Her cheeks go red. “Yeah, I did.”
“How?” I say, looking between the two of them.
“Twitter and Instagram,” Chansol says. “I saw all of your comments on Instagram, and Sam sent me the video on Twitter every day. Most of the time, I ignore stuff like that, but her words seemed so genuine, I finally clicked play.”
“And?” I say, wondering what Chansol thought.
He faces me again. “I fell for you right away. Never thought I’d get to meet you, though.”
Ha! I could say the same thing about him. “So, when you saw me at the hotel?”
“I made my company book your hotel. But when I saw you, I didn’t know what to do,” he admits. “I thought I could start a conversation by giving you the picture, but then you started crying.”
I cover my face with my hands. Maybe it’s a good thing, but I feel like an idiot for doing that now.
“I had hinted to the media that I liked someone. I didn’t name names, and that’s why the paparazzi came. They never wrote a story because they had nothing to go on.”
My breath hitches in my chest. This can’t be real.
“The way I see it,” Chansol says, “Fate pushed us together. So what if the media caught us? At least we’re here now.”
I peek between my fingers. “What did you put in that video, Sam?”
Sam smiles. “How about we all watch it together?”
Chansol doesn’t let me leave. Since there’s not enough room for all three of us on the loveseat, I end up sitting in his lap and watching the video on Sam’s phone over her shoulder.
“Hi!” Sam says, hangul characters translating her words. “I want to tell you about a friend of mine. She’s just an ordinary girl.” The scene changes from Sam to me. It’s a shot of us getting ice cream together, and me spooning it onto my tongue like a derp.
Next, it shows me in the kitchen, working with my head down, whisking some meringue. Maybe that’s what Chansol meant when he mentioned a whisk on the phone back at my apartment.
“She likes tea.” A few shots go by of me drinking my daily dose. “She’s obsessed with sneakers.” A full pan view of my overflowing closet. “And the best thing about her is that she loves you.”
There’s a scene I don’t remember Sam filming of me in a hoodie, staring at pictures of Chansol. No wonder he didn’t react when he saw me doing the same thing back in the apartment.
“Her name is Talitha, and she saved my life once.” Next, there’s a picture of me spinning around at an amusement park, a smile on my face. “When I thought I was worthless, she was the friend who lifted me up.” Another frame of me dancing around the living room, trying to do the moves to an X-O song and failing, but laughing it off, anyway. “It took me a while,” Sam’s voice says, “but I figured it out. It’s because you taught her how to smile.” One last picture of Chansol smiling before everything fades to black. “I wanted to thank you, and her, for being amazing people.”
Chansol squeezes me tighter, and I know Sam’s words are right. I may have saved her life, but she saved mine, too. Now I get to spend the rest of forever with the person I love.
#fanGIRLFRIENDproblem1
The other biases.
“You know his feet smell, right?” Chansol says, looking over my shoulder. I have a picture open of Minji from PTS, and he is looking fine.
Every time Chansol catches me gushing over another man, he has something to say. I’m not swayed by it. He knew I had this problem for a while, and honestly, I know he’s teasing.
“Feet can be washed,” I deadpan, still scrolling through.
Chansol sits on the coffee table and scoots my laptop over so I can’t reach the mouse. “And he has a girlfriend.”
I tilt my head as I stare at him. “As do you, but that doesn’t stop you from posting pictures online.”
He clicks his teeth together, narrowing his eyes. “Maybe, but it’s my job.”
I reach forward and pat his hand. “You’re so cute when you’re jealous.”
He turns out of my grip, folding his arms and pouting. His bottom lip is incredibly sexy like that.
“Oppa,” I say, pulling out my best aegyo. I slide over on the couch so he can see me better. “Saranghae,” I add, Korean for I love you. I throw him little hearts with my crossed finger and thumbs.
He lifts his chin up, looking at the ceiling.
“Oppa,” I try again, laying on the cuteness as thick as I can. “Heartu? Love?” I continue, making another heart out of my hands then putting my arms above my head and my fingertips to my scalp to make a bigger heart.
He crosses his arms tighter, still huffing.
There’s only one thing to cure this anger. I stand, moving in front of him. Placing my palms flat on the table, I trap him between my arms.
“Oppa,” I whisper near his ear. “Ppoppo?” Asking for a kiss.
He glances at me, and I bat my eyelashes the best I can. His lips press together, but I can see the corners of his mouth going up in a smile. I almost have him.
“Ppoppo here?” I ask, quickly kissing his cheek. His arms stay crossed. “Ppoppo here?” I say again, smacking my lips on his forehead. He loosens up a little, but not enough. “Ppoppo...here?” My tone turns seductive as I lean in for his lips.
He grabs my face as our mouths meet, giving me a deep, meaningful, kiss. Man, I love this guy.
I can hardly believe it’s been a year since we got together. And that I was able to finish culinary school in Korea and get a good job. Really, my life is a dream come true.
We’re no longer kissing, but Chansol is still holding onto my face, his cinnamon breath tickling my nose.
“You know you’re the only guy for me,” I say, stealing one more quick kiss.
“I know,” he says. “But I still want you all to myself.”
I sit on his lap, wrapping my arms around his waist and laying my head on his chest. “Those other guys, none of them hold a candle to you—never have. They can be the most attractive guy in the world, but they’ll only be looks. To me, you’re everything.”
I squeeze him tighter, and he puts his arms around me. “If you don’t want me to look,” I continue, “I’ll stop. But when I see another guy like that, I’m only reminded of how much I love you. You’re it for me.”
“Wow,” he says, moving to stand.
“What?” I ask. “Did I do something wrong?”
He visibly swallows, eyes closed. “No.”
“Then what?”
He reaches in his pocket and pulls something out. I can’t see since his hands are huge and he’s holding it tightly.
“The problem is,” he says, “you took the words right out of my mouth.”
I smile. He can be so corny sometimes, but I love it.
He scratches the back of his neck like he’s nervous. “I was going to save this for later, but...” He gets down on one knee.
Both my hands go over my mouth, eyes about to pop out of my head.
“I’m sorry this isn’t fancy,” he says, “but I couldn’t wait a minute longer.”
His fingers move just enough for me to see a box, Tiffany blue. I’m shaking. This cannot be happening.
“The truth is, I’ve always known you’re the girl of my dreams. When we met, I knew right away. You’re the girl I want to spend forever with.”
I’m crying now, huge teardrops rolling down my face.
“So, what do you say? Will you be my wife?”
I shake my head with a resounding yes but can’t seem to produce the word. But that’s the thing about us, I don’t have to say it. He already knows.
He stands, coaxing my left hand from my face so he can slide a ring on my finger. He kisses me despite the tears, and I can feel his love emanating so huge it could fill the world.
This is it. Chansol is my forever. And I can’t think of a better person to have by my side.
If you loved this book, please leave a review!
Acknowledgements
>
This is always the hardest part of writing a book since there’s not enough thanks in the world to all the people who have helped me with my books. And the order of how they’re mentioned here doesn’t in any way change how much impact they’ve made on me and this book.
Of course, I’ll start with the real Talitha. Thanks for your name and for your love of a certain Kpop star whose name starts with Chan. It’s your fault he’s on my bias list, too. Meanie.
I always have to mention my husband first as he’s the main influence for my leading men. He didn’t mind kissing me when I was looking to get descriptions just right, and he’s my first go-to when I need to brainstorm aloud. Girls, wait to get yourself a guy who will respect and love you. There are good men out there, and my husband is proof.
Next, I have to mention my mother. I’m tearing up as I write this because she’s been such a huge support to me. Thank you, Mom, for always buying my books and telling your friends about them. And thank you for taking me to Korea with you. It was an experience I’ll never forget.
A huge thanks to all the girls in KDA who constantly support and uplift me when I’m down. I love the Kdrama games we play and how we can fangirl over shows together. You ladies rock my socks off! There’s too many to mention, or else I would put all 200+ of you in here.
Thank you to my Beta Book Peeps, my biggest writing support and those who hear me gripe the most. Cassie Mae, Jenny Morris, Suzi Retzlaff, Theresa Marie, Kelley Gerschke, Rachel Schieffelbein, Jessica Salyer, Lizzy Charles, Leigh Covington, and Hope Roberson, thanks for putting up with me and not kicking me out.
A big thanks to Kim Woodruff for editing this first on such short notice and within a quick timeframe. You’ve made this book stronger.
I wouldn’t be here without the best editor in the world, Precy Larkins. She always makes time for me when I spring editing on her last minute. You are such an incredible, beautiful, person and I love you to death. Thanks for not only being a kick-A editor, but a great friend who has my back. Hugs to you, girl!
To Erica Laurie for teaching me the basics of self-pub and for stepping up as my copyeditor. I really would be doing all of this blind without you. Love you so much!
Without question, I have to give this to my Heavenly Father. I’m grateful he gave me this gift, but also recently reminded me that I still have value without my writing, and that the most important thing is to care for the people around me. My true strength is in being his daughter, and no one can take that away from me.
Last, I have to give my thanks to the most important people who made this book possible: the readers! I’m grateful to everyone who purchases or opens these books. I love to hear from y’all and it makes my day to see new reviews. Please, if you can only leave a review as short as one sentence, it makes all the difference to authors everywhere. Even if it’s not for my book, review an author you love to show them how much they mean to you!
About the Author
Jennie Bennett is a mother to four beautiful and crazy children, and wife to a handsome and kind husband. She found a passion in Korean pop culture in January of 2013 and she’s never looked back since. She currently resides in Houston, Texas with her husband, kids, and a cute puppy named Charlie.
Twitter: @jabennettwrites
Facebook: Jennie Bennett
Instagram: @jenniefire
Join my newsletter and get free books! https://www.subscribepage.com/b3f6u5
Don't miss out!
Click the button below and you can sign up to receive emails whenever Jennie Bennett publishes a new book. There's no charge and no obligation.
https://books2read.com/r/B-A-RSNE-VTWS
Connecting independent readers to independent writers.
Also by Jennie Bennett
K-pop Romance
Undercover Fan
Snowflake Kisses
Celebrity Superhero
#fangirlproblems
Runaway Pop-Star
Kidnapped Idol
K-Pop Romance Starter Kit
My Korean Crush Series
Silver Screen Dreams
#fangirlproblems Page 9