Unevitable | Ryeji |

Chapter 14: Unspoken Signals

Yeji's Pov

It was a weekend and I had no plans so I decided to take a walk to a park. I put on comfortable clothes and head out.

The morning air was crisp and refreshing as I stepped outside, a gentle breeze rustling the leaves. The park wasn't far from my apartment, just a short stroll through familiar streets. As I walked, my thoughts drifted back to the recent events that had consumed my life. Investigations, late-night stakeouts, the constant pressure to find answers-it all seemed distant for a moment.

Reaching the park, I found a bench under a large oak tree and sat down, taking in the serene surroundings. Children played in the distance, their laughter a comforting reminder of normalcy. For a while, I let myself relax, the stress of the week melting away.

As I was lost in my thoughts, I felt someone sit down beside me on the bench. Glancing to my right, I was surprised to see a familiar face.

"Ryujin?" I said, trying to mask my shock.

She gave me a small smile, her expression as unreadable as ever. "Fancy meeting you here, Yeji. Taking a break from work?" She questioned and I nod in response.

"What do you do for work anyway?" She asked

I knew I couldn't just blur out that I'm a detective so I replied "Corporate management"

Ryujin raised an eyebrow, clearly curious. "Corporate management, huh? That sounds... intense."

I chuckled softly, trying to ease the tension. "It has its moments. And you? What brings you to the park today?"

She shrugged, looking out at the children playing. "Just needed some fresh air, I guess. It's been a hectic week."

I nodded, understanding the feeling all too well. We sat in comfortable silence for a moment, the sounds of the park filling the space between us.

Curiosity got the better of me, and I turned to Ryujin. "So, what do you do for work?"

She glanced at me, her eyes momentarily reflecting something unreadable before she smiled. "I'm in event planning. It can get pretty demanding, especially with all the high-profile clients we handle."

"Event planning sounds exciting," I replied, trying to imagine Ryujin organizing lavish parties and gatherings. "Do you enjoy it?"

She nodded. "Most of the time. It has its moments, just like your corporate management gig, I suppose."

I couldn't shake the feeling that Ryujin wasn't being entirely truthful, but I decided to let it slide for now. "I can imagine," I said, offering a friendly smile. "It's nice to have a break from the hustle and bustle, though."

Ryujin nodded in agreement, her gaze drifting back to the children playing in the distance. "Yeah, it's important to take a step back sometimes."

As we sat there, I couldn't help but wonder what she was really up to. But for now, I was content to enjoy the peaceful moment, even if the truth remained hidden just beneath the surface.

After a few moments of comfortable silence, Ryujin turned to me again. "Have you had breakfast yet?"

I shook my head. "No, I haven't. Just grabbed some coffee before heading out."

Ryujin's smile widened. "Perfect timing, then. There's a nice café nearby. Why don't you join me? My treat."

Caught off guard by the invitation, I hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Sure, that sounds nice. Lead the way."

We stood up from the bench, and Ryujin led the way out of the park. As we walked, I couldn't help but notice how at ease she seemed, a stark contrast to the tension I often felt.