In the Middle of the Night [BANG CHAN FF] ✔️

33. Cruise ship

Calculating from the day they left the kingdom, Yona and Chan had less than a week of their vacation and they needed to use those days wisely. They exited the hospital together in perfect health, thanking all of the hospital staff for taking care of them.

Upon arriving at the hotel, Chan and Yona were "greeted" with many questions and stories, as everyone wanted to know if Yona was the real princess. Whispers surrounded them and all they wanted was to be far away from curious, nosy people. Bang Chan took their luggage and checked them out of the hotel, keeping a close eye on Yona the whole time.

"What now?" Yona huffed under the straw hat. She held a small bag and shrugged, looking at Chan.

"I don't know," he sighed, putting the heavy suitcases down on the ground.

They stood in front of the hotel, looking around and thinking. The hospital stay and two of them being bedridden for days were unexpected events that ruined their plans.

"Let's go and have lunch. We can make a plan while eating," Chan said and took the luggage again and Yona nodded, loving the idea.

They found a small restaurant down the street and both ordered a steak with potatoes and a salad. To go well with red meat, Chan ordered a bottle of wine while Yona had water for her medication. Chan pulled the air through his teeth, looking around the restaurant while shaking his leg under the table. 

Yona watched his fidgety behavior and chuckled, "Are you okay?" she asked and he looked at her, stopping his shaky leg, "You look nervous," Yona added, taking a sip of cold water, "Tell me what's on your mind, Chris." she raised her chin and straightened her back.

At the sound of his name, Chris chuckled and leaned into the chair, pushing his tongue to the corner of his lips. She teased him... and he didn't hate it. It was interesting - with her cheeky smile, raised chin, and crossed arms in a dominant pose, princess Yona did something to him.

"Do you want me to be honest and tell you what's really on my mind?" Chris leaned forward, putting his hands on the table.

Yona gulped before answering: "Yes," she said, letting her arms slowly drop to her sides.

Chris looked around them and bent forward, almost lying on the table, "You look so good right now in that dress that I can't wait for tonight... to take it off..." the corner of his lips curved, and seeing Yona blush, he straightened up back in the chair. Their food arrived and Chris thanked the waiter while Yona still sat silent, blushing.

She leaned over the table once the waiter went away, "Are you crazy?! We just got discharged this morning, Chan," she hissed, changing his name, but straightened back up as some people walked past them, "Besides..." Yona continued once they were alone again, "What happened to Sir Bang, the strict and disciplined soldier?"

Chan blinked and let out a small laugh, "He's off-duty now," he joked and grabbed Yona's hand on the table, "When I'm with you, I can't be strict and serious. If you still haven't realized it: you changed me, Yona," his smile was gentle just like the slow strokes of his thumb on top of Yona's hand, "Never before have I been this relaxed. I was always on the edge, training all day, barely sleeping through the night. But with you... I enjoy life like never before," he smiled more and Yona teared up, grabbing his hand.

With her free right hand, Yona grabbed her glass of water and raised it, "Let's raise a toast then," she started, "For us, to have more wonderful moments in the future and continue to enjoy our lives just like we are doing now."

Bang Chan couldn't agree more - he too raised his glass of wine and clinked it with Yona's. After the toast, they both enjoyed the steaks that were tender and delicious, talking about their experience so far, summing up the vacation.