Chapter 294 - Waves

"Woah!" Mirae squealed at the view. The sun was shining merrily above their heads against the clear blue sky. The water was reflecting the color of the sky, turning into a clystar clear bluish shade while the sand was sparkling underneath her feet. There was not a soul in sight thanks to the tight security around the land. It was just them.

"You don't own this island, do you?" she joked.

"What? No!" KJ laughed. "Just this part. I assure you I don't own an island!"

"You'll probably get one if you ask for it," she giggled. "Your fans may even buy you one!"

KJ shook his head as Mirae ran towards the ocean. The water was cool and clean as they hit her. She was already knee deep into it, enjoying the waves. Her bare feet were breaking the wet sand beneath them with every step and her hair was already a little damp as the water kept on splashing at her. 

But KJ was sitting at a distance, just watching her have fun. She turned around and shouted, "Jiwon! Come here!"

"I-I'm good!" he stammered. Mirae frowned at his petrified expression. Turning around, she got out of the water and approached him.

Putting her hands on her waist, she looked at him with suspicion. "Why are you sitting here by yourself while your wife is enjoying the seawater?" she demanded.

"I-I just wanna see my beautiful wife enjoy," he chuckled nervously. But by his demeanor, she could tell he was scared beyond his wits.

"Are you…" 

She narrowed her eyes and studied him closely. "Are you afraid of the water?" she guessed.

KJ gulped. He was never a good swimmer and the sight of water terrified him. Blushing hard in embarrassment, he spoke out indignantly, "I-I'm not afraid! I just happen not to like swimming!"

"You're afraid of the water," Mirae stated, stifling her laugh. He looked so scared that it seemed like he would faint anytime. 

"Don't laugh!"

"I'm not," Mirae wheezed. "Oh come on! I'm here with you! You're not gonna drown!"

"It's the ocean Mir!" he countered. "It's too deep. I am not going in there!"

"Chicken," she teased. "I didn't know my macho idol hubby is a scaredy cat!"

She stuck out her tongue at him. 

"I am not scared!" KJ scoffed. "I just don't want to get wet!"

"You're not going to join me?" Mirae asked, pouting a little. She intentionally widened her eyes and put on an innocent face. He could never refuse her whenever she used her puppy dog tactics.

"That won't work on me!" he claimed, closing his eyes, turning the other way. "I'm not going into the water!" 

"Oh come on!"

No matter how many times she begged, he vehemently refused. Finally, she suggested that they just walk along the beach to which he gladly agreed.

As the ocean waves thundered on, they were walking on the wet beach, leaving their footprints behind them. He was holding on to her hand as they enjoyed the quiet view.

"Is that a shell?" Mirae suddenly pointed out. Before he knew it, she sprang forward and picked up a seashell.

"Does it have a pearl?" she asked in excitement. 

"That's not an oyster," KJ replied. "Just a regular seashell."

Mirae's face dropped but she began to scavenge for more shells. Most were broken but she found a red and blue shell which looked as if it was glittering. 

"Woah!" Her eyes widened in awe. The little shell was so beautiful that she could not pull her eyes off it. "So many amazing things we can find in the ocean!"

KJ sn.a.k.e.d his arms around her waist from the back while she admired the shell. "My grandfather brought me to the beach many years ago," he recounted. "Even though I wouldn't step into the water, he and I picked up a lot of colorful shells. He had a knack for picking the rare ones. In fact, he really did find a pearl in an oyster."

"Where is that pearl now?" Mirae queried.

"My older sister Yeri stole it and sold it off at an auction for money after grandfather cut her out," he said. "She did not even bother to find out that grandfather was actually planning to give it to her during her wedding. He was heartbroken when he found out."

"That's just terrible," Mirae mumbled. She remembered Grandpa Kwon as a kind and gentle person. Picturing the sadness on his face was unimaginable to her. Why would someone hurt a man like that?

"Your sisters were just...ugh!" she exclaimed, feeling disgusted. She never met them but while researching on the Cartel, she ran into their names quite a lot. They were not core members of the Cartel but had done some dirty work for them. Those two would do anything for money and together with their husbands, were involved in some fraudulent activities. 

"Let's not think about them," KJ said. "Those two were given many chances and they blew it. We'll only ruin our mood if we keep on talking about the past."

Mirae turned around and threw her arms around his neck. "Let's just worry about the future, okay?" she advised. "The past is gone. Let it stay there. It's important for us to live the lives we have now. The path ahead is uncertain and full of dangers but that doesn't mean we stop living."

As usual, her words did the charm. Only she could tame his wild heart. Even finding out the truth, she remained by his side without judging him. He did not even understand why he was so worried about their relationship when everything became so simple just by telling the truth.

"Thank you," he expressed. "For understanding."

"No, thank you," she whispered. "For loving me."

The breeze brushed against their bodies, soothing their erratic hearts as they stared into each other. They had lost track of all time as if they were the only ones left in the world. KJ leaned lower to place a deep kiss on her pink lips. Mirae's toes curled into the sand as he parted her lips, caressing her softly with his tongue yet carrying their usual fiery passion. Her hands played with his hair, pulling him closer to taste his mouth thoroughly.

As the waves crashed into the land while a bright sun shone above them, Mirae captured the memory of their kiss, forever carving it into their lives.