The next afternoon, Hae-in stood before the mirror, adjusting her hair one last time.
She looked… beautiful.
She studied her reflection for a moment longer than necessary, fingers pausing mid-air.
Why am I so conscious about looking good today? The thought slipped in quietly.
And then, uninvited, his face appeared in her mind. His voice followed, soft and warm, echoing from the night before. Her heart fluttered, betraying her again.
Why are you feeling so strange, Hae-in? Are you melting this easily for him? Aren't you scared of him? How can you start feeling for someone so quickly?
Her own doubts crowded her head, overlapping, growing louder.
But then another image surfaced. The way he held her last night. His warmth wrapped around her. That whispered confession, spoken. The light in his eyes when she agreed to give him a chance.
He's not like the others, a quieter voice argued. He's trying. He's making an effort, every single day, to reach you.
Immediately, fear pushed back.
Men always try hard until they win your heart. Once they do, their real colours appear.
She clenched her fingers slightly.
Stop scaring her, another voice intervened, firmer now. If you don't give him a chance, how will you ever know him? What if he turns out to be good?
Silence followed. Then, softer still—
Let him in, Hae-in. Learn him. Understand him. Right now, he seems sincere. Don't punish him for wounds he never caused. Don't let fear create another kind of chaos.
She looked at her reflection again, really looked this time. And slowly, she exhaled.
The noise in her head softened, then faded, leaving behind a calm she hadn't felt in a long while. A fragile calm, but real.
A small smile curved her lips.
She picked up her handbag, gave herself one last glance in the mirror, and walked out of the room, heart steady… for now.
As she walked past the living room, Hae-in noticed Mi-sook sitting on the couch, eyes fixed on the television.
She hesitated for a second, then smiled and walked toward her.
"Ommoni," she called softly.
"Hm?" Mi-sook turned, and the moment her gaze landed on Hae-in, fully dressed and glowing faintly, her expression shifted.
"Where are you going?" she asked at once. "Office again? Didn't you say you took leave?"
The questions came one after another.
Hae-in blinked, then smiled, teeth pressing lightly into her lower lip.
"Ah… no, Ommoni," she said gently. "Actually…" She paused.
Mi-sook watched her closely.
"Ji-hoon ssi and I are going to watch a movie," Hae-in said, voice soft. "He asked me last night… for a movie date."
Her gaze dropped, cheeks warming. "So… I'm heading out."
For a second, Mi-sook simply stared at her.
Then her face broke into a wide, delighted smile.
"A date?" she repeated, eyes lighting up.
Hae-in nodded shyly.
"Oh my," Mi-sook laughed. "Finally, you two are behaving like a married couple." She waved her hand playfully. "Go, go. Enjoy yourselves."
Hae-in smiled, nodding. "Ne, Ommoni. We'll be back soon."
Mi-sook chuckled, shaking her head. "You're going on a date, Hae-ina, not to the office," she said fondly. "Dates aren't meant to be rushed. Take your time. Bond with each other."
Hae-in smiled again, a soft flush spreading across her cheeks."Ne…"
With that, she stepped out of the house, her heart fluttering, nerves and excitement tangling together at the thought of doing something so simple, yet so intimate, spending time with a man she was slowly, unknowingly beginning to feel for.
**********
At the restaurant, Ji-hoon kept glancing outside every few seconds.
Too many times.
His hands were restless, heart already thudding with anticipation. He checked the entrance, then the glass windows, then his phone.
2:30 PM.
Where did she go? He unlocked his phone, thumb hovering over her name, just about to call—
And then she appeared.
His breath stalled.
Their eyes met through the glass barrier separating the inside world from the street outside. Time slowed, stretched thin. She froze for half a second too, then lowered her gaze, suddenly shy, suddenly aware.
Ji-hoon forgot how to breathe.
God… why does she have to look this pretty today?
His heart skipped, then raced. Save my poor heart. I don't want to collapse here.
His gaze never left her as she pushed the door open and stepped inside.
Across the room, a group of boys sitting at one of the tables glanced up mid-meal.
"Hyung… hyung, look at her," one of them muttered under his breath.
The other followed his gaze and let out a low whistle. "Wow… she's really pretty."
Before their stares could linger any longer, Enwoo noticed.
He walked over calmly, placing a dish on their table with a polite smile.
"We only serve food here, sir," he said evenly. "Please enjoy your meal. And she's married, to the owner of this restaurant, so kindly stay within your limits."
He added extra spicy kimchi to their plates with deliberate cheer.
The boys stiffened, expressions turning awkward and offended.
Enwoo smiled pleasantly and walked away.
Meanwhile, Ji-hoon was still standing there, heart pounding, eyes soft and full, watching her like she was the only thing in the room that mattered.
And maybe, for him, she was. He bit his lip, trying to rein in the joy bursting inside him.
Failed.
He leaned slightly closer, lowering his voice. "This is illegal, Mrs. Han," he whispered. "Are you planning to kill me already?"
Hae-in finally glanced at him, only for a heartbeat, before quickly looking away again. "Don't exaggerate, Ji-hoon ssi," she murmured. "I'm dressed normally."
He smiled, eyes soft, voice even quieter. "Exactly. And still… breathtaking."
Her head snapped toward him, a sharp glare flashing across her face.
He chuckled, thoroughly pleased. "Come on," he said lightly. "We're running late."
She nodded.
"Enwoo," Ji-hoon called, already moving toward the door. "Take care of things."
Enwoo grinned, deliberately loud. "Don't worry, hyung. I'm here. Enjoy your date."
The boys at the table glanced over again.
Hae-in instinctively lowered her face, embarrassment warming her cheeks.
Ji-hoon noticed. Smiled.
"Come," he said gently, leading her forward. He opened the door for her, one hand steady, protective.
Her heart fluttered at the simple gesture.
They stepped outside, the door closing softly behind them. Ji-hoon guided her to the car, opened her door, and waited until she was seated before getting in himself.
As he drove off, the smile never left his face.