Andrew sat in the rattan chair, the book in his hands barely holding his attention. His eyelids grew heavy with sleep, but something deep inside kept him from heading to bed. Every few minutes, his gaze flickered between the clock on the wall and the door, his growing impatience manifesting in restless glances. Nearly an hour had passed since dinner, yet there was still no sign of Euan.
He sighed, closing the book with a soft thud, his mind drifting far from the pages. "Is he still not coming to sleep here?" Andrew muttered under his breath, frustration creeping into his voice. He ran a hand through his hair, pushing himself up with a groan, stretching his stiff limbs. A sense of worry began to gnaw at him, and he left the room, moving through the terrace and dining area in search of Euan. But he was nowhere to be found.
Biting his lip, Andrew hesitated for a moment before his gaze shifted toward James's room. He walked down the hallway and knocked softly on the door. It creaked open to reveal James, who raised an eyebrow, silently asking what was going on.
"Yes?" James asked, his gaze shifting between Andrew and the quiet hallway.
"Can you help me convince Euan?" Andrew asked quietly, his voice thick with concern.
James shook his head, his expression softening with a mix of sympathy and resolve. However, he wasn't about to get involved in the lovers' quarrel. "No. You'll have to do it yourself," he said, gesturing down the hallway toward the guest room before turning and closing his door.
Andrew nodded, resigned, and made his way toward the guest room. His heart quickened as he approached the door, knocking twice. "Euan, are you inside?" His voice was quiet, almost pleading.
Inside the room, Euan lay still in bed, his back turned toward the door. He didn't answer, the silence thick between them.
Andrew frowned, frustration edging into his voice. "I know you can hear me. Come on, let's sleep in our room," he urged, his tone a mixture of concern and irritation.
The silence stretched, thickening the tension in the room. Determined not to be ignored, Andrew crossed to the nearby drawer, pulled out a spare key, and unlocked the door with a deep, steadying breath. He stepped inside.
The room was dim, only a sliver of moonlight slipping through the curtains and illuminating Euan's form beneath the blanket, tightly pulled over him. Andrew's shoulders sagged, a sigh slipping from him as he sat on the edge of the bed, gently rubbing Euan's back.
"Are you still mad at me?" Andrew's voice softened, and guilt lingered in each word. "I'm sorry, okay?" His words were almost a plea, carrying the weight of his remorse.
A muffled voice came from beneath the covers, hoarse and cold. "Go away."
Andrew's chest tightened at the sharpness of the reply. His hand stilled, resting lightly on Euan's back. "Euan... please," he murmured, his voice fragile, edged with desperation. He leaned closer, reaching to wrap his arms around Euan's bundled form. "Let's talk in our room."
Euan shifted slightly, but didn't emerge from beneath the blankets. "I said, get out," he muttered, this time with a firmness that made Andrew wince.
Andrew's hands dropped to his lap, the weight of the rejection settling heavily in his chest. He sat there for a long, quiet moment, the silence between them suffocating. "Okay... we'll talk tomorrow then," he whispered, his voice barely audible. He rose slowly from the bed, his heart heavy with unresolved words and emotions.
He glanced back one last time, hoping for a sign of change, but Euan remained hidden under the covers, silent and unmoving. Resigned, Andrew quietly left the room, pulling the door closed behind him. The soft click of the door echoed in the hallway, the sound lingering in the stillness.
James leaned casually against the wall outside the door, having refused to help Andrew a few minutes earlier. Unable to resist, he opted to simply observe from the hallway. His arms were crossed as he watched the situation unfold, his expression one of sympathy. "Just let him be for now, Andrew," he advised, his tone calm but filled with understanding. "He'll come around when he's ready."
***
As the early morning light gently filtered through the villa's windows, Andrew stood before the mirror, adjusting his shirt with practiced hands. His movements were almost mechanical, precise, but his mind was elsewhere—torn between duty and desire. His father had called with an urgent business matter, and Andrew knew he couldn't ignore it, nor did he have the right to. Yet, the thought of leaving Euan, still behind closed doors in the guest room, weighed heavily on his chest.
He glanced toward the door, fingers absently fidgeting with the edge of his collar. Each time his eyes wandered to the rattan chair, where his bag sat waiting, it felt like a futile attempt to stall, hoping—against reason—that Euan would emerge. The minutes dragged on, each tick of the clock tightening the knot in his chest. Finally, unable to delay any longer, he took a deep, steadying breath and made his way toward Euan's room.
Andrew knocked softly, his knuckles grazing the door with a barely audible tap. "Euan," he called, his voice a mix of tenderness and hope, the quiet of the house amplifying his soft tone. "Are you still asleep? I have an emergency at work and need to leave now… Aren't you going to give me a goodbye kiss? We'll see each other next week." His words seemed to hang in the air, their weight more profound than the brief moment they took to speak.
The silence stretched on, unbearable and thick. From the kitchen, James's voice sliced through it, warm yet tinged with an understanding edge. "Andrew, I'll talk to him later. You should go now. Don't keep your father waiting—you know how he is," he added with a half-smirk, though it didn't touch Andrew's heart. His eyes stayed locked on the door, hoping for any sound to break the stillness from the other side.
Andrew sighed deeply, his shoulders slumping under the weight of the moment. "I'm leaving now. See you next week," he murmured, almost to himself, before walking toward the door.
Once Andrew had left, James, mug of coffee in hand, walked toward the guest room. He stood before it for a moment, deliberating, before finally knocking softly. "Euan, Andrew's already gone," he said, his voice firm but laced with a subtle concern. "I know you're awake."
After a brief silence, the door creaked open. Euan stood in the doorway, his face a blend of conflicting emotions—frustration, sadness, and beneath it all, a raw, unguarded vulnerability. He avoided James's gaze, his hands stuffed deep into the pockets of his shorts.
James exhaled sharply, a quiet sigh escaping him. "Don't do this to him, Euan," he said softly, stepping closer, his voice heavy with sympathy. "You always knew what his answer would be if you asked him, "His tone shifted, becoming more pleading, as if trying to reach the part of Euan that was still open to understanding. "You know from the start that he doesn't let you go outside without either me or him. Even if I agreed to stay with you, convincing him would be difficult— you know how protective Andrew is of you."
Euan's jaw clenched as he absorbed James's words, the weight of his own emotions pressing on him. He huffed in frustration, shoulders tense, before responding with a sharpness that contrasted with his internal turmoil. "I'll just get some air outside," he muttered, turning abruptly on his heel and heading for the beach, his steps quick and deliberate.
James stood there for a moment, watching Euan walk away. His gaze softened, a mixture of pity and exasperation crossing his features. "This is what happens when you choose love over logic," he muttered under his breath, shaking his head. "What a pain." With a resigned sigh.
***
Euan walked slowly toward the seashore, his feet sinking softly into the warm sand, each step deliberate yet heavy. The rhythm of the waves, gentle and constant, called to him, and he paused at the water's edge. The coolness of the surf splashed against his ankles, a sharp contrast to the warmth of the sun above. The wind tousled his hair, brushing against his face as if urging him to breathe deeply, to feel the freedom that seemed just out of reach.
He gazed at the horizon, swallowed by the vastness, his voice barely a whisper, as if saying it out loud might somehow make it more real. "We've been together for three years, so why is he still so strict with me? And I don't even understand where this control comes from." His words were heavy, thick with frustration and confusion. His eyes stayed fixed on the distant line where the sky met the sea, his mind a storm of unspoken thoughts.
There's a space in my mind, always so wide,
Filled with shadows and echoes I try to hide.
Sometimes my heart aches; I can't understand,
Why do I feel so lost, like I'm slipping through sand.
The sea calls to me with its gentle embrace,
The waves crash and whisper, yet I'm out of place,
lost in an unfamiliar version of myself.
I stare at the horizon, yearning to see
What lies on the other side, beyond the vast sea.
Suddenly, a familiar voice broke through Euan's thoughts, teasing yet intimately familiar. "Can you really bear to resist me?"
Startled, Euan halted mid-kick, his body tensing. He turned slightly but deliberately refused to meet Andrew's gaze, his eyes fixed on the sand beneath his feet.
"Can't I make it up to you?" Andrew continued, stepping closer. His playful demeanor was obvious, but his eyes softened with an almost vulnerable warmth.
Euan's tone dripped with sarcasm as he shot back, still looking away, his arms crossed defensively. "Why are you still here? I thought you already left."
Andrew's grin widened, mischief twinkling in his eyes. "My car wouldn't start. I think someone's cursing me today," he quipped, moving closer until their proximity became electric. He suddenly wrapped his arms around Euan from behind, pulling him into a back hug.
Euan tensed at the unexpected contact, trying to shrug off the embrace. His hands pushed against Andrew's chest, his voice cool and detached. "Nice excuse. You just lied about your car breaking down. You should go now—you're going to be late, and Father's going to be mad at us again."
Andrew's grip tightened, his voice suddenly shifting to a more serious tone. "It's okay. I already called Secretary Choi. He knows what to do. And I'm taking the whole week off."
Euan spun around, disbelief flooding his features. His mouth opened, but the words didn't come easily. "What? Are you insane, Andrew Han?! And you asked Secretary Choi to cover for you?"
Andrew nodded playfully, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Yes. Because you keep avoiding me. I'm staying until you stop running away."
Frustration surged within Euan, and he pushed Andrew away again, his hands pushing against Andrew's chest with more force this time. "Leave now! Go to work. I don't want to talk to you right now."
Andrew tilted his head, pretending to consider Euan's words, though a playful glimmer never left his eyes. "Are you sure?" he asked, leaning in closer, his tone teasing.
"Yes, go! And apologize to Secretary Choi," Euan insisted, his voice firm but his vulnerability slipping through. He glanced at Andrew briefly, almost as though searching for something, but turned away before his emotions could betray him.
"Alright," Andrew replied with a dramatic sigh. He pulled out his phone, his thumb scrolling deliberately slow. "I guess I'll cancel the reservation at the art gallery. A VIP slot for four—what a waste," he teased, pretending to dial the number.
Euan's eyes widened in panic, and his body tensed before he lunged for the phone, a smile slipping past his earlier frustration. "Who told you that?"
Andrew chuckled, clearly enjoying the shift in Euan's mood. "You said you didn't want to talk to me."
Euan gave him a playful, mischievous smile, the earlier tension momentarily forgotten. "Did I?"
Andrew grinned, scooping Euan up with ease and tossing him over his shoulder. Euan let out a surprised squeal, the sudden shift making his heart race.
"Hey! Put me down, Andrew! My feet are sandy and wet—you're going to get your clothes dirty!" Euan protested, but his laughter bubbled up uncontrollably as he kicked his legs in the air.
Andrew shrugged, unfazed by Euan's protests. "I'll just wash them."
Euan squirmed in Andrew's hold, laughing and attempting to break free. "Put me down, you crazy!" His voice was a mix of annoyance and playful desperation.
But Andrew only tightened his hold, his smile unwavering. "No, we're going home. You need to pay for the tickets."
As Andrew carried Euan back toward the villa, Euan continued to squirm, his laughter interspersed with soft protests. "Andrew, seriously, put me down!" His voice was still playful, but the earlier frustration was giving way to something lighter.
Andrew, as stubborn as ever, only grinned wider. "Not a chance," he teased, ignoring Euan's pleas as they continued walking. The familiar sound of paws hitting the wood caught Euan's attention. He looked ahead to see Fruitcake, the dog, wagging his tail excitedly at the entrance.
Euan raised an eyebrow, calling out with a playful grin, "Fruitcake, tell your daddy Andrew to put me down!" His eyes sparkled with amusement, his hand reaching toward the dog.
Andrew glanced at the dog, his grin widening. "Sorry, buddy, but you're on my side, right? No way you're helping him."
Fruitcake's tail wagged harder, as if encouraging Andrew to keep going. The shared laughter between them filled the air, and despite himself, Euan couldn't stop giggling.
As they neared the villa's back entrance, James appeared, arms crossed, an exasperated smile tugging at his lips. "Hey, you two! Get your act together, will you?" he called, shaking his head in mock disbelief.
Euan, still cradled in Andrew's arms, glanced at James and burst out laughing. "It's Andrew's fault! He's gone crazy!" His words were lost in laughter as they passed James and disappeared inside the house. The door closed softly behind them.
Andrew finally set Euan down, his hands on Euan's waist as he perched him on the edge of the dining table. Before Euan could say another word, Andrew moved swiftly, his lips crashing down on Euan's in a deep, urgent kiss. The suddenness stunned Euan, and for a moment, he froze, his hands gripping the edge of the table for balance. Andrew's kiss was relentless, his tongue coaxing Euan's lips apart, tasting him without hesitation.
Euan eventually broke away, gasping for air, his cheeks flushed from the intensity of the kiss. "A-Andrew… we're outside!" he stammered, breathless, a mixture of shock and amusement in his voice.
Andrew grinned, his eyes mischievous as he brushed a strand of Euan's hair away. "We're inside the house," he corrected, his tone low and teasing.
Euan, still flustered, rolled his eyes. "I meant outside the room, you dummy!" His voice was a mixture of exasperation and embarrassment, his gaze flicking nervously toward the open terrace.
Andrew barely suppressed a laugh, his gaze unwavering. "The terrace is open, sure... but we're still inside," he said with a shrug, as though it were the most obvious thing in the world.
Euan's voice dropped to a whisper, his eyes flickering toward the windows. "People will pass by. Anyone could see us."
Andrew chuckled, unconcerned. "Relax, we're in America. People won't care." His carefree attitude only made Euan more flustered, but there was something disarming about his confidence that made it hard to stay upset.
Euan sighed, shaking his head, but a reluctant smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "You're impossible," he muttered, trying to sound annoyed but failing miserably. "I'm going to punish you for this."
Andrew's eyes sparkled with mischief, his smirk deepening. "Oh, please do," he teased, sweeping Euan back into his arms in one smooth motion. "Punish me all you want," he added with a wink, carrying Euan toward their room with a playful grin that left no room for argument.
The story doesn't end here...
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