• 𝚕𝚊𝚝𝚎 𝚗𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝 𝚛𝚒𝚍𝚎𝚜, 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚢𝚘𝚞 •
• 𝚕𝚊𝚝𝚎 𝚗𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝 𝚛𝚒𝚍𝚎𝚜, 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚢𝚘𝚞 • 𝚜𝚑𝚘𝚠𝚗𝚞
word count : 2,301 | main song : click here
“Sweetheart?”
I startled on my seat as that deep voice called me back to earth, seems like I went to deep in my thoughts. I straightened on my seat, before facing the man right next to me, his left hand on the steering wheel as the other reaching for mine to hold.
“Sorry, was I out for long?” I chuckled softly, letting his long fingers intertwined to mine, fitting like a puzzle piece as it warmed my skin instantly, despite the water droplets painting our car windows, making blurry colourful hues, traffic lights blending together with street signages. He squeezed my hand gently, shaking his head, “No, not really, but I think you missed out the part on us, deciding where to eat.” He glanced at me, lips tugged into a small smile yet it could lit the whole town in full brightness.
Ah, this gentleman, Son Hyunwoo.
“Umm—“ I inhaled deeply before letting it out into a long sigh, it’s hard to choose what to eat at this moment, because all I could think is how blessed I am to have him as my partner— but there’s this lump of thought that I couldn’t get a grasp on— oh, wait, food. Food first.
“There’s this steak restaurant that I’m quite curious about..” With my free hand, I grabbed and opened my clutch, searching for my phone to show Hyunwoo the place that I thought about. “And I think you’re going to like it.” I smiled before letting the brightness of my phone screen glows in front of me, as my fingers searching for the address of the mentioned restaurant.
“You know, I ate almost everything. I hope we don’t break our credit card limit for this one,” Hyunwoo chuckled and that joke actually made me laugh whole-heartedly. Didn’t realise that this kind of small moments tickles and tugged my heart-string. “We won’t, I promise you, it will not be like that Japanese Izakaya we went to. That was over-rated and over-priced.” I said, in between my laughs that slowly dies down into another silent ride. I kept thinking, we’ve been together for years, down the road, things were not easy for both of us. Him, being an active artist and me, merely a business-woman who apparently goes abroad occasionally. It didn’t occur to me, meeting someone like Hyunwoo in my life, clicked immediately with how he understands the side of my work and so does myself. But it was hard.
And my thoughts wander again.
Even though my mind wasn’t there, but I could feel how Hyunwoo’s hand didn’t let go of mine, his thumb softly caressing the back of my hand as he drives through downtown, passing through evening traffic that filled with people having their way back home or somewhere else— none of our businesses, anyway.
I sank way too deep in my thoughts, not realising that we’ve arrived in the restaurant I mentioned to him. “We’re here.” Hyunwoo sighed, unfastening his seatbelt and I did mine. Before I could even opened the car door, Hyunwoo was fast enough to opened it for me. There goes a skip in my heart beat, thanks to you, Son Hyunwoo. “M’lady.” He called, giving me a playful wink. “Stop it.” I laughed it off yet took his hand, getting out from the car. He hold my hand as he lead the way to the restaurant— oh my gosh, if I could slap his arm, I would, because I could feel the heat and red flushes on my cheeks right this moment. “No clapback moments, m’lady?” Hyunwoo teased me more, pushing my buttons at the right places. “Son Hyunwoo!” I smacked his arm with my clutch softly, before letting out a shy chuckle from my lips. “You better stop now or I’m gonna steal a half of your portion.” I jokingly exclaimed, walking a little bit fast, enough to face him as I walk backwards slowly. “Is it even possible for you to finish half of my portion?” Hyunwoo raised his eyebrow, “Maybe— Maybe a quarter?” I smiled apologetically before turning around to open the door, embellished with intricate ornaments and golden accents with cedar wood as it main point. The butler inside helped, smiling courtly before asking for how many people we need.
Thank goodness we decide to go for weekday night, there’s not much people inside the restaurant anyway.
As the butler lead us to our table, Hyunwoo kept his pace behind me and I could feel a slight tug from him which made me turn around. I raised my eyebrow in curious, waiting for his words. “You look amazingly ethereal in that dress.” He smiled softly, mentioning about the black silk maxi dress that I chose for tonight’s dinner date. It hugged my figure perfectly, and it seems like this man, is loving what he sees. Bingo. He snaked his hand to my arm, feeling the softness of the bare skin before placing a quick kiss on my temple.
We are seated a little bit far back, with curved high sofa cladded with a dark brown leather and a rounded marble table for us. Hyunwoo let me take the seat first before he scooted closer next to me. The butler placed two menu books for both of us to scan through, and I could tell Hyunwoo already made his choice the second he opened the menu. “I’m getting the steak.” He said softly, eyes carefully reading through every words on the menu book, and I found it such an endearing sight with his brows furrowed in focus, slight pouted lips and his hand occasionally brushes his chin, a habit of his.
I love him. So much.
I unconsciously smiled watching his antics, before decided on what food is perfect to fill this empty, grumbling stomach. The butler took quick notes on our orders before taking the menus, leaving us in private after filled our glass with water to start off. “I ordered us red wine, it’s perfect for the occasion, and finally—” He said, before taking a sip of his water. “Finally, a time for us to have a very, extremely, private dinner date.” I continued his sentence earning a hearty chuckle from Hyunwoo. “Seriously, it’s either your manager would call in the middle of us eating, or Jooheon asking for a FaceTime,” I laughed with him, wrapping my arm onto his. The perks of having a sofa seated table. “Do not fret, my love,” Hyunwoo grabbed his phone from his pocket, showing the black screen to me. “I turned off my phone so they won’t have the chance to bug us.” He said, slipping his phone back to where it belongs. I gave him a high five before sighing in content. How long has it been, having this intimate moment with only him alone?
The dinner went smoothly, as we both expected; phones off, no distractions, amazing food we must say, great ambience, oh did I mention how many times Hyunwoo complimented the leather seat? Seems like someone might want to get one for himself. We chatted, catching up with both of our lives, laughed our hearts out, fingers intertwined with red wine stained both of our lips.
This night, we let our heartstrings tugged, pulling into each other closer, and closer. All the small moments, etched deep into our souls. And this is when that passing thought came back to my mind.
What does the future brings for us?
It seems like Hyunwoo could read my thoughts, his eyes glued to mine, knocking on the windows of my soul and I let him in. He softly took my hand to his lips, placing a warm kiss on the back of my hand before we decide to go back to our ride.
The ride is silent, as the night grows colder and darkness engulfs the skies with stars blinking brightly, shining through dreams that are now caught by the emptiness of the air. I have to say, I’m starting to feel the tension between us thickens. It felt uncomfortable, but I can’t just blurt it out to him— not really a proper timing to speak anything out, I must say.
The road we’re taking, it seems unfamiliar for me, but looking at how Hyunwoo is still calm and collected, I let things slide as we went to the highway, far from our shared apartment and that’s when my thoughts are broken. I looked at Hyunwoo, questioning him on where we’re going next only to be replied with a small smile and him reaching for my hand, placing a quick kiss again on the back of my hand; you really know how to melt my heart instantly, don’t you. “You’ll know. Just wait a little bit more okay.” He calmly replied.
Now I can see the highway leads to a road with a visible skyline of the city, large trees filled the side of the road with steep cliff on the other. The glimmering view caught my attention, and I stare in awe, never thought the bustling city would look this beautiful at this time. Hyunwoo drives through the night road, still holding my hand and the sweet tune of LANY’s ILYSB buzz through the radio. Now I realise where he’s taking me to.
To the place we spent most late-nights talking our hearts out without anyone around,
To the place we spent ungodly hours waiting for that golden-purple hues rising up in the horizon,
To the place where our laughters echoed through the dark skies,
To the place I broke down in heaved breathing, with Hyunwoo holding me close, mending the broken pieces with his own hands,
To the place he laid out his raw, bare feelings to me.
To the place with our most fondest memories of each other.
He pulled over the side, right on the empty soil that views the very best of the city-skyline, lights glittering, showcasing how beautiful the night is. As both of us got out from the car, the night breeze brushes my bare skin, giving a little shiver as coldness strikes. Hyunwoo quickly draped his blazer jacket onto my shoulders, making sure I’m warm enough at this hour. The silence in the air made the sound of our heartbeat audible as I watch Hyunwoo walk towards the road fence—
“Hyunwoo.” I called, approaching him slowly.
He only hummed in response, turning around to face me as he opened his arms, letting myself moulded into his figure, basking in his warmth and inhaled his white musk and bergamot mix perfume. “I know what you’ve been thinking, sweetheart.” He said softly, brushing a strand of hair to the back, to see my face clearer as he cupped my cheek. “Your mind is elsewhere, I know that.” He placed a soft, lingering kiss on my crown. I sighed deeply, nuzzled into his built. Gosh, I could melt into a puddle if he didn’t hold me like this.
“I’m sorry—“
“You don’t have to be sorry, sweetheart.” Hyunwoo pulled back a little, taking a good look on my face before smiling warmly.
“I’m just, I’ve been thinking, Hyunwoo. It’s been a long time since we’re together in this journey, and, I’m just—“ I inhaled a deep breath before continuing my sentence, my heart thrums crazily inside,
“Thinking about the future? I told you, sweetheart. I know.” Hyunwoo, the most calm man he is, I have no idea who could he stay composed with this kind of topic, a serious topic that might lead us to something more. “I’ve been thinking the same too. And I’m pretty sure, we have the same thought.” Hyunwoo chuckled, letting his grip on my figure off as he stepped back.
Years have passed and do you know how much I’m blessed to have you, my love?
We met in such surprising timing, we never thought this would happen in the first place but look how fate play around with us, it seems like even the heavens are in our favour.
Even though is was hard, or maybe, still tough being in a relationship like this, but if I died and live another life,
I would go and find you earlier than before, and do this all over again with you.
I know it wasn’t easy for both of us in the beginning, but look how far we’ve grown together, my love.
And I’d go through heaven and hell with you. For thousand times, and more.
Every day, I wished I’ve met you sooner, so I could love you longer, and much much more.
And now, all I can give to you is forever.
I clutched tightly onto Hyunwoo’s blazer that draped perfectly on my figure, tears already pooling on my eyes as my brain tried to process all the words coming out from Hyunwoo.
My love, my sweetheart, my food fighter, and the most-sometimes nags a lot-partner in crime,
“Will you be my forever, will you marry me?”
Hyunwoo already on his knee, with a diamond ring on his hands secured perfectly on a black velvet box.
“Yes. And, Hyunwoo, please be my forever too.” Tears of happiness rolled down onto my cheeks, a soft chuckle escaped from my lips and I squealed when Hyunwoo crashed me into a tight hug. Hyunwoo slipped the finger onto my ring finger, and I saw his teary eyes, “You have no idea how long I’ve been preparing for this moment.” He chuckled in relief, sighing contently before pressing his lips onto mine. I want the time to be stopped at this moment, I just want to sink everything in—
“I can imagine you repeating those sentence all night, and Kihyun probably smack you really hard so you can sleep.”
“That actually happened.”
And that’s, when our night ride continues its own story.
𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚞𝚎?
𝚜𝚎𝚕𝚎𝚌𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚛𝚊𝚌𝚝𝚎𝚛 :
𝚜𝚑𝚘𝚠𝚗𝚞 | 𝚠𝚘𝚗𝚑𝚘 | 𝚖𝚒𝚗𝚑𝚢𝚞𝚔 | 𝚔𝚒𝚑𝚢𝚞𝚗 | 𝚑𝚢𝚞𝚗𝚐𝚠𝚘𝚗 | 𝚓𝚘𝚘𝚑𝚎𝚘𝚗 | 𝚒.𝚖