Chapter 31: I Love How You Love Me

I woke up late on Sunday morning to an empty other side of the bed and the toasty, nutty smell of fresh cooked waffles. Mmmm, I thought, realizing I was kind of starving. In one motion, I rolled out of bed and headed for the kitchen wearing nothing but one of Zen's old concert tee-shirts. When I got to the door of the kitchen, I stopped dead in my tracks. There was Zen, standing next to the waffle iron on the counter, wearing nothing but snug-fitting boxer briefs.

"Hey, babe," he said, peering at me over his left shoulder. "Hungry?"

Yeah, I was hungry, but seeing him standing there looking more delicious than any waffle, any breakfast ever, made me reconsider just what I was hungry for…

"Mmmm…" I said, smiling and running my tongue over my upper lip. I rushed over to stand behind my god boyfriend and wrap my arms around his smooth torso. "Smells delicious…" I let my hands slide up from his bare stomach to touch his nipples, and then started to play with them. Zen reached up quickly and grabbed my hands, forcing them back down.

"Babe, babe, babe…" he said, jumping in response to my touch. "Whoa there, tiger…" He spun around, placing both his hands firmly on my hips. I stepped in close to his body, letting my free hands slide up his chest to reach around his neck.

"Aw, come on," I said, playfully. "It's only been like, a few hours since I last had you inside me, and I'm starving…"

"Exactly," Zen said. "You're starving for food… You haven't eaten anything since the party last night…"

I let my hands slip down again, skimming over the contours of the muscles on his shoulders and his back until I had a handful of his cute ass in each of my hands. Honestly, with a boyfriend this hot, I just couldn't help myself. Zen jumped back.

"Babe!" he laughed, grabbing my hands again and pressing them to his lips. "Listen," he said with a very serious look in his eyes. "You know you shouldn't skip meals…"

"OK, ok…" I said with a pouty look on my face. I took a step backwards and slumped into a nearby kitchen chair.

"What did I tell you about being cute?" Zen said, trying to scold me, but failing miserably. I stuck out my tongue. "I mean it," he laughed. "Stop being so cute… I've got waffles to make…" The words barely made it out of his mouth when the smell of burnt waffle permeated the air.

"Shit!" Zen said, turning to flip open the waffle maker, which was smoking, and pull out the blackened cake. "Shit! Shit!" he cried as he picked the burnt waffle up with his bare hands and threw it in the sink.

"Careful there, babe," I said. "Those things are hot…" I bit my bottom lip. "Kind of like you…"

Zen gave me a look. "Very funny, Princess," he said, returning to the waffle iron and spooning in another spoonful of batter. "You're still eating breakfast… No more sex until you've had at least one good meal, you hear me?"

"Oooh…" I said in my best I'm-so-scared voice. "So bossy!" I sat there, chewing on a fingernail, contemplating my next move. Do I casually lift my legs to rest my feet on the kitchen chair in front of me? Zen's tee-shirt only covered mid-thigh, and elevating my legs in any way would give him a full view…

"Don't even think about it…" Zen said. He had his back to me, purposely giving his full attention to the waffles.

"What?" I said, innocently. Wow, I thought. Sometimes I think this guy somehow knows me better than I know myself… Or maybe his psychic abilities have begun to develop outside of his dreams?

"You know…" Zen said, using a warning tone. "We BOTH know you don't have any underwear on, so don't even try it."

I sighed, kind of amazed and surprised. "OK, fine…" I said, giving it up, for now. "You're right… We shouldn't skip meals…" I got up, dragging my feet all the way across the kitchen to the kettle to make myself a cup of tea. "You want?" I said, picking up the kettle and shaking it in his direction.

"Sure…" he said. "Thanks."

While I waited for the water to boil, I went back to slump down in my chair and scroll through the messenger app. "I wonder what everyone's up to…" I mused and logged in.

[MC has entered the chatroom]

Yoosung: MC! Good morning ^^

Yoosung: [happy emoji]

Yoosung: You were *so awesome* last night

MC: Yeah? You think so?

MC: [blushing emoji]

Yoosung: Absolutely! I meant it when I said you sing like an angel…

Jaehee: Yes… Yoosung is right… You do have an impressive voice, very professional-sounding...

Jaehee: Did you receive training?

MC: No… but I did sing in a band in high school…

Jaehee: Wow… well, you're really good…

Jaehee: I think people were surprised… and impressed.

MC: Gosh, that's really nice of you to say... thanks, Jaehee ^^

[707 has entered the chatroom]

707: MC! You're here!

707: [sparkly emoji]

MC: Yes, hello, Saeyoung… how are you this morning?

707: Thrilled and chill… like a rollercoaster lololololol

Yoosung: [confused emoji]

Yoosung: 707 you realize you don't make sense half the time, right?

707: I don't know what you mean, "Yoosey" lololololol

707: [sparkly emoji]

MC: OMG … lolololol

MC: *Yoosey*

MC: I think you should change his login, Seven ... lolololol

707: YES!

Jaehee: [sighing emoji]

Yoosey: Oh, come on … don't make fun.

Yoosey: [depressed emoji]

707: Ha!

MC: Lolololol

Yoosey: Not funny...

Back in the apartment, I was coming apart, busting a seam laughing. Zen turned around and cocked an eyebrow.

"What's so funny?" Zen asked.

"Oh my god," I said, clutching my side. "Seven changed Yoosung's login to 'Yoosey'..."

"'Yoosey?'" Zen said, looking confused. "What's a 'Yoosey'?"

"That's what Debbie calls Yoosung," I said, trying to catch my breath. At this rate, I was going to give myself the hiccups.

Zen's eyes popped wide. "Seriously?"

"Seriously…" I said.

[Jumin has entered the chatroom]

707: Yes it is… it's super funny…

Yoosey: No it's not...

707: MC seems to think so ^^

Jumin: Good you're all here…

MC: Hiya, Jumin ^^

Jaehee: Hello Mr. Han… Did you get those papers I sent over last night?

Jumin: Assistant Kang, it is a Sunday…

Jaehee: ...and?

Jumin: You should think about taking a day off once in a while…

Jaehee: Mr. Han?

MC: ?

707: Jumin, earth to Jumin…

Jumin: Mi-Sun says a "day of rest is best"… I happen to agree.

Jumin: In fact, we were wondering what you all were doing this afternoon…

707: Seriously, I think we should consider the fact that Jumin could be hacked...

MC: or abducted by aliens...

Jaehee: Mr. Han, I am quite occupied with preparing for the possible scandal we may face in the media in response to Zen's actions at the party last night…

707: No need to worry your pretty little head there, Jaehee ^^

Jaehee: Oh?

707: Hasn't anyone been on the MeTube?

707: MC and Zen's romantic duet is trending ^^

MC: ! ?

707: Me and Saeran also pulled an all-nighter flagging and removing media related to Zen's epic choke hold…

MC: Really? Oh Seven… You're the BEST!

707: [happy emoji]

707: Happy to be of service, miss…

"What is it, babe?" Zen asked in response to my squeal.

"Seven says we're trending on MeTube," I said.

"Really?" he said. "Wild… and I bet that has nothing to do with his hacking skills whatsoever..."

"Right?" I said, laughing. "Also, he and Saeran have been busy taking down videos of you and Kwang-jo…"

Zen was quiet in response that comment, and so I jumped up to wrap my arms around him and kiss him on the back of his shoulder.

"Oh babe," I said. "Don't sweat it… it's behind us now."

Zen shook his head. "I shouldn't have done that, I shouldn't have acted that way, and I most certainly shouldn't need all my friends to fix it for me," he said. "I should be the one held accountable for my actions…"

"They WANT to help you," I said, squeezing him and pressing my cheek to his warm back. "You would do the same for Saeyoung if he were in trouble, yes?"

Zen thought about it for a minute. "Well, yeah," he said. "If Seven, or Saeran, or anyone in the RFA…" he paused and sighed. "Man, ok, even Jumin… If any one of them we're in trouble, I'd help…"

"So let them help you," I said.

[Mi-Sun has entered the chatroom]

Mi-Sun: Darling, have you invited everyone to our Lawn Party yet?

Yoosey: Lawn Party?

Jaehee: Yes, it's an outdoor picnic party, usually held on the grounds of a prominent estate…

Mi-Sun: Yes, and we thought it would be wonderful if you all could come over and spend the afternoon with us…

MC: At the Penthouse?

Mi-Sun: No, at the Chairman's country house on Cheongsando Island…

707: Oooh fancy pants...

Jumin: It was not my idea… Mi-Sun requested it, and whom am I to refuse my lady's desire?

MC: that's really romantic, Jumin ^^

Jumin: Is it?

MC: Yes, I think so…

Mi-Sun: We're hoping you can all make the trip out...It's just a short drive and ferry ride…

Mi-Sun: Jumin is happy to send a car…

Jumin: Of course…

Mi-Sun: We'll have lunch and cocktails and games, of course…

MC: Sounds fun...

"Babe?" I said, looking up from the app. "Mi-Sun and Jumin are having a Lawn Party at the Chairman's country house on Cheongsando Island this afternoon… Wanna go?"

"Lawn Party?" Zen said, scrunching up his face. "What the fuck is that?"

"I don't know exactly," I said, shrugging my shoulders. "Mi-Sun says it's some kind of outdoor picnic with games and stuff…"

"Hmmm..." Zen mused. "Sounds kind of douchey…"

"Oh come on," I said, batting my eyelashes at him. "It will be fun...besides, we should really be supporting Mi-Sun and Jumin…He seems really happy."

Zen sighed. "Ever think maybe Saeyoung and Sarean did too good a job setting Jumin up? I mean, Mi-Sun is just as Trust Fund as he is…"

I shot Zen a critical look. "Aw, come on, honey," I said. "Isn't that the point?"

"I guess...but I can still be annoyed, right?" he said.

I sighed. "But can we go?" I said, giving him my best pleading puppy dog look. "I think it could be really fun."

"Aw man…" Zen groaned. He plopped a plate of waffles down in front of me and then kissed me on the forehead. "Who am I to resist that face?"

My eyes lit up and I jumped up to throw my arms around his neck. "Oh babe!" I squealed. "Thank you!"

"On one condition…" Zen said, looking serious again. "You have to eat a healthy breakfast…"

Obediently, I sat down to dig into my waffles. They were delicious, of course.

"That's my girl…" Zen said, smiling, and he sat down across from me to dig into his own stack.

After finishing breakfast and doing the dishes, we spent the rest of the morning being lazy. Then, around 11am, Zen convinced me to go on a run with him.

"I went to yoga with you," he reminded me.

I groaned. I was definitely NOT a runner. I made a point of it to never get up past the speed of walking, not even if someone was chasing me.

"Running is good for you," Zen said. "It's good cardio. Plus, it will be fun to have you with me."

"OK," I said, finally relenting. I mean, who could resist those gorgeous crimson eyes? "I'll go, I'll go…"

"Don't worry," he said. "We'll jog in the park… it's all flat."

When we got to the park, Zen led me to a patch of green grass under a shady tree.

"It's always important to stretch a little first," he said.

Zen led me through a series of stretches, patiently guiding and readjusting my form. He was incredibly knowledgeable, and it became readily apparent just why and how he was in such good shape.

"That's it," he said, adjusting me in a forward bend from behind. He was standing so close I could feel him, a slight bulge, against my butt cheek. I caught my breath and felt my cheeks flush.

"Zen?" I said, standing up. "You know, if we're going to do this whole exercise thing, you're going to have watch where and how you touch me…"

Zen chuckled and pulled me close. "What, you mean I can't touch you like this?" He leaned down, pressing his lips to mine. I had half a mind to push him away, but quickly decided against it and instead let myself relax into the kiss. OK, if working out with Zen was like this, than I was definitely going to get in good shape soon.

"Ok, Princess," Zen said, finally pulling away. "Time to hit the trail…"

Zen broke into a jog, and I did the same, following him down a path that wound through the trees. After about a minute, though, my legs started to feel a bit heavy and I was running out of breath.

"You ok, Princess?" Zen said, when I started to gasp. He stopped and put a concerned hand on my shoulder. "When's the last time you went running?"

"Uh," I said, catching my breath. "Try never."

"Like not even in school?" he said.

"Let's just say I was 'on my period' a lot," I replied with a sheepish grin.

"Ok, then…" Zen said, smiling. "Well then maybe we should start you out with something a little easier... a run/walk program perhaps?"

"Run/walk program?" I said.

"Yeah, so it's pretty simple… We just run for two minutes, and then walk for 1 minute, then run for 2 minutes, walk for 1 minute, and so on..." he said. "It's a good way to build your endurance."

"OK," I said. "I'll give it a go."

We started off at a run, with Zen timing the two minutes. Literally it felt like the longest two minutes of my life. Almost as soon as we started moving, I was already gasping for air, my legs were burning and I was definitely starting to sweat. Yeah, I was pretty much dying, but at least I got to watch Zen. There he was, running along side me with an easy bounce, his ponytail swinging side to side, making it all look effortless. God, he was beautiful, and he wasn't even breaking a sweat.

"OK," Zen said, slowing to walk. "Walk for one minute."

I was grateful to stop running, but I also felt a twinge of regret. "Zen, I'm so sorry," I said. "I really don't want to be holding you back…"

"Don't be ridiculous," Zen said, reaching over to touch one of the two low ponytails I had fastened near the base of my neck. "God, your hair is so cute this way…" He let the ponytail of hair slip slowly through his finger and thumb as if savoring its softness and sighed. "MC, I just Iove being with you, under any circumstances, so don't worry your pretty little head about running slow… Besides," he paused to flash me a big smile and then slap me hard on the ass. I jumped. "You'll get better with practice soon."

"Will I?" I said. I tried to imagine myself running with the same easy bounce as Zen. It was an ambitious image.

"Of course you will," Zen said. Then he glanced at his watch. "OK, time to run again…"

"Ugh," I said, as Zen broke into an easy trot. Reluctantly, I followed suit.

It went on like this for a while, run two minutes, walk one minute. Run two minutes, walk one minute, repeat. Zen was right, it was getting easier. The two minutes of running was definitely starting to feel less like an eternity and more like something I could handle.

"You're doing great, MC, just great..." Zen said, and my cheeks warmed with pride.

I was starting to feel pretty good about myself, too, but then, just ahead of us on the trail, I saw two joggers approaching. Two girls, tall, slim and built like runners. They were running at a decent speed, too, their blonde ponytails swinging in the breeze. Unlike me, they weren't struggling or gasping for air at all. In fact, they were talking and laughing easily as if they were walking or maybe even just standing still. Fucking show-offs, I thought. I fell behind Zen so they could pass on the narrow trail, but when they got close, they stopped.

"Oh my god," one of them, the taller one said, or more like squealed. "It's Zen!" She elbowed her friend and pointed.

"You're Zen!" the shorter girl said, pointing to Zen with an incredulous look on her face. Both girls were beautiful and got even more beautiful as they got more caught up in Zen's reflection.

"Yup," Zen said, smiling. "In the flesh… Good morning, ladies…"

Then the taller girl saw me as I stepped out from behind Zen to stand next to him on the trail. "Oh my God," she said. "And it's MC! You're MC!"

"Yeah," I said, forcing an awkward smile. "Hi."

"You were GREAT!" the taller girl said. "I saw you on MeTube… Oh my god, your VOICE."

I felt my cheeks burn bright. "Wow," I said. "Thanks."

The taller girl turned to Zen. "You're so lucky to have such a talented girlfriend," she said, her blue eyes flashing from him to me, and then back to him. I felt this rush of pride in my heart, a sort of validation of myself as a human being. Wow, is that what it feels like to have a fan?

"Don't I know it, damn," Zen said, smiling. He put his arm around me and beamed.

"Aww…" the shorter friend said. "You two are sooo cute together… Zen, you are the BEST boyfriend!"

"Yeah," the taller girl said. "Do you have any friends you could introduce us too?" Both girls giggled. "I mean, since you're taken and all… Uh, and can we get your picture?"

Zen glanced at me, his eyes asking me do-you-mind? I shrugged.

"Sure," Zen said.

Both girls pulled out their camera phones and snapped a couple of photos of us. Me and Zen with our arms around each other, and then me and Zen kissing.

"Wow," the taller girl said. "You two are too sweet…like the cutest couple in South Korea ever…"

"Yeah," the shorter girl said, turning to Zen. "I can't believe I ever thought you should be with Echo Girl…"

"Yeah," the taller girl chimed in. "God, who knew how manipulative and passive aggressive she was?"

The girls insisted on a few more pictures. I even took a couple of pictures of the girls with just Zen. Apparently, the taller girl had been a fan of Zen's since back in the early days.

"I just LOVED you in The Jalapeno Topping Was Pretty Spicy… the scene where you have to say good-bye to your best friend…" she said, and I could see she was starting to mist up. "God, I just cry every time… I mean, just look at me now!"

"Thank you so much," Zen said. "You don't know how much that means to me…"

My heart went out to this girl, just swelling with gratitude. Zen was always so worried about his fans liking him for only his looks, but clearly this girl appreciated his acting.

Finally we shook hands with both girls and they bounced off to continue their run.

"Wow, that was weird," I said.

"Yeah," Zen said, smiling. "Weird and really good… Sounds like Seven's viral hacking plan is really working."

"Wow, yeah," I said, and then I frowned. "You know, I think I kind of feel a little sorry for Echo Girl…"

Zen turned to me, surprised. "Really?" he said. "I sure don't. Not even a little bit."

I thought for a minute, chewing my lip. "What do you think this means for the show?" I wondered. "Like, how is this going to affect the popularity of More Than Friends?"

Zen shrugged and sighed. "You know, I don't know," he said. "And you know what else? I don't care." He turned to wrap his arms around me and pull me close. "I mean, does it matter? We have each other. We'll make it work. I can go back to modeling, until another acting gig pops up…"

I looked up, searching his blood red eyes. "Are you sure?"

"Never more sure in my life," he said. "For the first time in my life I feel like I can do anything, anything because of you…"

I reached up and pulled his face to mine.

Author's note: So this was a big FLUFF chapter and I think we deserved it after all the drama… Stay tuned for the LAWN PARTY … and what does Echo Girl have in response to RFA Party events? Hmmm…. Thanks always for reading, commenting and reviewing. I LOVE hearing from you guys.