ENDLESSLY YOURS | Jay Park

003 | mind readings

Ryu Yeseul
───────────

I barely ask for things because I am satisfied with what I already have. Expect this. I knew what I was doing when I asked for a kiss. I may not have asked Jay out loud, but I did in my head, and Jay understood the assignment.

Suddenly, the butterflies in my stomach died, and my heart stopped beating. I let go of the kiss and stepped back. Jay had a satisfied smile on his face while I looked at him in shock. Once again, something is wrong, and I can't point out what it is.

In front of me was a young, handsome man who could control my heartbeat, and I just kissed him. He went from making my heart beat til it jumped out of my chest to shatter it to pieces. And he did it because of one simple kiss.

"I have to say I'm disappointed. I expected a daughter of a fortune teller to have known better than this," Jay suddenly said.

"And you are not alone. I am disappointed in myself too," I replied.

I thought about leaving him and the ball, but then I looked at Jay again, and something hit me. He looks just like the Prince of Hearts.

"Let me guess, you recoginse me from somewhere?" Jay asked with a soft chuckle.

"Your mind readings are getting scary at this point," I said.

"Good thing I don't mind reading. You are just very good at expressing your thoughts with your facial expression and body language," Jay replied.

"Who are you?!" I asked.

"I already told you. Most people call me Jay. But I am also known as Prince of Hearts," Jay answered proudly.

After years of admiring the Prince of Hearts card, he is standing in front of me. I have always dreamed of his existence but never thought it was real. At least not in this century.

I expected my meeting with the Prince of Hearts to be more magical. Instead, it turned into a horror story that has just begun, and the ending is yet to be written.

"Do you have a death wish?" Jay suddenly asked.

"Absolutely not!" I answered.

"Good. Because I believe you can help me with something. And all you have to do is kiss Prince Heeseung, " Jay said with a smile.

"All you do is lie," I replied while walking away.

Jay grabbed my arm to stop me, and I felt how my heart stopped beating. It feels like chains are wrapped around my heart tight to stop my heart from beating.

Before our kiss, Jay was able to control my heart by making it pound til it hurt. And after our kiss is Jay now able to control my heart til I eventually die.

"Kiss Prince Heeseung, if you want to continue your life," Jay said before letting go of my arm.

I did not look back on Jay once he let go of my arm. My eyes landed on Prince Heeseung instead. He was talking to someone while looking carefree and untroubled. And I am about to ruin it all and erase that wide smile on his face.

All of a sudden, I was standing in front of Prince Heeseung. Their conversation went silent, and Prince Heeseung was meeting my eyes. It feels like I am about to faint and collapse on the ground. Not only because of his outstanding looks but mainly because my head is spinning in every direction.

"Are you okay?" Prince Heeseung asked me while placing his hand on my shoulder.

"We need to go out and get some fresh air," He replied.

Prince Heeseung placed his arm over my shoulder as we walked out. I keep my eyes on the floor because I am too embarrassed to look him in the eyes.

I have to admit Prince Heeseung is living up to his reputation. I often find it hard to tell if someone is acting or being genuine. Except Prince Heesung. He is the definition of authenticity.

"Do you want to sit down?" Prince Heeseung asked once we reached the outside.

"No, it's fine. Thanks, " I answered. Still not meeting his eyes.

"And I'm sorry," I added.

"Why are you apologising?" Prince Heeseung questioned.

"Because I interrupted your conversation. And you helped me out despite being busy, " I said.

"But that doesn't mean you should apologise. I wanted to help you, " Prince Heeseung replied.

Our eyes finally met again. A wide smile appeared on his lips. His arm is also still around my shoulder. I try to remind myself that this is how Prince Heeseung is to everyone. But how can I not take it personally when he is smiling like that?

"So, have you found your queen yet?" I asked out of a sudden.

"Not yet, unfortunately. However, there is a tradition I haven't started yet. And once that tradition is complete, I will know who my significant other is, " Prince Heeseung said.

"I have five kisses I need to deliver to my favourites. Once I have done all five kisses, will I know who is the one," He explained.

"So, with that being said. Would you like to be my first kiss?" He asked afterwards.

Something feels odd again. This is going way better than I expected, and that makes me question whether Jay is involved or not. Jay was invited for a reason because he is most likely friends with Prince Heeseung. The kiss tradition probably doesn't even exist; it must be a lie they have come up with to fool people. However, Jay is haunting my thoughts.

What would make me a bigger fool? If I believed in Jay and chose to kiss Prince Heeseung to sacrifice my life. Or if I believe in Prince Heeseung and the tradition is true and no plans were behind it. But I know I would rather be a fool than dead.

I placed my hands on Prince Heeseung's cheeks and kissed him. And before the kiss had any chance to go deeper, I let go, and Prince Heeseung looked at me with confusion.

"I hope you find your queen tonight because you only have four chances left," I said before I left him alone.