to go to New York.❞

Krystal

[Few Days Later; New York Penthouse]

"5...4...3...2..." I watched as my screen start to buzz off with multiple text messages and comments on Instagram. I smiled to myself, getting up from bed to walk out of my room, bumping into Luhan who was coming out of his room right next to mine. I smiled at him as he gave me a look.

"When did you become a morning person?" Luhan asked as he followed me down the stairs. I skipped the last step, grabbing onto the railing and twirling myself onto the ground. Luhan stopped in the middle of his movement, taking a step back. "Krystal... are you okay??"

I shrugged, "I will be." Then I ran up the stairs and stopped right in front of Luhan. "I most definitely will be as long as you--" I used a finger to touch his nose. "Keep being an amazing 'boyfriend', okay?" I gave him a quick peck on the lips, followed by a thumbs up. "Okay!"

I turned around, skipping down the staircase, not caring about the position I had just put Luhan in. I posted a picture on Instagram this morning that had gotten over 300 likes and over 150 comments in less than 5 minutes; It was a picture that Jay took of Luhan and I sleeping during our flight.

"Ugh, Noona... what are you waking me up for??" Jay scratched his head in annoyance.

"Yah!" I held my cell phone out at him. "Take a picture of me cuddling with Luhan."

"What? Why?"

"So I can post it on Instagram to show Jackson up!" I gently moved Luhan's arm around my shoulder, then leaned into his chest. I placed one hand behind my head as the other one slipped into his. I wiggled myself closer to Luhan until my head was right under his chin and I took a deep breath in, his scent filling my lungs.

"Okay, done." Jay tossed me my phone, letting it land on my lap.

"Hey! Wait! What do you mean 'done'?!" I lifted myself up from the position I was previously in, not caring if I would wake Luhan up or not. "I didn't say to take the pic yet!"

"Its called a candid shot." Jay waved his hand at me. "It looks better when you don't plan the moment anyways." He laid his head back on the seat, closing his eyes without another word. I looked on the screen of the picture and was surprised at the result: not only did I look good and natural...

It looked like I was enjoying it as well.

"Mickey baby!! Come to mommy!!" I exclaimed as I hear the little steps of my doggy run towards me. I bent down to pick my dog up in my arms.

"Miss Park." I turned my head towards one of the butlers holding the house phone. "You have a phone call."

I looked at him quizzically. Me? Have a phone call this early in the morning? Not to mention calling the house phone… I mean, who does that anymore when we're in the age of cell phones?? I motioned him forward and took the phone from him, saying my thanks before putting it in my ear.

"Hello?"

"Krystal? Is that you?" It was a familiar voice, but I couldn't quite put my finger on it.

"This is she..." I made my way to the kitchen. "May I ask who's speaking?"

"Oh, it's me! Suho!"

I let out a slight "ahhhh", finally realizing where I've heard that voice from. "Oh, so you got my message!" Late last night, I had found the business card that Suho had given me from the first time we met. I thought with Christmas coming along and one last present to pick out, I needed help for that one last person... And since Suho was the only genie I knew how to contact, I thought I could call him up to help me.

"Yeah, I did and I'm glad you asked for my help" Suho said. I heard Mickey growling at the phone and I looked down in my arms giving him a silent "shhh". Could he sense genies over the phone as well?

"So, are you available today or are you still on duty?" I asked. Mickey began trying to claw the phone tucked between my shoulder and ear almost scratching me face. As a punishment, I walked over to the doggy pen and placed him inside. Immediately, I heard him whine like a baby. I ignored him.

"Yes, I am available today. Where would you like to meet?"

"How about I meet you at Madison Avenue 57th Street? Around--" I turned to look at the clock on the stove when I saw Luhan entering the premises. My eyes widened as I opened the fridge, sticking my head inside. I lowered my voice into a whisper, "Around 2?"

"2? Okay! See you then." Suho hung up on his side of the line.

"What's going on around 2?" Luhan asked out of the blue. Out of surprise, I bumped my head on one of the shelves. "Oh! Krystal!" I took my head out of the fridge, holding the my head in dismay. "Are you okay? Here." Luhan took one step forword, lifting my hand off my head, and kissed where I got hit. "That should make it all better, huh?"

"Yah! What the hell!" I slapped him on the arm and looked around. "No one's around to see you acting like my boyfriend, so why are you pulling that stunt?" I wasn't exactly mad at him for doing so, since it actually did make the pain go away; It was just that the way he made my heart beat faster and my cheeks grow pink so easily, annoyed me so much.

Luhan smiled. "You never knowww." He pointed around the premises with his finger. "There may be cameras in here that indicates otherwise. Plus, the maids and butlers do like to gossip a bit so..."

I rolled my eyes. He got me there. "Whatever. Just tell me next time, alright?" I walked to the pantry, taking out a box of cereal and placed it on the kitchen island.

"Speaking of telling things..." Luhan grabbed a bowl from one of the cabinets. "Do you want to to tell me where you'll be at 2pm today?" Luhan grabbed a carton of milk from the fridge and slid it across the tabletop, stopping exactly next to the bowl.

"I'll be out. Simple as that." I poured the cereal into the bowl first.

"Out where?" He took the milk carton and poured the right amount of milk in my bowl.

I turned around to get a banana from the hanging contraption that held the fruit. I placed it next to my bowl. "Shopping."

Luhan took a spoon from the drawer and peeled the banana for me. He started to slice pieces into my bowl. "Shopping where exactly? And most importantly, with who?"

After he was done slicing the whole banana, I mixed the bowl for myself. "Somewhere in New York with a friend." I put my spoon down and looked up at him. "Are you seriously going to be like this?"

Luhan took the spoon from the bowl, taking a scoop of my breakfast. "Seriously going to be like what?" He held the spoon in front of my mouth; I took in a bite without a second thought.

"Like a possessive, stalker boyfriend!" I mumbled poking him on his firm chest. "I don't appreciate boys like that."

Luhan took another spoonful and fed himself. "Well, I don't appreciate my so called 'girlfriend' cheating behind my back." Instead of attacking him with my constant poking, I halted and concentrated on one thing: we were sharing the same spoon.

Luhan... just shared an indirect kiss with me...

"Good thing I'm not your REAL girlfriend though, so I DON'T have to worry about your hurtful words,” I whispered for only Luhan to hear.

"Oh, so you do admit that those words were hurtful." Luhan shot me another spoonful of cereal. "So that's actually some kind of a confirmation telling me you are." I had no choice to take it because 1) I was hungry 2) If my hands moved from the spot it was right now, Luhan would be having my fists for breakfast.

"Are what?" Luhan was about to feed himself a spoon when he took my hand, which was tightly gripping the table.

"My girlfriend." He led my hand, forcing me to spoon feed myself. I pulled away, quickly putting the spoon into the bowl to feed myself and hide my embarrassment of such an action. He was taking this fake relationship thingy WAY too far, damn it. Feeding each other breakfast in the morning?! Even I hadn't done that with Jackson when I was going out with him.

"Pssshh" I had stuffed the contents of the bowl into my mouth, not leaving any chances for Luhan to try and feed me again. I put the empty bowl and spoon on the table with a clank. "You mean your 'fake' girlfriend, correct?"

Luhan magically formed a napkin in his hand. Before I could protest, he took my chin in his hand, wiping my lips. "But you were somewhat hurt by my words, huh?" His path of vision was slowly traveling down to my lips. "Should I apologize for it?" He started to lean in close.

Instead of pushing him away, I leaned in even closer. Should I retort with words? Should I surprise him with some action? I mean, I knew that "sticks and stones my break my bones but words will never hurt me" so basically, in my book, that rhyme was saying action leaves more damage. I wrapped my arms around his neck, smiling.

"I think an apology would be nice."

And without another word a kiss was exchanged.

"Good morning every--OH MY GOD!!" I pushed Luhan away, looking at the scene Jay had just walked into: Somehow I had ended up sitting on the table with Luhan's body between my legs and his hands underneath my shirt. One hand of mine was tangled in his hair and the other on his collarbone.

"JAY!!" I jumped off the counter, fixing myself as Luhan stood there, looking a bit surprised himself. Jay had now resulted to covering his eyes with both hands, his head bent to face the ground. "W-what are you doing up so early in the morning??"

"Getting breakfast" Jay held his arms out in front of him, still keeping his eyes closed. "I'm a hungry, growing boy you know and I need food to satisfy myself." He pointed around randomly. "You two just--aish!! Can't you have real food for breakfast instead of each other??"

My mouth dropped open. Did my own brother just say that?! I heard Luhan let out a slight laugh in the background, but hell no was I laughing along with this joke.

"YAH! PARK JIMIN!!!" Jay imeddiately opened his eyes at the sound of his real name. His insticts were quick as he saw me coming at him as he ran out of the kitchen faster than a bullet with me on his tail. I had made it out to the foyer and watched as Jay picked a random coat from the coat stand and headed inside the elevator. "PARK ING JIMIN YOU COME BACK HERE YOU LITTLE --" The doors closed before I could get there.

"So about breakfast..." I turned around and saw Luhan leaning against the staircase. "Are you done or ??"

My hands clenched into fists.

"LUHAN YOU LITTLE--"

Luhan

[2 PM; Madison Ave. 57th Street]

I took Krystal's hand in mine, shoving it inside the pocket of my coat. She looked a bit surprised.

"You look cold." I pushed one of the hot packets in my pocket into her hand. "Don't move and keep yourself warm, okay?"

Krystal didn't reply, but kept her face forward, hiding her eyes behind those Chanel sunglasses of hers.  "Only because it’s freezing. Not because I want to..." She finally turned to face me, sliding her sunglasses to the bridge of her nose to look at me. "Got it?"

I pushed the sunglasses back onto her face and gave her a kiss on the forehead. "Got it."

Krystal turned away abruptly, letting her eyes wander on the windows of the stores. I couldn't help but chuckle; it was fun playing around with this "relationship" we had. Fun, and yet, weirdly... satisfying. Call me cheesy, but I was actually enjoying myself with Krystal; I could tell she was too. I knew we both didn't want to admit it, or at least me, but I truly felt that...

That I had a girlfriend.

As much as she refused for me to come along with her, I made up some random excuse that Jackson may be there. According to his Twitter account, he landed just a few hours ago. Knowing that Krystal and Jackson run in the same circles, they were bound to bump into each other somewhere around New York. So, I took my chance and acted like the boyfriend I should be to Krystal.

"So, who exactly are we meeting?" I asked as my eyes wandered over the mannequins in the windows. Krystal had stopped positioning her reflection with the dress that the mannequin was wearing. I rolled my eyes, and with a snap of my finger, the mannequin in the window had turned into a Krystal doll. Krystal gasped.

"Luhan! What the hell!" She pointed at the Krystal doll wearing the dress. "Don't do that, weirdo! What if someone catches you?! How are you going to explain yourself?" Her voice sounded serious, but her actions said otherwise; Krystal had taken a liking in viewing her life size doll in the dress.

"Relax,” I countered, twirling my fingers to turn the doll around so she could see a 360-degree view of the dress. "No one can see this happening unless they know that a genie exists in their presence."

"What are you saying?" She asked as her eyes wandered over the dress, taking a liking towards every second that passed. "That another scene is forming in their minds or something of that sort?"

I nodded. "Yeah, something of that sort." In reality if people were to look at us, we'd just look like a bunch of idiots staring longingly at the window.

I watched as Krystal admired herself in the reflection of the mirror. The way she criticized each and every part of her body in the dress. The way she made different poses to check if the dress would fit her just right. I couldn't help but stare at the presence she exuded from just standing there. Never in my life had I seen such a light come from a human being, but here it was right in front of me... Coming from Krystal.

I smiled.

"Krystal!" A familiar voice came from behind us as I turned around. As soon as we both made eye contact, we paused to give each other a look.

"Suho?" "Luhan!" We both said at the same time while pointing at each other.

"What are you doing here?" We both asked again.

"Krystal called me to meet her here" Suho pointed out. I looked at Krystal who was pretending to still admire herself in the dress.

"Well, I'm her genie and--" I pulled Krystal by her hand, making her fall into my arms. "Her boyfriend."

Suho gave me a wide eyed stare. Krystal pushed me away quickly. "Fake boyfriend. F-A-K-E." She turned to me and gave me a punch in the arm. "LUHAN."

"What? Just playing the part." I gave her a wink which made her roll her eyes. Suho was still standing in shock, still confused on who to believe. "Why don't you go inside and get the dress while I talk to Suho for a minute?"

Krystal puffed in anger, then turned to Suho to whisper something in his ear. Suho nodded, understanding whatever she relayed; I tried to use my magic to interfere with the communication, but Suho had his own magic to keep that from happening. The hands inside my pockets turned into fists as I watched Krystal give Suho a kiss on the cheek and then turned to give a cheeky smile at me before heading inside the store.

"What the hell was that??" I asked Suho ready to punch him against the wall.

Suho shrugged. "A thank you, I guess?" It was his turn to give me a smirk. "Why? Jealous?"

"Me? Jealous? No. Why would I be?" I stood against the wall, I made eye contact with a few girls that walked past us, giggling. I just stared; no-reason-to-look-here kind of stare and not the usual genie charm I usually used on humans.

"Whoa, Luhan not hitting on good looking women?" Suho wondered out loud. "That's a first...."

I turned to Suho, giving him a look. "Don't."

"Don't what?"

"Don't say it."

"Don't say what?"

"Don't say anything about me being in love with Krystal, or vice versa." I leaned back on the wall I was standing next to; closing my eyes and taking deep breaths.

"I was going to say something about liking her but LOVE." Suho walked up to me, leaning beside me on the wall. "That's a strong word..."

"I didn't state that I was in love with her" I tried to clarify, digging my hands deeper into my pockets even though my body was warming up on the inside from my increasing nervousness.

"Yet, you aren't denying it either..." Suho added in. I gulped.

I was digging my own grave now...

"Look, Luhan hyung..." Suho put an arm around my shoulders, giving it a brotherly squeeze. "Its okay if you are. I mean, what's wrong with experiencing first love, huh? It's a process of life anyhow."

"First love." I let the words slip out of my mouth, repeating it a number of times under my breath.

"Yeah, and you know... one's first love isn't always forever love." Suho gave another hard pat. The words he said backtracked in my mind...

"What do you mean by 'isn't always forever love?'" Was he telling me what I think he was trying to say??

"Hyung, you know that we're genies, right? We aren't exactly... human. Meaning... falling in love isn't something normal for us genies to do. Why else do you think we have that sense that we must get back as quick as possible?" He poked the temple of my forehead as if he was trying to relay some information inside. "Because the longer we stay on Earth, the harder it is to go back and enjoy the life we are forced to live. Especially when it comes to falling in love..." Suho in some air through his teeth. "That's the hardest thing of them all..."

"Why's that?" I asked already guessing his answer in my head.

"Because once you're back in EXO, all her memories of you will be nothing but a dream. Every waking moment you had spent together with her will haunt your mind for the rest of your life, all the talks and touches you had once shared together... POOF, gone." Suho formed a little poof cloud with his hands. "Leaving you, the genie, just as broken as a human; watching her fall in love again, marry, have children, grow old... Aish, it's hard to watch that happen when you're just standing there with no change whatsoever." Suho patted my back a little harder, pulling me in. "Look, I'm not saying that you shouldn't go out with her because believe me love is a beautiful thing... I just want you to be careful. That's all."

I nodded my head, taking in all the words Suho had said. To be honest, I was now more confused as ever... Was I doing the right thing by playing along with Krystal's intentions of a "relationship?" Was I going to regret all of this in the end when she made the last wish... And not to mention that her last wish was coming up in 2-3 weeks. I only had that much time left until I was going to be the one leaving with the memories. That I was going to be the one in pain; the one heartbroken.

Everything that I was afraid to be.

"Yes! Yes! Yessss!!" A cheer came from the doors that Krystal came out of. "I bought the dress AND was able to score some cosmetics as well!!" She kissed her shopping bag, leaving a lipstick mark beside the brand name. "Ahhhh! I love New York!!" Krystal skipped down the steps, her eyes beaming with joy, and her smile full of happiness. I couldn't help but smile, feeling my insides swell at the sight of Krystal.

I will never regret any moment that once made me happy. Never.

Author's Note 

Hi, it's lowkey 2021, and just saw that these edited chapters were not posted yet sooo...why not?? Hopefully, I will get around to editing the rest of the chapters...don't know if you're still there, but thank you @ishy-fishy for editing this story so far!  

I literally have this ONE story in mind...maybe two? We'll see I guess....

Nice to interact with y'all again! Hope you've been doing well & please take care of yourselves.