“No.”

 

“You’re closer than me, noona.”

 

“No.”

 

“Please. Do this for me, noona,” begged the voice on the phone. “I’ll owe you. I’ll get you a reservation at any restaurant you want. And...I’ll pay," he said so reluctantly.

 

Sooyoung cursed to herself.

 

“He knows me too well.”

 

“Yah. Choi Minho! If you weren’t my cousin, I would have hung up on you earlier.”

 

“But I am your cousin.”

 

“Exactly,” Sooyoung replied. “You better prepare your credit card.”

 

“Thank you, noona! I really owe you one.”

 

Sooyoung sighed.

 

“Why do you even do this job?”

 

“Because the pay is great.”

 

“I bet,” Sooyoung said with a roll of her eye. “Damn coward rich boys,” she muttered under her breath.

 

“I’ll leave it to you then.”

 

And with that, Sooyoung hung up. She reluctantly sat up from her chair and began stretching out the kinks in her body. She’s been stuck in her study since yesterday. Her editor had been nagging her about meeting the deadline so she’s been up all night.

 

She quickly went to the bathroom and took a quick shower and washed her face. It helped wake her up. She quickly changed into a simple white off shoulder tee and dark-washed jeans. She paired these with a pair of black converse sneakers.

 

Looking at the mirror, she wasn't surprised to see the bags under her eyes. She made sure to cover it up with some make up. She can’t show up looking all haggard for her date.

 

As she was applying the finishing touches of her make up, her phone rang.

 

She unlocked her phone.

 

It was a message from Minho.

 

The message contained information on the address and name of the restaurant. Attached to it was a photo of a woman.

 

“Wow,” Sooyoung couldn’t help but say.

 

Based on the photo, the woman was about her age. She had to admit, she was pretty. Beautiful even.

 

She felt kinda bad on what she was about to do.

 

“Don’t feel bad. Just think about the free food,” she thought to herself.

 

She quickly grabbed her jacket and helmet and exited her apartment. After locking up her door, she rode the elevator down to the parking lot of her apartment complex.

 

Keys in hand, Sooyoung walked over to her black Ducati.

 

Following the directions Minho texted her, she was in front of the restaurant in less than half an hour. Sooyoung blew a whistle as she stared at the 5-star restaurant.

 

Not really caring how underdressed she was, she strutted confidently inside the establishment. She paid no mind to the inquisitive looks of the staff and some customers directed at her.

 

She focused on locating the woman she was here for.

 

Her eyes locked on a lone figure at the far side of the restaurant. She turned to one of the staff and handed her jacket.

 

“Hang this for me,” Sooyoung said. “And could you please bring me a copy of your menu?”

 

“Oh..uh..yes, ma’am,” he replied.

 

“Thanks,” Sooyoung said and added in a wink for good measure.

 

That left the man flustered.

 

Sooyoung confidently walked her way to the woman’s table. As she approached, she noticed that the woman was looking down at her phone. Her presence had gone unnoticed, which was fine. Sooyoung pulled the chair opposite to her and seated herself.

 

“I think you’ve got the wrong table,” came the sweet and soft sounding voice.

 

The woman didn't bother to look up from her phone when she said this. Sooyoung just smiled as she leaned back into the chair.

 

“I’m definitely at the right table,” Sooyoung replied. “Miss Jung, right?”

 

That finally got the woman’s attention as she finally lifted her head to face the stranger.

 

“Do I know you?” she asked with a furrow between her brows.

 

“No. That would be weird seeing as this is the first time we’ve met.”

 

“But you know me?”

 

“Only by name.”

 

Just then, the server from earlier came with the menu Sooyoung requested.

 

“Here you are, ma’am. I’ll come back shortly to take your order,” he said politely.

 

“Thank you,” Sooyoung replied.

 

The woman could only stare questioningly at Sooyoung.

 

“What are you doing?” she asked.

 

Clearly, it’s become apparent to the woman that Sooyoung had no plans of leaving any time soon.

 

“I want to eat. That’s what you do in a restaurant,” was Sooyoung’s sarcastic reply.

 

This irked the woman.

 

“Who are you?” she demanded.

 

“Oh. I’m sorry. That’s rude of me,” Sooyoung apologized. “My name is Sooyoung.”

 

“Sooyoung,” she repeated, a question hidden in her tone.

 

“I’ll explain in a moment. For now, I want to order some food because I want to at least eat before the inevitable.”

 

“I have an appointment with someone here. They’re probably on their way now.”

 

Sooyoung couldn’t help but snort.

 

“It’s fine. They wouldn’t mind me being here.”

 

The woman raised an inquisitive eyebrow. Now she was really curious. She crossed her arms over her chest as she scrutinized the unexpected guest.

 

Sooyoung just smiled at the woman as she stared right back. She couldn’t help giving the woman a once over.

 

“She’s even prettier in person,” Sooyoung thought to herself.

 

All the while, the woman was tempted to call the manager and have this stranger removed from her table. However, she was rather bored. She was looking forward to what this woman had to say to her.

 

It didn't take long before her food finally came. Sooyoung didn’t waste time and dug into her meal. The woman watched in shock at the amount of food that she ordered.

 

“Want some?” Sooyoung offered.

 

The woman shook her head no.

 

Sooyoung shrugged and continued to eat.

 

“Are you not going to explain yourself?” her tone growing impatient.

 

Sooyoung held up her hand.

 

“I will. You don’t seem to be in any rush or else you would have left by now,” Sooyoung said with full. ”You can wait.”

 

“Well aren’t you being rude?” she scoffed.

Sooyoung chuckled.

“I’m just as annoyed as you are.”

 

After a few more bites, Sooyoung finally set her utensils down and wiped with a napkin.

 

It did annoy her to some degree how the stranger was right. She could have left when she wanted and she did want to leave. However, she wanted to satiate her curiosity.

 

“Now then,” Sooyoung began. “As we both know, someone was supposed to meet you here today.”

 

“It’s like you said.”

 

“That’s the other thing. I don’t mean your...date.”

 

“He’s not-”

 

She cut her off again, not really interested in the details of whatever it was she got pulled into.

 

“Anyways, my dear cousin was hired to actually come here in his stead to tell you that he isn’t interested,” was Sooyoung's frank explanation.

 

“He isn’t interested,” she repeated.

 

“That’s what your date told my cousin.”

 

“So he hired your cousin to come tell me?”

 

Sooyoung nodded.

 

“And why would he hire your cousin and not tell me himself?”

 

“My cousin thought to make use of his ‘good looks’ in helping rich boys turn down girls thinking it would help lessen the impact somehow. Not sure if it really does.” Sooyoung shrugged as she said this. “He works for this sort of like agency -- if you can call it that -- where they basically get hired to do odd jobs for rich people. Like this for example.”

 

“Then why are you here?” the woman questioned.

 

Sooyoung sighed.

 

“Don’t remind me,” Sooyoung muttered. She then continued to explain. “My cousin’s stuck in traffic. I was closer so he called me. He was afraid you’d be gone by the time he got here.”

 

“And that’s why you came instead,” she concluded.

 

“I came instead,” Sooyoung confirmed.

 

The woman signalled one of the waiters. The waiter came briefly and leaned down to hear the woman’s request.

 

“Place her tab on mine. And also, please bring me a bottle of your best red wine and a plate of your homemade pasta,” she ordered.

 

“Yes, ma’am. I’ll be back shortly with your order,” he replied.

 

The man bowed then left quickly to place her order.

 

“You didn’t have to do that. I can pay for myself,” Sooyoung said.

 

“It’s fine,” she waved off. “See it as my way of apologizing for all the trouble this has caused you.”

 

Sooyoung was taken aback at the sudden change in mood of the girl. All the arrogance and coldness she felt from the girl had all but disappeared. She would not have caught on the change of mood if it weren’t for the slight smile tugging on the woman’s lips.

 

“Pretty,” she thought.

 

If it was genuine, she wasn't sure, but Sooyoung felt her chest flutter all the same.

 

“It’s not like I’m not getting anything out of this arrangement,” Sooyoung informed.

 

“Oh?”

 

“My cousin promised me free food,” Sooyoung explained.

 

The woman looked incredulously at her with amusement in her eyes.

 

“Free food? That’s all?”

 

“Don’t look down on food,” Sooyoung quickly retorted. “He promised me he’ll get me a reservation at any restaurant I wanted. And, he'll pay,” Sooyoung said with a grin.

 

The woman nodded in understanding.

 

The waiter came back with her order. He placed the pasta in front of her and the bottle of wine on the table as per her request. Sooyoung noticed how the woman eagerly started eating.

 

She raised a brow at that.

 

“I thought you weren’t hungry?” Sooyoung asked.

 

“I didn’t say I wasn’t,” the woman said. “I simply refused your offer.”

 

“My food not good enough for you?” Sooyoung replied.

 

Her tone didn’t give off any sign of displeasure. The woman took this as a good sign that she hasn’t offended her.

 

“I wasn’t just about to accept food from a stranger,” she said. “I'm surprised you even offered considering the rate of how you were...inhaling your food earlier.”

 

Sooyoung chuckled at that.

 

“You got me there. I was just trying to be polite.”

 

The woman proceeded to pour wine into her glass. She gestured if Sooyoung wanted to drink as well to which she accepted.

 

Sooyoung couldn’t really place the meaning behind the looks the other woman had directed towards her. Was she observing? Scrutinizing? Or just merely watching?

 

She’d call the other woman out on her staring if only she wasn’t doing the same thing. She mirrored her studying gaze.

 

The atmosphere between them felt...a bit heated.

 

 

Wanting to break the silence, Sooyoung decided to speak up.

 

“At first I wasn’t really interested but, I’m a bit curious about why you’re here,” Sooyoung said. “Clearly, you have no problem dismissing the man who was supposed to be here based on how you seem please about the situation.”

 

That elicited a laugh from the woman.

 

“And here I thought you weren’t interested at all,” she said. “What made you ask?”

 

“You’re pretty and rich. I can think of a few things why a man would refuse to meet with you.”

 

“Is that right?”

 

The woman picked up her glass and drank from it. The woman had a glint in her eye as she looked at Sooyoung over her wine glass.

 

“My guess is, he either doesn’t like you or this is some cliche drama where both of you were arranged to meet by your parents.”

 

Sooyoung watched as the woman threw her head back in laughter.

 

That earned them a couple of stares.

 

“Just to clarify, I don’t like him either.”

 

“So it was arranged.”

 

The woman didn’t deny it.

 

“I planned on stopping whatever nonsense this is but,” she spoke. “It seems I got a surprise instead.”

 

She was looking at Sooyoung again in the way that Sooyoung still couldn’t figure out.

 

“Then I guess I didn’t really have to come here,” Sooyoung said exasperatedly.

 

“Well since you’re already here, why don't we enjoy each other’s company.”

 

“Cheers?”

 

Sooyoung raised her glass.

 

“Cheers.”

 

They clinked their glasses together and both drank their wine.

 

It was weird for Sooyoung how they quickly behaved like actual friends. It was awkward at first but then conversation came naturally later on.

 

“So, would it be too personal if I ask what you do?”

 

“I’m a writer,” Sooyoung answered.

 

“A writer? Anything you published I know about?”

 

“I don’t think so. I’ve done some freelance work back then for magazines.”

 

“And now?”

 

“I’m currently working on something.”

 

“How vague.”

 

Sooyoung smirked.

 

“I can’t tell you everything about me. It’s our first time meeting after all.”

 

“I can just have you investigated, you know?”

 

Sooyoung almost spit out her wine.

 

“You wouldn’t dare.”

 

The woman smirked at her.

 

“Well, it’s either that or you can tell me yourself.”

 

Sooyoung’s eye twitched. Clearing , she composed herself.

 

“I’ll go with my gut that says to trust you and hope you really won’t do that.”

 

The woman smiled mischievously as she hung her head to the side. Sooyoung felt annoyed at what that smile could possibly mean. The woman downed the rest of her drink in one gulp.

 

Sooyoung was surprised when she suddenly got up from her seat.

 

“Are you done?” she asked Sooyoung.

 

Sooyoung raised a finger as she downed her own glass of wine.

 

“Now I’m done.”

 

“Good. Let’s go for a walk.”

 

The woman didn’t give Sooyoung the time to accept or refuse. This got into Sooyoung’s nerves but at the same time, she was highly entertained at the woman's spontaneity.

 

“Are we just going to leave without paying?” Sooyoung asked as she caught up with the woman.

 

“I already gave my credit card in advance.”

 

“Oh.”

 

As they were about to exit through the doors, the dining manager handed her her credit card and bowed to the both of them.

 

“Thank you, Miss Jung. Please come again.”

 

The woman smiled at the man and accepted the card.

 

“The food was lovely as always,” she said. “Thank you.”

 

This made him break out into a grin. He bowed to her once more.

 

“You’re welcome, miss.”

 

Sooyoung bowed and thanked the man too.

 

“Take care, miss,” the man said as she handed her her jacket.

 

“Thanks. Have a good day, mister.”

 

The sky had gotten darker, the sun’s rays dying it an orange hue.

 

A cold breeze flew their way.

 

Sooyoung giggled as she saw the woman’s hair get carried away by the wind and covered her face.

 

She helped tuck some of her long locks in her ear. In doing so, her fingers grazed the woman’s cheek.

 

The woman seemed visibly surprised at the action and looked up at her with widened eyes.

 

Now that she was standing close to the woman, Sooyoung was able to admire her features even more. Without thinking, Sooyoung had brought her hand to cup the other woman’s cheek.

 

Realizing what she had just done, Sooyoung quickly came up with something to say.

 

“Your cheeks are getting red from the cold. Do you really want to take that walk?” she asked.

 

Surprisingly, the woman didn’t move away from the touch.

 

“It’s bearable,” she replied.

 

The woman reached to cover Sooyoung’s hand with her own, moving it away from her face and dropped it to their sides.

 

She joined their hands, interlocking their fingers.

 

Sooyoung’s wasn’t about to say anything. Her hand was surprisingly warm. It was a stark contrast to the woman’s cold demeanor.

 

“Where are we going?” Sooyoung asked curiously.

 

“Nowhere in particular,” she answered.

 

Sooyoung looked at her in confusion.

 

“You just want to walk around?”

 

The woman nodded.

 

“I just really feel like walking,” the woman supplied.

 

Sooyoung looked at her funny. She looked back over her shoulder and mumbled an “I’ll be back” to her motorcycle.

 

As they walked aimlessly, Sooyoung sneaked a couple of glances at the woman beside her. Well, she failed at the ‘sneaky’ part because the woman suddenly spoke up.

 

“Stop staring,” she said.

 

“I wasn’t staring,” Sooyoung quickly denied.

 

The woman rolled her eyes at her.

 

“I can see you in my peripheral vision.”

 

Sooyoung couldn’t possibly deny it after hearing that.

 

“Sorry.”

 

A few minutes of walking, they ended up at a park. They walked along the paved road lined with trees and up the hill into a secluded area covered with more trees. There was an empty bench that overlooked the park and faced the city.

 

Sooyoung looked on with amazement at the view.

 

The two sat on the bench as they stared in awe at the sight.

 

The city was a mere silhouette against the rays of the setting sun. The sky and clouds up above were a mix of dark blue, violet, grey, and orange.

 

It was pretty scenic.

 

Sooyoung continued to stare, appreciating the view this place had to offer.

 

“Thank you,” said the woman beside her.

 

Sooyoung broke away her gaze of the city and turned to the person beside her.

 

It was a mistake on her part.

 

Her breath got caught in her chest as she came face to face with something even more beautiful than the view.

 

Her dark brown locks had turned a lighter shade of brown. Her skin seemingly glowed as light reflected off her skin. Her eyes shone brighter, twinkling under the rays of the sun.

 

She noticed those eyes were suddenly staring directly at Sooyoung, her gaze questioning at the girl’s silence.

 

“F-for what?” Sooyoung mumbled.

 

“For keeping me company.

 

“You’re welcome.”

 

“You didn’t have to, you know?” she said. “I was actually surprised you came along. Sorry for the trouble.”

 

“It’s fine. It’s not like you forced me. I came on my own free will.”

 

“Why is that?” she questioned. “You’re weird. We don’t even know each other and you still tagged along.”

 

“I...don’t know,” Sooyoung answered honestly. “I just wanted to follow you, I guess?”

 

Sooyoung wasn’t prepared for what she saw next.

 

Her lips curved up into the first genuine smile she’s seen on the woman’s face.

 

Her chest suddenly felt heavy.

 

“Would it be weird if I told you I’m glad that you’re the one who showed up?”

 

“Umm...not really. Why would you say that?”

 

The smile from earlier turned into a smirk.

 

Sooyoung instinctively leaned away when she saw the woman slide next to her and began to close the distance between them. She got trapped when she couldn't lean back any further.

 

Her right ear felt tingly as the woman’s lips brushed her earlobe.

 

“Because I got to meet such a beautiful woman,” the woman whispered in her ear.

 

The woman’s smirk got bigger as she saw the deepening blush on Sooyoung’s face.

 

“Y-You…umm...Miss Jung..."

 

The woman smirks.

 

“You can call me Jessica.”

“I…”

“No need to be shy.”

 

She looked on expectantly as she waited.

Sooyoung found it difficult to speak, much less breathe at the moment from the way the woman was looking at her.

 

She quickly cleared .

 

She wet her dry lips with her tongue. She didn’t miss the way the woman’s eyes darted down at the action.

 

It was just seven letters. Three syllables.

 

No biggie.

 

“Jessica.”

 

She watched as the girl’s smile grew into a grin. She looked satisfied.

 

"Nice to meet you, Sooyoung," Jessica said.

 

She smirked again.

 

“And the pleasure is also mine,” she added.

 

Sooyoung was speechless.

 

A slight breeze came their way, carrying some strands of hair that now covered the woman’s face. There was something alluring in the way she combed her fingers through her hair to tame her dark long locks.

 

Sooyoung felt a tug in her chest at the mere action.

 

Unconsciously, her body leaned closer. She wasn’t aware what her right hand was doing as it moved up to brush away the stray strands of hair she missed. Her hand then proceeded to cup the woman’s cheek, feeling the wind-induced coldness on the skin.

 

She was acting purely on what she was feeling at this moment.

 

Undeniable attraction.

 

The woman before her didn't pull away which was a relief.

 

She looked up from her lips to gaze into her eyes wanting confirmation. She could see her bright brown eyes turned a shade darker, her pupils dilating.

 

Her gaze flitted down to her lips. Then back to her eyes.

 

That was all the encouragement Sooyoung needed.

 

She proceeded to lean her head down, angling her head sideways as she pressed her lips against hers.

 

She felt a hand snake it’s way around her neck and brought them even closer. The kiss deepened as Jessica slightly opened to further welcome the kiss.

 

Soft and sweet.

 

Warm and inviting.

 

They had to abruptly pull away at the sound of voices closing in.

 

They were panting slightly once they pulled apart.

 

They shared surprised glances at how things developed between them.

 

They teared their gazes away from each other and watched as a family was approaching. Relief was apparent between them when the family didn’t pay them any mind continued to walk and pass by them.

 

“I wasn’t expecting that,” Jessica said as she faced Sooyoung again.

 

Sooyoung snorted.

 

“You’ve been flirting with me and you’re saying you weren’t expecting it?”

 

“I didn’t think you’d be interested in me in that way,” Jessica confessed and then added, “Or women for that matter.”

 

“I don’t think gender really matters when you like someone,” Sooyoung replied truthfully.

 

“Is that your way of saying you like me?”

 

Sooyoung couldn’t help but mirror the growing smile on the other woman’s lips.

 

“Well I wouldn’t have kissed you if I didn’t.”

 

“Even though we just?”

 

“I like you enough to kiss you,” Sooyoung shrugged. “And to be honest, I was acting purely on my feelings earlier.”

Sooyoung made a sheepish grin.

“So there are feelings involved?” Jessica said with a slightly teasing tone. “That fast? I must be pretty awesome.”

 

Sooyoung rolled her eyes at her.

 

“Currently, I feel like kissing you again.”

 

Sooyoung inched closer once again, leaning in for another kiss. Jessica giggled at her eagerness. She dodged Sooyoung’s advances and kissed her on the cheek instead.

 

“As much as I want that too, we can’t deny that we really just met today.”

 

Sooyoung pouted at that.

 

Jessica laughed at the obvious disappointment on the other woman’s face.

 

“I think we should get going. It’s getting late,” Jessica said as she stood up.

 

She had a point.

 

The sky had gotten darker.

 

Sooyoung grabbed the offered hand and pulled herself up from the bench. Just like earlier, they held hands. They retraced their steps and ended up back at the restaurant.

 

“Are you sure you don’t want me to bring you home?” Sooyoung asked as she approached her bike.

 

“I’m sure,” Jessica answered quickly as she eyed the motorcycle warily.

 

“Then I guess this is goodbye.”

 

Sooyoung was feeling a bit disappointed they had to part ways.

 

“It’s not goodbye,” Jessica corrected.

 

“See you later then?” Sooyoung tried again.

 

Jessica smiled at that. Her hand reached down to open her bag and found what she was looking for. She quickly handed it to Sooyoung.

 

Sooyoung grabbed it and stared at the white business card with Jessica’s name printed in fine ink. Jessica flipped the card where a set of digits were hand written with a pen.

 

“Call me,” Jessica said.

 

Sooyoung shot her a smile.

 

She looked around them and saw that there weren’t any people close by. She removed and pulled her jacket over their heads.

 

She quickly leaned in to kiss the woman square on the lips.

 

Once she pulled back and removed her jacket, Sooyoung said, “I’ll definitely call you.”

 

Jessica finally recovered the kiss seconds later and frowned at her.

 

“You know, covering us made it look even more scandalous,” Jessica scolded.

 

Sooyoung shrugged at that.

 

“They can’t really accuse us of anything if they didn’t see it happening,” she pointed out.

 

Jessica all but shook her head at the woman. She pushed her lightly on the shoulder.

 

“You should go. I’ve taken too much of your time already.”

 

“For someone as pretty as you, you can take as much of my time as you want,” Sooyoung flirted.

 

“Careful. I might just take you up on that offer,” Jessica flirted back.

 

“I did offer.”

 

Jessica bit down on her bottom lip to contain the huge grin threatening to break out.

 

“Just go already,” Jessica blurted out. “Ride safe.”

 

“Yes, ma’am.”

 

After giving her a mock salute, Sooyoung walked over to her motorcycle. She mounted her bike and wore her helmet and jacket. With one last glance at Jessica, she revved the engine and drove away.

 

Jessica watched until she disappeared from view.