The sun was already setting when they arrived at the cabin in the mountains. The cabin had been built with tan stones and had grey stone decorations. From the outside, it looked intimate and cozy with the lights turned on and the chimney emitting smoke — Seo Joon and Samantha were sure that food was already waiting for them inside."Wow…" Samantha"s friends were pleased and excited to be spending the night in the homey place. Entering the cabin, they were greeted by two elderly people who were the caretakers, both carrying a tray of warm tea for everyone in the group to welcome them.
They all found their respective rooms to stay in and had a delicious and sumptuous meal that was also prepared by the two elderly caretakers of the cabin.
After their dinner, Liam went out to the terrace for some fresh air. It had been a while since the last time that he went on a trip with friends like this. If not for his workaholic brother and his workload in the office, he would have had the time to enjoy nature as much as he wanted.
He stood there for quite some time, appreciating the stars in the sky as it was difficult to see such a beautiful view if he was in the city.
Interrupting the silence, he heard a shuffle and footsteps from behind him. He turned his head to the direction of the sound and saw Seo Joon approaching with two cups of hot beverage in his hands.
Without saying anything, Seo Joon handed a cup of rich, hot chocolate in which Liam received with a smile. "Thanks," he said before blowing on it. "This place is really beautiful."
"Yeah, we used to come here very often when we were kids. See that lake?" Seo Joon pointed at a distance, "It snows heavily during winter so we get to ice-skate there every time."
Liam looked at the wide lake and even at night, he found it so beautiful – the moon reflected on the water. "You must have had a really enjoyable childhood."
Seo Joon chuckled and continued the conversation for a few more minutes until Liam suddenly asked, "Are we ever going to talk about it?"
The two of them had become friends since Samantha and Daniel dated last year. And since Seo Joon and Becca had broken up, they had never really talked about it. Seo Joon noticed how Liam and Becca had gotten close over the weeks and although he found it weird at first, he was not the least bit bothered by it.
Hearing Liam ask the question, Seo Joon knew that it was time for them to have the conversation. "I don"t think there"s much to talk about. You clearly like each other… so what"s holding you back?"
"I… honestly don"t know," Liam chuckled. "Why are you so cool about this?" He leaned on the pillar of the terrace, watching his friend"s expression as the two of them found it funny that they"re having that conversation at that moment.
Seo Joon snorted when he realized that Liam was considerably reserved compared to what he had heard about him back then.
Seo Joon knew that Liam also dated quite a few celebrities and models, obviously, the man was good-looking just like his older brother and he knew very well how to use it to his advantage. "I don"t know, man… I guess I"m just okay because I know both of you. And I"m with Hannah now," he sipped on his hot chocolate before he continued, "Are you afraid?"
"Afraid?" Liam looked at the sky again, "Am I? What am I afraid of?"
"It can"t be rejection... is it possible that you are afraid because… you might have fallen for her and probably more than she has for you?"
"Is that so?" Liam ran a hand on his forehead and chuckled, "Can we stop being cheesy?"
Seo Joon laughed with him and after some time, he continued, "Seriously though… You don"t have to worry about me. Becca deserves happiness… and I actually believe that you can bring her that."
Smiling slightly, Liam took a sip from his cup and noticed the sound of footsteps, making him look up.
"Speaking of..." Seo Joon muttered in a low voice that only Liam could hear. "Hey Becs, I was just about to go back inside. I"ll see you guys later." He took Liam"s empty cup and headed back to the cabin, smiling as he left when he wished them both good luck in his thoughts.
Becca smiled and nodded to Seo Joon before she gazed at Liam, "Sorry… did I interrupt you guys?"
"Nah, it was nothing." He stared back at her, making her purse her lips. She averted her eyes up and was surprised to see so many stars above them, her mouth hung open and her eyes brightened. "Were you looking for me?" Liam asked, catching Becca"s attention and then she noticed his presence getting closer.
When she looked up at him, she saw his smug look and she had to stop herself from rolling her eyes. "Yes, I was looking for you because I was bored."
"Really? Were you looking for entertainment? What do you want me to do for you?" With his hands in his pockets, he bent forward until he was only a few inches away from her face.
Becca slightly stepped back by his sudden closeness but Liam snaked his arm around her waist, keeping her still. "Why are you backing out? I thought you wanted to be entertained?" He was so close to her that he could feel her heat and all he wanted to do was pull her even closer.
Feeling amused, Becca t.i.ttered as she crossed her arms. Tilting her head, she responded to him in a challenging tone, "Okay… then what do you have in mind, Liam?"
"How about…" Looking at her lips, Liam leaned forward and captured them with his. He felt her body stiffen as he gradually drew her towards him. Becca was so surprised that her heart pounded and she was sure that he felt it when her body was already pressed against his.
And before she knew it, her arms were hooked around his neck and she was already kissing him back. Her cool lips danced with his sweet and chocolate flavored kiss — she loved how careful he was as if he was going to break her if he became aggressive.
Breaking their kiss, Liam slightly pulled back to look at her in the eyes, "...this? Was this entertaining enough for you?"
A bright smile formed on her face and her heart fluttered at the same time that she felt a blush creep on her cheeks making her look even lovelier that eve. "Definitely," she answered before she pulled him in for another kiss.
…
Inside the cabin.
Hannah went to the powder room upstairs with Samantha after they finished their dinner. Samantha did not like some of the food on the table earlier despite it being actually delicious for everyone else. She felt like her tastebuds had been quite weird lately as she did not have any appet.i.te and that she would mostly find some food revolting. She thought that it was because of the medicines that she had been taking recently, affecting her sense of taste.
Samantha had just vomited again and was was.h.i.+ng her mouth when Hannah suddenly asked her a question which frightened her.
"S… I don"t think it"s your medicine. Do... you think… you might be pregnant?" Hannah watched their reflection in the mirror and saw Samantha"s eyes widened at her question.
Samantha snapped her head at Hannah and her mind started scanning her memories. "W-what are you talking about?"
Hannah knew that her best friend understood what she meant but was just too surprised at the topic, "Come on, you said that you"ve been vomiting… you were experiencing headaches, dizziness. Think, S… when was the last time that you had your period?"
Samantha"s brows knitted as she pondered. She grabbed her phone that was on the counter and opened the calendar to check her record. "I... I... I"m a little over two weeks late." She said when she looked up at her best friend.
She got scared.
Hannah saw the worried expression on her face and knew what she was thinking. Samantha had been sick lately and had some treatment — her body was not in good shape at the moment.
Samantha"s shaky hands touched her abdomen as if she was trying to feel if it was possible for her. She did not know what to think and she was clearly nervous.
"Am I ready for this? I can"t be pregnant. But what if I am?"
Seeing that her little question shocked her best friend, Hannah bravely hugged her and stroke her back, "Hey... S... You"re okay. Sorry, I did not mean to scare you. We don"t know yet and until we do, let"s try to stay calm, okay?"
Samantha breathed out a sigh and absentmindedly nodded her head but she was still definitely fl.u.s.tered.