Of all the moments to be caught like that. She left a hopeless first impression, one even she wouldn’t forgive. No wonder he’d want nothing to do with a woman like her. Their rocky start only made him act out more.
“Just admit it already. You’re curious about her.”
“What?”
“She cut the elastic and ran off, deliberately hit you with a ball while passing by, and what else? If those were little signals, she’s paid her dues by now.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Come on, hyung. I’ve been with you for years. Just admit it, you’re curious. What, is it the first time a girl threw up on your chest? Then go tell her. Say it: ‘You’re the first girl who’s ever done that to me’.”
Minhyuk let out a dry laugh.
“Are you joking right now?”
“No. I’m speaking your truth for you. Don’t figure out your feelings by tormenting the girl. What are you, in elementary school? No wonder you’ve never had a proper relationship.”
“What?”
“You always say you never found someone you liked. Your standards are so high, it’s ridiculous.”
“Kim Sejun.”
“What! Tell me what part of what I said was wrong!”
The moment he realizes his feelings, his heart starts to race.
— — —
“President…?”
“Just one question. Do you hate me?”
She clamped her mouth shut, trying to think, but her mind went blank. Nothing came to her. All she could feel was the warmth of his hand gently stroking her head.
“Then one more question. Do you hate that I like you?”
“Ah…”
“I like you. I want you to look at me.”
“But… my teacher…”
“I know. But I already rejected her, and there’s nothing more than friendship between us. Ji-hyun knows that too. If you want, I can prove it.”
“…”
“If that’s what you want.”
It would be a cruel way to prove it, but there was no other way to express this desperate feeling. He had never wanted anyone this much before. The woman standing before him, with fear in her eyes, was everything. He wanted her so badly, it drove him mad.
“Do you believe me now?”
A gentle temptation.
<This work was previously published under the title 'Temptation of the Night'.>
