Chapter 49: Giddy

  "Hey, isn't this the same show we watched when I had dinner at your place?"

That night, it was as if Lu Minzhe had been bitten by a chatterbug; he seemed to have endless things to talk about. Miyeon, who had originally wanted to focus on watching her drama, had to consciously hold an exasperated sigh. Out of courtesy, Miyeon willed herself to focus on Lu Minzhe's idle chatter but to no avail. 

'Goodness. This boy sure can talk. I wonder what his fans would think if they see this side of their esteemed CEO Lu,' she mused.

"I didn't expect they'd kill off Logan at the end of season 2. Poor guy. Just when he was about to get together with….Miyeon? Miyeon? Are you listening to me?" (Lu Minzhe)

"Huh? Oh yes," Miyeon said with a straight face. 'I have no idea what he was talking about.'

"Really? So we are good for next week right?" Lu Minzhe inquired without batting an eye.

"Mhmm. For sure," Miyeon responded absentmindedly.

"Great!" Lu Minzhe cheerily replied.

"Wait! What?! What's happening next week?" she asked, surprised.

"We're watching a movie of course," he said, giving her a playful wink to which Miyeon responded with a deadpan look.

"…."

"That's what you promised earlier. Or were you not paying attention? Hmm?"

"Uh...I was.." she answered insincerely. 'I was not!' 

"I'll pick you up at noon. We can grab lunch first," Lu Minzhe said with a charming smile.

"Seriously like a bulldozer," Miyeon muttered under her breath. 

"Hmm?" Lu Minzhe asked, tilting his head towards her.

"Nothing. I said I can't wait," Miyeon answered lying through her teeth.

And so, the two conversed for nearly an hour; this time Miyeon made sure to listen attentively to this shameless man's ramblings lest she unintentionally promises another 'date' with Lu Minzhe. Thankfully, Shu Li emerged from the bathroom after a long hot shower. 

"You guys are still up? Not tired?" Shu Li asked with a yawn.

"Not at all! We're —" Lu Minzhe began energetically.

"Yes! I'm pooped! I'm turning in for the night. Minzhe-ge feel free to let yourself out in the morning! Shu— let's go!" Miyeon interjected as she quickly stood up and eagerly pushed her friend towards the bedroom.

"Huh? Bu— Wait!" Lu Minzhe called out only to be met with a slamming of the door. A few seconds later, he heard a click and a part of Miyeon's beautiful face came into view.

"Goodnight!" she said, quickly closing the door before he had any chance to reply.

Lu Minzhe who saw through Miyeon's obvious efforts to call it a night since he first sat beside her in the living room, began to softly chuckle. 

"You must be tired since you just returned from back to back business trips," Miyeon casually commented.

"Nope. Not tired at all," Lu Minzhe quipped back.

"Ah..still it's pretty late. I'm sure you have other engagements tomorrow." (Miyeon)

"Nope. I'm taking tomorrow off." (Lu Minzhe)

"Ah…I see." (Miyeon)

"Well, it's good to sleep early during weekends. You'll be more well rested in the morning." (Miyeon) 

"I usually run on 4-5 hours of sleep. That's enough to get me well rested. So the night is still young," he said honestly. This comment earned him a flabbergasted look from Miyeon.

"…" 'Does he intend for me to stay up with him?! Forget playing host! I'm going to bed!' she thought incredulously.

As he further recalled how she had slowly inched closer to the edge of the sofa whenever he leaned towards her, Lu Minzhe's lips raised unconsciously. His heart felt warm and there were butterflies in his stomach. For the first time in nearly 30 years, he felt giddy and excited. 

Lu Minzhe had dated several girls previously in prep school as well as university. They were all the same type: sophisticated, intelligent, and attractive girls who were members of the C Country high society. Though he felt attraction and genuinely cared for all of his female companions it was more of a quiet and stable partnership that was beneficial for both families. When he is near Miyeon it feels like he's swallowed a drum. There's a thumping noise in his chest that keeps ringing in his ears. He's anxious when he doesn't see her. Perhaps...could this be…? Lu Minzhe ended up lying awake that night pondering about his feelings. 

.....................…

**Back to that Sunday morning**

Miyeon was crouched in front of the unconscious man in her living room. 

'How was he able to sleep comfortably on this tiny sofa?' she wondered. 'Oh, he has really long lashes.' Miyeon noticed. As she leaned forward to take a closer look at the man's sleeping face, Lu Minzhe's eyelashes suddenly fluttered open causing Miyeon to yelp and lose her balance. Her upper body fell directly on top of the man's broad and sturdy chest. 

Lifting her head, her eyes came face to face with an extremely surprised Lu Minzhe. For a few seconds, neither of them spoke; the pair simply had their gazes fixed on each other. 

Then Miyeon turned her face to the side as she winced in embarrassment. 'Did I just get caught admiring his face!?' 

"Sorry. I was trying to wake you to ask if you wanted breakfast," she said with slightly flushed cheeks as she propped herself to a standing position.

Lu Minzhe finally let out the breath he had been holding when he felt Miyeon's weight lift from his body. 

"Oh. Haha. Yes. My secretary should be coming over with breakfast shortly," Lu Minzhe said, running his fingers through his hair and fanning himself with his other hand. 'Is it just me or it's hot in here?' For some odd reason, his palms felt sweaty. Miyeon's sudden proximity made him feel nervous but he also felt a sense of loss when their bodies moved apart.

"Oh. Hmmm. Then I'll make some coffee and wake up Shu Li," Miyeon said with a small smile before walking to the kitchen. For a little while only the sounds of the coffee machine could be heard in the apartment.

Amidst that comfortable silence, 'Thump! Thump! Thump!' went the beating drum in Lu Minzhe's heart.