Kiss & Tell ( Asa and Chiquita)

Chapter 5: Tension in the Air

Asa's POV

I've spent the last few days trying to bury myself in work, but it's becoming increasingly harder to ignore the way my mind keeps circling back to Chiquita.

Her smile. Her voice. The way she makes me feel like I'm hanging on the edge of something — something I can't quite name, but that's slowly pulling me closer.

I hate it.

I hate how much power she has over me, how she can walk into a room and shift the entire atmosphere with just a glance. She's like a storm, unpredictable, fierce, and beautiful. And I'm... I'm nothing like her.

I should be relieved. I should be happy that I'm staying focused, staying in control. But I'm not. Every time my phone buzzes, my heart skips a beat, and every time I get a text from her, my chest tightens.

This time, though, it's different. I didn't have to wait long.

A text. From Chiquita.

How are you, Asa? You've been a little quiet lately. I'm starting to think I've scared you off.

I don't know whether I should laugh or cry. Of course she's noticed. She always notices.

I stare at the screen for a long moment, my fingers hovering over the keyboard. I could ignore her, could pretend like I didn't care. I could keep up the facade, but the truth is... it's getting harder to keep pretending.

I type back, trying to keep my tone casual, professional, even though every fiber of my being is screaming at me to be honest.

I'm fine. Busy.

There. Simple. Direct. Just like me.

I hit send and lean back in my chair, crossing my arms as if to protect myself from what's coming next. But I know her too well. I know Chiquita isn't the type to let anything slide — least of all my attempts at pushing her away.

A few seconds later, my phone vibrates again.

Are you sure you're fine? Because if you were really fine, I wouldn't be on your mind.

My breath catches in my throat.

It's almost like she's inside my head. How does she do that?

I want to ignore her, to shut the conversation down. But I can't. Something inside me is yearning to know what she'll say next.

Instead of responding immediately, I place the phone down and walk to the window of my office. I stare out at the city skyline, my reflection blending with the glittering lights of Seoul. My life is supposed to be ordered. Controlled. But now, with Chiquita's constant presence in my thoughts, it feels like the whole structure is cracking.

I take a breath, pick up my phone, and type out my response.

I don't know what you want from me.

It's rawer than I intended, but it's the truth. For once, I'm not trying to hide behind walls.

I hit send.

Chiquita's POV

I don't even try to contain my smile when Asa's reply comes through.

I don't know what you want from me.

It's almost too easy.

I knew she'd cave eventually. The woman who's always so composed, so perfect — I knew it wouldn't take much to crack her. And now? Now I can see the cracks are deep.

I think about the messages I've sent her, the games I've played, the little comments that have sent her into a frenzy. It's all part of the plan. I want her to question herself. I want her to feel something she's been so determined to keep buried.

But part of me is starting to wonder if I'm pushing too far. Maybe I've already crossed a line. After all, this isn't just fun and games anymore. The way I feel about Asa — it's real. It's something I never expected, and yet, here I am, caught up in it.

I read her message again, my finger hovering over the reply button.

What do I want from you, Asa?

I want you to admit it. To admit that this isn't just a game. That the kiss we shared wasn't a mistake.

I laugh softly to myself. But maybe that's too much. I'm not here to break her. I'm here to see her. The real her. Not the perfect, guarded version she presents to the world.

I want to see the cracks.

And I think she's ready to show me.

I reply, keeping it playful, but with an edge.

I don't want anything from you, Asa. But I do think you're in need of a reminder of how to feel.

It's a subtle challenge, and I know exactly what it will do. It'll make her think.

It'll make her second guess everything.

Asa's POV

Her response comes through almost immediately. I don't want anything from you, Asa. But I do think you're in need of a reminder of how to feel.

The words land like a punch to the gut.

I read them over and over again, as if somehow the repetition will make them less true. But it doesn't. The truth is, I am in need of a reminder.

A reminder that it's okay to feel.

A reminder that I don't have to have everything under control.

And yet, I can't bring myself to admit that — to her, to myself. I can't. I've spent my entire life being the calm, rational one. The one who always has a plan. I've worked too hard to let everything slip away just because of one kiss. One kiss that shouldn't have meant anything.

But it does.

I stand up abruptly, pacing around my office as my thoughts spiral. I don't have time for this. I can't afford to lose myself in Chiquita.

I can't afford to lose control.

I open my contacts and start typing a message to Ahyeon, desperate to return to some semblance of normalcy. But as I look at my screen, I see Chiquita's name still glowing brightly.

I can't shake the pull.

I can't stop thinking about her.

Chiquita's POV

I sit back in my seat, watching the city lights twinkle outside my window, waiting for Asa's response. I know she's struggling. I can feel it in the air. I've got her exactly where I want her.

But there's a part of me — a tiny part — that's hoping she'll stop fighting herself. That she'll stop playing this game, just for a second, and let herself be vulnerable with me.

I don't want to hurt her. I never did. But I'm not going to let her push me away. I'm not going to let her shut me out.

I wait.

And then, finally, my phone buzzes.

Her reply.

I'm not ready for this, Chiquita.

I can't help but smile.

And that's exactly why I'm not going anywhere.

Asa's POV

I read her reply, and the weight of it hits me harder than I expect. And that's exactly why I'm not going anywhere.

She's right. I'm not ready for this. I'm not ready for the feelings, the uncertainty, the fear of losing control.

But I can't deny it any longer.

I want her.

And I hate myself for it.

Because this is more than a game.

It's real.

And for the first time in my life, I have no idea how to handle it.