Chapter eight

15 3 12
                                    

I feel betrayed. He has lied to me, fundamentally so, and he hasn't even blinked an eye. On top of that, he only smiles at me when I find out, a mischievous grin still evident on his face, even minutes later.

"You're so mean. I'd have never done this if I had known! I'm not sure if I can trust you ever again."

He laughs at that, and even though I'm very angry at him - no, let's be real, I don't have any bad feelings towards this man - I can't help but smile too, and I try my best to hide it, though he definitely sees it - he can already read me like a book. At least I feel like it. The sound of his laughter is so bright, it radiates happiness and the spark in his eyes causes my heart to flutter.

"Oh c'mon, Channie, you're not innocent yourself. You said you were decent. Are you kidding me? Decent, really? You can't blame me when you yourself lied straight to my face."

"Yeah, and you know what, I'm actually glad I did! Just imagine how I would have felt if I had told the truth and you had then opened your mouth and sounded like an angel. I'd have felt so embarrassed!"

He blushes at that.

After we've sung our first song at the karaoke station I've found out that Donghun, even though he's stated earlier that he wasn't that good, is actually an amazing singer. His voice is soulful, emotional and slightly raspy. We've sung a lot, suddenly a bit competitive, but winning against him is not easy, especially while being distracted by said silver-haired man.

Listening to Donghun's voice does things to my heart I've never experienced before, it's like I'm getting overwhelmed by emotions, almost drowning in an ocean filled with affection, pain, longing, happiness and things I don't even have a name for.

I absolutely love it.

"I mean it Donghun. You have a beautiful voice and I could listen to it all day."

He smiles at me, takes a few steps to close the distance between us, before he engulfs me in his arms. He seems to be very affectionate, but I don't mind it at all, which is quite unusual for me - normally I don't really like when people touch me without my consent. Marcus is the only one that knows about it, thus he only dares to lay his hand on my shoulder and only in occasions where it's required, what I really appreciate.

Donghun, however, is another cup of tea.

Despite my usual anxiety when it comes to people, I enjoy his hugs and little physical affections immensely. I don't know what it is, and I don't think that I could put my finger on it if I tried, but he just makes me feel so comfortable, so safe. When I'm around him, it's like there's nothing bad in the world, all my worries seem to disappear and everything just feels so much easier.

To be honest, I've thought about how I maybe get too attached to Donghun. I know he already has a boyfriend, and even though Jun told me he was okay with it, I can't help but feel bad deep down. Since I've talked to him, since I've listened to his words that overflowed with love and affection towards the silver-haired man, I feel guilt in my heart whenever I think of Donghun or whenever I'm around him.

At the same time, however, being near him feels so right to me. I want to share things with him, and when I think about it, I'm sure there's not much I wouldn't tell him. I trust him almost unconditionally.

I close my eyes and nuzzle my face in the crook of his neck, inhale his smell that interweaves with the warmth radiating from his arms, creating a blanket that surrounds me, that soothes me. When I feel his hand on my head, playing gently with my hair, I can't help but smile contently.

But then the image of a man with pink cotton-candy-hair flashes through my mind again. I tense up, slightly so, and I can feel how Donghun's hold gets a tad bit lighter.

Maybe I should talk to Jun again?

The idea is stuck in my head as we just stand there, not saying anything, just enjoying each others presence.

A knock on the door destroys the comfortable bubble we're in. I open my eyes again, reluctantly so to say at least, and look at the door that's being opened this very second. The employee from earlier steps in, but jumps at the sight of us being so close.

"Oh, so sorry, I didn't know you were... umm... not that I want to assume anything... I don't want to say you're... umm..."

She rambles, blushing furiously, averting her gaze. After taking a deep breath, she looks at us again, the red on her face still evident.

"Sorry to interrupt you, but your time's up and there are other customers who have booked this room. Could you please finish... umm... whatever you're doing? Thank you."

With that, she turns around and leaves, obviously flustered. Donghun and I look at each other simultaneously and burst into laughing.

After that, we decide to pack our things quickly, seeing that more time has passed than we've realized. The karaoke is just as expensive as I've expected, and that worries me. I have to make sure to not spend too much money until I get my next payment - which won't be until the end of the month. It basically means instant ramen for the time being.

My storm of thoughts and worries only calms down when the silver-haired man next to me speaks up. He looks at me, a questioning expression on his face as he sees my slightly furrowed eyebrows.

"Everything okay, Channie? You seem troubled."

I force my lips to a smile, whereupon he furrows his brows as well. I hate that he seems to see right through me, I don't want to worry him, I want to see him smile, I want him to be happy. I avert his gaze that seems to scan my every feature.

"I'm just thinking about my upcoming exams. I know I've studied well, but I'm still a bit nervous."

It's not necessarily a lie. I am indeed worried about my exams, even though I know deep down that I'm well prepared - I seem to have a natural talent when it comes to plants.

"What are you studying? I've never asked you, I'm sorry."

"Botanic. I love plants and my dream is to work in a botanical garden."

"Oh, you should talk to Jun, he loves them too. He actually owns a flower shop."

There he is again. As soon as Donghun realizes what he's just said, whose name he's just mentioned, his loving expression drops, his eyes widen in shock and he starts to stutter.

"Channie, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have... I mean, I know you're aware of him, but still, this was... very insensitive..."

I can't bear to see him like this, and before he even has the chance to say any more, I interrupt him.

"I'd love that!"

He closes his mouth and just looks at me, eyes still widened, but this time not in shock but surprise.

"You... you really want to talk to him? I mean... of course, I think he'd want to get to know you too!"

Smiles appear on both our faces and stay there on our way back to Subway. Since I have to work later, we've decided to part there. I try not to think at all as we walk, or hands intertwined, shoulders brushing against each other from time to time. I just want to enjoy the last few minutes of our date.

To be honest, I didn't expect it to go so well. I've been really nervous, not sure if I'd feel comfortable, but Donghun has been considerate and sweet all the time.

We come to a halt in front of the restaurant, where we keep standing for a while without saying anything, just looking and smiling at each other. Only when Donghun opens his mouth, the silence is being interrupted.

"Channie, thank you for today. I had a lot of fun, and I hope we can soon have another date? If you want?"

I beam at him, my heart racing in my chest, the butterflies fluttering happily. I can feel the familiar warmth spread through my whole body.

"I'd love that."

Final PieceWhere stories live. Discover now