Chapter 2

"So, you're really not going to meet Han Seok?"

"Tae Seon."

"Don't call me that. It scares me the most when you call me that."

"I don't want to call you that either, but please stop now."

"Stop what?"

"Looking for my groom."

"......"

At Da Hee's words, Tae Seon's mouth snapped shut. Da Hee leaned back into the chair, watching Tae Seon.

"You said you'd never meet a man until you died, and then you suddenly asked me to introduce you to one, so I got excited, you know."

After a moment, Tae Seon mumbled with downcast eyes. Da Hee watched Tae Seon dryly, then began to speak stiffly.

"I received a wedding invitation from a guy I'd been with for about three years, right in my face. And, you know what? Even the bride is my colleague. The two people who met because of me are getting married. As if that wasn't absurd enough, a while ago, I got texts from both the groom and the bride saying, 'We'd really like you to come. We want your congratulations.' I don't know if they want forgiveness or if they're trying to make me angry, but from my perspective, their intentions feel impure."

The bride who wants to show off, and the groom, who vanished after yelling, 'You don't love me!', are they really seeking forgiveness?

No. They want to show off. We're happier than you, we're getting married right in front of you. That was the intent behind their messages. Da Hee had managed to ignore the wedding invitation, but the couple's blatant texting changed her mind.

"They even sent texts?"

Tae Seon asked, as if she hadn't known.

"Yeah. Both of them."

"Are they crazy? What makes cheaters so bold?"

Tae Seon burst out.

"It's the wedding of my ex-boyfriend and the colleague who snatched him away. So, what kind of man should I bring as my partner?"

When Da Hee asked calmly, Tae Seon snapped her mouth shut. Watching Tae Seon steadily, Da Hee continued.

"Han Seok? I don't know him well, but he's probably a good person since you introduced him. But, what I want isn't someone to spend forever with. I just need a man who will shine brightly beside me for one day."

"I was hoping for the best for you... and to kill two birds with one stone..."

"I appreciate the thought. But, I'm not looking for romance. What I need is a man who doesn't need love, who knows what's appropriate."

Relationships that began with "I love you" ultimately ended with "I don't love you." Love was sweet, and as bitter as it was sweet, and as bitter as it was, there was a lot to clean up. Da Hee was sick of all those relationships and knew she couldn't be the passionate woman the other person desired.

"You can stop looking now, Tae Seon. I'll handle it myself."

Da Hee said to Tae Seon with an expressionless face.

"Whew."

Tae Seon sighed and fiddled with her fingers. Her face looked frustrated.

"Please do that."

Da Hee said, firmly sealing the deal. Tae Seon looked up. Da Hee was exhausted from numerous loves. Though she was more logical and composed than other women, letting go of the people who had come into her life couldn't have been easy. Knowing that well, Tae Seon had wanted to introduce a good person to help heal Da Hee's wounds. And she wanted to bring back the smile to Da Hee's face, who hadn't genuinely smiled in a while. However, her hasty actions had only tired Da Hee out more.

"Okay."

Tae Seon replied docilely.

"Right. Thanks."

A faint, belated smile spread across Da Hee's face. Tae Seon's lips parted then closed with a bitter expression.

'Huu', I should just keep quiet.

Da Hee chuckled, seeing the unspoken words on Tae Seon's face, and asked.

"Coffee, what do you want to drink?"

"I'll have a caramel macchiato."

Tae Seon answered meekly with a voice lacking energy. Da Hee chuckled again and got up from her seat, then inadvertently turned her head. A man was sitting on the armrest of a single-seater sofa by the window. He was wearing cotton pants, a blue knit sweater, and a cardigan over it, all of which looked incredibly comfortable.

When had he been sitting there?

A subtle smile played on the man's lips, which usually maintained a neutral expression. Perhaps because of that, or the natural light streaming in from the window, the man's appearance seemed even more radiant.

"Welcome."

Da Hee greeted, stepping up to the counter. The man naturally walked over to the counter and, out of habit, looked at the menu. Da Hee was about to punch in an Americano, expecting his usual order, when he spoke.

"Espresso."

Da Hee's hand paused above the screen. She just lifted her eyes to look at the man. He had never changed his order since he started coming to this cafe. He was still giving her a faint smile. Da Hee canceled the Americano order and re-ordered an espresso.

"I'll bring it to you shortly."

After paying, the man walked over to his usual seat and sat down.

After bringing the man his espresso first, Da Hee was in the process of making two caramel macchiatos for herself and Tae Seon.

"Da Hee."

She turned around to see Tae Seon standing there with her face deeply creased in frustration.

"Why?"

"Oh no, I'm so sorry! My mom just called and wants me to come over. It sounds urgent."

"Really?"

Da Hee's gaze flickered towards the two caramel macchiatos. She deliberately shielded them with her back so Tae Seon wouldn't see.

"You should go."

"You didn't make the coffee yet, did you?"

"No, I haven't made it yet. Go on."

"Okay. I'm sorry. I'll contact you later."

"Mhm."

Tae Seon apologized profusely to Da Hee and hurried out of the cafe. Only after seeing Tae Seon disappear into the distance did Da Hee look down at the two caramel macchiatos.

What should I do?

After a moment's thought, Da Hee placed the two cups next to the counter. She could just drink them. As she put a straw into an iced-caramel macchiato and took a long sip, a shadow fell over her. Before she could even check who it was, the card she had just seen was placed in front of her. Da Hee looked up at the man.

"One caramel macchiato, please."

The man was holding the caramel macchiato that had been Tae Seon's. Da Hee had thought only strong coffees like espresso or Americano suited him, but the iced-caramel macchiato surprisingly looked good with him too.

"I'll make you a fresh one."

Da Hee reached out to take the cup, but the man pulled his hand back. Da Hee's hand hovered in the air as she just looked up at the man.

"I'll have this one. Instead."

The man paused. As Da Hee looked at him, the corners of his lips curved up captivatingly.

"Give me the time you would have spent making coffee."

It was the first time the man had spoken to her since that day it suddenly rained, when he had stared at her for a long time. Why on earth? Whatever the reason, she intended to refuse. Then Da Hee's gaze went straight to the man's curled lips. Strangely, the moment she saw those lips, curiosity stirred within her. What could this man say with those seductive lips?

After a moment's consideration, Da Hee gestured to the chair opposite.

"Please sit down. Instead."

The man looked at Da Hee when she cut him off. Da Hee held out the card to him.

"The coffee's on me."

At Da Hee's reply, the man lazily closed and opened his eyes.

"Alright."

The man only responded and didn't take back the card. He pulled the caramel macchiato towards himself and sat down on the chair, looking at Da Hee.

~~~~~

Miel's Translations