Work was busy.
Back-to-back schedules.
LUMEN had a magazine shoot.
Then interviews.
Then more practice.
Soorin barely had time to breathe.
Let alone think about her mess of a personal life.
By six PM, she was exhausted.
Daehyun texted the address.
A quiet café near the company.
Their usual spot.
She took a cab over.
Found parking nearby wasn't terrible.
Walked inside.
The smell of coffee and pastries hit her.
Warm. Comforting.
Daehyun was already there.
Corner table.
Two cups waiting.
"You ordered for me?"
"Caramel macchiato. Your stress drink."
"You know me too well."
She sat down.
Took a sip.
Perfect.
"So," he started. "Talk to me."
"About?"
"Everything. The Haejin situation. The weird tension. All of it."
She shifted uncomfortably.
"There's not much to talk about."
"Bullshit. You've been a mess for weeks."
"Thanks."
"I'm saying it because I care. Now talk."
She took another sip.
Buying time.
"I don't know what's real anymore."
