I Wanna Sleep With You - 9.1
9.1
The snow had stopped, but it was still quite chilly, a stark contrast to yesterday’s temperature. Despite that, Camellia Hill was bustling with people.
“There are a lot of people. They must have come to see the camellias covered in snow like me.”
The white snow on the red petals created a truly beautiful contrast.
Chaeyoon kept blowing on her fingers to warm them up, continuously snapping photos with her camera.
A Dol Hareubang was cute with earplugs and a shawl wrapped around because it was winter, and there were many things to take pictures of besides camellias. There were a lot of photo zones in the elements.
T/N: The Dol Hareubang are stone statues that can be found all around Jeju Island.
“Careful.”
Seonho wrapped his arms around Chaeyoon from behind. The path was narrow and crowded, making it easy to bump into others.
Chaeyoon turned her head to look up at Seonho standing behind her. His rugged jawline with stubble marks really caught her eye.
“You, stand over there.”
Chaeyoon pointed to a spot with her finger. Seonho had the kind of visuals that anyone into photography as a hobby would envy.
“Are you telling me to model?”
Seonho gave her a dubious look.
“Just stand there. I’ll take a perfect, lifelike photo for you.”
Her voice was as coaxing as someone luring a child with candy.
Taking pictures had become a hobby and habit since going to New York. She hadn’t thought about taking pictures of Seonho before, but today, she felt greedy.
“Do you know why I’ve never modeled with these good looks?”
“Because you’re lazy? Or because you have a lot of money?”
“Because I hate being photographed. I’ll take pictures of you instead. Give me the camera.”
Of course, her desire went unfulfilled. Still, it was unexpected that Seonho offered to take pictures of her.
“Just take mine with my phone.”
Chaeyoon took out her phone and handed it to Seonho.
“What? Your hands are frozen.”
Seonho exclaimed as he grabbed Chaeyoon’s hands.
“My gloves must be in my other bag. I couldn’t find them.”
“Then you should have bought some immediately. I’ll take pictures with my phone and send them to you, so keep your hands in your pockets in the meantime.”
“Really?”
Seonho’s warm hand touched her, making her feel the cold even more intensely.
“Just a moment. Let me warm up your hands.”
Seonho rubbed Chaeyoon’s hands, warming them with his own.
“That’s enough. They’re warm now.”
A strange feeling arose, not like the sexual desire one feels in bed. It was something softer, a strange feeling hard to put into words.
“Go and stand over there.”
Seonho, giving various instructions, took photos of Chaeyoon.
“Are you sure you’re taking them right?”
Chaeyoon asked, sounding skeptical.
“What can’t I do?”
He snapped a few more pictures.
“Maybe it turns out strange.”
“Oh, trust me on this.”
Just then, a woman approached Seonho.
“Could you take a picture for us? We’ll take one for you two as well.”
She quickly took Seonho’s phone.
Chaeyoon felt nervous for a moment, worrying that Seonho might lose his temper.
“Both of you, please stand there.”
But Seonho, perhaps overwhelmed by the woman’s assertiveness, quietly stood next to Chaeyoon without complaining. After taking a few pictures, the woman handed back the phone and pulled out her own.
“Let me take your picture, I’m a better photographer.”
Worried that Seonho might snap and smash the woman’s phone, Chaeyoon quickly stepped forward and took their picture, looking like they were out on a group outing, before sending them on their way.
“Send me the pictures you took of me.”
Chaeyoon checked the photos that had been sent and was pleasantly surprised.
“Wow, I thought it was just a quick snap, but they turned out really well.”
It was the perfect moment for Seonho to boast, but instead, he grabbed Chaeyoon’s trembling hands.
“This won’t do. Your hands are too cold. There’s a cafe over there. Let’s get a cup of coffee.”
“We have to eat lunch soon, so no coffee for now, but there’s a souvenir shop a bit further. Let’s go there. It should be warmer.”
Chaeyoon said this, looking at a map on an information board.
“You really go all out even when having fun.”
Seonho sighed softly.
“Exactly. I can’t even handle myself. My mom told me not to.”
Chaeyoon giggled.
“To not have fun too hard?”
“No, she said not to push myself too hard. Just hard enough to enjoy it.”
“That’s unusual. Most people are pushed to the limit, aren’t they?”
“My mom’s cool, right?”
Chatting amiably and passing under a path adorned with small lights, they reached the souvenir shop. Seonho’s hand was warmer than she expected, and Chaeyoon did not let go of it as they walked to the shop.
The souvenir shop was small but filled with eye-catching trinkets such as calendars and cups decorated with camellias.
“Here are some gloves. What color?”
Seonho picked up a pair of fluffy Angora gloves.
“White.”
Chaeyoon chose white to match her jacket. Her gaze then fell on the small socks placed next to the gloves.
“Look at these. Are these baby socks? Aren’t they adorable?”
“They seem too small for you.”
“Did you think I was going to wear them? They’re for Joo-eun’s baby.”
“I was wondering why Joo-eun’s name hadn’t come up yet.”
Seonho mumbled something to himself, that Chaeyoon didn’t hear him; she was still focused on the socks.
“They’re so cute. Which design should I get?”
The ivory-colored little socks were cute on their own, but the even smaller embroidered patterns on the cuffs made it hard to decide.
“Why? Just buy one of each design.”
When Seonho said this sarcastically, Chaeyoon responded as if it was a great idea, giving a thumbs up.
“Oh, that’s a good idea.”
As Chaeyoon picked out one of each patterned sock, Seonho’s expression visibly soured.
“What are you going to buy for me?”
“You don’t have a baby in your belly.”
“Even though you don’t have a baby in your belly, I’m buying you gloves, aren’t I?”
Seonho held up the Angora gloves.
“Give it to me. I’ll pay.”
Chaeyoon reached out her hand, but Seonho didn’t hand them over.
“I’ll buy these gloves, so you can buy me a gift.”
“Can’t you just give and not expect to receive something back?”
“That won’t do. I’ll expect a gift from you with all your heart.”
With that, Seonho swiftly went to the checkout counter.
“A heartfelt gift, huh? What’s wrong with him? Is it a new kind of bullying? No wonder he was being unusually compliant.”
Chaeyoon grumbled as she browsed through the souvenir shop. There were many pretty items, but she wondered if there was anything fitting for Seonho among these charming trinkets.
What would he think if I bought anything and told him it was from my heart?
Chaeyoon chose a desk calendar with camellias, a postcard, and a snow globe that made it look like snow was falling on camellias when shaken—all exclusive to Camellia Hill—as Seonho’s gift.
After paying, she headed to the entrance where Seonho was waiting.
“The socks were sold as a set. I didn’t need to choose.”
“What about my gift?”
“Here.”
Chaeyoon handed him a transparent plastic bag.
“Is this for me?”
Seonho glanced at the bulky plastic bag.
“I’m giving it to you. It’s from the bottom of my heart.”
When Seonho took the bag and looked at its contents, Chaeyoon was expecting some sort of snarky remark. But Seonho didn’t say anything, just closed the plastic bag’s opening.
“Put your hand out.”
“Why?”
As Chaeyoon extended her hand, Seonho pulled out the gloves.
“Give them to me. I’ll put them on.”
“Just stay still.”
Then he proceeded to fit the gloves on both of her hands. Something about it felt off.
“What are you doing?”
“Playing at romance.”