21

Jake didn't seem fazed by what had happened between us earlier. After teasing me, pretending to kiss me and then brushing it off like nothing, he acted completely normal unbothered.

Meanwhile, I couldn't stop thinking about it. His kiss on my cheek replayed in my head, and I hated how easily he could fluster me.

He always did this, pulling little pranks, acting close for a moment, and then retreating as if it meant nothing.

I felt like a fool for reacting every time.

After he stepped into the bathroom, I left his room and went to the kitchen to make breakfast.

I cooked omelettes for both of us and quietly set the plates on the table.

Not long after, Jake walked into the room shirtless and sat across from me.

"You didn't wait for your husband,"

he said as he casually picked up his fork.

Husband?

I nearly choked. The word sounded foreign coming from him. He'd never acted like a husband to me before, and now he was throwing the title around like it meant something.

I tried to focus on eating, but my eyes kept drifting to him. It was the first time I'd seen him eat something I made.

Usually, he left the house early and returned late, without touching anything I prepared.

"Are you on leave today?"

I asked, trying to make conversation.

He didn't respond. He kept eating, eyes glued to the TV.

I tried again.

"I want to go to the shopping complex. Do you want to come with me?"

Again, nothing. He got up from his seat, took his plate, and brought it to the sink.

So he hadn't changed.

—

Later, I decided to go out on my own. For once, he gave me permission to use his car. It had been so long since I went anywhere by myself, it felt strange but freeing.

I got dressed, grabbed the keys, and headed to the garage.

But just as I was about to get into the car, I heard his voice behind me.

"Han Jina!"

I turned around and saw him walking toward me, now dressed in a clean white turtleneck.

He grabbed the keys from my hand without explanation and slid into the driver's seat.

"What are you doing?" I asked, startled.

He looked over at me and smirked.

"What are you waiting for? Let's go."

It took me a second to register what was happening, then I got in and buckled up beside him.

We drove in silence for a while. No music, no talking. Just the occasional glance from me—he always seemed unreadable.

"Are you going to leave me at the side of the road again?"

I said, only half-joking.

"It depends," he said, eyes on the road.

"On how you treat me."

I decided not to press it. Instead, I pulled out my phone and texted Namjin.

"Where are you? Why haven't you replied?"

"I miss you, Namjin. Please call me back."

It had been a month.

No replies. No messages. I was starting to worry.

—

When we arrived at the shopping complex, I grew anxious. The crowd was larger than I expected, and I couldn't shake the fear that someone might recognize Jake and then recognize me.

Jake reached into the glovebox, pulled out a mask, and handed one to me too.

"Come here," he said.

I leaned toward him and let him carefully put the mask on my face. His fingers brushed my cheek. My heart skipped a beat.

He adjusted it, gave a small nod, and stepped out of the car.

—

After we'd finished shopping, well, after I finished shopping. we found a bench to rest on. Jake hadn't bought anything. He just followed me around quietly, carrying my shopping bags.

I got us drinks and handed him an iced green tea latte.

"Do you want to try this?" I asked.

He looked at me like I'd just asked him to drink poison.

Then I noticed his left hand was full with my shopping bags, and his right hand was holding his phone.

I chuckled.

We sat down. I handed him the drink and helped hold it for him while he took a sip.

"Where's yours?" he asked.

"I only bought one. It's okay, you can have it. You've helped me a lot today."

He gave me his usual unreadable stare.

"Do you want me to get another one?"

I asked, already starting to stand.

But then he put his phone away and grabbed my wrist gently.

"Let's share this."