collateral damage 🔞 - COMPLETE

•eighty-seven•

~~~~~Haerin

The car ride is silent, but not awkward. Jeongguk maneuvers his car expertly with his left hand, while holding my thigh with his right. I am lost in my own thoughts, as I look at the man in profile. He's so much more beautiful than he was when we were young, and I feel completely unworthy next to him. I try to shoo the negative thoughts away though, since I know he sees something, that I don't, when he looks at me.

It's interesting really... How when you look at something, or someone, with your heart, it can change what you see. When we were young, Jeongguk was cute, and many girls thought so... My heart saw 'my future'... There was no other boy that even got a second glance from me.

"Why are you staring at me baby?"

My cheeks burn when I realize I'm caught almost drooling over him. Tearing my eyes away, I bury my face in my hands while he chuckles as he drives. His large hand squeezes my thigh, and I turn to look out the window and try to bring my blushing face under control.

"Haerin-ah... Don't be shy... I'm yours to look at anytime."

"Stooo-ooop..."

He continues to giggle at me, until I turn and smack his shoulder. His smile becomes one of affection, and he doesn't laugh anymore.

"I love you Haerin. I can't wait to marry you."

"Me too Jeongguk... I feel like the luckiest person..."

"I'm the lucky one baby."

When Jeongguk pulls into the parking garage at our penthouse, my nerves start. Memories of the last time I was here rush through my mind. When he's parked, he turns to see my stressed face.

"What wrong?"

"I was just thinking about what happened... The reporters, and the crowd..."

"It isn't going to happen again. The staff has been changed, and everyone here has signed contracts, and confidentiality agreements. You also may have missed the security gate we drove through since you were staring at my handsome face..."

"Shut up... I wasn't..."

"Mhmm... As you say baby."

He gets out of the car and comes around, opening my door. I let him help me out and intertwine our fingers. I take in the changes of the lobby, and the new staff at the front desk. The man is older, and he greets us with a respectful bow. We respond in kind continuing to our private elevator.

A smile splits my face when we enter our penthouse. It's immediately obvious that Jeongguk had been updating the space. The couches are new, and very similar to the one we have in our current apartment. They are overstuffed, and look like you could sink into them, just the way I like. The colors have been softened, and there are flowers around the room, scenting the whole space.

"Do you like it?"

"It's perfect! When did you have time to do this?"

"I hired a designer to help me. But this isn't the main surprise..."

He tugs me along to follow up the stairs, and when we get to the top, he stops.

"Close your eyes baby. Don't peek!"

He leads me down the hallway, and I hear a door open and close. I'm nervous and curious wondering what else he's got going on...

"Ok... Just remember... If you don't like it, we can make changes, but I was too excited..."

"Can I look now?"

"Yes... Go ahead..."