It Had To Be You

*****

The rain was pattering softly against the windows. The room was dark except for the light emanating from the muted television. He’s watching a replay of a soccer game between two teams she could vaguely remember, while giving her a foot rub. For the first time in months, his schedule managed to coalesce with hers and they’re having a well-deserved downtime.
 

Those hands would be the death of me - she sighed blissfully as she reached for the cup of warm honey lemon tea.

“Any plans for tomorrow?” She moved one foot and tucked it under his knee.
 

“Mm?” Chang Wook arranged the throw over her legs. “What’s tomorrow?”

Her eyes widened then zeroed in on his face. He kept his profile focused on the game, but he’s watching her at the corner of his eyes.

“What?” He glanced at her, feigning ignorance, when she remained quiet.

She removed her feet in mild annoyance, and started to get up. “Nothing, I’m going to bed now.”

He fought the twitch on his lips. Of course, he did not forget.

“Hey.” He grabbed her by the waist and sat her on his lap, holding her tight when she gave a puny resistance.

"Let me see...I have work almost the whole day, but we can go out for dinner afterwards.” He said smoothly, letting one finger slide on her cheek.

She burrowed against his neck to hide her disappointment.

He curved his lips against her hair, trying not to laugh. “I’m sorry. We can go to Paris next weekend if you like.” He kissed the corner of her mouth.

She finger-drilled his chest. “It’s not that. I thought you forgot.” She said in a disgruntled voice, barely stifling a yawn.

“How could I?” He brushed a wisp of hair away from her face. “Come on, let’s get you to bed.”

***
When he said it’s dinner, she was not expecting this.

She kicked off her sandals to the sides, and sunk her feet deep into the white sand; the gritty sensation somehow relaxing them. She tilted her face up towards the ebbing sun, letting the sea breeze fill her lungs.

He could not believe they have reached this far, he mused as he watched her. Last year had been tumultuous for both of them, but they made it through. There were times though that she would hold herself back; afraid of even daring to hope that everything is real, that everything is for keeps. But little by little, she learned to trust again and bloomed into something more.

“What are you doing here alone?” he linked his arms around her tiny waist, kissing the top of her head.

“You were busy on the phone, so I thought I would look around.” She replied, clutching his arms. “How did you find this place? It’s nice and quiet.”

“Do you like it?”

“Yes.” She gave an involuntary shiver. He adjusted his windbreaker, covering them both, and tightened his arms around her.

They watched together as the clouds rolled in and the sun descended, showering a glittering shimmer on the water’s edge.

"What’s that?” she asked, pointing at a table nearby.

“Ah. That’s dinner.” He replied, checking his watch.

“You prepared them?!”

He chuckled and managed to look mildly insulted at the incredulous look over her face.

“If that’s ramyun then I believe you.”

“Ouch. That hurts.”

“Everyone knows you can’t cook, Mister. You just eat.” She teased with a twinkle in her eyes, scurrying towards the makeshift table. “No.” She arched her brows. “Definitely, someone helped you.” She looked askance at the stylish display of food, then darted a skeptical glance at the house.

"We’re alone,” he replied in an evasive tone. He poured red wine into the glasses, and handed her one.

“What are we toasting for, aside from its being my birthday?”

The look he gave her made her catch her breath. “To us.” He said softly, touching his glass on hers.

Her eyes drenched with unshed tears as she raised her glass with a trembling hand. “To us.”

***

He threw another log over the open fire.

 “Dinner, bonfire, and I thought it’s just a simple dinner out in a restaurant. What else do you have on your sleeves?”

He just gave a faint smile while absently playing with the tendrils of her hair.

“Come on, let’s dance!”

“What?!” He looked at her, startled. “No. You dance and I’ll watch.”

“It’s only us here.” She cajoled, tugging at his hand.

“Even so…I wouldn’t do it.” He replied in an amused voice, tucking one arm under his head.

“Not even for me?”

“Especially not for you.” His smile widened.

She leaned down, and whispered something.

His eyes drooped and gazed at her mouth. “Is that a bribe?”

She laughed, kissing him hard and swift.

She beckoned him with a crooked index finger, daring him with a flirtatious smile on her lips as she moved gracefully around the fire. She glided, she floated, she swirled; her movements made more seductive by the dancing shadows of flames.

He tried to follow her moves, but they were anything but smooth. He made an awkward bouncy skip, swaying his hips outrageously with hands waving wildly in the air.

She threw her head back, clutching her middle sections in uncontrollable glee.

Enchanted with the glow on her face, he outstretched his hands with palms up. “How about teaching me?”

Yet, she let him lead. He swayed them to a rhythm as old as time, as natural as the very air they breathe. The only sound that’s guiding them was the crackle and hiss of wood being licked by fire, accompanied by the distant sound of waves crashing into the shore.

She laid her head on his chest as she closed her eyes, savoring the moment. Then she felt something hard behind her legs. He just maneuvered her on a chair!

He knelt in front of her, holding both her hands.

Her breath hitched when he pierced her with those dark honey liquid need-you eyes.

Tears streamed down her face in earnest when he opened the velvet box, revealing a simple band encrusted with tiny diamonds.

“Don’t cry. I have not started yet,” he murmured, his voice husky with pent up emotions.

“Min Young. I’m not good at promises, so I’m not going to promise you anything.” A tremulous laugh escaped her lips.

“I’m going to show you instead how much I love you...how much I need you. It has to be you...I cannot imagine a life without you. I know it’s scary out there and nothing’s certain, but if you take this chance with me, I will make you really really happy.” He paused for a moment, feeling a lump rose through his throat. “Min Young, will you be my wife? Be the mother of my children. Grow old with me…”

He staggered back when she flung her arms around him, and kissed him.

The constricting band around his chest loosen up. “I take that as a yes. We’re doing this backwards.” He grinned as he slipped the ring on her finger. “And now you can kiss me.” He tasted the tears, but knew they were tears of joy and of enduring hope.

Pop! Crack!

What? – Her mouth gaped in shock as fireworks whizzed through the air, and the explosions of myriad of colors turned the midnight sky into crimson hues.

Then a movement caught her eye. No, movements - she corrected herself.

“It took you so long. It’s chilly out here.” Complained Bang, and was followed by a cacophony of congratulatory chorus.

She was dumbstruck as his mom, her family, his friends and hers trooped down from the shadows towards them.

A funny sick expression fell over her face, her small hands almost crushing his big ones. “They were there all these time?” Panic seeped through her voice as she squeaked the last three words. 

"Why, we did nothing wrong, did we?” he laughed out loud when she tried to cover her flushed face with their clasped hands.

The catcalls and knowing looks left no doubt what they saw.

Love heals. Love conquers all, and they have a lifetime to prove it.

Shanghai Blues

NSFW/S alert!!! Or maybe not...you be the judge! There's nothing grey on it, just a bit of red and shades of pink in between...really.

***

He’s dying for a cigarette. He was trying hard to kick the habit, but it’s so difficult when you’re in the middle of filming in the frigid winter of Shanghai surrounded by strangers, away from family and friends.

Fans are everywhere, and he’s certain they’re having a snapping spree of his smoking like they do whenever he goes in and out their hotel or wherever he goes in that matter. He doesn’t care. Hell, he’s not a saint! But he’s not forgetting his responsibilities either. He’s just hoping that fans would be more considerate and forgiving. He studied the glowing tip of the cigarette for a moment before he took the last drag and tossed it into the bin.

He’s not so keen on the attention he’s getting, but it’s a price he has to contend with. He took a deep breath and focused his attention on his script. Learning to read and speak in Mandarin is such a pain, and he’s thankful for his translator’s patience and understanding. The other actors and crew were also a great help, making the filming an enjoyable, albeit a challenging task.

He peered into his phone and smiled when he saw her message. Hiding behind a staff and shielded by an umbrella, he checked it more carefully and grinned when her face filled his phone screen, along with a provocative caption: “Guess where I am”. He looked around him and caught Bang’s smirk. He just smiled widely and keyed in a quick reply. He’s going to call her once they’re back in the hotel.

It was way past midnight when they packed up. He rubbed his nape, where a dull ache started to gather. He's almost dragging his feet in exhaustion.

He entered his hotel room and stopped dead in his tracks when he saw a form huddled in his bed. There’s no way he could be in a different room! He thought with alarm and eyed grimly at the unmistakable human shape, covered in a duvet.

He gritted his teeth as he contacted the reception. This is the first lapse in security and he’s not taking it lightly!

“Hi. Its room 888, I need you to…” the figure stirred and turned facing him.

His eyes widened in shock when he realized who it was.

“Yes?” the receptionist was asking.

“Sorry, never mind.” He stared incredulously at Min Young’s face as he replaced the receiver.

What is she doing here? When did she come? How did she enter?  There were so many questions racing through his head. But first things first…

He sat beside her and tugged down the blanket. He lifted a brow when she tried to pull it back without opening her eyes.

His heart gave a humming sound when he saw the skin exposed by her skirt that had ridden up her thighs. He slid his cold hand along her calf and had the pleasure of looking deep into her eyes when they sprung open.

The lazy smile, coupled with the sexy sleepy eyes plunged him straight to sensual turmoil. He brushed her tousled hair away from her face, reassuring himself that she's not just an illusion.

“Finally,” she squinted at the clock on the nightstand. It's 12:25 am. “I’ve waited for ages.” She let her fingers slide on his cheek, and cupped his face with both hands, looking at him searchingly. 

“You should have called you’re coming.”

“Then it would not be a surprise after all.” She tried to sit up but found herself pinned underneath him.

“I should call security,” he skimmed her thighs with his fingers. “I don’t know how you got in,” he murmured, nibbling lightly at her neck. “But this is the best surprise I ever had.” He trailed a necklace of kisses on the peaches-and-cream swath of a skin just above her breasts.

The tension built for hours of waiting made her quiver as his hands took their sensuous journey on her body; demanding for a release. She slipped her hands underneath his shirt and tried to kiss him. But he leaned down, capturing her wrists and shackled them above her head. 

He lingered, teasing her with agonizingly slow kisses. She tossed her head helplessly from side to side, arching her body in total surrender. She groaned, now captivated in the intoxicating heat of desire. Her blood turned to liquid fire, ready to implode any time. 

She caught her breath when she felt those wicked fingers fluttered near the junction of her legs. He let his fingers cruise to her waist instead, and up to her chest; fleeting touches that were meant to soothe and make her wild. He smiled on her scented skin when she made a guttural sound, more like a cry.

He undid the buttons of her long-sleeve blouse so slowly that she wanted to rip it off herself. He reached out behind her, flicking deftly at the snap of her bra. She shivered at the gust of cold air. He was looking at her with a dangerous glint in his eyes, and she fought the urge to cover herself. 

He kissed her with open mouth as he slithered down her body; his fingers never ceased playing, stroking until she's almost sobbing in desperation. Sensations after sensations swept her as she let herself danced under his spell.

He felt his control slipped down a notch as he took the eroticism of it all; her flushed bare skin writhing wantonly against his fully clothed frame. He ruthlessly clamped down  on his own raging need as he gave, never taking anything in return. 

Her eyes had gone opaque when she crested over that first wave, gripping tightly at the bed sheets. He did not stop. He just reeled her in, and drove her back again...and again to that voluptuous web.

She lay sprawled across the bed, deliciously spent; totally ravaged that she could not move. He regarded her steadily as he undressed unhurriedly under her heavy-lidded gaze.

His hungry mouth found hers when he finally slid into her, nudging and pushing her one last time to the edge. And this time, when she had the fall, she was not alone. But it was more of flying as they soared together to  the blissful horizon and beyond.