The elevator hums as it climbs. Julian leans back against the mirrored wall, phone in hand, thumb brushing over the screen. He opens Grace's social media account once more. The profile glows faintly in the dim cabin light—her bright smile at the airport, her V-sign at the hotel room in Mellany.
There's no new updates. Just the same first post.
Julian exhales softly, pockets his phone, and straightens his shoulders.
The elevator doors slide open on the seventh floor with a muted chime. Julian steps out into the hushed corridor, carpet muffling his footsteps. He turns right, walking steadily toward Room 701. At the door, he presses the bell. The sound rings faintly inside, and within moments, the door swings open.
Karen and Eugene stand there together, beaming with warmth.
"Julian, you're here," Eugene says, his voice full of cheer.
"Welcome in," Karen adds, her smile wide and genuine.
Julian answers with his own smile, bowing slightly as he steps inside. He slips off his shoes neatly at the entrance, the cool wooden floor beneath his socks.
"Nice house," Julian remarks as he follows them, his tone light but sincere.
The apartment glows with a homely warmth, the faint scent of garlic and sesame still lingering in the air. Eugene leads him toward the dining table set in the kitchen, right beside the living room.
"Come sit here," Eugene gestures.
The table is laid with generosity: steaming pasta glistening with sauce, crisp green salad, golden rice cakes, traditional fried rice fragrant with soy and scallions.
Julian's eyes widen slightly as he takes in the feast.
"Wow, you really didn't need to prepare so much," he says with a soft laugh, lowering himself into the chair, his gaze lingering on the dishes with quiet gratitude.
Eugene and Karen settle into their seats across from Julian, their smiles still carrying the glow of newlywed life.
"We still need to organize more. Hope the house doesn't look messy to you," Karen says with a light laugh, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
Julian glances around the apartment—warm lighting, framed photos on the shelves, everything neatly in place. He shakes his head with a smile.
"The place is clean and cozy," he replies. "Nice interior, too."
"That's good to hear," Eugene says, leaning back slightly. "Karen keeps telling me to organize, but honestly, I think it already looks clean."
Karen laughs, nudging Eugene with her elbow.
"We promised to keep the place clean," she teases.
Eugene grins, raising his hands in mock surrender.
"Right, right. Of course, I'll keep the promise."
Julian watches them, the way they glance at each other, the ease of their laughter. Something soft stirs in his chest—half admiration, half ache. He smiles, nodding quietly.
Then Karen shifts her gaze toward Julian, her eyes bright with curiosity.
"So, Julian," she asks suddenly, "why aren't you dating anyone?"
The words land gently, but with weight.
Julian blinks, then lets out a small smile, almost sheepish. He rests his hands lightly on the table, the question hanging between them.
Eugene casts a quick glance at his friend, his smile edging awkward, as if he already knows the unspoken story behind Julian's silence.
Karen leans forward slightly, her curiosity unrelenting, her eyes searching his face.
"Really, Julian, why aren't you seeing anyone? Do you perhaps have someone that you like?" Karen presses, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
Julian's lips curve into a shy, almost involuntary smile, the kind of smile that seems to hide more than it reveals.
Eugene chuckles nervously, scratching the back of his neck.
"Well, Julian is just…"
But before he can finish, Julian speaks, his voice calm but firm.
"Yes, I do."
Both Eugene and Karen freeze, blinking at him.
Eugene stares at his friend in surprise—he hadn't expected Julian to break his guarded silence here, of all places.
Karen's mouth parts slightly. She leans in, her curiosity only doubling at this rare confession.
"Wow," she breathes. "So who is this woman you like? Where did you meet her? How long have you known her for?"
Eugene quickly waves his hands, his laughter awkward but well-meaning.
"Maybe Julian wants to keep it a secret for now, haha. Karen, you asked a sharp question."
But Karen, not catching Eugene's subtle attempt to move on, leans forward eagerly.
"So who is she really? I'm so curious now."
Julian gives a small, shy smile, the kind that doesn't quite reach his eyes.
"Well," he says slowly, "it's been a long time since I've known her."
Karen's eyes widen, her intrigue deepening.
"You've known her for long? For how long?"
Julian's smile softens, almost wistful. For a brief moment, his gaze drops to the glass before him, the candlelight flickering across his face.
In his heart, the words rise clear and steady.
I've known her for over a hundred years.
But the truth catches in his throat. He can never say that aloud—not here, not now. Anyone who heard would laugh, or worse, look at him with suspicion, disbelief, fear.
To Karen and Eugene, he is a thirty-five-year-old man. To them, his life has been no longer or stranger than theirs. They don't know—can't know—that his soul has carried centuries of memory, and that the woman who holds his heart is bound to him across all that time.
So instead, Julian merely lets out a soft chuckle and hides behind another sip of water.
"Long enough," he says lightly.
And beneath it all, Julian's heart whispers the truth only God can hear.
For over a hundred years, I have been in love with her.
Karen tilts her head, unsatisfied but smiling, as if she's stumbled on a secret she intends to unravel.
Eugene, however, watches Julian more closely now, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. His friend is speaking differently tonight—more candidly than ever before.
"So why didn't you tell us about her until now?" Karen asks, leaning forward, her chin resting on her palms.
Julian's lips curve into a gentle smile, his eyes dropping for a moment as though savoring a private thought.
Karen squints, narrowing her gaze, then turns to Eugene.
"Wait, you knew?" she asks, her eyebrows arching mischievously.
Eugene lets out an awkward laugh and gives a small nod.
"Just a bit. He told me before."
Karen gasps softly, her expression half-playful, half-intrigued.
"So you only told Eugene about this?" she says, her smile sharpening into a mischievous grin. "Well, it's time to share with me now then."
Her lighthearted words ripple through the air, softening what could have been a tense moment. Julian chuckles, and even Eugene lets out a faint laugh, shaking his head.
"Well then," Julian says gently, his voice warm but steady, "what do you want to know?"
Eugene leans back, still quietly astonished. He studies his friend, the way Julian's face is unguarded tonight, the way his voice carries a kind of openness he's never shown before.
All this time, Eugene thinks, I've thought of Julian as the most mysterious man I've ever known—always holding back, always keeping something hidden. But right now… he seems so open, almost vulnerable.
Karen leans forward, curiosity sparkling in her eyes.
"I want to know everything. Where did you two meet first?"
Julian's lips curve into a gentle smile, a warmth spreading through his chest as his mind drifts to that first encounter—the chaos, the fear, and her presence amid it all. He remembers the wartime streets, the tension, and how she had appeared like a fragile light in the darkness.
Eugene watches quietly, waiting to hear Julian's words, his mind racing.
How will he say it? He can't tell Karen the full truth—about living through that war, about the years he's carried, Eugene thinks.
Julian meets Karen's expectant gaze and speaks with deliberate calm, his voice low and steady.
"When there was a huge chaos in the street… That's when I first met her."
Karen's eyes narrow slightly, curiosity sharpening.
"When there was a huge chaos?" she repeats, echoing his words with a touch of disbelief. "That's… not what I expected. And you said you've known her for a long time? Like, even before you knew Eugene and me?"
Julian picks up the ice cup in front of him, his long, elegant fingers curling around it. He gives it a gentle shake, as if letting the cold glass anchor him in the moment.
"Yes," he says softly, his voice carrying a deliberate quiet strength. "Long before I met you two."
Karen nods slowly, absorbing the revelation. Her fascination is clear, her eyes bright with the thrill of uncovering something rare.
Eugene watches Julian closely, a soft smile tugging at his lips. He can feel the warmth radiating from his friend's words, the honesty and care woven through every syllable, even if Julian is still holding back the full story.
June… you've decided to be more real, Eugene thinks silently, about your feelings toward that woman, and even toward us, about your past. His smile deepens, filled with quiet admiration for the man he's known for years.