Chaeyoung woke up with a heavy feeling in her chest. As much as she wanted to fall back asleep while Mina was quietly snoring on her chest, she couldn’t.
She checked the clock and sighed when it was still four in the morning. Christmas should have been a happy holiday, especially for the Myoui family. But the argument they had the other night was still ingrained into her brain and she couldn’t stop thinking about it.
Maybe she really wasn’t supposed to be here. Thinking that she should have left their house once she found her footing in Japan. But the thought of her and Mina not happening sent a heavy pang on her chest. The memories with Mina and Yukiko were so precious to her that she wouldn’t turn back time to erase them.
Chaeyoung closed her eyes for a moment, taking a deep and stable breath and then exhaling it slowly. She was hoping that the gifts she got for everyone would at least put a smile on their faces. Though, she felt a bit guilty when she realized she was only thinking about her two girls and not Mina’s brother.
Man, she really wanted to see her mom right now. Or have Christmas dinner with her and her brother. It would have been perfect if Mina and Yukiko joined in as well. But this was her reality.
She didn’t hate Kai for saying all of that to her. It was understandable. Chaeyoung was only staying here as a favor. But it felt right for her and Mina that she stayed because they loved each other. Mina said it herself that she wanted her to stay.
It just felt awful when he said she should move out. Because she knew deep down inside she didn't want to. She didn’t want to listen to him. But he was the authority in this house, he was the one who was providing for Mina and Yukiko. But sometimes she couldn’t help but think that she could have done that so easily as well. She had the money, and she loved this family too much.
Chaeyoung’s thoughts were interrupted when her phone started to light up at the bedside table. She slowly maneuvered herself to pick it up and unlocked her phone.
4:25 AM
Jeongyeon: Hey guys.
Jeongyeon: I know it’s early to announce but it’s important.
Jeongyeon: Jihyo and I had a bit of an issue with the venue, which affected the date of the wedding. We decided to move it to April 8. Which is perfect because it’ll be at the start of spring.
Jeongyeon: Chaeyoung, have you booked the tickets? It’s perfect because Yukiko won’t have school anymore so she can definitely make it to the wedding.
Jeongyeon: What do you think?
Chaeyoung: It’s definitely perfect.
Chaeyoung: I haven’t booked the tickets yet but maybe I will today, so it won’t be so expensive when it’s nearing April.
Jeongyeon: Cool! Let me know!
Jeongyeon: Also, why are you up so early?
Jeongyeon: Merry Christmas, by the way!
Chaeyoung contemplated when Jeongyeon asked that question. She wasn’t sure if she wanted to tell her friends about what happened with Mina’s brother. But she knew very well that she wasn’t going to get anything if she held it in.
Opening up wasn’t really on her agenda, but she felt so vulnerable at that moment.
4:31AM
Chaeyoung: Can’t sleep. Too many thoughts in my head.
Chaeyoung: But Merry Christmas guys!
Tzuyu: Merry Christmas.
Tzuyu: Do you want to talk about it?
Chaeyoung: Nah, it’s nothing I can’t handle. Thanks
Jeongyeon: We’re here if you need anything okay?
Mina suddenly stirred in bed and her hands slithered from Chaeyoung’s hips all the way to her face. “Baby?” She lifted her head up, blinking to wake herself. “Why are you awake?”
Chaeyoung placed her phone down again and shuffled in bed to hug Mina. She buried her nose onto her scalp to fill her senses with the familiar lavender scent. “Couldn’t sleep.” Then she placed soft kisses on her head. “Plus, Jeong messaged our group chat about the wedding, it got moved to April.”
“Oh.” Mina dug her face deeper into Chaeyoung and then breathed in. “Have you booked the flights yet?”
She shook her head. “Not yet.”
Then an idea popped into her head. But she was going to keep it a secret for now so she could surprise them later. That was starting to pick up her mood.
“Do you want to go out with me later?” Chaeyoung asked her, trying to deflect her own thoughts.
Mina immediately looked up at her and smiled. “Really? Just us?”
Chaeyoung nodded her head, smiling widely at her girlfriend’s expression. She missed seeing that smile these past few days. “Tzuyu is asking a favor from us, so we need to go out. I thought, why not make the most out of our day together?”
“Okay.” Mina couldn’t control her smile, so she leaned in and placed a long, soft kiss on Chaeyoung’s lips. “I love you.”
Her chest warmed up, maybe the overthinking and the doubting were just in her head. All she really needed was to believe in what was in front of her, and the love she was receiving.
She nuzzled closer to Mina. “I love you too.”
Mina then lifted herself up and cups her face gently. “Don’t believe what my brother said the other night.” Her eyes were starting to water, and it made Chaeyoung’s chest feel tight. “I want you here. I want you to stay. He can’t do anything about it, okay?”
Chaeyoung nodded again, wiping the tears that were falling from Mina's eyes. “Okay.”
After the call with Tzuyu, her words were starting to resonate in her head. Maybe she shouldn’t have said anything in the chat. Plus she knew Sana told her about Mina’s brother coming home since the way Tzuyu talked was careful and she kept leaving messages of comfort.
But she didn’t have to worry about it. Like what she said, it wasn’t something she couldn’t handle.
Plus, she had a lovely day out with Mina, going to flower shops and watching Mina fawn over every single display they had. Chaeyoung enjoyed watching Mina look so relaxed and at ease with herself.
It had also been a while since the two had time for themselves. So it felt perfect that they decided to have a date on Christmas Day.
She only wished it could last.
Right now, Chaeyoung was sorting through the documents she had inside their bedroom. Mina was busy cleaning up the kitchen right after their dinner, while Kai and Yukiko were watching television together in the living room.
She decided to give Yukiko’s second gift that night since they already exchanged gifts with everyone earlier that morning. Despite the mood being a bit more tense than they hoped for, the adults still managed to talk to each other in a civilized manner.
Kai acted like nothing happened. He was still stoic, he kept quiet for most of breakfast and while they watched Yukiko open gifts. He thanked Chaeyoung for the simple gift she gave him, and to her relief, he didn’t add anything after that. It was best that they didn’t talk about what happened in front of Yukiko.
Chaeyoung placed her gift in an envelope and decided to head downstairs to give it to the teen.
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