Chapter 24
Seo hee pov
I left the door, and relief suddenly hit me when I realized I still hadn't ended the call.
"Sorry, I'll call you back," I said quickly before hanging up.
The room fell silent.
Kang Dae stood up and walked toward me and stopped right behind me.
Even without touching me, I could feel him there.
"This isn't as easy for me as it is for you," I said quietly. "There are things I can't just put together right now because of certain reasons…"
"Then let me carry that burden for you," he cut in.
I turned sharply.
"You want to carry the burden for me? Tell me how do I explain to my brother that I'm dating his friend? If something happens between us, what do you think he'll do?" I said with my heart racing.
"Then I'll spend the rest of my life making sure that i never hurt you and I will also try and make him understand," he said without hesitation.
I stared.
"And if that isn't enough, I'll accept whatever your family says."
His eyes held mine so steadily it made it hard to breathe.
"If there is anyone I want to spend my life with, it's you, Seo Hee. That hasn't changed since the very first day I set my eyes on you."
My chest tightened painfully.
"Please," he said, voice lower now. "Allow me to love you properly… even if I have to spend all my life proving it to you."
I turned my back to him, trying to think.
Trying to breathe.
Trying to slow the pounding in my chest.
Then I heard his voice again.
"You can think about it, Seo Hee," he said softly. "But just know that I won't stop waiting for you."
Laurel's earlier words suddenly echoed in my mind.
You'll never know what it is if you never try.
Something in me moved before fear could stop it.
I turned, grabbed his wrist, and pulled him into a kiss.
He froze instantly.
Then gently pulled back just enough to speak.
"You don't have to force yourself into something you're not ready for," he murmured. "I can wait."
I looked straight into his eyes.
"I'm not forcing myself."
My fingers tightened around his wrist.
"I've always wanted this."
He stared at me, searching my face carefully, as if trying to make sure I truly meant every word.
Then he pulled me closer.
His breathing brushed against my skin, warm and unsteady.
I could feel it on my face.
His lips touched mine again softly, slowly, almost like he was still asking permission.
One hand rose to my jaw, his thumb tracing the line of it while his palm rested warm against my cheek.
The touch made me tremble.
Without thinking, I leaned into him.
My fingers slipped into the hair at the back of his head, tangling there as I drew him nearer.
I could smell the faint trace of cologne on him.
Clean. Warm.
Everything about him felt dangerous.
And yet I didn't want to move.
The kiss deepened slowly.
No rush.
No force.
Just patience.
Like he had imagined this moment a thousand times and refused to ruin it by hurrying.
His arm slid around my waist, pulling me against him until there was no distance left between us.
My breath caught.
He paused immediately.
"Still okay?" he asked softly.
The fact that he asked nearly undid me.
I nodded once.
"Yes."
His forehead rested briefly against mine before he kissed me again.
This time with less hesitation.
Still gentle.
Still careful.
But certain now.
My knees weakened enough that I instinctively held onto his shoulders.
He steadied me without breaking the kiss.
I had never understood how something so simple could make the world disappear.
But it did.
The noise in my mind.
The fear.
The endless thinking.
All of it faded under the warmth of his hands and the quiet certainty in the way he held me.
When I finally pulled back, both of us were breathing harder.
I looked away first.
"This is strange," I whispered.
He gave the faintest smile.
"Being kissed?"
"Being understood."
That wiped the smile from his face.
Something softer replaced it.
"No one ever made that easy for you, did they?" he asked.
I couldn't answer.
Because he was right.
He brushed a strand of hair behind my ear.
"I don't need everything tonight," he said. "I don't need, i promise".
His hand slid down my arm before falling away.
"I just need you not to run every time something feels real."
I swallowed hard.
"I'm trying."
"I know."
The calm certainty in his voice made trusting him feel far too easy.
I moved toward the couch and sat down, suddenly aware of how exhausted I was.
Tonight had been too much.
Dinner.
Confession.
Panic.
Running.
Then this.
He noticed immediately.
Without a word, he walked into the kitchen.
I frowned.
A minute later he returned with a glass of water.
I stared at him.
"You came here to confess and now you're bringing me water?"
"Drink."
"You're unbelievable."
"Drink, Princess."
I took it only because I was too tired to argue.
He sat beside me, close but not touching.
The silence this time felt peaceful.
Dangerously peaceful.
"I hate how comfortable you are here," I muttered.
"I'm comfortable wherever you are."
I turned to glare at him.
"That line probably works on women who don't know you."
"It only matters if it works on one."
I rolled my eyes, but he caught the smile I failed to hide.
"There," he said.
"There what?"
"That face."
"What face?"
"The one you pretend you don't have."
"You're unbearable."
"And yet you kissed me first."
Heat rushed to my face.
"You're very arrogant for someone who was on his knees not long ago."
His laugh came low and warm.
I realized I liked hearing it.
Too much.
Then he stood.
I looked up immediately.
"You're leaving?"
The words slipped out before I could stop them.
His brows lifted.
"You want me to stay?"
"I did not say that."
"But you asked."
"I was being polite."
"Liar."
He stepped closer again.
Then bent slightly so we were eye level.
"I should go," he said quietly. "Because if I stay much longer, I might forget how patient I promised to be."
My breath caught again.
He said it so calmly it was worse.
I stood slowly.
Neither of us moved back.
"You're very confident," I said.
"No," he replied. "I'm trying very hard."
That honesty hit harder than arrogance ever could.
I reached up and straightened the collar of his shirt just to keep my hands busy.
He went still under the touch.
"Then go," I said softly.
His eyes darkened.
"You really know how to punish a man."
"I'm learning."
A smile touched his lips.
He caught my wrist before I could lower it and pressed a kiss to the inside.
My pulse stumbled.
" What do you think, they will say, i mean everyone?".
" Lee Joon is gonna be furious and mad, that i know but he will come around, Nicholas might say treat her well, and laurel will surely say Good, then Andrew is gonna be the happiest one though". He answered.
"Andrew? I have heard of that name before not even from Laurel".
" That because she haven't met him, he left South to Russia when you are still little but I think he will be back soon".
"Oh okay" i said.
"Think all you want, Seo Hee," he murmured. "But from tonight onward, you already know where to find me."
He released me and walked to the door.
I followed without thinking.
He opened it, then glanced back.
"Lock the door after me."
"You're giving orders in my house?"
"I'm caring for you in your house."
Then he left.
I stood there listening to his footsteps disappear.
The apartment felt bigger once he was gone.
And emptier.
I locked the door slowly.
Then touched my lips.
They still felt warm.