You Got Power Over Me

chapter 7

Song Rec: Painkiller By Ruel

Oh In-Joo POV-

I got off the car, and shut the door behind me. We spoke no words throughout our journey to here. But it did not feel awkward like before. All it needed for everything to turn perfect was just a confession. The sun beamed brightly above us, and he stood beside me. He then took my hand in his which made me blush quite a bit.

"Don't you think it'll be too early to tell In-Hye?"

"No, I don't." he said with none hesitation at all. "But, if you think it's too early, we'll wait."

I smiled and nodded to him.

But, that doesn't mean we can't hold our hands right now. We still have time till we get to the front door." he cheekily said.

 I let out a little chuckle and we started heading towards the door with wide grins on out faces. We rang the doorbell and slowly slipped our hands out of each other's. The door soon opened and we were welcomed by In-Hye.

"Did we make you wait for too long?" She gave a look to Do-Il shi and I could swear I saw a tiny smile appear on his face.

"Well... not really. In fact, it would be better if I get some time to myself. I am gonna continue with my painting, and I'd rather you not see it right now." That was weird.

"I hoped we could spend some time together but I guess I'll just have to find something else to busy myself with." I said, with much disappointment and confusion.

"Me!" Do-Il shi exclaimed and we both shot sudden looks at him, mine being more of a warning.

"I mean, it's been so long since I've been to Korea. I really wanted to see Han river again. Why don't you come with me?" he quickly covered up.

"That would be great. Perfect, actually. Well then have fun! I'll see you later. Byee", and so yet another door was shut on us again today. 

"What is up with today? Don't you think she acted a bit weird just now?"

"No, of course not. She did change quite a lot through the past year. You'll soon get see for yourself."

"It seems like it. But I really wanted to spend some time with her..."

"Forget about it now. You should cheer up, at least today I want you to be completely happy. She'll come around soon. Look at the bright side, we'll get to spend more time alone today."

I nodded cheerfully. We drove to the Han river where we got off to take a stroll. However, a bicycle rental caught my eye and I knew I wanted to go cycling. We rented two of them for 2 hours and we started riding it with the cool breeze hitting our faces and making my hair fly. It was already about 5 pm and it felt as if the Han River had just gotten more beautiful. We eventually keep stealing glances at each other and I felt at peace. The moment almost felt unreal. There was no specific thing my mind had to focus on. The wind and his company worked like painkillers and I had already forgotten everything about the world.

They say life is neither complete light neither dark. A few months ago, I was convinced that the dark had finally completely taken over my life and there was no escaping it. Even with Tae Ho trying his best to help me forget about Do-Il shi and overcome my darkness, there was not a single moment I could completely forget about his eyes, his smile and him.

But now, I was proven wrong by none other than him. The darkness had fled with the rise of light, him. I didn't want to spend even a second without him now. No, I just couldn't. I hoped and prayed for the light to remain forever. But even if it didn't, I just wanted him to be beside me even in the dark. 

And I smiled. Continuously. I just couldn't wipe that smile off my face, even if I wanted to. I lost all the control of my body beside him. My heart, my brain, my mind, my hands, eyes, mouth, lips, they were all his. And that is how I knew I was safe. Because maybe, he wasn't as good at conveying his feelings, but he was the best at protecting what was his.

The two hours were over within a blink of an eye. We had already returned the bikes and walking below the setting sun. We stopped at a place to enjoy the view and bought some bungeoppang He held one of my hands with his free hand and ran his fingers soothingly over them. His finger ran over the scars from the acid burn, as gently as a seagull glides over the sea. He noticed that I became conscious of him feeling my scars and brought my hand into his view and softly placed a kiss on it.

I let out a small chuckle. I was so insecure about my marks that I would always wear gloves before leaving my home. I would start overthinking even as somebody saw them. But with him, I just didn't. I became conscious not because I was afraid how he'd react to my scars, but I was conscious about how I had not gotten nervous at all from his fingers caressing them.