Marigold — Chapter 14

Mari's POV

Most often, almost half of what I did whenever I get drunk, I tend to forget so it's no surprise that the memories from that night were a little foggy.

Yep. I almost forgot half the things Y told me which I was so damn sure was nonsense anyway since it was from, yeah - Y. I have no memory of talking with Shiela despite the fact that she asked me what was last night all about. So when she hugged me telling me she kind of understood and was half-expecting that to happen, I just nodded my head and didn't bother asking. Somehow, there was a little voice in me that whispers how bad I actually did Shiela but seeing her smile at me genuinely, that made me calm down a little.

How did I manage to find a friend like that? Or maybe she doesn't really like Z that much?

So all in all, we had fun. We enjoyed the trip. Everything was perfect.

Except for the fact that I remember. Yes, I fucking remember everything that had happened between Z and me - the kiss...the cuddling in my bed after...the way he showered my face with sweet kisses until I fell asleep.

Everything was crystal clear in my head. Which puts me into this embarrassing situation.

Fuck.

"I'm not looking at your face, Mari. Remove that jacket or you'll get suffocated," he muttered for the nth time. I can honestly feel my neck sweating despite the max airconditioning inside his car but hell, I won't remove this goddam cover on my face until I reach my own room and scold myself in front of my vanity mirror.

Like, what the fuck!  Z and I actually shared a fucking kiss! A steamy french not for a kid kiss and it annoys me how he is so calm about everything!

I woke up with his arms around my waist and like the other day, he was not wearing a shirt. It wasn't even a good ten seconds that I realized that I was wearing his shirt instead.

Then I remember, we were making out in the restroom. I didn't know what has gotten into the two of us but we did it. We crossed the line.

But no, we didn't have sex. Thank God Z is sane enough to stop both of us from possibly being killed by both our parents.

And we were just there, panting trying to catch our breaths.

I still remember that time when my breathe hitches after he removed his shirt and lean a little to give me a quick peck on the lips.

He told me to wash up so we can sleep. Still drown with the ecstasy and of course, a little drunk, I simply followed his words and didn't mind cuddling after, his body warm even though he already took a shower. That didn't stop me from hugging him, and sniffing him, and biting his chest from time to time.

So the next morning when I woke up, I wanted to drown myself into the toilet bowl after realizing that all of Z's hickeys were from me. And that one big mark from the other night probably was from me too.

Which leads me back into this awkward situation, of me staying with him, alone in his car. And what? We still have almost four hours top until we reach home!

Okay, I'm going to die!

The moment I went inside his car, I covered my face with a jacket so I won't see him and he won't see how red my face was. I was just fucking thankful the girls knocked inside our room and like took me outside for photos so I wouldn't have to deal with Z.

But of course, that is after all of their squealing when they saw Z's bare upper body because he's the one who opened the door for them.

I had to really calm down a bit because Zara saw all of Z's hickeys and they were teasing me for it. Even Shiela was laughing like a maniac. It baffles me how she can laugh like that when she said she likes Z.  Shouldn't he be angry at me?

So now, I was sure I only have ten minutes left before this stupid act of mine backfires. It's hard to properly breathe.

"If you don't remove that damn jacket, I'm going to dial your father's number and tell him we had sex,"

At that, my hand immediately pulled the jacket off of my face, my head snapping to his direction. And there it was, his beautiful smile that I recently discovered was very alluring. Why did I just notice that?

"Really?" I snapped at him. My brows furrowed but I can't help but gulped when my eyes landed on his lips. How was it redder than my own?

And there it was again, the memory of us kissing, how I was biting his lips...how it tastes so sweet, so addicting, how I kept wanting for more.

"Ahhh!" I screamed. I covered my face in embarrassment. What the hell am I thinking?

I heard his laughter resonating inside the car and I have never heard Z laugh so loud like that. I turned my attention back into him and just wanted to punch his arms.

"Stop laughing!"

He turned back to me and smiled. "You were staring at my lips," he started and reached for my hair and tried pulling them.

This is it. I'm going crazy!

"I hate you!" I shifted my gaze outside of the car while my lips quiver in so much embarrassment. I can't believe I am caught up in this situation.

"You used to tease me. You said you're going to eat me, all those stuff. What now, Mari?"

My eyes closed as I feel my heart skipping like it has a jumping rope inside. Goddamn it.

"There is a reason why it is called teasing, Z. And when did you suddenly get so talkative?"

He just winked at me and I just covered my face yet again.

"I'm going to sleep. Don't talk to me," I rolled my eyes at him and I watch as his tongue made a quick a run on his lower lip.

Good Lord.

So the entire time, I tried my best to fall asleep which I did. Maybe because I was too nervous and still a little tired too so I actually fell asleep.

When we reached our house, it was already four in the afternoon and Z didn't even have the chance to wake me up because my silly brother had been knocking on the car's window, a huge grin showing on his face.

Our father was also there outside, standing, his hands on his hips as if he was actually waiting for us. Something in me started to feel so scared. I felt my stomach now churning.

Why is Dad outside?

Shit, did he found out about the kiss?

With that in mind, my head snapped into Z's direction, who, I didn't even realize has been staring at me for God knows how long.

"You didn't tell my Dad, did you?"

Oh God, what if Dad gets mad?

He shook his head in response. Suddenly, I felt his hand over mine and I look at his face in confusion.

"Don't worry, baby. I got you," he whispered, and before I knew it, Iw as already nodding my head.

The two of us exited the car and Z didn't even have the chance to open the door for me because Latch did it the moment the door's lock gets lifted.

"Dad was fuming," Latch immediately stated and that got me even more nervous. "Uncle Skyand Aunt Max was inside. Goodluck Dev," he grinned before reaching for my luggage. He left the two of us outside and I was left confused. Dad was already inside too. That's when I noticed Uncle V's car parked a few feet away from Z's car.

I felt chills in my body and I reached for Z immediately. I'm getting so nervous. How did Dad found out?

"Z..." I whispered. I am so scared. I reached for the hem of his shirt. I feel like I am about to cry.

His left hand landed on my back and I lifted my gaze. He doesn't seem so faze about what's happening.

"Let's go," he gently guided me inside, his hand still on my back and for a moment, I was debating whether I'd ask him to just leave

But after a few minutes, we saw both our parents in the living room, as if they were indeed waiting for us. I saw mom's understanding gaze but dad's face was blank and for once, I got so scared with my father.

My gaze landed on the floor. I don't want to disappoint my Dad.

"So..." Uncle Skystarted. My hands balled into a fist and I am sure my knees are getting weak. "Care to explain what happened, Z?"

"Yeah, what did you do to my daughter?" My dad's voice was stern and that made me look at Z's direction. "You know, the two of you have been best friends and I see you as almost my son too. So I want to know your side and tell me what happened,"

I bit my lower lip. Dad rarely gets mad and this is making me really nervous. Even mom is not talking. Normally. mom would stop Dad but she's letting him. What if Uncle Skyand my father get into a fight? Additionally, I don't want to cause any problem between mom and aunt Max.

"Dad," I started. I reached for Z's hand. I won't let him get angry with Z. I kissed him back so it wasn't entirely his fault.

"I'm talking to Z, Mari. Don't get involved, okay?"

"But Dad -"

"Just let your Dad talk baby," my Mom.

"I won't tolerate-"

"Sir, I -"

"I kissed him back, okay! So it wasn't entirely his fault!" I exclaimed. My grip over Z's hand tightened and I turned to his direction and saw how his eyes widened.

"Don't scold Z. It's also my fault so scold me too..." I added. My lips quiver, trying my best not to cry. I can't let my Dad get angry with Z.

I didn't even realize that the room got quiet. All I can hear was the sound of my heart beating. It's going crazy inside my chest and somehow, I feel so glad that I speak up.

"Shit, I'm telling this to everyone." we all turned or heads to Latch who's grinning like a mad dog. He was standing at the bottom of the stairs, his phone now on his hands.

"Okay, we were just concern about you crying over what Z did, but okay, we can work with that!" Aunt Max exclaimed and I turned my attention back to my father who's face turned pale. My mom was laughing and Uncle V's eyes were wide.

Confusion filled my expression as I listen to what Aunt Max just said. What did she mean by that? Isn't dad mad because we kissed?

"It's fine, baby. Just go to your room and bring Z along with you while you're at it. But please don't do anything outside of kissing yet, okay?" my mom grinned and I started whining in embarrassment.

"Mom!"

It was as if my father gets awoken from shock and was about to stand but Mom pulled him back, hands covering my father's mouth.

"Go," she instructed, and out of nervousness, I pulled Z's hand so we can stay away from my dad.

"I'm proud of my son,"

"Max, Oh my God!"

"I know! This needs an emergency meeting. I'll call Chaeng and unnie,"

"Skskskd"

"Shut up Simons,"

I didn't even catch half of what or parents our talking about. but that didn't make me forget about kicking my brother who's still laughing.

The moment we entered my room, I let go of Z's hand and threw my body on my bed.

Ge'ez! What a mess!

My eyes were closed and I was trying to calm my nerves. My dad is so annoying! My lips pouted at the thought.

"Don't mind Dad, Z. He's just overreacting," I started and opened my eyes. I saw Z leaning on my bedroom wall, eyes focused on me.

His eyebrow raised at what I just said but what he responded to made my jaw drop straight to the floor.

"He's not overreacting. I'd probably even be worse if I learn that our future child is already kissing a boy,"

What did he just say? Did he just said 'our future child'?

He did, right? -----