Forbidden Desire

He looked at me with wide eyes, his cheeks slightly flushed, as if he’d just realized what he’d said. His mouth was full of food, making him resemble a little fish caught mid-chew, and that sight elicited a laugh from me.

“No! I mean yes! I mean…”

“It’s all right! You don’t have to say anything,” I reassured him, amused by his shyness and the slight slurring of his words.

The day was perfect, and as we sat together, admiring the picturesque landscape, a sense of calm washed over me. I didn’t realize how much I needed this moment of tranquility. Finishing our meal, I watched the wind playfully sway the tulips, while butterflies flitted about carelessly.

“Wow! I wish I had my notebook here,” he remarked suddenly.

He retrieved two notebooks from his backpack, and I couldn’t resist teasing him. “And ten million dollars!”

He pretended to rummage through his bag, then grinned. “You don’t have that!”

“Well, you can’t have everything,” I quipped back.

Pulling out his case of pencils and brushes, we settled into a comfortable silence, side by side, each engrossed in our own drawing. When I draw, I lose myself in a world where colors do the talking, and it took me a while to notice his gaze fixed on me. Meeting his eyes, he quickly averted his gaze back to his sketch. Hours slipped by, and soon we found ourselves lying on the grass, adding the final touches to our artwork.

“Finished!” he announced.

“Mine still lacks a few details,” I replied nonchalantly.

“No problem,” he said with a smile.

Basking in the peaceful moment, I closed my eyes, listening to the melody of birdsong. Despite the ache in my heart, this day offered a temporary escape from reality-one I wasn’t eager to return from. Eventually, he broke the silence.

“That’s it. I’ve finished!”

“Shall we show it at three?” I suggested.

“What?”

“Show it at the same time,” I clarified.

“Show my drawing?” he stammered, his cheeks flushing as he hid behind his notebook.

“Yes! Why not?” I encouraged, sensing his hesitation.

“I didn’t know we were going to show it… In class, we didn’t show it,” he confessed, avoiding my gaze.

“But we were drawing personal things. Today we just drew a field of tulips,” I pointed out, realizing his discomfort.

He glanced away, confirming my suspicion that his drawing wasn’t of tulips.Content protected by Nôv/el(D)rama.Org.

“That’s not what you drew?” I inquired gently.

He blushed deeper, and I couldn’t help but find him utterly endearing.

“No. I drew something else…”

“What did you draw?” I pressed, a smile tugging at my lips.

He met my gaze with a shy smile, mirroring my own.

“You drew me?” I guessed, feeling a rush of warmth at the thought.

He nodded, his eyes sparkling with bashful delight.

“Ah! Now I need to see it!” I exclaimed, eager to admire his work.

He stood up hastily, attempting to shield the drawing from view. Anticipating his move, I rose to my feet, reaching for the notebook. He lifted it out of my reach, a playful challenge between us.

“That’s no good,” I teased, closing the distance between us.

As he lowered his arm, our faces mere inches apart, I felt a flutter in my chest. Our breaths mingled, our bodies pressed together, and I sensed the tension between us. Slowly, he relinquished the notebook, and I accepted it with a smile.

“That was a low blow!” I teased playfully, studying his drawing.

To my delight, he had captured my likeness, adorning my hair with vibrant tulips. I felt like a fairy, enchantingly depicted in his artwork.

“It’s beautiful!” I praised, genuinely moved by his talent.

“It’s easy when the model is beautiful,” he replied, his cheeks tinged pink.

Now it was my turn to blush. We exchanged a lingering gaze before he checked his watch, prompting us to gather our belongings.

“Come on, we have to go quickly!” he urged, a sense of urgency in his voice.

Summoning a bike from an app, we embarked on a scenic ride along the banks of the Han River. Arriving at a secluded spot beneath a bridge, we settled onto a bench, anticipation flickering in his eyes.

“What are we waiting for?” I asked, puzzled.

“Calm down,” he reassured me.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden glow over the cityscape, a chill settled in the air. I shivered, rubbing my arms for warmth. Sensing my discomfort, he retrieved his jacket from his backpack, draping it over my shoulders. His hands brushed against my skin, imparting a comforting warmth.

Turning to him, I leaned into his embrace, finding solace in his presence. Together, we watched as the city transformed into a glittering spectacle, illuminated by a myriad of lights.

“Wow, how beautiful!” I murmured, captivated by the sight.

“See? It was worth the wait, right?” he remarked, a hint of satisfaction in his voice.

“Really,” I agreed, feeling a pang of reluctance at the thought of parting ways.

“Now what? Do you want to go home?” he suggested, breaking the spell of the moment.

I pulled back slightly, meeting his gaze. The sadness I had momentarily escaped resurfaced, reminding me of the impending return to reality.

“I didn’t want to…”

“So how about we go to the movies?” he proposed, his eyes filled with warmth.

“But don’t you have college tomorrow? I’m on leave, but you’re not,” I pointed out, surprised by his suggestion.

“No problem. I’ve practiced a lot today and could miss a day of school to spend a day with you,” he reassured me, his words igniting a flutter in my chest.

“Let’s go then!” I agreed eagerly.

We watched a comedy, munching on colorful popcorn as we shared our thoughts on the film. Midway through the screening, he tentatively reached for my hand, and I welcomed his touch. It felt different, more intimate, than with any other friend. By the movie’s end, we found ourselves sharing a hamburger in the mall’s food court, his considerate gestures not unnoticed.

As the night wore on, the cab deposited us at the mansion’s entrance, leaving us standing awkwardly, unsure of how to bid farewell.

“Thank you so much for rescuing me today!” I expressed my gratitude, feeling a sense of warmth toward him.

“What kind of gentleman would I be if I didn’t rescue such a princess?” he quipped, his tone playful.

I smiled, and he drew closer. As I attempted to return his jacket, he insisted, his concern for my well-being touching.

“No! It’s too cold. Here, put it back on,” he urged, his actions thoughtful.

I slipped my arms into the oversized jacket, the fabric engulfing me. With a playful gesture, I teased, “I must look like Bigfoot.”

He chuckled, his eyes alight with amusement. Still adjusting his own jacket, he drew me into a gentle embrace.

“Impossible. You’re beautiful,” he whispered, his lips drawing nearer to mine.

I wrapped my arms around his neck, surrendering to the moment. His embrace enveloped me, lifting me off my feet as our lips met in a tender kiss. Time seemed to stand still as we savored the sweetness of the moment, until the need for air forced us to part.

“Thank you for everything. Good night to you!” I murmured, reluctantly breaking away.

“Good night!” he echoed softly, his gaze lingering on me as I walked through the mansion gates, a smile lingering on my lips.

Lost in thought, I was startled by a voice calling out to me.

“Wow, you get over it quickly, huh?”