Saturday morning couldn't have come fast enough.
Kyrah woke up before her alarm.
She opened her eyes, stared at the ceiling for a few seconds, and then smiled.
"Today."
She jumped out of bed.
Today was the day Linda was coming to Hong Kong.
Her best friend.
Her person.
The one woman who had been there through almost every chapter of her life.
Kyrah hurried through her morning routine, checking her phone every few minutes as if Linda's flight would somehow arrive faster because she kept looking at the screen.
Linda's Flight — Estimated Arrival: 10:45 a.m.
Kyrah smiled.
"I can't wait."
She grabbed her handbag and headed downstairs.
Before getting into the taxi, she made a quick stop at a flower shop.
Linda loved flowers.
And Kyrah wanted her arrival to feel special.
She picked out a beautiful bouquet, then got into the taxi with the flowers resting carefully beside her.
As the car pulled away, Kyrah checked her phone again.
Still on schedule.
She smiled.
Then she remembered something.
"Oh!"
She quickly opened her handbag and pulled out her prenatal vitamins.
She had almost forgotten.
She took them with a bottle of water, then settled back into the seat.
Her hand instinctively moved to her stomach.
She smiled.
Soon, she would be introducing Linda to the newest person in her life.
Or at least, the little person currently living inside her.
Her thoughts began racing.
She would show Linda the city.
They would go shopping.
They would talk until midnight.
They would gossip.
They would laugh about everything that had happened since they last saw each other.
And, of course, Linda would probably interrogate her about Seojun.
Kyrah rolled her eyes just thinking about it.
"Not happening."
The taxi continued toward the airport.
But Kyrah was already imagining the weekend ahead.
---
The moment Kyrah entered the arrivals hall, she looked at the flight information screen.
Seoul → Hong Kong — Arrived.
Her heart jumped.
She tightened her grip on the bouquet.
"She's here."
Kyrah stood near the arrival gate, looking at every passenger coming through.
Then she saw her.
Linda.
Dragging a suitcase behind her, wearing sunglasses and looking as though she had just stepped out of a fashion magazine.
Kyrah's face immediately lit up.
"Linda!"
Linda looked up.
"Kyrah!"
They both rushed toward each other.
The bouquet nearly got crushed between them as they hugged.
"Oh my God!"
"I missed you!"
"I missed you too!"
They pulled apart, only to hug again.
Linda laughed.
"Look at you!"
Kyrah smiled.
"Look at you!"
"You're glowing."
"Don't start."
"I haven't even started."
Kyrah handed her the flowers.
"These are for you."
Linda looked down at the bouquet.
"Oh my God."
She hugged Kyrah again.
"You're so sweet."
"I know."
"I'm keeping these forever."
"You'd better."
Linda pulled back and looked at her carefully.
"You really are glowing."
Kyrah laughed.
"It's probably because I finally got some sleep."
"Mmm-hmm."
Linda narrowed her eyes.
"I'll decide whether I believe that later."
Kyrah laughed.
"Come on. Let's get your luggage."
---
By the time they arrived at Kyrah's company residence, Linda was already talking nonstop.
"So tell me everything."
"Everything about what?"
"Everything!"
Kyrah laughed.
"You've been here for less than an hour."
"Exactly. We've wasted enough time."
Kyrah shook her head.
"You haven't changed."
"Neither have you."
They entered the company lodge.
Linda stopped.
Her eyes widened.
"Oh."
Kyrah smiled.
"What?"
"This is your place?"
"Yes."
Linda slowly looked around.
The apartment was modern but warm.
Soft lighting illuminated the living room. There was a comfortable sofa, a small dining area, a well-equipped kitchen, and large windows overlooking part of the city.
It wasn't enormous, but it was beautiful.
And more importantly, it felt like home.
Linda dropped her handbag onto the couch.
"I love this place."
Kyrah smiled.
"Really?"
"It's so cute."
She walked toward the windows.
"And comfortable."
"That's what I like about it."
"You're actually living well."
Kyrah laughed.
"Don't make it sound like I wasn't before."
Linda turned around.
"You weren't."
"Linda!"
They both laughed.
Linda looked around again.
"You've really built yourself a nice little life here."
Kyrah's smile softened.
"I have."
Linda nodded.
"And I'm proud of you."
Kyrah smiled.
"Thank you."
Linda suddenly looked at her.
"So…"
Kyrah immediately knew that tone.
"No."
"I haven't said anything."
"I know you."
Linda grinned.
"Seojun."
Kyrah rolled her eyes.
"Here we go."
"Kyrah, come on."
"What?"
"He bought you that expensive dress."
"He's my boss."
"He takes care of you."
"He's my boss."
"He went baby shopping with you."
"He's my friend."
"He worries about you."
"He's a good person."
"He clearly likes you."
Kyrah folded her arms.
"Linda."
"What?"
"It can't be."
"Why?"
"Because I'm pregnant."
Linda stared at her.
"So?"
Kyrah blinked.
"So?"
"Yes. You're pregnant, not dead."
Kyrah burst out laughing.
"Linda!"
"I'm serious."
"You are impossible."
Linda walked closer.
"You're telling me that a handsome, successful man who is your boss, takes care of you, buys you designer dresses, goes shopping for baby things with you, and clearly enjoys being around you…"
She paused.
"…doesn't have feelings for you?"
Kyrah shook her head.
"No."
Linda raised an eyebrow.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"Absolutely?"
"Absolutely."
Linda sighed dramatically.
"Fine."
Kyrah smiled.
"Thank you."
"But I still think you're missing something."
"I'm not."
Linda shrugged.
"Okay."
Then she suddenly clapped her hands.
"Anyway, we're going out tonight."
Kyrah stared at her.
"Where?"
"A club."
Kyrah almost choked.
"A club?"
"Yes."
"Linda, do you know I'm pregnant?"
Linda laughed.
"Yes."
"So how exactly am I supposed to go clubbing?"
"Who said you have to dance?"
"You did."
"I changed my mind."
Kyrah shook her head.
"You're crazy."
"We can sit somewhere. Have drinks."
Kyrah gave her a look.
"I don't drink."
"Fine. Mocktails."
Linda grabbed her hand.
"We are going out."
Kyrah laughed.
"You really came all the way from Korea just to drag me around Hong Kong?"
"Yes."
"Fair enough."
Her phone suddenly rang.
Kyrah looked at the screen.
Seojun.
Linda's eyes immediately widened.
She pointed at the phone.
"Speak of the devil."
"Linda…"
"Answer it."
Kyrah sighed and picked up.
"Hello?"
"Hey. How are you?"
"I'm good."
"Did you get some rest?"
"Yes."
"Good."
There was a brief pause.
Then Seojun asked, "Are you doing anything tonight?"
Linda immediately whispered loudly,
"Tell him to take us out!"
Kyrah covered the phone.
"Linda!"
"What?"
Kyrah sighed and returned the phone to her ear.
"I'm actually with Linda."
"Oh?"
"She arrived this morning."
"I see."
Linda mouthed, Ask him to take us out!
Kyrah rolled her eyes.
"Linda wants to go out tonight."
Seojun laughed softly.
"Then let's go."
Kyrah blinked.
"Really?"
"Of course."
Linda silently celebrated beside her.
"Where?"
"I know a place."
Linda mouthed, See? He likes you.
Kyrah ignored her.
"Okay."
"I'll pick you both up around seven."
"That's fine."
"See you later."
"See you."
Kyrah ended the call.
Linda immediately screamed.
"Yes!"
Kyrah laughed.
"You're ridiculous."
"I told you."
"You told me nothing."
"He didn't even hesitate."
"He's just being nice."
Linda pointed at her.
"Keep telling yourself that."
---
At exactly seven, a sleek black car pulled up outside the company lodge.
Seojun stepped out.
He was dressed elegantly but casually enough for the evening.
Linda looked through the window.
"Oh."
Kyrah laughed.
"Don't."
"I didn't say anything."
"You didn't have to."
Seojun opened the car door.
"Ladies."
Linda smiled brightly.
"Seojun."
"Linda."
They greeted each other warmly.
"It's finally nice to meet you properly," Seojun said.
Linda smiled.
"Same here."
Kyrah noticed how naturally they seemed to get along.
It made her happy.
The three of them climbed into the car.
Linda immediately began talking.
"So, Seojun, Kyrah has told me a lot about you."
Kyrah's eyes widened.
"I have not."
Linda ignored her.
"She talks about work all the time."
Seojun smiled.
"I'm sure she does."
"She never stops talking about HANEUL HOME."
"That sounds like Kyrah."
Kyrah leaned back.
"I'm surrounded by traitors."
They laughed.
---
The restaurant Seojun chose was tucked high above the city.
Floor-to-ceiling windows offered a breathtaking view of Hong Kong's skyline.
The atmosphere was elegant without being intimidating.
Soft music played in the background while warm lights illuminated each table.
Linda looked around in amazement.
"Okay."
She turned toward Kyrah.
"You have officially upgraded my weekend."
Kyrah laughed.
Seojun smiled.
"I'm glad you like it."
They were seated at a private table near the window.
The evening passed easily.
They talked about Korea.
They talked about Hong Kong.
They talked about work.
Linda asked Seojun about HANEUL HOME and seemed genuinely impressed when he explained how much the project meant to the company.
"You must be very proud of Kyrah."
Seojun glanced at Kyrah.
"I am."
Kyrah looked down at her menu, suddenly feeling shy.
Linda noticed.
Of course she noticed.
She smiled to herself.
Seojun continued.
"She worked incredibly hard."
Linda nodded.
"I know."
She looked at Kyrah.
"She always does."
Kyrah smiled.
The food arrived.
They ate, laughed, and exchanged stories.
At one point, Linda told an embarrassing story from their younger days that had Kyrah covering her face.
"Linda!"
"What?"
"You promised never to tell anyone that!"
"I never promised Seojun."
Seojun laughed.
"I appreciate the story."
Kyrah groaned.
"I'm never inviting you anywhere again."
Linda smiled.
"You love me."
"I do."
The words came naturally.
Linda's expression softened.
"I love you too."
Kyrah smiled.
For a moment, she simply looked at her best friend.
After everything that had happened, having Linda sitting across from her felt almost unreal.
This was what she had missed.
The laughter.
The teasing.
The comfort of having someone who knew her history and still loved her anyway.
Seojun watched them quietly.
He was happy to see Kyrah this happy.
Later, as they stepped outside the restaurant, Hong Kong glittered beneath them.
Linda took a deep breath.
"This was perfect."
Kyrah smiled.
"It was."
Seojun looked at both women.
"I'm glad."
Linda smiled at him.
"Thank you for tonight."
"Anytime."
Kyrah looked at Seojun.
"Thank you."
He smiled.
"You're welcome."
Linda glanced between them.
Then she smiled knowingly.
Kyrah caught the look.
"Don't."
Linda laughed.
"I didn't say anything."
"You were about to."
"I wasn't."
Kyrah shook her head.
The three of them laughed.
And as they headed back toward the car, Kyrah reflected on her day. She was the type to appreciation the little things in life and cherish the small joy's.
The launch had been everything she had hoped it would be.
Her career was moving forward.
Her baby was growing.
Her best friend was finally beside her again. Kyrah felt like life was finally giving her something to smile about.
She didn't know what the future held.
But tonight she was happy.