7:22 pm 

"Is this the place?" 

Baekhyun asked, after pulling the car by a Café, where you were supposed to meet Mirae today. 

After a few days, you had finally decided to meet after making up your heart and mind to face her. 

"Don't be too nervous, Daisy." 

His voice snapped you out as you looked at him, blinking twice and thrice. "I am not." 

"Yeah? And you're not clenching your hand right now?" He looked down at your fisted hand on your lap to which you looked at him sheepishly. "Uh.. It's just been a while since I have seen her." 

"I know." He stated, facing you before cupping your cheeks as he squished them lightly to pucker your lips and smiled. "But I also know that you are strong enough to face her so go and break a leg." 

You frowned, staring at him blankly. "Why is everyone always telling me to break a leg?" 

"Because you are good at kicking." He giggled, wiggling your cheeks lightly and you flicked his forehead to which he yelped, letting go as he rubbed the place. "You violent woman." 

Biting your lip with a sheepish grin, you rubbed his forehead before leaning in to kiss his cheek where he stared at you suspiciously. "You say, it's your first time in a relationship but you are such a player, Daisy." 

Slapping his arm lightly, you leaned back to unbuckle your seatbelt while rolling your eyes. "Whatever." 

"But," He trailed off, as you turned to him to find him staring at you intently, clad in a pair of blue jeans with a white sweater tucked in as he frowned. "Why are you dressed so beautifully? Even tie your hair up, what are you planning to do?" 

"Geez, only you could come up with this logic." You shook your head, while smiling as you felt light after talking to him, like he always makes sure of it. 

"Then, I'll go inside." You were about to open the door but as if you knew what he was about to say, you turned to him. "And it's fine if you don't pick me up later because I'll just hail a cab." 

"And why do you think I would let you go in a cab when I can just pick you up?" He snapped back, and you gave him a look. "I thought you listened to me well?" 

"It's when things are mutual from both sides, you know." He stated, and you rolled your eyes. "Yeah, right. Now go home and drive safely." 

He chuckled, before pulling you closer by your arm where you let out a subtle gasp and he pecked your lips as he winked afterwards. "Then, I'll see you later." 

You blinked, a couple of times as you blushed before squinting your eyes at him. "Gosh, every chance you get, who's the player now?" 

He laughed, and you got out of the car before waving at him where he gestured to call him later as you nodded while he drove away. 

Taking a deep breath, you walked in the Café and roamed your eyes around where your breath hitched to see the familiar figure, settled on the table by the window. 

There Mirae was, clad in her black button down and jeans, sitting with her leg over another one while staring outside, and still looked the same but matured than before. 

You took little strides toward her, and stopped by the table while clutching the strap of your purse. "Hey." 

Her ears perked up as she shot her head to you and her eyes widened as soon as you both locked eyes then it softened as she stood up slowly. "H-hey, Ji-Ah." 

It was awkward, as it should be since things weren't well between you two so it was obvious and both of you stood still, looking at each other with awkward gazes before she pointed the chair across her. "Have a seat." 

"Yeah." You mumbled, taking a seat and in that moment, a guy stood by your table to take your orders as if he had been asked to do and without questioning anything, both of you ordered. 

The Café seemed to be chaotic with the chatter of people but your side of the table had a complete silence of awkwardness, clueless about how to start a conversation and since you hated the awkward silence, you decided to speak up. 

"So-" 

Both of you uttered out, simultaneously and looked at eachother surprised for a moment as you looked down, tracing your finger around your purse. 

"I-" 

And it happened again, where you both stared at each other for a few seconds before breaking out in smiles as you nodded toward her. "You can say it first." 

"Uh.." She trailed off, looking down before slowly meeting your eyes. "How… How have you been?" 

You stared at her blankly for a moment before giving her a nod with a light smile. "I.. I have been doing great lately." 

"That's good to hear." She smiled, sincerely. "It's what you actually deserve." 

You could see the glint of guilt in her eyes and you gulped. "Umm.. How have you been doing?" 

"Me?" She questioned, taking a deep breath and before she could speak further, the guy came back with your orders as he placed them in front of you then walked away. 

"Uh… I was actually curious about how you got my number." You cleared your throat, taking a sip of your coffee as she was taking her time to open about the things she was going to say since it got awkward again so you tried to keep the conversation going. 

"Uh.. Yeah, actually I got in touch with Hana so I asked her for this favor." She told, tucking her hair behind, whenever she was nervous and you were surprised at yourself for remembering this habit of hers. 

"And about your question, I was doing well until I got to know everything that day." She paused, looking down at her cup of tea as she began to stir her finger on the handle. "It really…. Came as a shock to me that the friend, whom…. I always have been with… whom I trusted so much…. She would betray me and you." 

You stared at her silently to let her speak and she looked at you with a guilty smile. "She's not the only one who betrayed you though, I was your friend, your only friend whom you had trusted and expected the same from me but I disappointed you, I chose to believe whatever was happening in front of me instead of listening to your explanation. "

"I am sorry, I am really very sorry, Ji-Ah." 

Her voice cracked, as she looked away to hide her forming tears in her eyes but you saw it and you bit your lip, looking down with tears filling in your eyes to which you blinked them away while taking a sip to swallow the lump forming in your throat. 

"No matter what, it won't change the fact that I have done wrong to you but that time…. It was so hard for me to believe you…" She paused, gulping and looked down. "So many people have used me for their own good, in middle school too, people befriended me because of my background and then talked behind my back like it was nothing." 

She reached out to wipe the tear from the corner of her eye before looking back at you. "So, Yerin was the only true friend to me but when you transferred, you felt so different from those people so I felt no hesitation to be friends with you."

"You knew about my liking towards Doyun too, and in those days, I had seen you guys close so I started to doubt you and when I heard those rumors, I believed them." She let out a shaky breath, looking down with a sniffle. "I am so sorry." 

At this point, you were holding back yourself from crying and looked away from her while clenching your jaw. 

"I guess, I am getting punished for what I did to you, and no, I am not asking you to forgive me right now." She smiled, but her eyes were saddened. "I can't even understand how you would have felt that day and how you would have endured it till now but I know how hard it must have been and my apology won't even matter now but I still want to." 

And a silence followed between you both for a moment. 

"It was hard." You uttered out, before looking at her. "But… I have passed through that time, it's in the past now, of course it wouldn't change what happened back then but I also don't want to keep indulging in those memories now." 

"The reason why I was able to meet you and face you is because I am letting go of what had been bugging me through all this time because the people by my side, helped me through it." You trailed off, with a light smile forming on your lips. "So… I don't have any grudge against you now, and I'm forgiving you, it must have been hard for you too." 

She stared at you, speechless before looking down. "I am really glad that this time you are surrounded by good people and that, thank you for being my friend even for a little while and I am sorry again." 

You nodded. "I hope you also get good people by your side this time." 

"Let's give eachother some time to move on and by any chance if we meet again, let's greet each other like we did the first time." You smiled, slowly and she nodded, smiling back before you stood up making her do the same. 

"Then, goodbye, Mirae." You stretched out your hand and she shook it, with a gentle smile. "Goodbye, Ji-Ah." 

She walked out of the Café, and you watched her back disappearing from your sight before you dropped down on the chair again with a deep sigh leaving your lips. 

And that moment, you fished out your phone and called the person whom you wanted to talk to right now. 

[Hey, Daisy.] 

His sweet and soft voice went through your ears and your lips curved upwards, feeling better. 

[Are you okay?] 

You could feel the curiosity and concern through his voice and hummed. [I am, now. I just.. missed you.] 

He was silent for a moment, before you heard some shuffling sound and felt like he was getting up, where you heard the jingling sound of keys. 

You frowned. [Are you on the way somewhere?"

[Yep, to you. So don't go anywhere.] 

Your heart melted at how he knew that you wanted to see you right now without even letting him know. 

You chuckled, while hearing the ting sound of the elevator and stood up. [Where would I go? Unless it's a washroom?] 

[You're not actually telling me to follow you to the washroom, right?] 

You could feel him smirking and rolled your eyes while walking ahead. [I'll kill you.] 

You heard him laughing and before you could hang up the phone, you were bumped into someone where you instantly raised your head to apologize. 

"Kim Ji-Ah-ssi?" 

You stared at him confused yet surprised. "Yeong-ssi?" 

[Hyung?] 

Baekhyun's voice against your phone snapped you out and as you were about to reply to him, another figure came behind him leaving your mind blank.

Baekhyun's dad. 

Oh my god. 

You had seen him at the party last time but just from afar and didn't have any courage to see him face to face but here he was, walking in your direction behind Yeong who seemed to understand your stunned state. 

He was back from the washroom, in his casuals before his eyes stopped at you blankly then they turned surprised and then delighted. "Are you Kim Ji-Ah?"

He knows me!

[Wait-dad? Daisy, my dad is there?!] 

You heard his light exclamation while sitting in the car as you heard the starting of the engine. 

[Yeah, he's standing.] You whispered, still staring at the latter with a stunned state and mind before hearing him sighing. 

Snapping out, you bowed before looking back at him with a nervous smile. "H-hello, I'm Kim Ji-Ah." 

"Yes, nice to meet you, Kim Ji-Ah-ssi." He smiled, as he stared at you with an amazed face while nodding to himself at his son's choice which was as always, amazing. 

"If you don't mind, would you like to have some talk with me?" He asked, with a polite smile. "Ah, you can say no too if you don't want to, I am really glad to see you since I always wanted to meet you." 

[What's he doing?] 

"Are you talking to Baekhyun? May I?" He smiled, in a calm way while gesturing to your phone where your heart pounded behind your chest as you nodded, handing him your phone. 

[Oh, Baekhyun-ah.] 

And they began to talk for about a few minutes while you were a nervous wreck before clenching your hand tightly. 

Wait- I am standing infront of Baekhyun's dad?! And he's asking me to have a talk?! Oh Mr god, what do I do?! 

"Here." He handed your phone back and with a trembling hand, you took it while he stared at you worryingly before you pressed the phone against your ear. 

[Hey, Daisy. Don't be scared, and you can say no if you are uncomfortable, he'll understand and I am on the way, okay?] 

You glanced at his dad who signaled you to talk comfortably and giving him a polite nod, you turned around a little to talk. [Umm, I think it'll be impolite to turn down the request like that and I think, I'll be okay so you… just come quickly.] 

[I'll be there, wait for me.] 

With that, he hung up and you let out a deep sigh before turning around to see the two males as if they were waiting for your swirl while you couldn't help but give them an awkward look where Mr. Byun chuckled. "Don't be nervous around me, I may look like a strict man but I am really not." 

Oh, he looks so much like Baekhyun. 

"Let's have a seat." He gestured to you to walk ahead and you slightly bowed, before walking to one of the tables with an anxious mind. 

Am I finally getting into daily soap? 

                    ____________________

Here you were, sitting across from Mr Byun having his Coffee, the actual reason for their arrival at the Café while you were sitting stiff, clutching the strap of your purse and sipping your water. 

Mr Byun looked so calm and composed, he looked so young and smart despite his age and handsome too, his looks were so much like Baekhyun and you couldn't help but be reminded of him whenever he shot a smile at you. 

The phrase was perfect for them, like father, like son. 

Then your eyes forwarded to the glass of water, placed infront of him and you gulped, as the various and idiotic scenarios crossed your mind. 

Would I get a water splash? Ah, Daisy, what's wrong with you?! Why would mom even watch these dramas?! 

"Do you want some more water?" 

You snapped out, to look at him in surprise and instantly shook your head. "N-no, I'm…. I'm fine." 

"I am making you nervous, right?" He gave you a guilty smile. "But believe me, water splashing nowadays is just too overrated, isn't it?" 

And that's when your eyes widened at his quick-witted conclusion and you realized, no wonder Baekhyun is his son. 

I'm screwed. 

"I'm…. I'm sorry.. I just-"

"Don't be, I can understand your carefulness, but I just wanted to meet you for once to thank you for coming into my son's life." He stated, with a light smile and your lips parted in surprise. 

"I guess, you already know how things were between us but it's all better now and I have never seen Baekhyun this much happy before and it's all because of you." He added, with a genuine smile on his lips. 

"I… I don't think I have done anything…. I mean, I am glad that he got to overcome his difficulties now." You bit your lip, looking down while fiddling your fingers, nervously. 

"But…" You spoke, with a hunch of nervousness and uneasiness. "If Baekhyun has been talking about me, then you must also know about me?" 

"Yes, I know it very well." He uttered out, calmly. "But since Baekhyun doesn't mind about it, why should I? In fact, he's told me everything about you and I noticed how happy and proud he sounded so if he's happy then, I don't mind, because all in my life, I never seen him this happy so I don't want to take it away from him. "

"You… are a good father." You blurted out, and looked at him shocked and he looked back at you with the same expression. "Really?" 

"Y-yes." 

"It's just surprising since I thought I was doing a bad job with it." He chuckled, looking down and you gulped. "It wasn't intentional so… and now you're doing a good job at it." 

"I hope so, and I hope you can be by his side for a long time." He smiled and you nodded. "Yes, I'll try my best." 

"So, you're not scared right? About the water splash?" He questioned, and you looked down, embarrassed. "No." 

He laughed lightly and you chuckled, feeling like a weight of nervousness and uneasiness drained away before a figure stopped by your table to find a panting Baekhyun as he placed his hands on his hip to take a breath. 

And the remaining feeling of uneasiness and nervousness washed away when you saw his face. 

"Why did you run?" You stared at him worryingly and he immediately settled down beside you as he took your glass of water to chug it down. 

"For someone who was nervous, you surely look happy now." He remarked, placing the glass on the table and you squinted your eyes at him while about to hit his arm but he immediately gestured to his dad with his eyes and your eyes widened. 

"He didn't do anything, right?" He questioned, draping his arm on the chair, behind you and Mr Byun scoffed. "This kid-what do you take me for?" 

"Just in case." 

You instantly nudged him to which he looked at you with a 'what-did-I-do' face but still, you were happy to see them getting along this well while Mr Byun smiled at the sight before looking at Baekhyun. "How are you arriving just now?" 

"Ah, there was too much traffic, but what are you doing here?" He looked at him confusingly. "I met Yeong Hyung outside too." 

"Oh, we went to buy groceries for dinner and-" He paused, realising. "The groceries-they will get rotten!" 

"Why did you even need to buy groceries? What about Ajjumma?" Baekhyun asked, and you were just sitting there watching and listening to their conversation interestingly. 

"Did you forget? She took a leave for a while for her son's wedding so I am going to cook." He took a last sip of his coffee and Baekhyun looked at him surprised. "You're going to cook? Why don't you just order food?" 

Mr Byun gave him a disapproving look. "I have been practicing so I am going to cook red sauce spaghetti." 

"Oh? Isn't that your favorite?" Baekhyun glanced at you to which you nodded slowly and Mr Byun smiled. "Really? Then why don't you join us for dinner? Baekhyun was coming home to discuss work anyway." 

You blinked at him before looking at Baekhyun who was already looking at you with a glint of hesitation and excitement and you smiled. "I'd love to." 

Yeah, since Baekhyun is here so there's no need to be scared. 

                    _____________________

Here you were, sitting in the living room of their house, while roaming your eyes around the place with an amazed face since the place was too beautiful to look at. 

However, you were nervous as hell, as it was your first time in this place and having dinner, that too, with your boyfriend's father so it was understandable. 

You looked at your right side, where the open kitchen was located and saw the father, son duo talking seriously about the dish they were going to make as Yeong placed the shopper on the counter. 

Bowing at Mr Byun, he walked back into the living room where you looked at him confusingly to which he stopped to look at you with the same expression and you tilted your head. "Aren't you going to stay for dinner?" 

"No, I have prior plans already so enjoy your dinner, Kim Ji-Ah-ssi." He shot a formal smile as he bowed where you did the same before he left the house. 

Looking back at the two males who seemed to be having some serious discussion about how to start the cooking, you stood up and slowly walked over to them as you cleared your throat where they turned to you. 

"Uh.. If you don't mind, can I give you a hand?" You asked, timidly as you looked at Mr Byun before looking at Baekhyun to see him staring at you with an adoration and Mr Byun shook his head. "No, no, you're my guest so you should rest there." 

"No, I insist and it's awkward, just sitting there." You reasoned out and Baekhyun leaned forward to the counter where you were standing by as he pulled your cheek softly. "Okay, Daisy, and dad, you should definitely let her because she's a great cook." 

"Really?" Mr Byun raised his head with an amazed look and you blushed, lightly slapping Baekhyun's hand away as you chuckled, nervously. "Um…yes, I just like cooking, but what are you doing when you don't even know how to cook?" 

You turned to Baekhyun and he rolled his eyes. "I can just learn it." 

You and Mr Byun, rolled your eyes at the same time before you