Chapter 63
Going to Bed Already?
“This is where I take the bus.”
“Yoo Lee Yeon, you lied. You said you’d hold my hand.”
Do Hyun waved the hand he had lost while walking to the bus stop.
He seemed dissatisfied that he’d followed Lee Yeon all the way here without holding her hand.
“This is near the office, though. It’d be embarrassing if someone saw us, right? I’ll hold it later when we get off the bus.”
Do Hyun nodded quietly like a well-behaved kid and got on the bus with her.
Because of the fine dust, they both wore masks, so no one recognized them, but even just riding the bus together drew attention.
The bus was already crowded with office workers.
Do Hyun pushed through the tight space, then pulled Lee Yeon’s wrist and guided her into an empty spot near the front seats.
“There are more people than usual today. Sorry, maybe I shouldn’t have suggested taking the bus.”
Lee Yeon regretted it, wondering if this had been a bad idea.
Sometimes people recognized Do Hyun, and she worried that he might find it uncomfortable being crammed in like this after work.
“I don’t care. What bothers me is that Yoo Lee Yeon’s been commuting like this, packed against other people.”
Do Hyun gripped the handles on the ceiling with both hands, trying to shield her from being pushed by the crowd.
Because of the pressure from behind, their bodies ended up pressed tightly together.
Do Hyun leaned toward her ear.
Then he whispered softly, just for her to hear.
“Feels gross being pressed up against strangers, but being pressed up against you isn’t so bad.”
Lee Yeon’s earlobes turned red.
Worried someone might’ve overheard, she looked around, then lifted her hand from her chest and beckoned him closer.
Seeing her gesture, Do Hyun leaned his face near hers.
Lee Yeon tilted her head slightly and brought her lips close to his ear.
After hesitating for a moment, she spoke.
“Shh.”
Pfft.
Do Hyun barely managed to stifle a laugh.
He couldn’t draw attention in a crowded bus, so he bit his lip.
That single word, shh, said everything she couldn’t.
I’m embarrassed. People might hear. So be quiet.
Do Hyun found her flustered expression adorable.
“How about we just ride to the last stop?”
He forced a smile, trying not to laugh.
He didn’t want the moment to end.
Even if the bus looped around twice, he wouldn’t be bored.
“If you do that, I might jab you in the ribs.”
They whispered back and forth, teasing each other by each other’s ears.
Do Hyun couldn’t stop, finding her playful reactions too cute.
“And the people on this bus aren’t going all the way to the last stop. We can’t stay stuck together like this forever.”
“I could.”
“I can’t.”
“I really like this bus.”
“I really don’t like this bus.”
Their banter paused, and a brief silence surrounded them.
Then they both laughed.
Focused only on each other, they didn’t notice the eyes on them.
Many passengers couldn’t help but stare at the tall, handsome man and the masked woman beside him.
He didn’t look at anyone else, only at her.
Even with her mask on, it was clear she was stunning.
A man looking at a woman with such affection, and a woman smiling back at him—it drew attention naturally.
Some women on the bus looked at Lee Yeon with envy.
As the bus jolted, Lee Yeon swayed.
Do Hyun steadied her, acting like her personal guard.
Unable to reach a handle, Lee Yeon lightly gripped the side of his shirt.
She tried to do it discreetly, but he noticed right away.
Feeling her touch, Do Hyun looked down and smiled.
“That’s fine. Hold on tight. You can even lean on me.”
“I’m pretty sure I told you to shh.”
Didn’t I tell you to be quiet?
Lee Yeon thought silently and smiled.
Who knew a bus could feel so sweet?
She used to associate it only with sleepy commutes and tired rides home, leaning on strangers.
But after tonight, she’d remember it differently.
When they arrived near home, they stepped off the bus.
Before she could even take a step, Do Hyun held out his hand.
Without saying anything, he gestured for her to take it.
Lee Yeon placed her hand in his, their fingers intertwining.
She smiled as they swung their joined hands.
“Happy now? I’m not a liar.”
Hand in hand, the couple walked toward their home.
Neither could take their eyes off the other.
Their smiles refused to fade.
Dinner was simple, made with the side dishes from the housekeeper.
Later, as bedtime approached, Lee Yeon got up from the sofa.
Do Hyun, who had been holding her by the waist, frowned at the sudden emptiness.
“Going to bed already?”
“It’s already eleven.”
“Time flies when I’m with you.”
As she turned toward her room, his voice followed.
“Yoo Lee Yeon.”
She stopped and looked back.
“Yes?”
“Do we really need to use separate floors anymore?
Let’s share the whole house.
Let’s redo the bedroom. I feel like all my stress would disappear if I could hold you every night.”
Since the night they first made love, they had mostly slept in his room, so she hadn’t thought much about it.
But a shared bedroom—a newlywed room—meant something else.
It meant he wanted a space that belonged to both of them.
Lee Yeon loved the warmth in his deep eyes.
“Should we relieve your stress tonight then?”
She jumped into his arms.
Do Hyun froze for a moment, surprised by her sudden boldness, then hugged her tightly.
Feeling his arms wrap around her, Lee Yeon whispered near his lips.
“It’s stress relief for me too.”
She kissed him lightly, then lowered her heels.
Do Hyun’s eyes softened, and he kissed her again, not letting her lips escape this time.
.
.
.
In their heated room, Lee Yeon lay on her side, feeling warmth behind her.
“Showing your back like that is dangerous.”
Do Hyun wrapped his arms around her waist and rested his face against her neck.
Lee Yeon smiled at the comfort of his warmth.
“I realize it every time, but I always forget.”
“What?”
“That lying next to you is the most dangerous thing.”
She laughed, her shoulders shaking.
Her laughter tickled his skin.
“You haven’t been tired lately, right?”
His voice rumbled softly against her neck.
Lee Yeon wasn’t sure what kind of tired he meant.
“Work’s fine. I’ve got strong backup, remember?”
She turned to face him, her long lashes fluttering.
“I meant from the program. From being recognized. People don’t rush up to you, do they?”
“Not really. Maybe because of the fine dust—I wear masks a lot these days, so no one’s come running up to me yet.”
She brushed his hair gently as if to reassure him.
Do Hyun closed his eyes at her touch.
“And guys?
No men chasing after you?”
“Unfortunately, no.”
She teased him lightly.
Do Hyun’s eyes snapped open.
“Unfortunately?”
His brow furrowed as if accusing her of blasphemy.
She quickly waved her hands.
“No, of course not.”
“I should be the only one running after you, Yoo Lee Yeon.”
Despite her denial, Do Hyun burrowed closer.
Lee Yeon tensed, expecting more teasing.
But instead, he just held her quietly.
“It’s been so long.”
His voice was soft.
Lee Yeon waited for what came next.
“Since I felt this happy.”
Me too.
The words that followed were pure happiness.
