32 The Liar, the Beast, and the Wallflower (1/2)

The kiss was slow at first. Hesitant; as if he was testing the waters. But once he had a taste, he couldn't stop.

It was only after Yeo Ri started responding to his kiss than he gained confidence and became more passionate. His hand shifted as he pulled her closer to him, deepening the kiss.

”Opp—” Yeo Ri tried to pry herself away. The kiss was making her dizzy and she was running out of breath. ”Oppa, wa—”

But it seems like the man was too absorbed with the kiss to care about paltry things such as breathing.

”Oppa.” Yeo Ri resolutely placed her hands on his chest, creating a gap. She breathed deeply, catching her breath. Her cheeks were bright red and her lips were swollen. She looked so delectable that Hyuk had a hard time paying attention to what she was saying.

”Oppa, please calm down,” Yeo Ri says sternly.

”Sorry,” Hyuk lowered his head apologetically. He had a face like a kid who had been scolded. Did he misunderstand something? Did she not like him? Did she even like him the same way he liked her? Was the kiss before just his illusion? Did she feel disgusted because he was similar to that man? Countless thoughts of doubt plagued his mind.

”I don't have lungs as big as Oppa's,” she bashfully said before looking away. ”I need to breathe sometimes too,” she mumbled under her breath.

”...”

”So can we take it slow?”

Hyuk widened his eyes, but Yeo Ri didn't give him a chance to reply before shyly smacking her lips square on his mouth.

”Sorry.” Hyuk smiled ruefully. What should he do? Yeo Ri was too cute.

”Sorry, Yeo Ri-ah...” Hyuk mumbled another apology before kissing her again. This time, he took his time, savouring the feeling and taste of her lips against his. 'Sorry,' he apologised in his mind, again and again. 'Sorry for not being able to stop my feelings for you,' he thought. 'Sorry for overstepping my boundaries...'

As they kissed, a silent tear dropped from Hyuk's eye. He knew that this was a relationship that shouldn't have started, but he longed for her too much to stop. At least, in that moment, he allowed himself to indulge in the feelings he had been bottling up until now.

Unbeknownst to them, a spectator was watching from the sidelines.

Jin Goo had only wanted to check up on Yeo Ri who had not rested since Hyuk came out of surgery, but unexpectedly, he was met with this scene. A series of emotions flashed in his eyes before he masked them away.