Collateral Love | Tao

Chapter 36

I waited until Yeri was snoring to leave the room. I checked the hallway before crossing it and knocking gently on the door. Tao opened it and let me in, putting a bouquet of roses in my arms, "Thank you. How am I supposed to take these home?"

"Don't worry too much about them," He led me to the table in the small kitchen of his suite. "You're old enough to drink now. I thought it'd be nice to have some fine wine together." He pulled the chair out for me.

"How romantic," I sat down. I knew I wasnt going to like it, but I didn't want to ruin his moment. He poured a glass of wine for each of us.

"Cheers. To us," We clinked our glasses. I took a sip and wrinkled my nose. "You don't like it?"

"I think it's the alcohol."

"You don't have to drink it."

"Okay, good."

"Havw you ever tried soju?"

"Gross, that's worse than this."

"You're cute."

"Whatever," I rolled my eyes.

"Do you want cake?"

I shrugged, "I don't feel too great today."

"Just have a bite then," he fed me a bite of cake.

"It's good," I yawned. Between touring museums all day and being up all night with Tao, I was exhausted.

"Is my princess tired?" Tao tilted his head. "You still have gifts to open."

I sat on the bed, "Okay, I'm ready." He set a few different boxes on the bed. I opened them one by one to find cute little gifts. "Thank you, Tao."

"You're welcome," He pulled me up from the bed and over to the window, drawing the curtains. "Aren't the stars pretty?"

I nodded, "You're acting kind of strange."

"Am I? How so?"

"You're being more romantic than usual."

"I just missed you a lot. I guess I'm just making up for lost time. Plus, I want your birthday to be perfect."

"It doesn't have to be perfect."

"Well, I want it to be close to perfect then," He turned some music on the stereo. "Dance with me."

"Oh, I'm not that good," he started to dance with me before I could protest any more. I proceeded to stumble over both of our feet. He laughed at me a little bit. "Don't tease me. I told you I'm not that good."

"I love you."

"I love you too, weirdo," Instead of trying to actually dance with me, he held me close to him and just rocked gently. I was relaxed enough to actually realize what song was playing. "I love this song."

"I know you do."

We danced until the song ended. He pulled away from me, "No, I want to keep hugging and rocking. It's relaxing," He took a deep breath. "What?" His balanced shifted a little, then he got down on one knee."Tao."

"Jisoo, I love you so much. I don't want to lose you again," He reached into his pocket.

"Zitao..."

"Will you marry me?" I thought for a moment. Was I ready for this? I was barely eighteen. Was I really ready to spend the rest of my live with my very first boyfriend? I looked at him. I loved him more than I'd ever loved anyone on this earth. I knew I could never love anyone more either. I nodded. "Really?" His face lit up. I nodded again.

He stood up, slid the ring on my finger and kissed me. I looked down at the ring, "I love it."

"I'm glad."

"I can't wear it out though. People will ask questions."

"We only have a day and a half left on this trip. Then we don't have to worry about hiding all the time."

I nodded, "I should probably sleep in my room tonight so Yeri doesn't freak out."

"Yeah, you should," He hugged me. "A day and a half and then there's nothing to hold us back, my love."

I kissed him, "Goodnight, Tao."

"Night."

I went next door to Sehun and Jongin's room and banged on the door. Jongin opened it, rubbing his eyes, "What, CJ?"

"I need to talk to Sehun."

"He's sleeping."

I pushed myself past Jongin, "Sehun, wake up!"

Sehun whined, "Jongin, make her go away."

"He's very tired, CJ. I kept him up all last night-"

I cut him off, "I know, I don't want to hear it. Sehun, we've got a code diamond. I repeat, a code diamond."

Sehun sat up, "I don't even know what that code means. It must be serious." He went into the hall with me. "What happened?" I held up my hand. "Woah, no way."

"He's quitting. This trip is the last time he'll be affiliated with the school."

Sehun still looked shocked, "So, what are you going to tell mom and dad?"

"The truth, Sehun," I sighed. "Of course I'll leave out some minor details, but they have to know. I mean, if I'm going to marry him, mom and dad have to know the truth."

Sehun nodded, "What if they disown you?"

"Then I guess I'll move in with Tao. Do Jongin's parents know he's gay?"

"Yes."

"I think you should tell mom and dad the truth too."

"I don't know, CJ."

"You love Jongin, don't you?"

"I do."

"Then don't hide it. Besides, after what I have to say to mom and dad, what you tell them won't be as big of a deal."

"It's still a big deal to me," Sehun leaned on the wall.

"I know it is, but I'll be by your side."

"I'll be by yours too."

I hugged him, "We got this."

He hugged back, "Yeah, goodnight, CJ."

"Night. Rest up. Tell Jongin to stop being so rough with you."

"I'm not telling him that," He knocked on the door.

Jongin opened it, "So what was a code diamond?"

"I'm coming out to my parents."

Jongin smiled, "I'm happy for you." He picked Sehun up as if he were weightless and shut the door. I silently hoped he was just putting him back to bed and not being rough on him again.

I went back to my shared room with Yeri and tossed and turned. My head was racing with so many thoughts, I couldn't fall asleep. I fell asleep when my eyes couldn't bear to stay open any longer.