Chapter 35: Opportunities

Zen was waiting patiently at a table in the outside balcony of the Daily Bread Cafe. His mother had called and left a message saying she could meet him here today at noon. He was hoping she would have some good news about his father, but he doubted it, considering they were meeting here instead of his childhood home. Zen was feeling nervous, jittery, and so he was sipping chamomile tea instead of coffee. He lifted his hand up, trying to hold it steady, but he could see it was still trembling a bit. He sighed. What if his father was still angry, angry enough to be unwilling to grant his approval of the marriage, to help him with Eui hon, the matchmaking? He shook his head burying it in his hands and felt a sinking feeling in his chest. He just didn't know.

Suddenly he felt a soft hand on his shoulder. "Hyun?" His mother's voice was so much sharper in person. He looked up. When was the last time he'd seen her? He didn't even know. She looked very much the same, short and altogether small with kind eyes, although Zen noticed with a few more creases around the edges. He also noticed that her hair was still cut in the same blunt bob style, but that she now had some gray mixed in with the sleek black.

Zen stood up to embrace her. "Umma!" he breathed, throwing his arms around her shoulders. She smelled like home cooked food and floral perfume. Tears sprung to his eyes as he remembered and felt her arms reach around and pat him on the back.

"There, there," she said. "No need to get upset, my ahdeu…"

Zen pulled away and quickly wiped both his eyes with the back of his hand. "Umma," he said. "Can I get you something to drink? Or eat? They have some pretty decent cakes and muffins…"

"Oh no, ahdeu," she said, patting his hand as she sat down across from him and indicating he should do the same. "I can't stay long and would rather use the time we have to talk."

"OK," Zen said, sitting and already feeling depressed. This couldn't be a good sign. "How's Appa then?"

Zen's mother sighed and her face looked very heavy. "Oh, I'm sorry, ahdeu," she said. "I tried… I really tried." She reached across the table and covered Zen's hands with both of hers. "Oh, my Hyun, you know how stubborn he can be…"

Zen scowled and looked at the floor. Yeah, he knew how stubborn his father could be alright. He was remembering one time in particular, just before Zen left home. Zen's mid-semester grades had just come in. Zen usually received pretty good marks, but this semester he'd been absorbed with a school production of "The Wizard of Oz". Zen played the part of the Tin Man, and he took the part very seriously, so seriously that his studies started to slip. His father was livid.

"What kind of living do you think you can make, prancing around in plays?" his father had roared. "If you plan to continue living under this roof, my roof, you better focus on a real career, something worthy of this family, like science or law."

After that, Zen's father had forbid him to leave the house except for school.

"But Appa," Zen had said. "What about the play? The theater is counting on me…"

"Your family is counting on you," his father answered, not even looking up from his paper.

Zen could still recall the crushing feeling he'd had in his chest when he had to make the call to the director and tell him he had to quit the play. The director had been kind, had even offered to talk to Zen's father, but that didn't go well. In fact, it just made Zen's father angrier.

"What makes you think you have the right to go bad-mouthing me to your teachers?" he said through clenched teeth. "Is that any way to show respect to your elders?"

That was the beginning of the end. Zen realized he couldn't live without acting and, if that meant he couldn't live in his father's house, so be it. He waited until the end of the school year and then one night in mid-June, he packed a bag and left while the family slept. He left a note, for his mother, so that she wouldn't worry (she probably did anyway) and then never looked back.

Back in the coffee shop, Zen's mother was staring at him with soft eyes. "He says to remind you that you were the one who left," she said, her eyes now beginning to fill with tears. "He says there is no going back."

Zen felt his heart sink and tears burned behind his eyes. "But Umma," he said, his red eyes pleaded with her dark ones. "But what about the Eui hon?" Zen said. "Is he really so angry that he would disgrace his own son in that way?"

"Oh, ahdeu," she said softly. "I know, I know…" she sighed, looking utterly defeated. "I'm sorry… I…"

Zen felt the tears coming in earnest. He knew he shouldn't cry in public, the paparazzi was everywhere. He couldn't risk bringing attention to himself. If his picture, if his picture with Umma, were in the paper and his father saw it… He squeezed his eyes shut for a moment, willing back the tears.

"Oh, ahdeu," his mother said, stroking his hand. "Hyun, you know you have MY blessing."

Zen looked up and gave his mother a weak smile. "Umma, you know that means a lot to me, to us, to me and MC…"

"I know it's not what you're looking for," she went on. "And I won't be able to come to the wedding or visit with you in the way you'd like… but maybe we could continue to meet in secret like this from time to time."

"Oh Umma," Zen said, feeling his heart soar with warmth at her words. "I'd like that… but I'd hate to see you get into any trouble…"

"Your father won't find out, and besides, if he does, I can handle myself," she said with a fiery look in her eye Zen hadn't seen before, and then her eyes softened. "It's been too long, Hyun, and we've already missed out on so much."

Zen's mother smiled and they sat in silence for a moment holding hands. Zen was so overcome with emotion he didn't know what to say. Also, he feared just opening his mouth would make him start crying, so he just stayed silent and squeezed her hand. My mother, he thought. My mother is here.

"Oh, and I almost forgot…" his mother said, suddenly breaking his gaze and reaching for her purse. She pulled out a small brown box and slid it across the table. "This is for you to give to her… your sinbu, MC is her name, yes?" Zen nodded. "It was your grandmother's…"

Zen picked up the box and carefully opened it. Inside was a tiny engagement ring, a simple white gold band with a single small solitaire diamond. "Oh, Umma," Zen said. He couldn't stop the tears now as they flowed out both corners of his eyes and slid down his cheeks. "I… Oh god…" he said. Literally he couldn't speak. He just got up, dropped down on his knees in front of his mother and wrapped his arms around her.

"Oh Umma, I love you," Zen cried, burying his face in her shoulder. "I never wanted to leave you, you know that… It's just… It's just…"

"There, there, ahdeu," she said softly. "I know. You did what you had to do. Your father didn't really give you much choice now, did he?" His mother touched his chin and forced him to look at her. "Hyun, listen to me very carefully… You just go live your life and make your sinbu happy, OK? This will make me happy."

Zen couldn't believe it. His heart warmed, filled with love. Yes, maybe the situation wasn't exactly what he wanted… His father was still angry… He still wasn't welcome at his father's house… His family would not be present at his wedding, but his mother's love was more than he had before… and it was enough.

After Zen said good-bye to his mother, he walked quickly to a quiet park he knew near the river. Now that he knew his family was out of the loop he was ready to put plan B into motion. As soon as found an empty park bench and sat down, he called Jumin. The businessman picked up right away.

"Zen!" Jumin's voice came in loud and clear through the tinny speaker. "To what do I owe this pleasure?"

Zen had not forgotten Jumin's behavior at the Lawn Party last weekend and he was still angry. He certainly didn't like the fact that Jumin was making eyes at MC yet AGAIN and giving her expensive gifts, gifts that should come from someone like her husband-to-be and not her boss. Sure, MC needed a guitar, and Zen couldn't afford one, but still…

"What's up, Trust Fund?" Zen said through clenched teeth. Yeah, he was still irritated at Jumin, but the fact of the matter was, he'd probably always be irritated with Jumin for one thing or another. What Zen was starting to realize now more than ever was that, for better or worse, Jumin was his family, and unlike his father, Zen wasn't about to abandon the businessman for his shortcomings. "I need you to do something for me."

"Oh?" Jumin sighed, sounding bored and somewhat pleased. "What can I do for you, Zen?"

Zen cleared his throat, a little bit not believing himself what he was about to say. "Jumin, I haven't said anything to anyone yet, so please keep this to yourself, can you do that?"

Zen heard the squeak of Jumin's leather chair as he likely sat up and leaned forward in rapt attention. "Yes," Jumin said. "I am capable of, as you say, keeping a secret."

"OK, then, good," Zen said, clearing his throat again. This was harder than he thought. He was nervous. "Jumin, I am going to ask MC to marry me."

"You're WHAT?!" Jumin boomed. Zen pictured him leaping out of his chair and pacing the room in distress. "You can't AFFORD a wedding, let alone a bride…"

Zen felt the heat rising in his chest. "Now don't get started, you arrogant prick," Zen said. "I know full well what you're going to say and let's just say yes, I've considered it all. MC and I don't need a fancy wedding, and we'll get by with each other just fine."

"MC DESERVES a fancy wedding," Jumin said.

"How do you know see even WANTS one, Jumin?" Zen asked. "Have you asked her?" The line was silent on the other end and so Zen went on. "Look, Trust Fund, you're just going to have to give up the ghost on this one, dude. That… that 'thing' you have for MC, it's all in your head… Literally, it's just one of your million dollar fantasies. MC isn't the girl for you, never has been."

"Zen, I…" Jumin started, but Zen didn't let him finish.

"Look, you asked me for relationship advice once before, so let me give you some now," Zen said, feeling his breath getting hotter. "You've got a girl at home right now who cares very much about you… A girl who, if you would open your smug, arrogant eyes you would see, is much more suited to you and your… uh," Zen tried to think of the right word and then landed on one MC often used in relation to Jumin. "...proclivities. So really, if I were you, and I'm glad I'm not, I'd get my head out of my ass and attend to her while staying the fuck away from my girlfriend!"

Zen could hear Jumin sigh deeply on the other end of the phone and he waited. Finally the businessman spoke.

"So you are going to marry her then?" Jumin said. Zen breathed a sigh of relief. It was so like Trust Fund to not acknowledge what was said and move on, especially if it required any sort of backing down or apology on his part. Jumin simply wasn't capable of saying the words, but that didn't mean he didn't understand. Zen guessed Jumin had gotten the point loud and clear.

"Yeah," Zen said. "I'm going to marry her."

"So then, if I may beg your pardon," Jumin said. "What do you need me for?"

Zen sighed again. "That's just the thing," Zen said. "I need you to help me with the Eui hon, and the Napp'ae…"

Jumin chuckled. "You need me to be your daddy?"

Zen felt his cheeks burn red. "No, asshole," Zen said. "Look, dude, this is serious. I'M serious… Like it or not, we're family, the RFA are family, are we not?"

"Affirmative," Jumin said. "The RFA is family."

"Well, as acting leader of the RFA, which I think you kind of are, I want you to act on my behalf in regard to the marriage rituals that must take place. For starters, I need you to find MC's sister and extend the proposal so that she can approve the match."

"My god, Zen," Jumin said. "Why don't you just marry the girl?"

Zen sighed. "Because… I…"

"Because you're a hopeless romantic traditionalist," Jumin sighed, sounding bored and exasperated again.

"Whatever," Zen said. "Will you do it?"

"I'll have to get Saeyoung and Sarean to track her down..." Jumin said.

Zen smiled into the phone. Yes, Jumin was as asshole, for sure, but this was one asshole Zen could count on, every fucking time. He did appreciate that.

"Thank you, Trust Fund," Zen said with tears in his eyes. "Thank you so much."

"Listen, I'll do it on one condition," Jumin said.

"What?" Zen said. He didn't ever like Jumin's conditions but didn't feel like he was in much of a place, or the mood, to split hairs.

"Let me pay for the wedding," Jumin said. "You both deserve the wedding of the century, and besides, if I'm playing the role of your father…"

Zen felt his forehead crinkle in frustration and fresh anger burning in his blood. "You are NOT my father," he said.

"Point taken," Jumin said. "But still…"

Zen put a hand to his head and shook it. He hated accepting help from Jumin. He absolutely fucking hated it. "Let me think about it," Zen said. Truth be told, he couldn't afford a wedding and, god damn it, Trust Fund was right, MC deserved one. MC deserved the best wedding, ever.

"Fair enough," Jumin said. "Fair enough."

When Zen got home, he noticed that the answering machine connected to the landline was blinking. Hardly anyone ever called him on that number, he just had it for emergencies, and he wondered who it could be. He strode over and hit the play button. The tape rewound and began to play back.

"Hello," a polite American voice started. "This is a message for Zen, the Korean actor. My name is Franz Anderton and I'm an American director. Currently, I am casting for a show on Broadway…"

Zen sucked in his breath and his heart began to beat very fast. Broadway? Was he literally getting a call from a Broadway director right now?

"...It's a period piece, set in Scotland during the Second War for Independence… We're looking at you for a lead role, actually… Well, I can give you more information on your return phone call. Please call me back at your convenience at 1+917-887-2387. Thank you."

By the time the machine clicked off, Zen was in a full-on sweat. He didn't know who to call first, his manager or director Franz Anderton. The wise move would be to call his manager first. Kelly would know what to do, she always knew what to do and would make sure he didn't screw himself like that time he tried to negotiate his own way for that London production. He'd been so excited he called the director back himself right away without consulting Kelly and bashed it up royally. He'd always regretted not getting that job.

With shaky hands, he called Kelly's number and got her voicemail. "I'm working, damn it," her high spirited, yet cranky voice drawled. "Leave your word, turd… BEEP."

As quickly and as calmly as he could, Zen relayed the details ending with a "call me back AS SOON as you get this…" and then he hung and sat down on the couch. His whole body was tingling with excitement and his breath was coming fast. A role on Broadway… Well, it was only his dream after all… Wow, and what would MC think? She'd go with him of course. His face brightened. Perhaps she could even finish her degree…

Later that evening, Zen was in the kitchen rustling up some vegetarian chili. MC had been on a tear about how bad meat was for the environment and, as always, Zen aimed to please. Besides, chopping an endless amount of vegetables was just the type of task he needed to keep his mind off of the news he'd just received from the States. Kelly had called him back and it was true. Franz Alderman did want Zen to play a lead role as a Scottish warrior in his new play "The Uprising" slated to run on Broadway in roughly a year's time.

"This is legit, honey," Kelly said. "The real deal. They're paying real money and everything AND setting you up with an apartment in Brooklyn. You should totally go for it."

"Well, I need to talk to MC," Zen said.

"Of course you do," Kelly said, sarcastically. "This is just like the dream job of your life… better make sure the girlfriend is down."

"No seriously," Zen said. "It's serious with her. I'm serious about her. My life isn't my life without her now."

"Oh god," Kelly said, croaking up a snarky laugh. "You're too much, Zen, you know that? Ever think of taking a break from the dramatics?"

"Whatever," Zen said. "Listen, I'll talk it over with her and get back to you… How long do you think I have? To give an answer, that is?"

"Well, they're pretty interested," Kelly said. "So more time than usual, but that doesn't mean I'd drag my feet. You should probably respond within a week."

A week. That didn't give Zen a whole lot of time. He didn't want to ask MC to move to New York with him WITHOUT proposing to her first. At the very least he had to do both at the same time. He sighed, running his fingers through his long silver hair. Damn, Saeyoung and Sarean would need to find MC's sister FAST.

Back at the stove, Zen was just adding the last of the zucchini to the steaming pot when he heard MC's key in the door. Damn, how was he NOT going to tell her? How was she NOT going to know something was up just by looking at him? He was literally trembling all over with excitement.

"Hello?" Zen heard MC's beautiful voice call from the hall. He turned the stove down to low and rushed to greet her.

"Hey, pretty girl," he said, scooping her up in his arms and spinning her around.

"Wow," she said. "What's got into you?"

"Not a whole lot," he said, biting his lip. "Just so glad to see you."

"Well, it's good to be seen," MC said. She reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling his face to hers for a kiss. Her lips were cool and crisp like the early evening air. Zen could tell that MC probably meant to give him a quick peck hello on the lips, but Zen got greedy with her. He grabbed her by the backside with both hands and hoisted her up around his waist, kissing and backing her into the wall. If he couldn't tell her what went on today, he certainly wanted to show her. He wanted her to know how hard he was going to work to please her for the rest of his life.

"Mmm…" MC murmured between kisses. "Somebody had a good day…"

"I had a great day," Zen whispered hot back into her ear. "And it's about to get a whole lot better…"

"Mmm, lucky me," MC purred, wiggling her body against him in anticipation.

Zen took a moment to let himself drink in the rich brown softness of her eyes. He loved the way her eyes smiled when she did, like she was doing now. Again, he couldn't help but imagine those eyes at 30, at 50, at 70 years old. She was going to be his, all his, for the rest of his life, just as soon as he got all the details worked out.

"What's that funny look you're giving me right now?" MC said smiling in a knowing voice. "You've been like, looking at me like that for days… It's new."

Zen shrugged. "I don't know, Princess," he said, quickly burying his face in her neck so that she couldn't see his eyes. He knew she could read him like a book. He also knew it wouldn't take that much to get him to spill the beans. He was already aching to tell her so badly, but if he did, it would ruin the great surprise he had in store. To distract himself, and her, Zen quickly went to work on that place she liked, in the hollow of her collarbone right where her beautiful neck met her shoulder. First he pressed his lips to her neck, tasting the slight saltiness of her skin with his whole mouth. Then he began to suck, letting his tongue swirl around in languid circles...

"Mmmm…" MC moaned, tilting her head back to expose the space even more to his lips. Zen felt the brush of her hair on his fingers, where he was still cupping her ass. Even that slight point of contact, the tips of her hair just barely touching his hand, sent electric pulses through his whole body. He loved just being near her, the way he could feel her without touching her and well, actually feeling her like this was even better.

"Aw man," Zen said as he felt MC's fingernails on the back of his neck. She was touching him ever so slightly and then she pulled. Zen felt his cock swell and twitch with pleasure pain as she tugged at his hair, pulling his head back just enough, not enough to hurt. They'd been together for about six months now and Zen had heard that the physical part of a relationship could start to flatten out, plateau, but man, the sex with MC was just getting better and better all the time. She already had a good handle on what he liked, and every time they were together, she just seemed to be learning more…

Both of them were still fully clothed. Zen in his running shorts and tank top, MC in her yoga clothes. Zen glanced down at the tops of her breasts fully exposed by his favorite yoga top. It was pale pink and small with a web of straps in the back. He felt a little pang of jealousy as he pictured all the other guys in the yoga class and on the subway home looking and feeling like he was right now, eyes roving her hot body, savoring every inch of her. They would've seen every inch of her, too, Zen thought crossly. Since MC wasn't the type of girl who realized just how attractive she was, she probably didn't cover up much, if at all. He really needed to remind her about that more… But Zen didn't really want to be thinking about other guys and MC right now, so he sighed and pushed those thoughts aside, opting to bury his face in her chest instead. MC gasped in response.

"Zen…" she breathed.

Her hands were tugging at the edges of Zen's shirt now and Zen thought it might be a good time to take this show into the bedroom. Still holding her close, her legs wrapped around his waist, he walked her to the bed, gently laying her down and bending to kiss her exposed belly.

"Man, I love this yoga top," he said.

"Do you?" MC said, with a dirty look in her eye that drove him wild.

"Damn, too cute," he said, smiling and loving every inch of her. God, was it even possible to love someone this much? Looking at her there, lying back with her hair cascaded around her head with that sultry look in her eye… Well, it was just more than he could take… and she wasn't even naked yet.

There were lightening moments like these where out of nowhere Zen seemed to be gripped with an unrelenting feeling of lust. He felt that urge now and he responded to it. Moving fast, he grasped her waist with his hands and pulled the tight yoga pants down over her hips, past her knees, peeling them away from her ankles. Eagerly he positioned himself between her knees, savoring the look of her bare pussy already glistening and wet, waiting for him. He glanced up at MC's face for a moment just long enough to see the look of wanting he knew would be there before he put his face between her thighs.

"Oh Hyun," MC cried as his mouth made contact with her most delicate flesh. He loved the taste of her, slightly tangy, but sweet. She had her own unique flavor and he could drink her forever. He would drink her forever.

Zen took his time in tasting her, slowly moving his tongue from top to bottom, then in circles as MC began to writhe and moan beneath him. He took her clit lightly between his teeth and began to hum, knowing the vibrations would turn her writhing into outright squirms. He knew it was time for fingers, but was holding back because any moment now she was going to start pleading, and he loved, just loved to hear her begging for it.

"Hyun," she cried right on cue. "Please, Hyun…"

She knew he had a weakness for his true name on her lips and she often played this card. Zen never grew tired of this, in fact, he swore it just got better, his name always sounded hotter, sweeter when uttered in her voice, especially in bed, time after time after time.

"Say it again," Zen said, getting greedy, like he often did.

"Hyun!" she cried. "Please, Hyun!"

Zen rewarded her with one finger, then two. He slipped inside so easily, so effortlessly, he couldn't help but imagine his dick doing the same. Gently he pressed himself against her thigh to ease the urge. He wasn't done tasting her yet, and he wouldn't be until he felt her cum on his face…

By all accounts, she was well on her way there. Now MC was lifting her hips off the bed in response to the rhythmic thrusts of his fingers.

"Oh god, oh Hyun…" MC moaned under his touch.

While inside her, Zen made sure to keep his fingers bent forward, just at the tips so he was sure to hit that gold mine spot he knew would make her sing, cry and sometimes even weep for him.

"That's a good girl," Zen said as her cries came closer together and her thighs began to shake. "Cum for me, Princess…"

As usual, at this point, his name was lost on her lips, the sounds emanating from her now a cute blast of incomprehensible babble. He smiled to himself. So cute. She was so fucking cute, even when she was getting fucked into a quivering mess.

"You're beautiful, you know that?" he said, even though he didn't think she could hear him. She was so lost in coming undone. Seeing her like this was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen… He loved the way her sweet face contorted, the way her eyes rolled back in head, the way she gripped the sheets, clawed her fingernails into his back, sometimes biting his shoulder... The way she cursed, babbled, wailed and, of course, cried his name either in a breathless shriek or a low moan… Watching his princess cum was always beautiful, and she just got more beautiful every time.

Somehow, in spite of MC's spastic motions, Zen managed to keep the rhythm going, pumping his fingers and sucking her clit until one final whimpering cry... where all of the sudden MC's hips lifted so far up off the bed, she nearly smacked her pussy into his face.

"Whoa, there Princess," Zen said, chuckling a bit. The motion caught Zen by surprise, but he didn't miss a beat. Holding onto her hips with one hand, he kept pumping, slipping his fingers in and out through the finish. He held them there until her body stopped shaking and she became coherent again. Then he felt her hands in his hair, pulling his head up to her. He didn't resist when she greedily pulled his face down to kiss him.

Usually there might be a pause here or a couple of words exchanged, but MC obviously wasn't finished yet. Her tongue was pushing aggressively into his mouth and her hands were back at the task of pulling on his shirt.

"Here Princess," he said. "Let me help…" Zen stood up on his knees and made a show out of peeling off his shirt. He loved to watch MC's eyes get heavy and lusty as they roved over his naked chest. Watching her watch him was enough to make his nipples hard, before she even touched him.

MC still had her yoga top on, and so Zen reached for her. He pulled her up and tried grasping the tight nylon fabric, but that top wasn't going anywhere.

"Need some help there?" MC giggled. "I know… it's like body armor." Zen watched in amazement as she wriggled out of the tight fabric and pulled it up over her head. You'd think he'd get used to seeing her breasts by now without feeling crippled by the sight of them. They were just perfect... full and round, big for the rest of her tiny frame with large pink nipples that were smooth until you touched them and then they got rock hard. They were already rock hard now and Zen leaned forward to taste them. First slowly he began to suck, and then he took a nipple between his teeth just the way he knew she liked it, gently kneading the other breast with his hand…

"Oh god…" MC moaned and Zen felt her press her pubic bone up against him. Slowly she swished her hips back and forth against him. Zen's cock felt like it was going to explode already from the friction. He now realized he needed to be inside her or risk cumming before they even began.

"Whoa, hold up, Princess," Zen said, popping up to his knees. His mind was overwhelmed with sensation and he knew he was on the edge of losing himself. Quickly he brought to mind a memory of an RFA get together at Yoosung's house, where he had gotten trapped listening to Yoosung explain how to play LOLOL. He'd been so bored… OK, that was better, the I'm-gonna-cum feeling was starting to dissipate, tension averted... for now.

"What are you thinking about?" MC asked, giving him a funny look.

"Oh, just LOLOL…" Zen said, with a sheepish crooked smile. MC got it immediately.

"Oh I see…" she said, demurely. "So I'm that hot then?"

Zen leaned forward, pinning her arms on either side of her head. "SO hot…" he said as he leaned down to kiss her, but only for a moment. His cock was starting to twitch again and he had to get a condom, stat. Reluctantly - he didn't really want to stop kissing her, like ever - he pulled himself up and reached for the drawer.

"Want me to put it on that way you like?" MC said with a devilish smile.

"Yeah, but no…" Zen said with a half smile, knowing with certainty there was no way he would last through MC's putting-on-a-condom-with-her-mouth trick. He was almost ready to explode just thinking about it. Zen squeezed his eyes shut trying to block the image of MC's gorgeous lips around his... LOLOL, LOLOL, LOLOL, he thought.

"You OK, baby?" MC asked, looking concerned.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine," Zen said as he got it back under control enough to get back to the task at hand. Zen's eyes turned darker, more shaded as he rolled the condom down his length with anticipation for what he was about to do.

"Damn, MC," he purred. "I want you so much right now…"

"Then come and get me," she said, spreading her legs wide. Zen almost audibly whimpered at the sight of her glistening slit. He didn't waste any time positioning himself over her, pressing the hard tip of his dick at her entrance. He savored the sound as she gasped and then he pushed himself in all the way to the hilt. Feeling her walls embrace him so fully filled him with sensation and he almost lost it again right there. He was seeing so many colors at once he thought he might lose consciousness, and he had to steady himself with a hand on the bed before he started to move.

"Damn," he said under his breath. He couldn't get over the feeling of being inside her, how close to her he felt in that moment didn't even have words. Zen felt MC's hands on the small of his back, her lower half wriggling, her hips rising up to meet his… she was ready for him to move and so, slowly, he began thrust.

"Mmm…" MC moaned with a simper of satisfaction.

Zen opened his eyes to look at her and saw that she was looking at him, too. She smiled. "You're so fun, you know that, right?" she said.

"Not half as fun as you are, pretty girl," Zen said as he thrust again, this time deeper. He hoped he'd hit the spot and he did. He watched as her pretty eyes rolled back in head.

"Oooh!" she said.

Zen smiled to himself, feeling pleased. He loved being able to please her like this, to be in control of making her body respond the way it did, to be the one in charge of her eliciting all those cute noises.

The pleasure was building again inside him and Zen realized, again, he was close. Damn, he thought. He didn't want to cum yet, it was too soon. Again, he brought LOLOL to mind. He pictured Yoosung's bright naive face explaining the importance and order of the guild...

Getting things back under control, Zen picked up the pace, fucking her faster in hopes to bring MC closer to her next climax. With a free hand, he reached down and fumbled for her clit. When he found it, he put his thumb on it and began to apply pressure.

"Oooh…god..." MC moaned and ground her hips up into him rapt in pleasure.

Zen smiled as her noises got smaller more like little grunts. He knew she was getting close. Her body was bucking and rocking with his rhythm, each of his thrusts met with a rise of her hips as she attempted to sink him further, deeper within her.

"Come on, baby," Zen urged. He was at the point where he was spending most of his energy trying NOT to cum. He kept trying to focus all this thoughts on other things: LOLOL, rehearsing lines for his play, what they needed from the grocery store, etc…. Anything to keep him from losing his load too soon...

Despite his impending urge to climax himself, Zen managed to keep picking up the pace, pumping his lovely princess with his length, harder, deeper, faster. MC was a slithering mess beneath him, sweaty and mewling, fucking him back like there was no tomorrow. Damn, she looked so sexy, Zen almost couldn't handle it… almost...

"Come on, baby," Zen urged, a little more urgently. He applied a little more pressure to her clit with his thumb and began to make little circles. He was running out of other things to think about to distract him. He really, really wanted to cum.

"Oh god, oh Hyun…I'm… oh god..." MC said finally, and then her breath caught in her throat as she began to cum.

All at once Zen felt MC's insides begin to shake violently, her walls starting to spasm around him. The sensation was so intense, Zen couldn't hold back any more, and he didn't want to…

"Oh, MC…" he cried as he gave into his wildest impulses and let himself cum with her. "Oh MC… Thank god!"

Zen delivered three more quick urgent thrusts and then exploded inside her, finally giving into the overwhelming sensations that were overtaking him, finally letting himself see, without distraction, his sexy wife-to-be lose herself underneath his power.

It was another one of those mind blowing orgasms, the kind that comes in waves and leaves you sweaty and shivering and feeling electric all over. Afterwards, Zen collapsed beside his sexy, adorable princess and pulled her in close.

"I love you, MC," he said, feeling himself fill with emotion. "I love you so much." Then all of the sudden Zen was crying, sobbing like a baby. He wasn't sad exactly. He was, in fact, really, really happy. He was about to get, well almost, everything he ever wanted… Everything except his father, which maybe he could actually live without...

MC sat up immediately, surprise and concern written all over her face. "Baby!" she cried, reaching out to clasp both of his hands and pulling them to her chest. "Hyun, honey, what's wrong?"

Zen didn't know how long he was going to be able to keep everything under wraps. He sure hoped Jumin had talked to Saeyoung and Sarean and that they were doing their best to find MC's sister. He had to get her approval so he could make his proposal. He had to do it soon because Zen knew that MC knew him too well and he wasn't going to last... For now, Zen guessed he'd have to cop to at least some of the truth to preserve as much of the surprise as possible.

"Oh MC," Zen said, wiping away tears with the back of his hand. "I saw my mother today…"

Author's note: Oh! A sex scene from Zen's POV... Why didn't I think of this earlier? So much fun to write... Lots is happening, too and we're definitely barreling toward the end. Sorry for the near two-week hiatus... had some pressing work stuff and real life stuff to contend with... I'll try to get the last chapter out soon, though, as to not keep you all waiting... Thanks (always) for reading, reviewing, commenting, feedback, suggestions, etc. I LOVE hearing from you all... could use some help thinking about how Zen might propose... I really want it to be the best thing ever! If you have thoughts, send 'em my way :-) :-) :-)