11. India-3
802 Words
“I’m really glad you agreed to have tea with me.” Hae-in sits next to me on the large sofa. He’s in the same room I stayed in the night I came back home.
“You really own this hotel?” I ask, looking at him over the rim of my cup. Hae-in sets his cup down and crosses his legs.
“I do. Does that bother you?”
“Not at all. Does it bother you I’m an emotional wreck?”
Hae-in leans in close enough his breath fans across my lips making them tingle. There is something about his face, something about this moment that is exquisite to me. “I don’t think you’re wrecked at all. I’ll use the chance I have to be by your side and to ensure that what hurts in there,” he places a light hand over my chest, “can heal in due time.”
I’m not expecting that type of response, but it’s the right one. It’s exactly what I need to hear. Someone who isn’t afraid of my current situation. I smile and move a fraction closer. Our lips almost touch, but not quite. “You saying you like drama?”
“Hmm.” Hae-in smiles widely.
“You sure about that?”
“Hmm,” is all he says before leaning back against the sofa and closing his eyes. A slight groan leaves his lips and for a second, I’d forgotten he’d been on a long-a*s flight. I go to stand, but Hae-in reaches out and grabs my wrist. “Stay the night.”
“Seriously?”
His head turns toward me and he cracks an eye open. “Yeah, I’m too tired to move but I have this feeling I’ll sleep better with you here.”
“You’re not slick, Hae-in.” I try to pull my wrist back, but his grip tightens.
“Let’s watch the drama I was telling you about. I have an app on my phone I can airplay to the television.”
I think about his words, he’s tired. He’ll be sleeping in less than thirty minutes. I can leave a note and meet up with him tomorrow.
“All right, one drama. But let’s watch one you’re in,” I say. The frown that forms on his face is telling. “Are you that bad of an actor?” I’m joking, but Hae-in’s brow furrows more.
“No.” Hae-in sits forward. “I don’t like to watch the ones I star in.”
“Oh, so you’re a star?” I laugh, taking another sip of my tea.
Hae-in shrugs. “How is the saying again? If the shoe fits?” He winks and flashes another one of his dazzling smiles. “If we watch one of mine, watch at least three episodes.”
“Deal.”
Hae-in sets up the television and sends the show to the screen via his airplay. He explains the show is a period drama during the Joseon era. He leaves the room and comes back with a pillow. He puts it on the floor and then sits on it. I look down at him from my spot on the sofa. “Don’t I get a pillow?”
“No, you stay up there. It’s safer.”
I tilt my head and glare until I realize what he means. “You’re right, it’s much safer for you down there.”
“Actually, I was thinking of your safety.”
“If you say so.” I laugh and sit back on the sofa, ready to watch one of his shows. The room goes dark, and the scene opens with two children making a promise to one another. To always be friends and to look out for one another. The little boy tells the girl that when he grows up, he will protect her. He is the Crown Prince in disguise and the little girl is the daughter of a famous warrior. Five hours later, I’m still awake and hooked. Hae-in plays the lead character as the adult Crown Prince, forced into a loveless marriage, who longs for his childhood friend. The interesting thing is he doesn’t know she’s disguised herself as a male and now fights for her country.
Dammit. There are still eleven episodes to go. It’s after one in the morning and Hae-in has fallen asleep. His head rests beside my thigh on the sofa, and sometime during the drama, I began running my fingers through his hair. It came naturally. The moment my fingers stop, Hae-in groans. His voice is rough from sleep. “Don’t stop what you’re doing. It feels amazing.”
“It’s almost two, and I have work in a few hours.”
Hae-in sits up, stretches, and stands. “Let’s get some sleep.”
I stand up and hold out my hand. I’m too tired to fight him and I know I have some type of feelings for him. “I get the left side of the bed and no funny business.”
“I’ll be a perfect gentlemen and sleep on top of the covers.”
“Geolae.” It means deal in Korean.
“Oh.” Hae-in says, surprised.
“Give me a few months and I promise I’ll be able to at least carry on somewhat of a conversation in your native language.”
Hae-in smiles again and says, “Geolae.”
- Writer
