Somewhere Only We Know
With the wind in my hair and my arms wrapped tightly around Ai-oon’s waist, I was in awe of the breathtaking view before us.
Rows of endless palm trees lined the road while she expertly maneuvered the bike towards the mountains.
She drove uphill and the farther we got from the town, the narrower the roads got.
Tall old trees with thick branches and dense leaves provided cover from the intense afternoon sun.
I took a deep breath and soaked in the fresh air.
It felt revitalizing.
I tightened my hold on Ai-oon’s waist when she steered the motorbike towards a steep incline.
She slightly moved her head and I imagined the gesture made her smile.
She slowed down when we reached the top of the mountain, stopping the vehicle close to the edge of cliff where I could see the full view of the ocean.
Ai-oon got out of the bike first then unlocked the strap of my helmet.
I could do it but it was a sweet gesture so I didn’t stop her.
“Stay where you are,” She went to the back of the bike and took out my high heels.
“You’re going to need this, Princess.” She lifted one foot first and placed my shoe.
I watched while she was doing this, my heart getting bigger with all the attention.
“I could get use to this,” I said after she helped me get down from the bike.
Ai-oon got the drift but only smiled.
“Look,” She pointed in front of her.
We have a mesmerizing view of paradise.
The turquoise water was clear and serene.
From where we stood, the earth and the ocean met.
The beauty of it all left me speechless.
“I used to escape here if I wanted to be alone,” I looked away from the ocean.
Ai was staring at me with a thoughtful expression on her face.
“Did you do that a lot?”
“I did.”
“Why did you bring me here?”
“I wanted you to see places that were special to me.”
“Ai-oon,” I wanted to say something sweet but the words faltered and died in my tongue.
“May, I’m sorry I didn’t reach out.”
“Why didn’t you?”
“I thought you’ll be better off without me.”
“Is it because I’m just a contract work to you?” The words came out harsh.
It wasn’t my intention but I couldn’t stop it.
I sent the photograph to her thinking it would make it easy but it had the opposite effect.
Instead of calling, she disappeared on me.
I thought maybe I scared her off.
Or maybe she didn’t want to be with me?
These thoughts drove me crazy because it didn’t give me an answer to what Ai-oon really felt about me.
“No. You’re not like that.”
“What am I then?”
She looked towards the ocean thinking of how to respond.
When she looked at me again, her eyes were like waves in a storm as if she was fighting with the truth.
“You made me feel things. Things that were new to me. I didn’t know how to deal with it.”
“So, you decided it would be better if you didn’t talk to me?”
She nodded.
“I called your company. Did you know about that?”
“Yeah. Boss begged me to come back.”
“But you don’t want to?”
“No. You were my last assignment.”
“Is that all I’m going to be, Ai? A job?”
“No.”
“What do you want?”
“I want you.”
The words shot through my heart, shattering all the doubts I have before coming here.
I was taking a risk and was prepared that I will never get what I want.
The bold declaration from Ai-oon, as she stood in front of me with her heart in her hand was all I ever needed.
I stepped forward and before she could take it back, kissed her softly.
She kissed me back, getting bolder with each breath we take.
I put my hand on her chest and broke free from the searing kiss.
Ai-oon smiled and then pulled me in a tight embrace.
I took a deep breath, inhaling the warmth and the gentle scent of fresh linen.
“How are we going to do this?”
I looked up.
She was staring at me.
“Nam Jai is not that far away. I could visit.”
“Or you could fire your bodyguard?”
“What? Is this one of your jokes?”
“I’m serious.”
“What about your grandmother?”
“I’ve been driving her crazy.”
“Really? Why?”
“I’ve been restless. I thought, retirement was what I needed. But once we fixed up the bed and breakfast, I didn’t know what to do with myself. When I suggested adding more rooms to the house, she shot it down,” She chuckled.
“Do you want your old job back?”
“I just want to be your bodyguard. No one else.”
“Will you be doing more than that?” I pulled the lapel of her suit bringing her closer to me.
Ai-oon blushed.
“I got other special skills,” She brushed the tip of her nose on mine.
Warmth surged through my body.
I gripped the soft fabric of the suit harder.
She kissed my cheek and her lips moved lower.
I opened my mouth, inviting her to kiss me deeper.
Ai-oon was very willing to give in to what I wanted.
The kiss made me forget all the days and nights spent wondering whether I would get my wish -- to find the first love I kept in my heart all these years.
Now that I found it, my heart sang with joy from the love I felt.
So, this was how it was like to finally find the one I have been searching for.
It felt like coming home to where I could kicked off my shoes, sit next to her in the couch and cuddle in her warmth. Her embrace making me feel that everything is going to be alright.
I felt Ai-oon shift and when I open my eyes, the love I saw in hers was a reflection of what I feel.
“Am I hired?” She grinned, the light in her eyes dancing.
“I have to think about that,” I teased.