Chapter Text
‘Lee Ji An will buy us coffee this time’ said a cheerful voice
‘Yeah Ji An ssi you said you will treat us’ another said with a laughter
‘I want a Machiatto’ the third girl said
‘That’s too expensive’ her friend replied
‘It’s okay, choose whatever you like’ Ji An’s smooth voice replied
The joyful voices of the three girls arguing about the drinks blended smoothly with the atmosphere of the cafe and the soft sunlight coloring the place with warm colors. The chatters in the cafe echoed with the music playing in the background. Ji An smiled at the bliss of the atmosphere. A familiar sound seeped into the serenity of sounds playing in Ji An’s ears. She felt every sound fade out into quietness as she turned around. The sound was so different yet so familiar that she could almost hear the breaths between the words.
‘Yeah we only have the papers left to sign’ It was such a unique and wonderful voice that was engraved into her memory. She walked towards the sound coming from the terrace of the cafe. Taking in the deep voice that felt like the most perfect and gracious sound in the world.
‘How did your son take it?’ Another close voice said
Ji An could see the familiar figure sitting right outside the open glass door. She took a few more steps
‘Well, his mother went to the U.S to try and discuss it with him, we thought it’s best…’ The kind voice was interrupted when the man in front of him took notice of something behind him.
Park Dong Hoon turned around to find whatever captured his friend’s attention. He was met by the softest looking face he has ever known. The most familiar, calming, and kind soul he has ever known. He stood from his chair and looked at the small figure that stood only a few steps away. His heart felt a combination of excitement, serenity, and yearning for a face he had gotten so used to. His face reflected his mixed emotions so well, and her expression similar to his. It was a moment of relief, excitement, and feelings hard to explain. Perhaps longing, perhaps yearning.
The colors of her shirt and blazer kindly complementing her skin tone, her pulled back hair, her bangs that softly fell over her forehead, the soft colors of life in her cheeks and lips. Everything was perfect. She looked well. She looked happy. He felt both relief and excitement wash over him, as if he has been waiting for this moment. He sighed out a wide smile.
Ji An involuntarily smiled back at the perfect figure that stood infront of her. Her soul felt as if it has found its shore. This was the true definition of serenity.
The two walked outside the cafe then he slowly stopped to look at her again. He was so content with how well she looked. ‘I wouldn’t recognize you even if you were to walk by’
Ji An’s small smile made him smile again. She drifted her eyes to the floor in shyness.
‘ I heard you’re doing well at work’
She looked up at him again
‘The Chairman’s friend said that you have been doing well at work’ He continued
Ji An smiled at him, still unsure of what to say.
‘When did you come to Seoul?’ He asked
‘In March’ She replied
‘I was moved to the main branch here..’ She continued then he noticed her face slightly change as if she remembered something
‘Oh, a few days ago I passed by Saman E&C' She told him
“I left there” he said calmly but she looked concerned so he continued ‘ I am a CEO now’ he said cheerfully
Ji An’s lips curled as she smiled widely, feeling happiness overwash her.
‘You should come visit sometime, Manager Song, Deputy Kim, and Hyun Gyu are all there’ He said as he looked well at her. Trying to let her existence sink into his memory, trying to savor this moment, feeling thankful for whatever destiny that brought them together again like this.
She looked at him again. She wanted to say a lot of things, ask about a lot of things, but she settled for a smile. She felt like at this moment, this exact moment, all she wanted to do was just watch him. Just look at him and his smile. So she smiled and her eyes smiled with her lips.
‘Lee Ji An’ a voice called. She turned around and Park Dong Hoon’s attention drifted to the group of girls waving at their friend and waiting for her.
‘Let’s go’ one of her friends said
Park Dong Hoon felt like the world was finally becoming a better place, now that this soul has found her place like this. She has made good friends, she was doing well, going out, drinking coffee, living well…
Park Dong Hoon sighed out as Ji An turned to look at him again. He didn’t want this meeting to end but she had to go.
‘Let’s shake hands once’ he asked while holding his hand out.
Ji An looked at his hands and nervously lifted hers to shake his hand. Her tiny palm met with his and he held her hand firmly. His whole hand engulfing her tiny ones. He always wondered how can a human being be so small, but it was even more surprising now that her hands almost disappeared in his. He didn’t want to let go.
Dong Hoons eyes softened as he looked at her. ‘Thank you’ he told her in his deep and kind voice
She looked at him and her head slightly tilted backwards as she took in a breath. His voice, his hand, his tender eyes. Everything about him was so unrealistically serene to her. Perhaps a bit more than just serene, she wasn’t sure if the beating of her heart was completely serene.
‘I will buy you a meal’ Ji An told him
‘I want to buy you something delicious, ahjussi’ her soft voice filled the air as the breeze shifted her hair across her delicate skin.
Dong Hoon looked so content with this moment that he could stop time. Like all the struggles, and the hardships were meant to bring him to this perfect moment. She finally found peace and happiness in her life, and fate somehow brought them back together for him to see Ji An so happy like this. She was the one asking to treat him this time. He just couldn’t comprehend the feelings of this moment. He was just thankful.
He nodded with a smile
‘I will call you’ Ji An added
He nodded again with a wider smile
‘All right, go on now’ he managed to let go of her hand for her to return to her friends.
She took a few steps backwards, not wanting to look away, bowed to him then eventually turned around to her friends. The group walked away as Park Dong Hoon stood, not wanting this meeting to end. He looked at her walk away and decided to turn around too. He walked away, this time thankful that it was not a farewell. He was feeling hopeful. Hopeful for more talks, more meetings, more moments with her. He then stopped, already impatient, unwilling to let her walk away. He turned around and watched her walk towards the end of the sidewalk. Perhaps if it wasn’t for her friends he would walk back to her. Ask her to stay, just for a little longer. He looked at this small human being who has turned his whole life around. How can such a girl, a girl as small as a flower petal, have so much force. He turned around again and walked away, promising himself that he wouldn’t let go of the destiny that allowed them to meet again.
Ji An stopped at the lights, then turned to watch the back she has seen so many times. Familiar frame, familiar footsteps, familiar comfort. She wished she would see his face one more time, an even more familiar comfort in his smile. She turned around and crossed the street alongside her friends, promising herself that she wouldn’t let go of the destiny that brought them together again.
Ji An,
Were you able to find some comfort for yourself?
His unspoken thoughts didn’t need to be heard, for they have always spoken without words. They have always found tranquility in one another, even in the silence of one another. They have always understood one another, without words.
Yes…
Yes! Her thoughts echoed, this time more confident, and hopeful…