Scenery

That same night, Carrie stood by the balcony, the stars scattered like shards of crystal across the sky. The moon hung round and glowing, casting the only light that touched her figure — soft, silver, ethereal. It was the kind of night that whispered for attention. The wind caressed her skin like a sigh, the city lights below shimmered gently, and the usual buzz of the streets was subdued, dreamlike. A quiet smile curved on her lips as she took it all in.

Then she felt him.

Arms wrapped around her waist — warm, familiar. Jae-wook. His chest pressed against her back, and his breath grazed the crown of her head.

He didn't speak. He didn't need to.

Carrie leaned into him, her head tucking beneath his chin like a puzzle piece falling into place. His body heat softened the chill of the air, grounding her. One of his hands slid just slightly, fingers weaving together at her stomach — secure, as if to say, I'm here. I'm not going anywhere.

"I didn't think you'd still be up," she murmured.

"Couldn't sleep," he said quietly, his voice low and rough with emotion. "Didn't want to. Not really."

She smiled — small, honest. His chin came to rest on her shoulder, weightless. No pressure. Just presence.

"I couldn't sleep either," she whispered, then turned in his arms slowly until she was facing him, their bodies close. "I kept thinking about my dad... I can't believe I finally get to see him again after so long."

She exhaled, the air slipping from her lungs like a truth finally spoken. The wind picked it up, carried it somewhere distant.

Jae-wook's gaze didn't waver. "You sound close."

"Close is an understatement." She let out a soft laugh. "We're like twins. Like… literal twins, just twenty-something years apart."

He grinned. "Your relationship with your parents is out of this world."

"It's a flex," Carrie said with a playful gleam in her eye, lifting her chin proudly.

Jae-wook reached up and gently ruffled her hair, a teasing affection in his touch. Carrie grinned, and then, suddenly tender, she wrapped her arms around his waist and buried herself in his chest. He held her tightly, instinctively, his arms strong around her, like they were made to be there. The height difference made her seem almost small, fragile in his embrace.

He kissed the side of her neck, soft and lingering.

She let out a giggle. "That tickles."

"Does it?" Jae-wook asked, voice teasing, lips brushing her skin again.

Carrie nodded, but her tone shifted, quiet, thoughtful. "That's true… so I was thinking," she paused, fingers toying with the hem of his shirt, "I want you to pick up my dad tomorrow."

He blinked. "Without you?"

She nodded, eyes meeting his. "I want you two to spend some time. First impressions really matter to him. And… I don't know, I think it'd mean a lot. To both of us."

Jae-wook hesitated, brows lifting slightly. "Won't it be awkward? I'm not exactly smooth with adults."

"You're better than you think," Carrie said with a soft smile. "Just be yourself. He'll see you the way I do."

Jae-wook looked at her, searching her expression. "And how do you see me?"

She smiled. "As someone I trust with the people I love, a bit annoying too."

He went quiet, struck by the weight of her words. Then he reached for her hand, fingers threading through hers.Jae-wook let out a soft breath, the kind that carried weight and quiet resolve.

"I'll do it," he said, voice low but certain. "At least…I'll try my best."

Carrie let out a squeal so delighted it could've woken the stars. "Seriously?" she gasped, eyes wide with disbelief and joy.

A smile tugged at his lips as he nodded. "Yeah."

Without hesitation, she surged forward and pressed a kiss to his lips—quick and electric—then pulled back with a sheepish grin spreading across her face, her eyes glowing like moonlight on water.

Jae-wook blinked, slightly dazed. "Did you just steal a kiss from me?"

"Nope," she said far too quickly, suddenly preoccupied with the grass, the sky, literally anything except his gaze.

He laughed, that deep, warm kind of laugh that vibrated in the chest, then gently pulled her closer by the waist. "There's no escape now," he murmured, lips brushing her ear.

She burst into giggles. "Why'd you say it like that? You sound like one of those spicy mafia guys from those ridiculous webnovels."

He grinned devilishly. "Oh, I'm very zesty."

Then, without warning, he began to pepper her face, ears, and neck with soft, playful kisses—each one sending her into more uncontrollable laughter. "Stop it—it tickles!" she gasped between laughs, squirming in his arms, though making no real effort to escape.

The world around them faded. It was just them—laughing, breathless, tangled in the warmth of each other under a blanket of stars.

And that's how the night ended—wrapped in affection, whispered promises, and a kind of magic that only comes when two hearts say yes to the same dream.

---

The next day, Jae-wook stood by the airport doors, heart pounding like he'd just sprinted a marathon—barefoot. Anxiety gripped him tight, making the winter air feel like a heatwave in hell. He wiped his palms on his pants, trying to compose himself.

Then, like a scene out of an action movie, Mr. Evans emerged from the terminal. His slicked-back black hair, tailored charcoal suit, and black shades screamed "CEO with a license to kill." He was flanked by a wall of bodyguards who looked like they hadn't smiled since birth. Jae-wook's heart dropped into his shoes as their eyes met. For the first time in his life, he felt genuinely threatened by someone else's vibe.

Mr. Evans approached with the calm menace of a man who owned several offshore accounts and maybe a private island or two. A slight, knowing smile played on his lips.

"You must be Alex," he said, extending a hand that looked like it had closed a million-dollar deal this morning.

Jae-wook nearly gulped but forced a charming smile instead as he shook it. "Delighted to make your acquaintance, sir," he said smoothly.

Mr. Evans quirked a brow, clearly amused. "Hm. A gentleman. I like that." Then, turning to his guards, he added, "I'll be going with Mr. Alex. Meet me at the hotel."

The bodyguards bowed—yes, bowed—and peeled off like a presidential detail in a heist movie.

Jae-wook, trying to recover his cool, walked briskly to open the back door for Mr. Evans.

Mr. Evans looked at him like he'd just offered to tie his shoes.

"What are you, my chauffeur?" he chuckled, brushing past the open door and sliding into the front passenger seat with the ease of a man who only sat shotgun when someone else was in the mood to impress him.

Jae-wook exhaled hard before hopping into the driver's seat. "So... where to, sir?"

Mr. Evans waved a hand dismissively. "Cut the 'sir' crap. You're not my butler. You're dating my daughter, not applying to be on Downton Abbey. Just be yourself. Oh—and I've heard all your sickly egoristic stories."

"She told you that?" Jae-wook asked, half-horrified.

"Every juicy detail," Mr. Evans grinned. "If you two survived that, then I'm convinced world peace is possible."

"I'm really not that bad," Jae-wook said defensively.

"I hope you are," Mr. Evans said, dead serious. "I like the edge. Adds flavor. I've actually been a secret fan all along."

Jae-wook blinked. "You're kidding."

"I'm not! When she first told me about this 'mysterious guy with a stare like a villain and charm like a Netflix lead,' I had to look you up. And then when she said you two were a thing? I was like—no way. My daughter bagged the CEO of Mapleseoul, king of arrogance? Proud of her."

Jae-wook laughed, shaking his head. "You really don't mean it."

"Oh, I do," Mr. Evans said, clapping him on the shoulder like they were already drinking whiskey together.

Few moments later they both sat at a golden lit cafe, nestled in the scent of coffee as they both enjoyed the atmosphere.

Just as things were finally settling in perfectly, Jae-wook's phone started buzzing insistently, the screen lighting up with Leo's name.

"Don't mind me," Mr. Evans said, sipping his coffee with a dismissive wave. "Could be something important. Go ahead and take it."

Jae-wook gave a polite nod and stepped aside, answering the call with a calm, "Leo, what's up?"

"Are you with Carrie?" Leo's voice came through, laced with curiosity—and a subtle tremble of concern.

Jae-wook's brow furrowed. "No… why?"

"She's not picking up. Her phone's been off for hours. She's not at home or work either."

Jae-wook paused, heartbeat quickening. "What?"

"No note. No message. Nothing." Leo's voice cracked, anxiety now pushing through like a rising tide.

"Okay. Hang tight, I'll call you back," Jae-wook said sharply, ending the call before the storm in his chest broke loose.

He turned back, trying to compose himself, but Mr. Evans had already noticed the change in his demeanor.

"You look tense," Mr. Evans said, setting his cup down gently. "Something with work?"

Jae-wook exhaled, his jaw tightening. "Sir, I—something urgent just came up. I'm afraid I'll have to drop you at the hotel."

Mr. Evans studied him for a moment, then nodded with understanding. "Go. Do what you have to do. I will just call my butler"

"I can't just leave you here," Jae-wook said, concern threading through his voice like a wire pulled too tight.

Mr. Evans gave him a smile, the kind that said "I've been handling life longer than you've been alive."

"It's fine. I've got somewhere to be anyway."

Jae-wook hesitated, eyes narrowing as he studied him like a suspicious menu item. Then he sighed, deeply, like a responsible parent letting their teenager go to a concert.

"Please. call me when you get to the hotel, okay? And don't go anywhere without your bodyguards."

Mr. Evans blinked, clearly amused. "Hey! I'm the adult here, remember? I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself."

Jae-wook nodded in affirmation and rushed toward the door, pulling on his coat with urgency, a gust of wind slammed it shut behind him. The evening had suddenly grown colder—and the silence Carrie left behind was louder than any storm.