Introduction to Romance

VII - Cautious

After leaving the resto and stepping onto the streets, Joohyuk offered once again to drive Suzy home, not wanting to leave her alone even for a moment due to what happened.

It was a silent ride all throughout the journey. As his car parked in front of the building complex where Suzy's family apartment is, the inaudible thoughts that clouded their minds felt heavy.

He looked at Suzy, his expression a mix of concern and determination. He couldn't let her slip away without at least trying to understand what was going on in her mind. The heavy silence between them hung in the air like an unspoken question, begging for an answer.

"I know too much happened today, but can we talk?" Joohyuk asked softly, breaking the stillness that enveloped them. His eyes searched hers, hoping to find some semblance of affirmation.

"It's okay if you're tired," he added with a small smile. "I just... I want to make sure you're okay... and we're okay."

Suzy remained quiet, her gaze fixed on some distant point outside the car window. Her silence spoke volumes, and Joohyuk knew that she wasn't ready to open up just yet.

"Arasso," Joohyuk sighed gently, understanding her unspoken response. "Rest well, Suzy. I hope your mind will soon be at ease." He reached for the car door handle, intending to open it for her as a final gesture before leaving.

But before his fingertips could touch the handle, Suzy moved to grab her phone from her bag. Confusion washed over Joohyuk's face as he watched her dial a number and bring the phone to her ear.

"Eomma," Suzy said quietly into the phone as she leaned back against the seat. "I ate dinner already," she reassured her mother in a calm tone. "I think I'm going to stay outside for a little longer." A pause followed as Suzy listened attentively to whatever was being said on the other end of the line.

"Don't worry, eomma. I'm already in front of the building," Suzy reassured her mother. "It will just take me little time before I get there." She couldn't help but smile as she imagined her mother's worried expression on the other end of the line.

"Arasso, eomma. Thank you," Suzy said softly, gratitude evident in her tone. "I love you." With those final words, she hung up and turned to face Joohyuk.

"What do you want to talk about?" she asked, her voice barely audible as if trying to hide a hint of vulnerability beneath a facade of nonchalance. Her eyes met his gaze and for a moment, it felt like the world around them faded into the background.

Joohyuk studied Suzy's face intently, noticing how her lips curved into a slight smile despite the lingering traces of fear in her eyes. He reached out and gently brushed his fingers against hers.

"Are you really okay?" he asked softly. 

Suzy nodded with a slight smile. "My mind is calmer now," she assured him.

"Arasso," Joohyuk replied, but as he looked into Suzy's eyes, he couldn't help but contemplate whether to ask another question that had been bothering him. He hesitated for a moment before speaking up.

"How about us? Are we okay?" he asked, his voice laced with vulnerability.

Silence hung in the air between them, and Suzy remained still, unable to find the words to respond.

"About what you said earlier at the restaurant, that we're not close enough for me to act like this," as he quoted, the weight of her earlier statement lingered in his mind. It stung deep within him, a subtle ache that gnawed at his heart.