After sending Youn-Jae and Secretary Min off at the airport, Ji-Won returned to his routine in the market the next day. His steps were light, almost a bounce to them, his mood bright and carefree. Weaving through the bustling stalls, he absentmindedly reached into his pocket, pulling out a small tangerine and tossing it from hand to hand with a soft smile, his mind wrapped up in the simple joy of the day.
But just then, his foot caught on a stray stone, and he stumbled forward. The tangerine slipped from his fingers, sailing through the air and landing with a soft but direct thump on someone's head.
"Ouch!" A voice yelped in surprise.
Ji-Won didn't have a chance to fully process what had happened before he lost his balance entirely. But instead of hitting the hard ground, he felt strong arms catching him just in time. When he looked up, he found himself in Andrew's arms, with their faces inches apart.
"You okay?" Andrew asked softly, his voice steady but his eyes wide with concern.
Ji-Won heart pounded as he blinked, momentarily dazed. "Y-Yeah... I think so," he stammered, realizing how close they were, his cheeks warming to a bright shade of pink. Quickly, he scrambled to get off Andrew, muttering a flustered apology as he brushed himself off.
Andrew chuckled, shaking his head as he dusted his clothes, his smile gentle and amused. "No harm done. But next time, maybe try aiming that tangerine a little better." His teasing tone helped lighten the moment, and he nudged Ji-Won lightly on the shoulder.
"Yeah, maybe next time aim for a softer landing, huh?" James quipped with a grin, still rubbing the spot on his head where the tangerine had made impact. His bemused expression only added to Ji-Won's embarrassment.
With a deep bow, Ji-Won's face turned redder. "I'm really sorry," he mumbled, glancing between them, though the apology was mostly to himself.
James huffed playfully before turning to walk off, stamping his feet in mock frustration. But Andrew lingered a moment longer, stepping closer to Ji-Won. His expression softened as he leaned in, meeting Ji-Won's gaze with a warm smile.
"See you around," Andrew said softly.
Ji-Won blinked, caught off guard by the quiet intimacy in Andrew's words. His chest tightened as if the simple phrase had struck a chord he couldn't name. "Good thing I understand some English," he muttered to himself. "But the other guy… I couldn't catch half of what he said."
Walking side by side through the market, James threw a knowing glance at Andrew, a teasing grin spreading across his face. "Alright, what's with the soft voice and the whole 'See you around' thing? You're practically glowing, Andrew. Think he didn't notice you're flirting?" James nudged him
"Shut up, James," Andrew retorted, his voice attempting to sound indifferent. But a faint blush crept up his neck, betraying his true feelings.
James chuckled, rubbing his head where the tangerine had hit. "Oh, it's obvious, mate. You like him. You couldn't be more obvious if you tried."
Andrew scoffed, shoving his hands into his pockets and quickening his pace. "I don't know what you're talking about," he replied, trying to keep his tone steady, but the smile tugging at his lips gave him away.
James snickered, following him with an amused shake of his head.
***
"Why are we back here?" James groaned, dragging his feet behind Andrew, his posture slouched with exaggerated misery. "We came to the market yesterday, Andrew! We don't need anything else. It's too crowded, and I swear I'm about to lose my mind!"
Andrew walked a few steps ahead, his back straight and his gaze scanning the rows of colorful stalls with focused intent. He barely acknowledged James' complaints, his eyes betraying a faint glimmer of anticipation. In truth, his thoughts were somewhere else—or more accurately, on someone else. Maybe he'd catch another glimpse of Ji-Won, the person who had stirred something unfamiliar in him yesterday. The thought made his pulse quicken slightly.
"Andrew!" James snapped, halting in his tracks and folding his arms tightly across his chest. "Are you even listening? We're not here for groceries or anything remotely practical. So tell me, what are we actually doing here?"
Andrew slowed, turning back to face James, and attempted to keep his expression neutral. "Just wanted to, you know, check out the market again. Maybe get some fresh fruit."
"Fresh fruit?" James raised an eyebrow, his stare narrowing with suspicion. "Right. So this has absolutely nothing to do with that guy from yesterday? The one you were all 'see you around' with?"
Andrew's lips curled slightly, the faintest hint of a smile betraying him. He didn't bother denying it—James had already figured it out.
James threw his hands up in dramatic defeat. "Unbelievable! You dragged me here just to see him again, didn't you?" With a sigh, he shook his head, though a smirk hinted at his amusement. "Fine, let's just get this over with before I melt in this heat. But if he doesn't show up, you owe me a drink for this wild goose chase."
Just then, James's eyes wandered over the crowd—and landed on a familiar face among the bustling stalls. He tapped Andrew's shoulder urgently.
"Andrew… Andrew!" he whispered, voice laced with excitement and a hint of mischief.
Andrew mumbled absently, still distracted. "What? Just give me a minute."
With an exasperated sigh, James grabbed Andrew's head and turned it forcefully in Ji-Won's direction. "Eyes here," he said, amusement dancing in his voice. "Isn't that the guy you're so eager to see, Mr. Andrew?"
Andrew's gaze locked onto Ji-Won, and for a brief moment, he froze. His usual collected demeanor slipped away as his eyes widened with a blend of excitement and awe. A smile broke out on his face, and before James could say another word, Andrew was striding toward Ji-Won, his steps quick and purposeful, almost like he was being pulled by some invisible force.
"Hey, you absolute lunatic!" James called after him, his voice a mix of frustration and reluctant amusement. "Since when do you get this excited?"
Meanwhile, at the stall, Byeong-Ho was sorting through the fish when he noticed the tall, striking figure approaching. He looked up, momentarily stunned as Andrew closed the distance. It was as if Andrew had stepped out of some daydream, his presence larger than life and nearly surreal.
"Byeong-Ho, hand me that order," Ji-Won called, glancing over just as Byeong-Ho froze in awe. When Ji-Won turned fully, his breath hitched, realizing Andrew was now standing right in front of their stall.
"Hi," Andrew greeted, lifting a hand in a casual wave, his smile both friendly and a little nervous. Beside him, James rolled his eyes, crossing his arms in mild annoyance.
"Hyung, do you know him?" Byeong-Ho asked, still staring at Andrew with wide eyes.
Ji-Won shook his head, leaning toward Byeong-Ho as he whispered, "No… something happened yesterday. I'll tell you later."
Turning back to Andrew, Ji-Won tried to keep his voice polite. "What can we help you with today, sir?"
Andrew hesitated, glancing between Ji-Won and James, momentarily at a loss. He hadn't exactly planned this far ahead, and his mind scrambled for something sensible to say. "Uh… I… just want to buy… ."
James stifled a groan, muttering, "Seriously? That's the best you could come up with?"
Ji-Won, looking on with polite confusion, smiled patiently. "How much of what would you like, sir?" he asked, gesturing to the display of fish.
Andrew turned to James for a lifeline, raising an eyebrow with a silent plea. But James simply stared back, unimpressed, clearly unwilling to rescue him. Accepting defeat, Andrew let out a small sigh and blurted, "All of them," Andrew said in English.
Ji-Won blinked, taken aback, and exchanged a glance with Byeong-Ho, their eyes locking in mutual confusion. Byeong-Ho hadn't understood well what Andrew said, since it was in English, but Ji-Won clearly had. "All of them?" he echoed, still processing the request.
James's jaw practically dropped. He grabbed Andrew by the shoulder, pulling him closer and hissing, "All of them? Are you out of your mind? What do you plan to do with all these fish, start a seafood empire?"
Andrew leaned in, whispering back urgently, "Shut up, you're not helping!"
Ji-Won, still unsure if Andrew was serious, cleared his throat, repeating cautiously, "You're really buying all of them, sir?"
James groaned, turning to Ji-Won with an apologetic smile. "Ignore him," he said quickly in English, rushing his words as he tried to pull Andrew away from the stall. "He's… not exactly sane."
Ji-Won tilted his head, clearly puzzled. "I'm sorry, could you speak a little more slowly? I'm not very good at English."
Andrew, regaining some composure, translated, his accent thick but his words earnest. "He says… yes, all of them." However, as he translated James's words into something else, Ji-Won remained confused, struggling to believe that was exactly what had been said. He could understand English slowly, but he found it challenging to catch up when someone spoke too fast.
James threw his hands up in frustration. "Someone, please, fly me back to America."
Ji-Won couldn't hold back a chuckle at their banter, finding the entire situation both strange and oddly charming. As he started to pack up the fish, he couldn't help but feel a slight thrill, the kind that only came with unexpected encounters.
***
After Ji-Won and Byeong-Ho finished selling all the fish at the market, Andrew approached Ji-Won with an eager expression. "Could you do me a favor?" he asked, his tone sincere. "We need a hand transporting all this fish back to our hotel."
Nodding in agreement, Ji-Won's brow furrowed in concentration as he carefully wrapped the fish in containers, ensuring they were secure. He glanced back at Byeong-Ho, who was left to clean up the stall alone, his shoulders slumped in fatigue from the busy day.
Meanwhile, James who already made a call to the hotel, a light chuckle escaping him as he informed them about the incoming delivery. The hotel staff, initially skeptical about the order, were soon taken aback when they saw not just a few, but three large square containers brimming with fish.
As Ji-Won stepped out of the hotel, rubbing his forehead to relieve the exhaustion from delivering the fish, Andrew quickly rushed after him, his footsteps echoing in the quiet hallway. "Wait!" he called out, jogging to catch up, a hint of urgency in his stride.
Ji-Won stopped and turned toward him, slightly puzzled, his dark brows knitted together. "Is there any problem, sir?" he asked, tilting his head.
Andrew shook his head, a warm smile spreading across his face. "Oh no, I just wanted to say thank you," he said, his voice soft and genuine. He noticed Ji-Won sweating from the effort and instinctively reached into his pocket, offering him a handkerchief. "You're sweating."
Caught off guard by the gesture, Ji-Won blinked and looked down at the handkerchief, feeling a blush creeping up his cheeks. "Oh, I'm sorry. But there's no need to lend me your handkerchief, sir," he replied politely, a small, embarrassed smile tugging at his lips.
"Please, I insist," Andrew urged, gently pushing the handkerchief closer, his eyes filled with sincerity. "You've done more than enough for us today. Consider it a small thanks."
Ji-Won hesitated, feeling the warmth of Andrew's kindness. Reluctantly, he accepted the handkerchief, their fingers brushing lightly against each other. "Thank you, sir," he said quietly, his voice barely above a whisper. He caught Andrew's gaze for a fleeting moment before looking away, his heart racing at the unexpected intimacy.
Suddenly, Ji-Won's phone rang, breaking the moment. He stepped aside slightly, excusing himself as he answered. "Hello?" he greeted, recognizing Uncle Baek's cheerful voice on the other end.
"Ji-Won! How are you, kid? Are you still at the hotel with that customer who bought all the fish?" Uncle Baek's excitement crackled through the phone.
"Yes, Uncle. I'm still here," Ji-Won replied, glancing over at Andrew, who was waiting patiently nearby, a hint of curiosity in his eyes.
"Ah, that's great! I really want to thank him in person, but I'm in the middle of something urgent right now. Could you extend my gratitude for me? Actually, why don't you ask if I could speak to him myself?"
Ji-Won hesitated, unsure if this was necessary or if Andrew would even feel comfortable speaking with his uncle. Covering the mouthpiece with his hand, he turned back to Andrew, his expression uncertain. "Uh, sir... my uncle would like to personally thank you for buying all the fish. He's wondering if you'd be okay with speaking to him?"
Without missing a beat, Andrew smiled and nodded, his demeanor calm and open. "Of course."
Ji-Won handed him the phone, his heart racing slightly as Andrew took it graciously. "Hello, this is Andrew," he said, his voice warm and polite, a stark contrast to the bustling hotel atmosphere around them.
As their conversation unfolded, Ji-Won could see Uncle Baek's joy radiating through Andrew's face. But midway through, Andrew surprised Ji-Won by asking Uncle for permission to treat Ji-Won to dinner as a way to show his appreciation.
There was a brief pause on the other end before Uncle Baek chuckled softly. "Dinner, huh? Well, let me speak with Ji-Won again," he said, clearly amused.
Andrew handed the phone back to Ji-Won, his playful grin infectious. Ji-Won raised an eyebrow, feeling the weight of the unexpected proposition. He put the phone to his ear. "Ji-Won, I'm sure you heard—he wants to take you to dinner. What do you think? Does he seem like a nice guy?" Uncle Baek's tone was playful, tinged with curiosity.
Ji-Won hesitated for a moment, glancing in Andrew's direction, who was watching him with an encouraging smile. "I think so, Uncle. But… is this really necessary?" His voice was uncertain, the weight of the decision pressing on him.
"Well, that's for you to decide," Uncle Baek chuckled. "I haven't met him myself, so I can't say for sure. But from what you've seen, you know him better than I do."
Ji-Won sighed softly, feeling the pull of politeness battling with his apprehension. "Alright, Uncle. I'll just have a quick dinner with him," he finally agreed, though there was still a trace of uncertainty in his voice.
As Ji-Won hung up the phone, he turned to Andrew, his expression softening. "Alright, I'll join you for dinner," he said with a nod, adding with a sheepish smile, "but I need to go home first. I smell like fish, and I could really use a bath and a change of clothes."
Andrew chuckled, clearly amused. "Fair enough," he replied, a hint of mischief in his eyes. They agreed on a plan—Ji-Won would meet him at the hotel lobby at six p.m. for dinner.
Ji-Won waved goodbye with a casual flick of his hand, the warmth of their interaction lingering in the air. "See you later," he said, turning to leave. But before he could take more than a few steps, Andrew's voice called after him, a bit louder than before, "Wait!"
Ji-Won turned back, curiosity sparking in his eyes. "Andrew," he said with a small, boyish smile, as if trying to remind Ji-Won of their newfound connection. "Call me Andrew."
Ji-Won's face lit up with a wide smile, catching the playful intent behind his words. "Alright, Andrew," he repeated warmly, the name rolling naturally off his tongue this time. With that, he turned and walked away, feeling a little lighter, his smile lingering as he made his way home.
I didn't see you coming,
like dawn breaking through night,
a quiet spark that caught my breath,
and filled my chest with light.
Your gaze met mine—a flicker,
like a soft wind through the trees,
a moment stilled, held captive,
by feelings I didn't know could seize.
Unexpected as spring's first bloom,
a warmth I couldn't hide,
you arrived like whispered secrets,
and stirred something deep inside.
The story doesn't end here...