{Just love me }
Her fingers tightened slightly on his shirt…
as if she feared he might disappear the moment she let go.
It was a strange feeling—something between attachment and fear,
between wanting to stay and being afraid this was only a fleeting dream.
Ian felt it.
He felt the subtle tremble in her touch… the silent way she held onto him without words.
Slowly… they pulled away from the kiss.
Yet their breaths remained uneven, tangled together, as if refusing to part.
They stood facing each other, a small space between them— too small to hide the tension,
too close to ignore what had just happened.
Tyla whispered softly,
her voice barely steady: "I feel like… my heart is going to explode."
A soft laugh escaped him—not mocking, but gentle… almost fond.
"Thank you… for accepting my heart."
A shy smile formed on her lips, her cheeks flushing a deep pink. She looked at him for a moment,
then said hesitantly:
"I didn't expect… that you will kiss me like that…"
He stepped a little closer, his voice lower now, calmer: sorry if I make it suddenly but "You confessed your feelings to me… and I confessed mine to you."
He paused, then continued, his eyes locked on hers: "That means… you're mine… and I'm yours."
Her blush deepened, his words settling somewhere deep inside her. This time… she didn't hesitate.
She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him,
a warm, sincere embrace—as if she had finally found where she belonged.
She whispered softly against his chest: "I tried to run away from my feelings… but… why should I?"
He smiled, holding her a little tighter: "Me too."
And in that exact moment…
The door suddenly opened.
Her mother stood there, holding a trash bag, having stepped out without expecting anything… but what she saw froze her in place.
Her eyes widened in shock, the bag slipping from her hand and falling to the ground.
"Tyla?"
Tyla immediately pulled away, as if waking from a dream. Ian stepped back as well—both of them flustered.
"I—I…" Tyla stammered, unable to form a sentence.
But Ian stepped forward despite the tension and said respectfully: "Hello, Mrs. Kim…"
Then, with unexpected firmness, he added: "I hope you'll accept me… as your daughter's boyfriend."
Tyla's eyes widened in embarrassment, while her mother looked between them, a mix of surprise… and a faint hint of hidden approval.
"ian … do you truly love Tyla?"
He didn't hesitate. "I would destroy the world for her."
Tyla turned to him slowly… her eyes shimmering, as if his words had reached straight into her heart.
But her mother wasn't done yet: "But you're older than her…"
Tyla lifted her head suddenly and said, despite her shyness: "Age is just a number, Mom."
Her mother sighed, rolling her eyes slightly before speaking in a tone laced with mild warning:
"Fine… but Ian … if you break her heart, I will destroy you."
He smiled faintly and bowed respectfully: "Yes, ma'am."
Then he turned and walked back into his house.
Tyla and her mother went inside, her heart still racing.
Her mother looked at her and asked gently: "Have you figured out your feelings for him?"
Tyla lowered her gaze to the floor, smiling shyly: "Yes… I like him… honestly."
Her mother stepped closer and hugged her warmly: "Do what your heart wants… but listen to your mind too, my daughter."
"Thank you, Mom," Tyla whispered.
—
On the other side…
İan entered his house, his face carrying an unfamiliar kind of nervousness.
His brother, SEO Joon , raised an eyebrow in confusion: "What's wrong with you? You look like you were chased by a dog."
İan let out a small laugh, then suddenly pulled him into a hug.
"Thanks… bro."
SEO Joon blinked, even more confused: "Okay… that's suspicious. What happened?"
İan stepped back slightly, smiling: "Tyla… she said yes. She feels the same way."
Then he added,
half serious, half teasing: "And even if she didn't… I would've made her mine… because I'm Kim ian."
His brother laughed: "Confident as always… but I'm happy for you."
—
As for Tyla…
She couldn't sleep that night.
The kiss replayed in her mind over and over— his closeness,
the warmth of his breath… the way he touched her heart before her lips.
Her face flushed every time she remembered… and she stayed awake until dawn.
And him…
He couldn't sleep either.
He tossed and turned, staring at the ceiling— his heart… still with her.
But the night didn't end there.
Ian turned to his side, closing his eyes for a moment— and all he could see… was her.
The way her fingers held onto him… the warmth of her embrace… the softness of her voice when she said she tried to run away from her feelings.
He exhaled slowly, placing his arm over his eyes.
I can't stop thinking about you tyla
A faint smile touched his lips.
You will not run away from me again
—
On the other side…
Tyla sat up in her bed suddenly, as if sleep had completely abandoned her.
She hugged her knees to her chest, her heart still beating too fast for the quiet of the night.
"Why… does it feel like this…?"
She whispered to herself, her fingers unconsciously brushing over her lips again.
Her chest tightened—not in fear… but in something deeper.
Something real.
She lay back down, staring at the ceiling.
"ian…"
His name slipped from her lips softly, almost like a secret.
And for the first time…
She didn't try to deny it.
—
Early morning came too quickly.
The world outside looked normal—quiet, calm…
But for them… everything had changed.
Tyla stood in front of the mirror, fixing her hair for the third time.
"Why am I nervous…? I see him every day…"
She paused… then looked at her reflection.
"…but not like this."
Not like every other day… because now—he was different. Her cheeks turned a soft shade of red. He's… my boyfriend now.
—
Outside, leaning casually against the wall near his house…
İan checked the time on his phone for the fifth time.
Then sighed.
"Since when do I wait like this…"
He muttered, running a hand through his hair.
But he didn't move.
He was waiting.
For her.
—
And when the door finally opened…
Both of them felt it.
That quiet shift in the air.
The same place… the same morning…
But nothing was the same anymore.
Their eyes met.
And this time…
Neither of them looked away
He spoke first, a small smile on his lips.
"Hi."
She replied, trying to sound confident—
it was her habit, she always liked to appear strong.
"Hey."
Suddenly, he took her hand.
"Come on… I have somewhere to take you."
She blinked in surprise.
"Oh… okay."
—
They got into the car.
The drive was quiet…
not awkward, just calm.
They exchanged a few words here and there,
but mostly… they just enjoyed the silence.
—
When they finally arrived…
Tyla's eyes widened.
"Wow… games?"
He smiled.
"Yeah. I told you—I'm taking you somewhere fun."
—
Inside, laughter quickly replaced the quiet.
They started with basketball arcade games,
throwing ball after ball—missing, scoring, teasing each other.
They laughed… real laughter.
The kind that comes from the heart.
And for the first time in a long while…
İan felt truly happy.
They moved from one game to another,
playing almost everything.
—
"ian…" she called softly, almost playfully.
He turned.
"I want to play bowling."
He raised an eyebrow, smiling.
"You like games that much?"
Then he added teasingly:
"Should I just bring them to your house so you can play anytime?"
She laughed shyly.
—
They walked over to the bowling lane.
Ian went first.
With smooth confidence… he threw the ball.
Strike.
All the pins fell.
Tyla clapped lightly, impressed.
Then it was her turn.
She tried once…
twice…
three times…
Each time, the ball missed or barely touched the pins.
She pouted slightly.
"Ugh… I can't do it…"
He chuckled softly.
And then—without warning—
he stepped behind her.
Wrapping his arms gently around her…
his hands guiding hers on the bowling ball.
Her breath caught.
The closeness alone was enough to make her nervous.
She wasn't even fully listening anymore.
"Bend a little… like this," he murmured near her ear.
She followed, her body now lightly pressed against his.
"Now… just throw it. Don't overthink."
She released the ball.
It rolled forward—
And—
All the pins fell.
Her eyes widened.
"Yeahhh! I did it!"
She jumped in excitement, laughing.
He clapped with her, laughing just as much.
—
Later…
They left the place and drove back home.
The ride this time felt different.
Warmer.
Quieter… but full.
He stepped out first and opened the door for her.
She stood in front of him for a moment, smiling softly.
"Thank you… I really had fun today."
She was about to leave—
"Wait."
He stopped her gently.
"I don't have your number… or your Instagram… or anything."
She blinked, then laughed softly.
"Oh… right. How did I forget?"
She quickly gave him everything.
She went inside.
And he went back to his house.
Tyla took a shower, then changed into something comfortable.
A soft pajama… light, simple.
She dried her long hair, letting it fall naturally over her shoulders.
She applied a light tint to her lips… without thinking much.
Then lay down on her bed.
Finally… trying to sleep.
Her phone buzzed.
A message.
She picked it up.
…İan.
"Are you awake?"