The Assassin's Lover

Chapter 4

"I finally know who you are..." Tae Hyung whispered, his eyes widening.

Startled, Hye Jin jumped out of her bed, hastily pulling the hair stick that was holding her bun in place. Her long, satin hair cascaded over her shoulder like a dark waterfall, and Tae Hyung's heart skipped a beat. He couldn't resist the urge to act on impulse. Striding towards her, he cupped her face with both hands, his eyes searching hers. Hye Jin's fingers tightened around the hair stick behind her back, poised to strike him in the jugular—a quick and silent death. But his next move surprised her: a gentle kiss on her forehead. Hye Jin's confusion momentarily weakened her guard.

"We used to play together during summer when my family would move to Busan on holiday, remember?" Tae Hyung explained, his smile soft and nostalgic.

Recognition dawned on her. "Wait... you're that Tae Hyung? Right! How could I have not recognized you?"

"I'm ashamed I failed to recognize you as well," he admitted, a hint of regret in his voice. "I should've realized when I met you at the bookshop. But I didn't think you would be here in Korea. They told me you were sent to study abroad."

"It's a bit of a long story... how have you been all these years?" she asked, still trying to reconcile the memories with the man before her.

"Good... I've always wondered if you were doing well and whether you had forgotten about me... Turns out you did!" He joked, though his eyes betrayed a hint of sadness.

"Well, seems like you did too..."

"You changed so much... you were beautiful back then but now... now you are drop-dead gorgeous. You could kill with such beauty," he teased, his voice warm and admiring.

Hye Jin laughed at the irony of his statement, her eyes sparkling. "We need to make up for the time lost."

"You seem to be a busy man; I wouldn't want to–"

"I can make time for you. Please... don't say no."

His sincerity was palpable. Hye Jin looked into his eyes, seeing the boy she once knew in the handsome man before her. A childhood crush was resurfacing, yet they were both changed by time and circumstance. "Alright... I will."

"Let's go have dinner," he offered, extending his hand along with a smile.

She grabbed it, returning his smile. "You know, this is the first time you smile at me."

"I'm sorry you had to see that other side of me."

"We all have different colors," he said philosophically, "we can't be happy all the time, just as you can't be bitchy all the time. It's life..."

"Did you just call me bitchy?"

"I did," he grinned, mischief dancing in his eyes.

Hye Jin stopped and let go of his hand, her eyes narrowing playfully. She remembered how they always used to bicker as kids, teasing but also good friends. Tae Hyung leaned into her, his eyes darkening with intensity. She slowly retracted until the corridor wall stopped her.

"Why are you running from me?" he whispered, his breath warm against her skin.

"Why are you standing so close to me? You should be scared..." she whispered back, challenging him.

"You know what else you are, beside bitchy?"

"Say it... I dare you."

"Incredibly attractive," he murmured, his lips hovering over hers.

The moment hung suspended, electric and charged, until her uncle's voice broke through. "Guys! If you would please join me, dinner is served!"

"Let's go..." he whispered, his lips brushing against hers for a fleeting second.