Painted Love | Hwang Hyunjin

8

The days that followed our visit to the art museum were filled with a flurry of texts and spontaneous calls. He had a lot of practice and never really a day off. But Hyunjin and I were growing closer, our connection deepening with every conversation, even if we didn't see each other in person. It felt as though we had known each other for years, and yet, each interaction brought new discoveries.

One Saturday morning, Hyunjin called me with an unusual request. "How do you feel about an adventure today?" he asked, his voice brimming with excitement.

"I'm always up for an adventure," I replied, intrigued. "What do you have in mind?"

"I pick you up in an hour. Dress comfortably," he instructed before hanging up.

Curiosity piqued, I quickly got ready, opting for a pair of jeans, a comfortable t-shirt, and my favorite sneakers. He came on time and brought me to an old Train Station. It was a quaint, almost forgotten spot on the outskirts of the city.

"What's this all about?" I asked, a playful smile on my lips.

He grinned, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "You'll see. Follow me."

We boarded a small train that looked like it had come straight out of a movie. As it chugged along the tracks, the scenery changed from the bustling city to serene countryside landscapes. Hyunjin remained tight-lipped about our destination, only offering a cryptic smile when I tried to pry details out of him.

"Come on just tell me," I pleaded, but he just grinned. "No, just relax, Honey. I won't tell you anyway," he answered, ruffling my hair and rolling his eyes with played annoyance. I gave up at this point. He wasn't going to tell me.

After about an hour, we arrived at a picturesque little town surrounded by rolling hills and dense forests. The air was fresh and filled with the scent of pine trees and blooming flowers.

"Welcome to my secret getaway," Hyunjin said with a flourish, leading me through the charming streets. I looked around in awe. "It's so pretty..." I whispered. He smiled as he slung an arm around me. "You're prettier," he said, making me blush. "Stop it already! You're making me flustered!" I protested which just made him grin wider.

We wandered through the town, exploring quaint shops, and enjoying the peaceful atmosphere. Hyunjin seemed to know the place well, greeting a few locals with friendly nods and waves. We eventually made our way to a small, family-run café nestled at the edge of the town.

"This place has the best homemade pies," Hyunjin said, leading me to a cozy table by the window. "You have to try the apple pie."

The café was warm and inviting, with rustic wooden furniture and a mouth-watering aroma of freshly baked goods. We ordered two slices of apple pie and a pot of tea, settling into our seats with contented sighs.

"So, how did you find this place?" I asked between bites of the delicious pie.

Hyunjin smiled, a nostalgic look in his eyes. "My family used to come here for weekend getaways when I was a kid. It's always been a special place for me. I thought you'd like it."

"I love it," I said, feeling touched that he had shared such a personal part of his life with me.
"It's also one of the few places where people treat me normal, not caring about me or my music. It's relaxing once in a while to get away," he explained. I nodded. "I understand. It must be exhausting to always have people around you", I said.

He shrugged his shoulders. "I love talking to Stay, but all those paparazzi are getting on my nerves." He explained. I nodded. "Must be hard," I said and gently took his hand. "You get used to it," he said and squeezed my hand.

After our meal, we decided to take a hike through the nearby forest. The trail wound through towering trees, their leaves rustling gently in the breeze. We walked in comfortable silence for a while, simply enjoying each other's company and the natural beauty around us.

As we reached a clearing, we came upon a small, crystal-clear lake. The water was so still it looked like a mirror, reflecting the blue sky and fluffy white clouds above.

"Wow, this is beautiful," I said, taking in the serene sight.

Hyunjin nodded, a peaceful smile on his face. "It's my favorite spot. I used to come here to think and clear my mind. I wrote a lot of songs here."

We sat down on a large rock by the lake, dipping our feet into the cool water. The tranquility of the moment enveloped us, and for a while, we just sat there, soaking in the peace.

"Thank you for bringing me here," I said softly, breaking the silence. "It's perfect."

Hyunjin turned to me, his expression earnest. "I'm glad you like it. I wanted to share this place with you because... well, it feels like home. And you make me feel at home too, Mui."

His words warmed my heart, making me blush, and I felt a deep connection with him in that moment. "You're seriously such a flirt, Hyunjin." I joked, causing him to smile as he gently placed his hand on my thigh. "That's nothing, my Dear. I'm seriously holding back." He said while starting to smirk.

I playfully rolled my eyes. "Maybe you should just stop holding back." I said, placing my hand on top of his. "You're so cute sometimes. But not cute like I want to squeeze your cheeks... cute like I want to pin you up against a wall." He smirked.

I choked on air and started to cough, which made him laugh. "See, I don't want you to die so I just keep some things to my imagination." He grinned. "Oh, I actually would really like to see your imagination, I think." I said, blushing at my attempt to flirt back. He threw his head back and laughed. "I'll show you some time." He said amused.

We spent the rest of the afternoon exploring the forest, discovering hidden nooks and exchanging stories about our lives. By the time we made our way back to the town, the sun was beginning to set, casting a golden glow over the landscape.

As we boarded the train back to the city, I felt a sense of contentment and happiness. Hyunjin and I had shared another special day together, and it felt like another step forward in our growing relationship.

When we reached the city, Hyunjin walked me to my door. "I had an amazing day, Mui," he said, his eyes reflecting the same happiness I felt.

"Me too, Hyunjin. Thank you for sharing your special place with me," I replied.

"Anytime," he said with a warm smile. "Sleep well, Mui. I'll see you soon."