MC was too carried away in the moment to focus on how many drinks she had downed already.
Three? No. Five? No, that had been hours ago.
After months of being prim on her toes, proper to the people who thought they were above her, begging for charitable contributions meant to offset tax burdens, she was over it. The RFA afterparty gave her the perfect excuse to let go and let loose.
Jumin seemed to be there at her rescue each time she stepped wrong, almost tumbling into statues and even worse, weapons on the walls. As he was the one to suggest throwing a party at Gyeongbokgung Palace this time, as the money raised this fiscal exercise would be destined to the traditional arts of Korea, he should really have predicted what it meant to set drunken people on a place filled with pointy stuff on the walls.
"Easy, Ms. MC. I wouldn't want to have you be poked by one of these." He said, stifling laughter.
"Have you ever noticed just how pretty swords can be, Mr. Han?" She giggled, a hiccup escaping her lips as she limped through the foyer leading towards the set of rooms they set apart for their use.
"I did, but it's better not to touch them. Let's get these off of you and be on our way." He proposes, offering his arm to the woman.
MC attempted to lean over to undo the straps but instead dragged him almost to the floor before he caught her mistake and pulled her right up. She looked at him, a dazed smile in her face.
"My knight in shining armour." The woman cooed.
Jumin could not help but smile at the redness that was covering her face.
He chuckles. "Take a seat."
The black-haired businessman ushered her in a chair tucked away in the corner as he hiked up her dress ever so slightly and began undoing the straps to her heels. They were a red pair that he had given her earlier that month, which she said she loved, but he can now see that it is much too small for her feet. He takes note of it.
MC leaned back on the cool furniture, feeling it instantly wash over the warmth she had previously been feeling from the alcohol.
It was late and everyone had started slowly going off one by one to go to bed.
"How did I not take these off earlier?" She let out a groan as she rolled her ankles around.
"You're tenacious, I suppose." He responded with a chuckle.
Jumin knew there would be no way for you to make it up the stairs in the heels, much less in her drunken state. He held his alcohol well tonight, more so focused on her and making sure she does not do something so crazy that the yellow press found out. After all she has done for them, the last thing she needed in this world was to be shamed for venting off stress near high-profile people.
"I think it's time for bed." He declares, as she is now somewhat able to climb up stairs.
He helps her to her feet from the chair, a frown spreading across her face.
"But I was having fun." The woman pouted.
"Let's go have more fun getting to sleep." He replied, urging her to the staircase.
"Mm, yeah, that does sound good. Fun in bed is better than fun standing up, hehehe." She wiggled her eyebrows at the man as he just shook his head with laughter.
"You are something else." He spluttered, good-naturedly.
Jumin managed to get MC into her room, picking out clothes from the night bag she brought for her to wear to bed.
"Go change, love." He commanded.
The party planner made her way to the bathroom with a pout. When she came out with her makeup still present, he stopped her.
"You'll be upset if you wake up with makeup on your face." He reminded her.
"But I want to lay down!" She responded, petulantly.
Jumin led her to the adjoining bathroom, swiftly picking her up and setting her on the counter. He searched through the few cabinets of the bathroom, finally finding the package that was labelled as makeup wipes.
"Close your eyes." The man instructs.
MC obliged as he moved carefully and smoothly over her face. He admired every freckle, scar, wrinkle on her face as he wiped the makeup away. He could not believe how beautiful this woman was and how easily he had been falling.
"Done." He said, throwing the wipe in the trash.
Her eyes opened slowly before she let out a deep sigh.
"What's wrong? Did I hurt you?"
"I want you to kiss me." MC blurted.
"Oh…" He breathed out
Jumin looked at the woman in front of him. It was of course not their first time kissing but she was not usually abrupt, but demurer and more patient. She would lean in or he would lean in when the timing seemed right. However, with the pout on her drunken face, it was hard to resist.
He leaned in as MC wrapped her arms securely around his neck. She slightly deepened the kiss as his hands toyed at the hem of his shirt, just barely rubbing the skin on her back. When she pulled back, she all but giggled. He could not help but laugh back at the state.
"Guess what?" She slurred.
"What's that?" He asks.
She leaned in, as if she was going to tell him a secret. "I'm in love with you. Like, I actually am. I can admit it. Hehehe."
The man shook his head. "Oh, now I know you're drunk."
"Sober thoughts are drunk words. Or, wait… Is it the other way around?" MC sighed and dropped her shoulder. "Either way, it's really true! I'm so in love with you. You're so pretty, you know that? You're so pretty with your grey eyes and your stern CEO voice but your gentle voice and how you look in the morning, oh and when you check your watch, I don't know why but it just looks hot. I want to go to bed."
Her eyes were fluttering with each word. She is about to pass out on him, so he should proceed to tuck her in, lest she falls down on the floor.
"Let's get you there, my love." He offers, kindly.
Jumin plays the words she has said over and over in his head as he hoists her up, her wrapping her legs around his middle as he lays her down softly in her bed.
She looks up at his face with a pleading expression. "Tuck me in?"
MC smiles with her eyes closed as he reaches around, tucking around her small frame.
He knew for a while now she was the one for him, but seeing her and watching her and hearing what she had said has solidified his feelings. He stares down at her as he quickly hears small snores from her lips.
"Just so you're aware, I'm in love with you too." Jumin whispers, gently kissing her forehead before sneaking out the door.