Meori Apeuda

Chapter 41

He opened the door for me and we stepped outside. My gaze immediately fell on Chan, who sat cross legged at the top of the stairs, leaning against the railing. When we left the room he scrambled to his feet and stood at my side in a few quick steps, his hand searching mine.

I felt like I had held my breath for hours and gladly sank against his side. He laid his arm around my shoulder and pressed me against his body.

Mr. Pak smiled at us. “Don’t worry, Chan, I didn’t bite her…” he joked and I giggled. Looking up at Chan I saw a cautious smile appear on his face.

“And I didn’t know that your memory is that bad, boy. Your clause expired a year ago already, you guys are allowed to date.” He laughed at Chan’s perplexed face and patted his shoulder. Then he grabbed the back of his neck and pointed his index finger at his nose. “No more stupid talking about quitting, do you get me, 바보 (Pabo/fool)?”

Chan nodded, now grinning from ear to ear. Mr. Pak let him go and looked at me fondly. “That’s one hell of a girl you got there. Ready to fight everyone for you. Don’t mess it up.” I blushed at his compliment, but smiled.

I felt Chan turning his head and he pressed a kiss on my temple. “I know…i won't…” he murmured, pressing me a bit tighter to his side for a few seconds.

“Let’s go downstairs, I think the others might be sitting on needles by now…” Mr. Pak grinned and led the way downstairs. When he was a few steps away Chan quickly turned to me, cupped my face in his hands and kissed me once, twice, three times. He leaned his forehead against mine and we smiled happily at each other.

Then he let go of my face, took my hand in his and we followed his manager downstairs. When we reentered the living room, every head turned to us, a mixture of tension and curiosity in their eyes. 

Mr. Pak looked at each one for a second then he lifted his arms sideways in a questioning gesture: “What are you looking at, did I grow a second nose or what?” Seungmin and Felix giggled and cautious relief appeared on the members' faces. Mr. Pak grinned and let himself fall onto the couch next to I.N., ruffling the hair of the maknae in the same way he had done with Felix.

I.N. giggled and tried to lean away, but his manager laid his arm around the younger one’s shoulders and held him close. I smiled at the interaction. He didn’t lie, he really loved those guys.

Chan led me towards a free space at the end of the massive couch and sat down, patting his lap once and looked at me questioningly. For a second I wondered if it might be rude to cuddle in front of his father-figure, but then I decided that I didn’t care. I had to be close to him, to convince myself that I wasn’t dreaming right now.

I climbed on his lap and snuggled against him, leaning my head against his shoulder. Chan wrapped his arms around me and I felt him press a kiss into my hair.

I caught Mr. Paks gaze and he winked at me, smiling. I blushed but answered his smile. The manager turned his head and found everyone looking at him expectantly.

He rolled his eyes dramatically: “Ok, I’m sorry, I forgot you boys aren’t the brightest bulbs in the chandelier: No, you’re not in trouble and no, Chan-ah also won’t get rid of you so easily.” A sigh of relief sounded almost unison and then Seungmin threw a pillow at his manager. “Not the brightest, huh?”

Pak Hyun Ki chuckled and threw the pillow back. “Did any of you remember your contract? Did you 파보스 (paboseu/ Idiots) even read it? You’ve been allowed to date for about a year now. Something like this was about to happen someday…?!”

Felix hid his face in his hands and groaned. “Fuck, I completely forgot that…” Hyunjin nodded, but patted the back of the blonde comfortingly. 

Han blinked and then suddenly stretched his arms out to Lee Know who sat next to him and said something in a dramatic and teary voice, making everyone crack up.