belladonna ─ johnny

ch. six

Miss Kang Aera
Would you like to go on a date
with me? :)

Johnny read and almost dropped the glass of wine he had in hand. It was a surprise, a pleasant one as well.

"So she's not angry at me?" He sighed in relief, as if the weight had been lifted off of his shoulders. For days he blamed himself for invading her personal life like that, and he really thought he was the one to blame but now, oh he couldn't control his small grin as he typed with one hand and drank his wine with the other.

Sure, I'll pick you up at—

But he stopped himself mid sentence. Was he really going to go an a date with another woman? He had to let his heart be moved, he felt as if he had to be given permission to like another person. To laugh, to love, to live. Things Johnny had long ago lost. He couldn't bring himself to answer her text, he felt like a coward, slowly creeping back into his cave.

He shouldn't let himself be like that for the rest of his life, he thought, but he doubt it repeatedly. He believed he wouldn't be able to make another human being happy, he himself lacked positivity in the first place. For a moment he felt completely helpless and stupid.

Letting his past decide his future. Like a fool he would accept it.

He took a deep breath. He should be happy for once, after all these years. It was the least he could do for himself.

Sure. I'll come pick you up
at seven :)

He smiled. He did it. He really did it. He would take Aera out, and he was going to enjoy it because Aera was different. Aera was special and he had acknowledged that.

Johnny felt butterflies in his stomach, something he hadn't felt in so long. It was like he was going out with a girl for the very first time, he couldn't wait for it. He was way too excited to hide it.

"Uhm... Boss...?" Something like a whisper awoke him from his daze, bringing back to reality.

"Ugh...yeah?" He answered, confused.

"Are you okay? You don't look really well... Maybe you should rest?" The youngest of his female employees, Cha Mirae, spoke softly, she was the kindest, the purest and Johnny always felt the need to protect this girl at all costs.

"Yeah you're right... I'm not feeling well at all. Tell Jaewon she's in charge and Hyun will close up. Also, don't overwork yourself you have a test next week!" He smiled softly at the younger one and ruffled her hair before grabbing his car keys and his phone and storming out of his bar.

It was already half past four, he had lots of time ahead of him to wash up and mentally prepare himself, unlike Aera who was running around her small apartment, screaming as she was desperate to find a decent outfit.

Shorts? A skirt? Jeans? What was even appropriate for a date with a man like him in the first place, she had no idea.

But then again, a dress would come in handy if anything were to happen. Deep inside, she hoped (even prayed) something would indeed happen.

For the past few days, she couldn't get the thought of him being so close to her out of her mind. How his lips ghosted over hers and how dark his eyes were just for mere seconds. She wanted so much more of this man, and not just to satisfy her physical needs, Aera loved to tease him. She found him adorable, the way he blushed and stuttered when she'd say something inappropriate.