Can I Love
CHAPTER 35
Summary. Lee Y/N was the first love of one when he was a middle schooler. He never knew her name and he never saw her again. Several years later, he met her again …unfortunately under a disadvantaged circumstances.
You were resting your head on Minghao's shoulder.
"Thanks for going shopping with me," you exhaled. Chan was going to be discharged tomorrow and you realized you were running out of food.
"Yeah, Jun is teaching the whole lesson today."
You looked up to see his face. His eyes were glued on his phone screen, scrolling down on a fashion e-commerce platform. "Are you buying something again?"
He chuckled. "What do you mean 'again'? I don't even shop that often," he scoffed as he turned his phone into lock mode. Then he turned to face you, his eyes met yours, staring at your soul with his gentle and fond gaze.
Very slowly, his face leaned forward, making your heart pounding like crazy and your hands turning into fists under the hoodie pocket. As he almost closed the proximity between your lips, the bell rang and it startled both of you. He quickly pulled away and stood up. You and he cleared your throats at the same time.
"That must be the food," he groggily said.
"I'll get it. Can you please prepare the plates and some water?" You started to walk to open the door. As the door was swung open, someone who was not the delivery man surprised you. You blinked in confusion and said his name, "Wonwoo?"
"Y/N, what take you so long.. oh," You sensed Minghao approaching behind your back.
"Oh.." Wonwoo was as surprised as Minghao, now that they were standing facing each other.
"How did you.." Minghao paused as he remembered you were with Wonwoo when you surveyed this new place.
"What are you.." Again, he halted himself from asking like it was his business.
"Wonwoo, why don't you come on in?"
"Oh, no, I just.. uh, you know," he stuttered as he nervously stole glances at Minghao who was as uneasy as he was. Fuck it, just do it. Extending his arms with a small box with a white ribbon in his hands, he talked fast as if he was rapping. "I'm here because I want to confess my feelings. I don't want to regret later if I never get to say it to you. I like you, Y/N. I've known you since you were in a group project with Soonyoung, then you were also close with Jun. And you often go to the library, so I..." He paused to try reading your face. To his relief, you didn't wear a displeased expression, but more of a surprised and confused.
Standing beside you was Xu Minghao, blinking several times in confusion. He never saw this coming obviously. He did anticipate that Wonwoo would confess, but certainly not this way when he clearly was present. Minghao cleared his throat. "Should I, uh.. leave or something?" he carefully asked.
You glanced over Wonwoo, then back to your best friend, still in confusion. You were not sure it was your decision to make.
"Actually, you don't have to," Wonwoo continued, again, making you puzzled. "I know my chance is very small. I know it's not gonna be me anyways. But I just need to say this, you know, so it's not penting up inside. And whether my feelings are accepted or rejected, confessing will make my heart at ease."
Minghao nodded slowly, thinking how unique Wonwoo was. At first he seemed shaky, but eventually he sounded firm. Not to mention, genuine too. Minghao turned to look at you who happened to also look at him, as if you were asking for courage. Wordlessly, your same age friend threw a little smile that you knew he trusted you and he would always respect your decision.
"Wonwoo, it's nice hanging out with you. You're a good friend and I enjoy your company. I'm thankful that you see me as a good, likeable person, but I'm sorry I can't return your feelings."
Beyond your expectation, Wonwoo was smiling widely. "I knew it."
Wonwoo nodded, at the same time gestured you to take the box he carried. "But can you accept this? It's choco truffle. Jun told me you like this. And I assume Jun was also told by you, Minghao."
Slightly tilting his head, Minghao pointed at himself, asking, "Me?"
"Really? I can take this?"
Wonwoo nodded, grinning. "Oh, Minghao, Y/N often talks about you, saying that we would be a good match. I think it would be great if we can hang out in the nearest future."
A sincere smile grew on Minghao’s face. "I'd like that."
"Oh, by we I mean just you and me. We don't want Jun or Soonyoung or Mingyu and Seokmin to tag along because they're, um.. what should I say? Too over the top?"
Minghao chuckled. "That's a good idea."
"Not even me?" you scoffed.
"We'll manage, bub. For now, I think I want to get to know Wonwoo more."
"I'm offended, I'm your match-maker."
