"Seoul to My Heart" .... ( Asa and Chiquita)

Chapter 2: A Little Game

Asa's POV

I don't know why I agreed to let her come so close.

The girl—Chiquita—was standing in front of me, a confident smile plastered on her face like she was some kind of queen. She was practically leaning in, her breath warm against my ear. I felt my pulse quicken, but I couldn't understand why. She was trouble, I could already tell.

"Fun, huh?" I repeated, tasting the word like it was something unfamiliar. Fun was something I didn't have time for. Fun didn't exist in my world. It wasn't something I could afford. My life was mapped out—my future determined by my family's iron grip on my every move.

But her presence... I couldn't quite shake it.

Chiquita's grin widened, and I saw the challenge in her eyes. "Yeah, fun. You know, that thing where you stop worrying for once. You should try it. You might even like it."

I raised an eyebrow, my body tensing slightly at her proximity. "Worrying is what keeps things in control. Without it, everything falls apart."

She tilted her head, her long, dark hair swaying as she gave me that knowing smile. "You really do need to lighten up, Asa. If you don't, you'll end up just like everyone else: stuck in a cage of your own making. I can see it already. You're living in a world of shoulds and musts, but you could be free. Just like me."

Her words stung a little more than they should have. They were true in some twisted way, and the reality of that realization unsettled me. I had built this wall around myself—a barrier between me and the world. It was the only way I could exist under my family's demands.

But here was Chiquita, a beautiful enigma, standing in front of me, and she was making it seem so easy to let go. So easy to defy the rules.

"You're right about one thing," I said coolly, trying to regain control. "I don't need to be like everyone else. But I also don't need to be like you."

Her smile didn't falter, though I could tell she enjoyed the challenge. "Ouch. But trust me, if you were like me, you'd have a hell of a lot more fun. And maybe you'd realize you don't need all those walls around you to be safe."

The fact that she wasn't backing off made me feel even more unsettled. Why wasn't she just walking away like everyone else? Why was she so persistent? Didn't she understand that I didn't have time for games, for people who didn't fit into my life the way my family wanted?

Yet I couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to break free—just for a moment—to live without worrying about consequences.

But before I could say anything else, I saw a familiar face approaching. Rora.

Chiquita's POV

I could tell Asa was wrestling with herself. The way her brow furrowed and the slight twitch of her lips told me she was fighting the urge to run. And who could blame her? I could be intimidating when I wanted to be.

But I wasn't here to intimidate. I was here to shake things up. I wasn't going to let her be the icy, controlled person she seemed so comfortable being. I could see right through that persona. She was like a shell, and I wanted to know what was inside.

"I don't bite," I teased again, stepping closer, my tone a little softer. "Unless, of course, you want me to."

Her eyes flashed at that, and I could see the war in her expression. She wanted to remain distant. She didn't want to let me in.

Too bad. I wasn't about to give up so easily.

Before either of us could speak again, Rora sauntered over with a wicked grin on her face. "Chiquita, do I even want to know what you're doing?"

I turned to Rora, a little annoyed. "I'm having a conversation. What does it look like?"

Rora shot me a teasing look. "It looks like you're trying to get under this poor girl's skin. You know, the whole 'free spirit' thing isn't really Asa's vibe."

I shot her a look of mock indignation. "Rora, are you seriously going to interrupt? I'm trying to be charming here."

Rora raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Oh, I can see that. But don't get too carried away. I've seen this one in action. She won't let you have your fun. You're going to have to work for it."

"Thanks for the advice," I muttered, rolling my eyes. I turned back to Asa, who had been silent throughout the exchange. Her eyes were still fixed on me, but I couldn't read her anymore.

"Are you going to let her interrupt all your fun, or are we going to do something about it?" I asked, unable to help myself.

Asa's lips pressed into a thin line, but for a brief moment, I saw something flicker in her eyes. It was almost like she was... considering it.

"Maybe I will," she said quietly, her voice softer than before. Then she turned on her heel and started walking away.

I blinked, surprised. Was that an invitation to follow her?

"Wait, where are you going?" I called out, stepping toward her.

Asa didn't turn around but continued walking, her voice carrying back to me: "You want to have fun? Follow me."

I grinned. Finally. It looked like I had her attention.

I glanced over at Rora, who was looking at me with a raised eyebrow. "You heard her. I'm going after her."

"You're playing with fire, Chiquita," Rora warned.

I didn't care. I was already walking away, and I was going to see just how far this game would go. For the first time, I felt like I had the upper hand. And that was a feeling I didn't plan on letting go anytime soon.

Asa's POV

I felt her presence behind me before I heard her footsteps. Chiquita was following me, and a part of me wondered what I had just done. But another part—maybe the part I didn't want to acknowledge—felt a strange pull toward her.

I didn't have time for games, I knew that. But somehow, this felt different. She felt different.

I quickened my pace, wanting to get away from the noise of the party. I needed space.

Chiquita was right behind me, her voice calling out playfully, "You're quick. I like that."

I ignored her, trying to keep my focus. But I could feel my heart race as I led her through the winding hallways of the venue. She was a storm I didn't know how to control.

I couldn't tell if I was running from her or toward her.

But either way, I couldn't stop.