Chapter 14

He placed his phone back in his pocket, he surveyed the cafe quickly, good it is not too full.

His eyes fell on Aya she gave him a small wave, he smiled automatically, he made his way to the table, he sat down with his back tot he window.

"Good afternoon, Aya."

She smiled at him. "Afternoon, Hoseok how are you?"

"I am a lot better since I am here with you." He noticed her cheeks colouring. "How are you?"

"I... I am doing better then I was early this morning."

He couldn't help to notice the slight edge in her voice. "Oh? What happened? If you don't mind me asking?"

She folded her hands close to her. "I had a severe panic attack."

He leaned forward and placed his hand over her folded hands. "Are you sure you are okay?"

"I am okay now, it brought back some things from my past..." His hand was so warm on hers, it felt comforting.

"I would like to..."

Hoseok saw the struggle in her eyes, he gave her hands a slight squeeze. "I will be patient, Aya. I don't want to push you."

She gave him a grateful smile. "Why don't we order? I can do with a strawberry milkshake."

"You like strawberries?"

"I like anything berries, it's my favourite fruits."

"That is so interesting, and here I thought every girl likes chocolate."

She pouted. "Who doesn't like chocolate? If given the choice, I would still choose strawberry. "

Hoseok chuckled. "You are not like every girl are you?" He waved over the waitress.

She bit her lip.

"I guess not, I mean... Depending on what your picture of every girl is? I am definitely not shallow."

The waitress came over. "Can I take your orders?" She was semi bored and wasn't paying much attention to them.

"Yes, I would like a chocolate milkshake and the lady would like a strawberry one, please."

She scribbled it down, leaving the table.

"I can never think that you are shallow, Aya. This might sound like a cliche but since I've met you I've already seen your soul."

"So you felt it too?"

"Yes, I have. It is strange is it not?"

"No, it is not strange. Ever since I've met you, I can't stop thinking about you."

His smile widened. "Really?"

She nodded. "That is why I would like to be honest about what happened to me."

Hoseok removed his hand from hers as the waitress plopped down their milkshakes, she left them again quickly.

"I am not going anywhere." He took a sip of his milkshake. "I would like to know everything about you."

She took a breath in. "Two years ago, I met this guy called Luke. I thought he was wonderful, he was there for me when my parents died, he asked me to marry him. A week before the wedding, I found my house empty, everything I had gone, he emptied my accounts. He left me in debt which I am still paying off."

She glimpsed at Hoseok's face, there was no judgement only sympathy, he reached over the table again, removing her one hand from the other and folded it in his.

This gave her the courage to continue.