Fang's POV

After a tiring day at work, Ying finally agreed to go to the bar with me.

Our relationship has been rocky lately, and I really hope we can figure things out and build a better future together.

I went home to freshen up before meeting Ying.

I need to stop thinking only about myself and apologize to Ying for being such a jerk lately.

After getting ready, I grabbed the wrapped box I and Boboiboy had prepared as a gift for her.

Boboiboy... i hold tight to the gift.

---

Flashback

“Okay!” Boboiboy shot up from his seat, brimming with excitement. “Let’s get a present for your girlfriend before I start my work!”

I had just finished my meal and, honestly, hadn’t thought about getting Ying anything in a long time.

“Let me pay for the food first!” Boboiboy called out, running to the counter before I could react.

“W-wait! Let me pay too—” I stammered, but he just winked at me as if to say, I got this.

And for some reason, that wink made my heart skip a beat. My eyes widened.

Why does he have to look so cute when he does that?

It’s normal to feel that way about attractive people... right?

I tried to shake it off as he came back and grabbed his bag from the chair.

“Let me pay for my part at least—”

“No need! Let’s go!” he interrupted, grabbing my hand and pulling me out of my seat with him.

He was so eager to help me pick out a gift.

“Okay, okay!” I replied, letting him lead the way.

After walking a bit, he let go of my hand, his face lighting up as he scanned the stores around us.

Did I... feel disappointed when he let go?

“Oh!” Boboiboy exclaimed, spotting something. “That store looks cute!”

He dashed inside a small shop that had just opened, leaving me to follow him.

The store was filled with the kind of stuff girls love—plush toys, stationery, accessories, and bags.

“Come on, Fang!” Boboiboy called out, poking his head out of the store.

“Okay, okay, I’m coming,” I said, walking in.

“Look!” He held up a set of sticky notes shaped like flowers and a pen with a tiny bear figurine on the end.

“That’s... cute,” I said, a little surprised.

“Not just cute! Ying studies a lot, right? If you give her something she can use for work, she’ll think of you every time she sees it!” he explained, smiling brightly.

“Smart,” I admitted.

“I’m more than just smart,” he teased, flashing a cheeky grin.

I took the stationery from his hands, and our fingers brushed for a second.

“Your skin is... ridiculously smooth,” I blurted out before I could stop myself.

Oh my god. What did I just say?

We both froze, avoiding each other’s eyes.

“Uh, sorry,” I muttered, shoving the stationery back into his hands.

“It’s fine,” he said, looking away, his cheeks slightly red. “Let’s grab more stationery and find a box to wrap everything.”

He walked off, but I couldn’t stop myself from staring at him. Again.

After a while, Boboiboy found more cute items and even picked out a box to put them in. As I took the box to the cashier to pay, he wandered around the store.

“They’re really attractive,” the cashier suddenly said, snapping me out of my daze.

“W-what?” I stammered, fumbling with my wallet.

“The person you’ve been staring at non-stop,” the cashier said with a knowing smile.

My face turned red. “W-what... No, they’re just my friend! Besides, I have a girlfriend!”

“Ah, my mistake,” the cashier said, chuckling as they packed the items. “It’s just... you haven’t taken your eyes off them.”

I was stunned, unable to reply. I hadn’t even realized I’d been staring so much.

“Here you go,” the cashier said, handing me the wrapped gift.

I grabbed it and headed over to Boboiboy.

“Thanks for helping me—” My words trailed off as I saw him holding a giant plush bear in his arms, his expression like a sad puppy’s.

“What’s wrong?” I asked, confused.

“I want this bear,” he said, his voice pitiful as he hugged it tightly.

I froze. The bear looked eerily similar to my costume at my second job.

“B-buy it, then!” I stammered.

“I can’t! I have bills to pay!” he cried, putting the bear back on the shelf with an exaggerated sniff. “Goodbye, bear. I’ll miss you forever.”

Watching him mourn over the stuffed toy like a heartbroken child was too much for me. I burst out laughing.

“Ah! Why are you laughing?!” Boboiboy yelled, flustered.

But I couldn’t stop. Tears filled my eyes as I doubled over, laughing at his antics.

“You’re... you’re unbelievable,” I said, finally catching my breath as we left the store.

Boboiboy, you really are something else.

Present time

Boboiboy is the name that had been screaming in my name. It's so weird how i just knew him and just like that i gravitate to him.

Him? He is a guy. My attraction is as a friend i believe, i have a girlfriend.

But i like to hang out with him more. He is so bright to be around.

As i get ready to leave with my car, i got a text from ying.

Ying: Hey Fang bb, I will be ready in 10 minutes i just finished showering ;)

I smile.

Fang: Okay Ying, i am on the way now!

Boboiboy's POV

The clock on the wall reads 7:00 PM. Another day at work is almost over.

The job here is so chill—it’s easy and relaxed. I’ve met some amazing people too. My boss, Ling, might act like a bit of a tsundere, but she’s honestly one of the kindest people I know.

Recently, I’ve been learning how to bake some of the bread we sell here. It’s incredible how Ling manages to make such a variety of bread every single day. She starts at 6:00 AM without fail, and I’m always amazed by her dedication.

“Boboiboy, you can leave already! I’m wrapping up the register,” Ling calls out from behind the counter.

“Are you sure? Don’t you need help with anything else?” I ask, hesitating. The idea of leaving her to handle everything alone feels wrong.

She waves me off with a small smile. “Yes! You’ve already done more than enough. I really appreciate it, but no overtime for you. I won’t be paying you for extra hours!” she adds with a teasing tone.

I chuckle, grabbing my things. “Alright, thanks for today!”

As I pick up my bag, I hear a faint vibration coming from inside. Pulling out my phone, I notice several missed calls from an unregistered number. My heart sinks.

Who’s been calling me so urgently?

Scrolling through my notifications, I see a text message:

> Hello! I’m the mother of Boboiboy’s friend. My son was waiting with Boboiboy until the school closed, but no one else was there. I’m currently with your son at the school. Your son mentioned you’re working, and your husband was supposed to pick him up.

Panic grips me. What?! Alex was left at school?!

I sling my bag over my shoulder and call out to Ling. “Thank you for today! I have to go!”

“See you tomorrow!” she calls after me, her voice fading as I dash out of the store.

My mind races as I run to my car. Why didn’t Adrian pick Alex up? It’s been two hours since school ended at 5:00 PM!

I fumble with my phone, dialing Adrian’s number.

Calling...
No answer.

Calling again...
Still no answer.

“What the hell is going on?!” I mutter under my breath, slamming my hands against the steering wheel.

We had agreed that since I started working, Adrian would handle picking Alex up. So why is this happening?!

Driving as fast as I dare, I push down the panic welling up inside me. My knuckles turn white as I grip the wheel. Thank God one of Alex’s friend’s parents stayed with him. But Adrian... why would you let this happen?

When I finally reach the school, my heart sinks. The gates are locked, and the yard is eerily empty, bathed in the dim orange glow of the setting sun.

Then I see him—Alex, sitting on a bench near the school entrance. Beside him is another child, and a sleek red sports car is parked nearby.

I park hastily and leap out of the car. My chest tightens as I rush toward Alex, ready to apologize for being late.

“Daddy!” Alex’s cheerful voice calls out, his face lighting up as he runs toward me with his backpack bouncing behind him.

“I’m so sorry!” I say, scooping him up into a tight hug. Tears prick at the corners of my eyes.

Suddenly, the door of the red sports car opens, and out steps someone I recognize.

“Kaizo?” I blurt out, surprised. Kaizo owns the KaiKiz shop I sometimes visit.

He smiles faintly, his son peeking out shyly from behind him. “Not a problem,” he says casually. “Hello there.”

“Y-you’re the guy from that bookstore, right?” I stammer. “Thank you so much for waiting with my kid!”

“It’s okay,” Kaizo replies smoothly. “I was just worried about leaving such a cute kid alone without supervision. Besides, my son here...” He gestures to Nyx, who’s hiding behind his legs. “...was the one who noticed Alex sitting alone.”

I crouch down, smiling at Nyx. “Thank you for looking out for Alex,” I say gently, ruffling his hair.

Nyx blushes, his cheeks turning pink as he stammers a soft, “You’re welcome.”

“We wanted to take him home or somewhere safe,” Kaizo explains, “but Alex insisted on waiting for his dad.”

I bow slightly, deeply grateful. “Thank you so much, Kaizo, and I’m really sorry for the trouble I’ve caused.”

“Thank you, Uncle Kaizo!” Alex pipes up, his voice bright and cheerful.

Kaizo smiles, picking up Nyx as they head back to their car. “Take care,” he says before driving off.

I buckle Alex into the car, my heart heavy with guilt. “I’m so sorry, Alex,” I murmur. “I’ll never let this happen again.”

Alex looks up at me with a bright smile. “It’s okay, Daddy. I knew you’d come for me.”

Tears blur my vision as I pull him close, silently vowing never to let him down again.

Fang's POV

I pulled up in front of Ying’s apartment, the engine humming softly as I waited for her. With nothing to do but pass the time, I adjusted my hair in the side-view mirror, smoothing it down and making sure I looked presentable.

Then, from the corner of my eye, I saw her. Someone with straight hair and light makeup was walking toward my car. My breath caught in my throat.

It was Ying.

She looked absolutely stunning, her beauty almost otherworldly. She wore a half-length dress that hugged her figure perfectly, paired with a little jacket draped elegantly over her arms. My eyes widened as I took her in, unable to hide my amazement.

Art by me

“Fang,” she called out, her voice soft and smooth, with a hint of playfulness.

I got out of the car immediately, moving toward her and taking her hand gently. For a moment, it felt like prom night all over again—the nervous excitement, the butterflies in my stomach, the way she made my heart race.

“You are so beautiful,” I murmured, guiding her to the car. Her hand felt delicate in mine, and I couldn’t take my eyes off her.

She blushed, her cheeks tinged with a soft pink as she slipped into the passenger seat gracefully. Her slim, elegant figure was mesmerizing, and for a moment, I just sat there, admiring her.

Snapping out of my daze, I reached for something in the back seat. “You’ve really outdone yourself tonight,” I said, leaning closer to her. Then, with a smile, I pulled out a bouquet of red roses.

Her eyes widened in surprise. “Oh!” she gasped, holding a hand to her chest. “Fang, you didn’t have to do all this!”

“I did,” I replied, my smile soft and sincere. “For my princess.”

She blushed even deeper, a shy smile spreading across her face as she held the bouquet close.

I started the car and began driving us to the bar I had planned for our evening. The drive was filled with a comfortable silence, broken only by the faint hum of the radio.

When we arrived, I got out quickly, circling around to open her door and offer her my hand. She hesitated for a moment, then placed her hand in mine, her touch warm and gentle.

Inside the bar, I kept her close, holding her hand protectively as we navigated through the crowd. She stayed quiet but blushed the entire time, her expression so endearing that it made my heart ache in the best way.

We found a corner table, tucked away from the noise and chaos of the bar. It was cozy and private, just the way I had hoped.

As we sat down, I couldn’t help but steal glances at her. She looked so radiant under the dim lights of the bar. We ordered a couple of drinks and some small bites to share, settling into the evening with ease.

For me, it wasn’t about the food, the drinks, or even the bar itself. It was about being here, with her, seeing her smile, and knowing that tonight was ours.

The evening with Ying had been perfect so far. We laughed, flirted, and shared stolen touches across the small table as if trying to piece our relationship back together. Her smile lit up the dim bar, and every moment felt like a step toward something better, something healthier.

As the night progressed, the drinks started to settle in, making everything feel lighter and more relaxed. Ying was mid-laugh at one of my terrible jokes when I excused myself to use the restroom.

“I’ll be right back,” I told her, brushing her hand lightly as I stood.

When I returned, my steps faltered. Ying was no longer alone. A man stood by our table, leaning slightly toward her. He was tall, with a confident posture that immediately put me on edge. I couldn’t hear their conversation over the bar’s noise, but I saw Ying tuck something—a small piece of paper—into her jacket pocket as I approached.

The man glanced at me, his eyes narrowing for a brief second before he straightened up. His expression was unreadable, but there was something vaguely familiar about him, something I couldn’t quite place.

“Fang, you’re back!” Ying’s voice cut through my thoughts, her tone cheerful, though there was a slight tension in her smile.

I slid back into my seat, my eyes shifting between her and the stranger. “Everything okay here?” I asked, keeping my tone even.

Ying nodded quickly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “Yeah, he thought I was alone, but I told him I was with my boyfriend.”

The man gave a tight, polite smile, muttered something under his breath, and walked away without another word.

For a moment, I watched him leave, trying to figure out why he seemed so familiar. Then I turned back to Ying, who was busy sipping her drink, avoiding my gaze.

“Ready to go?” she asked after a moment, her tone casual.

“Yeah,” I replied, though my mind was still stuck on the interaction I had just witnessed.

We gathered our things and left the bar, stepping into the cool night air.

The drive back to Ying’s place was unusually quiet. The playful energy we’d shared earlier seemed to have been replaced by something heavier. I kept my hands on the wheel, my eyes on the road, but my thoughts were racing.

That guy at the bar. His familiar face. The way Ying had tucked something into her pocket.

The silence between us wasn’t uncomfortable, exactly, but it was charged. Like both of us knew there was something unsaid, hanging in the air.

As I pulled up in front of her apartment building, I finally worked up the courage to speak.

“So,” I began, my voice low but steady, “are you going to tell me what really happened back there?”

Ying turned to me, her brow furrowing slightly. “Fang, I already told you. He thought I was alone, and I told him I wasn’t.”

I let out a small, humorless laugh, my grip tightening on the steering wheel. “Right. That’s all?”

She sighed, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “Yes, that’s all. Why are you being like this?”

“Because,” I said, finally turning to face her, “he didn’t look like someone who just strikes up a random conversation. And I saw you put something in your pocket.”

Her eyes widened for a split second before she quickly masked her expression. “It’s nothing. Just a business card or something. I didn’t even look at it.”

“Ying,” I said, my voice softening, though my jealousy was still simmering under the surface. “I don’t want to sound crazy, but… I don’t like the idea of some guy thinking he has a chance with you.”

She stared at me for a moment before a small smile broke through. “You’re jealous,” she said, her tone teasing.

“I’m not—” I started to protest, but she cut me off with a laugh.

“You are,” she said, leaning closer. “And it’s kind of adorable.”

Before I could reply, she leaned in and kissed me gently, her lips brushing against mine in a way that made my breath hitch.

Something inside me snapped.

The jealousy, the tension, the unspoken emotions—it all boiled over. My hands moved on their own, cupping her face as I deepened the kiss. It wasn’t soft or gentle anymore. It was passionate, almost desperate.

I pulled her closer, my fingers tangling in her hair as I kissed her with a feral intensity I didn’t know I was capable of. She responded just as eagerly, her hands gripping my jacket as if she didn’t want to let go.

In that moment, nothing else mattered. Not the guy at the bar, not the tension in the car—just her.

When we finally broke apart, both of us were breathing heavily, her cheeks flushed and her lips slightly swollen from the kiss.

“Fang,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

“You’re mine, Ying,” I said, my voice low and rough. “Only mine.”

Her eyes softened, and she nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. “Always.”

The conversation didn’t go any further. It didn’t need to. Whatever doubts or insecurities had been lingering were drowned out by the sheer intensity of the moment.

As we walked toward Ying’s apartment, she clung to my arm, her head leaning lightly against my shoulder. Her warmth, her presence—it was enough to make me forget the lingering tension from earlier.

When we reached her door, I hesitated. The intensity of our earlier kiss still lingered in my mind, but I wanted to respect her space.

“Well,” I said softly, letting my hand brush against hers. “Goodnight, Ying. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Goodnight,” she whispered, her eyes lingering on mine.

I turned to leave, my heart already missing her, but before I could take more than a step, I heard her call out, “Fang!”

I barely had time to turn around before she ran toward me, grabbing my wrist and pulling me back to her door.

“Ying, what are you—” My words were cut off as she kissed me—hot, passionate, and overwhelming. Her lips pressed against mine with a hunger that made my heart race.

It startled me at first, but I quickly melted into the kiss, my hands instinctively wrapping around her waist. When we broke apart, I looked at her, my breathing uneven.

“Ying,” I said, my voice husky. “Are you sure about this? I don’t want to push you into something you’re not ready for.”

Her eyes burned with determination as she nodded. “I want this, Fang. I want you.”

Her words sent a shiver down my spine, but I needed to be absolutely sure. “Are you really okay with this? I need to hear you say it.”

“Yes,” she whispered, her voice firm and unwavering.

Before I could say another word, she slid her jacket off her shoulders, letting it fall to the floor. Then, with deliberate movements, she unzipped her dress, letting it slip down her body and pool at her feet. My breath caught as her bare skin came into view, her beauty almost too much to take in.

I stepped closer, closing the distance between us, my hands sliding up her sides as I kissed her deeply. She responded eagerly, her fingers tangling in my hair as I pushed her back against the wall.

The world outside faded away. In this moment, it was just us—raw, unfiltered, and completely connected.

“Ying,” I murmured against her lips, my voice filled with reverence and desire.

“Don’t stop,” she whispered back, her hands pulling me even closer.

And I didn’t.

This answered alot for me. My feelings for Ying is very clear, and i deeply in love with her. I want to be with her. I want to figure things out with her.

I want her to be my future and no one else.

To be continue..