"Sometimes love waits in silence, until the silence itself becomes unbearable."
The warmth of her weight lingered against his lap. Mira's breathing was soft, even, almost like the rhythm of a child pretending to be lost in dreams. Leo sat stiff, every nerve of his body trembling, unsure whether to move or to simply let the moment hold him hostage. He glanced down—her lashes were fanned against her cheeks, her lips parted slightly. A strand of hair had fallen forward, brushing against his wrist, and every instinct in him screamed to tuck it back.
But Leo Choi Youngjae had always been careful with her. Too careful.
"Are you really asleep?" he whispered under his breath, though he knew she wasn't. Something about the way her lips twitched betrayed her.
Still, she didn't move. She stayed still, letting him drown in the sight of her, letting him fight with the storm inside. He wanted to shake her awake, wanted to demand why she kept pulling him closer only to leave him more restless. But instead, he just sat there, quiet, his jaw locked tight as his hand clenched against his knee.
Minutes passed. Finally, Mira stretched ever so slightly, pretending as though she were only now stirring awake. She blinked, feigned grogginess, and looked up at him. "Ah… did I fall asleep?"
Leo's heart thudded, but his voice came out low, controlled. "Yeah. You should head back soon."
She hummed, watching his face as though searching for something he wouldn't let slip. He didn't confess—not here, not now. But his silence screamed all the words he was holding back.
🌙 Later That Afternoon
The café was quieter than usual. Leo leaned against the counter, scrolling on his phone absentmindedly. His coworkers teased him for checking his screen too often that day, but he ignored them. His thumb hovered over her name. After a long pause, he finally typed:
Dinner tonight. Just you and me. 8 PM.
No explanation. No emoji. Just his tone—short, deliberate, weighted.
Meanwhile, across the city, Mira sat in her office, staring at the mountain of files scattered across her desk. The hum of her assistant Jisoo's voice faded when her phone buzzed. She picked it up, saw his name, and her heart kicked. One message. Only one line.
She didn't even reply. She didn't need to.
"Mira-ssi, should I prepare the financial reports for tomorrow—" Jisoo started.
"You handle them. And call the finance department about last year's expenses. I'll review later," Mira cut in quickly, already grabbing her bag.
"Mira-ssi, where are you—"
"Somewhere important," she tossed over her shoulder before disappearing out the door.
🌃 Evening – The Dinner
The restaurant was dimly lit, a subtle glow washing over the glass walls that revealed the city lights sprawling endlessly beyond. At one corner table sat Leo, already waiting.
He wore a fitted black suit, the kind that hugged his frame too perfectly to be casual. The collar of his crisp white shirt was undone just enough to relax the sharpness, but the dark watch on his wrist, the polish of his shoes, the way his hair was swept back with deliberate neatness—it all screamed effort. Not his usual careless look. Tonight, he had prepared.
Mira walked in, heels clicking against the marble floor. She hesitated when her eyes found him, because he wasn't just dressed—he was transformed.
Leo Choi Youngjae was elegance wrapped in restraint, his gaze locked on her the second she appeared.
And he didn't look away.
She stopped in front of him, heart fluttering at the way he kept staring—like he was memorizing her, like he couldn't believe she was real.
Mira, too, had dressed for this. A silk navy dress that wrapped around her figure effortlessly, the neckline simple yet alluring, the hem brushing just above her knees. Her hair cascaded in loose waves over her shoulders, a diamond-studded pin holding one side delicately. She had kept her jewelry minimal, but her lipstick—a muted wine red—demanded attention.
Leo didn't say a word at first. He just kept looking.
Finally, she smirked faintly, trying to mask her racing heart. "You're staring, Choi Youngjae."
His voice was low, almost rough. "I can't help it."
They sat, a quiet tension wrapping the air between them tighter than the violin music playing softly in the background. The waiter came, took their orders, and left. For a while, they spoke of nothing—just silence, lingering glances, fingers brushing the stem of their glasses.
Then, when the plates were cleared and only the half-finished bottle of wine remained, Leo finally leaned in. His gaze pinned hers, unwavering.
"I didn't bring you here for small talk," he said.
Mira tilted her head, her lips curving. "Then why did you?"
His hand tightened on the tablecloth for a moment before he exhaled, voice steady but deep. "Because I'm tired of running from it. Mira… I love you."
The words hit the air like thunder, though his tone was controlled. Her lips parted, breath caught, eyes widening with both triumph and vulnerability.
"You…" she whispered, almost afraid to finish.
"I love you," he repeated, firmer this time, his eyes dark and unflinching.
Silence. Then Mira let out a small, shaky laugh. "Do you know how long I've waited to hear that?"
And before he could answer, she leaned across the table, pressing her lips to his.
It wasn't a fleeting kiss. It was real—raw, deep, the kind that stole air and gave it back all at once. He froze for only a second before his hand reached for her cheek, pulling her closer.
When they parted, breathless, Mira whispered against his lips, "Finally."
🌙 Aftermath – The Ride Back Home
The city lights blurred into streaks of gold and silver through the car window, Mira's heartbeat still erratic from the kiss. She sat silently in the passenger seat, her fingers brushing over her lips as if to reassure herself that what had just happened wasn't a dream.
Leo kept his eyes on the road, his knuckles pale from gripping the steering wheel. He wasn't one to speak much, but silence wasn't enough tonight. He had confessed. He had said the words he had buried for years. And the way Mira's eyes had widened, the way she kissed him back—it burned through him with a force he hadn't been prepared for.
Finally, as they pulled into the quiet driveway of her home, Leo turned off the engine but didn't move. The silence pressed heavily between them. Mira shifted in her seat, waiting—almost begging—for him to break it.
"Claire…" His voice was husky, strained. He leaned slightly toward her, eyes glinting in the dim streetlight. "I meant it. Every word. I wasn't drunk, I wasn't confused. I love you. And that terrifies me."
Mira froze. She didn't breathe, didn't blink. For the first time, Leo Choi Youngjae was looking at her like she wasn't just a part of his life—she was the life.
Her lips trembled into the faintest smile. "Then don't run from it."
He didn't answer. Instead, he reached forward, his hand brushing against her cheek. His lips touched hers again—softer this time, but lingering, sealing the night with a promise neither of them dared to voice yet.
And just as quickly, he pulled away, opening the driver's door. "Go inside, Mira," he murmured, his voice almost cracking. "Before I lose all sense of control."
She stepped out slowly, turning back once, eyes burning into his. He avoided her gaze, but the tension was alive, breathing, undeniable.
As she entered her house, Mira leaned against the closed door, chest rising and falling like she had run miles.
Meanwhile, Leo sat in his car, forehead pressed against the steering wheel, fists clenched. "What am I doing…?" he muttered, before driving off into the night.
✨ Something New Begins
The following morning, Mira entered her office earlier than usual, her heart still restless. She had barely slept. Her assistant, Jisoo, noticed the glow on her face immediately.
"You're either in love or you just won the lottery," Jisoo teased, narrowing her eyes suspiciously.
Mira smirked faintly but said nothing. But her silence was enough for Jisoo to gasp. "Wait—don't tell me… is it Leo?"
Mira's cheeks turned crimson, and she quickly buried herself in a file.
But Jisoo grinned knowingly.
Meanwhile, across town in the café, Leo moved like a ghost. His hands brewed coffee, his lips exchanged polite greetings, but his mind was back at that dinner table, back at Mira's lips, back at the way she looked at him as if he had undone years of walls with just three words.
For the first time, Leo realized—confessing wasn't the hardest part. Living with it was.
To Be Continued....