K-pop Idol Imagines - Chapter 80: Chapter 80

As we huddled together in the cozy corner of the cafe, laughter erupted among my girlfriends and me, a welcome release after a grueling month of exams. With a satisfied sigh, I set my cup down on the table, savoring the simplicity of my black coffee.
A sudden vibration of my phone in my jacket pocket broke my flow from the discussion, and I took it out. Instead of disappointment of missing out on the gossip, I could feel my face light up with happiness and my heart lurch in my chest as I stared at the text on my screen.
Mine: Hey, babe! Are we still on for our date tonight?
Me: Obviously! I'm super excited to see you tonight.
Mine: Me too! I'll see you at 7.
Just as I was focused on my phone, a whisper in my ear made me jump, nearly toppling out of my chair. "Got a hot date tonight?" my best friend Yunjin asked, her voice barely audible.
I clutched my phone tightly and turned my head to look at my best friend, Yunjin, "Dude, what the fuck was that? Don't do that ever again."
Yunjin leaned in to whisper teasingly again, but I stood up from my chair and all the other friends- including Yunjin- were laughing their asses off. I settled back in my seat and let out an annoyed chuckle as I looked at my friends.
And somehow, they all had the same look on their faces. I subconsciously shrunk in my seat as I asked, "Why're you all looking at me like that?"
Yeji sighed as she decided to take charge and lead the conversation that everyone wanted to talk about, "So... when are you asking her out?"
And at that, I almost choked on my coffee as I coughed out loud. A red, hot blush was creeping up my neck as I avoided everyone's eyes while wiping the corner of my lips with tissue.
Yunjin's hand came to rest on my shoulder and I looked up as she said, "It's obvious you're head over heels for her. What's holding you up? Just ask her out and make her happy."
"-- or come. Your choice, "Ryujin added at which the other two snickered and I almost died with embarrassment.
"Shin Ryujin! God, you're incorrigible, "I said as I covered my face with my hand.
"You wouldn't want me any other way, my dear friend, "Ryujin said as her hand patted mine on the table.
Yeji clapped her hands to bring back the attention to the original agenda of the topic. "Okay, that's enough, you guys. So, we wanted to ask when are you going to make this obvious before-relationship stage into an official relationship stage?"
It was not that I hadn't thought about this. I had and deeply too. But, somehow, my timing was always off and I couldn't get my chance to say so. I could also see in Karina's eyes whenever we were having an intimate moment or on a date. She was also waiting for it but never seemed to pressure me or show that she was upset about it.
Although I'd prefer her not getting upset too, I knew I shouldn't make her wait any longer.
So, I put my hand in my inner overcoat pocket and took out a box as I kept it on the table between us. I said, "I think I'll ask her out tonight. No, I mean, I will ask her out tonight."
Yeji's hand reached for the small box and she opened it Ryujin gasped beside her as Yunjin said, "Me too! Me too! What's in it?"
Yeji turned the box towards her and Yunjin gaped at it too and said, "Damn, girl. How much does this cost? It's beautiful."
I scratched the back of my neck and said, "Scraped up my part-time job money and bought this necklace last week. Do you think she'd like it?"
"Girl, you ain't my type, but if you asked me out with this, I'd marry you, "Ryujin said at which I let out a breath of relief and then suddenly, her words sunk in me and I gave her an incomprehensible look and said, "Don't you dare say that again or I'm disowning you, Shin Ryujin."
We all chuckled at that as I picked up the box closed it with a soft snap and kept it back in my pocket. Somehow, the anticipation for tonight was starting to sink in me as now I couldn't focus on anything else but the time when I saw her tonight.
The clock struck 7 earlier than I thought it would.
I was sitting- and sometimes pacing around- in my living room on pins and needles. It was just a matter of time when she'd come. I checked the arrangements that I made for tonight.
The dim warm light, the Netflix on with her favorite movie, warm blanket, her favorite snacks, a few beer cans, and lots of pillows. Just as she liked.
Suddenly, the door opened and she entered with rushed steps as I turned around to look at her. And somehow, after a year of dating, she- to this date- managed to take my breath away. Her wavy raven hair flowed down her shoulders as she was wearing a beige high-neck sweater with her favorite blue baggy jeans. Her hands were outstretched as rushed up to me after removing her shoes at the entrance. Making baby noises as she ran into my arms to hug me, she said, "Hey, Y/N! I missed you."
My heart fluttered at the impact of her hug I stumbled back a little but held her tightly by her waist as I pulled her closer to me. I let out a soft chuckle as I said, "Me too, Karina. I missed you too."
Karina pulled apart just enough so that our faces were inches apart as she took her time to stare at me and I, at her.
She was sculpted by the love of Gods. My breath hitched in my throat as I stared into her obsidian eyes. She was perfect.
Karina smiled shyly as her dimples showed up on her cheeks and she asked, "This is different."
I continued to stare at her- unable to stop- and asked, "What is?"
"Your eyes. You've never looked at me like that before, "she said, her voice sheepish.
I tucked a hair strand behind her ear and answered, "I always have, babe. You just didn't notice it before."
Karina blushed as she let out a small squeak and nuzzled in my neck, saying, "God, you're so cringe, but I like you."
I laughed softly as I caressed her hair and said, "Admit it you like it when I say things like this to you. Don't you?"
Instead of replying, Karina snuggled deeper as she sighed into my embrace. Her steady heartbeat was felt against my chest as her warm breath tickled my skin. Somehow, I was feeling sensations I had never felt before.
I gulped and pulled apart as I reached for the box in my back pocket, thinking that this was the best time, but before I could say anything, Karina pulled apart and said, "You bought my favorite snacks? Oh my god, I have been craving these for a while now."
She immediately sat on the couch tore open the chips packet and munched on it. I took out the box and held it in my hand as I looked at her and then back at the box and hoped that I wouldn't get cold feet again.
Tonight, it needed to happen.
I gripped the box a little more tightly in my hand as I let out a deep breath. But, got startled when Karina turned around and said, "Babe? Come here. Let's start the movie already."
I instinctively hid the box behind my back as I flustered and said, "Y-Yeah. Coming, babe."
I instantly sat beside her on the couch as I kept the box hidden in between the pillows and pulled the warm blanket over us. I picked up the TV remote and started the movie as Karina snuggled beside me, picking up my arm and wrapping it around her shoulders.
"Comfortable?" I asked.
"Toasty, "she replied with a smile as her head rested on my shoulder.
Movie dates were a must for her in a week. Karina was a mania when it came to movies and dramas. She had watched many of them and remembered them like a genius she was. There were multiple times when I was impressed with her knowledge of entertainment and media. And that was one of the many aspects of her that I loved so much.
Yes, love.
It was not long after we started seeing each other that I realized that my feelings for her went deeper than just like.
I squeezed her shoulder tightly as we continued to watch the movie together. It was an action movie: Atomic Blonde. If nothing, I almost forgot my main motive for tonight because of how deeply invested I was in the story.
In between, Karina fed me the snacks and herself as we always did. This time, when I reached for the chip that Karina put in front of me, I, without realizing it, leaned towards it without taking my eyes off the screen, and I kept going towards it until my lips met hers in a welcome surprise.
I finally looked at her as I exclaimed with laughter, "What was that for, babe?"
Karina stared at me and I recognized the look in her eyes. The movie was the last thing she was interested in now and her eyes were set on my lips as she smiled and said, "You're paying too much attention to the movie, don't you think?"
I smirked a little and shrugged nonchalantly as I answered, "Well, obviously, it's Charlize Theron we're watching. Have you seen her?"
My words implicated her beauty as I turned my head to look at the screen again. However, a sudden shove to my shoulder made me fall on the couch as Karina lay above me. I let out a chuckle as I held her by her waist I looked into her eyes and saw the look she was giving me and I said, "You got me where you wanted, I guess?"
Karina leaned dangerously close and the tip of her nose touched mine as she replied in a low voice, "You bet I did, babe."
My heart was racing to sixty in my chest as I could feel her racing too against my chest. My eyes went back and forth between her eyes and her soft lips that looked so inviting as I whispered, "What do you wanna do then?"
And her answer was a kiss.
Her lips landed on mine as she sighed in the kiss. Her lips eagerly kissed me as rested her arms beside my head. Her legs tangled with mine beneath the blanket as the movie was long forgotten. She parted her lips for me to enter as my hand slid up to hold her face close to me by her nape. The wet and slick sound of the kiss was like a dangerous fire fueling my desire as I let my other slip beneath her sweater, caressing the soft skin of her waist with my fingers.
Karina let out a soft whimper as she tilted her head for a deeper kiss, but abruptly pulled apart as she asked with a wavering voice, "What is this?"
My eyes shot open at her words as I looked at the box she was holding in her hand with her eyes searching mine with questions and also wide with anticipation.
I cleared my throat after catching my breath a bit as I started with incoherent words, "Um... well... this is..."
Karina sat up as she pulled me up too along with her and looked at me with what seemed to be teetering happiness. She was slightly urging me to speak up as her now shuddering hands held the box with utmost care.
I scratched the back of my neck as I tried to find the right words to say. "So, um, this is... a gift for you, Karina."
I gently took the box from her hand and I looked up at her. I noticed how her eyes were filled with subtle tears and gradually, the words escaped my lips.
"Karina, you're the greatest gift I could ever ask for. Your presence fills my life with immense joy, making me wish I'd known you sooner. Now, I can't picture a future without you. You've become an essential part of my life. Forgive my delay, Karina. Will you be my girlfriend, with a lifelong commitment in mind?"
I opened the box with a soft snap as I presented her with the delicate silver chain and tiny crystal pendant. The crystal, a tiny tear-drop shape, refracted colors like a miniature prism, casting a tiny rainbow on the white display beneath.
Karina kept her hands on her mouth as she stared at me with eyes full of emotions she nodded and answered, "Yes! Yes, I'll be yours, Y/N."
I smiled with relief as I said, "Thank god. I was a bit worried there."
Karina instantly took the necklace out of the box and said, "Put it on me."
I nodded and unlinked the necklace as I put it around her neck, linking it back securely as I pulled away to see it on her. Karina's hand immediately went for her phone she opened the camera and looked at it as she touched the crystal pendant with her nimble fingers and looked at me with nothing but bliss on her face.
She asked in a soft voice, "How does it look?"
I pulled her closer as I held her small face between my hands and said, "Honestly? You can make anything look good, babe."
She stared at me with a soft smile and said without hesitance, "I love you, Y/N. So much."
And to me, it felt like my world had just stopped and all I could feel was the way my heart just skipped a beat or few. My body zoned out any other sensation that was not her and I could feel my throat getting constricted with emotions at that. Her confession was so soft, so vulnerable, so true that the genuineness of her words almost made me sob out loud.
In an instant, my face was just millimeters away from hers as I whispered against her lips, "I love you too, Karina. God, I so desperately love you."
With that being said, my lips crashed against hers and I didn't even let her have the chance to take a breath. The only thing on my mind was to show her how much my love was for her, even though it went beyond any action or words.
The kiss was passionate, I pulled Karina into my lap as she straddled me and I kissed her deeply. My tongue caressed hers as I held the back of her neck. The desire for the woman in my lap was teetering on the edge of my thin willpower.
Karina let out a soft moan as her hands dug into my shoulders, almost making me go feral with her simple urge.
When the air became an issue, we pulled apart. Our foreheads touched as we basked in each other's warmth.
After a few moments spent like that, Karina pulled away and said, "You have some great power of abstinence to stop after that."
I blushed furiously at her statement as I looked up at her with wide eyes and stuttered, "I- what?"
Karina chuckled as she blushed a bit too at her bold statement, but continued, "I mean... you could've... you know, take it further."
"And you wouldn't mind the pace?" I asked, my throat dry as I blurted out the question.
She blushed furiously at my question and said while looking down at her hands, "We've been holding off for a year since we started seeing each other... Don't you think it's high time we did it...?"
We stared at each other for a few silent seconds before bursting into comfortable laughter. After the laughter subsided, I tucked a hair strand behind her ear and said, "Maybe next time? Tonight I just want to enjoy a sweet night with my girlfriend."
Karina perked up at that as she smiled brightly and said, "Say that again."
I smiled and said, "My girlfriend."
A cute one.