Love So Strong ~Hueningkai~

Chapter 3

Kai was sitting on a bench near the gardens, elbows on his knees as he was fiddling with the black box in his hand. He was going to do this. There was no going back. He watched couples down below in the gardens, walking around, arms wrapped around one another. That could be him and Ari. He stood up straight and took a deep breath. He turned around and started walking back to the entrance of the hall. He made sure his suit jacket was covering his gun and slipped the box in his pocket. He looked up and stopped. There she was. Ari walked out and started going down the steps leading to the garden. She looked exquisite. Her long hair was blowing behind her as she walked down . She wore a low-cut emerald green lace dress that stopped at her ankles, paring them with black heels. Her shoulders were bare while her arms were in thin, see-through sleeves that stopped at her wrist. She was absolutely beautiful. He swallowed and walked over to the stairs, hands in pocket.

Ari was paying more attention to the stairs instead of surroundings. She wanted to wear flats but her ma insisted the heels. God help her if she trips. She finally looked up and gasped. Huening Kai was standing at the end of the stairs, looking up at her. She smiled at him and walked down faster."

"Annyeonghaseyo." She said as she reached the bottom step.

"Annyeonghaseyo. You look beautiful, Ari." He offered his arm to her, and she wrapped her arm around his. He walked them over to the gardens, hoping to find a place where they wouldn't be interrupted.

It was getting dark out, but with the lamp posts and moonlight, they could still see. He looked over at Ari. The moonlight was hitting her perfectly. She had a smile on her face. They found a bench and went to sit down. They could see the view of the whole hall. Security guards were stationed at every entrance. People were socializing here and there.

Ari took a deep breath. "Kai, there's..."

"Ari, I want to say..."

They laughed. "You can go first." Kai said.

Ari smiled. She stood up and placed her hands on her hips, taking another deep breath. "I wanted to tell you sooner, but I was nervous at what you would say." She dropped her hands and started fiddling with her ring. "Okay, no talking, just listening."

Kai nodded his head and watched her as she continued. He was getting a little nervous, too.

"We've known one each other for many years, I believe I was 10, and you were 12. You were my best friend, not like any other friend I had. I could always call or message you when I needed someone to vent to or just chat. I liked you. I liked when we got to visit one another, whether it was going to Seoul or you coming to Romania. We had fun. You rescued me numerous times. Stray dogs chasing me, bullies, bugs." She laughed. "I started to realize that I like you way more than just my best friend. I was 16 when I knew that I loved you. I was too scared to tell you that because I didn't want to get rejected and then have our relationship be awkward. Being rejected was my biggest fear. Ayno was the one that I confided in about my feelings to you. I could tell he was getting annoyed at one point, but he still listened to me. It has taken me 12 years to finally confess. I love you, Kai."

Huening Kai stood up and placed his hands on her shoulders. Her head was bowed down, trying not to look at him. She was trying her best not to cry. Kai lifted his finger and caught one. "Ari, look at me." She looked up at him, brown eyes staring back at hers.

"I love you too." He leaned his forehead against hers. "I've loved you for a while now too, and I was nervous to tell you in case you didn't feel that way about me. I thought you would only see me as a brother."

"Really? All this time, and we both were too chicken to say it." Ari sighed in relief.

"We have our brothers to thank. I know they will be expecting that." Kai wrapped his arms around her. She nestled her head into his neck and wrapped her arms around him, too.