high flying love ¦ lee jeno

ch ; 25

·⁀ ༄.°✈ ₊⭒˚｡⋆ 25 ·⁀ ༄.°✈ ₊⭒˚｡⋆
And For Once, You Let Go

Jeno smoothed his hair down one last time, scrutinizing his reflection in the mirror, his reflection radiating an air of practiced polish. It was a Sunday night in Seoul, just a day after returning from his layover. This time, he had the luxury of two whole weeks off thanks to weather disruptions cancelling some flights.

Yesterday, a pang of disappointment had settled in his chest as his mother's call redirected his plans for a post-travel visit to Yura's cafe. Family dinner couldn't be avoided, and Jeno, the dutiful son, found himself attending a lavish affair.

Now, with a nervous flutter in his stomach, he smoothed out his black slacks and stepped out of his condo, ready to face his family.

He navigated the bustling streets of Seoul, his mind replaying his conversation with Yura earlier that day. He'd planned to surprise her with a visit, but alas, family duties called.

As he waited at a red light, a familiar figure walking down the sidewalk caught his eye. His heart lurched – it was Yura. He rolled down the window, his voice a hopeful call.

"Yura!"

She turned, her head snapping in his direction. A smile, slow and hesitant at first, blossomed on her face as she recognized him. He gestured towards the passenger seat, his heart pounding with a mix of hope and trepidation.

She hesitated for a moment, her gaze flitting between him and his sleek car. Then, with a small nod, she approached the car and climbed in.

As the light turned green, Jeno pulled away, stealing a glance at her. She wore a simple peach-colored shirt and jeans, a stark contrast to his own formal attire.

"Where were you headed?" he asked, his voice barely a whisper above the traffic noise.

"Just out," she replied, a touch of nervousness in her tone. "Didn't feel like cooking dinner, so I was going to grab a bite somewhere."

Her answer fueled a sudden thought in Jeno's mind. Glancing at her, he saw her scanning her phone, her face illuminated by the screen.

"Actually," he blurted out, surprising even himself, "I'm on my way for a family dinner. Would you like to…" He paused, searching for the right words. "Would you like to come with me?"

The question hung in the air, heavy with the implications of his invitation. Yura's eyes widened in surprise. A wave of panic flushed through her. Meeting his family?

"Oh, no, I couldn't possibly!" she stammered, shaking her head. "I mean, you barely know me, and besides, I don't want to intrude on your family time."

Jeno could feel her discomfort, but he wasn't ready to back down. "Oh, don't worry. They will like you," he assured her, a smile gracing his lips.

"Trust me, they're not scary. Sweet, a little overprotective maybe, but definitely not scary. Besides," he added playfully, "it's not like I see them every day. You'd be doing me a favor."

Yura bit her lip, torn between his enthusiasm and her own apprehension. The thought of meeting his family, of potentially intruding on their private gathering, sent a shiver of anxiety down her spine. But before she could come up with a polite refusal, Jeno's car pulled up to the entrance of a luxurious hotel that shimmered like a glass palace under the city lights.

A gulp escaped her throat. This was so far from the casual dinner she'd envisioned. Stepping out of the car, he handed his keys to the valet, the weight of his sudden invitation settling on him.