This is My Love

Between Words

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Namjoo didn't often wear a dress, so seeing her in one tonight was exemplifying. Having done nothing out of the ordinary, but she was especially pretty. Worry slighted him when he spotted a man talking to her. Concerned if he was interested in her.

The moment he arrived he hung around the front doors. He had decided against setting a time to meet. Anxious that he would make it out to be a date. And he'd already made it clear that it was no date with Saemi. He would worsen the situation if he made it appear like a date with Namjoo. She would think of him as a two-timer. That he only yearned for women's attention. He wanted to show her no, he wasn't leading Saemi on. Tonight was no date for him.

Yet he had felt special anyway. For once they were left to an evening by themselves. No children. The stars had burst honoring them solitude. Until Saemi found him.

Sehun sat in his car regretfully. Imagining that by now Namjoo was already on the road home. The mood had already gravely shifted when Saemi approached them earlier. He'd known it when they pointlessly walked around. When they sat silently for the auction like strangers.

Earlier, he sworn he'd seen the horizon in her eyes. That the end was just beyond if they walked a little further. The sun might never set if Saemi hadn't found him.

This wasn't how he'd wanted to end the night.

Forcing himself into the present he started the car and drove off. Saemi had reserved their dinner at a majestic restaurant. They had their own table in a private room with a scenic view of the flowers hard to see under the fading skylight. He ordered the first thing he saw and expected they'd be paying separately like usual.

"Gunta must be with your mother tonight," Saemi said after their food arrived.

"He is."

"Have you decided when I can meet him again?" Saemi inquired. When he glanced up from his plate she went on, "I've only met him once. I've also mentioned him on a few other occasions, but I haven't gotten an answer from you. I'm sure he'd like me."

"Gunta would like you," Sehun spoke up. Adding intentionally, "He likes everyone."

He didn't want her feeling special if Gunta smiled at her, laughed at her stints. Enjoyed her presence.

"You've been awfully distant with me," Saemi noted. "Why are you so guarded?"

"I'm not interested, Saemi." Sehun said.

"Is there something you don't like about me?" Saemi wondered. "Do you like a woman who's more submissive?"

"That's not what I'm saying," he started flustered.

"I think we should date, Sehun." Saemi dropped the bomb. "We've had one too many dinners not to be considered acquainted by now. I want to get to know you more. The intimate side of you no one does. If you give me a chance, I think you'd like me, too."

She held his eyes refusing to let him break off contact. It was disturbing, like being watched by a crouching tiger.

"I think you're making a mistake," Sehun told. "I honestly don't think we're suitable for each other."

"I'm sure that's up to me to decide," Saemi smiled. "Why don't you pick me up next time? Think of it as paying me back for not telling anyone that you constantly leave early."

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Try as she may Namjoo couldn't sleep. She listened to Moowon's breathing as she leaned against the headboard of her bed staring out the window. The empty sky looked like an empty pit. Hollow. Deep and dark. She couldn't see the moon from this side of the city. She wondered if it was hanging low like her heart. Also hiding like her heart.