"Appa, your blood pressure is high. You need to take care of yourself."
Ji-ho stared at the reading on the monitor, his expression tightening.
Only moments ago, the dining room had been filled with warmth. Dinner had been shared with laughter and easy conversation, the kind of ordinary family evening that made a house feel alive.
Then, without warning, everything changed.
Mr Donghyun had gone pale.
The smile had disappeared from his face, and his breathing had become noticeably heavier.
Ji-ho reacted immediately.
He reached for the medicine his father took regularly, placed it in his hand, and waited until
Mr Donghyun swallowed it with water.
For several long moments, nobody spoke.
The room seemed to hold its breath.
Gradually, the tension in Mr Donghyun's face began to ease. His breathing steadied, and some color returned to his cheeks.
Only then did Ji-ho finally exhale.
"I do take care of myself," Mr Donghyun said, avoiding his son's eyes. "I just... forgot my daytime medicine today."
Ji-ho's expression hardened.
"Appa, that's not okay."
His voice wasn't loud, but there was no room for argument in it.
"You need to be careful. You still have many responsibilities to fulfill."
Mr Donghyun glanced at him.
"Responsibilities?"
"Yes." Ji-ho folded his arms. "The responsibilities you chose for yourself."
A faint smile appeared on Mr Donghyun's face.
Even now, his son was lecturing him.
"I'm still capable of handling them."
"I know."
Ji-ho's voice softened.
"That's exactly why you need to take care of yourself."
Before Mr Donghyun could respond, footsteps approached from the kitchen.
Mrs Donghyun entered first, carrying a tray of tea.
Zoya followed beside her, holding another cup carefully in both hands.
The moment Zoya noticed Mr Donghyun's expression, her smile faded.
"Mr. Donghyun..." She stepped closer. "How are you feeling now?"
"I'm fine, Zoya."
He gave her a reassuring smile.
"Don't worry."
Zoya studied him for a moment, clearly unconvinced.
"This is just part of life," Mr Donghyun added gently.
He smiled as though trying to convince everyone else rather than himself.
Zoya quietly placed the tea on the table.
A few moments later, she took out her phone and dialled Minji.
"Minji."
"Yes, Zoya?"
"Where are you? I'm free now. Have you all reached home? I can come."
"No. We're heading out to eat. Come join us."
"I've already had dinner. If Mrs Han is at home, I'll come there instead."
"No, Amma is out of the city with Appa," Minji said.
"Oh..." Zoya hesitated.
She glanced toward the house.
"Then what should I do? I don't feel comfortable staying here any longer."
"Come here, then. You don't have to eat. Just join us."
"Alright. Send me the location. I'll come."
"Okay. I'll send it."
The call ended.
Zoya lowered her phone.
A quiet uneasiness settled in her chest.
Minji and the others were still busy, and now that dinner was over, staying here any longer suddenly felt awkward.
She remained outside in the small lawn.
She could have gone back inside.
But she didn't.
Inside, it was family time.
And Zoya didn't want to intrude.
She was still sitting there when Mrs Donghyun came outside.
"Zoya?"
Zoya looked up.
Mrs Donghyun smiled.
"You're sitting here? We thought you were still on the phone. Why didn't you come inside?"
"No, it's just..." Zoya smiled faintly. "You're spending family time together. It didn't feel appropriate for me to be there."
Mrs Donghyun stared at her for a moment.
Then she gently took Zoya's hand.
"What are you saying?"
Her voice was warm.
"You are family too. Come inside."
Zoya's eyes softened.
"That's your kindness."
She slowly stood.
"But I should leave now. Please take care of Mr Donghyun."
"How will you go?"
Mrs Donghyun smiled knowingly.
"We remember. You accepted dinner, and we were supposed to drop you home."
"Yes, but that was just—"
Before Zoya could finish, Mrs Donghyun was already guiding her back toward the house.
They entered together.
"Mr Donghyun, please rest now. I should leave."
Mr Donghyun looked up.
"Then I'll drop you."
He started to get up.
"Please don't."
Zoya immediately stopped him.
"Just take care of yourself."
"How can we not?" Mr Donghyun replied. "We promised we would drop you."
"Please. Your health isn't good."
Mr Donghyun paused.
He looked at Zoya, then at Ji-ho.
"Alright, then go with Ji-ho. He'll drop you and head to the restaurant afterward."
"No, I'll go on my own."
"No."
Mr Donghyun insisted gently.
"Then I'll drop you."
Zoya shook her head.
"Please rest."
Her voice was firm but kind.
"I'll go with Ji-ho."
At that exact moment, Ji-ho returned to the room.
He seemed to have gone to his room to get something.
Mr Donghyun looked at him.
"Ji-ho, drop Zoya. I was supposed to, but—"
"Absolutely not."
Ji-ho cut him off calmly.
"I'll drop her. You rest."
He looked directly at his father.
"And you're not leaving your bed until you feel better."
Mr Donghyun sighed.
Defeated.
"Alright."
Zoya picked up her bag.
"I'm leaving, then. Please take care."
She paused near the door.
Then she looked back at Mr Donghyun.
"Mr Donghyun... maybe I'll go to Busan tomorrow."
He smiled warmly.
"May your journey be easy."
There was no disappointment in his voice.
"We can't stop you, but we will pray for you. May Allah grant you ease."
"Thank you so much."
Zoya bowed her head slightly before stepping outside.
The night air greeted her as she walked toward Ji-ho's car.
A few moments later, she sat in the passenger seat and turned on her phone.
She opened the location Minji had sent and showed it to him.
"I need to go here. My friends are waiting."
Ji-ho glanced at the screen and nodded.
"Alright."
The car pulled away.
Neither of them spoke for a while.
The city passed outside the windows in streams of light.
Eventually, they reached the riverside.
Ji-ho slowed down and pulled over beside the park.
Zoya looked out through the window.
And for a moment, she forgot about everything else.
The Han River stretched into the night like a ribbon of dark glass, carrying the reflections of Seoul's lights across its surface.
On one side, the river flowed quietly.
On the other, the food area glowed with lights, voices, movement, and life.
The walking paths were crowded.
People sat on benches.
Couples walked beside the river.
Families gathered around food stalls.
Laughter drifted through the warm night air.
"I've never seen this much rush around the river at night," Zoya said, watching everything through the window.
Ji-ho smiled faintly.
"Most nights are like this."
He looked toward the river.
"It's part of the daily routine here. But on cultural days or holidays, it gets even more crowded."
Zoya continued looking outside.
"If you really want to see the beauty of the Han River," Ji-ho continued, "you should come around sunset."
She turned slightly toward him.
"As the sun goes down, the river slowly comes alive."
His voice remained calm.
"Surrounded by man-made lights, it starts to shine in its own way."
Zoya looked back toward the river.
"In summer, people stay here all night. Some don't leave until they've watched the sunrise."
A small smile appeared on her face.
It was the longest Ji-ho had spoken to her since the evening.
Zoya checked her phone again.
She matched the name Minji had sent with the restaurant in front of them.
"There."
She pointed toward the building.
"I'll go now."
She lifted her bag and opened the door.
Then she hesitated.
"Thank you... I hope I didn't make you late."
"Wait here."
Ji-ho unbuckled his seat belt.
"I'll park the car and come back."
"No, my friends are inside."
"Wait."
His tone was simple.
Before she could argue, he drove toward the parking area.
Zoya stood near the walking path and looked ahead.
Behind the glass walls, Riverlane Table was packed with people.
Every table had a built-in grill burning at its centre.
Flames flickered beneath strips of meat as guests cooked their own food, cutting the sizzling pieces with scissors.
Smoke curled toward the ceiling.
Laughter mixed with the sound of grilling meat.
Their house-fermented grilled meat was famous for its deep, bold flavour, and plates were repeatedly brought to the tables before anyone even had to ask.
Just to the right stood White Bowl Kitchen.
It was quieter.
Warmer.
Less dramatic than Riverlane Table, but no less inviting.
The restaurant was known for one dish more than anything else—slow-simmered chicken gravy served with plain white rice.
Nothing extravagant.
Nothing complicated.
Yet people said the first bite carried a kind of comfort that made the noise outside feel distant.
Around them were several food stalls and small coffee shops.
But the real crowd gathered around these two places.
Through the glass walls, the warmth and movement inside were impossible to miss.
Along the edge of the Han River, surrounded by lights, voices, and drifting aromas, both restaurants stood alive in their own ways.
Two different atmospheres.
Two different stories.
One unforgettable night.
Zoya stood near the walking path, still absorbing the scene around her, when Ji-ho returned from the parking area.
He walked toward her naturally, as though it had already been decided that they would go inside together.
Zoya assumed he was simply escorting her to the restaurant.
The crowd became thicker as they moved closer.
Both places were alive.
Glass walls glowed under warm lights.
Tables were filled with people.
Smoke rose from grills.
Laughter mixed with the constant sizzle of meat.
Korean dishes filled both spaces, their aromas drifting into the night.
The difference between the two restaurants was subtle.
One offered simple drinks—water and juice.
The other served beer and soju alongside the food.
Both were busy.
Both were full.
As they reached the space between the two restaurants, Ji-ho slowed.
"Come inside."
Zoya looked at him.
"I'll show you my restaurant."
She stopped.
Her eyebrows lifted.
"Your... restaurant?"
"Yes."
He said it as though there was nothing surprising about it.
Zoya stared at the building.
Then at him.
Then back at the building.
For a moment, she genuinely didn't know what to say.
She hadn't known.
Not even suspected.
The possibility that this restaurant belonged to Ji-ho had never crossed her mind.
"Oh..."
A small smile appeared.
"I should meet my friends first. They'll get worried."
She laughed softly.
"If I call again and tell them I'm still not coming, they'll probably drag me out of the restaurant and beat me."
Ji-ho smiled at her expression.
"Alright."
He looked toward the entrance.
"I'll walk with you. It's crowded inside. You might have trouble finding your table."
"No."
Zoya quickly shook her head.
"Please go back. You already have so much work. Your restaurant is very busy."
"It's okay."
"I'll come with you. Once you find your friends, I'll head back."
She hesitated.
Then nodded.
"Alright."
Together, they entered Riverlane Table.
The moment the glass doors opened, the noise wrapped around them.
Warm air rushed toward them.
Charcoal hissed beneath metal grills.
Flames danced beneath racks of meat.
Scissors clicked.
People laughed.
Conversations overlapped into one endless wave of sound.
Every table was occupied.
People sat close together, leaning over their grills, completely absorbed in their meals.
Zoya looked around.
It was difficult to tell where one table ended and another began.
"They're not here..." she thought.
Her eyes moved from table to table.
"Hi, Ji-ho."
A male voice came from behind.
Ji-ho turned.
"Hi, Li Wie."
The boy looked around, their age, dressed casually.
"You're here?"
"Yes."
Ji-ho nodded toward the crowd.
"Some people I know are here. I just came to see them."
Li Wie looked around.
"Try upstairs. Maybe they're there."
"Upstairs?"
Zoya repeated quietly.
"There are only two tables booked upstairs," he explained. "I don't think your friends are there, but you can check."
He glanced toward the kitchen.
"I've got work."
With a quick nod, he walked away.
"I'll check," Zoya said immediately.
She turned toward Ji-ho.
"Please go back. I'm sure they're upstairs."
Ji-ho studied her for a second.
Then nodded.
"Alright. Maybe they're not here after all."
"I'll come see your restaurant later," Zoya said lightly, trying to sound casual.
"Okay."
Ji-ho turned and walked back toward the exit.
Zoya headed toward the stairs.
She pulled out her phone to call Minji.
But before she could press the button—
Someone suddenly tugged at the bag on her back.
Zoya stumbled half a step to the side.
She turned sharply.
A waiter hurried past her, clearly in a rush, heading upstairs without saying a word.
Zoya steadied herself.
Then she felt it.
Someone was behind her.
She turned again.
Teahun stood there.
He lifted his eyebrows deliberately, wearing an exaggerated expression that immediately told her he was about to cause trouble.
Zoya narrowed her eyes.
Teahun stepped aside.
And another figure appeared behind him.
Jeon J.
He cast Zoya a cold, unreadable glance.
No greeting.
No smile.
Nothing.
He brushed past Teahun and continued forward.
Three steps.
Then he stopped.
Teahun turned back toward Zoya.
His expression suddenly became serious.
"Who was that?"
"Who?"
"The one standing with you."
Zoya stared at him.
"There was no one."
She pointed toward the stairs.
"Just a waiter who went upstairs."
"A waiter?"
Teahun scoffed.
"He didn't look like a waiter."
Zoya folded her arms.
"What do you want for staying quiet?"
Teahun immediately looked pleased.
He pretended to think.
"Post today."
Zoya stared.
"From your account."
He grinned.
"Say you're a big fan of Teahun."
Zoya smiled sweetly.
She stepped closer.
Looked directly into his eyes.
And said through clenched teeth,
"I'm not a fan of Teahun."
A beat.
"I'm not even a fan of TBS."
Teahun's mouth fell open.
"You'll become our fan one day."
"That will never happen."
Jeon J, already uninterested in their argument, continued upstairs.
He left them behind and headed toward his table, where everyone was already busy eating, completely unaware of what had just happened downstairs.
Zoya took a breath.
Then she continued toward the stairs.
Toward Minji.
Upstairs, the noise softened.
But it never disappeared completely.
It faded into a distant murmur, filtered through glass and height—the city refusing to be completely silenced.
Zoya climbed the final steps.
Then stopped.
They were all there.
Minji sat slightly turned in her chair, laughing softly at something Hosu had said.
Beside her was Jeon J's chair.
Kim Joon leaned forward, his elbows resting on the table, calm and observant as always.
His eyes seemed to take in everything without announcing that he was watching.
Jinhun stood beside the grill, completely focused on the meat, turning each piece with perfect timing.
Yomin leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, his eyes half-lidded as he quietly observed the room.
Minjo was already bent over the table, eating without hesitation.
Hosu talked animatedly, his hands moving almost as much as his mouth, keeping the entire table alive.
The table was crowded with dishes.
Grilled meat sizzled softly over the fire.
Small side dishes were arranged neatly.
Sauces stood in rows.
Lettuce leaves were stacked carefully.
Steam rose lazily into the air.
Bottles stood between glasses—some untouched, others already half-empty.
It was familiar to them.
Loud without chaos.
Relaxed without carelessness.
Minji suddenly turned.
"Zoya!"
Relief slipped into her voice.
"At last, you're here."
"I told you I'd come."
Zoya stepped closer.
"You disappeared," Hosu laughed. "We were about to send a search team."
"I was only a few minutes late."
"A few minutes?"
Sophia scoffed.
"You're coming after the whole day."
"And we came here to hang out together," Hana added, sounding genuinely offended. "But you've been roaming around separately for two days."
"It's not like that."
Zoya calmly placed her bag beside the chair.
"Today I was invited. Mrs Donghyun insisted a lot, so I couldn't refuse."
"We invited you too," Teahun said.
Zoya looked at him.
"Yes."
A tiny smile appeared.
"And I was invited to two places on the same day."
She shrugged.
"So I didn't waste either invitation."
Teahun stared at her.
"I went there, then came here. I don't waste invitations."
She paused.
"And I don't go anywhere without an invitation."
Teahun immediately turned toward Minji.
"Minji, tell your friend. You invited us for lunch that day."
"Which day?"
Minji asked innocently.
"The day we all came."
Minji shook her head.
"No."
She smiled.
"I didn't invite anyone."
Zoya looked at Teahun with victorious eyes.
The entire table burst into laughter.
Teahun looked betrayed.
"Zoya, want some noodles?"
Yomin was already preparing them.
"No, I'm full."
Zoya shook her head.
"I already ate. You guys eat."
Across the table, Jeon J didn't look at her even once.
His attention remained fixed on his plate.
He cut his food slowly.
Deliberately.
As if nothing else existed.
Teahun leaned back in his chair, openly watching Zoya.
Then he asked,
"You came alone?"
Zoya met his gaze.
"Yes."
"That's a lie."
Teahun smiled.
"You came with someone."
"Teahun," everyone said together.
"What will you want to stay quiet this time?"
He immediately raised both hands.
"Okay, okay. I'm not saying anything."
He turned back to his food and began eating silently.
Zoya leaned toward him.
"You went quiet without even demanding anything."
Her voice was teasing.
Teahun ignored her.
But across the table, Jeon J's eyes moved toward them.
Just for a moment.
He had caught the exchange.
Jinhun and Yomin placed freshly grilled meat onto a plate and slid it toward the centre.
"Eat before it gets cold."
Zoya picked up a water bottle.
For one brief second—
her eyes met Jeon J's.
Just one second.
His expression didn't change.
Cold.
Controlled.
Distant.
Zoya looked away first.
"So, how was your day?" she asked Minji and the others.
"It was good."
Minji smiled.
Then her eyes shifted toward Jeon J.
"But Jeon J took too long outside. If he had come on time, he could've joined us. Maybe we would have enjoyed ourselves more."
"That's true."
Kim Joon glanced toward him.
"Why were you so late?"
He paused.
"Bamson's fine, right?"
Jinhun and Zoya both looked toward Jeon J.
Jeon J stared straight ahead.
Jinhun's eyes moved toward Zoya.
She immediately lowered her gaze.
Zoya leaned toward Teahun.
"What happened to Bamson?"
Teahun stared at her.
He said nothing.
Zoya waited.
Still nothing.
She looked at him again.
"What?"
Teahun continued eating.
"What will you want to answer properly?" she asked.
Jeon J suddenly shot them both a cold glance.
Teahun lowered his voice.
"You'll tell me who the person was who came to drop you off."
Zoya looked at him.
"Okay."
She paused.
"But first, tell me what happened to Bamson."
Teahun raised an eyebrow.
"You'll introduce me to him too?"
"Okay."
"And?"
"And then you tell me what happened to Bamson."
"You won't back out?"
"What happened to Bamson?"
"You promise?"
"Promise."
"Promise you won't back out?"
"Promise."
Teahun leaned forward.
"What happened to Bamson?"
Zoya stared at him.
"See?"
Teahun smiled.
"You're already backing out."
"Teahun, I'm not backing out."
She sighed.
"Now tell me."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
She pointed at him.
"Now tell me."
"Nothing happened."
Teahun finally answered.
"It was just a routine checkup."
Zoya straightened.
"A routine checkup?"
She looked genuinely surprised.
"Where we come from, people don't get checkups unless they're sick."
She stared at him.
"This is a dog's routine checkup?"
She paused thoughtfully.
"Lucky dog..."
Then she muttered under her breath,
"Oops. My friend's nephew."
Teahun frowned.
"What?"
"Nothing."
He narrowed his eyes.
"Now tell me who he was."
Zoya calmly looked at him.
"Who are you?"
Teahun's expression changed instantly.
"You promised!"
"Why do you want to know?"
"Because—"
"Why are you so interested?"
"I'll get upset."
Zoya smiled.
"Really?"
She took a sip of water.
"I'll survive that sadness."
"Zoyaaaa!"
Teahun shouted.
Everyone at the table turned toward him.
Minjo frowned.
"What's wrong with you?"
"She—"
Teahun pointed at Zoya.
"She actually—"
Zoya immediately interrupted.
"He lost a bet to me."
Teahun froze.
"What?"
"He isn't accepting defeat."
Everyone looked at him.
"You lost to her?"
Minjo laughed.
"What bet?"
Zoya didn't miss a beat.
"He said he wasn't scared of anyone."
Teahun stared at her in disbelief.
"I said—?"
"I told him that if he wasn't scared, he should walk with me through the crowd downstairs."
Zoya continued smoothly.
"He said he loves RAMY, but crowds are difficult."
She smiled innocently.
"So he admitted defeat."
Minjo burst out laughing.
"You lost over that?"
Teahun looked completely stunned.
"When did I lose?"
Zoya simply smiled.
"I'm not scared."
Teahun pushed his chair back.
"Let's go now."
"You've already lost."
Yomin calmly continued eating.
Teahun narrowed his eyes at Zoya.
"Fine."
He pointed at her.
"We'll play again."
Then he added,
"But cover your face properly."
Zoya's eyes landed on a cane nearby.
She picked it up.
Then handed it to him.
Next, she grabbed Hosu's black glasses and placed them in his hand.
The entire table erupted into laughter.
Teahun stared at the cane.
Then at the glasses.
"I'm not going like this."
"You are."
Zoya smiled sweetly.
"Because you're brave enough to handle the crowd."
She leaned closer.
"I have no interest in handling your RAMY family."
Teahun looked at her suspiciously.
Zoya lowered her voice.
"If you really want to know who he was..."
She nodded toward the stairs.
"Walk quietly."
Teahun sighed.
He put on the glasses.
Took the cane.
And stood.
Hosu burst out laughing.
"Now you really look blind."
Minji shook her head.
"They should be arrested."
She stood up.
"Let's go."
"I'm coming."
Jeon J stood as well.
He walked behind Minji without reacting to Jinhun's glare.
Zoya watched them for a moment.
Then she smiled faintly.
The night had started with an ordinary dinner.
But somehow, between a worried father, an unexpected restaurant, a secret she didn't want Ji-ho to know, and a ridiculous blindfolded Teahun—
the night had become something else entirely.
And somewhere in the middle of all that laughter...
Jeon J had noticed more than he let anyone see.
To be continued...
Regards
ZK💌