Chpt. 5

That simple question had begun to alter the lives of Jiyong and Irene immediately. No actions they did went unnoticed by one another. Every moment was probably over analysed, but one thing was certain. Whether they knew or not, they were slowly falling for the other.

Irene had always glanced over towards him at work, usually checking if everything was okay, if he was busy or if he needed any help. But now, new thoughts ran through her mind every time he crossed her mind. Jiyong became more and more attractive to her. From his soft lilac, coloured eyes paired with his sharp gaze, his tall lean frame, long slender arms and delicate hands brushing back his dark hair. Even the simple actions he performed became seemingly more charming in Irene’s eyes. The way he gently poured coffee into a cup or wiped down the tables had grown more appealing. But what still was the she most liked about Jiyong was the way he’d subtly take care of not, just her but others as well. If Wendy and Seulgi needed help, Jiyong was usually there to help. And when the help was up close and personal, Irene could definitely feel her heart race. Like in the morning when she couldn’t reach a glass that was a shelf too high, Jiyong stood behind her and took it down handing it too her. These cliché moments were seen in a whole new light to her

To Jiyong, the beauty of Irene grew more and more evident. Her delicate facial features, those rosy cheeks, her glowing side profile, bright eyes that greeted everyone lovingly, but most of all when she smiled. They say just one smile is very alluring, and to Jiyong, the alluring smile was Irene’s. Her sweet voice was the most pleasant thing to hear, even if it was simply saying ‘hi’. Her kind heart and willingness to help others showed her inner beauty making Irene more angelic than ever. As time moved by slowly, Jiyong could feel it himself. The urge to keep her smiling and to make her happy. To let her feel safe and protected. To love her with everything that he could possess. Irene was his world and the thought of it made him smile, something he never really done in his past 1000 years of living.

At the end of a usual busy day, Wendy and Seulgi had stayed behind to help Jiyong clean up the café while Irene headed home to make dinner. She popped back in to see that everything was done and then called Jiyong home and invite the other two “Okay, everything here is done. Let’s head in and eat, Wendy, Seulgi, come join us”

The two girls gleefully nodded and ran into the house causing Jiyong to sigh knowing that things could get unbearably noisy with those two around. And much to his dismay the house was soon full have joy and laughter from the three girls as they soon began watching reruns of goblin. Jiyong gladly stepped out and did the dishes to be in the much quieter kitchen. After about half an hour, Irene followed him into the kitchen under the guise of grabbing more snacks. She approached him apologetically “Sorry we’re being so loud Jiyong, I know you prefer the quiet so we must really be bothering you”

Jiyong just smiled back “It’s okay. What’s more important is that you have friends and are enjoying your time with them” he said as he ruffled her hair

The two shared a meaningful gaze and quick smiles before Irene took some snacks and then adorably mouthed “Sorry for being so loud again”

And as she shut the door to join her friends, Jiyong just looked up and sighed “I’m in trouble. I’ve completely fallen for her” as he cracked a smile thinking about her.

In the other room Irene joined her friends as they sat eating and watching their drama as Wendy asked her “We’re not being too loud for him, right?”

Seulgi snickered “You’re the loudest one here”

“AM NOT” Wendy defended herself badly

“It’s okay guys, He said it’s fine” Irene reasoned with the two

“Of course, he’d say it if you ask” Seulgi said in a teasing tone

“He’d never say no to you Unnie~~~” Wendy added causing Irene start to blush

“Yah, who said you could talk about me” A voice rang from behind as Jiyong had walked in and then lumped himself on the couch

“But it’s true Oppa, you can’t say no to Unnie” Wendy began to bug him like an annoying little sister

“And so?” Jiyong shot back indirectly admitting to her statement

“Well he doesn’t deny it” Seulgi said satisfied giving Wendy a high five and Irene to sigh

“Anyway, shouldn’t you two head home. The last bus leaves in like 20 minutes” Jiyong stated

“Aye~ you just want time alone with Irene Unnie” Wendy kept teasing

Jiyong just smiled causing the two young girls to continue laughing away before Irene stopped them “Um….. he’s not wrong. Look at the time”

And with that, Wendy began spastically moving around gathering her things, whereas Seulgi calmly picked her bag and they were then seen off by the ‘couple’ as they walked them to the bus stop down the road from their café. The walk back was quiet and peaceful as Irene and Jiyong just glanced at one another smiling shyly, however at their door Jiyong stopped themselves from entering

“Um Irene, can I ask you something?”

“Oh, yeah sure, what is it?”

Jiyong took a deep breath and held her shoulders turning her to face him gently. He tenderly looked into her eyes and then asked her “Is it okay…. Is it okay if I fall in love with you?”