Sophia sat at the café, checking the time.
"Am I early? Will he think I'm excited for this meeting? Should I leave and come back late on purpose? No, that's stupid. I need to stop overthinking."
She glanced at the shop's clock. Almost time. Looking out the window, her gaze landed on Adi, who was parking his bike.
As he walked towards the café, their eyes met for a split second. Sophia instinctively raised a hand in greeting, and Adi did the same.
He stepped inside, making his way to her table. Sitting across from her, a table between them, an awkward silence filled the space.
Adi: "So… how long has it been?"
Sophia: "Y-yeah… it's been so long…"
Adi looked straight at her, his expression unreadable.
Adi: "I guess this is our first time meeting since graduation, huh?"
Sophia shifted uncomfortably under his gaze and turned her eyes away.
Sophia: "Yea—"
Adi (cutting in): "And who would've thought we'd be meeting again… for a marriage proposal?"
Sophia: "Y-yes…"
Her heart pounded in her chest. What's wrong with me? Calm down. This is nothing. I don't feel anything… right? She exhaled, trying to act normal.
Gaining some confidence, she met his gaze.
Sophia: "You've changed a lot since the last time we met."
Adi: "What? I look different? I mean, of course, it's been four years but—"
Sophia (cutting in): "No, I mean in a good way. You work at the number one company now, after all."
Adi:"Oh, you knew about that?" He leaned back slightly. "What about you?"
Sophia: "I work at a private limited company."
Adi: "That's good."
Suddenly, his expression turned serious.
Adi: "Why did you send the proposal?"
Sophia (looking down): "It wasn't me. My grandpa sent it…"
Adi: "Oh, so it wasn't your decision?" He looked satisfied. "That settles it, then. You don't love me or anything, huh?"
Sophia: "H-huh?! W-what are you talking about? I don't feel anything, Adi!"
She abruptly stood up, her voice raising slightly. A few people in the café turned to look.
Adi (calmly, in a low voice): "Okay, okay, calm down. Sit."
Realizing the attention on them, Sophia hesitated before quickly sitting down again, her face slightly flushed.
With a slow voice, Sophia murmured, "S-sorry! But let me make it clear—I don't have any feelings for you."
Adi shook his head. "I know. So, why did you accept this unwanted marriage proposal?"
Sophia hesitated. "That… I can't tell you. But I have my reasons."
She thought to herself, In the end, I have to get married sooner or later. It's all the same.
Adi studied her carefully. "Really? It's not that I don't believe you, but from what I know about you, you don't do things you don't want to do. So, considering that, you must have a big reason, huh?"
Sophia sighed. "Yeah. Oh? And why did you accept my proposal, huh? Don't tell me you secretly loved me back in college. Maybe it was a one-sided love, and now that you got the chance, you're just acting all tough?"
She laughed, teasing him.
Adi remained expressionless. "Are you done? You haven't changed, huh?"
Sophia, calming down, smirked. "So? You don't LOVE me?"
Adi's face turned cold. "No."
Sophia blinked. "I mea—"
"Not at all. No feelings." His voice was sharp, cutting through the air.
For a moment, Sophia felt as if she had been stabbed in the heart. He really doesn't feel anything? Not that i expected anything… but still.
Sophia quickly shook off the feeling. "So, what's your reason?"
Adi leaned back. "Unlike you, I can tell mine. My mother pressured me to get married. She showed me pictures of a few women, and you were one of them. At first, I was shocked, but then I thought—if I have to get married, why not with someone I already know rather than a complete stranger? That's my reason."
Sophia sighed. "So, we both have our reasons, huh? So… what now?"
Adi shrugged. "What do you mean, 'what now'? There's nothing else to do—we go through with it."
Sophia blinked. "Go through with what?"
Adi looked at her like it was obvious. "Let's get married."
Sophia's eyes widened. "HUUUUHHHH?!"
Adi frowned. "Why are you so shocked? Isn't that why we're here?"
"I mean, yes, but—"
Before she could finish, the café door swung open. A young boy rushed in, drawing everyone's attention.
"Sis… sis… sis!" He spotted Sophia from the entrance and stormed toward her, eyes locking onto Adi.
"HEY! You bastard! You're that guy, huh?! What the hell are you doing here?!" He stood next to Sophia protectively.
Sophia stood up. "Rocky?! What are you doing here?!"
Rocky glared at Adi. "Sis, what are you doing here with this goon?! Tell me!"
Adi remained silent, looking out the window as if uninterested.
Sophia stammered, "I-I was just here fo—"
Rocky slammed his palm onto the table. "Answer me, sis!"
People in the café turned to watch the scene unfold.
Sophia, flustered, tried to calm him down. "Rocky, listen to me! He… is my…"
She hesitated, then looked at Adi. He finally glanced at her and gave a small nod.
Sophia took a deep breath. "…fiancé."
Rocky's eyes widened. He slammed the table even harder. "HE'S YOUR FIANCÉ?! You mean… he's the guy you were talking about?!"
His jaw clenched, his fists tightening. His furious eyes locked onto Adi, who remained seated, completely unfazed.
With a growl, Rocky launched forward, swinging a punch straight at Adi's face.
But without even looking, Adi caught Rocky's punch in mid-air, stood up, and in one swift motion, tripped him and pinned him to the floor with a chokehold.
It all happened so fast that Sophia barely processed it.
Rocky struggled, tapping the ground more than once.
Gasps spread through the café. People stood up, murmuring in shock.
Sophia rushed forward. "STOP! STOP! What are you doing?! Let him go! He's my little brother!"
Adi held the choke for a second longer before finally releasing Rocky and standing up.
Rocky coughed violently. "Koff… koff…"
Sophia knelt beside him, gently lifting his head onto her thighs. "Are you okay, Rocky?!"
Adi adjusted his sleeve and glared down at him. "Don't you know how to behave? Why do I always have to teach you? You shitty brat."
Without another word, he turned and walked toward the exit.
Just as he reached the door, he stopped and looked back over his shoulder.
"And yeah… next time we meet, make sure to behave like I taught you, brat. Because the next time we meet… will be at my wedding with your sister."
With that, Adi walked out of the café.
Sophia sat there, still holding Rocky, her mind racing.
Why did Rocky react like that?
And why was Adi so violent?
Was there a reason?
Did they know each other…?