Love Beyond Expectations

Chapter 32: Fractured Conversations

Zuri stepped onto the subway platform, her mind still filled with the sweet memories of the previous night with Suho. They had rekindled their connection, their relationship now stronger than ever. She was grateful that they had worked through their differences and had come out on the other side with a deeper understanding of each other.

As she boarded the subway, she noticed that it was unusually clear for a morning commute. The train car she entered had only a few passengers, which was a rare sight in the bustling city. Zuri found a seat and settled in, ready to start her workday.

However, her sense of calm was disrupted when a middle-aged British man took the seat next to her. There was something about his demeanor that immediately put her on edge. He gave her a lecherous look and leaned in a bit too close for comfort.

"Good morning, love," he said in a thick British accent, his voice oozing with a smugness that made Zuri's skin crawl.

Zuri forced a tight-lipped smile and replied, "Morning."

She pulled her phone from her bag and pretended to be engrossed in it, hoping that the man would take the hint and leave her alone. But he didn't.

"Beautiful morning, isn't it?" he continued, undeterred.

Zuri nodded without making eye contact. She wished she could teleport herself to a different subway car. The man's presence was making her uncomfortable, and she wanted to escape his gaze.

With a chuckle, he said, "You know, I couldn't help but notice your stunning eyes. They remind me of the ocean on a clear day."

Zuri's discomfort grew, and she tried to shift her attention back to her phone. She wondered how she could handle this unwelcome intrusion without causing a scene. And how did her eyes remind him of the ocean. They were brown. Creep.

The man, however, seemed to take her silence as an invitation to continue. He began to talk about his life, his work, and various stories that didn't interest Zuri in the slightest. She couldn't shake the feeling that he was trying to impress her or win her over with his tales.

The man's grin widened as he moved closer, invading her personal space. "You're a pretty one, aren't you?"

Zuri bristled, her jaw clenched with irritation. "Look, I'm not interested, alright?" She got up and moved away from the man.

"Aww, don't be like that, love," the man whined, clearly not willing to take a hint.

Zuri rolled her eyes, her patience wearing thin. She was tired of dealing with men who didn't know how to respect boundaries. "Broseph, just leave me alone," she hissed, her voice laced with frustration.

The man got up and stood in front of her, his expression turning menacing. "You can't just dismiss me like that, love. I'm trying to be nice."

"And I'm not," Zuri shot back, her gaze fierce and unwavering. "I'm not interested, and that's all you need to know."

Zuri glanced around the subway car, hoping for an ally or someone who might intervene. But it seemed like everyone else was lost in their own world, oblivious to her discomfort.

As the train rumbled through the tunnels, the man's intrusive conversation continued. Zuri couldn't help but think about how the subway ride had taken a strange and uncomfortable turn, far from the serenity of the previous night spent stargazing with Suho.

Zuri found herself at a dinner table with Suho, relieved to see him back after his work trip to Maine. Joon was present with his wife and kids, creating a lively atmosphere at the table. His parent's couldn't makeit.