Page 59 of Gumiho Kiss
Chin Sun resisted the urge to glance over her shoulder and check if Hyun Soo was following.She’d given Pyung Ho the letters for Uncle and Young Master Kang, then loudly made her way out of the courtyard to ensure her bodyguard found her.Now her insides were trembling like the tail of a salmusa snake as she made her way down the road.At this rate, she might accidentally blurt out her confession before they’d even reached a secluded area.
Soft footfalls behind her made her pulse quicken with anticipation.He’d caught up with her.Good.Or maybe terrible.She wouldn’t know if she was making the biggest mistake of her life until she heard his response.Chin Sun wasn’t used to situations where she didn’t have any sense of control.It was ...disorienting, but also a little exhilarating at the same time.
Focus, Chin Sun.She made a right turn onto a path out of the city, her heart in her throat.If he hadn’t yet realized she was leading him to the clearing, there could be no doubt of it now.Would he turn back, or continue on with her to find out why she was taking him there?
She lifted her chin, defying the anxiety charging through her.If this didn’t go the way she hoped, she was still going to maintain her dignity.She’d just reached the tree line when Hyun Soo said, “Lady Lee, stop.”
She flinched but called back, “Just a bit farther,” and carried on.She didn’t wait for him to reply, terrified of what he might say.All she had to do was get to the clearing.That was all.
When the woods opened up to the familiar space, the weight on her chest eased.Until she turned to Hyun Soo.
He averted his gaze guiltily, then drew his mouth into a thin, straight line.“We shouldn’t be here.”
Chin Sun bit her lip.This wasn’t going the way she’d planned.“I need to tell you something.”She swallowed.“Mr.Park ...”she trailed off, eyes drifting to his shoes.Why was this so hard!
She tried again, blood rushing through her ears.She needed to stop trying to get this perfect and just do it.“In the time we’ve spent together, you’ve become more than a bodyguard to me.You’re someone I deeply respect and consider a friend.”
“As are you,” he said quietly, setting her heart ablaze.“What?—”
“But that’s not all,” she added.She squeezed her eyes shut, unsure if she could get this next part out.“I see you as a man, too.”
There.She’d said it.She waited for the ground to open up and swallow her, but her feet remained steady despite her frayed nerves.Had he heard her?Why wasn’t he saying anything?
Did she dare look up?
When the silence became unbearable, Chin Sun peeked at her mute companion.His body was shifted slightly away from her, eyebrows pressed together like she’d just given him the worst news imaginable.
“Mr.Park?”
His eyes zoomed to hers, so full of anguish she nearly looked away.But he hadn’t given her a response.He owed her that much.
“Lady Lee, I ...Dol Sam—” He broke off, one hand clenched into a fist.He turned around as if he couldn’t bear to look at her.
Chin Sun wilted like a mungunghwa flower, but she fought against the tears threatening to drench her cheeks.How could she have been so foolish!
She took a deep breath.“I understand.I don’t want to come between you and Young Master Kang.But you should know”—her voice dropped to a mumble—“I’ve decided to break off my engagement.”
“What did you just say?”Hyun Soo spun back so fast Chin Sun barely registered the movement before he was an arm’s length away, devastating her with the intensity of his gaze.There was something dangerous about it, and desperate.
Yet she couldn’t look away.
“I’m not going to marry Kang Dol Sam,” she said, more confidently this time.“I want to be with you.Do you—do you want that, too?”
Hyun Soo cocked his head to the side, a playful smile tugging at his lips.“That’s a very bold question, my lady.”
Chin Sun frowned even as her stomach fluttered with hope.What didthatmean?
She waited, but when he didn’t say more, she put her hands on her hips and gave him the most withering look she could manage.“Well?Are you going to give me an answer or not?I’m not in the mood for teasing, not about ...this.”Her face flamed up, ruining the angry front she was going for.
“Oh, but isn’t it only fair after everything you’ve put me through”—he seized her chin between his index finger and thumb—“Gwishin?”
She jerked away, whipping out a hidden dagger before he could blink.“You knew about that?”
Hyun Soo glanced at her weapon and laughed, a deep, rich sound that made her want to let down her defenses.
But heknew.
“There’s no need to be afraid,” he said softly, stepping closer.“I’m not going to betray your secret.”
