Twenty One

Ma Ri couldn't hold back her grin as she positioned her phone for the perfect shot. The sight ahead of her was almost too good to be true—Jiang and his secretary, Ryu Gil, caught in what looked like an intimate moment. She giggled to herself, already imagining how this scene might inspire her next BL novel. As the camera shutter clicked, the duo turned to her, their expressions as startled as if they'd been caught committing a crime.

"What are you doing?" Jiang demanded, abruptly releasing Ryu Gil and facing Ma Ri.

"Nothing! Just continue what you were doing." Ma Ri said mischievously, tucking her phone away and trying to suppress her laughter.

"Continue what?" Jiang made a face, putting his hand in his pocket.

"Think of me as an invisible bystander." Ma Ri teased.

Jiang scowled and returned to what he was doing, completely oblivious to her insinuation. Meanwhile, Ryu Gil's face burned a deep crimson, and he suddenly felt stiflingly hot.

[A while ago]

Ryu Gil had been struggling to tie balloons in a high spot. As he was trying to attach the balloon, he balanced precariously on his toes. Jiang noticed him struggling and walked over to help.

"Let me," Jiang offered, taking the balloon from Ryu Gil's hand and efficiently attaching it to the spot.

But as Jiang turned back, he found Ryu Gil vigorously rubbing his eyes.

"What's wrong?" Jiang asked, his brows furrowed in concern.

"Umm…something got in my eye," Ryu Gil mumbled, his voice strained as he kept rubbing.

Jiang stepped closer, gently pulling Ryu Gil's hands away. "Stop rubbing, you'll make it worse. Let me see." He cupped Ryu Gil's face, tilting it up as he inspected his reddened eyes. After a moment, Jiang began blowing softly into his eyes, his breath was warm and comforting enough.

"Feel better now?" Jiang asked, his tone gentle yet attentive.

"I… I don't think so," Ryu Gil admitted, blinking rapidly as the discomfort persisted.

"Lemme do that again." Jiang held his cheeks one more time, blowing on his eyes with his full strength as he thought the previous one was weaker while Ryu Gil kept gazing at Jiang's eyes. That weird feeling he tried hard to deny, came back again as his heart raced. Is this what people call love? When people would want the person they fell in love to touch them gently like this, to feel them like this, to stare into their eyes like this? If it's not love, then what is it? He wanted time to stop and kept looking into Jiang's eyes and the puffy face he was making right then. He gulped, trying to stop thinking further as his body became hotter.

Lost in his thoughts, he didn't notice Ma Ri sneaking up behind them until the sudden click of a camera jolted him back to reality. While Jiang went to deal with Ma Ri, Ryu Gil stood still as if he turned into a statue. He didn't know what he should do. Wasn't it wrong of him? To feel something illicit against the man who's already engaged? His eyes got full of tears as he started hating himself more than anything.

[Back in the present]

"Oh, right! I was here to inform you that the cake is ready. You can decorate it now. I already prepared the whipped cream toppings." Ma Ri said cheerfully. She felt as if she was walking on air.

"All of the hard work is paying off. Good thing my efforts didn't go in vain." She nodded, while checking the pictures on her phone she just captured.

"How should I decorate it?" Jiang asked while going towards the kitchen.

"How'd I know? THIS SHOULD BE ON YOU! And…if you want help, then….Mr. Gil is here, right?" She turned to Ryu Gil, throwing a big and playful smirk which made him feel guilty even more.

Ryu Gil's ears burned under Ma Ri's teasing gaze, but he managed a nod.

"Perfect!" Ma Ri said, practically pushing Ryu Gil into the kitchen alongside Jiang.

"I'll take care of the rest out here." she winked at Jiang as if she's rooting for him wholeheartedly.

Ma Ri started working as if she got the fuel by watching her favorite scenery. As she decorated the house, her mind was occupied, thinking about a new BL story she should jot down for now. She hummed her favorite song while working and dancing steadily. After she was done with her side of work, she peeked in the kitchen, trying to find more resources and eye soothing scenery for her.

Inside the kitchen, Jiang and Ryu Gil began decorating the cake. Jiang held the piping bag, carefully applying the cream under Ryu Gil's guidance.

"Gentler on the edges," Ryu Gil said softly, leaning closer. Their shoulders brushed as Ryu Gil pointed at a section of the cake.

Just as they began to find a rhythm, the sharp sound of Ma Ri's camera shutter broke their concentration.

"Opps…I forgot to put the phone on silent." she covered her mouth, putting her phone behind her.

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING? I'M NOTICING IT FROM EARLIER!" Jiang bellowed, shoving the piping bag into Ryu Gil's hands before storming out of the kitchen.

"Nothing! Remember? I'm just an invisible spirit!" Ma Ri shouted over her shoulder, giggling as she fled.

Jiang chased her into the living room, determined to confiscate her phone. He cornered her by the couch, trying to wrest the device from her hands.

"Give it here!" Jiang insisted, his grip on her wrist firm.

"Never!" Ma Ri laughed, twisting away. But in her struggle, she lost her balance and stumbled.

Jiang's instincts kicked in as he caught her by the waist, pulling her close to steady her. Ma Ri froze, her laughter dying instantly. She looked up and without any warning, she slapped Jiang's cheek with all of her strength.

The sound echoed in the room. Jiang stepped back, his cheek red from the impact.

"I-I'm sorry!" Ma Ri stammered, guilt evident on her face.

"Um…it…was on reflex…. I…don't like…being touched…by my waist." She averted her gaze on the floor, unable to meet her eyes with Jiang. She pushed him away lightly and went towards the kitchen silently.

On the other hand, Jiang stood still. With his stinging cheek, his whole face turned fully red as he kept his palm on his cheek. An unknown and unfamiliar feeling irritated him as his heart pounded. No matter how hard he tried to process the situation and the feelings he was having, he couldn't.

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Mr. and Mrs. Ahn returned home, their eyes widening in surprise at the decorated house.

"What's all this? When did you prepare it?" Mrs. Ahn asked, her voice trembling with emotion.

"Happy birthday to you!" Ma Ri, Jiang, and Ryu Gil sang in unison.

Even Mr. Ahn joined in, clapping along with a rare smile.

All the clamor stopped when Mr. Ahn commented on the cake.

"Where did you buy this cake? It's looking ugly!" Mr. Ahn commented bluntly.

"Excuse me?" Ma Ri retorted, barely holding back a laugh. "This masterpiece was crafted by none other than the pastry chef, Ahn Jiang Seok himself!"

"Huh? Really?" Mrs. Ahn asked, her voice a mix of astonishment and pride. Both parents stared at their son in disbelief as without making instant ramen, their son could do nothing.

"Yes. I put so much effort into it. So, you can't call it ugly." Jiang replied, attempting to sound nonchalant despite his embarrassment.

"This is the most beautiful cake I've ever seen," Mrs. Ahn said tearfully, pulling her son into a hug.

"See? I told you!" Ma Ri acted proud, whispering from behind.

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After the party ended, Ryu Gil took his leave. Ma Ri also prepared herself to go home. As it was 2 at night, Jiang offered to accompany her.

"Um…there's no need. I'll take a taxi and…" she was hesitating because she felt awkward by standing with Jiang alone. She couldn't forget her memory of slapping Jiang.

"But, it's so late. Would it be okay to leave her alone?" Jiang's father came to him and asked him to take Ma Ri home.

"It's fine! He's probably tired. I can handle myself!" Ma Ri bowed, standing near the entrance.

"I agree! Since she's so strong!" Mrs. Ahn replied from behind. Although she smiled while saying, there were definitely some other meanings behind her words which neither Jiang nor Ma Ri could understand.

Reluctantly, Ma Ri agreed and left with the family chauffeur.

[Half an hour later]

Mrs. Ahn knocked softly on Jiang's door, finding him typing on his laptop.

"Are you busy?" she asked hesitantly.

"Aren't you going to sleep?" Jiang asked without looking at her.

"I will. But, I have some things to discuss." She came towards him.

She sat on the edge of his bed, her face clouded with worry.

"Son, I'm sorry. I made a huge mistake." she said softly.

"What do you mean?" Jiang closed his laptop, sensing her unease.

"This can't be. I mean, you can't marry this girl. You get what I mean, right?" She replied while her face darkened as her worries deepened.

"What?" Jiang's jaw dropped, the weight of her words leaving him speechless.