“It’s delicious. If there was one cuisine I could learn to cook, it would be this one. It’s so flavorful and comforting and spicy… Well, it’ssupposedto be spicy, at least.”
We’re in the heart of Myeong-dong after a crazy evening of shopping, followed by scavenging for food with little-to-no chili. Needless to say, it wasn’t easy. Korean peoplelovetheir red pepper. But at least most of what we found came on skewers, so Lex managed well. We shared several things, and I ended up finishing a couple by myself since Lex wasn’t too fond of the textures.
Now, after over fourteen thousand steps of avid exploration, we’re seated and enjoying a much-deserved rest. Under our table are three bags filled to the brim with skin care products. Tami, Kate, and Mason all gave me a lengthy list of everything they wanted me to get for them, and being the good friend I am, I handled it on the first evening here. I also got a few things for myself, using Tami’s list since I’m not as knowledgeable as them.
I lean back into the chair and watch as Lex endeavors to eat more tteokbokki. I found a street vendor who keeps the spice level very low, but given the long breaks Lex takes between each bite, I’d venture it’s still a lot for him. God, he’s adorable for trying so hard.
When he extends the cup to me, I shake my head. “I’m completely full, but thank you.”
I genuinely cannot eat anything else. The waistband of my jeans uncomfortably digs into my bloated stomach, and I fear that one more bite will make the button pop.Actually…
“Please, don’t judge me,” I beg with a wince. Quickly, so no one else notices, I undo my jeans’ button and cover the misdeed with my woolen sweater. I shouldn’t have changed into this after my shower, but I underestimated how much I’d want to try every single dish we’d come across.
Lex chuckles at my very unladylike technique and shakes his head. “I’ve truly never met a woman like you,” he says with appreciation.
“To be perfectly honest, I’m not even a woman anymore. I’m a stomach with legs.”
He laughs again, weirdly charmed by my manners. “What’s tomorrow’s schedule?” I ask.
“We’re expected at their HQ from ten to mid-afternoon. In the evening, they’re inviting us for dinner. The day after, we’re going out of town to visit their primary facility. And then we go straight to the airport and return to Seattle.”
Right, we only have tonight to ourselves, which makes me a little sad. And as much as I’d like to keep exploring like this, I’m exhausted. Which is fair since it’s past four in the morning in Seattle. With my elbow on the table and my chin in the crook of my palm, I watch the passers-by, fighting the drowsiness that settles in with digestion. Lex must notice I’m practically falling asleep on the table because he randomly decides, “Alright, we’ve stayed up long enough. Let’s head back.”
I nod and watch as he grabs my bags and stands up. Then, he offers me his hand to help me, and I take it. When he goes to release me, though, I intertwine my fingers with his instead. The way he looks down at me in response, with so much gratitude and tenderness, makes my heart swell and ache.
I’ve never been good at holding grudges. It’s in my nature to be forgiving and see the best in people, so I’m not good at staying mad. That’s why it takes so much conscious effort not to forgive Lex for everything and throw myself at him like I crave. But I’m not going through all that heartache again, so I have to stay strong. I have to fight how much I want to kiss him right now, how much I want to ask him to take me back to the hotel and make love to me.
This will have to be enough for now. Holding hands in the middle of this bustling street, with neon signs everywhere, music, people… Remembering Lex isn’t comfortable in such settings, I turn to him again to ask, “Are you alright?”
“Yes. But I’m eager to return to some calm.”
“Yeah, me too.”
We’re making our way out of the busy epicenter of Myeong-dong when a shop catches my eye. I gasp with excitement, then remember this will have to be for another time. Curious, Lex looks at the shop, and when he sees the dozens of socks displayed in the window, he smirks. “Alright, you didn’t let me buy any of those things for you,” he says, lifting the skin care bags, “but you’ll have to let me buy you a few pairs of socks.”
“I can buy them on my own, you know.”
“We’re on a work trip, and I’m your boss, so I’ll decide,” he insists, already pressing his hand on my back to push me inside.
We spend about half an hour browsing through the hundreds of designs they have, filling the basket they gave us when we entered. We stay for longer than I thought, but I take comfort in seeing how much fun Lex is having, too. I pick a few for him, including two pairs that are Superman-themed.
By the time we’re done, we have twenty-four pairs—six for him, eighteen for me. Compulsive sock shopping is my cross to bear, but he’s paying for it this time. I’m energized and overjoyed when we step out, which Lex seems to find very amusing.
“Thank you for the socks, baby,” I enthusiastically say, giving him a tight hug. “And for an amazing night.”
He wraps his arms around me the best he can with the bags. “That’s the first time someone’s said that to me without any sex involved.”
I push myself away with a giggle. “Alright, we should return to where the cab dropped us.”
Lex takes his phone out, stares at the map for maybe five seconds, and then shoves it back into his pocket. “Let’s go.”
“Did you just memorize the route?” I ask, stunned.
“Yes.”
“God, I wish I had your brain. I’m so bad at navigation.”
“I noticed, yes.”
