Stay Stay Stay ||Choi Yeonjun||

29

I snuggle in closer, wringing my eyes shut. Pain thrummed through my neck and down my back. I rubbed the sore spot, blearily blinking my eyes open. As soon as I did, I felt my breath catch in a soundless gasp. Yeonjun's face was just a few milimeters away, his warm breath brushing my chin.

My eyes glide over his delicate features. He looks peaceful and childlike. I couldn't help tracing the soft curve of his ear, following down the slope of his cheekbone. His eyes flutter open, and I jolt back feeling caught. But then it strikes me, he is my boyfriend so I have nothing to hide. He looks equally startled but pleased at the same time.

"Hey... "

"Hi... "

I don't know why we are whispering, but it feels right in the calm silence of the morning. Suddenly he moves quick and boops his nose with mine. The action startles out a laugh from me.

"What was that for?! Not that I didn't love it, mind you! "

"It's a good morning boop! You looked adorable! "

We both laugh, but one look at the clock has us scrambling to get up. The blissful cocoon is broken as we still have work today. I tell Yeonjun to take a day off, but that man never listens to me. Instead he makes us  quick cereal bowls, while I shower and get ready. I use his shower gel and feel warm butterflies in my belly when I realized I smell like him. However I have another dilemma.

"Jun! What am I gonna wear? I think I accidentally stained my shirt yesterday so I can't wear it again! "

"Wear one of mine, so easy... "

"Yeah but.... "

"What is it, rin-ah? "

"People will stare... "

Yeonjun looks up from his cereal bowl. He furrows his brows, tilting his head.

"Are you... uncomfortable? With this relationship?"

I am quick to nod my head no vigorously. Of course not, never. But somebody would judge that I'm with a man who's way over my league. I don't tell him that.

"Then you'll be fine.. "

He leaves the table, dragging me to his enormous closet. He slides open a door, revealing rows of neatly pressed shirts. He waves me to choose. I browse through most of them, but my eyes stuck on one of my favourites— a light periwinkle and white striped one. I pick it and turn around to find him smirking at me. I raise my eyebrows questioningly and he chuckles.

"Should've known this would be your choice, Ms. Chae."

"Why...? "

"I could feel your eyes stuck to me like gum the day I wore this one. "

I feel my cheeks go hot and I know I'm looking flustered because Yeonjun keeps on chuckling.

That day I received some serious amount of happy, teasing looks from my coworkers. Yet I didn't see one disapproving as I thought I would.

"So are you happy with the design, honourable client? "

I asked somberly to the dignified lady sitting in front of me. She gives a graceful and demure nod.

"Okay so we'll proceed, Madam Chae. Let's shake hands to conclude this deal."

We shook hands. Then me and Mom finally broke character, falling into peals of laughter. We took a cab to go place orders for furniture pieces and more paints. After an hour of browsing, we had left to search for places nearby to have lunch. Mom was walking with me, browsing a catalogue. I was scrolling on my phone through ratings of restaurants nearby to find a good place.

I heard a familiar voice almost yell MOM! and turning around I see my mother colliding with another lady. I rush to help my mom regain balance, panicking. She laughs me off and turns to apologize to the lady.

"Rin!? "

"Jun?! "

I was bewildered, looking at my man who wore a similar expression holding onto the other lady's arm. I was aware of my mother's eyes flicking from me to him. But soon a look flashes between the two ladies and their faces are set with similar grins.

"I'm so sorry! Are you hurt, sister? "

"No, no I'm not. But don't call me sister, in-law fits better. Don't you think? "

Yeonjun's mother looks at me with a warm yet mischievous smile. I'm so shocked. My eyes stray over to Yeonjun and he looks stricken too. She beckons me closer. I glance at Yeonjun, he seems to recover and smile at me. I go over to her and she pulls me in a tight hug. In my periphery, I see my Mom doing the same to Yeonjun.

"Ohh! We totally need to have lunch together. God, Universe and the Fates have arranged this. I'm not letting this chance go. "

Mom beams and holds Yeonjun's mom's hands. The two start chattering and walking like they've known each other forever.

"This was so not the plan! "

"Tell me about it, sweetheart... Phew at least all things seem to go in a right direction! "

"No, they are not. Our moms are heading off to God knows where! "

I point to the ladies walking away, no care in the world. We both rush and hold on to the two to stop them.

"Where are you going Mom?! "

"Ohh well... "

Yeonjun chuckled lowly.

"I know this wonderful place just around the corner. Maybe we all can have lunch there. What do you say, ladies? "

"Omo! That sounds good. Wahh Ms. Choi which gods did you pray to for such a wonderful son?! Right charmer he is! No wonder Rinnie loves him.. "

"Aigooo.. Ms Chae! My son is lucky to find a pretty, kind and smart woman like your daughter. He tells me all about her everyday, you know? "

We both were red in the face. Fortunately, the restaurant was close by and we reached quickly. Finding a good spot, we slid in and Yeonjun wasted no time to flag down a hovering waiter and order a series of dishes. Most of them were my mom's and his mom's favourites.

"So while I'm sure we both know exactly how you two met, I want to hear your first reaction on seeing Ahrin. Will you narrate it, son-in-law? "

The waiters entered with our food right then. Yeonjun was still looking pretty red, but with a nudge from his Mom he started stutteringly. I had just taken the first bite of curry udon noodles, when he finished chewing and dabbed a napkin before resuming talking.

"I... was impressed. The sheer talent and skill was wonderful. We could get another brilliant individual with us. Then I started observing her over time.... and you know,... It was... She's beautiful and... a little quiet but once you get to know her... Her confidence.. "

My heart gallops at his words and then he looks up staring straight into my eyes. Our mothers looked on fondly at him. I could sense his unease at being the centre of attention. So I reach out for his hand, squeezing it.

"Well... It's what they say..... Something about a jeweller and a diamond... "

"I'm not sure about that, but it is like a match made by fate. Ahrin-ah~ tell me your experience... "

I looked up at the two ladies, resting their faces on their palms, eyes blown wide with interest. I drink some water to wet my parched throat before speaking.

"I.. Yeonjun was like a healing balm on my wound, in all terms, as a boss, project partner, friend and then more. I never knew everything could be so beautiful and easy and soothing in life. Until I met him..."