Just Friends

Fifteen

I have to admit. When I first heard Jin tell me she no longer wanted to be friends, there was a moment I thought that this was ending. But looking back at everything we've been through and knowing how caring she was with me, even leading up to dinner that night, I knew Ye Jin wasn't the type to lead me on and then drop me the last minute.

I was confused when she got up to get something, though.

And yes, I was as giddy as a teenager when I found out she had gotten rings for us.

My beautiful woman.

When our lips connected, I forgot about everything else and just focused on this moment and showing her further how much I adored her. We sat on the couch, lips still connected, but I didn't want it to go further tonight. I didn't want her to think that that was all I wanted.

I was also very conscious about the hair on my face rubbing her skin. Pulling back a little, I could already tell that she had a few whisker burns near her lips. "Omo, Jin-ssi. You might develop rashes. Don't you have a pictorial tomorrow?"

She shook her head and smiled. "No, I don't."

"Don't you mind this?" Pointing to my goatee.

She chuckled. " I have to admit it's not my most favorite thing but you're lucky you're my most favorite person."

I don't know how long we kissed but I know that when I brought her home, her lips were swollen from it.

When I woke up the next morning, there was a part of me that wondered if it was all a dream but then I stared at the ring she had given me. The physical reminder that this was real. It was such a pity to hide it but protecting what we had was more important. One of these days, we would be able to tell the world, but right now we would celebrate in private.

Good morning, I sent to her. Are you up?

Yes. Good morning, Bin-ssi!

I tapped the button to video chat with her. When she picked up, I could tell that she was still in bed like me. "Hi."

"Hi."

There was an awkward silence between us, like we had done something we weren't supposed to. She laughed first. "Omo, Bin-ssi. We are funny people."

"It would just take some getting used to," I said. Looking at her face again, I commented, "Oh no. You still have scratches from my beard."

She giggled again. "It's not too bad. I'll handle it. What are your plans for today?"

I told her that I needed to go to the office for some paperwork and then I had a video meeting with the other members of the film for the schedule in the next days. "I'll send you my free time so that we can plan something."

"Yes, that would be nice. Or let me know if you want to come over tonight?"

I nodded. "Of course. My meeting is not going to run late so I should be there by dinner."

Our days were mostly like that. Since she was focused on commercials and endorsements lately, her schedule was more free than mine. When my shoot ended early, we would meet up — sometimes I would drop by her house and sleepover, other times, I would find her at my place cooking for me or waiting up to take care of me.

It was wonderful but not perfect. There have also been moments when she'd have already fallen asleep, food gone cold while waiting for me; there were also days when we would miss each other completely because she'd leave early for a shoot and not come home until late, when I'd already be asleep.