Addicted To You

16 - Kiss Or Death

The guys filed in quietly, each hugging me as they entered. I told them how happy I was that they had come and motioned for them to follow me to the back door. I peeked out to see what the girls were doing and saw they were still absorbed in their conversation. I moved forward and the guys followed. We stopped inside the screened-in porch.

The guys were trying not to giggle as we stepped out on the deck. We waited for a few seconds and watched as the girls realized something was different. They looked up and froze when they saw Monsta X standing in front of them. They were in complete shock, but it quickly wore off and they screamed. I giggled. The guys laughed, acting suddenly shy.

I tried not to giggle at their reactions. The guys said hello and then stood there, unsure of what to do next. The girls were huddled together, shaking and giggling. I grabbed a few pictures of them for a scrapbook, or maybe blackmail, later. I was witnessing the birth of new Monbebes. It was a beautiful thing.

Within a few minutes, everyone settled down and relaxed... to some degree. It felt like it was getting hotter by the minute and the fan wasn't helping. I went inside to get beverages for everyone. Kihyun followed me to help. Minhyuk and Changkyun were hot on his heels. They all wanted to help.

Minhyuk reminded me of a puppy with his eagerness and I laughed. I kissed him on the cheek because I could not help myself. Kyunnie pouted so I gave him one too. Kihyun looked at me expectantly, so he got one as well. I involuntarily licked my lips and saw them all watch my tongue as it flicked across the tender flesh. I felt a tingle run through my body.

I turned to get the glasses from the counter where I had put them earlier. I accidentally knocked one off, but Changkyun caught it before it crashed to the tile. I reached to take it and my hands were shaking. He smiled and put his hands around mine after I took the glass. Our eyes met and I was suddenly very hot. I stepped away before I lost myself in those eyes and did something that would embarrass us both... or at least it would embarrass me.

I had already set up a self-serve beverage station near my countertop Sonic-style ice maker. I bought it since my family loves ice. We used to buy a giant bag of it when we had everyone over and it would be gone by the end of our visit. The ice maker was a wise investment.

I let everyone know that the drinks were ready and they could help themselves. We sat outside and my blood family got to know my second family a little bit. They asked each other questions and thankfully they weren't about me.

The ribs were almost done so they put the chicken on the grill. Shownu and Kihyun stepped up to help with the Bulgogi and pork belly. I took the serving platters out and then went back to set the rest of the food out.

Changkyun and Minhyuk helped me set up a banchan station on the kitchen island. We pulled the deviled eggs, the Korean eggs, and the other sides from the Asian market out of the fridge. I had thought about using Mom's 'nice' dishes that had been tucked away in the China cabinet, but since we were eating outside I opted for the tropical-themed outdoor dishes I had collected.

"How do you do it?" Martha asked when we were pulling bowls and plates out of the cabinet.

"Do what?"

"How do you live with them? They are so gorgeous and so sweet," she whispered loudly. I laughed.

"They really are. And to be honest, I am not sure. It is quite difficult at times. They can be pretty intense." I was holding back. She didn't need any more details than that.

"They seem to be very fond of you," she added with a wink.

"Hmm, I hadn't noticed." I lied.

Martha shook her head and kept laying out the dishes. She placed the silverware while I went outside to check on the guys. Shownu and Kihyun were helping Uncle Larry. Wonho was entertaining the girls with stories and photos of Bomi and Yeorum. Eric was laughing with Jooheon and Hyungwon about a story from his last business trip. Kyun and Min were with me. Andrew had come into the kitchen to talk to Martha. They were in their own little world.