change

change. | 01

Winter has arrived, and the holiday season is approaching. You can see and feel it in the air-from the colorful lights decorating every storefront to the subtle shift in people's demeanors. Your colleagues at the office are beginning to fall into the holiday slump, thoughts of shopping for gifts and cooking family meals taking over-and you would be lying if you said that you weren't equally affected.

Your holiday plans are simple, but you are looking forward to them nonetheless. The small get-together you have planned is perfect in your eyes, and the fact that your boyfriend will be joining you and your family this year just makes it even better. It's the first time that he'll be meeting them, and excitement bubbles up at the thought of your parents growing to love him just as much as you do.

A glance at the clock on the wall tells you that it's 4:50, and you decide that you can afford to clock out ten minutes early. All your work for the day is finished and your email inbox is clean and sorted by priority. Shutting down your computer, you pick up your cellphone, going through the notifications. You scroll through a couple birthday reminders on Facebook, one text from your mom, and one from your best friend, Seokjin. The last one makes you smile, and your smile only grows when you read the contents.

[3:42pm] Jin: Make sure you order the chicken tonight! I'm telling you, it's the best thing you'll ever taste

You know exactly what he's talking about, of course. You and your boyfriend have a dinner date tonight, and Seokjin had insisted that you try out Luxe, a newly opened bistro downtown with rave reviews and a minimum two-hour wait on most nights. Thankfully, you were able to snag a reservation, no doubt due to Seokjin's connections. Clearly, being a popular food blogger has its perks.

[4:52pm] You: You better be right. I'll be giving you my prompt review after dessert

Not two seconds passes before your phone buzzes in your hand, screen lighting up with Seokjin's response.

[4:52pm] Jin: Ooh, dessert. I'm drooling just thinking about their cheesecake. But the raspberry tart is amazing too...

[4:53pm] Jin: And the chocolate mousse, god, I could bathe in a vat of that stuff

You roll your eyes, unable to stop a laugh from bubbling up.

[4:53pm] You: Remind me who's dining there tonight, you or me?

[4:53pm] Jin: You, unfortunately

[4:54pm] Jin: We still on for breakfast tomorrow?

You send back an affirmative response before tucking your phone in your pocket. As you do, a little voice in the back of your mind speaks up, pointing out how strange it is that your boyfriend hasn't contacted you all day to confirm your date. You staunchly ignore it, convincing yourself that it's simply because of his busy work schedule. He's always managed to make time for you in the past-'almost always' the voice whispers bitterly-so there was no reason to worry. Besides, he has a tendency to forget about responding to messages. It's hardly surprising, after almost a year together.

Shrugging on your coat, you pick up your purse and leave your office, waving goodbye to a few of your colleagues on the way to the exit. Your reservation is for seven, so you have plenty of time to get ready-and you're sure you'll need it, especially with the dress you're planning on wearing. A smile finds its way to your lips at the thought and stays there, remaining even as you reach your apartment. Seven o'clock can't come soon enough.

///

You arrive at the restaurant five minutes before seven, makeup and hair done flawlessly. Luxe is a cozy place with ambient lighting and polite staff, all with kind faces and warm smiles. Soft chatter and the clinking of delicate champagne glasses intermingle with the tinkling piano melody coming from the old grand situated at the front of the restaurant. The hostess at the podium asks for the name of your reservation, and you tell her with a smile. "Jeon, for two."