Sky High

Later

Yoon Se Ri

I can't remember the last time I am this happy. This excited about waking up in the morning and going about my day. I'm living in this bubble and nothing can touch me. Not even an annoying client. Not even an obnoxious vendor. Not even a flat tire.

I sigh. Not this again. I really need to look up that tutorial for changing a tire. I call my usual repair shop and they say they'll be here in half an hour. Thankfully, I'm still in my office so I can wait here and not outside somewhere. But damn, Jeong Hyeok promises me dinner and I can't go anywhere. And it's almost seven. Ugh, bye dinner date.

I can't be there. Trapped in the office. I message him.

I lean back in the small sofa in my office. Even this can't keep smile off my face when I see Jeong Hyeok calls me.

"Hi."

"Hi. Late night?" Everytime I hear that 'Hi' these past two weeks, my heart skips a beat. That's what makes going by my day so much more exciting.

Because I know what awaits me at the end of the day. This phone call. Every night. Just like he promises me. "You won't believe it. I got a flat tire."

He chuckles over there. "I almost say 'Again?' but then I realize it's already more than two years ago."

"I should've spared sometime to learn how to change tires. I'm sorry, our planned is ruined."

"Who says ruined? Text me your office's address, I'll be there."

"You don't need to. I've called the repair shop. They'll be here around... 25 minutes?" He laughs. "I'm not going there to change your tire."

"Then... what? You're coming here for dinner?"

"Yes. Text me, I'm on my way as soon as the dish ready. Don't forget to lock the door."

"Wait, Jeong Hyeok-ah..." He already hangs up the phone.

Ugh, I can never change his mind once he's set on doing something. It's so endearing to see. Especially when almost all that he's done is solely focused on me.

On making me smile. On making me happy. On making me even more in love.

After that super wonderful first date, we meet several times more. And each time, I ended up giggling and smiling before bed. Like a teenager that I was not. This giddy feeling reminded me so much of my younger self.

Different than what you think, I happen to successfully hold back my declaration of love. Barely. A few times, I almost say it. I don't know what his response will be. I know... he wants to be with me, but his feeling is so new. Unlike me, he develops the feeling after all that happens.

We're not even officially dating. Do you think we need to make things official?

Like I said before, I lived in a bubble. You know you live in a bubble when you worry all the time. That there'll be something to burst the bubble open. I don't know what, but it'll eventually happen. And I don't want to be one who burst it with my confession.

Not when I get a feeling the bubble will burst sooner rather than later anyway.

***

Jeong Hyeok arrives just as the repair shop mechanics leave after changing my tire. He waves from outside the door and I let him in.

"I saw a few men outside, are they the mechanics?" I nod. "Okay, okay. Come on, where will we eat?"

"Let's eat in my office. I have a small sofa for client meeting."