Chapter 23
Seo Hee POV
The road felt longer than usual.
Or maybe it was just me.
Work had been exhausting. Meetings, decisions, people talking too much about work, what to do and what not do.
it all sat heavy in my head as I drove back home.
It makes me miss school days.
I just wanted silence.
Nothing else.
Then suddenly my phone rang.
I glanced at the screen.
Kang Dae.
I hesitated… then picked up.
"Where are you?" his voice came through.
"I'm driving," I replied, eyes still on the road.
"Good," he said. "I already booked a reservation."
My grip on the steering wheel tightened slightly.
Of course he did.
"I won't be able to come," I said quickly. "Something came up. I can't drive back."
Then a pause.
"That won't be a problem."
The call ended.
Just like that.
I frowned slightly.
"What does that even mean…" I muttered under my breath.
A few minutes later, I turned into my street. As the gate opened, I saw him.
Kang Dae.
He was waiting beside his car.
He opened the door casually, like nothing was out of place.
I slowed down, then stopped.
Stepped out.
"What are you doing here?" I asked.
He didn't answer.
Didn't even look surprised.
"Get in," he said simply. "Princess."
My brows furrowed.
"I just told you I wasn't coming."
"And I told you it wouldn't be a problem."
His tone was calm.
Too calm.
I stood there for a second.
Then sighed.
And got in.
The drive was quiet.
Too quiet.
He didn't speak.
Didn't try to force conversation.
But his presence alone made everything feel… tense.
"You've been avoiding me," he said finally.
It wasn't a question.
I looked out the window.
"No, I've just been busy."
"That's not it."
Silence.
He turned slightly, his eyes still on the road.
"You don't know how to face me after that day."
My chest tightened.
"I said I was busy."
"Okay," he said calmly. "I'll believe you if that's your reason."
His voice didn't rise.
But it didn't soften either.
It stayed steady.
Certain.
We arrived shortly after.
A quiet place, close to the beach. Private.
"Isn't this too expensive?" I asked as we got out of the car.
He smirked.
"Nothing is too expensive for you. In fact… this isn't enough."
He stepped out first, walking around to my side and opening the door.
I stared at him for a second before stepping out.
I sighed.
We walked in.
Sat down.
Still quiet.
Then the attendant arrived with food.
All my favorites.
He really meant it when he said he wanted to spoil me.
"This is so good," I said after the first bite. "When was the last time I ate this well? I've been ordering takeout for weeks."
"Why?" he asked.
"I've been tired," I replied. "Takeout just… works."
"I'm tired too," he said.
I looked up.
"Of what?"
"Of you pretending like nothing happened between us."
My fingers tightened slightly against the table.
"Kang Dae"
"I like you. A lot, Seo Hee." he cut in.
The words came out simple.
Direct.
No hesitation.
"I like you more than I should… more than someone should like his friend's younger sister," he continued. "And I'm done acting like I don't."
My heart started beating faster as his eyes locked onto mine.
"I don't know what I feel," I admitted.
"That's fine," he said.
"But I do."
He leaned forward slightly.
"And I want you."
The air shifted.
His face moved closer.
I could feel his breath.
Too close.
"I don't want to make a mistake," I said quietly.
"You won't."
"You don't get it."
"Trust me," he said softly. "I do."
Suddenly, his hand came up, resting against my cheek.
Warm.
Steady.
My breath caught.
"Kang Dae…"
"Stop thinking," he murmured.
And then—
He moved closer.
His lips brushed mine slightly, like he was asking for permission.
Then my lips parted.
And he slipped his tongue in slowly but deep and intentional.
Like he had already decided.
And for a moment…
I didn't stop him.
And that scared me.
I pulled back suddenly.
"No."
His eyes searched mine.
Not angry.
Just… focused.
"I can't," I said, standing up. "I don't understand this."
"I'm sorry," I added quickly as I turned and walked away fast as i can.
I got into the first cab I saw.
"Where are you going?" the driver asked.
"Away from here," I replied.
He glanced at me through the mirror… then nodded.
By the time I got home, my chest felt tight again.
Too tight.
I needed to talk to someone before I went crazy.
I grabbed my phone and dialed Laurel's number without thinking.
She picked up.
"Try sleeping," she said immediately. "Whatever it is, am sure it can wait till tomorrow."
"Laurel…" I called, my voice trembling.
"Where are you?" she asked, concerned.
"Home."
"Then what happened?" she asked.
"He confessed… and he kissed me," I said, pacing. "And I didn't stop him immediately."
Silence.
"And?" she said.
"And I didn't hate it," I whispered.
"Okay."
"Okay?" I repeated.
"You did something stupid again. Go ahead and talk, what is it this time?"
"I walked away," I said.
"Why?"
"I'm confused!"
"Then be confused," she said simply. "You don't have to decide everything tonight."
I sank onto the couch.
"What if I hurt him?"
"He knew what he was getting into," Laurel replied. "People like Kang Dae don't stay for over a year without understanding the risk."
A small silence followed.
"he is older than me, and not just that. He is my brother friend.
what if I like him?" I asked quietly.
Another pause.
"Then that's your answer," she said.
Before I could respond
BANG. BANG.
The sound at the door made me freeze.
"What was that?" Laurel asked.
"I… I don't know."
"Go check and Don't cut the call."
I walked slowly toward the door.
My heart racing.
I opened it.
And froze.
Kang Dae.
Standing there.
Breathing heavier than usual.
Like someone who rushed to close an important deal.
And before I could even speak
He dropped to his knees.
Just like that.
"Don't run from me," he said.
His voice was low.
Not commanding.
Not cold.
Just… raw.
"I can be patient," he added. "But don't push me away like I don't matter."
My fingers tightened on the door.
"I was scared," I admitted.
A small, almost broken smile touched his lips.
"Good," he said quietly. "At least you feel something."
Silence stretched between us.
Then he looked up at me.
Completely unguarded.
"But don't choose fear over me," he said. "I won't accept that."
Behind me, Laurel's voice echoed faintly from the phone.
"Seo Hee?"
But I couldn't answer.
Because for the first time…
I didn't know what I was going to choose.