The city was bathed in the soft glow of early evening as Dahye finished tidying her office at Lumina Studio. It had been a week since her private date with Yerin, and the memory lingered vividly — the warmth of Yerin's hand, her quiet laughter, the subtle brush of her fingers. Dahye had tried to immerse herself in work, going over schedules, shoots, and team tasks, but her thoughts kept circling back. The idea of seeing Yerin again made her chest tighten, a mix of anticipation and nervous energy she couldn't ignore.
Her phone buzzed. It was So Hee.
"Dahye," her voice chimed warmly, "Yerin, Jiyeon, and I are grabbing dinner tonight to discuss the modeling picks. You should come too — it'll be nice to have your input."
Dahye blinked, her stomach fluttering. Seeing Yerin again so soon both excited and unnerved her. "All right," she replied, trying to sound casual. "Where are we going?"
"So, we just picked a restaurant nearby," So Hee said lightly. "Nothing fancy — should be good for talking and dinner."
Dahye nodded, smoothing her blazer and taking a few deep breaths. She wasn't sure what to expect, but she knew she couldn't say no.
When they arrived, the restaurant had a soft, welcoming glow, the aroma of fresh dishes drifting through the air. Dahye's pulse quickened as they stepped inside, realizing only then that the place was run by Kwon Nari, one of her close friends. The others had no idea. The coincidence made Dahye's chest tighten further — she wasn't sure why.
Jiyeon and Yerin were already seated when Dahye arrived. Yerin greeted her with a small, polite smile, and Jiyeon waved cheerfully. So Hee led the conversation, talking about the model picks, plans for the collaboration, and logistics for upcoming shoots. Dahye tried to settle herself, stealing glances at Yerin across the table.
The conversation started light. They joked about the show and laughed at past awkward moments. Dahye found herself relaxing a little, letting herself enjoy the atmosphere, though she remained acutely aware of Yerin's presence.
Their meal was interrupted when a young server approached — Kim Hae Rin, a new member of Nari's staff. Her bright eyes lit up when she saw Dahye, and it was immediately obvious that she admired her.
"Here you go, Miss Bae," Hae Rin said, carefully placing the dishes on the table. "I made sure your seat had the best view tonight."
Dahye smiled softly. "Thank you, Hae Rin. You're too kind." She ruffled the younger woman's hair lightly, a small gesture of warmth and encouragement. She's such a sweetheart… I see her like a little sister, nothing more, Dahye thought, keeping her focus professional.
Hae Rin's cheeks flushed. "I just… I like seeing you happy," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.
Dahye gave her a soft nod and gentle smile, continuing to engage politely while her mind drifted back to Yerin. Across the table, Yerin's chest tightened. Seeing Dahye give attention to someone else, even a younger staff member, stirred a sharp pang of jealousy inside her. She found herself withdrawing, her usual bright smile dimming as Dahye continued interacting with Hae Rin.
For the rest of the dinner, Yerin's words were clipped, her usual ease replaced by subtle coolness. Dahye noticed immediately. Every time she tried to tease Yerin or include her in a conversation, Yerin responded only briefly, politely, but distantly.
Dahye's mind raced. Is she upset with me? Or does she not like me? The avoidance stung in a way she hadn't expected. Jiyeon and So Hee continued chatting, unaware of the tension, while Nari moved around the restaurant attending other tables. Even Hae Rin occasionally glanced at Dahye with shy admiration, but Dahye's attention remained mostly on Yerin's distant posture.
By the end of the meal, Dahye felt the warmth from the lighthearted teasing and laughter at the table, but it was overshadowed by the ache in her chest. Yerin hadn't spoken to her in almost half an hour, and the silence felt like a wall between them.
When the group finally rose to leave, Dahye hesitated. She wanted to reach out, to ask what was wrong, to bridge the sudden distance. But Yerin walked past her, expression unreadable, leaving Dahye standing there with her hands flexing slightly at her sides.
The walk back through the quiet streets was silent. Dahye tried to reason with herself — maybe Yerin was just tired, or overwhelmed. But deep down, she couldn't shake the thought that maybe Yerin didn't like her, or was afraid of how she felt.
Does she not like me? Or is she scared? Dahye's chest tightened. She swallowed hard, her thoughts a whirlwind of worry, longing, and frustration. The evening had been warm and friendly, but Yerin's silent avoidance left Dahye with a hollow ache she couldn't ignore.
Even so, a small, stubborn hope flickered in her chest — that Yerin would come back, that the distance would fade, and that they could eventually untangle the complex feelings simmering between them.