Meori Apeuda

Chapter 11

"Why is it always, whenever we eat together, that I can't move properly afterwards?" I moaned, slumping back onto my chair, a hand on my full stomach.

Chan took the last bite of his Kimbap and leaned back too, stretching like a satisfied cat. "I feel better knowing you ate well. You're way too thin, girl..." he smiled, looking at me. I smiled too, shaking my head in disbelief. Then I got up and started putting away the containers of the soup and rice rolls he had brought.

He watched me all the while silently, making me a little bit nervous. I tried to grab my empty water bottle but missed it, hitting it only with my finger tips, sending it flying towards the edge of the table. Chan's hand shot forwards, catching it mid-air.

"What the actual fuck, are you spiderman or what?" I exclaimed flustered, giggled nervously and tried to take the water bottle from him.

He stood up, pointing at me with the bottle. "Ey, babygirl, what's about that cursing, huh?" I rolled my eyes and snatched the bottle from him. "Sorry Daddy!" I said in a mocking sweet voice and turned to the tiny kitchen counter.

"Seven boys, and the biggest trouble maker is the girl of course..." he sighed and both of us burst out laughing. Calming down I saw that his gaze was on me again, full of tenderness this time. "What are you looking at...?" I asked, pushing a strand of hair behind my ear nervously.

"I'm just happy that the spark is back, that I had been missing all morning..." he said, shrugging. Then he came closer and helped me do the dishes. I shook my head in mild disbelief, that man was too observant for his own sake sometimes.

When we were finished we sat down at the kitchen table again. "So, no schedule today?" I asked, taking a sip from a fresh bottle. He shook his head. "No, we're done for this week, gladly. But we do have an important appointment this evening and I have been sent here with a message from the members!"

I blinked in surprise at his solemn tone, but soon discovered the mischievous sparkling in his gaze. "Well? I'm listening...?" I asked, taking another sip.

He raised his hand as if he wanted to recite Shakespeare and said in a ceremonial voice: "The Princes Hyunjin and Felix request your presence tonight at the karaoke bar, just like you promised them last time, Mylady. Don't worry, you don't have to sing if you don't want to..." He added with a wink.

I didn't answer right away. Jessy's picture popped up in my head and I was wondering if I was a bad human being, if I went out with the guys tonight, when she had possibly been killed because of me? Thoughtful I turned my bottle in circles, staring at it.

Then Cara's voice rang through my head, screaming at me to "Get your ass out there and LIVE!" I pressed my lips together. She was kind of right. The whole purpose of my flight was to be free to do what I wanted, to enjoy my life and whatever it brought with it, wasn't it? I sighed.

Chan scrunched his forehead and pouted like a small child. With a disguised voice he whined: "You made pwomiiise Kayleee...!", stomping his foot like a five-year-old. I chuckled at his charade and then nodded finally. "A promise is a promise..." I answered, raising my arms in a surrendering fashion.

Chan beamed, ripped out his phone and started a call, putting it on speaker. "Task completed, she's coming, guys!" he said and I heard Felix whooping, causing me to grin. "See, it was good idea to send Chan-hyung, Kaylee may have said no if we sent Scarecrow Changbin..." I heard Hyunjin teasing in the background, followed by a high squeal and giggling of the other guys.

"EY, no fighting boys! Leave your brother alone, Jinnie!" Chan scolded, but his eyes were twinkling in amusement. "Yes Daddy, we niceu, aaaaall niceeuuuuu..." I heard another voice, followed by more laughter and squeals from Hyunjin.