Almost-kiss

Two days had passed since the intense days of my estrus period, and I finally felt like myself again. The haze of heightened emotions and primal instincts had lifted, leaving me with a clarity that was both a relief and a cause for embarrassment. Throughout those days, I had clung to Yura like a lifeline, acting more like a child than the alpha I was supposed to be. The memory of my behavior brought a flush of shame to my cheeks.

As I lay in bed, the early morning light casting soft shadows across the room, I turned my head to see Yura sleeping peacefully beside me. Her hair was spread out across the pillow, her face serene and relaxed. The sight made my heart ache with a mix of affection and confusion. Our marriage had started as nothing more than a contract, a strategic alliance. But now, after everything that had happened, I wasn't sure how to define our relationship.

I watched her for a few moments, my thoughts a tangled mess. The vulnerability I had shown, the way I had relied on her so completely—it was something I had never done with anyone before. And Yura had responded with such care and tenderness, it made me wonder if there was more to our bond than just a contractual obligation.

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. I needed to talk to her, to understand where we stood. But the thought of confronting my feelings, of possibly facing rejection, filled me with dread. Yet, I knew I couldn't avoid this conversation forever.

Gently, I reached out and brushed a strand of hair away from her face. Yura stirred, her eyes fluttering open. She looked at me with a sleepy smile, and for a moment, my heart felt light.

"Good morning," she murmured, her voice still thick with sleep.

"Good morning," I replied softly, my fingers lingering on her cheek. "Did you sleep well?"

She nodded, stretching slightly before settling back into the pillows. "Yes, I did. How about you? How are you feeling?"

I hesitated, searching for the right words. "I'm feeling better. Normal, finally. But... there's something we need to talk about."

Yura's eyes sharpened with concern, and she propped herself up on one elbow, giving me her full attention. "What is it, Jiyeon?"

I took another deep breath, gathering my courage. "During my estrus, I behaved in ways that were... unusual for me. I acted like a child, clinging to you and needing you in ways I've never needed anyone before. And now, I don't know how to face you, how to move forward from this."

Yura's expression softened, and she reached out to take my hand in hers. "Jiyeon, there's nothing to be ashamed of. You were going through something intense, something beyond your control. And I was glad to be there for you."

Her words were like a balm to my anxious heart, but they didn't fully ease my worries. "But our marriage... it was just a contract. And now, after everything, I'm not sure what we are. I don't know how to act around you."

Yura's thumb traced gentle circles on the back of my hand. "Jiyeon, our marriage may have started as a contract, but it doesn't have to stay that way. The way we've grown closer, the way we've supported each other—those things are real. They mean something."

I looked into her eyes, searching for any hint of insincerity, but all I saw was genuine affection. "Do you really believe that? That we can be more than just a contract?"

She smiled, a warm and reassuring smile that made my heart swell. "Yes, I do. And I think you believe it too, otherwise, you wouldn't be so worried about this."

Her words struck a chord within me, and I realized she was right. The fact that I was so concerned, so desperate to define our relationship, meant that it was already more than just a contract to me. It meant that I cared deeply for her, in ways I hadn't fully acknowledged before.

"I do care about you, Yura. More than I ever expected to," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.

Yura's smile widened, and she leaned in to press a gentle kiss to my forehead. "I care about you too, Jiyeon. Let's take things one step at a time, and see where this journey takes us."

I nodded, feeling a sense of peace settle over me. For the first time in days, I felt hopeful about our future. 

Yura and I lay together for a few moments longer, savoring the quiet intimacy of the morning. Eventually, she slipped out of bed, giving me a soft smile before heading to her own room. I watched her go, feeling a mix of emotions swirling inside me. With a sigh, I got up and began my morning routine.

After a quick shower, I dressed and made my way downstairs to the living room. The house was already bustling with activity as the servants went about their chores. They greeted me warmly as I passed, and I returned their smiles. However, Yura was nowhere to be seen.

Deciding to make myself useful, I headed to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. Cooking always helped to clear my mind, and I wanted to do something nice for Yura after all she had done for me. I took a deep breath and surveyed the ingredients in the kitchen. I decided to make a hearty breakfast with an assortment of dishes that would cater to both our tastes.

First, I started with the eggs. I cracked a few into a bowl, whisking them until they were frothy and well-mixed. I added a pinch of salt and pepper, then poured them into a hot skillet with a generous pat of butter. As the eggs began to cook, I stirred them gently, creating soft, fluffy scrambled eggs.

Next, I moved on to the bacon. I laid out the strips on a baking sheet and slid them into the oven, setting the timer to ensure they came out perfectly crispy. The aroma of sizzling bacon soon filled the kitchen, making my mouth water.

While the bacon cooked, I began to slice some fresh fruit. I chose a mix of strawberries, blueberries, and kiwis, arranging them artfully on a platter. Their vibrant colors were a feast for the eyes, and I knew they would provide a refreshing contrast to the savory dishes.

I also decided to make some avocado toast, knowing how much Yura enjoyed it. I toasted a few slices of whole-grain bread until they were golden brown, then mashed ripe avocados with a squeeze of lemon juice, salt, and a touch of chili flakes for a bit of heat. I spread the avocado mixture generously on the toast, topping it with cherry tomatoes and a sprinkle of feta cheese.

As I was plating the avocado toast, I heard soft footsteps behind me. Turning around, I saw Yura standing in the doorway, watching me with a smile.

Yura walked over and wrapped her arms around my waist from behind, resting her chin on my shoulder. "It smells amazing," she murmured. "Thank you, Jiyeon."

I felt a flutter of happiness at her words. "You're welcome. It's the least I could do."

With Yura's help, we finished setting the table. I added a pot of freshly brewed coffee and a pitcher of orange juice to the spread. We sat down together and began to eat, the conversation flowing easily between us. Yura complimented my cooking, and I felt a warm sense of satisfaction seeing her enjoy the meal.

Once we were done, the servants appeared to clear the table. Yura and I stood up, and she took my hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "I have to head to the office soon," she said, a hint of reluctance in her voice.

"I know," I replied, squeezing her hand back. "I'll bring you lunch later. How does that sound?"

Her eyes lit up. "That sounds perfect. Thank you."

We heading separate ways. Yura left for her office, while I prepared to head to my restaurant. The day passed quickly, filled with the usual hustle and bustle of running a restaurant. But in the back of my mind, I kept thinking about Yura.

As lunchtime approached, I packed a special meal for her. I chose her favorite dishes, making sure everything was just right. With the lunch packed and ready, I made my way to Yura's office.

When I arrived, the receptionist greeted me and let Yura know I was there. A few moments later, Yura appeared, her face lighting up when she saw me. "Jiyeon! You really came."

"Of course I did," I said, handing her the lunch. "I promised, didn't I?"

She took the lunch from me, her fingers brushing mine. "Thank you. This means a lot."

Yura took my hand and led me to the elevator. As the doors closed, she gave me a reassuring smile, squeezing my hand gently. I felt a sense of calm wash over me, knowing I was with her. The elevator ride was short, but every moment spent with her felt significant.

When we reached her office, Yura guided me inside and closed the door behind us. She turned to me, her eyes warm and inviting. "Let's have lunch together," she said, her voice soft and affectionate.

I nodded eagerly, feeling my heart flutter. "I'd like that."

Yura motioned for me to sit on the plush sofa in the corner of her office. She joined me, sitting close enough that our knees touched. I unpacked the lunch I had brought for her, arranging the dishes on the small coffee table in front of us.

"This looks amazing," Yura said, her eyes lighting up as she surveyed the food. "You always know exactly what I like."

I felt a warm blush spread across my cheeks. "I'm glad you like it."

We began to eat, sharing bites and savoring the flavors. The intimacy of the moment was palpable, each gesture and glance filled with unspoken affection. Yura reached over to brush a stray lock of hair from my face, her fingers lingering on my cheek. I leaned into her touch, feeling a spark of electricity between us.

"Jiyeon," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm so glad you're here with me."

I looked into her eyes, feeling a rush of emotions. "Me too, Yura."

As we continued our meal, the atmosphere grew more relaxed and comfortable. We talked about everything and nothing, our laughter filling the room. It felt like we were the only two people in the world, wrapped up in our own little bubble.

At one point, Yura reached for a piece of food at the same time as I did. Our hands brushed, and we both froze, the air between us charged with tension. Slowly, Yura leaned in, her eyes locked on mine. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest as I leaned in too, drawn to her like a magnet.

Just as our lips were about to meet, the door to the office burst open. We both jumped, turning to see Yura's secretary standing there, a look of surprise on her face.

"I'm so sorry to interrupt," she stammered, her cheeks flushing. "But there's an urgent matter that needs your attention, Ms. Yura."

Yura sighed, a flicker of annoyance crossing her face. "Of course. I'll be right there." She turned back to me, her expression softening. "I'm sorry, Jiyeon. Duty calls."

I gave her a small smile, trying to hide my disappointment. "It's okay. We'll have more moments like this."

Yura nodded, her eyes filled with unspoken promises. She stood up and walked over to her desk, discussing the urgent matter with her secretary. I watched her, feeling a mix of pride and longing. Despite the interruption, the connection between us felt stronger than ever.

Once the secretary left, Yura walked back to me, taking my hands in hers. "Thank you for bringing me lunch," she said, her voice filled with gratitude. "It means a lot to me."

"Anytime," I replied, squeezing her hands gently. "I should probably get back to the restaurant now."

Yura nodded, a hint of reluctance in her eyes. "I'll see you later tonight, okay?"

"Okay," I agreed, feeling a sense of anticipation for our next meeting.

As I left her office and made my way back to my restaurant, I couldn't help but replay the almost-kiss in my mind. The memory of her closeness, the warmth of her touch, and the look in her eyes stayed with me, making me smile.