DISGRACE ──── ʰⁱᵉʳᵃʳᶜʰʸ ✔️

53 ─── ⁿᵉᵉᵈ

ʰⁱᵉʳᵃʳᶜʰʸ
ʰⁱᵉʳᵃʳᶜʰʸ
ʰⁱᵉʳᵃʳᶜʰʸ

Mi-hee sprinted out of the house, her heart pounding as she dialed Rian’s number. It barely rang once before his voice came through, breathless and worried.

“Mi-hee? What’s wrong? Are you okay?”

“Han River,” she said quickly, her voice trembling. “Meet me there.”

She didn’t wait for his reply before hanging up. The night air was cold against her flushed cheeks as she hurried to the riverside. Her mind raced with everything she wanted to say, yet all she could focus on was the overwhelming desire to see him.

When Rian arrived, he looked just as disheveled as she felt. His hair was messy, his tie loosened, and his coat thrown over his shoulders. The moment his eyes landed on her, relief washed over his face, but it was quickly replaced with concern.

“Mi-hee,” he called, rushing toward her. “Are you hurt? What happened? Did someone—”

He stopped mid-sentence, his hands gently holding her shoulders as he scanned her for injuries. His touch was warm, grounding her in a way she didn’t realize she needed.

Mi-hee didn’t answer. Words weren’t enough for what she felt, for what had been burning through her all this time. Instead, she threw her arms around his neck, pulling him close.

Rian froze for a moment, stunned, but then his arms wrapped around her, holding her tightly as if it was instinct. One hand cradled the back of her head, the other resting firmly on her back. He buried his face in her hair, his breathing uneven, wondering if it were a dream.

Mi-hee tightened her grip, breathing in his familiar scent. “This isn’t a dream, dummy,” she whispered, her voice soft but certain.

Rian pulled back slightly, his expression a mix of surprise and awe. “How did you read my mind? Witch.”

She managed a small, shy smile but broke eye contact, the intensity of his gaze overwhelming. She tried to pull away, but his arm on her elbow stopped her.

“No,” he said softly, his voice firm yet tender. “Don’t run away.”

Mi-hee swallowed hard, her cheeks warming under his gaze. “That hug… it was something I wanted,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

Rian chuckled, the sound light and easy, releasing some of the tension between them. “You’re full of surprises tonight,” he teased gently, his thumb brushing over her arm absentmindedly.

She motioned for him to sit on the nearby bench, her nerves settling as she took a deep breath. “There’s something I need to tell you,” she began, her tone more serious now.

But Rian shook his head, cutting her off. “Mi-hee, stop. Whatever it is, it can wait. My lawyers can handle whatever chaos is coming. Right now, I just want to stay here… with you.”

The weight in her chest lifted slightly at his words. She nodded, and a small smile tugged at her lips. “Fine. Then let’s play 21 questions,” she suggested, her voice carrying a hint of challenge.

Rian raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Alright, but don’t blame me if my questions embarrass you.”

The game began, their banter light and playful as they traded questions about favorite memories, hidden talents, and childhood dreams. Each answer brought them closer, peeling back layers they hadn’t shared before.

As the game drew on, the mood shifted subtly. Their laughter quieted, replaced by softer smiles and lingering glances.

“Last question,” Rian murmured, his voice lower now. “Why did you come to me tonight?”

Mi-hee hesitated, her gaze dropping to her hands. Her heart pounded in her chest, but she forced herself to look up, meeting his eyes. “Because… you’re what I needed.”

Rian’s breath hitched, and before she could second-guess herself, he leaned in. Their lips met softly at first, tentative and searching. But as the kiss deepened, it became something more—a release, a promise, a salvation.

Mi-hee’s hands slid up to his shoulders as he pulled her closer, one hand resting on her waist while the other cupped her face. The world around them blurred into nothing, leaving only the two of them in the moment.

As the kiss grew more heated, Rian pulled back slightly, his forehead resting against hers. His voice was a breathless murmur. “Mi-hee… you’re going to ruin me, aren’t you?”

She smiled faintly, her fingers brushing against his jaw. “You’ve already ruined me, Kim Rian.”

And with that, she kissed him again, letting herself fall into the one thing she had been denying for far too long.

ʰⁱᵉʳᵃʳᶜʰʸ
ʰⁱᵉʳᵃʳᶜʰʸ
ʰⁱᵉʳᵃʳᶜʰʸ