For the Love of Kimchee (Book 1)

11

Daniel

Daniel glanced down at his watch for what seemed like the hundredth time, since he boarded the train. His anticipation skyrocketed the closer he got to his destination, his legs bounced up and down against the hard plastic seat. It was 6:45 pm and in mere minutes he and Chloe would be having their first language exchange.

It was a miracle that they even made tonight. Work was a mess, with two kids coming in needing to be emitted right at the end of his shift. He almost gave up on tonight all together. Thank God, Hyung was there to save the day. Daniel had just enough time to go back to his apartment shower change and head out for the exchange.

He almost laughed at how giddy he was. See, this was how it was supposed to be. He was supposed to be excited to his girl. Not that Chloe was his girl, but still. She was definitely someone who got his heart racing. He didn't know if it was because she was different and exotic to him or if it was because he felt like she was really someone he could see a relationship budding with. Whatever the reason, his nerves were at a 10.

His date with Jae Hwa was great, but he needed that chemistry in his relationship and they just didn't have it.

The jingle rang out over the train's PA system signalling the approach of the next stop. Noksapyeong. Daniel shot up like a bullet, his excitement getting the best of him. His previous thoughts completely gone from his mind. The women in front of his startled from his sudden movements, jumped back. Daniel gave her reaction little thought as he pushed his way to the sliding doors of the train, waiting for them to open.

As the doors whooshed open, Daniel glided out as if he was on a horizontal escalator. Nothing would stop him from having a good time.

They choose to meet in front of a cafe named, "Itaewon Drawing Cafe." Daniel glanced at his watch again while walking out of the subway exit. 8:05 pm. He was five minutes late. He was surprised Chloe didn't text him about his whereabouts.

The care was surprising empty. Probably because everyone was one block over in Itaewon getting ready for a wild night out. It was the perfect location for their language exchange. No one to distract them.

Chloe was nowhere to be seen outside the cafe. Daniel thought about going inside to see if she was already inside, but they had agreed to wait outside so he waited outside. It was dusk and the heat of the day was starting to wear off. During the day it was impossibly hot and humid. Daniel could barely stand it. He paced in front of the cafe, thinking about how horrible Korean summers are. Summers in South Korea were really-

"Daniel?" a feminine voice called snapping him out of his inner rants. His head popped up searching the women behind the voice. His pacing halted.

Walking up to him was Chloe. Daniel felt his heart rate pick up. She was dressed in a pale blue off the shoulders dress, stopping just above her knees.. It hugged her curves and stopped just above her ankles. He could see the curves of her boobs poking out from the top of her dress. Her hair was pulled into a half-up, half-down do'. Little curls framed her face, bouncing as she walked towards him. Her brown skin glowed as it caught specks of light from the world around. Her round hazel eyes sparkling, as a small smile appeared on her lips. Daniel lost his breath for a moment. She was gorgeous.

She stopped right in front of him, her eyes pointed downwards as if she was afraid to make eye contact. Now that she was closer, Daniel could see the dark brown freckles that lined the bridge of her nose and sprinkled across her cheeks. Her lips were plush and mauve, as she parted them to speak.

"Sorry, I was late." She kicked her leg out in front of her, her shoulders hunched, and her full lips pouted like a child caught doing something bad.