Annyeongz One-shots

3. Fate

The café was quiet that afternoon, sunlight filtering through the large windows as Jang Wonyoung sat alone at her usual table, gazing out while waiting for her drink. Six years had passed since the explosive fight that ended everything.

Back then, their voices had clashed in raw anger.

“I hate you, Ahn Yujin! I hate you!”

“I also regret meeting you in the first place, Jang Wonyoung!”

“We are nothing now! Go to your new girl! You cheated on me!”

“No, I didn’t cheat on you! I swear! It’s not my fault! You cheated on me with that Soobin! You’re the one who didn’t believe me from the start!”

“We are nothing now!”

“Okay, fine! Up to you!”

After that day, they never saw each other again. The breakup had been fueled by misunderstanding, jealousy, and words that couldn’t be taken back. Wonyoung had never fully moved on, though she told herself she was fine. She had poured herself into her studies and her career, eventually becoming a doctor. The pain of missing him still crept in sometimes, but she had built a peaceful single life. Soobin had never been anything more than a friend—no feelings, no romance, just a misunderstanding that had cost her everything.

Now, on her rare day off, she sat peacefully—until a familiar voice drifted from the counter.

“Give me two donuts and one cappuccino, please.”

Wonyoung turned instinctively. There he was. Ahn Yujin. Older, but unmistakably him.

Their eyes met. Shock flickered across his face, mirroring her own.

“Wonyoung?”

She quickly looked away, pretending she hadn’t heard, heart hammering.

Then a small, sweet voice broke the silence.

“Daddy, when can I eat my donut?”

“Wait, okay? Hmm?”

Daddy.

The word hit Wonyoung like ice water. He had a child. A daughter. He must have married, built a family. She stared at the table, vision blurring as tears slipped down her cheeks without her realizing.

A tiny figure suddenly appeared beside her table.

“Unnie… Daddy asked me to give this to you…”

It was a little girl, holding out one of the donuts with both hands. Yujin’s daughter, presumably.

Wonyoung forced a gentle smile, brushing the girl’s hair softly. “Aww, thank you, dear… but unnie can’t accept this. Who’s your daddy, hmm?”

“There! Daddy is looking at unnie now! Look at your back!”

Wonyoung froze. When she glanced over her shoulder, Yujin was indeed watching her, expression unreadable.

“Tell your daddy that unnie can’t take it, okay, dear? What’s your name, sweet girl?”

“Leeseo!”

“Leeseo? Wow, you have such a cute name.”

“Daddy said I’m not cute if I keep eating donuts every day,” Leeseo pouted, cheeks puffed out.

“Oh, really?”

“Hey, Wonyoung.”

Yujin was standing right in front of her table now.

“It’s been a while since we saw each other.”

Wonyoung managed a weak smile. She felt drained, unequal to this moment.

“Well… it’s great to see you… and your daughter. I need to go now. See you… no more, I guess?”

She stood, gathering her things quickly. But before she could step away, Leeseo wrapped her small arms around Wonyoung’s leg in a tight hug.

Wonyoung hesitated, then knelt and hugged the girl back gently.

“Unnie, you are so pretty.”

“You’re much prettier than me, you cute little pookie.”

“Where are you going, unnie?”

“Unnie has work to do… Goodbye, Leeseo-ya.”

They let go. Wonyoung straightened—only to feel a warm hand catch hers.

“Can… we meet again? Maybe dinner?”

Her mind screamed. Why was he doing this? She couldn’t handle it.

“I’m busy now… bye.”

She tried to pull away, but he gently held on.

“At least give me your number before you go.”

A long sigh escaped her. Fine. Whatever he wanted. She recited her number.

“Thanks… See you… when I see you, I guess?”

“Yeah.”

“Bye, pretty unnie!”

“Bye, Leeseo.”

Wonyoung walked out of the café, legs unsteady. By the time she reached home, she collapsed onto the sofa, exhausted. How was she supposed to move on now? After six years of careful distance, he had reappeared in the most unexpected way.

That night, her phone lit up with a notification.

Unknown: Hey…

Wonyoung: yes?

Unknown: Uhm it’s me… yujin..

Wonyoung: oh.. yes? what do you want?

Unknown: uhm.. did you have a free time tomorrow night?

Wonyoung: uh.. maybe.. why?

Unknown: Can we meet?

Wonyoung: What for?

Unknown: I need to tell you something..

Wonyoung: Tell me here..

Unknown: No.. I can’t.. We have to meet.. Dinner? Don’t worry it’s my treat..

Wonyoung: I will think about it.

Unknown: Well.. I really hope that we can meet..

Seen.

Wonyoung stared at the screen for a long time.

No, she told herself firmly.

You have to move on.

You and him are already over.