“What are you doing?” I accuse, widening my eyes at him, and am silenced by the complete lack of regret on his smiling face. Nose to nose, breathing combined air, and eyes locked on one another. Static in the air sizzling between us and my heart rate and breathing ups a gear in unison, making me so light-headed I fear I might actually pass out. Jyeon doesn’t seem fazed at all.
“I really want to kiss you properly. Remember what that’s like. You have no idea how much I have held back from doing this for the past hour. You’re crazy sexy in this dress.” He utters it softly, so his words tickle my lips, and I instinctively suck in my bottom one to bite it. A nervous habit I picked up along the past two years, realizing a little too late that it’s a significant turn-on for him, and he leans in and kisses me again.
I see it coming this time, and even though it gives me a chance to stop it or escape, I don’t move. Holding s
I can’t sleep. Tossing and turning for hours since Bryant brought us home in a cab, yet I don’t want to get out of bed and disturb Greta. She’s a light sleeper, even if she drunk a lot and would hear me wandering about. She looked exhausted, and I didn’t want to burden her with my problems until morning. One of us should be well-rested, at least. My head’s too messy, and I haven’t told her about kissing Jyeon or where he was going after he left. She doesn’t know about Claire, and Bryant didn’t seem to yet either. I’m guessing Jyeon would have told him after he left us, though.I get it. I do. The reason he feels responsible for this and the fact they reached out to him to accompany her. She tried to kill herself, and she shouldn’t be alone in a hospital after that. He knows it’s because of the other day and the very blunt way he dashed all her hopes, and it didn’t sound like she has anyone else. It all ma
“It’s about everything and how weak I am around him. I’m going to tell him the truth… about not having amnesia. Now I know he’s not a threat, and he’s investing emotion into this…… I’ll tell him. He’ll be hurt and realize we will never work, and he’ll let me go. I can bring back the cold me and show him what he’ll get if I stay. He hated that version of me, and his feelings will die quickly if that’s who he gets.”“I don’t know. It’s not that I want you to stay here with him, but I see how sincere he is, and that’s going to hurt a hell of a lot more than just sticking with the story and regaining them all at once. Jyeon is an idiot, but he seems to love you deep down genuinely. I don’t want to like him, and God knows I try hard not to, but something sad about him has made me warm to him, and I wonder if this is the best thing for you both. He’s as lonely
“Answer it.” Greta picks up my phone and holds it out to me, but I hesitate and stare at the flashing screen instead. Leaving it between us as we both sit tensely on the bed, now facing one another. Her eyes dart from it to me, and she sighs heavily. “Take it.”“It’s late. As far as he knows, I’m asleep.” I push it away from me but flinch when she grabs my wrist and forces it into my hand, swiping the answer button as she does so. Strangely strong for such a tiny wench.“Yeah, well, now he knows we’re not.” She winks, sliding away, and motions for me to lift it before jumping out of bed and heading to the door. She switches the overhead light and blinds me with the sudden assault. “Hi, Jyeon…….. Don’t keep her up too late. She’s a monster when she’s tired,” she yells loudly, making sure he would have heard her, before sauntering off with a wiggle and a mischiev
“You can deny it all you want. You sound mad, you’re acting mad, and if you didn’t care, you wouldn’t still wear this to bed tonight.” He reaches over my exposed chest, where the robe hangs open over my nightgown, and picks up my wedding ring, which rests on my necklace. Lifting it and holding it in front of my face, turning it in his fingertips while he leans in and presses his cheek against my temple. His skin-on-skin contact makes my stomach clench and my palms turn clammy.“It’s a part of my past. It reminds me not to go backward.” I yank it back, elbowing him away and berate my idiocy for still keeping this on and not covering it up properly. I make such stupid mistakes around him, and I’m already pissed and seething enough without him being a smart ass about it. “So, she’s fine then? You’re little mistress.” I divert his attention with bitchiness and throw him a cool look and raised brow. Soun
“I deserved it….. I did. It’s karma, and this is exactly what I should get.” He mutters it in a breathy, almost non-existent splice of words, still looking down and his hands, trembling the same way mine are. “It doesn’t make it hurt any less…. or mess me up any less. That you’ve been lying this whole time…. Pretending… Making me hope…. Was this punishment? Revenge? Did it give you a kick to see me falling all over you and trying to rekindle past memories?” Jyeon finally raises his head, his eyes so steeped in sadness and betrayal that it cuts me deeply. His words are slow and etched with bitterness. Questioning me in his mind and coming up with so many reasons I would drag this charade out and pretend not to know. I can see why he would think it was a ploy to hurt him that it was vindictive and mocking. Despite everything he did back then, I never wanted to wound him this way, and it wasn’t a manipul
Jyeon moves back and crumples onto the couch behind him, exhaling heavily, and drops his hands between his legs as he slumps forward. Looking exhausted and so emotionally done with all of this. It’s like all his fight dies a death, and his rage and fizzing energy he wears typically like a cloak disperses into the dim light around us.“For two years…… my life has been empty. I was a walking zombie who focused on work, juggling everything alone, and trying never to give up hope that you would walk back in the door one day. I don’t even remember why I pushed you away as much as I did anymore because all I have felt in your absence is regret and agony at not seeing you. Living with the void you left behind and struggling to breathe without you. I know I am the last person in the world that deserves your love or forgiveness, but for me…. that’s the only thing in this world that matters to me.” He kicks his boot toe against the edg
The harsh ringing, and vibrating assault, penetrates my sleep-addled brain, pulling me out of darkness, and I groan and attempt to reach for the invasive noise. Semi-aware and caught in a warm comfy bubble until it rudely awakened me. I try to roll towards it, but I’m restricted and held tight in an overly hot embrace around my waist and shoulders that brings me back to consciousness with a jolt and the memory that I’m not in bed alone.“Goddammit,” Jyeon murmurs right at my ear, as sleepy as I am and unamused at the same interruption to our slumber. He is rolling over on top of me, so he half flattens my tiny frame with his weight, chuckling at my ‘oofft’ noise and catching the cell phone on the bedside, sliding it to him. He braces himself on one arm just enough to let me breathe and get’s himself an elbow in the ribs for squashing me. Caging me in and hanging over me in a pose that makes me blush.“Hello.” His vo
“You are two consenting adults who also happen to be already married. I’m kinda shocked he managed to keep his hands to himself while you’re practically naked.” She nods up and down my black slip of lace and reminds me I have zero time before he saunters out and yelp in realization. Rushing back to the cupboard while waving her away.“Go. I have to get dressed… leave me be. I’ll call you or text you when I know what’s happening.”“Just one thing… Claire’s not dead, right? And you two are fine now?” She stays put, that stubborn air that means she won’t move without a response.“Claire is fine, apparently. He didn’t stay there, but she isn’t critical or anything. He said it wasn’t a serious attempt, and I guess we’re okay. It’s too soon to say…. I’m just trying to go with the flow and take one step at a time. I have no idea what I&
One Year Later (final chapter)“Here, watch your step. Take my arm. Be careful, baby.” Jyeon catches me by the elbow as we make our way down the cobbles embedded in soft grass that are a bit slippy from light rain. It’s a beautiful day, drying out from yesterday’s weather as the sun starts to climb, and the birds are singing loudly as though to welcome us here again. We come often, yet the beauty of this place never ceases to please me.I’m carrying a box of plants and flowers, concentrating on leading the way while he makes sure I stay steady. I am focused on today’s task list in my head as it seems we have a jam-packed schedule today. It’s Yoonies birthday, and we have a family tea party after this.“I’m fine. We’re almost there.” I turn back, screwing up my nose and making a silly face at the bundle of joy nestled in his arms that always puts me in a good mood and melt when I get a giggled response. Big brown eyes set in the sweetest face and the cutest dimples, resembling his dadd
I follow Jyeon around behind the estate agent as she shows us the third property today, and I’m a little bored with endless beige walls and marble kitchen counters. It seems to sell, everyone removes all personality from the buildings, and they blend into a see of neutral boringness. Jyeon seems rooted with interest, and all I keep thinking about is how soon we can eat. Fed up with this already.My fingers are held snugly in his as he takes command and leads the way, pulling me along like a tired toddler to view endless open spaces and listen to the droning agent describe the light and airy feel. He seems aware of my lack of interaction. Asking her questions and pointing out things I might like in this property instead of the others to coax me to respond. So far, I haven’t seen many differences to care.I’m so tired and done with this today. Aching all over and back with a shitty morning of nausea and fatigue that’s dragging my mood down.
I prop my chin in my palms while resting my elbows on the table and gaze out over the sea view from the second floor of the shack. Relaxed, and I’m tired today.“Here we go, ladies.” Bryant slides the plates in front of us, wearing a kitchen apron and looking domesticated today. He’s been learning the ropes of working the kitchen with Greta and helping her cook because apparently he’s a master chef, and it’s been his hidden talent for years. She doesn’t seem too enamored with him muscling into her domain, but she hasn’t stopped him either. I wonder if this is him trying to infiltrate because he knows this is a long-term thing for him, and his future lies in helping with the shack.“What is it?” Greta pipes up, gazing up at him across the table from me, and then picks up a fork to prod the pasta with suspicion. No one gives Bryant a hard time like she does, but it’s amusing.“Seafood pasta wi
I’m lying on the couch of the boat, idly watching daytime tv, and keep checking my cell for any messages from Jyeon at the council meeting. Restless, yet I don’t have the energy to do much about it and hate that my own body prevented me from going there. This was my baby, and this is an essential step in proceeding with the plans for the island.Nothing so far, complete radio silence, and I sigh dejectedly, turning on my side and pausing as another wave of nausea laps over me like warm ocean water. A prickling of heat and then cold showering every inch of my skin in a motion that’s happened frequently since I woke up. I hold very still until it passes and then exhale with relief when it dies down again. My brain fixated on the endlessness of waiting here alone, even though the reality is it hasn’t been long at all. Jyeon refused to leave until the last minute because he didn’t want me to fend for myself, and I know he’ll rush right ba
“Hey, sleepyhead. Do you want breakfast?” Jyeon’s gentle voice filters through my sleep-addled brain as warmth envelopes my downward-facing body. Content and heavy in my haven of bliss and not willing to budge just yet, even with his coaxing. I am star-shaped on the double bed and sinking into my comfy softness. His breath on my cheek and fingers lightly skim through my hair, tingling my scalp before he leans in and kisses me with soft grazing on the temple. Cosily snuggled against me, I flicker my eyes open and come around properly.“Hmmm, what time is it?” I stifle a gentle yawn, too relaxed to lift my head or open my eyes. I could get used to this vacation existence with him. For three days, all we did was play in the sand and sea, have sex, eat, and sleep. I’m exhausted still, as though I haven’t slept, so it has to be ridiculously early. We sailed back to the harbor yesterday evening and had ourselves an early night in prep for t
“You look beautiful. Jyeon is the luckiest man alive.” Mother takes my hand at the car door and helps me slide out, adjusting my simple cream lace dress that reaches the ground and fluffing my hair before handing me my bouquet back. It’s fitted down to my thighs and then flairs out enough for a bit of drama in a mermaid tail shape, and today my hair is curled and swept to one side. I feel glamorous and pretty, eager to get moving and see Jyeon.Jyeon wanted to do this right and slept at the hotel last night with Bryant, leaving the boat for me, mother, and Greta to have ourselves a girly bonding sleepover. It was only one night, and yet I missed him like crazy. I haven’t seen him since he kissed me goodbye after supper and told me today was the start of the rest of our lives. It was a long night, and I swear it’s been days instead of hours.I’m nervous even though it seems so stupid to be, given I have known him forever, and this is
Jyeon leads the way up a narrow path worn down and not defined all too well, but a pretty walk through the trampled grass. Lined with trees and shrubs in a secluded part of the island, which took thirty minutes to drive to and I’m shocked he managed to find this place.“Where does this lead, and how did you even find out about it?” I have a tight grasp on his hand as he guides me and stops every few minutes to check my footing, although it’s a pretty easy walk and not steep either. It’s a casual meander through nature, and we come out on top of the most breathtaking flat top with short grass due to some wild horses we saw near the makeshift car park further back. It’s a plateau on a cliff that’s not as high as my thinking spot but looks out over the island's north side where there’s no sign of the village or harbor and feels crazily secluded.“The lady in the bakers told me about it and set it up on my phone app wit
I push the paperwork aside to allow one of the twins to slide the sandwich platter on the table between the four of us and smile her way warmly. Watching as the other lays out four glasses of iced soda to help fuel us for a few more hours. Such attentive employees and I already decided with Greta to keep them as full-time staff when we boost the Shack’s incoming.“Thank you. You’re a star.” I am completely starving after sitting here all morning while we trash out details and plans for the island for the fourth day in a row, and Bryant is taking notes to help draw up the proposal. Jyeon gave him the assignment to work here for two weeks while we do this, and he’s not complaining, even if his legal department is without a head and constantly calls for guidance. He’s been glued to Greta since he got here and now side by side, facing us; I can tell Greta is happy. She still won’t admit they’re officially a couple, yet she blooms wh
Jyeon reaches inside the leather jacket of his causal attire today and tugs out a small bunch of keys. Not hesitating before pulling the right one with a single hand and unlocking the door. Clunk, click…the opening of the vault of my fears.“Ladies first.” He swings it open in front of us and steps aside, letting my hand go to make a move, and I stand frozen as it comes into slow view. My breath hitching as it feels like my heart skips a beat, and my blood runs cold in my veins.The neutral decorated and modern interior is so anally clean and neat that I always liked. Everything had a place, and I never could deal with clutter or lots of art and mess, so it’s pretty organized and minimal, yet the atmosphere is heavy. I can almost visualize the sharp-suited and cold me of old sitting at that large arc of a desk by the windows. Head down, expression blank and barking orders at the poor secretary who resided there. Her desk is vacant and free from