"What time is your shift tomorrow?" she asked. He is driving her home and since it's late there is barely no traffic in the streets of Seoul.
"It will start at noon, why?" Jeong Hyeok asked with his eyes not leaving the road. Seri nodded. "I have to ask Manager Pyo if I could borrow you to have a taste test for the beans for the event..."
"Why me?" he asked, hoping she would tell him that she wanted to spend time with him.
"Why not?" she asked back smiling at him, she loves how they could tease each other now, like how real friends do.
"It's sad that I could not make it to the launch though, I'm sure your hardwork will pay off..." he said glancing at her once but he saw how her teasing smile turned into a frown with what he said.
"You won't be there?" she reacted.
"I filed for a leave as it's the day before the exam, I need to clear my head..."
It took a while for Seri to respond to that, it was a reasonable excuse, "I see. Well, good luck with the exam... I was just hoping you'll be there. Dan would be there, I just need to see familiar faces there. I'm so nervous. I don't think I was ever this nervous in my life..."
"I'm sure you'll be fine, Se Ri... everyone around you is rooting for you."
Well, she's not sure about that but she let his comment slide and tried to change the topic, "How about you? Aren't you nervous for your exam?"
"I am but what could I do, I already did my best in studying...I could only hope for the best."
"Don't you need a longer break to prepare? Did Manager Pyo denied your leave for the rest of this week?"
"I... I actually need the money so I just asked for a day off. I will actually take the night shift after the exam."
He knew she would not understand, his daily rate in the coffee shop is not much if she would think about it. Seri just nodded, though. She probably feels sorry for him, too, as he is sorry for himself.
"Why is the launch so important to you?" he asked breaking the silence that filled the car. He looked at her as she looked away from him. "My father will be there...and it's complicated. Let's say it is same as your entrance exams, I need to pass in order to get what I really want."
"You know what that famous book say, when you want something all the universe conspires in helping you achieve it." Jeong Hyeok said as Se Ri chuckled. She could not believe this person is such a nerd.
"Do you think that's true?" she asked hopefully.
He just nodded and spare her another glance. "You have to believe it's true for it to actually work you know?"
The rest of the drive was quiet. He himself was surprised because he remembered the way to her house. He was about to confirm if it's in the next street but when he looked at her side to check, she is sleeping, even making cute little noise.
He smiled and made the turn on the next street. He knew he was right as he could see her house from the end of the street.
Not knowing what to do upon reaching the gate to their mansion, he decided to park the car a few blocks away first. And to be honest, he really wanted to be with her a little longer. With everything happening around them, he really wanted to slow things down.
This moment right here, can he just stare at her for a while? Can they stay like this a little bit longer?
So he did what he could to keep this moment even for a while, he take out his phone and made sure it is in silent mode before he took a picture of her, in her most unguarded moment. In this moment, they are not worlds apart. He felt she is within his reach.
