25. Taemin (1/2)
(OST- I Love you by Tim)I couldn't believe it.She was mine. After all that had happened, after my betrayals of her trust and her doubts in me she was standing here before me, telling me with all the love glimmering back in her eyes that she loved me.It felt as though heaven had God tread on its rose garden and let the petals fall over us, a covering of love and devotion like the deep red blossom represented.When the moment of pure exhilaration had passed I found myself staring down into her face. She was glowing like a star; my star.
“Naeun,” I said her name, my cheekbones almost coming away from my jaw. Everything inside me wanted to call it louder, tell the world that this was the woman I loved. I even wanted to kiss her again.However, for her sake I held back. I placed my hands on her shoulders. “Naeun, I don’t know what to say… This is the happiest day of my life.”
She smirked as she said, “even happier than your debut?”
“Oh well its close,” I joked as we both laughed, the sound endearing like the chiming bells in a church. Smiling I lowered them so they were against her back. Slowly, with intension I pulled her towards me. She stood next to my chest, the perfect height. As her head rested against my shoulder I breathed in and out.“I’ve decided… Today is the start of our new beginning. No more messing around with your feelings. No more lying, no more cowardly actions. Today Lee Taemin will spend his life working hard to be the man that you deserve. A man that will chase after your affections for the rest of his life even as he lies on his death bed and will cherish you with everything.”
She lifted her face up to me. “Do you mean…?”
Smiling I observed her face, her gentle eyes, long lips and petite nose hadn’t changed these past years. “Now we are going to be serious about our future together.”
Her face changed in the realisation of my words and she nodded, her gaze starting to shimmer. That was when I knew she was going to start crying. Pressing her head back into my shoulder I cradled it with the back of my hand, the skies now pale blue as the sun had finally risen.
ΩSerious was a word that a lot of idols tend to never use when it comes to relationships. And it was the term I used when I explained to my parents that Naeun and I were together again and for good.“You’re in a good mood,” Jonghyun hyung observed as we sat in the waiting room. We were about to go on stage for our SM Town show. It was his last appearance with us before he enlisted for the army.I returned my phone to my pocket. “I suppose, we’re going to be on stage in front of people. To think that we came to Australia for a concert, I can’t wait to see the faces of our fans.”
He agreed although from his face I knew my answer shaded suspicion. “Don’t you believe me hyung?”
“Don’t believe what?” Key hyung decided to put away his IPod and join in the conversation.
Jonghyun looked at me and then turned to Key. “He’s been awfully happy. More than he was a month ago; any idea of why?”
It was now my turn to have the maroon hair, crescent moon earring head glances at me closely from the side. He then forced my mouth open as though he was a doctor. After his short examination I pulled away and he wiped his hands together as though they had been dirty.“It’s weird, no smell of beer or chocolate.” A thought came to his mind and he then asked, “Are you seeing someone Taemin-ah?”
“Yes,” they both reeled to each other and shared the same wide eyed look. Before I could explain they made me sit down in the black leather couch.“Taemin,” Jonghyun hyung began. “Do we know her?”
“Is she famous?”
“Yes and yes,” I said to them. “I could tell you who it is if you would give me the chance.” They peeled themselves off the arm rests of the chair and sat in front of me, hands in chin, waiting like children.Taking a deep breath I ended their curiosity. “It’s Naeun,” I paused as their faces changed, confused and somewhat bewildered. “And no this will be the last time I get together with her. Because from one month, ago up until now we are no longer being like the kids we were when we once met. We are now in a serious relationship.”
They didn’t know how to respond at first. When they did Key hyung reached over and patted me on the leg. “Well… Good luck. It’s a big step you’re making.”
Jonghyun hyung nodded. “Yes, don’t mess it up, since you’re now thinking about your futures together.”
Relieved they weren’t displeased I smiled at them both. “Thank you, I won’t let her down.”
ΩFour months into our picked up and restored relationship people were starting to notice a difference with me. I didn’t mind showing the Omega necklace which I wore religiously like my rosary ring and bracelet. My answers to questions on unscripted variety shows gave people the gut feeling that I was hiding something. Everyone in my friendship group and had given me different responses. Jongin was supportive as always and Junmyeon looked after me like he was my hyung. I was in good hands.The company knew about us from month two and the words from my manager were. “As long as you don’t get caught, they do not mind. You’re at your peak of popularity again Taemin-ah. It would be a shame to lose it because of a relationship.”
I shook my head in a gentle manner. “It’s not just a relationship hyung. This time it’s for good. I’ve never been more in love with someone than I have been with her. I think that I want to—“
He raised a hand to silence the conversation. The door opened to a staff member. “We’re about to start filming in ten minutes.”“Thank you,” I said to them as the door slowly closed. He breathed out in relief. “That was close, thanks hyung.”