I know it's wrong, but why does it feel so right?
Man-seok lay on the bed, watching the young woman sleep peacefully beside him. Everything that had happened up to this point had left him conflicted. He doesn't deny having feelings for her, that he cared for her more than just a friend, more than just family, but their relationship is... complicated.
He was about two decades her senior, an unusual pairing for the project they were both working on, but their chemistry just clicked. What began as harmless on-set teasing evolved into something more. As an actor, he makes every effort not to become involved with an on-set lover, but every time they're together, his resolve crumbles. That's when he began to worry about the worst-case scenario.
He would begin to fall for her every time she smiled or laughed. Every touch of their skin is like a surge of electricity coursing through his veins. Every kiss, even if it was just acting, made him feel like he was losing control. He tried everything he could to avoid her, but he couldn't because avoiding her would hurt him as well. Until the worst happened, and now he's naked on the bed with her.
Despite all of the emotions he's experiencing right now, he doesn't regret what happened, but he does feel guilty and frustrated about it. He knows he loves her, but he can't be with her.
A brief shuffling interrupted his train of thought. Hanna slowly opened her eyes, revealing the cutest smile Man-seok had ever seen. It made his heart flutter and ache all at once.
"Were you awake the whole time?" she inquired quietly.
Man-seok only smiled, but Hanna notices sadness in his eyes.
"Oppa, are you okay?"
"...Yeah," he replied quietly as he gently tucked a loose strand of her hair behind her ear, but she can tell there's something bothering him.
"You're lying, oppa."
He smiled amusedly at her. "How do you know?"
"You're pretty easy to read for a well-known actor."
Her remark elicited only a chuckle from him. "Am I really?"
She chuckled back, then her face became solemn. "Isn't love a complicated thing?"
Silence. Man-seok couldn't help but agree with Hanna. There are numerous reasons why love is difficult. Their 20-year age difference has complicated their relationship. That's why they've been keeping it hidden for so long. Their involvement with each other was obvious at times. Man-seok's actions towards Hanna, being a natural gentleman, would only be depicted as how he would naturally act, and Hanna's innocently clingy personality would only pass as how a younger sibling would act towards her favorite big brother.
Hanna went on, "Why must I be so much younger than you, oppa? Hiding this is becoming increasingly difficult, especially now that it has happened."
"Hanna," said Man-seok. "I don't want you to think I forced you to do this..."
"No, Oppa," She sat up immediately, barely holding the blanket over her chest. "I wanted this. You only kissed me once. I was the one who went overboard. This isn't typical of me, but when I'm alone with you...
"Oppa, I'm sorry. I don't know why-"
"Don't apologize," Man-seok said. "Never apologize for your feelings, Hanna, especially when they involve me." He sat up as well, the blanket falling just below his waist, and turned to face her. He reached over to cup her cheek, ready to wipe away a tear that was about to fall from her eye. "I should be the one who bears the burden. I'm older than you. I should've been the one to put an end to what's going on between us, but I've... I've already fallen too far for it to be avoided."
"Oppa..." Hanna couldn't think of anything to say. Her heart was pounding. Man-seok noticed this and smiled warmly at her.
"Surprised? You didn't expect me to confess right after all of this, did you?" He continued, gently holding her hand and caressing her knuckles. "Hanna, I adore you. I really do. If this gets out, I swear I'll protect you."
Her cheeks flushed as the hand she was using to hold up the blanket loosened its grip, allowing the blanket to fall off completely. She then straddled him and wrapped her arms completely around his neck, much to his surprise.
"You're so warm, oppa," she commented. "Could you... squeeze me a little tighter? All I want is for you to hold me like this."
He granted her request without saying anything else. He gently held her as he lay down and wrapped his arms around her torso, hugging her as tightly as he could while remaining gentle. Their bodies were pressed against each other, and they were both having a good time. Man-seok could feel Hanna drifting off a few minutes later, so he shifted to lay her beside him.
"I love you, oppa," Hanna said quietly, her eyes sleepy.
"I love you, too," Man-seok said, moving several strands of her hair away from her face.
