Tian had moved into a small apartment just a few streets away from Katie's father's restaurant. It wasn't a coincidence. He told himself it was convenient, closer to daily life—but deep down, he knew the real reason.
That evening, hunger led his steps naturally to the familiar place. The restaurant lights glowed warmly against the darkening sky as Tian walked in and took a quiet seat, ordering dinner like any other customer.
From behind the counter, Katie noticed him.
Her hands froze.
Her heart skipped.
Tian… why is he here?
Panic crept into her chest. Avoiding his gaze, she lowered her head and quickly turned away, pretending to be busy. The moment she got a chance, she slipped toward the back door, trying to escape before he could see her.
Outside the restaurant, fate had other plans.
Johnny stood near the entrance when he suddenly noticed a familiar figure approaching. Nico stopped in her tracks too—surprised, then smiling softly.
"Johnny?" she said, disbelief and happiness mixing in her voice.
"Nico… it's been so long," he replied, scratching the back of his neck.
They talked for a while, catching up after so many days apart. Johnny's heart raced the same way it always had—his old crush on Nico quietly resurfacing with every smile she gave him.
After a pause, Nico glanced toward the restaurant and asked casually,
"Is Katie here?"
Johnny nodded without hesitation.
"Yeah. She's inside."
Nico smiled, unaware of the tangled emotions waiting just beyond those doors—of Tian sitting inside, of Katie trying to run, and of a quiet distance that was slowly becoming impossible to keep.
Tian sat at a quiet corner in the restaurant, trying to enjoy his meal, but his thoughts refused to settle. He couldn't shake the memory of the girl who had hurriedly fled the moment she saw him—her nervous glance, the way she ducked away as if avoiding him.
Who was she? he wondered, frowning. Was that Katie?
Before he could think further, a familiar voice made him pause. Nico stood near the entrance, her eyes wide with shock as she recognized him immediately. For a moment, they simply stared at each other, the hum of the restaurant fading into silence around them.
Tian's heart raced. He couldn't ignore the feeling that the fleeing girl might have been Katie. Impulsively, he rose from his seat and started toward the back, determined to find her and confirm it.
But Nico stepped forward, blocking his path. Her tone was firm yet cautious:
"Wait. This is Katie's father's restaurant."
Tian froze, realizing the delicate situation. He glanced back at Nico, understanding her warning, but his worry for Katie was stronger than caution. The tension in the air was palpable—concern, curiosity, and a quiet warning all mixing in that brief moment of hesitation.
S mind raced: If it's Katie, why did she run away? Did she recognize me… or is she hiding something?
Nico's warning lingered in his ears, yet his concern for Katie burned brighter than any hesitation. For Tian, the answer was just out of reach, hidden somewhere behind the restaurant doors.