Scene 1 – The Morning After
Kiara wakes up and immediately checks her phone.
A message notification.
Jiho:
"Good morning."
Kiara stares at it.
Another message arrives.
Jiho:
"Can I officially send these now?"
Kiara smiles unconsciously.
She types:
Kiara:
"We've been dating for less than 24 hours."
Jiho:
"So is that a yes?"
Kiara:
"...Good morning."
Meanwhile, Jiho nearly falls off his bed.
Jiho:
"She said good morning."
Manager Hyun:
"Should I congratulate you or call a doctor?"
Scene 2 – E-Palette Office
Secretary Ryu notices Kiara smiling at her phone.
Secretary Ryu:
"Interesting."
Kiara immediately locks her screen.
"What?"
Secretary:
"You've smiled three times this morning."
Kiara:
"No, I haven't."
Secretary:
"You called Mr. Aura 'Grandpa.'"
Kiara:
"...I need coffee."
Secretary Ryu smiles knowingly.
Scene 3 – Jiho Visits E-Palette
Jiho enters wearing sunglasses and a cap.
Secretary Ryu blocks his path.
"State your business."
Jiho:
"I'm here to see Kiara."
Secretary:
"On behalf of Flora Entertainment?"
Jiho:
"On behalf of my heart."
Secretary Ryu stares.
"...I preferred the first answer."
Scene 4 – Lunch Date
Kiara and Jiho sit in a small restaurant private room.
Awkward silence.
Jiho:
"So... what do couples usually talk about?"
Kiara:
"I don't know."
Jiho:
"You've never dated before?"
Kiara:
"No."
Jiho:
"You rejected me twice. I assumed you had experience."
Kiara:
"Do you want me to reject you a third time?"
Jiho:
"...No."
They continue eating quietly.
Then—
They accidentally reach for the same dumpling.
Their hands touch.
Both freeze.
Jiho:
"You can have it."
Kiara:
"...Let's split it."
Jiho smiles.
"Okay."
Scene 5 – A Walk Together
After lunch, they walk through a quiet park.
Jiho:
"So..."
Kiara:
"So?"
Jiho:
"What are we?"
Kiara:
"Dating."
Jiho stops walking.
"What?"
Kiara:
"Did you hit your head?"
Jiho:
"No. I just wanted to hear you say it."
Kiara looks away.
"We're dating."
Jiho:
"Can you repeat that?"
Kiara:
"No."
Jiho grins.
Scene 6 – Grandpa Finds Out
Kiara visits Grandpa.
Grandpa immediately notices.
Grandpa:
"You're glowing."
Kiara:
"I always glow."
Grandpa:
"No. This is different."
Kiara avoids eye contact.
Grandpa gasps dramatically.
"YOU'RE DATING!"
Kiara:
"Grandpa!"
Grandpa:
"Is it the actor?"
Kiara:
"...Maybe."
Grandpa:
"Bring him home."
Kiara:
"No."
Grandpa:
"Yes."
Kiara:
"No."
Grandpa:
"Yes."
Kiara:
"...We'll discuss it."
Grandpa smiles proudly.
"My granddaughter finally fell in love."
Scene 7 – Hyun and Secretary Ryu
Manager Hyun and Secretary Ryu accidentally meet outside a café.
Hyun:
"How's Kiara?"
Secretary:
"Less terrifying."
Hyun:
"And Jiho?"
Secretary:
"More annoying."
They both sigh.
Hyun:
"Who would've thought we'd end up managing their relationship?"
Secretary:
"We deserve bonuses."
For the first time—
They laugh together.
Scene 8 – First Official Date
Evening.
Jiho takes Kiara to the old comic store.
Kiara:
"You remembered."
Jiho:
"Of course."
The owner recognizes them.
"You're finally dating?"
Both freeze.
Kiara:
"How do you know?"
Owner:
"You two looked at each other like that years ago."
Jiho starts laughing.
Kiara becomes embarrassed.
They spend the evening reading comics together.
Simple.
Comfortable.
Happy.
Scene 9 – The Promise
Outside the comic store.
Streetlights glowing.
Jiho walks Kiara to her car.
Neither wants to leave.
Jiho:
"Today was nice."
Kiara:
"It was."
Jiho:
"Can we do this again?"
Kiara:
"We're dating."
Jiho smiles.
"Right."
Silence.
Jiho:
"Kiara."
"Hmm?"
"Thank you for choosing me."
Kiara hesitates.
Then gently takes his hand.
"Thank you for staying."
Their fingers intertwine naturally.
No fear.
No hesitation.
Just warmth.
Jiho:
"I really like you."
Kiara:
"I know."
Jiho:
"...That's it?"
Kiara:
"Don't push your luck."
Jiho laughs.
Scene 10 – The Ending
Jiho returns home smiling.
Manager Hyun is waiting.
His expression serious.
Hyun:
"Jiho."
Jiho:
"Hmm?"
Hyun hesitates.
Then—
"Your father arrived."
Jiho's smile disappears instantly.
Silence.
Hyun:
"He's waiting for you."
Jiho clenches his fists.
Fear.
Guilt.
Old wounds resurfacing.
Jiho:
"...Did he say why?"
Hyun looks at him carefully.
"He knows about Kiara."
At the same time—
Across the city—
Kiara receives a message.
Unknown Number:
Stay away from Lee Jiho if you don't want history to repeat itself.
Kiara's smile fades.
The screen glows in the darkness.
Two people.
Finally together.
Unaware that the past had just come knocking.
End of Chapter 13