7 Minutes In Heaven (SUNGHOON)

14: Weekend

The weekend arrived like a breath of fresh air after the intense meeting. The crisp morning sunlight streamed through the window of my apartment, casting warm patterns on the wooden floor. The rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, mingling with the scent of citrus from the oranges I'd just peeled. It was a welcome change from the stress of the past few days.

I had spent the morning in quiet contemplation, my thoughts drifting to Sunghoon and the weight of our recent conversations. The proposal we had discussed with his father still felt like a turning point, a crossroads that could redefine our future. I was eager to see him again, to offer my support and hear about any updates.

As I finished my coffee, my phone buzzed with a message. It was from Sunghoon, suggesting we meet at the café we had visited earlier in the week. I smiled at the familiar warmth of his words and quickly got ready.

When I arrived at the café, the place was bustling with weekend activity. The rich aroma of roasted coffee beans and the sound of clinking cups created a comforting atmosphere. I scanned the room for Sunghoon, finally spotting him seated at our usual table, a book in hand. The sight of him brought a smile to my face.

"Hey," I greeted, sliding into the seat across from him. "Sorry I'm a bit late. The weekend rush got the better of me."

Sunghoon looked up from his book, his eyes meeting mine with a mixture of warmth and relief. "No worries. I was just getting lost in this novel. How's your morning been?"

"Pretty relaxing," I replied, trying to gauge his mood. "I've been thinking a lot about our conversation and how things are going to change."

Sunghoon set his book aside and took a sip of his coffee, the rich aroma of the brew mingling with the scents of the café. "Yeah, it's been a lot to process. My dad seemed to be considering my proposal, which is a good sign. But there's still a lot to figure out."

I noticed the slight tension in his shoulders and the way his fingers drummed absentmindedly on the coffee cup. It was clear he was still feeling the weight of the recent events. I reached across the table, placing my hand gently over his. The warmth of his skin against mine was reassuring, a quiet promise of support.

"Whatever happens," I said softly, "we'll face it together. I know how much this means to you, and I believe in your ability to make it work."

Sunghoon looked at me, his expression softening. "Thank you, Eunju. Your support means more than you know. I've been thinking about our '7 minutes' in the closet, and it feels like a lifetime ago now. But those minutes were significant—they made me realize how important it is to have someone like you by my side."

I felt a flush of warmth at his words, the gentle pressure of his hand under mine a comforting connection. "It feels like we've been through so much in such a short time. Those seven minutes might have been brief, but they changed everything."

Sunghoon's eyes held mine as he spoke. "Sometimes it's the briefest moments that leave the biggest impact. I think we've both learned a lot about each other and ourselves since then."

The café's cozy atmosphere and the soft hum of conversations around us created a sense of intimacy, a bubble of calm amidst the uncertainty of our situation. I could see the way Sunghoon's eyes softened as he looked at me, and it was clear that he was grateful for my presence.

"What's next?" I asked, trying to shift the focus back to our plans. "Do you have any idea when your father will make a decision?"

Sunghoon took another sip of his coffee, his gaze thoughtful. "I'm not entirely sure. It could be days or even weeks. But I'm hopeful that the meeting went well and that we can move forward with some clarity."

I nodded, feeling the weight of anticipation settle over us. "In the meantime, we'll keep supporting each other. We've come this far, and we can handle whatever comes next."

Sunghoon's hand remained over mine, the warmth of his touch a grounding presence. "Absolutely. And, for what it's worth, I'm really glad you're here with me."

We sat there for a while longer, talking about everything and nothing, letting the weight of recent events ease as we enjoyed each other's company. The scent of coffee, the sound of laughter from other patrons, and the comfortable silence between us created a sense of normalcy amidst the chaos.

As the afternoon sun cast a golden glow over the café, I felt a renewed sense of hope. The challenges ahead were daunting, but with Sunghoon by my side and the support we offered each other, I was ready to face whatever came next.

The next seven minutes, and the moments after, were uncertain, but I knew one thing for sure—we were in this together, and that made all the difference.