22. Twenty two

Eng 22

After Hyungtae said goodbye and left her room, Aera went straight to her dressing table. Check how the condition of her cheeks. Her cheeks are certainly flushed with embarrassment. This is the first time she has skinship with a man to the point of sleeping together. "How is this? my heart feels like it's about to explode." Actually, the fact that she was already in Hyungtae's arms all night makes her blush, and she doesn't hate it. Especially seeing Hyungtae's face as close as before when she is still silently collecting her soul.

But on the other hand, she feels stupid. How can she easily sleep with a man? She knows Hyungtae can be trusted, but Hyungtae is still a man. Since her cheeks don't subside from the heat, she finally runs to the bathroom and washes her face. "Aware ra, you can't think like that." she cursed herself.

She can't entirely blame Hyungtae, when he knows Aera is asleep but doesn't help her lay down on the bed. At least he can wake Aera if he doesn't want to carry her. But she is also wrong. Why did she cry like a fool last night?. She was also silent when Hyungtae carried her and moved to sit on the sofa. Then she fell asleep in his arms.

"Never mind, it's better if I take a shower now." Aera tossed her long hair back to wash her face once again. And go to get a towel and take a shower.

••

Elsewhere still in the same house. Hyungtae lay on his favorite bed, his right hand holding his left chest. His lips are smiling holding back a smile. If he is allowed to smile, his lips might go up until his eyes are so happy. Previously, Hyungtae is curious about how Aera's reaction will be after waking up even though she doesn't expect too much. In the worst case, he will be beaten directly or called a pervert.

And it turns out that what Hyungtae think is wrong, even though Aera's face looks shocked and confused. He knows that Aera is blushing. At least he knows that Aera doesn't hate him that much. There is still a chance for him to enter Aera's life and become the only man that Aera can lean on.

Hyungtae often heard that Aera wanted a comfortable home for her, and Hyungtae wanted to be the house itself. Not a physical house, but a house where Aera lived and leaned on when she is in trouble also when she is unwanted by everyone in the world. At least she still has a house that is faithfully waiting for her. Ready to open the door whenever Aera needs protection.

That's how deep Hyungtae's feelings are for Aera. It's no longer love but a sense of wanting to protect and want to make Aera happy all the time. He doesn't want to see his girl shed a single tear. He is ready to become a warlord when Aera has a problem. Whatever Aera's problem is, it will definitely be a problem for Hyungtae too.

Today is Sunday. Hyungtae won't be going to the office this morning. He planned to take Aera out for a walk after this. Hyungtae knows that Aera also rarely vacations because of her busy part-time work schedule. Hyungtae hates that fact because it makes Aera unable to feel off even on holidays.