Minju has been zoning out after that call with Sakura.
 
She felt excited and worried.
 
Excited, because she also wanted to clarify the real deal between them. But at the same time, she's afraid that talk will lead them to cross the line. She's sure she won't be able to hold herself back any longer.
 
But what would happen if her mom finds out? She knows there's no way her mom would accept something like that.
 
In the middle of her musing, Minju noticed an unfamiliar black car parked in front of their house.
 
"I can smell a new suitor here," she said, kissing her mom who met her after she entered the gate.
 
"Shh. Lower your voice. I met this new client this morning. We're going out with him for dinner." The older woman pulled Minju inside.
 
"We? Why do I still have to come along? You don't need a chaperone to watch over you."
 
"No more questions." The older lady pushed Minju into the house. "You look okay with your attire. You entertain him first while I go get dressed. Okay?"
 
"Sure." Minju couldn't help but feel more excited for her mom. She shook her head as she watched her mom strode upstairs.
 
She looked around and noticed a tall-slender image standing in their living room. The guy's busy looking at the picture frames, an opportunity Minju didn't pass to observe him a little more. He's in a white long sleeve polo, black fitted slacks, a coat over one arm.
 
She has to admit, that back looks handsome. Minju's glad her mom still has a good taste in men.
 
The sound of her heeled shoes tapping across the tiled floor made the guest turn around.
 
"Hey," he said with a smile.
 
Minju's mouth fell agape when she found herself staring at those familiar eyes. "Hangyul?"
 
"Uh. Yeah? What's with the shocked face?" He chuckled.
 
"Uh... I'm surprised to see you here..."
 
"It surprised me too to see your mom earlier." Hangyul glanced at the pictures one last time before turning back to Minju. "We hired them as our new supplier. I was tasked to do the meeting with them. Didn't know your mom works there. She asked me if I have a date tonight. I said none. Then she invited me out."
 
As if on cue, Minju's mom appeared. "Kids, mind if you go alone tonight? I'm having a terrible headache."
 
Minju rolled her eyes, knowing perfectly what's on her mom's mind.
 
"Are you going to be all right if we leave you alone?" asked Hangyul. "We can just cancel the dinner so Minju here could look after you."
 
Minju blushed hearing Hangyul call her name. She remembered Dohyon and him calling her Minnie when they were younger.
 
The older lady waved a hand. "I'm gonna be fine, son." She went over to Minju and winked, pretending to fix her daughter's collar. "You two enjoy yourselves, okay?"
 
Minju glared at her mom. "This is awkward, Mom."
 
"You said you don't have a boyfriend, right?" whispered her mom. She turned to Hangyul. "If it's fine with you, Hangyul?"
 
"Yeah. It's... it's fine. As long as it's okay with Minju too."
 
Minju saw her mom's triumphant smile and knew she can't escape this setup anymore. "Yeah. Sure. I'm cool with that."
 
"Oh. Good." Hangyul glanced at his wristwatch. "Shall we?"
 
---
 
"I sincerely apologize if everyone mistook you for my girlfriend." Hangyul shook his head as he pours salt on his food. "I swear if your mom didn't ditch us this wouldn't seem like a romantic date."
 
Minju chuckled. "I don't mind. Can't blame them. It's the time of the year."
 
Hangyul puffed his cheeks. "Yeah. This is the place where we usually hold meetings with our clients so we're pretty much friends with the staff. I believe this is the first time they had seen me alone with a woman."
 
"Oh. So, that's where their excitement came from."
 
Hangyul smiled and put down the salt shaker. "Are you sure nobody's going to kill me for having dinner with you tonight?"
 
"Nobody that I'm aware of," said Minju, slicing her steak. She heard Hangyul chuckle. "Seriously. I don't have a boyfriend."
 
"Oh. Enjoying your individuality?"
 
"You could say that. I don't know. Honestly, I'm not really a big fan of dating."
 
"Being single has its perks." Hangyul brought a slice of steak into his mouth. "It is something I'm also enjoying at the moment."
 
"I can't imagine Dohyon saying that."
 
Hangyul laughed. "That dude cannot stay single even for a minute only. I already lost count on how many girlfriends he introduced to us."
 
Minju continued to observe the man in front of her. He looks more relaxed and vibrant now compared to how he was during New Year's Eve. Minju is glad they're c