Stay Stay Stay ||Choi Yeonjun||

22

After that day, Hana and I texted. Not frequently, but enough to get back on good terms. I spent Christmas with Mom, we baked a fruit cake this year since Mom learned a new recipe. I told her what went down. Her answer was only a sceptical look.

"You.... like him, don't you? "

"MOM! "

"What?! Have you ever seen yourself when you talk about him? Your eyes TWINKLE! And if my gut feelings are real, that man loves you too. "

"Now whatever would that mean? "

"I know you are in denial, but think about it. That boy has threatened two people for you, he panicked when you scraped your knee, he let you sleep on his shoulder on the flight, he stayed with you when you were ugly crying.... I could go on, but your face is becoming quite red. "

She shut me up quite quick. Yet, I'm not going to believe in this and raise my hopes for nothing.

Today was the New Year's Eve Party. I was at Bora's flat as she did my makeup. I planned on wearing the dress I bought with the dangly pearl earrings Yeonjun gifted me for Christmas. The earrings were so pretty, I stared at it for long. Even now I was looking at it glowing on the table. I picked it up and put it on.

I did a half updo securing it with a black bow. The tresses fell down in easy waves. Bora had donned a red velvet dress with a bold smokey eye and red lip. Bora was my ride to the event. We both donned heavy coats which we shed before entering.

We reached the lavishly decorated venue. Suyeong met us at the gates and we three entered together, immediately gravitating towards the bar and hors d'oevours.

"Woahh.. Ahrin is that you? My goodness, just look at you! "

"Thanks Hyuka! You look dapper! The Pomade looks nice. I told you, you would slay it! "

Hueningkai took a piece from my plate and dropped it in his mouth. Suyeong seemed to be bickering on the phone with someone. He left and Bora followed. Hueningkai's phone pinged.

"Uh, Ahrin.. Yeonjun's asking me to bring you to meet him and the Parks. Let's go. "

We walked off. I spotted Yeonjun at the centre of the hall, glancing at his watch. The black striped suit hugged his body, the trousers cloaking his long legs and bringing them out. He had gone without a shirt under his vest, giving him a casual suave look with a cross pendant hanging on the smooth chest. I knew I was ogling, probably looking like a drooling monkey, but he was looking... Divine. I couldn't find another word for him. He walked towards me with the agile grace of a Cheetah, smirking slightly as if sizing up his helpless prey. I stood rooted to the spot, my heart hammering away so loud my ears were ringing. It was like the whole world surrounding me had melted away into nothing and the only thing I could focus on was him.

"Here you go, I brought her. I'll be off, yeah! "

Hueningkai left off in a hurry. Yeonjun was standing close to me now, closer than he normally does as I take in the rich dark sandalwood cologne. His signature scent, all warm, spicy ,crisp was taking over my senses. His hand slowly reached out moving a lock of hair behind my ear then grazing my earlobe. I was struck dumb, unable to move or say anything.

"I take it, you liked my gift? You look beautiful! "

I flushed but a glint caught my eye. I looked down at his wrist where my gift rested. He had adorned the light silver bracelet with the small jade bead resting in the Herculean knot. The chain slightly dangled, but other wise it fit well just like I had imagined.

"So do you, not beautiful sorry— no I mean you're beautiful but I wanted to say handsome. It looks nice on your hand like it was made for you, looks exactly as I had imagined. Oh I'm so glad you wore it! "