Cufflinks

I prayed silently that the old man will go away but that was only wishful thinking. At least he seemed to be alone as I didn't hear another person's voice. So, he must be on the phone right now. And to my horror, his voice keeps getting closer. Please, just stop there where you are and don't find us, I prayed silently. But it was no use even if I wished for it with every fiber of my being. Instead of going away, it seemed like he even got closer.

"No, not a problem at all," the old man said cheerfully, which eerily sounded like it was coming from above us.

After getting pulled into hiding by Jack, I looked around carefully and saw from our position in the room that we must be right behind the sofa which serves as a cover for us. And now his father must be sitting on it. Great.

I suddenly feel like I'm too old for this much excitement. A few seconds before I was nervous about what the old man would say upon finding us here. Now I also have to worry about what he will say if he decides to get up, walk around in the room as many people do while on the phone, and sees us like this. Again.

I really must have angered some of my ancestors or have done something in a past life to deserve this. It's not enough that I have to hide from him, I even had to fall on top of his son. Again. And I can't even get up if I don't want to risk my head being seen by the old man. Not that there would be anywhere else to hide.

I suddenly became painfully aware of the texture of the carpet under my palm. At least I am lucky enough to have a good reflex and extended my arm just in time to avoid a crash landing on him. That would have been awkward and also painful if I were to headbutt him.

After listening to Jack's father chatting casually over the phone, I looked back at Jack to see his reaction but I couldn't really comprehend or even imagine what he is thinking right now. So, I looked into his eyes instead, which are so dark like the bottom of the ocean, but still hypnotizing. I don't even know when I tilted my head forward. I wasn't aware of me doing so. I only realized what I'm doing when his lips suddenly got closer. They looked soft and inviting, so I didn't even think twice just closed my eyes and went for it.

I must have lost my mind to dare do such a thing behind his father's back. Literally and figuratively. But I still kissed him nevertheless. Slowly, gently without making a sound as if I was in a dream that would end eventually.

I half expected him to push me away but to my surprise, even though he was clearly shocked at first, he started kissing me back in a slow and gentle reply to my pleading. Then he just as slowly wrapped his arms around my back as if he wanted to make sure that I'm really there and that I'm not just a figment of his imagination.

I have no idea how long we were kissing, but after a while, I couldn't even hear his father's chatter. For me, it was only the two of us and no one else. A few minutes later, we finally heard the old man getting on his feet and his voice moving away from us. I didn't really pay attention to what he was saying but he was probably about to hang up the phone and leave. So at last my prayer will be answered.

The moment we heard the old man's steps fading away, Jack's arms tightened around me and he turned me on my back with such force that I would have hit my head on the floor had he not put his arm under my head. I know it's a cliché but I feel like I have died and gone to heaven. I reached out my hand and ran my hand through his hair which he clearly seems to enjoy. I propped up one of my legs beside him before it completely goes numb and just forgot about his father, the report, and everything else. At this moment, nothing matters. Only you.

When we finally stopped kissing, I was too stunned to speak, so just sat up and lay my back against the back of the sofa. Jack did the same and he was the one, who broke the silence first.

"If I had known you were gonna do this, I would've swept you off your feet sooner." Upon hearing this, I elbowed him jokingly to which he elbowed me back as a reply, then pulled me to his arms and embraced me. It is such a calm, peaceful feeling that I wish we could just stay like this forever. But the guests will soon arrive if they haven't already, so we must leave this room if we don't want to get caught.

I was about to stand up and leave when he put his hand on my arm and stopped me.

"Wait! You cannot go like this," he said and pointed at my lips which must have been red and swollen thanks to him. So, I sat back down beside him behind the sofa and waited patiently until my face returns to normal. I don't know how long we waited but after a while, Jack got up and I was just about to do the same when the door of the room opened and his father came in.

"What are you doing here?" he asked curiously. I cannot see his face but I bet it's frightening.

"I just lost one of my cufflinks the last time I was here and asked my assistant to find it," he said confidently. I made a mental note to myself to praise him for his improvement in finding an excuse, then took off one of my cufflinks and got up as well.

"Here, I found it," I said and raised my arm with the missing piece in it. "The edge of the curtain was on it that's why you weren't able to see it."

"Oh, great. Thank you," he said casually and I placed my cufflink on his open palm.

"Now that you have found it, come down because the Chens just arrived," his father told him, completely ignoring me.

"Shouldn't they have arrived earlier?" Jack asked looking at his watch.

"They should have but they called earlier to inform us that they're going to be late," his father said and was about to leave.

"I see," was all that Jack said, and was about to follow his father but looked back at me to see whether I'm going as well. Not that I want to, especially after what happened just a few minutes before but I have to at least greet them properly then take my leave and let them celebrate to their hearts' content.

And what about me? Asked my evil subconscious from deep inside. Do I not deserve to be happy just for once and celebrate to my heart's content?

I looked at his back as he was walking with his father side by side only a few steps ahead of me. If I were to reach out my hand, I would be able to touch his back with the tip of my finger but I can't. As he is brightly talking with his father he seems farther from me than usual. Or maybe he was always this far I just didn't realize it.

To my surprise, I felt a teardrop roll down my face, so I quickly wiped it away with my hand before anyone sees it.

We went down to the living room where the guests were already chatting and the maid was serving them something to drink and I could see some pastries as well. When we entered the living room, they all greeted each other enthusiastically and I ceased to exist.