Chapter C - Embrace

“God, I don’t remember the last time I had so much time hanging out at the mall,” Sophie said, looking at the bags she held while walking back home with the sun slowly setting. “But is it okay that you guys bought me these?”

“You make me want to spoil you so bad,” Irene chuckled, locking arms with Sophie.

“Right?” Amelia commented, glancing at the few bags of her own.

"If you wish, I could carry that for you," Petra offered, walking shoulder to shoulder with Amelia.

“It’s fine. Really. . .” Amelia smiled softly, still not used to having a bodyguard following them around. “Petra, I’ve been meaning to ask you, but how come you chose to work as a security intern?”

“My father was a policeman, and I was always intrigued by protecting someone. Truthfully, I’m aiming for the position of chief of security within the SPSS, so I’m thankful for the chance I was given.”

“I’m sure you’ll get it since you’re so attentive. Had we not been told you were an intern, I would’ve totally believed you were a pro already.”

“Thank you for the compliment.” She returned Amelia’s smile.

“Hope you don’t mind us dragging you along to the mall,” Sophie said, knowing she was the one who insisted that they walk instead of ride the car.

“Of course not. It’s not that far, and we might as well enjoy the summer while it lasts. Not to mention that I love not having to wear a suit everywhere.”

“I couldn’t even imagine walking around in a suit in this heat,” Amelia commented, glancing over Petra’s outfit.

She wore a white short-sleeved shirt and shorts paired up with sneakers while having her red hair tied in a ponytail. Petra was in her late twenties and looked no different than a college student, which was the point since Tjay’s father wanted her to blend in with the girls.

However, what Amelia didn’t know was that Petra was already a well-established high-ranking member within the SPSS and was merely joining them under the pretense of being an intern so she wouldn’t get involved with the whole debt situation. It was Sophie’s idea since working for them as an intern would be considered safe, making it an easy excuse.

“You get used to it, even if you don’t want to,” Petra said, her hands buried in the pockets with her thumbs sticking out.

Looking at her phone, Amelia suddenly stopped right outside the front gates. “Ah!”

“What’s wrong?” Irene asked, looking at her sister in confusion.

“I totally forgot I wanted to drop by the apartment and pick some stuff. . .” She awkwardly laughed, scratching her head.

“You’re kidding, right? We walked by the apartment.” Irene sighed in disbelief.

“It’s fine. I’ll just go pick it up.”

“I’ll come with you,” Sophie said.

“The car is parked nearby. Let me drive you,” Petra added, taking the keys out of her pocket.

“Guess we can all go.” Irene took a deep breath, exhaling dramatically while looking at her sister.

“It’s fine. You don’t have to,” Amelia said to Irene.

“You don’t want me to tag along?” Irene furrowed her brows.

“Oppa’s been alone for quite a while now, so no point in all of us going. Besides, I have some stuff I need to bring back to wash. I wasn’t expecting us to stay here the entire week,” Sophie explained, grabbing Amelia’s hand.

“Huh?” Irene felt excluded for the first time, but seeing as she wasn’t able to do much about it, she simply sighed and shrugged her shoulders. “Whatever. I guess I’ll see you later.”

“We’ll be back before you know it.” Amelia grabbed Sophie’s hand before looking at Petra. “Shall we?”

Watching as they left without her, Irene turned to the front door and took out the spare key Arthur gave her. On her way in, she couldn’t help but notice just how dark it was with all the lights off.

“I wonder if he’s asleep,” she mumbled to herself with a soft smile. “I’m back.”

Kyu came rushing to her with a low meow.

“In here,” Arthur called out to her from the living room.

She bent over and picked up Kyu in her arms, giving him a gentle kiss on the nose.

“Hey, little guy. Shall we go see how my boyfriend’s doing?” Irene whispered, letting his small head rest on her shoulder as she stroked his back while taking off her shoes by stepping on the back of them. “The girls went to my apartment to-”

Whilst explaining why she came alone, Irene was taken aback when she saw the living room that smelled like fresh-cut roses as lit candles rested on the table next to lavishing food that he cooked for her.

“Hey, beautiful.” Arthur walked up to her with a gentle smile showing, wearing a white short-sleeved shirt, unbuttoned at the top, and black pants.

“What’s this?” She asked, slowly setting Kyu down on the couch.

“Just a bit of a surprise,” he answered, stepping up to her with one hand grabbing her waist. “You like it?”

“Like it?” She whispered, reaching for the back of his neck with one hand while the other grabbed his forearm gently. Pressing her lips against his, they peered into each other’s half-shut eyes before Irene pressed her forehead against his, whispering, “I love it.”

“I’m glad.”

Irene let go of him as her eyes darted back to the food he presumably cooked.

“Did you make all this?” she asked, stepping up to the table.

“Yeah, but I can’t say I didn’t get any help.” He chuckled, walking over to her chair, pulling it back. “On today’s menu is the hopefully medium-rare stake covered with mushroom sauce with oven-roasted potatoes and a salad made out of tomatoes, cucumbers, a few slices of onion, and lastly. . . a bit of grated white cheese.”

Arthur could see the endearing look on Irene’s face as she kept staring at the table with a charming smile before she gazed back at him.

“When did you plan all this?”

“A few days ago, when the boys were over. Tjay lost the bet, so I was supposed to plan our next date,” he explained, still waiting for Irene to sit. “Well, it’s not as if I wasn’t planning on doing this anyway. Truthfully, I wanted to do this for you for quite some time.”

“Thank you,” she whispered, allowing Arthur to help her get seated at the table. “I’m blown away. . .”

“Hopefully, it tastes good.” He chuckled, walking over to his seat.

“I’m sure it does. Just making this is already. . .” She took a deep breath, unable to stop smiling. “I wish I could’ve dressed up too.”

“What are you talking about? You look amazing,” he reassured her, leaning on the table with his arms while eyeing her more casual outfit, a white over-the-shoulder blouse and a pleated black skirt. Blushing, she looked at the candles and then back at him, left speechless for the first time. “Want to try it?”

“Yes,” she said, grabbing the cutlery before slicing into the juicy meat. “God, it looks perfect.”

Making sure she dipped enough sauce, she bit down on the food, which melted in her mouth. Eager to see her reaction, Arthur was surprised to hear her let out a moan that had her turning red upon realizing it had escaped her.

Sighing in relief, Arthur smiled, resting his chin against his palm while helplessly looking at Irene.

“You should eat-” Irene stopped herself, realizing she hadn’t swallowed yet. Gulping the food, she chuckled before saying, “Eat it while it’s hot.”

“Right.”

The two ate in silence as their feet occasionally touched under the table, blushing whenever they stared into each other’s eyes.

Irene soon realized she was on her last bite as time flew by.

“You have to cook for me more,” Irene said, leaning back in her chair. “It was so delicious that I couldn’t stop eating.”

“Perfect, cuz. . .” Arthur stood up and walked toward the kitchen.

“Don’t tell me there’s more.” She chuckled, placing a hand on her tummy.

“Can’t go without dessert.” Arthur left the room before returning with small plates. Setting them down, Irene immediately recognized them as Iseul’s go-to chocolate brownies that she loved so much. “I know you’ll like these. Gotta thank Iseul for helping me make them.”

“Seriously, when did you find the time?” Irene asked, grabbing a brownie immediately despite feeling full.

Iseul’s cooking often left everyone feeling gluttonous.

“Max brought them over while you girls were shopping. As I said, I did have a bit of help,” Arthur explained, taking one for himself. “Hopefully, that doesn’t take away from the surprise.”

“As if. . .” She smiled, stretching her arms up.

“So, did you have fun shopping?”

“We did. Wait, is that why Sophie wanted us to walk? That little minx, and here I was wondering why she didn’t leave the shopping bags home before they went to my apartment.”

“Yeah, thanks to them, I had enough time to prepare everything.”

“I knew they were acting weird all day but couldn’t put my finger on it. Well, I’m touched.” Irene got up and walked over to Arthur, asking for his hand. “Come here.”

Without asking questions, Arthur grabbed her hand and allowed her to lead him to the couch, where she pushed him down and left him waiting as she walked away. Irene was gone for a bit as she went into the hallway and came back without saying a word, sitting in his lap turned toward him with her legs bent.

They gazed into each other's eyes again as she leaned down and kissed him gently before parting her lips. Welcoming her tongue with his own, Arthur found himself surprised when she slipped him a mint before playfully biting the lower lip.

“Thanks,” he said, sucking on the candy, noticing she had one more in her mouth.

Her arms wrapped around his neck as she pressed her chest against him, tracing her hand through his hair and gripping it firmly.

“Shh,” she hushed him, pressing her lips against his upper lip where she first kissed him, trailing all the way to his ear. “I just want to feel your embrace.”

He leaned his head against her shoulder, feeling her tightening her grip. Arthur’s hands wrapped around her waist as she rested on top of him. It was always times like those that Arthur felt relaxed the most, embraced by a woman he grew to undeniably love.

“I can’t believe summer’s almost over already,” Irene whispered, tracing her fingers across Arthur’s chest as they cuddled in bed late at night with her leg over him. “Will you be able to handle your exhaustion?”

“I’ll figure it out,” Arthur reassured her with Irene laying on his arm. “The better question is, are you excited to go back?”

“To school?” She chuckled, kissing his cheek before whispering into his ear. “Only for the chance to sit next to you.”

“Tjay’s gonna be pissed,” Arthur joked, making them giggle.

“Well, he’ll have to cut his losses and move on. After all, you’re dating me, ain’t you?”

“Still having a hard time believing that.”

“You?” she pulled back for a second, leaning over him with a coy smile. “I’m the one who worked my ass off to get us together.”

“Maybe.”

“What do you mean, maybe?” She moved closer to bite his cheek, letting out a playful growl. “I’ve earned my right to brag that I caught you.”

“You’ll get the chance when school starts, but what if your uncle finds out?”

“So?” She looked confused.

“Well, your parents still don’t know we’re dating.”

“I don’t mind them finding out,” she whispered, giving him another quick kiss before resting her head on his shoulder. “Besides, I want you to meet them one day.”

“I’m sure I will. One day. . .”

“You don’t sound too thrilled. Everything alright?”

“You’re forgetting I haven’t been in a relationship before, and I’d never met someone’s parents.” Arthur sighed.

“Are you nervous?” She smirked. “I didn’t think you could get nervous.”

“What are you talking about?” He glanced at her. “I was a nervous wreck whenever I thought about you.”

“Right. . .” She giggled, booping his nose. “And see how that turned out.”

“Sure. You can get lucky once. . .”

“Stop worrying about it,” she said, snuggling closer. “They’ll love you.”

“I sure hope so,” he mumbled.

“Once they see how protective you are of me, I’m sure my dad will be head over heels for you.”

“What about your mother?”

“She’s a sucker for romance, so like I said, you got nothing to worry about.”

“Still. . .” Arthur took a deep breath, unable to move past the thoughts about the future. “You know what, you’re right. I shouldn’t worry about that right now. I’ll find a way to win them over.”

“Just keep being yourself, and it’ll all work out,” she reassured him.

The two stayed silent for a bit, enjoying each other’s company.

“Irene,” Arthur mumbled.

“Hmm?”

“When school starts, can you stay over more often? I want us to go to school together and walk back.”

“I’d love to, but under one condition.”

“Which is?”

“You’ll crash on my couch with me from time to time.”

Arthur laughed, pulling her closer to him by tightening his grip. “We might as well be living together at that point.”

“I mean, I’m already used to living with others.” She sighed, closing her eyes, feeling tired after a long day. “Once this all blows over, and Amelia goes off to college, my apartment will feel so empty and lonely.”

“You think I’d ever let you feel lonely?” Arthur asked, placing his hand under her chin, guiding her to his lips. With a small peck on her forehead, he whispered, “I’ll always be one phone call away.”

“I know.” She leaned in for another kiss, gently cupping his face. “Good night, Art.”

“Yeah, you too.”

Feeling safe under his wing, Irene found herself sound asleep within seconds as the moonlight peered through the window, leaving Arthur feeling serene.

Chapter End.

Thank you for reading.