In The Dark (SNOWDROP)

"i promise"

❄︎ — chapter 15 — ❄︎

"Hanna-ya," Kangmu said after she'd stopped talking. His voice held a light tone of teasing in it. "Are you already asking me to move in with you? You just got back four days ago, jagiya."

Hanna rolled her eyes at him. "Anniyo. I just don't want to take any chances. It won't be permanent. You can take the guest room."

He gave her a look of fake hurt. "First you're not asking me to move in with you, and now you're kicking me out of your bed?"

Hanna almost wanted to laugh, but she forced her expression to become dead-serious. "Lee Kangmu. This isn't funny. I'm trying to prevent you being killed."

"Hanna-ya..." he said firmly. "I don't need to be protected."

"I'm not taking any chances," she said stubbornly. "I can't... I can't lose you again."

"Jagiya," he said, his voice incredibly soft as he got up and walked to her. "You're not going to lose me."

She didn't back away from him, and he wrapped her in his arms, pulling her into his chest.

"I promise. I'm not going anywhere."

Hanna hugged him back, feeling him tighten his hold. She closed her eyes, resting her head against his shoulder.

"Then stay with me," she whispered, so quiet that he could barely hear her. "I bet Haegeumseong 1 knows where your apartment is. He's less likely to know mine. You'll be safer there."

"Even if I did," Kangmu said, pulling away from the hug but keeping his hands on her shoulders. "What would Chief Ahn and the others say about that? What would your father say?"

Hanna shrugged indifferently. "As long as we don't do anything, we'll have nothing to hide from them."

"I have a better idea," Kangmu said with a small smirk. "How about you finally marry me? Then I won't need an excuse to live with you."

Hanna was shocked into silence. She couldn't tell if he was joking or not.

"Kangmu-ya... I understand you're trying to lighten the mood here, but can you at least try to be serious?"

He looked her dead in the eye. "I am being serious, Hanna."

When she didn't respond, he moved his hands down to clasp hers.

"We've waited for over four years. I think that's long enough. Don't you?"

Hanna took a deep breath, forcing herself to think rationally. She pulled her hands from his.

"Don't you think it's too soon?"

"Anniyo. It's far from too soon. It's been too long."

She shook her head. "Kangmu-ya... let's talk about this later. Once all of this is over."

As hard as it was, she turned on her heel and walked out of the office, leaving Kangmu there.

Lim Sooho met her at the front of the main office. "So?"

She bit her lip. "I think it would be best if you talked to him instead."