Elevator Love

Chapter 8

+++ Warning of dirty language including curses, insulting, mentioning sex or sexualizing of characters in some parts that might be disturbing to some readers +++
 

The cold water freshened her face and she loved that feeling of being able to wake up another day and clean your face. It was a wonder how she survived that night although she thought she could die by any heart stroke any moment. After Donghae tried to kiss her and she confidently kicked his man part, she immediately went into her apartment with her heart in her throat. Irene was surprised at her own reaction, she would never do something like this normally, but somehow, she managed to free herself from his seduction. She wasn’t sure how to feel after that, but one thing she knew was that she couldn’t have a proper sleep that night recalling the scene over and over again. What would happen if she reacted otherwise? If she would respond to his kiss? How would it feel? And the aftermath? And what will happen now? These questions kept running in her head. Plus, she couldn’t but recall his looks and scent over and over again.
After washing her face, tying her hair and jumping into her sports clothes, she made herself ready to jog outside in the morning air. She gave Lola her breakfast and slowly opened the door, so Donghae wouldn’t hear that she was leaving. Her extra carefulness didn’t help since the moment she opened the door, Donghae was opening his too. Irene saw that he was in his sporty clothes too. She couldn’t help but glance to his underpart to see if he was okay since she kicked him very hard last time in the elevator. When Donghae glanced at her, she immediately moved her eyes and fastened her steps to the elevator.
To her luck, she had to wait for it. How come the elevator was never ready when she was in hurry? Donghae slid his arms in front of her and clicked the button for the elevator. Irene automatically took few steps back and only stared in front of her. The reflection on the elevator door showed them both. Donghae was wearing a simple black shirt and short plus a cap while Irene was wearing a sports bra, a sweatshirt and shorts which reached her knees. She was unsure if it would be too obvious, if she’d pull the zippers of her sweatshirt since her cleavage was showing a bit and mentally cursed at herself since she didn’t do it at home.
They looked at each other through their reflections, without sharing a word and waited for the elevator. Irene could see a little smile on his face which was enough to make her automatically smile back. It felt like an eternity for the elevator to arrive. It was like the scenes in the movies where the main couple is having a moment and everything around them went in slow motion.
After few seconds the elevator finally arrived. Donghae waited for Irene to get in first and followed her right after. The door was closing. “Good morning.” Donghae said without looking at her. The sudden voice surprised her, so she glanced at him and then back “Good morning.” She said quietly. “You’re going for a walk?” He asked, still not looking at her. “Jogging.” Irene said glancing at him with a smile.
Anyone seeing her from the outside would think she had to pee or something. She tried hard to hide her nervousness, but obviously failed. “Excuse me, if I made you feel uncomfortable yesterday.” Donghae sincerely let out. Irene slightly gulped and lowered her gaze. She was about to respond him, but the elevator door got opened. Outside the elevator, Donghae turned to her and asked, “You’re not hating me for that, are you?” Irene looked at him with a surprised expression, she forced a smile and slightly shook her head “I’m not. I should be the one apologizing.” She awkwardly scratched her temple. “You know, for… Does… it… hurt?” Irene asked concerned. First, Donghae didn’t understand what she was referring to, but after seconds, he started to laugh slightly and covered his mouth slightly embarrassed. “I didn’t know you were that strong. You really gave me a lesson yesterday.” He chuckled. Irene smiled back, embarrassed. “I don’t know what to expect from a woman who is not scared to hurt a man like that.” Donghae let out. Irene didn’t know how to respond to that since she couldn’t distinguish if he was joking or telling the truth. She raised one eyebrow “You’re expecting something from me?” She asked being confused. Donghae chuckled and lowered his head by wetting his lips and then looked at her again “Don’t act as if you don’t know.” Donghae said. Irene furrowed her eyebrows “I really don’t know. What do you mean?”
“Ya! Are you going to let me wait forever outside?” Eunhyuk’s voice suddenly filled the whole hall causing a slight echo. Both of them turned their attention to him as he was walking closer to them. “You’re unbelievable, first calling me to come and then chatting here with glasses.” He said. Donghae furrowed and sighed “What are you talking about?”
“I’ll leave then, bye.” Irene smiled in a thin line and slightly nodded to them. “Hey, don’t leave, just because I’m here. We can still talk together.” Eunhyuk tried to stop her. Irene walked backwards as she looked at him with an apological face.
The boys watched her leave until she completely disappeared. “Isn’t she another kind of beauty?” Eunhyuk whispered to him, his eyes glued on her. “She is really something else.” Donghae whispered back. His eyes glued as well. “Ya, do you think I have a chance to date her?” Eunhyuk asked which made Donghae look at him “Stay away from her.” He stated. Eunhyuk looked at him with a shocked expression “What do you mean ‘Stay away!’? Are you probably into her? Ya! Don’t come to bad conclusions to break her heart, that poor girl doesn’t deserve it. Instead, I’ll be with her, that way, she’ll be happier.” Eunhyuk tried to convince him. Donghae closed his eyes out of annoyance and started walking away “What nonsense are you talking about? Why would you make her happier?” He asked, gulping his water bottle. “Because I’m single. And you are engaged, remember?” Eunhyuk tried to make him come back to his senses.
Donghae stopped at his words and clenched his jaw. He really hated to hear the word ‘engagement’. “It’s arranged.” Donghae emphasized, biting the side of his tongue. Eunhyuk put a hand on his shoulders and sincerely spoke to him “That’s not the point, Donghae. Irene is not like the other girls you had. Don’t break something so precious you hear me? It would end bad for everyone. You, her, Dara and even me.” Donghae chuckled coldly “Since when do you know her well to call her precious? I’m sure she is some agent sent by that fucking bastard. He knows exactly what type of girl I like and sent her here to distract me. And it’s fucking working. She is a full distraction. I didn’t expect her to be that pretty and hot.” Donghae convincingly told him, leaving Eunhyuk’s mouth open “What?! Do you really think your brother would do this?” He confusedly asked. “Ya! Don’t call him brother. How is he my brother when we’re not sharing the same mother and father?” Donghae stated slightly angry. “Whatever! So, will you hand me that USB now?” Eunhyuk asked for the USB stick he was there for in the first place. Donghae rubbed his forehead “Yeah, right. Here.” He handed him the USB. “I’ll see you later in the office then. I’ll have a special guest for you.” Eunhyuk smirked, Donghae sighed and watched him leaving, then he started jogging too.
 
After doing her morning sport, Irene made her way to the café in the afternoon. Her friends told her that they would meet her there since they were worried of the incident happened in the apartment. Although Irene told them that everything would be fine now, they insisted to come.
Entering the café shop, Irene immediately could spot them sitting at the back of the shop and chatting together. Yeri was the first one to see her and winked immediately which caused the others to turn around and wink too. Irene found it very sweet, they looked like a high school clique, although every single of them was already an adult.
Before she gathered the round, she walked to the backside to take her apron. “There is a gift for you.” Her colleague said to her. “What gift?” Irene asked surprised. Her colleague, a young high schooler who was very tall for his age, pointed to the table. Irene’s eyes wandered to the direction, there was a bouquet of pink roses laying on the table. Irene lightly furrowed her eyebrows and walked closer to the table while putting her bag to the side of the table. “Since when you have a boyfriend, noona?” The boy asked smiling. Irene took the flowers and checked them “I don’t.” She simply said. The flowers were neatly packed and smelled very good. At the side, she spotted a note, which said: I’m sincerely sorry for making you uncomfortable. I hope the incident does not affect our neighborship :) Have a good day and don’t drop that beautiful smile of your face.
There was no name marked, but Irene knew who the sender was. She smiled reading his note and smelled the flowers again. “Are you sure? You don’t look like, you don’t have one. You actually look in love.” The boy teased her. Irene immediately widened her eyes hearing him and dropped the flowers “Ya, what are you talking about? When I say, I don’t, then I mean that I don’t. Are you here to work or to gossip?” She was triggered, but she was allowed to speak to him like this because she was older than him. The boy chuckled “Okay, okay. I don’t want to make you angry, but I guess the sender of these flowers is waiting outside for you.” He said smiling and left. What? Donghae is here? Irene suddenly felt panicked, she rushed to the next mirror to check her face and hair. Her whole body felt nervous and excited by the thought that he was waiting for her outside. She tried to bid her smile as she made her way out, but her face fell immediately when she saw Mino’s figure standing behind the counter. Why did she expect that he’d be here and why was she so disappointed that he was not there? The feeling was similar when you are getting really excited to do something you love and then it gets cancelled.
“Hey beautiful.” Mino greeted her. She could hear her friends whispering to each other, totally amazed by the scene. “Mino, what are you doing here?” Irene forced a smile as she glanced from time to time to her friends table. When her colleague passed by, she shot him death glances as if he was the cause that the person, she wished was not in front of her and mouthed ‘No.’ to assure him that he was not her boyfriend. “Are you going to ask me that every time when I come to see you? I already told you last time, it’s always my gut telling to find and see you.” He cheekily smiled. “You sure, your gut is not desiring the delicious cakes we have here?” Irene jokingly asked. Mino chuckled “They are sweet and delicious, but I know something sweeter.” He smiled. Irene sighed “What do you want? I have to work, can’t you see?”
“Alright, I’ll make it short; I have to see you later. I mean tonight. I mean after you’re done working.” Mino explained. Irene blankly stared at him “Why?” She quietly asked. “I will tell you when we meet. Look, it’s very important to me, okay? I’ll give you a call later. Please, keep that in mind and be ready for it.” Irene could sense that he was being sincere and was curious what he wanted to tell her and nodded. “Okay.”
 
“Did you do what I told you last time?” Donghae asked Mr. Kang as they walked through the hall of his company. “Yes, your father agreed to your conditions, but your mum-“
“Kang.” Donghae warned him as soon as he labelled his stepmother as his ‘mum’.
“I’m sorry. Mrs. Song and her son still did not sign.” He explained. Donghae coldly chuckled “Doesn’t surprise me, but it’s not a problem. The most important part was that dad would sign it.” He smirked. “And the flowers?” He carefully asked after few seconds. Mr. Kang nodded “Successfully delivered, sir.”
Donghae smiled and let out a simple ‘good’ before he opened the door to his office. He clapped his hands ones and rubbed them together “What do we have here?” He asked to the round, where Siwon and Eunhyuk was waiting for him with the thief in the middle.
He didn’t look bothered at all despite the things he had done. Donghae swung a chair and sat on it, staring at his face “Who do you work for?” He asked him. The man just stared back with a smirk on his face. “Wait, you don’t have to answer. Let me guess; Song family?” He asked, observing his mimics. “How much did they pay you to sneak into my apartment?” He asked him, no response.
“He already made his statement to the companies’ lawyer, Donghae.” Eunhyuk told him. “Why? I want to hear it, too. Why did you bother to sneak into that girls’ apartment?” Donghae asked starring into his eyes. The man shrugged “I just think she’s cute.” He simply said. “His file is full of those dirty acts. He sneaks into girl’s apartment and steals their underwear.” Siwon explained. Donghae clenched his jaw “Ya, if I see you near that building again, I will kill you with my own hands, you hear me? From now on, you’re not allowed to be in 5 metres proximity in that girl. You heard that?” He asked the others, raising his head “Note that; he won’t be in 5 metres proximity of Irene and the building otherwise I’ll kill him. The lawyer should report that to the police, now get him out of my sight.” He said and stood up to walk behind his desk. Eunhyuk nodded and wrote down on his notebook “Without the killing part, 5 metres is noted.” He said. Siwon walked out of his office with the man.
 
Irene was swiping the tables when her friends called her “When will take our orders?” Joy asked her, the others giggled lightly. Irene sighed, she tried to ignore them especially after they saw her with Mino, but it was impossible, and she knew there was not a way out of it. She had to talk with them. The girls wouldn’t miss that opportunity since they never saw Irene with a male figure before and it was a real highlight for them. “Yes.” Irene shouted, still wiping the table and walked to their table afterwards. “What do you want?” She asked taking off her notebook.
Yeri grabbed her elbow and let her sit on the chair. “Ahh…” Irene lightly screamed. “What was that for?” She asked her with wide eyes. Everyone had a grinning face which made Irene sigh hard “Okay, it’s not what you think, okay? He is just someone I know from college.” She simply explained. Wendy scoffed “Sure, a simple guy from college who sends you flowers to work and comes to see you in the morning.” She teased. Irene furrowed her eyebrows “He didn’t send me the flowers.” She let out which shocked the others even more. “Who was it then?” Seulgi asked. Irene lowered her eyes “Someone you…don’t know.” She simply answered, as if that answer would satisfy them, but did the exact opposite. “A secret admirer?” Joy asked. “Your secret boyfriend? Ya, since when are you that close to people? Especially boys, on the one hand that guy from before and on the other hand the flower guy.” Wendy commented. “Yeah, right, since when are you that open, unnie? I always thought you hated men and didn’t want to be in a relationship since it’s tiring. I always took an example of you, even my mum liked you because of that and she always told me-“ Irene interrupted her by groaning “Girls, I don’t have a boyfriend okay? Isn’t that enough? I’m telling you from the primary source that I. Don’t. Have. A. Boyfriend. Things like this can happen to anyone, it’s nothing to exaggerate or to be excited of.” She explained. Seulgi nodded “Right and she would tell us when she has one. It was wrong to make up decisions without asking you.” She said. She was probably the only one with a logical mind on that table. The other girls on the other hand still sensed something fishy. “But unnie, are you okay? You asked Seulgi about Lola last time?” Wendy asked. Irene nodded “There was a misunderstanding I am okay now. Don’t worry.” She told them without explaining the details.
 
Donghae hardly convinced his father to have his own company separated from his stepmother and his weird son. He just couldn’t bear any second in that house and needed to be in his own. His father didn’t believe him that his wife was pure evil, she did everything against his father. Taking everything his father built without a single force. They even prioritized her son more than Donghae which found Donghae as insulting and the fact that his father never listened to him was disturbing as well. He came with the idea to open his own company and in reward he would marry Dara, the daughter of Donghae’s fathers’ important partners. Donghae and Dara were childhood friends, he had no intentions to marry her, but it was the only way to get what he wanted, so he agreed to that arranged marriage.
“You know, you’re evil as well.” Eunhyuk said sitting at the couch in Donghae’s office and sipping his iced coffee. “You give information about your father’s company to his competitive company and receiving cash money. If that’s not being evil…” He said with a smirk. Donghae nodded “Welcome to the business world, my friend. This is how everything works here. To beat the evil, you have to be evil and dangerous. Otherwise you’ll be eaten up and who wants that shit? Losing is not in my vocabulary.” He explained, scanning some documents. A sudden knock on his door interrupted Eunhyuk’s chuckles. “Sorry, Mr. Lee, a young woman named Jina wants to speak to you, shall I transfer her call?” His secretary asked him. Donghae sighed “Couldn’t you just tell me on the phone? No, tell her I’m busy.” He answered and gestured her to go. Eunhyuk let an amazed sound out “Woah, who’s Jina?” He asked smirking. “I guess some bitch from a party.” Donghae simply answered, his eyes on the documents. Eunhyuk tilted his head “Speaking of devil… Did you bang her?” He asked chuckling.
Donghae sighed “I’m trying to work here. No, I didn’t.” He responded. Eunhyuk made an unbelieving expression “You have to stop playing around, you’re a married man soon.” He gave him the advice. “Send them to me instead. Do your friend this favour.” He jokingly said with a smirk. Donghae sighed for the last time and gave him his attention “Okay, you want her? I can call the secretary to hand you her number.” He raised his eyebrows. Eunhyuk wrinkled his nose and shook his head “I have someone else in mind.” He said, sipping his drink. Donghae clenched his jaw “No.” He simply said. Eunhyuk scoffed “Why? Are you interested in her?” He asked him. “There are plenty girls out there, why don’t you look around? Why does it have to be her?” Donghae asked him. “Go, fuck other girls.” He said. Eunhyuk shook his head and stood up “No, she’s something else, I swear. She’s that type of girl, you’d fall in love with, if you’d spent little time with her. You think she’s an agent anyway, so let me take her out on a date once.” Eunhyuk almost begged. Donghae blinked and chewed his inner cheek listening to him “No.” He said again rubbing his forehead “You can’t have her, end of discussion. I can’t trust you, who are you fooling with speaking in love and so on? You just want to get into her pants.” Donghae explained. Eunhyuk sighed “As if you don’t. How can you hold yourself when she’s directly next to you, living all alone? Not to sound like a pervert, but if I was her neighbour, I would definitely look for ways to come closer to her.” He admitted. Donghae thought about his words, he couldn’t though. He couldn’t hold himself. It already happened once that he wanted to kiss her and besides of that he imagined how it would be to touch and taste her. But he had to be careful since he wasn’t sure, if she was working for his stepmother. “I thought you liked her friend more.” Donghae said. “Why are you such a fan of her all of a sudden?” He asked. Eunhyuk shrugged “Don’t know, I guess, it’s fun to tease and compete with you.” He grinned. Donghae sighed and gestured him leave his office.
 
After her shift ended, Irene walked to her apartment, holding Donghae’s flowers in her hand. She went with a smile on her face into the elevator and kept checking and smelling the flowers. It was such a sweet gesture of him, she couldn’t get over it and felt somehow special. After stepping out of the elevator to walk to her apartment, she stopped in front of his door. She wanted to thank him personally for the flowers, so she knocked on his door. To her luck, he was home and opened the door. “Hi.” He greeted her with a smile. The smile that fluttered her heart. “Hi. I wanted to thank you for the flowers.” She said sweetly “I was glad seeing them.” She added. Donghae glanced to her hand where she was holding them “No need to thank, it’s what you deserve. I’m happy, if you liked them.” He said. Irene felt her heart race speeding. Why did he have to be so cute?
“Yes, I loved them. They’re beautiful, but there was no need actually. I already told you that I it was not a problem for me. It was a wrong move and if you assure me that it doesn’t happen again in the future, then we’re quit. You didn’t have to send me flowers to work.” She explained with a smile, especially because it caused such a scene among her colleagues and friends. Donghae lowered his eyes and pouted slightly “I can’t do that.” He shook his head. Irene questioningly looked at him “What?” She asked. “You said, if you assure me that it doesn’t happen in the future. I can’t assure or promise you that.” He said staring into her eyes. “Ask me something easier to do.” He said in a low tone with a little smile around the corners of his lips. Irene just stood there as if she was stoned and blankly stared at his face. She thought he was joking, but his eyes were telling the true. Donghae was the one who made a move, he smiled and carefully closed the door, leaving a dumbfounded Irene behind.
Irene slowly turned around and walked into her apartment. She leaned against the door and recalled the scene in her head. What was that? She placed her hand on her heart to feel her heartbeat. Her heart was almost thumping in her throat. He was obviously signalising her that he wouldn’t keep still and try to kiss her someday. Irene couldn’t help but think how it would be to kiss him, but she shook her head over that thought. She had never kissed a guy before but imagining it with Donghae was something else. He surely did things to her body; she couldn’t even explain.
She walked into the kitchen to fill her vase with water and place the flowers inside. She kept smiling like a goof as she was staring to them and sighed. She looked for Lola who was sleeping safe and sound on her bed and then made her way to the balcony. The stars in the sky looked extra beautiful to her that night. She couldn’t believe that a man could make her feel these things. His presence was enough to make her smile. She chuckled at the thought when she thought he’d be a dangerous, gangster guy. She still didn’t know what his profession was, but she was sure that he was not a gangster. He was too sweet to be one. A noise next to her caught her attention and made her walk few steps back. Donghae’s balcony was very close to hers and it seemed as if he was stepping it too. She quietly hid herself, so he wouldn’t see her and observed him. He leaned against the balcony with a cup of coffee in his one hand and his smartphone in his other hand. He looked so hot under the moon light.
 
Irene wondered how a man could have such an innocent face, but a dangerous body. She lowered her eyes to his arms where his muscles kept contracting whenever he moved them to sip on his coffee. Irene realized that he was definitely her type of men. Maybe the reason, she never was interested in men was because there was no one who matched her ideals. She kept observing him with a smile as if he was a piece of art. Suddenly, the sound of Donghae’s phone broke the silence.
“Yes?” Donghae answered. Irene smiled brighter hearing his voice. “Yes, Dara. I am. You want me to prove it through a picture, or what?” Irene’s whole vision got crashed as soon as she heard the name ‘Dara’. She realized what she was doing there and immediately hopped into her living room. What am I thinking? I am admiring some other’s man out there. She pulled her hair out of frustration and dropped herself on her couch. She felt miserable all of a sudden. The vibration of her phone distracted her thoughts. It was Mino, she totally forgot about him. She heavily breathed out, wanting to cancel their meeting, but then thought of the scene earlier and agreed to meet him. Irene didn’t allow an engaged man to destroy her mood. She was exaggerating her thoughts anyway, what did she think of being with him? That was not possible.
Irene and Mino met at the bank of a park near Irene’s building. “I’m here.” She said to Mino who was already sitting on the bank. He looked very stressed. “So, what do you want to tell me?” Irene asked him, taking a seat next to him. Mino repeatedly moved his feet and stroked his hair before turning his body to Irene. “I know this might sound crazy right now, but- Do you want to be my girlfriend?”