4

Chapter 4

Jae Hwa's house was massive. It was modern. It was minimalist. It was the type of house you would only see in movies. Its clean lines and large spaces colored with nature only made me the more curious about its owner - the house suited her well. The lush, green grass of the lawn was trimmed neatly and swayed in the air softly as the sight entranced me and made my breath fall short. Her house was elevated above the ground and there were marble stairs leading up to the entrance, alongside the bonsai trees that decorated the floor. Complementary to the grayish walls, dark-brown wood lined the walls elegantly.

"It's beautiful," I breathed, unable to hide the awe and admiration I was feeling.

She laughed lightly in response.

Leading me towards the door, she proceeded to unlock the door in swift motions. I didn't know why my voice was quiet as I passed through the door.

Ah, I just stepped into Jae Hwa's house, and it smelled like her. It smelled like a beautifully sweet vanilla-coffee scent.

"Do you live alone?" I asked, stepping into the living room.

"Yes. I moved here by myself." She casted a look towards me before intertwining our hands, her slender fingers wrapped around mine.

"Do you ever get lonely?" I asked, trying to understand how she felt.

"I'm used to it. I'm not lonely. I'm fine."

She stated that confidently, but I could see traces of loneliness hiding behind her eyes.

I slowly leaned in and wrapped my arms around her. Both of our bodies clenched against each other. I could feel a slight flinch. She seemed to hesitate at first but slowly relaxed into my embrace.

"It's alright, Jae Hwa. I'm here. I'm here..." I whispered, holding her tighter. She buried her face into the crook of my neck. "I'm here, Jae Hwa. I'm right here."

After a while, she found it in herself to respond."I know."

"Shall we get to studying then?" I said, pulling away from her embrace reluctantly and sitting down on the couch.

She sat beside me, her eyes lingering on the textbooks I brought.

"Do you need help with English?" she started, "I'd say my English is pretty decent."

That was when I remembered; it was only natural for her to be good at English because she probably had to deal with the affairs of her family's company after all. Furthermore, she had come first for every single exam we had. Wow. Success came so naturally to her - it really was the right idea coming here.

"Sure, that would be a great help since I'm bad at English." I winced at the blunt admission but it was true.

"Let's get started then." she laughed, reaching out for a notebook and pen.

With her legs folded on the couch, she looked ready to start her English tutoring. Absorbed in the lesson and her simple explanations that made me process the information easier, I found my heart beating a little faster. Every time I got something right, she would reward me by smiling and praising me. I had to admit, it felt good to get everything right because her smile was bewitching and sweet, like her scent. However, I was taken aback by how easily I understood English when she taught it - it was smooth, natural, and effortless. By the time we were done with the lesson, she had made me feel like I was ready for a test: it was fun.

"Shall we take a break?" she asked.

"Yes, let's take a break for now." I responded, my voice flowing out melodically.

"Do you want a tour of my house? I haven't had a guest over before."

"That sounds great."

Jae Hwa took me around her house and everything was clean and modern, fitting her style. Haah. I could feel the softness of her skin and the warmth of her body against mine as she showed me everything. At the end of the tour, she showed me the master bedroom. Jae Hwa's room.. ? Could it be, that kind of room, a place where she slept every day? So it meant that she was inviting me to that place - am I dreaming? My heartbeat sped up in an instant as a thousand thoughts invaded my mind.

Here I was, standing in the doorway of Jae Hwa's room. The room has a neutural colour scheme, with white furniture to adorn the darkish shades of the space. My eyes trailed towards the bed; it was huge and well made with a comforter and plump pillows. I felt like I was going to faint. What was she doing to me?

She turned around to face me, her alluring, golden eyes locked with mine. I was transfixed by her gaze and I couldn't see anything else but her at that moment.

"What are you thinking about?" she asked, slowly taking a step towards me.

"Huh?" I gasped.

"What are you thinking about?" she repeated, putting her arms around my neck.

"Jae Hwa.." Did she really have to be so close? My heart was racing.

"Mhmm?"

She was inches away from my face. How did she get so close? I swallowed hard and my mind went blank.

"What are you doing-" I began but I didn't have time to finish the sentence before she closed the distance between us.

I could see her long eyelashes fluttering shut as she leaned forwards to kiss me. I didn't move. I couldn't move.

Oh.

Her lips were soft. Her breath was sweet. My heart was beating abnormally fast: she was going to be the death of me. I was drowning in her scent and the taste of her supple lips and blood rushed to my face as I wrapped my arms around her waist and deepened the kiss.

She was provocative in her actions and gently sucked on my tongue, inciting small whimpers from my lips.

"Jae Hwa.." I whispered, my voice coarse.

"Don't talk..." she commanded softly.

Shit. What was happening to me?