The city lights painted streaks of gold across the windshield, reflecting in Meilin's eyes. She didn't look away from Ryu — couldn't. The air between them was too heavy, too charged.
His hand was still on her cheek, his thumb brushing softly against her skin as if afraid she'd vanish again.
"Say something," he murmured.
Meilin swallowed, forcing a shaky breath. "If I do, I might not be able to stop."
"Then don't stop."
She closed her eyes for a second. The ache in his voice made her chest tighten. "Ryu… you're making this harder."
"I'm not the one running away."
Her lips parted to argue, but no words came. Instead, she turned her face slightly, letting his hand fall. "You don't know what you're asking for."
He leaned back, staring at her like he was memorizing the shape of her silence.
"You're right. I don't know everything. But I know what I feel — and I know you feel it too."
Her heartbeat jumped. She hated how easily he could unravel her. "Feelings don't fix everything."
"They don't have to." His voice dropped lower. "They just have to be real."
For a long moment, the only sound was their breathing — slow, uncertain, intimate.
Then Meilin reached out, fingers brushing his hand on the console. "You don't make it easy to stay away."
A faint smile tugged at his lips. "Good."
He turned the key, starting the engine again. But instead of driving off, he shifted into park and leaned closer. His scent — clean, warm, familiar — surrounded her.
"Tell me to stop," he said quietly.
She looked up, eyes trembling. "I won't."
And just like that, his lips were on hers again.
The kiss wasn't rushed — it was desperate in its slowness, deep and searching, as if both were trying to understand what this was becoming.
Her hand slid to his chest, feeling the fast, steady rhythm of his heartbeat under her palm. He didn't push for more — he just held her face, kissed her like he was afraid the world outside would take her away.
When they finally parted, foreheads pressed together, Meilin whispered, "You make me forget why I started all this."
Ryu opened his eyes, his voice low and sincere. "Then maybe it's time to stop pretending."
She didn't answer.
Because deep down, she knew — one day soon, he'd find out everything.
And when that happened… she wasn't sure if he'd still look at her the same way.
Outside, the light turned green again.
But this time, neither of them moved.
To-be Continued