The Book of Literary H'Enjoyment.

T is for Tell Me You Love Me.

'Say you love me.' I pleaded, clutching his arm. 'Daobi you know I ca —.'
'Just say it.' I whispered shakily. I heard him exhale gently, he picked up my face with his large hands, looked me in the eyes and whispered 'I love you' placing a soft peck on my lips.

I laid back down, facing the opposite direction. He had gone to shower. The same way he always did after our sessions before he'd go back home to his wife.

I know he didn't love me, he couldn't. I could see my tears creating a spreading stain on my pillowcase. Time flew while I sobbed, shortly after,  he was out of the shower shuffling around for his clothes.

'I gotta go now.' He said, lightly squeezing my forearm. 'Yeah bye Chang.' I croaked out wiping my tears, still not facing him. I heard him sigh, along with my side drawer opening and closing, then the door closing gently.

I got up and opened the drawer to see what he slipped in there this time. He often felt guilty for being with me when he was married, having to lie to his wife every Friday night to spend the weekends with me. He used to give me cash before but I scolded him, it made me feel like nothing more than a whore, and I was offended.

I wasn't sleeping with him for money. It was really just out of youthful exuberance, and a thirst for companionship. Too bad it came in the form of a married man.

I picked up the red velvet box and smiled at the beautiful diamond earrings with a small note. 'Sorry I couldn't get the matching necklace. Jieun was watching, and I had to think of an excuse.' It read and my smile straightened. Jieun this, Jieun that.

That bloody wife of his! If he was really stuck in an unhappy marriage, couldn't he get a divorce and be with me? The scene from earlier played in my head, his resistance to say he loved me back. I was really nothing more than a fling.

'Chang, I need to return this.' I slid the box across the table to him. 'D — don't you like it?' He asked. He always had a problem with self assurance, and it dampened his self esteem. But not as much as his wife killed it. 'No no, I love it, but Changgie, I can't do this anymore.' I whispered and his eyes widened.

'Adaobi, is this because of the other day? Babe I'm just going through some things. I love you. I really do.' He said holding my hand softly. His eyes begging.

'But that night —.'

'I just wasn't sure yet, but now I am. D — don't leave me please.' Changmin begged. I could see the sadness in his eyes, but I wouldn't fall. 'Chang I'm tired of being a side piece. At the end of the day, you don't come home to me. I wouldn't want my husband to be spending nights with some younger woman.' I got up, staring at the wall.

'Baby, you know the situation on ground now. What am I — how am I gonna cope without you in my life ?' He held my waist firmly while I struggled to pull away.

He sighed and pulled away, picking his bag after. 'I'm gonna do it.' He said, his voice laced with determination.

'Do what?'

'I'm divorcing her. I'm not gonna stand and lose the one good thing in my life.' He started for the door. 'What? Why would you do that?' I ran after him.

He looked me deep in the eyes and kissed me passionately. 'Because I love you.'