Love Beyond Expectations

Chapter 19: Breakfast with the Gnomes

It was a lazy Friday morning, and neither Zuri nor Suho had any work to rush off to. In fact, Zuri had slept over at Suho's place, and they woke up to the prospect of a leisurely day ahead.

Suho decided to take Zuri to his favorite breakfast place, a cozy little diner called Virg's. As they approached the entrance, Zuri couldn't help but notice the peculiar logo on the sign—a strange, gnome-like character grinning eerily.

"Wow, this place looks... interesting," Zuri remarked, casting a sideways glance at Suho.

Suho chuckled, his eyes crinkling with amusement. "Yeah, I always thought their logo looked like a creepy little gnome. But I promise the food is amazing."

He held the door open for her, beckoning her to follow him inside. The diner had a warm, homely atmosphere, with the smell of sizzling bacon and freshly brewed coffee filling the air. It was a place where the quirks of the logo were easily forgiven in exchange for the delicious breakfast it offered.

As they entered Virg's, the hostess led them to a cozy table by the window. Zuri couldn't help but notice the warm, welcoming atmosphere of the place. It seemed like the kind of spot where regulars felt like family.

As soon as Suho was seated, a waitress approached with a knowing smile. She placed a cup of coffee in front of him and set a pack of sugar on the side, all without needing to take his order.

Zuri sent Suho a questioning look, a playful glint in her eye. "Your usual, huh?"

Suho's cheeks tinted with a subtle blush as he admitted, "I come here almost every morning. I don't like eating breakfast alone."

The waitress returned promptly, holding a menu for Zuri. She glanced at Suho and asked with a friendly smirk, "The usual?"

Suho's eyes crinkled as he smiled and nodded his head, confirming his regular order. The waitress playfully teased, "Suho, who is this?"

Suho glanced at Zuri, his smile softening. "This is my... Zuri."

Inside, Zuri felt a mixture of emotions at being introduced as "his." But she decided to let it go for now, focusing on the pleasant atmosphere and the intriguing breakfast choices Suho was about to show her.

As the waitress walked away Suho leaned in close and said, "Wow, can we just talk about how great that sex was last night?"

Zuri couldn't help but grin, blushing. "It was incredible. You were incredible."

Suho took a sip of his coffee, the warmth spreading through his chest. "I was hoping it would be, and I'm so glad it was."

Zuri sighed softly, enjoying the quiet moment between them. "Me too," she murmured.

The waitress brought over a steaming hot platter of food, and Suho gestured to Zuri, "Dig in."

As they enjoyed their meal, Suho put his fork down and looked at Zuri with genuine curiosity. "So if you're my fake girlfriend, I might want to know you a lot better."

Zuri paused for a moment, her fork hovering over her plate. She considered his question carefully. "Well," she began, "I have a hidden talent. I'm a pretty good painter, but my parents don't know about it. They think painting isn't a 'black thing,' so I've kept it a secret from them."

Suho found himself genuinely intrigued by her response. "That's fascinating," he said. "I'd love to see your artwork sometime."

Encouraged by the conversation, Zuri decided to ask a question of her own. "What about you? What do you do for work?"

Suho explained his job at XenoLogic Tech, sharing some details about his work with big data and data analytics. He also asked about Zuri's life and friends, curious to learn more about her.

But when he inquired about her best friend, he noticed a significant shift in Zuri's demeanor. She hesitated, her eyes darting away from his gaze, and for a moment, she seemed as if she was struggling to find the right words.

"I...I don't do friends anymore," Zuri finally admitted, her voice slightly shaky. She closed her eyes briefly, then glanced out of the window, looking as though she was swallowing a heavy pill. "My best friend died last week. His funeral is tomorrow."

Suho's heart sank at her words, and he reached out to gently place his hand over hers. "I'm so sorry to hear that, Zuri," he said softly, his eyes filled with sympathy. "If you ever want to talk about it or if there's anything I can do to support you, please don't hesitate to let me know."

Zuri managed a small, appreciative smile and nodded.

Suho gazed into Zuri's eyes with genuine sincerity. "Zuri, I know we just met, but if you want someone to be there with you at the funeral, I'll be there. No strings attached, just to support you."

Zuri's heart skipped a beat at his offer. She could feel the warmth of his hand on hers, and the sincerity in his eyes was undeniable. It was a gesture that touched her deeply.

With a soft smile, she replied, "Thank you, Suho. That's incredibly kind of you. But my family will be there with me, and I think I'll be okay with them by my side."

Suho nodded, respecting her decision. "Of course, Zuri. Just know that if you ever change your mind or need anything, I'm here for you."

Their connection deepened in that moment, as they shared a quiet understanding and support that transcended their initial fake relationship.