Yuna:
The boutique was filled with soft music and warm lighting.
Yuna stood in front of the mirror, holding a beautiful black evening dress against her body. The fabric was smooth and elegant, the kind of dress that would look perfect for a quiet dinner date.
She imagined Ethan seeing her in it.
The thought made a small smile appear on her lips.
"Yes… this one," she murmured.
The sales assistant approached politely.
"Would you like to purchase it, miss?"
Yuna nodded.
"Yes, please."
She had already bought several other things earlier—shoes, a handbag, some accessories, and a few casual outfits. At the time she hadn't thought much about the price. Six years ago when she becams an actress after breaking up with Ethan.
when she was acting, money had never been a concern.
But it's been one month for cancelling the contract of being the actress.
Back then, if she liked something, she bought it.
Without hesitation.
Without checking.
Old habits stayed.
The assistant carefully packed the dress and placed it with her other shopping bags. Yuna walked to the counter and took out her card.
She swiped it confidently.
For a moment the machine processed the payment.
Then—
Transaction failed.
The assistant looked slightly confused.
"Um… I'm sorry, miss. Could you try again?"
Yuna blinked
"That's strange."
She swiped the card again.
The machine beeped again.
Transaction declined.
A faint crease appeared between Yuna's brows.
"Let me check something," she said quietly.
She opened her banking app on her phone.
The moment the balance appeared on the screen, her expression froze.
Her savings were almost gone.
A cold realization slowly settled in.
Of course.
She hadn't worked as an actress for a long time now. After everything that happened in her life, she had stopped accepting roles.
Months had passed… maybe longer.
And during that time she had been living comfortably in Ethan's house, spending money here and there without really paying attention.
Now, looking at the balance on the screen, it finally hit her.
She didn't have enough money left.
The assistant spoke gently, trying not to embarrass her.
"Miss, would you like us to hold the items for you?"
Yuna forced a polite smile.
"Yes… just give me a moment."
She stepped aside and dialed Luca's number.
The phone rang.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
No answer.
She frowned slightly.
"Come on, Luca…"
She tried again.
Still nothing.
Unbeknownst to her, Luca was currently sitting in an important meeting at the office, his phone set to silent on the table beside him.
Yuna lowered the phone slowly.
She felt a little embarrassed standing there with so many shopping bags and a dress she couldn't pay for.
She never had experienced. This situation would have been impossible.
She had been a popular actress then, earning more money than she could spend.
But things were different now.
Yuna sighed softly and looked back at the dress on the counter.
She really liked it.
More importantly, she had imagined wearing it Tommorow… for Ethan.
But reality was reality.
She picked up her phone again, hesitating.
Maybe she could call someone else.
Maybe—
She stopped mid-thought.
Because suddenly another realization came.
If Luca wasn't answering…
There was only one other person she could call.
Ethan.
Her fingers hovered over his contact name.
Then she slowly shook her head.
"No…"
After everything that happened between them last night, calling him just to ask for money felt… wrong.
She placed the phone back into her bag and walked toward the counter again.
"I'm sorry," she told the assistant softly. "I'll have to leave the dress."
The assistant nodded kindly.
"Of course, miss."
Yuna picked up the bags she had already paid for earlier and turned toward the exit.
Her plan for the surprise date suddenly felt a little uncertain.
Still…
As she stepped outside the boutique into the busy street, she lifted her head slightly.
"Maybe I don't need a perfect dress," she murmured to herself.
"But I'm still going to try."
Even if things didn't go exactly as she planned.