Chapter 1
Kael checked his watch.
6:02 PM.
He exhaled quietly and leaned against the railing, eyes scanning the road.
"…Late."
"Kael!"
He looked up.
Alya jogged toward him, slightly out of breath, one hand holding her bag, the other brushing hair away from her face.
"You started without me?" she said, stopping in front of him.
"You're late."
"I'm two minutes late."
"You're late."
She rolled her eyes. "You've been here since 5:30, haven't you?"
"…Maybe."
"Exactly." She pointed at him. "That's not my fault."
Kael pushed himself off the railing. "I don't like waiting."
Alya stepped closer, tilting her head.
"…But you did."
He didn't reply.
For a second, they just stood there.
Alya's expression softened. "You could've just called me."
"You'd still be late."
"Wow. You really woke up and chose violence today."
Kael glanced away. "…Let's go."
Across the street—
Elara stood still.
She adjusted her grip on her bag, watching as Alya stepped beside him.
"Come on," Alya said, grabbing Kael's wrist. "We'll miss the reservation."
Kael didn't pull back.
Elara's fingers tightened slightly.
"…Of course," she murmured under her breath.
A passing car blocked her view for a moment.
When it moved—
they were already walking away.
Elara didn't follow.
Inside the café—
Alya dropped into her seat with a sigh. "Finally. My legs are dead."
"You ran two minutes."
"I ran in heels."
"That was your choice."
"Wow," she leaned forward, narrowing her eyes, "you're really trying to start something today."
Kael sat across from her, calm. "You started it."
"I did not."
"You did."
Alya stared at him—
then laughed.
"You're impossible."
"And yet, you're still here."
"Unfortunately."
The waiter approached. "Your order?"
"Two coffees," Alya said quickly, then looked at Kael. "And something sweet."
"No."
She kicked his foot lightly under the table. "Yes."
"No."
"Kael."
"…Fine."
She smiled in victory. "One chocolate cake too."
The waiter nodded and left.
Alya leaned back, satisfied. "See? That wasn't hard."
"You're wasting money."
"It's our day."
Kael's eyes shifted to her. "…Our day?"
"You forgot?" She leaned forward. "Seriously?"
"I didn't forget."
"Then say it."
"…No."
"Kael."
He sighed. "…It's the day our families finalize everything."
Alya watched him carefully. "And?"
"And… nothing."
She tapped the table lightly. "That's it?"
"What do you want me to say?"
"I don't know. Maybe something that doesn't sound like a business meeting?"
Kael didn't respond.
Alya looked down for a second, then forced a small smile. "It's our engagement becoming official."
"I know."
"Then act like it matters."
"It does."
"…Does it?"
Their eyes met.
Kael held her gaze. "Why wouldn't it?"
Alya hesitated.
Then looked away. "No reason."
Outside the café window—
Elara stood across the street.
She hadn't left.
Her eyes moved slightly as she caught a glimpse of them inside.
Alya talking.
Kael listening.
She shifted her weight, crossing her arms lightly.
"…Same as always," she whispered.
A group of people passed by, briefly blocking her view.
She stepped to the side—
just enough to see him again.
Inside—
The coffee arrived.
Alya picked up her cup. "Careful, it's hot."
"I know."
"Last time you burned your hand."
"That was once."
"It was dramatic."
"It wasn't."
"You dropped the cup."
"…It slipped."
Alya laughed softly.
Kael took a sip.
A pause.
"Kael," she said.
He looked up.
"…After today, things will change."
"They already are."
"No," she shook her head slightly, "I mean really change."
He placed the cup down. "Explain."
"Our families… the wedding… everything becoming real…"
She tapped her fingers against the cup.
"…You're okay with that, right?"
Kael didn't answer immediately.
Alya watched him.
"…Kael?"
He leaned back slightly. "Does it bother you?"
"No."
"Then why ask?"
Alya looked at him for a long second.
"…Because I want to know if you feel anything."
"I do."
"Then show it."
Silence.
Kael's gaze didn't waver.
"…I'm here, aren't I?"
Alya's lips parted slightly—
then she smiled.
A small one.
"…Yeah."
Outside—
Elara turned away from the window.
She adjusted her bag again, taking a step back.
Then another.
"…That's enough," she murmured.
But her feet didn't move further.
She stopped.
Closed her eyes briefly.
Then opened them again—
and looked back.
Inside—
Alya cut a piece of cake and pushed the plate toward Kael.
"Eat."
"I said I didn't want it."
"Eat."
"…You're annoying."
"And you're still eating it."
He took the fork.
Alya smiled.
For a moment—
everything felt normal.
Outside—
Elara watched that moment.
The small smile.
The quiet ease.
Her fingers loosened slowly.
"…If it breaks," she said softly, almost like a promise, "I'll still stay."
No one heard her.
Inside—
Kael paused mid-bite.
Alya blinked. "What?"
"…Nothing."
"You just froze."
"I didn't."
"You did."
He looked toward the window.
Just for a second.
But by then—
Elara had already stepped back into the crowd.
Gone.
End of Chapter 1