✓ READY TO LOVE | JAKE

18 - Deadly Date

For the next whole week, Jake and Soo Yun went on multiple friendly dates - as they preferred to call it because they didn't want to admit they were literally going out - and grew closer to each other. 

Jake learned new things about her and was happy to see that what was going on between them was going well. And Soo Yun was happy that Jake slowly opened his heart for her.

One thing he learned was that Soo Yun loved amusement parks, so he decided to take her to Lotte World. The only issue was that amusement parks were not Jake's thing.

He enjoyed doing a lot of things with Soo Yun, but the feeling of plummeting to the ground was not one of them. And that was about all amusement parks had to offer.

So, how had he found himself at Lotte World?

"I've been so excited to come here!" Soo Yun said, eyes sparkling. 

She had been asking him to go with her. She loved amusement parks, and apparently, it had been a while since she had visited one. Being the good potential boyfriend he is, Jake offered to take her despite his dislike for them. 

Soo Yun was scarfing down a massive corn dog as he studied the map of the park. Most rides were lame. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad, he thought.

"Let's go to the Gyro swing first." She said and he frowned.

"The what?"

Soo Yun pointed across the park at a massive spinning disk as it swung through the air, and Jake's eyes widened. He was wrong, today was going to be bad.

Finishing the corn dog too quickly, she dragged him across the park. Jake was really regretting agreeing to this. He'd thought that maybe she could do the little rides.

Really, those would be nearly just as bad, but at least he'd still be close to the ground. The Gyro swing looked like the worst ride in the whole park. Jake had never seen her so giddy as the two of them stood in line.

"I've always wanted to try this ride! The lines were too long last time I was here, so I haven't gotten to try it yet." Soo Yun said, smiling.

Jake was wishing she got to ride it the last time she was there just so that he didn't have to. He was happy to see her excited, but he was already nauseous. The ride was going to make that so much worse.

The terrified shriek he let out as the rollar coaster took off was enough to alert Soo Yun that he wasn't going to enjoy it. He was reaching for her hand and shutting his eyes.

Soo Yun chuckled and took his hand in hers. His head was spinning by the time they got off the ride.

"How have you not thrown up yet?" He asked as he leaned on her.

"I don't get motion sick." Soo Yun smiled and patted his back.

"You ate something right before we got on there!" 

"It was half an hour before."

"That's the same thing." Jake argued.

"Is it?" She smiled. "How about we go ride the carousel next?"

"That sound better." He let out a sigh of relief and Soo Yun chuckled at him.

The lines for the ride were long enough for Jake to be mostly recovered. Soo Yun was insistent on riding as many rides as possible before the two of them had to leave. Jake, despite being nauseous, didn't argue with her. He finally gave up when she led him up to the Bungee Drop.

"I think I'll stay down here.' Jake said and she frowned.

"What, you don't want to feel like you're falling from the sky?" She asked and Jake just laughed.

"No, thank you."

"Alright, once I ride this we can head to the moonboat?" 

"Sure!" That was a ride Jake quite enjoyed. Watching Soo Yun ride the Bungee Drop assured him of his choice. The ride looked absolutely horrifying.

He wasn't sure how she was still going after riding multiple rides and now that one. She looked like she was enjoying it, though. 

Some time later, Soo Yun skipped across the park as she swung her hand in Jake's. The sun was beginning to set and their day was at the amusement park was coming to an end. 

"We should do this again sometime," She said and Jke widened his eyes, faking a scared look.

"I'm not sure about that."

Soo Yun laughed. "No? We'll find something else to do then." 

"As long as we're together then that sounds good." He smiled and she felt her heart do a little summersault.

It wasn't long before they were sitting together in their own boat. She rested her head on his shoulder as they watched the lake around them.

"Today was really fun." She said softly. "Thank you for coming with me even though you didn't want to." 

Jake chuckled. "I don't think I'll be doing this again."

"Oh, come on." Soo Yun frowned. "Was it that bad?"

"Yes. My stomach is still spinning." 

"You poor thing." She patted his head and looked at him with sad eyes. "Was there any ride you liked?" 

"This one." He admitted. "The rest of them were rude to my stomach."

"You're a darling for coming with me, Jake." Her words made his eyes slightly widen before he broke into a genuine smile. "I only wish you'd told me ahead of time that you didn't like roller coasters. We could have went somewhere else."

Jake shook his head. "It's okay, I wanted to bring you here. You seemed really excited, so... I also enjoyed today because you were with me. Any time I spend with you is never bad, you know."

"Sim Jake, you exceed my expectations of men every single day. I think you're the best man on this earth." She whispered, fingers fidgeting.

"Do I?" He laughed nervously as he rested a hand on the back of his neck. "Well, I'm glad I make you feel that way."

Soo Yun was silent for a while, and Jake slightly looked down at her. She was just staring at the beautiful sunset and how the lake shone brightly. 

"Soo Yun." He called, taking her off guard. "What's on your mind?"

"Nothing." She muttered, but Jake knew her well to realize something was bothering her.

"Look at me." His fingers gently rested on her chin as he turned her to look at him. "What's wrong?"

"Jake." She whispered, staring into his eyes. "I think I love you."

His eyes slightly widened as he took in her words. Oh, the way they made his heart beat faster. He smiled at her bitterly as he gently placed a strand of her hair behind her ear. "Yunie..."

"I fell in love with you because of the million things you never knew you were doing... and I know we share this amazing connection but I'm afraid that you're not ready for me." She said and Jake's eyes softened.

"I think I love you too, Soo Yun. I wish I could explain your eyes, and how the sound of your voice gives me butterflies. Or how your smile makes my heart skip a beat and how everytime I'm with you, I feel so complete. Just like now." He said and she just stared at him, heart racing inside her chest. "But..."

That single word made her nervous.

"Jake."

"I'm afraid you'll see how worthless my love is... that I love too much..."

"I was never loved enough, Jake." She muttered, staring at her hesitant hand. "I don't want to be just loved."

"Soo Yun-"

"Worship me." Soo Yun muttered as she gently pulled his hand and placed it on her waist. "I want you to worship me."