When Johnny woke up the next morning to find a fresh new plaster over his finger, his heart did a little leap in the air because he knew then that your heart towards him was not completely cold. This gave Johnny encouragement to carry on with his work; he felt confident that as long as he kept putting in effort into you, he was surely bound to have your heart for real someday. Johnny then decided that helping you get your health back was first priority, and so he did.

Since that day, Johnny cooked all 3 meals for you. As his cooking skills got better, so did your appetite. Now, 2 weeks since the first meal he cooked for you, you had your old appetite back. You looked healthier, much less tired and had more energy to last you through the day. Johnny always challenged himself to cook different dishes; some days it was Korean cuisine, other days he tried Chinese cuisine and so on. Whatever you wanted, Johnny always tried to make it come true. Meal times were also known as the bonding time for the both of you.

Conversations often went like this:

"Want to hear a joke Lydia?"

"What joke?"

"Is the light saber hot or cold?"

"Hot...?"

"Nope. It's warm, because it makes the 'warm warm warm' sound when swung, get it?"

"Johnny, another lame joke from you and I'm going to throw my bread on your face."

"Hehe"

On rainy days when the mood was gloomier, Johnny's mood would turn like the weather as he became more wistful. On days like this, he would seem more mature, and instead of cracking jokes with you, he would ask you deep questions between bites of food.

"Tell me one secret about yourself Lydia."

"I don't have any."

"Come on, surely you'll have one right?"

"Why don't you tell me one about yourself? That'll give me some time to think of something to tell you."

"Ok. Let's see, I know 4 languages."

"Really? Which 4?"

"Korean, English, Japanese and Mandarin."

"Wow, that's really fascinating. I only know 2 languages: Korean and English."

"That's good enough too. Now what's your secret?"

"Me? Well, it's not really a secret but rather a dream: I've always wanted to open a bookstore."

"Why?"

"I've always loved reading books since I was young but well, you know, ever since I took over the company, I haven't had time for such little pleasures anymore."

"What kind of books do you like?"

"I used to read mystery a lot when I was younger but my genres are pretty diverse: I read anything from fantasy to romance.”

"That's good, I love my girls smart."

"Shut up Johnny."

Nonetheless, Johnny still had this cheeky playful side of him that you've come to embrace and enjoy.

Undeniably, that few hours spent with him daily closed the distance between your hearts, and you don't doubt your growing fondness for him. Effort is attractive, and that surely is the case for you.

-

On the day that we went back to work, Johnny made another suggestion that had your heart fluttering inside. You were seated inside his car, once again he had offered to send you to work. Such a practise was bound to become a habit. Just before you got out of the car, he stopped you.

"Wait, I have something to tell you."

"Ok go on."

"I...actually reserved 2 seats at a restaurant tonight..." He paused, debating how to properly phrase it. Finally, he gave up, and simply put it as it was meant to be.

"Ah I'll just say it straight. I wanted to have a dinner date with you so are you alright with that? I'll come pick you up after work."

You had the ability to turn the confident Johnny into a shy man and he had the ability to turn you, the ice lady, into a blushing mess.

The thought of having a proper dinner date with Johnny excited you and the idea had your cheeks flushed with a bright red colour.

"Sure I'll like that, see you." An unknown force took over your body as you leaned forward to give him a quick peck on his cheek before hopping off his car and running into the building, much too embarrassed to see his reaction.

Johnny felt so happy he actually jumped up in his seat but due to his tall height, his head made contact with the hood of the car. Despite the searing pain that was spreading out throughout his head, it didn't stop him from letting out a loud whoop as he pumped his fists into the air.

With adrenaline coursing through his body, J