19. Taemin (2/2)

“Tell me what?”

“Tell you that…That I kissed her—“

They both sat upright from shock, “YOU KISSED HER?!” I almost got bowled over from the sheer force. Junmyeon and Jongin both appeared completely baffled and at the same time very much surprised.For once Junmyeon got the hint way before my closest friend did. He must have been studying my expression. “Wait… Don’t tell us… That was the first time you—“

“No it can’t be,” Jongin disagreed. “Because when she turned twenty one you gave her one then.”

Yes that was true. I gave her our first kiss on her birthday. It had been the most memorable moment for me of that day, besides her being another year older.I nodded glumly at this memory. “It’s been a while then,” Junmyeon said. “No wonder you’re rather taken back. I guess it makes you miss her a lot more.”

Miss her? No it was more than that. If she was not in my heart then it did not exist at all.We all sat for a while watching boats sail past with lights guiding them. I gave Junmyeon and beer which he had a small sip of. “So what are you going to do?”Still watching the gentle movement of Han River I answered with a rather uncertain response. “I don’t really know. I don’t know.”

Ω

In a week I would be making my comeback as a solo artist. The timing was poor as it was getting close to the end of year award shows and I wouldn’t be eligible for any prizes if I won on any music shows.Sitting in the studio I paper against the piano where I was practicing a ballad I had written for my next album. It had taken many sleepless nights to create the piece so I hoped that my fans would like it as much as I did.After playing the song slowly and singing each note with not much power just to get the feel I grew tired and decided to pause and listen to the radio.The first station had an old trot song I didn’t know much of the lyrics to so I changed it to a radio show.“And now we’re back with Apink to continue our discussion.”

I had good reason to snap out of my dozy mood. The female host started to talk now. “So tell us ladies. You’re all getting into your late twenties and a lot of questions about marriage and your futures must be popping up. Who do you think will get married last?”

“Naeun,” a voice sounding like Namjoo’s responded quickly and there was laughter.“Why do you say that?” The male host who I think might have been Shindong hyung asked.

“She’s focused on her career and plans to do a lot of acting in the future.” Chorong answered. Some of the other members were heard verbally agreeing for a bit before the DJ’s spoke I just hoped that the topic would be changed.I held my breath for a moment. “Well, the truth is,” Shindong hyung with an air of caution in his voice. “Naeun was married at one point right.”

Not this again.“But that doesn’t really count.”Shindong continued. “You were married to my junior on the show and you also got married in a drama. Now we know that Jung Kyungho is out of the picture due to age but what about Lee Taemin. What are your personal feelings on him?”

There was some protesting from the other members. I was beginning to feel squeamish. What if her answer was negative? Who would it affect? After some silence I silently thanked God that the topic seemed to have been dropped.“Actually I have a better question.” My heart rate sped up. “Ever since you finished We Got Married have your personal feelings for your husband changed?”

Gripping the edge of the chair my head spun. I thought that the shock of such a question would make me pass out. Staring down at the ivories I watched them rattle and multiply into transparent copies that disappeared after the disorientation.Eunji spoke for Naeun. “You don’t have to answer.”

“No,” the dizzy sensation stopped. I slammed a fist against the keys in a dull note. What did that mean?The female host spoke. “Ah, so what’s she’s saying is if she liked him then she still does. But if she never did like him like that, then she never will am I right?”

Naeun did not respond. I did not respond either. Because I already knew how she felt about me.She likes me. She still likes meΩ

Are we in complete surprise or were you expecting it? Anyway I just wanted to say a big thank you for the 105 of you who have subscribed. This is a new record for me since the most I ever got for a story was maybe 101. Thank you again it really is so nice of you.