The bell above the restaurant door jingled, and you looked up instinctively, a practiced smile ready on your face. But the smile faltered when you saw him—Jae. He walked in with a group of friends, his confident laughter filling the space as if he owned the room. He hadn’t changed, still exuding the same charm that once made you fall for him.

You quickly turned back to the counter, heart pounding. Maybe he wouldn’t notice you. But as you carried a tray of drinks to a nearby table, his voice cut through the air like a sharp blade.

“Isn’t that...?”

You didn’t need to look to know he had recognized you. Out of the corner of your eye, you saw his friends murmuring and glancing in your direction, while Jae stood frozen, his usual confidence replaced by something hesitant. You set the drinks down with trembling hands, refusing to meet his gaze as the memories of your past with him threatened to resurface.