Hye-jae: Book 2 - New Loves

New Adventures Part 11

A long and languid soak later, Hye-won emerged from a steamy bathroom in a fluffy towelling robe, her hair loosely pinned up and looking as fresh as a spring flower.  She half-expected Seon-jae to be asleep - it's been a crazy day for him too - but he looked sprightly, having changed from his performance clothes into a clean tee and boxers.  Sitting at the breakfast table, one leg propped on the chair he sat on, a half-drunk glass of beer to his elbow, he had obviously been studying a score while she bathed and he took some seconds to glance upwards, his engrossed expression softening, as he took in her changed appearance and healthy vigour.

He took a breath and let his eyes travel from her freshly-washed features, down along her alluring shape outlined in the robe, to her bare calves and ankles, then dragged his eyes upwards - with some difficulty - to meet her eyes and study her expression.  The vitality that he saw there reassured him and his expression showed that his thoughts were returning to their earlier encounter.  A stealing smile spread across his features, as these thoughts warmed him and he reached determinedly to take a last sip of his beer before rising to stand.

Holding his hand out-stretched, he positively purred: 'come to me, baby.'  

Unexpectedly, Hye-won remained firmly rooted in place, her expression opaque and the moment spun out, as they contemplated each other.

Though she had perked up by the time they returned to the bedroom, Hye-won had had to admit to herself as she submerged in the steaming, scented tub that Seon-jae had drawn for her, that she was not quite back to herself yet.  I'm a light-weight these days - no staying power at all.  It was with some relief that she felt the effects of the tiredness and over-excitement ebb away, as she soaked.  A liberal application of almond-scented, body moisturiser followed, before comfily wrapped up, she felt good-as-new.  I could play another concert now if I had to.  

But as she had stood watching Seon-jae studying his score, she had felt a quietness steal over her.  In his sleep-wear - feet bare - resting his chin on his upright knee, she imagined he looked just as he might have, doing his homework while his mum made dinner or even while she was out working.  He seemed younger than his adult years and more vulnerable than she had seen him look, perhaps ever.  The sight filled her heart with an ache that threatened to overwhelm her, especially when he lifted his head and seeing her brought such a change in his expression.  There isn't an ulterior bone in his body - he sees me and it makes him happy and he shows me and that makes me happy.  Such a simple concept was too complex to comprehend at once and, in puzzling over it, she had seemed to ignore Seon-jae's invitation when in fact, though she looked to be present, her mind was absent.

Seonjae sensed that - while on the surface - all seemed normal, underneath, Hye-won was struggling with something troublesome and it propelled him towards her so that he could take her hand gently and bring her to sit by the table with him.  Though he offered to get her a beer of her own, as well as indicating that she might like a sip of his, he knew before he spoke that she would refuse.  She doesn't really like drinking at all now, though there were a few times...before... when things were chaotic that she probably drank too much.  It was clear that she was pondering something that was bothering her and Seon-jae felt that this was a time for a heart-to-heart but that perhaps, he was going to have to initiate it.  Well, that's fine.  It needs to happen.

Taking a thoughtful sip, before wiping his lip with the back of his hand, Seon-jae turned his body towards Hye-won's and, taking her hand lightly in his, asked gently: 'nae salang - my love, I think we need to talk, don't you?'

It was on the tip of her tongue to tease but she realised in a moment that she would just be deflecting and that she also risked hurting him and she mentally steeled herself for the conversation to come.  She didn't answer though and her expression remained fairly impassive.  He thought for a moment, the asked again, gently: 'do you really feel well again or were you just trying to reassure me?'