.10.

The weather was quite unpredictable.

The days between the month of August and September when sudden shifting of the temperature happens. Dressing the right type of clothes to match either the blazing heat of the sun or the gentle, cold gush of the wind. These past few days, Korea had been experiencing transitions of the weather, unable to distinguish if it’s still summer or autumn. She predicted they were still stuck in between it.

Haru was exploring the streets of Itaewon, in search for the liquor store that she had read online that offers a wide array of wine choices. She was going to attend a family dinner, not technically her family but her Auntie arrived in Korea just a few days ago to visit her one and only son, Johnny. He had called her a few times before her flight, informing her about his mom and also to ask her places on where she would take her while she is in Seoul.

Johnny called her this morning, telling her about the dinner her mom was planning, specifically ordering him to invite Haru over since she hasn’t seen her for years. Johnny practically begged her to come or else he wouldn’t hear the end of his mom’s constant nagging until the last days before she goes back to Chicago.

She passed along each rows, looking for wines that she’s quite familiar with that would suit the taste of middle aged women. She tried texting Johnny since he’s an expert in to it, but she realized he was held up into an emergency meeting since this afternoon so she wouldn’t expect him to respond anytime soon.

She stopped at the rack of white wines, searching for the name that had appeared on her result list, reading it faintly as she tucked herself gently in the corner, avoiding anyone who could hear her at an earshot.

“Excuse me, is this where the Cabernet Sauvignon is placed?”

Her ears immediately shot up upon catching the name of the wine she had been trying to pronounce for five minute straight that it was spoken fluently and sounded so delicate which perfectly matched the deep voice.

She turned to the intriguing owner of the voice, eyes widened at the sight of the figure hovering above her, “Dr. Jung?”

He shared the same surprised expression as hers, voice slightly wavering, “M-miss Haru, I’m sorry. I thought it was someone who works here.”

Dismissing the small misunderstanding, Haru’s eyes gradually glistened with hope when she realized she had found someone who could really help her in this time of need. “OH MY GOD! Dr. Jung! You’re here! Yes. Thank you.”

Jaehyun stood still, raising a curious eyebrow, still unable to comprehend her words. “Uhm, you’re welcome?”

Haru shook her head, grasping that he was still at loss, “No. No. Sorry, I mean, you were looking for the same wine I was looking for, right?”

Jaehyun slowly nodded, the corner of his lip quirking up in amusement, “Cabernet Sauvignon?”

“Yes, yes. That goddamn name of a wine that I can’t seem to pronounce without getting my tongue twisted which I was too shy to ask.” The words came out of before she could even stop, ranting out of frustration.

Jaehyun looked clearly pleased at her sudden outburst. He