Johann shrugged casually, but his eyes sparkled—like a mischievous kid who just got the teacher's attention.
"Well… I thought it'd be more efficient. You know, fast-track marriage license, paperwork… German efficiency style."
Naima grinned, then smacked her forehead.
"German efficiency… translated: 'I'm too impatient to wait for you to say yes.'"
Johann burst into laughter, his voice filling the car.
"Exactly! And honestly… seeing your reaction now? Totally worth it."
Naima fake-grumbled, looking out the window.
"Next time, don't negotiate with my dad without telling me first. I might say yes—or no—dramatically."
Johann glanced at her, his eyes gleaming with mischief.
"And what if you say no… dramatically?"
Naima gave him a blank look, but a sly smile tugged at her lips.
"Then… I still eat your Indo noodles. And you still drive me around Seoul."
Johann chuckled, smiling in victory.
"Deal. But only if you promise to laugh at my terrible German accent."
Naima laughed and lightly tapped his shoulder.
"I already do. Every single day."
The car stopped in front of a luxurious hotel, its glass reflecting Seoul's glittering night lights. Naima's eyes sparkled.
"I know this hotel! There's a fancy Western fine dining restaurant on the 7th floor."
Johann raised a brow, mock-annoyed.
"Ooh… not a surprise anymore. How do you know?"
Naima grinned playfully.
"The main lead in a K-drama took his girlfriend there for dinner… and then the villain showed up. Classic."
Johann threw up his hands.
"Okay, stop. No more K-drama references!"
Naima smirked.
"Then… if we're really in Seoul, why not take me to a proper Korean fine dining restaurant?"
Johann looked at her, calm but serious.
"I know K-meals are too awkward for your tongue. Chinese and Japanese restaurants are just as pricey… and honestly, I missed Sauerbraten—a traditional German pot roast—on the fine dining menu. Plus, you always adore beef steak, beef bourguignon…"
Naima's jaw dropped.
"How… do… you… know all that?!"
Johann smiled faintly, turning his eyes to the city lights outside.
"Let's just say… I pay attention. And maybe… I remember a few things about my wife."
Naima's gaze drifted toward a young couple entering the lobby—Jaeho, the cheerful young doctor, and his elegant girlfriend, Sooah, with her delicate smile.
"Oh my God… I remember this episode!" she thought. "Same outfits, same scene… wait—this is when the villain appears! So exciting!"
Her eyes darted around the lobby.
"No cameras, no director, no lighting crew… this isn't filming. I'm really inside the K-drama!"
Naima held her breath—scared, thrilled.
"This is insane! But awesome. I'm literally living the scene!"
She clutched her bag tighter, eyes gleaming.
"Gotta remember every detail… could be vlog material—or at least, something to tell Martha later."
She smiled wide, watching Jaeho and Sooah chatting sweetly, heart pounding as she waited for the "villain scene" to begin.
Apparently, Johann noticed her eyeing the young couple.
"I asked you out for dinner to be like other romantic couples, but you're eyeing other people…"
Naima turned defensively.
"I'm not romantic. And I'm not eyeing—I'm watching live K-drama!"
Johann looked mock-hurt, then reached for her hand.
"Would you stop focusing on anyone else but me?"
Naima squeezed his hand teasingly.
"Oh… my sweet bunny's jealous. Want me to call you Oppa?"
"Oh, nein!" he yelped, panicked, laughing. "Sounds like Opa—which means grandpa in German!"
They both burst out laughing, their voices echoing through the glittering hotel lobby as the world around them seemed to smile along.
---
The table Johann reserved was perfect—right by the window, overlooking Seoul's dazzling skyline, and with a clear view of Jaeho and Sooah without being too obvious.
A waiter approached.
"Beef bourguignon and roasted salmon, please," Naima said confidently.
Johann smiled, adding his own order.
"I'll have the ribeye steak, medium rare, with truffle mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables."
Naima's eyes sparkled.
"You know why I always wish for this dish?"
Johann raised a brow.
"Sure… you told me before. K-drama, right?"
"Exactly! In this drama, when the leads order this dish—it's exactly like this."
The waiter took note and moved toward Jaeho and Sooah's table.
Johann gave Naima a curious look.
"Let's see…"
Naima inhaled deeply. Patience, Naima… she told herself. The villain appears right after their spoon-feeding moment… about an hour from now.
---
While waiting for their meals, Naima leaned in, eyes sparkling like an interviewer.
"Now I wanna interview you again," she said, pretending to hold an imaginary clipboard.
Johann chuckled, adjusting his posture.
"Be my guest."
"What do you do for a living?"
He exhaled calmly, smiling.
"I'm a consultant—mostly in healthcare and biotech. I help multinational companies improve their medical tech. Oh, and the guy you've been eyeing? I know him. Kang Jaeho—young, talented doctor from Seoul High Hospital. The woman with him is his girlfriend."
Naima's eyes widened, her hand gripping Johann's without realizing.
"OMG! You were never mentioned in the drama!"
Johann shrugged casually.
"Well… maybe I was… a deleted scene?"
Naima laughed, patting his head.
"Poor baby. If you're a deleted scene, then what am I? A random passerby caught on camera by mistake?"
Johann chuckled, squeezing her hand.
"Then you're my surprise cameo."
Naima giggled, her eyes twinkling.
"More like… the unexpected VIP in my live K-drama!"
Johann leaned closer, serious.
"May I ask you something?"
"Yes?"
"Please eye me, not them. Jaeho might be your type—but I'm your literal husband."
Naima quickly shook her head.
"No! Not at all. Jaeho's not my type. He's too stiff, you know? I prefer Oppa Barista from Enjoy Café."
Johann straightened up.
"Minjae?!"
Naima squinted suspiciously.
"You know him too?"
Johann huffed, looking like a sulky kid.
"When you weren't here yet, I used to get my morning coffee there."
Naima tilted her head.
"And after I arrived?"
"You gave me Kopi Musang," Johann replied quickly. "The most valuable coffee in the world. From… Sulawesi, right?"
Naima grinned proudly.
"Exactly! I brought it myself from Indonesia. You're welcome, Mr. Fancy German Taste."
Johann looked at her, lips curving.
"You replaced my barista and bribed me with luxury beans."
Naima whistled playfully.
"Well, at least I succeeded. You married me, didn't you?"
Johann sighed dramatically.
"Now I realize… I didn't fall for you, Naima. I was caffeinated into this marriage."
Naima burst out laughing so hard that even the waiter glanced over.
"Fine! So I'm not your wife—I'm your espresso shot!"
Johann groaned in mock despair.
"Doppio. Just don't ever run out, okay?"
Naima stuck out her tongue.
"Deal. But only if you stop being jealous of K-drama characters!"
Their main courses arrived—beef bourguignon and grilled white asparagus with butter sauce.
The aroma was heavenly; Naima took a bite, closing her eyes.
"Oh my God… this is heaven on earth."
For a moment, she completely forgot her mission to watch the live K-drama.
"Wait… did the villain scene already happen?" she thought mid-bite.
Suddenly—cling!—a loud glass-clinking sound echoed from the front table.
All heads turned.
---