Jungkook hadn't realised how easily Lisa guided his eyes on her around the room, but that's all he's been doing. As if he has somehow ended up in her dream, she knew exactly where to take him. She floats around with such grace and ease, all while staring at him with those sultry smiles and breathless beauty.

He groans internally for the umpteenth time tonight as she glides her hand - painfully slow across his shoulders and even slower on his back. Even with just the silhouette, everything about her radiates a goddess - having him under ease and command. He might be exaggerating, but it's perfectly given whilst being hypnotised by the beauty of his girlfriend.

"I don't know why you'd ever give this up. Seems like you're born just to do this," With his shirt still left unbuttoned, he should applaud himself for being able to breathe it out. 

The small smile on her lips is naughty - teasing him just as she turns to his front. "Are we gonna have that conversation..." Her whisper was heard loud and clear despite the thudding bass. "...where my hardships were meant..." She turns to plant her back on his chest, just after she lightly kissed his neck. "...just for you?" And her hips began moving - grinding against him slowly.

Jungkook suppressed his hiss. Lisa...in this club...is dangerous! "No, baby...of course not. It's only for you," 

He never danced like this with any girl before...and no girl had ever danced for him this way before either. He thought watching her earlier was breathtaking, but to now move along with her felt like freedom. He thought he couldn't love music more than he already does, but she just created a whole new height for him to explore.

Her fingers reached for his, closing his arms around her waist as they moved in perfect sync. The little touch has him feeling slightly emotional for some reason, so he leans his chin on her shoulder. The word 'love' has been said out loud, yet he still feels like it's not enough. Her brave act in front of Sana confirms it. He never felt so fearful about the word 'future'. 

"You're tensed...what's wrong?" She asked and turned to face him. 

"Nothing," He kissed her lips and linger, leaning his forehead on hers. "I love you," He said again, perhaps a way to get rid of the melancholic feeling. 

She hummed a smile before saying, "You're just being sweet so I'd come here again,"

"What can I say?" Of course, even in the heaviness roaming in his chest, he can't pass the opportunity to tease, "It'll be an honour, again and again...to make you come at a place I worked so hard to built,"

Lisa giggled before he pulls her in for a deeper kiss. I wonder if heaven feels as good as this! 

...

"If you could...would you open it back again?" He asked, looking partly unsure of his own question as he stares at their playful fingers - intertwining among each other. 

Lisa can only pretend to not notice how clingy and somewhat melancholic he's been since they got back home from the club. Her eyes are tired, her body even more...but he's still up for some long-hours conversations which she couldn't avoid. She feels a little bad, to be honest.

"The dance studio? I think they sold the place not long after -"

"Not exactly there...anywhere I mean," He took in a sharp breath and drew her closer to his front, hugging her from her back. "You said it's your passion,"

"It is...but...I'm good where I'm at, I think. I like taking pictures too,"

"You could do both...and having the studio...that can be your safest place, doing what you love most,"

She didn't know why she giggled. Perhaps recognizing the intensity of his tone, one more time tonight, makes her nervous. The ambiance of the club had done an amazing job at drowning out her fears, but now that it's too quiet - "You're scared I'll go dancing at your club again? Is that it?" She joked, just because.

"No. You're welcomed anytime, every day, really," He sighed a laugh with her, thankfully. "I mean...I wouldn't leave you alone on the dance floor, that is,"

"Unnecessarily protective of you,"

He kept silent for about a minute. His hand then left hers, yet not quite leaving her skin. Very slow, his fingers trail from her palm...to her elbow...and up to her shoulder. A slight shiver runs through her when he brushed her hair back, lightly drawing on the back of her neck.

"That was a night I'll never forget..." His voice always sounds sweeter than honey at this hour. "It was painful...to just watch you from afar. You seemed so out of reach...like you were in your own world,"

Oh... "Yes...I was drunk," She tried teasing.

"That...and you were dancing like there's no tomorrow, like there's no one watching. I remembered wanting so much to be in there...somewhere in your world,"

"Sweet talks can wait another day, babe," She purposely pulls his hand back over forcefully, wrapping herself in his warmth. It's too sentimental after his love confession and all the love-making overnight. It's scary that she's becoming too good at distracting her mind. She's not sure if her heart can take any more.

"Babe?" He nestled his chin comfortably on her shoulder and she could practically feel the teasing smile.

"What would you like me to call you then?" He hummed and a few seconds passed. 

"Anything...honey maybe, that sounds sweet right?"

"Bunny then,"

...

"Lisaaaa!!" Chaeyoung's screaming and running towards her had Lisa frozen in shock just as she unlocked and opened the door.

Right then and there, the two began hopping in circles - all hands-holding and wiggling and flapping like babies when they're excited. The two months felt like the longest. More so that Lisa's beginning to think that her roommate had actually moved to a different continent without ever telling her!

"No text at all - just...wow!" She rolled her eyes as they settled on the couch. Chaeyoung already had a few luggage out in the living room - in and around them are clothes that seemed to be tossed out straight from the wardrobe. 

"No text means it's all good," The pursed smile is obviously saying that the long honeymoon was, in fact, 'all good'.

"Most of the time, no text means you're either kidnapped or buried somewhere at the bottom of the ocean. You do know that, don't you?" 

"I asked Chim to reply you -"

"Well done, Chae! That's super thoughtful of you!" She can't help the sarcasm. "Asking your husband to reply to me via his best friend - that's exactly the type of friendship I've been searching for!"

"Naurrr...Chim said that we should give you both the space...to not cloud your thoughts or whatever. Believe me, it kills me so much not knowing anything,"

"And how many deaths were there -"

"Now tell me everything!"

"Naurrr...I'm too tired!" She purposely mimicked the friend, earning a cute frown and pout. But really, I'm too tired! I need sleep - 

"Since you just got back, I'm guessing that you are," Chaeyoung flutters her eyelashes and maybe Lisa's cheeks turned pink. "Just please tell me you're not gonna chase him off again!" 

Chase...him off? Again? What? How much has Jungkook told Jimin? "Everything's...well. I'm sure you'll catch up on me having a boyfriend just fine later on -"

"So you're officially dating him?? Oh my God, finally!! I'm so happy!" 

...

Lisa spoke to her reflection again, staring back blankly from the phone's dark screen. Again and again, they ended up fooling each other. She had been partly truthful and partly shady this afternoon - telling Jungkook that she was so tired and needed the Saturday on her own to sleep. Now the moon is out, and he's still being a damn considerate boyfriend by only texting her things like 'I ordered pizza and had it delivered to you' and 'please wake up and eat so you won't feel...' to which she guessed ended with 'hungry at midnight'. She wouldn't know because she hadn't opened any of the texts yet.

The truth is...although she did fell asleep earlier, it only lasted for 2 hours. She spent the rest still laying on the bed with just her wandering thoughts. It's been taking her further and further away, and some minutes she had to remind herself that she had woken up to her present. She kept drifting to the things that she remembers, but pretend that she didn't. Her memories seemed to be greeting her like an excited child - jumping from one point to another.

The many times he said he loves me...now it seemed to be drawn out so easily. The very first 'I-love-you' I ever said to a man was only 5 years ago...

It was one year since she got into that relationship. She had just turned 18 that night...but he couldn't wait. No...it wasn't only his fault. The grand set up to celebrate her birthday at his house was too lovely that she thought of how unnecessary it was at some point of the night. He was exceptionally sweet too, yet she shuddered at his mention of 'spending the night together'. She could still remember how most of her didn't want to...and that she wasn't ready. But he knew all the right ways to make her stay. 

Now the more she thought about it, the more obvious it seemed that those words were forced out of her. He wanted her to say it back. He kept going on about it...in every smile and kisses. As he held up the diamond necklace...just waiting for it before he wrapped it around her neck. It was impressive, she thought. How much longing and desperation for him to have stayed patient with her. 

No...it wasn't patience. It was deception...and selfishness. It was him not being able to handle the peer pressure and his fucking raging hormones! Was there even love there then?  What was it...red flags that I probably mistook for roses?

Destructive criticisms followed with 'I'm just being honest' and 'It's because I care about you'. Reminding her that she should feel lucky to be standing by his side. Telling her 'change to a dress, you'd look more beautiful in a dress' and changed his 'I love you' to 'I love your body' since their first night together. Always coming back with a 'can we just drop it?', imitating the 'bigger person' after their many arguments. I love you...was just a big joke -

Did Jungkook say that to his ex too? Of course he did...he's the type that will fully invest himself in a relationship so of course he did! How long ago was that? And how long was it before he stopped telling her he loves her? How long will it be before he stops telling me he loves me? 7 months from now...or 7 years from now? Come to think of it...he hardly -

Her phone rang and Lisa pushed herself up. No one in a right mind would believe that she slept all throughout the past 10 hours!

"Hi..." She forced herself to sound more alive than she actually feels.

"I was beginning to worry where you ran off to in dreamland," Jungkook's voice, on the other hand, sounds amazing as always.

"I'm sorry...I must've been so tired," She sighed a smile, feeling a little relieved that she answered the call. "Chae's back by the way,"

"Yeah, I just had a drink with Jimin just now. He asked us to come by the new house to visit. I told him we'll go when you're free,"

Lisa took her time in appreciating the fact that Jungkook has, by far, been treating her like a princess even before they started dating. There's really nothing much he's bothered with...so different than me. Then...he wouldn't force her into doing or saying anything she's not ready with...right?

"Baby?"

"Hmm?" Shoot! "Sorry...I think I slept too long...my brain takes longer to process things," She heard his little laugh and it warms her heart. "Are you on your way to work? Can we have dinner together?"

"I'll turn right back -"

"No, no -"

"Already did. Call you when I get there,"

...

Over the next week, Lisa still kept her composure and smiles all the same. It's almost mentally exhausting to keep her thoughts and questions to herself, but she felt like she had no other choice. The right time when she should be questioning her boyfriend's confession had passed for a while now so all she could do is smile and kiss him whenever he says it. And he says it a lot!

Now, don't get her wrong - she's not complaining on how clingy or generous Jungkook's been with his feelings. More than anything, she wonders if she's already feeling the same but failed to recognize it. There was just never the right time to ask him. He keeps making her heart flutter, even after months.

"What about this one?" He held up a gold pendant with a small key attached to it. His eyes sparkles with excitement. "This is more of your style, isn't it?" 

It's cute how he transforms into a little boy, wanting to buy gifts for her. To reciprocate the idea, she held in her palm, softly brushing on the shine. 

"So you know my style now huh?" She teased, feeling more overwhelmed since he paid for her clothes earlier and bought her 2 bags to 'match with the outfits'. 

"Yes, I pray you'll never find my little book of 'all things Lisa' somewhere under my bed,"

"Ckk - I pray I'll never find it too for your sake! I'm scared of what's in there...probably some witchcrafting spells..." She rolled her eyes as he took the pendant and hovers close to put it around her neck.

"Drawings of stars are my thing now," He sighed a few laughs. "There...pretty,"

His eyes shine even more and Lisa had to clear her throat in order to not fall into them again. God knows how annoyed the shop lady in front of us had been with all these sweet-talks! She leans closer to the mirror to examine the thing.

"Like it?"

She nods, slowly exhaling the concerned feeling that all of his gestures today might require some form of paybacks. He never asked to go shopping before...and he's spending more than what I deserved within a span of 4 hours. What is he trying to do? There's no diamond but it's now isn't it? Now is when he'll ask -

"Do you have something like this, but in silver?" She asked the girl from the counter. The slightly older woman nodded and left.

"You don't like the gold?"

"I like it...I just wanna get another one. For you,"

He quirks up an eyebrow and grins. "Matching necklaces...why didn't I think of that?"

"You were too busy spoiling me," She pretends to be nonchalant about the whole thing. "And I'm paying for these,"

"Why?" His eyes got too big all of a sudden.

"Because...I want to," She pulls her usual charming smile that seems to always win his heart. 

She could see that he's contemplating...pouting as if he should take this to battle. Luckily for her, he fell for it again.

"Fine...but no more of you paying for today,"

"What? Why?" She chuckled. He crossed his arms and it looks like he's trying to hide from her. Still, she waited...even if she isn't quite sure if she wants to know the answer!

"Because I was late! Your birthday..." He sighed and looks down to his shoes. "I only asked about your birthday last week...I should've asked earlier. I'm sorry,"

Oh...thank God it's not the 'other' thing! Aishh this adorable bunny! "Aww...it's okay, honey. It really is! I'm not big on celebration nowadays,"

He always lights up when she calls him 'honey' now. She tries not using it as much, thinking it would do good as her secret weapon! 

"Means that you were before,"

She weighs on the remark. "I guess living alone changes things. It's quite depressing to be sitting with a cake by yourself, isn't it?"

"'By yourself'? What about your friends here?" 

She thought about it. Come to think of it, she never really told anyone when her birthday is. They're always getting gifts for her when they traveled so whenever they asked when her birthday is, she'd always say it has passed. The same as how she initially answered her boyfriend when she was asked but he was persistent enough to keep going for the exact date!

"I get love all year round from them. Doesn't matter if it's a birthday or not,"

He stares at her - as if he's either trying to comprehend the answer or wondering if that's how she really feels. Either way, it makes her a little uncomfortable so she looks away. A few seconds later, his palm reaches hers.

"So it's a choice..." Damn it, sometimes I hate the fact that he's so smart at figuring me out! "But that's not it for me. We're gonna celebrate our birthdays together from now - cakes and all. You can't run from me,"

...

"I haven't seen my daughter for so long...maybe that's why,"

Lisa squints her eyes. The earlier worry of her mother claiming to be sick is now questionable. "You're seeing me now," She leans closer to phone, almost plastering her face to the screen. "You see me every week, mom,"

"I wanna see you standing in front of me. Come home...please..." The sound of her mother's pleading brought even more aches in her chest. "Just the other day your dad told me that he has chest pains. Please come back. Are you not worried? We're old...don't you feel sorry for us?"

"Mommy..." Her mother's been guilt-tripping her hard recently. "Of course I wanna come back but..." But what? But I'm not ready to...to face everyone. Or everything. Or maybe I don't wanna leave my good life here...where no one can chase my past and accept me the way I am. 

"Lali...it's been too long now. It's not traveling anymore if you don't come back. You said you wanted to travel the world and we let you go because we trusted you. But now you're settling in and we can't help but wonder - are you ever going to come back home?" Oh great, now she's crying!

"Don't say that, mom. Of course I'll come back," 

"Yes but when?? When me or your dad are on our deathbed?"

"Mommy -"

"I don't wanna hear your empty promises, Lalisa! You said you'll let me know the date a month ago but up until now..." She watched her mother wiping her tears and it seems like she's taking a few deep breaths. "You have a lot waiting for you here. Things that need to be resolved and this trip that you're on, it needs to stop now!"

What? Why is she being like this - so persistent all of a sudden?? What - she can't stand her ground when everyone said she's a pushover and now I'm taking the hit? "Things? What things?"

"I won't tell you what it is. You need to come back and face them yourself - you're an adult now, right? You spent two birthdays on your own and refused us of any help -"

"I'm doing okay -"

"That's not the point! If it's too much for you to buy that ticket then I'll buy it for you -"

"No, mom - I'll get it!" She had to forced her voice down so she wouldn't shout. "I'll...I'll come back next month, okay?"

"First week,"

"I have to ask my boss first...but next month, I promise," Her eyes wanders as she tries to calm her mind and they landed on her boyfriend's car, coming to a stop in front of the office lobby.

"You promised last month -"

"Next month, I promise. Mom, I have to go okay? I'll call you later. Please take your meds and rest. Don't worry too much,"

"How can I not worry -"

"I really have to go. I'll talk to you when I get home," She gave her final smile and waved to the camera goodbye, hiding her anxiety-driven shaky fingers.

There are just so many things to think about but...it's fine. It'll be fine. I'll just go back for a visit, that's not a problem! Make them happy for a while...maybe a week...it'll all be fine. I'm sure unnie can let me take a week off. If I tell her earlier, I can reschedule my projects to be done before then. Okay...yeah...I can do that!

"Hi, baby," Jungkook gives her a quick peck on her cheeks when she got in the car. "Did you wait long?"

"No, not really,"

He didn't start driving right away. Instead, he turns to face her. "Is everything okay? You're frowning,"

"Ahh...just a work thing. It's fine,"

"You wanna tell me bout it?"

"Nope!" The answer is probably too fast and her tone might sounds a bit harsh. She could see the uneasiness reflected on his face as quick. "I mean...it's nothing. Just this photoshoot that I need to retake. The client wasn't too happy," It should worry her that she's becoming such a good liar. "I'm fine. I'm sure I'll feel even better after dinner," And she began thinking about when will be the best time to tell him.

...

Lisa's been having migraines lately and she hasn't been sleeping well. The thumps always wakes her up in the middle of the night and she's been coming up with excuses to not sleep at Jungkook's place in order to not be woken up by him when he gets back so early in the morning for three days straight now. Tonight it's 'I have tripods and reflectors at home to bring back to the office tomorrow so it's better if I go to work straight from home'.

Sure, she had to stay patient throughout her boyfriend's ten minutes whining of 'I miss coming back to my bed with you in it' but it had to be done. There's no way she could survive work if she didn't lie and thankfully, his whining never lasted more than those ten minutes. Another reason why Jungkook is the best boyfriend any girl could have in her honest opinion!

"Are we going for desserts?" She asks when he suddenly pulled into a parking space by the side of a street.

"No...my dessert have decided to abandon me for three days now and there's no substitute for it," His smile is cheeky and it made her laugh. "I wanna show you something, come on,"

They got out of the car and he grabs her hand - leading her towards a grill-covered lot among the shops. The keys jingle when he took it out from his pocket and it looks like he's thinking hard on which one works. When he finally got the right one, he grins excitedly for the confused Lisa. He switched on the lights and everything suddenly turned too bright. She blinked a couple of time before the revealing of a huge empty space. 

"There are three floors...same size as this. What do you think?" He stood with arms opened wide in front of her. 

"What do I think? What's it for?"

"It's um..." He scratched the back of his head - a habit that she came to know for whenever he's nervous about something. "I went to this place with Jimin to scout - it was close to his office, a dance studio,"

Oh no...

"Just to see what it should look like. I asked if any of my friends have any contacts for an affordable space to rent or buy and this is the best so far. So...here's where you can have the reception," He walked far right. "And we can build partition walls for your office or if you have smaller classes," 

No, no -

"The guy who owns the place said you can fit two medium-sized class per floor. It's really up to you -"

"Jungkook," Breathe...I need to breathe... 

"You...don't like it?" His face has fallen, looking like he's disappointed with her...or himself.

"I um..." Didn't I answered him that night? Why is he doing this? To keep me around? She thought she was able to keep everything in - at least until she could figure out her own feelings but now...maybe now she can ask - "Why are you doing this?" 

There's a lot that she's unsure of but for now, she forced her feet to keep still. To not run like how he thought she would. He said 'tell me you love me'. He said 'I'm doing this because I want you to tell me you love me'. He asked, 'don't you love me?'. And if Jungkook says the same, maybe I would say a lot more than just give him the same answer.

"I just want you to be happy," He came closer to her. His face looks like he's about ready to catch her if she tries to run. Careful...and calculating. "I know you said you're good with your job...but you also said that dancing is your passion. I don't know how we can work it out but I think you can do it. If it'll make you happier, I believe you can do it,"

Oh... Her guard fell back down upon hearing his words. 

"It's just an idea. Nothing's set yet so if you don't like it, I can keep looking. I only borrowed the keys to show you...a concept of what could be. You don't even have to decide now -"

"I'm quite tired," She muttered. "This is...it's a bit overwhelming, not gonna lie..." He began fidgeting with the keys and her heart began to ache. "It does look promising - I'll think about it, okay?"

And his smile is back, happy as an excited little boy. 

...