Deviant 1995 - Chapter 119.1

Chapter 119.1

Sunday night.

André stepped out of the car and stood facing Miran in front of the villa entrance.

Miran’s nose stung. He was scheduled to take a flight back to New York tomorrow morning. Once he left, when would she see him again? She already missed him, even though he had not yet gone.

After quietly studying her face, André pulled an envelope from the inside pocket of his jacket and placed it in her hand.

Miran looked down at the envelope and asked,

“What’s this?”

“A plane ticket to New York.”

When she lifted her eyes to look at him, he gave a bitter smile.

“It’s an open ticket. You can decide the return date.”

She opened the envelope and took out the paper ticket. The departure date was December 23.

“December 24 is my birthday. There’s somewhere I want to go with you that day.”

Before she could respond, he quickly added,

“You don’t have to answer now. Think about it and let me know.”

She did not know what the future would bring. But she loved him.

At first, she had started without knowing anything. Now, she understood all too well what it meant to love a remarkable man named André de Lafayette.

The path to becoming a woman who suited André was still long and distant. That frightened her even more. Still, giving up before trying was not like Kang Miran.

A long distance relationship would not be easy, but if she became a flight attendant, she could travel back and forth to New York often.

She looked up at him. The man whose trademark was a cool, expressionless face seemed desperate, almost famished, whenever he looked at her. She knew better than anyone that beneath that flawless, aristocratic, gentlemanly exterior lived a man who loved fiercely and passionately.

Yet time and again, he reached out and pulled his hand back, swallowing dryly, and never once touched her body without her permission.

Miran placed her hands on his shoulders, rose onto her toes, and lifted her face. Then she pressed a soft kiss to his firmly closed lips, defenseless and gentle. A faint pop sounded as their lips parted.

André’s eyes widened, his lips slightly parting. His shoulders tensed like stone under her palms.

“Then… I’ll see you that day.”

Avoiding his gaze, she turned away after saying goodbye. It wasn’t even her first kiss, yet her heart thundered and her face flamed hot.

“Ah!”

She hadn’t even taken a single full step when she was pulled straight into André’s arms. He wrapped an arm around her waist as if lifting her, his large hand closing around the nape of her neck. Miran stood on her toes and looped her arms around his neck. Their lips locked together without a sliver of space.

In the dark, narrow alley, under the soft glow of a streetlamp casting a fragile warmth, the lovers clung to each other as if they were a single body, unable to part.

November 10, 1996, Sunday.

A cold wind carrying the first scent of winter circled the couple kissing feverishly, teasing them in the night.

—

To: andre@h0tmail.com
Subject: Passed!

André! I passed the final round for flight attendants!!

Starting mid-January, I’ll be in training for three months.

I still can’t believe it. Mom cried again. I did too, but I held it back.

And there’s only one week left until I go see you. I don’t know why every day feels so slow.

By the way, why did you tell me to bring summer clothes?

It’s winter in New York right now too.

– Miran

PS. Jieun unni bought something called a digital camera. A camera that doesn’t need film, it’s so amazing. You can delete photos you don’t like. She gave me one good shot, so I attached it. (So you’ll think of me.)

—

To: miran@h0tmail.com

Subject: RE: 합격!

Congratulations.

I’ll tell you the reason when you get here, so bring them. Bring a swimsuit too.

I sent you a package by express delivery.

– André

PS. If I think about you any more than this, it might seriously interfere with my daily life.

—

To: andre@h0tmail.com
Subject: RE: RE: Passed!

“Congratulations.”

Is that all? Be honest. You don’t like that I’m becoming a flight attendant, right?