She no longer looked him in the eye.
She no longer stayed around to hear him speak.
She was always gone before he returned. And long finished her chores before he woke up.
And this time, Jin didn't even get the chance to stop her.
This time, it felt like she was truly… slipping away.
And for the first time in a long while, Jin—who was used to having everything within reach—felt like he was losing something that actually mattered.
Something he didn't want to lose.
Not now.
Not ever.
The silence was unbearable.
Jin sat alone in his office, staring out the window as the city bustled below. But nothing outside could distract him from the one thing eating away at him—Mian's distance.
She wasn't just avoiding him now… she was ghosting him.
He missed her presence—the quiet footsteps in the hall, the way she placed his tea like it was something sacred, the shy glances when their eyes accidentally met.
And now… nothing.
Jin clenched his jaw. This silence… it's killing me.
He wanted to talk to her. He needed to. But every time he tried, she disappeared before he could even get a word out.
He needed a way to bring her to him.
An idea sparked in his mind—subtle but sure.
That morning, he left for work earlier than usual. He didn't wait for breakfast. Didn't even wait to see her. He knew she'd come in to clean as always, and she'd notice his absence. Let her wonder… let her think about me.
And she did.
Mian arrived that morning and noticed right away that his room was empty. The sheets untouched. The tea tray was still in place from the day before.
Did he even eat anything before leaving? she wondered, biting her bottom lip in thought.
Still, she did her tasks diligently. Changed the sheets. Aired the room. Cleaned the floor. But her thoughts were drifting.
Just as she was placing a clean towel by the bathroom door, the bodyguard walked in.
"Sir said he's craving pasta. He wants it delivered to the company," he said, arms crossed.
"Oh… okay. I'll make it and pack it for you," she said softly.
But the guard didn't budge.
"He wants you to deliver it yourself."
Mian blinked, confused. "Me?"
"He was very clear about that," the guard said with finality.
Her heart thumped in her chest.
He wants me to deliver it… myself?
She didn't know what to think. She didn't even try to understand why. Maybe he was just hungry. Maybe this was just about food. Or maybe… maybe it wasn't.
The car ride to the company was silent, but her heart was anything but. She looked out the window, trying to calm the emotions rising in her.
When they arrived, she stepped out of the car and looked up.
The building was massive—an architectural beauty of glass and power. It took her breath away.
So this is where he works…
She was still admiring the tower when she heard a voice call her name.
"Mian?"
She turned quickly.
A man stood in front of her, wearing a formal blazer and warm smile.
"…Ji Hoon?" she said uncertainly.
"Yes! It's me!" he grinned.
A smile broke across her face as she ran into his arms. "Oh my God, Ji Hoon! How long has it been?"
"Too long," he laughed, holding her tightly. "Wow… look at you. You look amazing. What are you doing here?"
"I should be asking you that! What are you doing here?" she beamed.
"I work here now. Finance department," he replied. "You?"
"I just came to… deliver something."
Ji Hoon's smile widened. "Well, whatever it is, I'm glad it brought you here."
Mian laughed softly. "I should get going. It was so good to see you, Ji Hoon."
"Let's catch up properly sometime, yeah?" he asked.
"Yeah, I'd like that," she said before hurrying inside.
Meanwhile, in his sleek office with floor-to-ceiling windows, Jin sat in his chair, legs crossed, eyes fixed on the clock.
Time was dragging.
He picked up his phone and called the bodyguard.
"Where is she?" he asked, his voice sharper than usual.
"She's here, sir. Outside."
Jin straightened in his seat. "And?"
"She's with a man. They hugged. They're catching up. Seems like he works in the building."
Jin's brows furrowed. A flicker of something dark passed through his eyes.
Hugged?
Laughing?
His grip on the phone tightened. So she can smile like that for someone else…
He didn't even know he was holding his breath until the knock came.
His assistant entered, followed closely by Mian.
Jin stood.
The moment their eyes met, Mian looked away quickly, her heart racing. She held the food container carefully in front of her like a shield.
Jin didn't move. He just stared at her.
So many things wanted to burst out of his chest. Questions. Accusations. Apologies. But instead, he just said, "Thank you for coming."
His voice was softer than she expected.
Mian nodded. "Here's your pasta."
She placed it on his desk, avoiding his gaze.
creating a distance between them that Jin could no longer stand.
He walked over and stood just inches away from her.
"You've been avoiding me," he said, his voice quiet but edged with pain.
Mian looked away. "I didn't mean to. I just thought… maybe space would help."
"Help who?" he asked gently. "You? Or me?"
Silence. Her eyes flickered, unsure how to answer.
"You think I don't notice?" Jin continued. "You run before I wake up. You don't speak unless it's about work. Even now, you're here because I had to ask you to come… not because you wanted to."
"I didn't want to get in the way," Mian said, her voice barely audible. "That woman who came to the house—she called you baby. I felt… out of place."
"She's nothing to me," Jin said firmly. "I didn't even know she was coming. And I didn't like the way she said it either."
Mian looked up at him finally, eyes shimmering. "But it still hurt."
Jin reached out, gently brushing her hair behind her ear. "I never asked you to stay away. I wanted you closer. And every day you pulled away, I felt it."
She blinked quickly, trying not to let her tears fall.
Jin exhaled deeply. "I'm not good with words sometimes, Mian. But I know how I feel. And I know that losing your presence, even for a day, makes everything feel colder."
He stepped even closer.
"You brought me food… not just because I asked. But because you care. You always have. So stop pretending you don't."
"I'm scared," she whispered.
"So am I," Jin said honestly. "But I'd rather take a chance and risk getting hurt than live in silence, pretending like I don't care about you."
There was a long pause as they stared at each other, emotions swirling between them like a storm that had finally reached its center.
Mian took a deep breath. "I… still need time. But I'm not running away anymore."
Jin nodded slowly. "Take all the time you need. Just don't disappear on me again."
She gave a soft smile. "I won't."
As she turned to leave, Jin called out, "Wait."
She looked back.
He walked over and handed her the container of pasta. "Stay and eat with me?"
Mian hesitated… then walked back and sat beside him at the long table by the window.
For the first time in days, they sat in silence—not the painful kind, but the comforting kind that said maybe, just maybe, things would begin to heal.