Chapter 20: I Love You

HyeRim POV

"Kai.... I love you."

Kai looked at me with sparkling eyes. I felt his embrace immediately as I said that. His warm embrace made me feel like I was almost melting. Kai then removed himself from the embrace and looked at me while grinning. His lips that curl into that cute smile of his. His eyes were gentle and he then moved his face towards me. I felt his warm, soft lips on mine. The kiss that makes my heart flutter like no other and the passionate kiss that tells me that he is the one as I close my eyes thinking about it.

Before I knew it, I then opened my eyes to find Kai gone. I looked around and saw Chanyeol approach me from the side. His eyes filled with sadness and his facial expression dropped. Chanyeol stood right in front of me and grabbed my hand.

"Why?..... Why can't it be me?"He asked.

"Eh? C-Chanyeol, what do you mean?"I asked.

"HyeRim.... Why can't I be the one for you? Why did you have to choose him?"Chanyeol asked solemnly. I could see tears forming in the corners of his eyes. I felt my heart breaking.

"B-But Chanye-"

"Stop.... I understand.... Just.... No more."He said. Chanyeol then disappeared. I felt my heart drop to the ground. What do I do? I thought in my mind.

At that moment, everything changed. Kai was suddenly in front of me once more.

"HyeRim... What do you mean you decided to be with Chanyeol? I thought you loved me."He asked.

"M-Mwoh? I-I don't remember telling you that."I said.

"Stop.... I don't want to hear anymore from you."He said. Kai then disappeared and Chanyeol seemed to approach me once more. His eyes glistened and he smiled widely at me. His arms opened widely as he approached me slowly. He hugged me. I could feel the heart beat in his chest as his chin lay on my head.

"I'm so glad you chose me. I was so afraid I was going to lose you. I'm so happy right now."He said with a giant grin. I could feel his heart beating so fast as he hugged me tighter and tighter. But.... It didn't feel the same. I was happy that he was happy, but I wasn't as happy as when I was in Kai's arms. I quickly pushed Chanyeol away. Chanyeol seemed confused at my reaction.

"No... Chanyeol... This is wrong. I-I don't feel right about this."I said.

"What do you mean, HyeRim?"He asked was a confused expression.

"I-I.. I don't feel right..."I said. Chanyeol gave me a grave expression. His expression dropped and his arms dropped to his sides. At that moment, Chanyeol disappeared.

"Chanyeol? Chanyeol! Chanyeol! CHANYEOL!?"

My eyes quickly opened at that moment. I breathed heavily as sweat trickled down my forehead. W-What just happened? I saw the ceiling from where I lay. I quickly got up to find myself in my room.

"Ahh..... Just a dream..."I muttered. I sighed as I got up... What was that dream all about? I thought while washing up. Kai was there and Chanyeol was there, but why did I have to choose one of them.

After getting ready, I saw that Kai went to work already and I was home alone. I made my way to work at the café and suddenly saw someone familiar.

"Sehun?"I said. Sehun's head perked up as he heard me. He turned around and saw me at the door.

"HyeRim?"He discerned.

"Hey.."I said, approaching him. He then got up and put his hand to the other side of the booth.

"Go ahead and sit. I haven't seen you in awhile. How has it been?"He asked.

"Good, I guess."I replied as I tried to grin. Sehun could see right through me as I tried to grin.

"What's wrong?"He asked.

"I just... Nothing."I replied.

"Tell me... Maybe I can help."He said.

"Is it relationship problems with Kai?"He asked. I sighed as I decided to tell him. Maybe he can help me.

"Yeah.... I don't know what to do... Chanyeol loves me and Kai loves me too, but I... I don't know what to do. Chanyeol has always been there for me, but Kai also protected me. Chanyeol continuously confesses his love for me, but I always tell him that I'm not ready. As for Kai.... I... I don't know."I said while expressing my feelings for once.

"Hmm... this is difficult. Who do you want to be with more?"Sehun asked.

"I don't know... That's the problem."I replied.

"Aigoo... This is hard. Okay... How about imagining how it would be if you dumped one of them and went with the other, one where you chose Chanyeol and dumped Kai. The other is where you chose Kai and dumped Chanyeol."Sehun explained. Suddenly that sparked something.... My dream... Was that it? I questioned myself.

"I... I think you are onto something, Sehun.I said.

"Did you figure it out?"He asked as he made a small grin.

"I think so."I said as I nodded while looking out the window.

While I worked the counter for a few minutes, I suddenly heard the door

*ding*

I heard the bell atop the door ring.

"Anyounghaseyo. May I help you?"I asked without looking at the customer.

"Umm... Yes... Can I have an Americano?"He asked. His voice was husky and familiar. I looked up to find Chanyeol grinning happily at me. I gulped deeply and tried to smile.

"G-Got it."I said. As I began to work on the coffee, I suddenly felt a pair of arms wrap around me. Chanyeol was back hugging me. His warmth felt nice and his heartbeat was beating slowly. I could smell his overwhelming cologne over the coffee smell in the café. His arms wrapped around my waist as he put his face by my head.

"How was your day?"He asked. I could feel my heart beating faster than a galloping horse. I felt nervous, but it wasn't a good nervous.

"I-It was fine."I replied.

"Hyung?"I heard Sehun say. Chanyeol immediately removed his arms and turned around to see Sehun. From the corner of my eyes, I saw Chanyeol grinning widely as Sehun did the same. They both hugged, as they hadn't seen each other in a long time.

"I haven't seen you in so long."Sehun said as he happily talked with Chanyeol. Chanyeol seemed to be happy to see his maknae again. As Chanyeol's back was towards me, I mouthed to Sehun 'Thank you'. Sehun grinned at me and nodded while Chanyeol was chatting away. After Sehun and Chanyeol chatted, Sehun left for his job and Chanyeol looked back at me.

"Here is your Americano."I said quietly.

"What's wrong?"Chanyeol asked with a grin.

"Nothing...."I said while looking away. Chanyeol then caressed my face with his gigantic hand.

"Are you sure?"He asked. I didn't say a word and just nodded. Chanyeol then smiled, grabbed his Americano, and left. Before he left, he said,

"See you later, HyeRim!"While waving his hands in the air. I then waved goodbye and as he left, I sighed deeply. That was really scary....

After work, I came back home to find Kai sleeping on the couch again. His tie was loosened and his jacket was on the arm of the couch. He must've been very busy today for him to be knocked out on the couch. I sat on one of the arms of the couch and petted Kai's head.

"You must've been busy today, huh? It must be hard.... Be strong, Kai."I said.

"I will."I suddenly heard. I looked down to see Kai looking up at me as he laid down. His eyes lit up as he saw me and smiled brightly looking up at me. My hand that was on his head was then moved to his cheek. Kai moved my hand to his cheek. He caressed my hand along his cheek, as he had wanted my touch all day long. He held my hand as my hand caressed his face. He then moved his lips towards the back of my hand and softly kissed it.

"I missed you."He softly mumbled. I couldn't help but smile at him.

"I missed you too."I quietly said. Kai then sat up on the couch and hugged me from my side. He laid his head on my lap as his arms wrapped my waist. I then remembered about Chanyeol earlier and thought for a moment... I feel so weird when Chanyeol hugs me like this, but when Kai does this.... It feels so natural and so... Nice.... Is it... Maybe...

Kai then got up from the couch and leaned his head towards me. He pecked my lips and smiled at me.

"HyeRim.... I've been wanting to tell you this ever since you came back to me.. I mentioned to you years ago, but I want to say it so many times to you.... I love you."He said. Both of his hands caressed my cheeks, as he looked me in the eyes. My lips then curled into a smile as I heard him say that. Those three words that make my body tingle every time he says it. My heart is beating so fast right now as my mouth begins to form the words. I finally know what I want to do... I finally know who I want to be with....

"I love you too."