BASH
The door swings open.
My eyes land on the redhead older version of Trinity. She looks stressed, but she sees me. Her eyes widen, and her contorted face lights up like a girl staring at the lit Christmas tree.
Aunt Zoey launches herself at me and hugs me tightly. I always call her aunt even though we aren't blood-related since Trinity and I grew up together.
"Thank God you're safe! No one answered my calls when I tried to ask if the news was true," she says after pulling herself away. She wipes the tears on her face and then gives me a peck on my cheek. "Please come in, Bash."
She opens the door wider.
I hear Edmund greet Aunt Zoey behind me.
"Where is Trinity?" I immediately ask when I let my eyes scan the entire living room and can't find her. Panic swims in the pit of my stomach when.
Where is she?
"Trinity!" I start calling out her name as I catch up my pace to search for her. I don't wait for her mother to answer my question.
I feel my world just pull under my feet when I can't still find her. I go to the kitchen. She was always there drinking water when upset. Nothing really has changed in this very same kitchen where we used to spend while waiting for the chocolate chip cookies to bake.
I always came here with Trinity during winter break after visiting my grandparents. This house was a vacation home for her since her parents stayed in New York until Trinity started high school.
Her parents moved back when Dad finally agreed to let them work at the Boston branch. I press my hands to the beige-colored countertop. We have so many memories here, mostly happy ones.
"Bash!"
My body freezes when I hear a familiar voice-a voice that makes me feel love, that makes my heartbeat go frantic, and the voice that screams and moans my name.
I swallow hard and slowly turn myself to face her, but before I can finally face Trinity, I'm smashed and stumble back as she throws her body into me.
I feel alive again.
Honestly, it feels like all the exhaustions, frustrations, tensions, and aches through a strong gush of wind. I can finally breathe freely without a squeezing pain in every breath I take.
Her cry pulls me back out of my thoughts. I don't even notice her body clings to me like a cling wrap, her legs around my waist, her face on my shoulder, and her arms coil tightly around my neck.
My arms were already wrapped around her. She sounds like she has been crying for a long time- she's not only sobbing with a hiccup but also mumbling something foreign to me.
"Hush, Trinity. Stop crying already," I say to calm her, but she cries even more. I rub her back and run my fingers through her messy red hair.
"Baby, stop crying. I'm here now, please?"
She shakes her head on my shoulder. I look around, but I can't see anyone.
"Tri, are you crying because you thought I was dead? Or are you crying because you feel guilty for leaving me alone in South Korea?" I ask with a teasing tone.
She tightens her wrap on my neck.
I move near the countertop. "Tri, please say something?" I place her little ass on the countertop, then she loosens herself around me.
I look at her. She looks so messy with uncombed hair, tears running down her face, puffy eyes, and a red nose, but what catches my attention is her red lips.
I swipe away the hair on her face. She doesn't say anything yet, just gripping my shirt with both hands like holding her life into it, but she's still crying.
I wipe her tears with my thumbs, and I can't wait any longer. I plant a kiss on her forehead after cupping her face. I move closer, leaning my forehead against hers, inhaling the smell of Trinity I had missed for almost a day.
This day is worse than hell, but I finally release the breath I have held for so long. I press my lips on hers, kissing her harder, and it feels like years of being apart from her. I rake my fingers through her hair and hold her head to deepen my kiss.
She kisses me back-kisses me harder as if she allows me to feel something, everything; the longingness, the fear of losing me, the love she has for me, the regrets, and her apology.
She doesn't have to say a word. I love her so much to keep my anger from her.
It's all gone.
"Don't leave me again, Tri. What if I did die in that tragic crash? What would you do?" I ask, planting and tracing sweet kisses on her lips, eyes, nose, forehead, cheeks, and back to her lips again.
"I'm so sorry," she answers with a shaky voice.
"I know," I reply almost immediately.
"You do?" she asks, finally looking me in the eye. There's still a hint of despair but mainly flooded with happiness.
I nod slowly and smile. "The launch says it all, and that kiss too."
She smiles timidly and cups my face with her cold and trembling hands. She caresses my cheeks with her thumbs. "Can I ask something?"
Nodding, I smile. "Of course, Tri."
I feel suddenly nervous about her question. What if I won't like it?
"The offer. Does it still stand?" She looks me in the eye.
"The offer? What offer?" My brows furrow. I pretend I don't know what she's talking about.
"Yeah," she replies quietly.
"Which offer?" I rephrase, raising my brows quizzically. "Tri, I honestly have no idea what you were asking. Maybe because I've been in hell these past few hours, my brain is still foggy."
She feels nervous, biting her lip. "Um, because we agreed on a, um." She blows a breath that makes the strand of her hair fly away from her face.
A smirk spreads from my lips. "Oh, a week in Korea? Is that what you're asking?"
She looks seemingly surprised.
"Well, we're not in Korea anymore, so." I look at her reaction, and she seems disappointed. "That ended there, too," I continue slowly, noticing a hint of light pink blossom on her cheeks.
Is she embarrassed? She nods slowly. Disappointment plasters all over her face.
"You said you want a week. Just for a week. And the deal is off when we're not in South Korea anymore, or did I miss something?" I continue playing dumb.
"Yeah. You're right." She bites her bottom lip again.
I nod in agreement.
What the hell is she thinking? That I'll let her go after giving her my heart and soul? After telling her how I feel. Does she really think it's easy to confess how I feel for her all these years? Sometimes she's just so dumb.
"Aren't you going to ask about the email?"