in love, legally || CHOI YEONJUN

Chapter 20

He smiled, grazing her jaw with his thumb, "Because I was never pretending,"

"Scammer," she muttered, letting out a small laugh.

"You are so naive. You fell into my charms that quick?" he teased, grabbing the moment to lift up her mood. Fortunately earning a smack on his chest as she pulled away, laughing. The smile was back on her face, and he couldn't be more relieved.

Hyemi caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror and saw her swollen eyes and laughed more. She wiped her nose on the sleeve of his coat she was wearing. When she looked at him again, Yeonjun was already staring. Yeonjun's hands fisted up, and feets rooted in the floor like he was trying his best to hold himself from something.

She stepped closer, tiptoeing and gently kissing his left cheek. She saw the red crimson flushing his ears. She did the same on his other cheeks. "You are so red," she laughed, quite aloud for someone who was bawling a minute ago.

"Let's see who'll be more red then," he worked his jaw, pulling her by the waist with one hand.

He pressed his lips onto her, silencing her laugh mid-breath. The warmth of his touch and the softness of his kiss made her melt into the moment. "That's not fair," she mumbled against their lips.

She could feel Yeonjun smirk against her mouth, he took the chance to lean closer, pushing her against the cupboard, making sure her head didn't hit the knob of the top cabinet with the free hand palmed on the back of her head.

Hyemi could feel her knees go weak. She tightened her grip on his shirt, clutching it like it was the only thing that let her feet grounded. His scent, his warmth, and the gentleness of his kiss—it all overwhelmed her.

When they pull away, breathless, unable to open their eyes to see the reaction of the other for a moment. Hyemi opens her eyes after him, slowly, to look at him. His lips parted, his breath heavy and his gaze fixated on her. Yeonjun seemed a bit drowsy but sharply awake.

"You are going to rip off my buttons," he mumbles.

Hyemi's eyes darted down, finally noticing her white knuckle grip on his shirt. Embarrassed, she quickly let go of it, in a futile attempt she brushed her palms to smoothen the creases she caused. The shirt crumpled in two different spots and her tears stained on it, was now beyond saving.

Yeonjun chuckled softly, leaning closer till their foreheads were pressing together. "I love you, Hyemi,"

His warm breath fanned her face, sending a little flip in her stomach.

"I love you too," she whispers back, in a small voice almost embarrassed to admit it loudly.

Yeonjun pulled away, now standing across her leaning against the mirror. A teasing smirk played on his lips, "That's it?" he posed. "I went through the rivers and mountains to make you fall for me and all you say is just a few words,"

She stood straight, now feeling offended. Her defensive side taking up, "I said it, didn't I? Talk about ruining the moment,"

"You did but I was expecting something more like you know–"

"Like I write you a book?" she cut him off, "It's been merely two months since we met,"

"Good point. I can't expect you to confess that you'd fight a bear for me," he sighed, pouting like a baby.

She took off the coat and hung it on the hook. Walking into the room she draped open the curtains, letting the sunlight flood in. "I doubt I'll have to fight a bear for you," She unzipped her suitcase, searching for a fit. She picked out a pink cardigan, unlike her usual dark fits, and a pair of jeans. "But you definitely have to fight a suitor for me,"