“I’m too tired.” I moan at Jyeon as he drags me along by the hand, fingers interlaced, yet he doesn’t care about my whining and protests. Dragging me into the OLO building at seven at night after we slept half the day. Despite being curled up in his arms in slumberland, I am not yet recovered because he hasn’t fed me due to the lack of food in his rarely used apartment. He admitted he eats out or with Bryant at work most days, and now I am starting to see his boat is more of a home.
“Baby, it’s only for a few minutes, then we can go take Greta some food and eat with her. I need to sign some papers before my secretary leaves. She said they need to be done tonight. We can pick up Bryant and have ourselves a cozy double date.”
He refused to leave me in the car in the parking garage, swearing he should be glued to my hip for the foreseeable future because he misses me when he’s not. I eyeroll at the side of his head, du
“Thank you so much for coming. I was thrilled when you agreed to lunch here, and it’s so nice to meet you, Greta, finally.” Mother welcomes us in with enthusiasm, stopping each of us to hug us as we walk in warmly. We were shown into the main living room by the housekeeper, where mother seemed to have been pacing like a restless cat awaiting our arrival. She’s not shy in wrapping her arms around me first, enveloping me in the tightest bear hug, and giving me a cheek kiss before doing the same to Greta. Her enthusiasm for us being here evident in her beaming smile and high energy.Greta assured me she wanted to do this and finally meet the woman she used to despise with a mindset of giving her the benefit of the doubt. Seeing the life I once lived, knowing the rules and culture of the wealthy society I came from, getting to know Jyeon and Bryant better has changed her perspective on a few things. Knowing my mother has remorse and genuine feelings
“I promise, it’s different this time. Jyeon and I are starting over in our way and not letting OLO or anything pressure us. This is for us and nothing and no one else. The past is done; let’s just look to a future and all of us making ourselves happy.”“I wouldn’t let her do anything that made her miserable again. She’s not the girl she was, and Jyeon wants to make her happy.” Greta intervenes, showing support and giving mother reassurance. Mother seems to accept what we’re saying, gazing from Greta to me and blinking back damp misty eyes. She gently pats me on the arm before releasing me, watching me with narrowed eyes until she’s sure I am not bluffing. I smile at her as I slide into my seat.“You’re my daughter, no matter what. I had a long time to realize I wasn’t the best mother for you after ….. you know. It’s not like that anymore, and your happiness matters more to me tha
“So, you wanted to take a walk?” Yoonah eyes me cautiously as we head down the patio steps to the rose garden, and I slide my arm in his and tug him against my side. His body is warm and strong, yet he feels a little taller than memory serves. I’m still sensing his hesitation around me even after a two-hour lunch filled with laughter.“I think we needed to clear the air and talk a little, don’t you?” I nudge against him, trying to bring him out of himself because I can feel how he’s being guarded. Jyeon agreed I needed my time alone to talk this out without interference and suggested a stroll.“Jyeon told me, you know….. everything. The amnesia, well, the fake amnesia…. The island. What happened with Claire these past weeks and the general shit you two have going on. Guess I am still out of the loop, just like before.” His tone is deflated and a little tense.“He did, huh? It’s not l
“Home sweet home.” Greta dumps her hand luggage in the center of the Tarry shack as I walk in behind her and gaze around the much-missed home of ours. Glad to be back here even though we were not gone all that long, not even far, and yet it feels like we went to another planet. That it’s been months instead of one. It’s the warmest and most relaxing breath of fresh air to walk in here, letting all my stresses go and basking in the feel of familiar safety.We covered up everything with dust sheets down here since we didn’t know how long we would be gone, and this area gets a lot of incoming sand and salty air from the air vents, and it looks oddly abandoned. Everything is covered in cream cloth. All the chairs are upside down on surfaces, creating a sea of beige mountains with weird ridges and peaks.“Where do you want these?” Bryant shuffles behind us with suitcases in hand, and Greta lurches into action. Instantly smiley and a
We stay that way for a moment, my arms snaking around him to return the love and closing my eyes to savor how amazing his touch always feels. Always at peace and content in his arms now. He draws back and cups my face with one hand, edging us slightly apart so we are semi-cuddling.Jyeon lifts my chin, so my eyes flutter open, and sinks a passionate kiss on me, molding his lips to mine and pressing us tightly together. Kissing me with longing and need while teasing my lips open, we move to full French making out with exploring tongues and heavy breathing, losing ourselves in each other. Forgetting we are standing in the middle of the dining area. My body revving up in heat and hormones, and my pulse rate rises as every one of my nerve endings respond to him.Jyeon pulls away first, leaving me breathless and dizzy from kissing me senseless, and rests his nose against mine so he can gaze deeply into my eyes once more. The air crackles between us. I am so responsive and f
The phone buzzing by my head drags me out of my deep slumber, and I reach out groggily, feeling along the smooth surface to capture my vibrating device. It’s like a hammering drill on my skull, and my eyes are glued shut. I’m so tired and muggy-headed, and I slide it towards me, peeling one eye open to check if it’s an alarm, and see Yoonah’s name on the screen. Pulsing at me in demand. I swipe it to answer, haul it under the duvet with me, and press it to my ear so I can close my eyes back in my safe, warm, cozy bubble. Jyeon’s hot body pressed up behind me with an arm tossed casually across my waist, and his heavy breathing indicates he’s still oblivious.“Hello.” I murmur, sounding very much like a person who is not with the world yet.“Sohla, is that you? Are you still asleep?...” Yoonah’s very alert and bright. His cheery voice is like a big pointy prod to my aching skull that makes me wince. It&rsq
“So, did you enjoy your vacation?” Tom seems oblivious to the impending newcomer glaring his way and my obvious discomfort and need to escape. My heart is doing the rhumba because Jyeon looks exactly like a guy who will not be polite and idly walk by.“It wasn’t really that kind of vacation…. I need to get the shack opened and changed. It’s nice to see you again, have a good day.” I make to hightail it away from him, aware Jyeon is less than ten feet from us and rapidly closing, when Tom catches him out of the corner of his eye, and his entire expression stiffens. He inclines his head, recognition spreading across his face, and adopts a similar unfriendly frown to my idiot man.“We meet again.” Jyeon slides up with a cocky smirk, catching me mid escape by the upper arm, and tugs me into his side so he can lasso an arm around my shoulders. It’s such an obvious move to show off who’s woman I am. He leans
“Hey…. Water, not breadsticks.” Greta snaps me out of my daze, and I look down and realize I am filling a glass pitcher with them instead of liquid and sigh at my stupidity. Tutting outwardly and dragging them back out. We have been open again for a few days, getting back into the swing of things, and yet it feels like two years ago again when I was learning the ropes.“What’s with you lately? You’re distracted and vacant most of the time. Are you feeling unwell?” She leans over and presses the back of her hand to my forehead to check my temperature, and I wave her away. Knowing I’m not ill and my temperature is average.“I’m fine; just a little tired, is all.” While working here, I haven't been energized, splitting my time between Jyeon and Greta and not sleeping enough. A lot of shit has been going through my mind the past few days, and I can’t explain it without sounding like a freak. It&