A House Divided - Changbin Ending

Chapter Eleven

Chapter 11

Locking the shop door behind them, Elena and Changbin made their way out into the busy art district. As they walked amongst the sea of people, their hands would brush against one another every few seconds. He could care less who saw them, taking her hand in his. Words may have escaped him, but his actions spoke volumes.

The incognito couple must have looked like secret agents in their black attire and attempts at disguises. Looking over at her, he thought of everything he wanted to say. He also couldn't stop thinking about how badly he wanted to kiss her. Every few seconds he'd glance over at the woman by his side. It hadn't fully hit him that this moment was real.

Catching him looking at her brought a soft smile to her face. Something about the expression granted him the ability to finally speak.

"I really missed you, E." The sincerity could be heard plainly in his voice. A warm palm was pressed into hers, and his fingers laced perfectly with her own. Even if their eternity boiled down to wandering the streets hand-in-hand it was enough for him. The lack of conversation didn't discourage him, he was content just being by her side.

"I missed you too." The reply didn't accurately convey the depth of her feelings.

The night was busy, filling the walkways with street vendors, buskers, and staggering college students out on the town. Changbin loved how the neon signs casted pink and blue hues onto her porcelain skin. Their wandering came to an end as they approached the gargantuan glass tower.

Elena stood in disbelief waiting for the prince to get them into the building. The apartment she shared with Mo and Sunye was just a few hundred feet away. Everyday, on their trek to work, they passed the skyscraper and speculated on its purpose.

"This is where you work?" She questioned. The front door beeped with approval, and he held the heavy mirrored gateway open. He politely motioned her inside.

"Yes." He regained possession of her hand, guiding them through the darkened lobby. "Keep your head down." He whispered. "There are a ton of cameras in this area."

She pulled the hat down over her face. Perhaps from the overhead view she could be mistaken for one of the guys. "We also live here. Chan's studio is on the mid-level and the dorms are upper-level."

"So, you really don't have any escape from work?" The information was highly upsetting, and weighed heavily on her mind. Using a key-card, he was able to command the elevator doors to open and rev into operation.

"Not really. That's why we've been spending so much time in the studio. It's one of the few places where every word and action isn't monitored."

As soon as the entrance closed, he removed Minho's hat from her head. He could tell it had made her nervous, but he needed to see her face.

"What are you doing?" She looked at him wearily. He smoothed any fly-aways back into place, the smooth strands felt like silk against his fingers. His eyes looked wantonly into hers and then wandered down to her lips.

"There's no surveillance past the 6th floor. You're safe." His voice was barely louder than a whisper, which was rare for the boisterous performer.

The elevator jolted to a halt as it arrived on the 15th floor, causing Elena to lose her balance and stumble. Catching her in his arms, Changbin held her steady while the door slid open. Pressed against his torso, fully embracing him in return, she stared up at his full lips and sharp jawline. Feeling his pulse thumping in his chest caused hers to rise to match it. It wasn't until she noticed his adams apple bobble up and down that she realized he was speaking.