Chapter 55: More Than Words

By the time Ji-Ah and Evelyn stepped out of the apartment, the sun had fully risen, casting a warm glow over the quiet streets. The air was crisp, a reminder that winter was still clinging on despite the clear skies. Ji-Ah pulled her coat tighter around herself, glancing at Evelyn, who walked beside her, hands tucked into the pockets of her hoodie.

They didn't need to say anything. The silence between them wasn't uncomfortable—it was something else. Settled. Easy.

Ji-Ah wasn't sure what that meant yet, but she wasn't running from it either.

As they approached the café near their apartment complex, the bell above the door chimed when they stepped inside. The familiar scent of roasted coffee beans and fresh pastries filled the air, and Ji-Ah let out a quiet sigh, already feeling a little more at ease.

Evelyn nudged her shoulder. "What do you want?"

Ji-Ah shrugged. "Just a latte."

Evelyn raised an eyebrow. "No extra sugar? No caramel?"

Ji-Ah narrowed her eyes. "Are you judging my usual order?"

Evelyn grinned. "Absolutely."

Ji-Ah huffed, crossing her arms, but she couldn't hold back the small smile creeping onto her lips. "Fine. Surprise me."

Evelyn's grin widened. "Brave choice."

As Evelyn stepped up to order, Ji-Ah found herself watching her—noticing the small things she hadn't let herself focus on before. The way Evelyn tapped her fingers against the counter absentmindedly, the slight tilt of her head when she spoke to the barista, the way she turned back to check if Ji-Ah was still watching.

When their drinks were ready, Evelyn slid into the seat across from Ji-Ah, setting a cup down in front of her. Ji-Ah glanced at it suspiciously.

"What did you do?"

Evelyn smirked. "Relax. It's just a vanilla latte."

Ji-Ah took a sip, her brows raising slightly. "Not bad."

"I'll take that as high praise," Evelyn teased, sipping her own coffee.

For a moment, they sat in comfortable silence, the background hum of the café filling the space between them. Ji-Ah wrapped her hands around the warm cup, letting her thoughts settle.

Then, without really thinking, she asked, "Why me?"

Evelyn set her cup down, looking at her with mild surprise. "What do you mean?"

Ji-Ah exhaled, shifting in her seat. "You could be with anyone. Why did you wait for me?"

Evelyn didn't answer right away. Instead, she leaned back, studying Ji-Ah like she was trying to decide how much to say. Then, finally, she spoke.

"Because you make me feel something real."

Ji-Ah's breath hitched slightly at the weight of those words.

Evelyn leaned forward, resting her arms on the table. "I don't do things halfway, Ji-Ah. If I wanted something casual, I wouldn't have stayed. I wouldn't have waited." She tilted her head slightly. "But you… you're worth waiting for."

Ji-Ah swallowed, the lump in her throat making it hard to speak. She had spent so long convincing herself that people left, that no one stayed. That love—real love—wasn't something she could hold onto.

But Evelyn had stayed. And she wasn't going anywhere.

Ji-Ah didn't trust words—not completely. Words could be empty, thrown around without meaning. But Evelyn's actions? The way she had been patient, the way she had waited without pushing, the way she was looking at Ji-Ah now—like she meant every single thing she said…

Maybe that was something Ji-Ah could believe in.

She took another sip of her coffee, letting the warmth settle in her chest. Then, she reached across the table, her fingers brushing against Evelyn's.

Evelyn didn't pull away.

And neither did Ji-Ah.