The Melody

~Beast~

There is no way I can explain why I did not push her away. I was acting calm but there was chaos in my mind. I could have stopped her, but I didn't.

Whatever happened wasn't her fault. She was overjoyed to see the garden and might have felt emotional toward me. It was just a weak moment for her. But I am not a weak person. Still, I felt helpless when she approached me. In fact, I didn't even realize what we were doing until I opened my eyes.

She was panicking. She wanted to run away. I knew she regretted doing that. And I felt guilty for it. While the guards helped us come out of the web of fairy lights, I saw how disturbed she was. I had told her that we will pretend it never happened but she seemed to be even more embarrassed after that. It was tough to understand what could have made her feel better.

She didn't talk to me until we got out of the garden. She waited for us to be alone but I was afraid. I had never felt so weak in my life. It was as if I had no control over myself and I feared it the most.

Just a day ago she told me that she trusted me. But I had broken her trust. Only if I had been in control, I could have stopped her from kissing me.

"Don't worry too much," she said trying to avoid looking at me.

"I'm not worrying, it's okay. It... happens." I lied. Although for me it was a rare thing, I didn't know about her. I just didn't know what to say to make it less awkward.

"Yes, it happens all the time." she shrugged and laughed.

"Yes Of course it was just a kiss! I mean," I pursed my lips. I was making blunders.

"What? No! It wasn't a kiss..." she laughed strangely. "It was just that... you were standing too close and... umm. Yes, it was like a head clash but not with the head."

I couldn't understand what she was trying to say but I understood that she didn't consider it a kiss. I should have felt better but I didn't. I felt disappointed.

I saw her walk inside the house and I called out to her.

"Listen," I said.

"Hmm?" she asked turning around.

"Boyoung, I hope you are happy after seeing my garden," I said.

"I am," she replied with some hesitation. She was probably disgusted with what happened in the end.

"I wanted to apologize, for forcing you into this deal," I said.

"No, don't be," she said looking a bit worried.

"You can go back home now. I won't break the deal with your father's company," I informed. I took that decision during the day itself. I knew she had been hiding in a corner and crying over her engagement. I didn't know what the issue was, but I didn't want to cause her more trouble.

"W-what?" she was shocked.

"It was very childish of me to tie you into this deal, I am sorry. I did it when I wasn't in good health." I confessed.

"Because of the rain? I thought you were still in the same phase right now?" she asked.

Her questions were always blunt. I had no answer for them.

"I don't know, I don't feel so sick this time," I said.

She rolled her eyes and walked toward me. I thought she would be happy but she was very angry.

"Mr. Seo, everything can not work as per your mood swings, okay?" she said pointing a finger at me.

"What do you mean? I am saying things in your favor! You still have a problem with that?" I questioned. She was confusing me.

"That's what I don't want! I don't want your favor. Who knows you might get sick again and get back at me?"

I didn't have an answer to that. I couldn't guarantee my own decisions, because I was losing control over myself ever since I met her.

"I will not leave this place before I grow a blue rose all by myself. No matter what happens! Okay?" she commanded.

I wanted to argue with her about that but she turned around and walked away. I tried to call her back but she didn't stop.

~Beauty~

I collapsed on my bed wondering what was wrong with me. First, I kissed him. Then I felt embarrassed about doing that because I had forced myself on him. But when he said we should pretend like it never happened, then I got angry at him.

I was disappointed, but it wasn't his fault. I should have controlled my raging hormones and kept my lips away from him! Anyway, it wasn't important for him to feel the same way as I did. He was not at fault if it didn't mean anything to him. It shouldn't have meant anything to me as well but... I didn't understand what was wrong with me.

I tried to make it easy for him by telling him that I didn't think of it as a kiss. I didn't want him to feel awkward around me. Above all, I was afraid he would never come close to me after what I did. My mind was in a mess.

I hope he forgets all about it. He said he never went on an actual date but maybe such kisses are common for him.

And the fact that I turned down his offer to end this deal makes me look stupid. He was right, it was all in my favor. But I didn't feel good at all. The thought of going away from him scared me as much as I was scared to go closer to him.

Wherever this is going, I think I might land in some trouble soon. But I can't help it. Maybe I can think logically right now, but I can't think straight when he's there in front of me. I feel helpless and it scares me.

~Beast~

I woke up with a call from my secretary. He said we had to schedule the shoot for the promotional video soon. I had to free Miss Park to go to the office. She was designing what I would wear for the video. I finally had some time alone in the house. But it felt empty.

Perhaps it was because Mrs. Cha wasn't home either. But I had some work in hand. I had to prepare the song I was going to sing. It had to be a very short song. But my advertising team was giving me a tough time because they decided on a weird theme for the video. It was a proposal scene. I had to write something romantic which I had never done before.

I sat on my chair in the study and tried to think of something. But nothing came to my mind. I didn't even know where to start.

I felt something on my leg and looked down to find Latte playing under the table. I took him in my arms and he curled up to cuddle.

"Ya! I really need some help today" I told him.

He looked up at me as if he was listening.

"Can you suggest to me something romantic to write? How should I start?" I asked him.

He bent his head low and looked disappointed since he couldn't help.

"Oh right, you've never had a girlfriend too..." I said while patting him. "Huh, how is this going to work? I can't even think of the lines, how would I give music to it!" I panicked.

I was about to call my advertising team to change the theme but the doorbell rang and I got distracted. Latte jumped from my lap and ran towards the door. I kept my phone aside and went behind him.

He stood at the door and barked. I knew he had sensed a stranger outside. I thought the person might have had an appointment which I forgot.

When I opened the door, a man was standing outside. I had never seen him before. He was almost the same height as mine and of similar build. He had a guitar hung across his shoulder and he smiled at me brightly.

"Did you have an appointment?" I asked.

"Um, no, not exactly!" he shrugged.

I was confused about how he was allowed inside. I did not like meeting strangers.

"Just a minute," I said before stepping aside.

I used the intercom at my door to talk to the security while that man waited outside the door.

"Good morning, why wasn't I informed of a visitor? " I asked them

"Sorry Sir, we were told by Miss Park that it was urgent," they replied.

"Miss Park?"

"Yes, she told us to give him the pass."

I was so annoyed at her! She had started interfering with my security too.

"You work for me or Miss Park? " I questioned.

"Ah- Sorry sir, we thought she lives with you so..." the guard stammered.

"She lives here because of a deal! Okay?" I clarified. "Don't do this next time!"

I cut the call and went back to the door. The man smiled at me again.

"So, Miss Park sent you?" I asked him, still hesitant to call him inside.

"Ah yes. She is my friend from college, She called me in the morning and said you might need my help in writing and composing a song," he said.

I wondered how she knew I wouldn't be able to prepare a song for a romantic theme. Did she send that man to help me out or was she mocking me? But I could use some help if he was willing to offer it.

"Oh, Okay... please come in," I called him inside and he scanned through the house. As usual, he was in awe of it.

"Oh, by the way," I said. "I am Seo In Guk," I extended my hand toward him.

"Ah sorry I forgot to introduce myself," he said as he took my hand. "I'm Kwon Soo Hyun." he smiled.

"Are you a singer?" I asked because I liked the texture of his voice.

"Yes, I can help you with writing the lyrics and composing music," he said.

I took him to my study and got him something to eat and drink. He was very polite and playful. Surprisingly, I liked that. We got along well in a short time.

He gave me some ideas to write the lyrics but nothing came to my mind. Both of us tried coming up with a few lines but something was missing.

"Inguk-sshi, the song needs to come from your heart. Think about something which you love." Soohyun said.

"I love my blue roses," I said. "But not in a romantic way, I need to write a song for a proposal scene!"

"Hmm, it's difficult I know. But... why don't you close your eyes?"

"What?" I was disgusted by his childish suggestion.

"Just do it. And answer me in Yes or No" he said.

I didn't want to do it but I tried since he was insisting. I closed my eyes and waited for him to ask his questions.

"Is there something which makes you restless?" he asked.

The first thing that cropped up was the night when Boyoung went to meet that pervert all alone.

"Yes," I replied.

"Is there something which makes you feel relieved?" he asked immediately and didn't give me time to think much.

I always felt relieved when she returned home safely without falling into any trouble. That was the first thing I could think of.

"Yes," I replied.

"Is there something which drives you crazy?"

Of course, it had to be Boyoung! She was the one who drove me crazy enough to agree to this whole promotional video thing.

"Huh! Yes." I replied.

"Is there a smell that lingers in your mind even when you are not close to it?"

She smelled of lilies and that's all I could think of.

"Yes," I said.

"Were you thinking about a person all this time?" he asked

"Yes,"

"Do you like that person?" he asked without giving me any time.

"Yes," I said and my eyes flashed open.

Soohyun chuckled and looked away.

"I mean, I don't dislike her. So I assume that I like her, in that way, you know?" I clarified to Soohyun and myself.

"I got it, but you have your answer. Think about that person and write something," he said.

"What? But how can I -" I was confused. How could I write a romantic song with Boyoung in my mind? It was just wrong.

"Inguk-ssi, you don't have to tell me who she is. And it doesn't matter if she likes you back, but if you like her you can write something about her." he shrugged.

"But - I just said that I don't like here in that way!" I argued. But the look on his face told me that I wasn't winning.

"Wasn't there even a single moment when you romantically liked her?" he asked narrowing his eyes as if he could read my face.

I opened my mouth to negate him but I couldn't say anything. I was doubting myself, and Soohyun took advantage of it.

"Ah, there was a moment like that, right?" he said with a victorious smile.

I looked away and tried to ignore what he was saying. "It's not like that-"

"Think about that moment, and how you felt," he talked as if he knew everything.

I felt weak in controlling my thoughts. It was wrong of me to think of her romantically, especially after what I did last night when I unknowingly encouraged her to kiss me. It wasn't a kiss for her but I should have been more careful. I felt guilty when my mind kept reminding me of how my heart raced when I had her lips on mine.

All of that was so unlike me. But there was no way I could open my heart to her. It would only bring us pain and sorrow.

Nonetheless, I wrote a few lines and Soohyun agreed on it. He went home after having dinner. Boyoung was working overtime to get the outfits ready quickly. I had told Jae Sung to bring her back home since I didn't trust anyone else.

~Beauty~

"Did you really kiss him?" asked Doohyun who was sitting across from my table in the cabin.

"Ya! Don't frame it that way!" I objected. I didn't want to think of it as a kiss.

"But the way you explained it, makes it look like you kissed him!" she said keeping her voice low.

"Huh," I sighed and tried to fake a smile. "Doohyun-ah, it meant nothing to him. He said we should pretend that it never happened!"

"Woah, really? He said that?" she asked with her eyes wide open.

"Yes, I don't know why I acted that way without thinking."

"Eonnie, maybe it meant nothing to him. But did it mean anything to you?" she asked.

I didn't know how to answer that. Of course, it meant something to me since I was so touched. I had never been happier in my life. No man had ever made me feel so special before.

"Hmm, I know what your silence means," Do Hyun commented.

"It's not like that- " I tried to dismiss it.

"This is getting a little serious Eonnie. Think about your engagement too."

"I know about it," I answered feeling annoyed at the mention of my engagement. "Maybe I've started liking him a little, but -" I had nothing more to say. I put my head down on the table and whined about my situation.

"I knew something like that would happen if you stayed with him. But I want you to think about it well Eonnie. If you have feelings for him then - "

"Just forget about it Dohyun-ah. None of this matters. I am engaged and he is not interested in me. So let's end the discussion here."

Dohyun didn't look very convinced with the way I tried to handle her arguments. She knew me too well and she was the only one who could understand what I was going through.

"You can put an end to the discussion eonnie. But you can't put an end to your feelings just like that," she said.

I felt scared. Was she right? What if I had fallen for him? What would I do about it? 

I had cold sweat on my palm since I was anxious about where my feelings would take me.

It took me a while to finish my work. Everyone else had already gone home. We didn't have many days left for the shoot of the promotional video. Jae Sung was waiting for me outside Belle House. I knew it was Inguk-sshi who might have told him to wait there. I had no idea why he was doing such things for me when he didn't have any feelings for me. It was just making things more difficult.

When I reached home, I thought he was asleep in his room. I changed into my nightdress and tried to sleep, but I couldn't. So I took out my laptop, plugged in my earphones, and started watching a drama. Sometimes I like watching those just to put my mind off my problems.

And I cry very easily. I was not even halfway through it and I started crying my eyes out. I was sobbing.

"Is something wrong? " I heard a voice and a knock on my door.

I was startled at first, but then I knew it had to be Inguk-sshi. So I wiped my tears and cleared my throat.

"No, I'm fine," I said.

There was silence for a while, I thought he already left. But then I heard his voice again.

"Can I come in?"

That was the worst time for him to look at me. My eyes were swollen and my face was red. But I couldn't say no to him either. I picked up my robe from the side and put it on.

"Sure, the door is open," I said and removed my earphones.

He pushed the door and walked inside. For a change, he wore a grey sleeveless shirt and some cozy pajamas. Even when my life was going upside down due to my feelings for him, I couldn't help but admire his biceps. I was sure I had gone crazy. What shameful behavior on my part.

"You look sad, what happened?" he asked, looking concerned.

"Ah, it's nothing, don't worry," I said.

"Then why were you crying so badly? I came to check if you were back and I thought something bad has happened," he said.

"No!" I chuckled. "I was watching this drama so - "

"Drama? you were crying over a fictional show?" he mocked.

"Ya! Do you even know how painful the story is?" I said rolling my eyes as I felt I might start crying again.

"What's so painful?" he asked.

"Huh," I pursed my lips and tried to hold my tears. "If the girl doesn't wish for the world to end before she dies, then the one she loves will die instead of her. " I said with my voice shivering. "And if she wishes for the world to end then - " I kept my hand on my nose to stop myself from weeping again. "- then, of course, her love would be left all alone!" I finished with a squeal.

"What nonsense is that?" he said with disgust.

He was being rude for no reason and I couldn't take it. So I picked up a pillow from my side and threw it at him.

"Don't you dare say that!" I shouted.

He dodged the pillow and watched it as it fell to the floor. He seemed very confused about my behavior.

"You're so weird, Boyoung," he said.

"You can leave now and let me watch in peace, Inguk-sshi," I said putting my earphones back.

I focused on my laptop while he walked towards the door. But he didn't leave.

"There must be a way to save both right?" he asked turning towards the bed.

I darted my eyes at him and smirked. "I think there is, she has an extra wish, but I don't know how it can help," I said.

He walked towards me and tried to peak in my laptop. "Can't she make a wish for more wishes?" he asked.

"Ya! That's never allowed." I said.

"Ah! Frustrating, Umm then - " he started thinking.

I paused the episode and looked up at him. He was carefully thinking about how to get the hero and heroine out of the situation. Just a minute ago he was acting like a no-nonsense guy and suddenly he seemed too interested. I found that cute and laughed.

"What?" he asked.

"Nothing, do you want to watch?" I offered.

He thought for a while before answering with another question. "Do you have all the episodes?"

"Yes," I said.

"Okay," he nodded.

I didn't know if there was a better place to watch drama other than my cozy bed so I didn't think much and shifted to one side. He adjusted himself next to me and slipped his legs inside my blanket. I flinched a little and he caught that.

"I will go and get my blanket," he said trying to get down from the bed, but I stopped him.

"It's okay, just let it be," I said.

He watched me intently to see if I had any discomfort on my face. But I nodded and assured him that it was okay. I kept the laptop in between us on top of the blanket and gave the right ear plug to him.

He shifted closer to me since the wire was short. I felt giddy when his arm brushed against mine but I didn't let it show on my face. I had never felt warmer in my blanket before. The best part was that I could smell fresh raspberries. I had no idea how many times he took shower in a day but he always smelled fresh.

I started the episodes but my mind was shuffling between the story and him. My robe was very thin so I could feel his warm skin on my arm. It felt moist and warm. Why did he have to wear a sleeveless shirt that night? Anyway, I was also concerned if he's understanding the story or not, so I kept interrupting and explaining it to him.

We were soon engrossed in it. But before I invited him to watch a drama, I didn't think of the kissing scenes. And it happened. I already had a hunch about it so I was panicking. Then I started checking my phone for no reason. On any other day, it wouldn't have been that awkward if I had not kissed him the night before.

"Ah, I think I should go and get some water," I said removing my earplug and trying to get down from the bed.

"There's a bottle next to you," he said calmly.

"What?" I asked.

"There, I can see it," he gestured towards the table on my side.

"Oh, okay... yes," I said hesitantly turning towards the table and slowly picking up the bottle so that the scene got over. I took a few sips from it and kept it back.

Thinking that I was successful in avoiding the situation, I got back to my position and put the earplugs on, only to see that he had paused the episode.

I gritted my teeth and cursed him. But suddenly I heard him burst out in laughter. I had never seen him laugh so much before. I glared at him but he didn't stop laughing.

"What is it?" I asked.

"Sorry but you're... you're so funny!" he said in between his laughs.

"What's so funny about me?" I asked while I tried not to start laughing as well.

"I know you were trying to avoid the scene," he laughed.

I started giggling with him. I couldn't hold it anymore.

"And you paused it for me, THANK YOU!" I said chuckling.

"Haha, it's okay, we can skip it now if you're uncomfortable," he said, still smiling at me.

"No, it's okay... I don't mind watching it now," I said pursing my lips.

He played the scene but I kept watching him. He still had a smile on his face. It was different from other days. He was smiling from his heart. I could see it reflect in his eyes. His dimples were pretty and it made my heart melt.

"You know what," I said. He turned his face towards me. "You should smile more often,"

He nodded and chuckled. "Why?" he asked.

"You look very handsome when you smile," I told him the only reason I should have kept to myself.

He smirked and kept watching me. Now that I think of it, I should have stopped right after that statement. But I wasn't in my senses.

"When you smile," I said leaning toward him as if he was a magnet. "your eyes start glittering," I ran my fingers softly on the side of his eye. He didn't even flinch.

My eyes fell on his nose. I took a finger down and touched the tip of it.

"Your nose shrinks, it's very cute," I chuckled as if I was hypnotized. I don't even remember how he reacted then.

I trailed my fingers gently on the side of his lips where he got his dimples.

"You get dimples here," I said. He wasn't exactly smiling by that time. I could feel his eyes on me, but I didn't care. I boldly moved my fingers to his lips. I gasped at their touch and how soft they felt.

"And your lips..." I said and looked up at him. He was staring right back at me and I shuddered.

I immediately dropped my hand down in terror. I was blinking rapidly and I bet he could see the nervousness on my face. Everything happened within a second and I was preparing myself to pull away from him.

But he grabbed my hand. I studied his face in confusion. 

He slowly brought my hand back to his face. I clenched my fist but he opened it and placed my fingers on his lips. I shivered but he kept holding my hand there firmly.

"What about them?" he asked in a low voice.

My heart was racing. I couldn't breathe at all. My stomach exploded with millions of butterflies. I wanted to tell him what I thought about his lips. That they were so kissable that I wanted to kiss them again. I leaned a little closer to him while he kept watching me intently.

I wanted to do it again, I wanted to kiss him. I didn't care if it was the right thing to do or not. But suddenly - 

Let's pretend it never happened

His words from last night started ringing in my head and I realized that I might be forcing myself on him again. With a lot of difficulties, I pulled my hand back.

"They are okay too," I shrugged and cleared my throat.

He smirked as if he knew I was lying.

"Let's continue the episode now," he said.

I nodded and played the video.

I got immersed in the story again and didn't think about him much. Sometimes our feet touched and I flinched, but he didn't seem to notice. When we got to the sad parts, I tried to hide my tears from him. But he would always extend his handkerchief towards me. I never saw any signs of sadness on his face though, he was mostly interested in whether the ending would be happy or not.

It got very late in the night but we kept watching it. I can't tell when I fell asleep, but I remember that it was the warmest night of my life.

~ Beast ~

"Wangjanim," I heard a familiar voice calling me while I was asleep. I am a light sleeper so I was confused why couldn't I open my eyes that morning? It felt very heavy.

"I don't want to get up," I mumbled and pulled the blanket over my face. I had guessed that Mrs. Cha was back from her vacation.

"Okay," she chuckled "But have breakfast once you get up. I have kept it here for both of you," she said.

I nodded in my sleep. But suddenly it struck me. BOTH of you?

My eyes popped open and I removed the blanket from my face. I looked around and to my horror, I wasn't in my room. At first, I thought I was still dreaming, but then I felt something heavy on my right arm. I squeezed my eyes and opened them wide. I realized I was in Boyoung's room.

I gulped in and looked to my side. I was terrified of how I would react if she was there sleeping next to me. And Indeed, there she was. 

But strangely, I felt very content when I saw her head placed on my arm. I was anxious but I wanted to keep looking at her. She looked so small next to me as if she was a baby. I noticed that she had kept one hand on my chest and I had wrapped the arm on which she was sleeping around her shoulder. Ideally, I should have moved away immediately. But I didn't want to wake her up.

It was very peaceful for me to watch her sleep. She looked very calm and happy. Her face was covered with her hair so I moved them away to have a good look at her. She was very close to me and I felt warm next to her. I didn't remember when and how we ended up that way, but I was happy that it happened. It was the best morning of my life.

~Beauty~

I hadn't slept so well for a long time. I opened my eyes feeling fresh and happy. It felt cozy as if a warm blanket was wrapped around me. I nuzzled on something which I felt was my pillow. But again, pillows don't smell like raspberries.

I panicked and opened my eyes properly, only to find that I was cuddled next to Inguk-sshi. I lifted my head and looked all around the room. Then slowly I got reminded that we were watching a drama together and probably slept right after it ended. I sat on the bed and tried to recall if I did something stupid again while sleeping. But I couldn't remember anything.

"You're up?" he asked and started getting down from the bed. "Gosh! my arm hurt!" he stretched his arm on which I had been sleeping.

"Ah, I am sorry, I don't remember when I slept," I said.

He got down and nodded. "It's okay, I don't remember either," he said.

"Okay," I was at a loss of words.

"Mrs. Cha has kept our breakfast here, do you want me to take it to the dining room?" he asked.

"What? she is back?" I asked.

"Yes. I think she came to our room in the morning," he said and pursed his lips. "I mean, your room." he cleared his throat.

"What? That means she saw us together?" I shouted.

"Relax, Boyoung!" he said. "We were just sleeping," he said.

"But, what would she think?" I panicked.

"She won't think anything, she knows me too well for that. Get ready and come down for breakfast," he said taking the breakfast trolley along with him.

I sat there feeling helpless and scared to face Mrs. Cha that morning. My strategy was, to ignore her as much as possible.

~ Beast ~

I can't believe I am saying this, but I was happy the whole day. Boyoung went to the office right after breakfast. Soohyun came over to finish the song with me. He was a nice guy. By the time he left, I already started waiting for Boyoung to be back.

For once I wanted to be happy. I sat in my tulip garden and waited for her. I had no idea what I'd do when she was back. But I wanted to see her. Surprisingly I got a call from her at the same time. I picked it up immediately.

"Yes?"

"Inguk-sshi, I need to go to my home tonight," she said.

"What? Why?"

"My team made a plan to have dinner together, they want to do it at my home," she said.

"What nonsense, tell them you are busy," I objected.

"Ah, C'mon. I am leaving now bye, Good night," she said and cut the call.

I was frustrated. It felt weird to think that she wasn't going to be back home at night. I felt restless.

~Beauty~

I was at my home after a long time. I had reached early and cleaned everything up so that nobody knew I wasn't living there. The evening was going pretty well. We had brought some food and drinks. It was the first time that I was having a team gathering like that.

We were having some dessert once the dinner was over. There were a lot of things my team had to tell me about their experience in Belle House before I joined. I was having a good time.

"Oh, by the way, Boyoung-shhi," said Daeji. "Do you know, the Beast asked me to be with him in the promotional video?"

At first, I thought I heard something wrong, so I reconfirmed.

"What?"

"I'll be the actress in the video for which we are preparing outfits!" she said in excitement and everyone else cheered for her.

I felt as if my heart stopped beating. I was uncomfortable and angry. There was no reason to feel that way, but I did.

"Did he ask you for it?" I asked.

"Of course, actually he knew that I was also a model before joining Belle House," she said proudly.

"I see," I tried to fake a smile. I wondered if he was closer to Daeji. So much that he asked her for the role but didn't even consider informing me first.

"Yes, he is a control freak. When I joined here, he wanted to know everything about me," she said.

I tried my best not to lose my temper but my muscles started twitching.

"He did?" I asked gritting my teeth.

"Yes, Oh and I almost forgot to tell you. The last time I was having coffee with him, I mistakenly told him that you were engaged. Later I felt it was wrong to tell your personal details to someone else," she explained.

"It's okay" I smiled forcefully but I started to lose my temper. I understood how he had come to know about my engagement. He tried to act smart in front of me earlier. And he said he never went on a date with anyone then what about his coffee dates with Daeji?

I couldn't focus on anything else the rest of the time. I worried if I had been wrong about him all along and he was just playing with me! I wanted to call him right away and confront him. I didn't concentrate on what the others were talking about and kept cursing him.

"Mr. Seo," I heard someone call out.

I was confused why someone would take his name so I looked around. And I was shocked to see him walk into the living room. He wore a white shirt that wasn't tucked in and blue denim jeans. It seemed as though he had dressed casually for the party. But I had no idea that he was invited.

"So Belle House was having a team party without me?" He smirked and glanced at me. But I looked away since he made me even angrier.

"Oh, you said you were busy earlier but you still came! Thank you," said Daeji smiling at him.

What made me more annoyed was that he smiled back at her as if he had come just because of her.

The dinner was already over so he was there only for the dessert and drinks. I wasn't talking to him at all. I didn't care what others thought, but I was mad at him for deceiving me.

It was close to midnight when everyone prepared to leave. I went to see them off and waited for Mr. Seo to leave as well. But he stayed till everyone was gone. I thought I should confront him.

"Why aren't you going back?" I asked as he walked inside the house. I followed him and locked the door. I was determined to make him answer all my questions.

"I'll help you clean the dishes and then we can go back together," he said as he went into the kitchen.

"Just tell me what you want?" I questioned him.

He looked confused but he didn't take my words seriously. He rolled up his sleeves to do the dishes. I ran to him and stopped him.

"Enough with your act! Tell me why you're doing this to me?" I asked.

"What are you talking about?"

"As if you don't know? I trusted you so much and all you did was lie to me!" I shouted.

"What did I lie about?" He asked sounding a bit annoyed.

"Everything! I think you tricked my father into this just to get back at me. I don't know what you're planning!"

He took a deep breath and grabbed my shoulders.

"Boyoung, what happened to you all of a sudden?" he asked politely but I could sense the tension in his voice.

"Don't touch me," I said shrugging his hands off and walking away.

"What happened?" He asked a little louder.

"How do you know Daeji?" I asked in a low voice because I felt heartbroken.

He rolled his eyes and walked toward me.

"Not her again, did she say something to you?" He asked trying to hold me.

"I said stay away from me!"

"Boyoung, stop acting like a child and tell me what she told you?" He shouted.

"How does it matter what she told me? Now I know what kind of a person you are!" I said with my eyes brimming with tears. I ran away from the kitchen and went to my room.

He followed me and before I could shut the door, he pushed it open and came inside.

"Get out of my room!" I shouted.

He charged at me and held my arms firmly.

"Not before you tell me what I'm asking," he gritted his teeth and pinned me to the wall next to my dressing table.

"Let me go!" I struggled but he blocked my way with his hands on either side of me.

"Tell me what's bothering you! Tell me right now," he warned.

I gathered all my courage not to cry or look weak in front of him. But I knew my eyes were red since I was holding on to the tears.

"How did you know of my engagement? From her right?" I said while I shuddered in fury.

"Ah!" He sighed and got angrier. "She just happened to tell me, what's my fault in that?"

"But you never told me that! Nor did you tell me about her! That you met her on coffee dates!" I shouted.

"Boyoung!" He objected. "It wasn't a date,"

"Then what was it? Just your gossip session to discuss my personal life? Do you still do that and make fun of me?" I screamed holding on to my tears.

"MISS PARK!" he said at the top of his lungs. "I would never do that, do you get it?"

I opened my mouth to argue but he used one of his hands to cover my lips.

"Shut up and listen to me," he looked furious with his eyes turning red. I struggled to breathe and watched him.

"It was not a date. We were in my cabin and I ordered coffee for her as I do with everyone!" He said. "She has an old habit of twisting things and starting rumors,"

A tear rolled down my eye and fell on his hand. He immediately moved it away from my mouth. I took a deep breath and questioned him again.

"Why did you ask her to be with you in the promotional video?" I asked because it still bothered me.

"WHAT? I did not! How could I do it without telling you?" He said cupping my face.

"Then was she lying?" I asked mocking him.

"She might have twisted the truth but I was not involved in the decision-making, trust me!" He said.

"Why should I trust you?" I said taking his hands off my face.

"You said you trusted me, what happened now?" He asked getting annoyed.

"Because you confuse me! Why did you come here today on Daeji's invitation then?" I questioned. For some reason, I couldn't get her out of my head.

"WHAT! You think I came because of her?" He shouted.

"Of course! I saw how you smiled at her. It makes me think you're just playing with my emotions," I blamed him.

"Seriously? That's what you think of me now? A womanizer?" He asked.

"Who knows? The way you said we should pretend we never kissed, I don't know what else to expect,"

"You said it wasn't even a kiss for you," he gritted his teeth.

"Because it didn't mean anything to you either, now I know why,"

"Why do you think?"

"Because you were lying to me all along. You already have someone like Daeji in your life! I don't know what you were doing with me ALL THIS TIME!" I shouted at him.

"WILL YOU SHUT UP?" He grabbed my shoulders and pressed me harder against the wall.

"No! I'm not afraid of you! I don't care if you're the Beast or whatever!" I announced.

"Boyoung," he said glaring at me. " Don't make me angry, it won't be good for you" he threatened me.

I leaned closer to his face and looked him straight in the eyes.

"I SAID. I am NOT AFRAID OF YOU,"

He suddenly grabbed my neck. I panicked but it didn't choke me. I didn't move my eyes away from him.

"Don't make me do anything which you'll regret later," he warned me.

"What will you do? Kill me?" I asked while he kept holding my neck.

"Shut up!" He threatened me to keep quiet.

"Go ahead," I said.

"Stop talking,"

"Kill me, if you hate me so much!" I kept provoking him. I don't know why wasn't I afraid that he could have easily choked me.

"Boyoung," he clenched his jaws and shivered in anger. "You are responsible for what I've become," he said.

That's the last thing I heard from him before I felt his grip loosen on my neck. All of a sudden my jaws were cupped in his hands and the next moment, his lips were on mine.

My eyes were shut from disbelief and anxiety. I could only feel my lips captured in his mouth. My mind couldn't process what was happening. I froze in that position and couldn't even move my lips. But he was already out of breath and stopped for a second.

"What are you doing?" I asked in shock.

I had kept my eyes closed while I felt his temple resting on my forehead. He was breathing heavily. He left my face and pulled me towards him by the waist. As if he was trying to feel my body against him.

"Isn't this what you wanted me to do?" He whispered and caught a breath.

He went for my lips again and my hands went to his nape. My lips started moving in synch with him. But my mind wasn't agreeing with what was happening. I kept trying to deny it.

"Stop kissing me," I said in between the kisses.

"Then stop kissing me back," he said before taking my lips in his mouth once again.

I wrapped my arms around his neck and gave up on all my struggles. That's when he pushed me towards the dressing table. With one move of his hand, he wiped off everything kept on it.

Before I could fuss about the loss of my costly cosmetics, he lifted me by the waist and placed me on the table. I felt jitters all over my body. My senses stopped working. I could only hear his heavy breaths as he kissed me. My heart kept pounding while I dug my fingers in his hair.

"I came here because I missed you," he said panting heavily. His face was flushed red and he was sweating.

I couldn't reply because he sealed my lips again as if he was hungry. I kissed him back trying my best to match him. I felt glad to know that he missed me. 

His kisses were unruly and so were mine. I could imagine that it was the first time for both of us.

"Huh," I moaned as I felt the pressure with which he was kissing me. "I missed you too," I somehow spoke.

He started kissing me more and I felt his hands move down my neck.

"Inguk-sshi," I whispered against the kiss as I felt his hands reaching the curves of my chest.

He suddenly caught my lips in his teeth and bit me. I flinched because it pained a little, still I didn't stop kissing him. But he suddenly felt something and pulled away.

"What," I asked catching a breath.

"You're bleeding," he said looking concerned.

I touched my lip and turned my head to look at the mirror. I had a small cut.

"I hurt you," he said.

"No," I objected.

His eyes went down to his hand which was on my chest. He immediately took it back and moved away.

"Boyoung, leave the room right now," he said.

"Why!" I got down from the dressing table and held him.

"Just leave me for now, I won't be able to control myself," he said shivering.

"It's okay, don't control yourself," I said holding his face. "I want this too,"

"NO! We can't go that far," he said panting. I could see that he was worried and I didn't want to force him.

"Okay, okay. Don't worry I'll go." I said before hesitantly walking out of the room.

I was worried for him. I knew both of us were not in control that night. But he was having a tough time holding himself back. He seemed to be struggling and I needed to know why. I needed to think about what we did and what it would mean in the future.

~

Sneak Peek :

"I don't understand what your problem is!" Boyoung shouted at Inguk.

"You can never understand it so better keep your nose out of it," he argued.

"Fine. I won't ask you anything. But you know what I think, you are just making excuses! I don't think you have any real problem," she said.

"What did you say?" Inguk objected.

"Yes, all this rain thing is a just a fictional story of yours!" Boyoung said as she heard a clap of thunder.

"I need to go home," Inguk panicked.

"Great. Go home if you want then! But don't ever talk to me," she said before walking away.

*********

A/N : Thanks for reading! Please leave your comments I love them 😍😘

Sorry for any mistakes it was a long text and I didn't have time to proof read 😶

See you all in the next chapter when we reach the middle of the story 💘

Next update might be a little late! Sorry 😬