I close the book and leave it on the table. I check the time-only five minutes left before dinner comes home. I decide to spend them checking social media. Wow, Twitter is flocked with pictures of my mutuals hanging out with their families and friends.

I stick out like a sore thumb among them. Alone, homebound, no family, no friends, barely a plan. I have no idea of what to do after dinner. I could watch a movie, but that's what I do on a regular basis. I could go out, but everyone would frown at me for being on my own.

I also consider going to bed early. That would be a good option... if I were that desperate. I want to prove I'm not, that I can find the best even in the worst situation. That includes Hyunjin spamming pictures of himself with his "girlfriend." Yes, emphasis on quotes. I'm not even sure this relationship will be different from his previous ones.

I close Twitter, not wanting to give in to disillusionment. I remember what I wrote a couple of hours ago on that paper. 'I'll find my purpose in life.' That alone should give me a tiny glint of hope at least until the end of this absurd day.

I stay there, mulling over those words, when the doorbell ring startles me. I take thirty seconds to regain my composure; afterwards, I go and open the door. This can mean two things: either Mrs. Lee is back with more cake or an empty Happy New Hear wish, or dinner is ready.

I almost faint at what I see at the door. The delivery guy has this uncanny, familiar face. He reminds me of the man I dreamt of before. Isn't it just too good to be true?

He gives off an ethereal vibe even though he's just wearing a common delivery guy uniform and a navy blue coat. He holds a doggy bag in his hands and has his cart on his shoulders. It looks like it's going to be a hard night for him.

His smile is worth a thousand words. I'd take a picture for reference, but I'm not sure if I can and, most importantly, if he'd take it well. He hands me my order and is about to leave. However, he notices that I'm still at the threshold, open mouthed, and asks me, "Are you okay, miss?"

I stutter. "Y-yes, it's... it's that I've never met a delivery guy who's so hot... pardon, I mean cute... Okay, sorry, I'm kind of... going overboard." I lower my head, realizing I've just made the worst possible figure. Why do I have to screw up all the time?

He takes his cart and, surprisingly, his shoes off. He smiles at me, melting my heart even more. "It looks like you're alone and you could use some company." On one hand, he has a brilliant intuition and is empathic, exactly like the man of my dreams.

On the other hand, he's working. I'm not supposed to disrupt his job. I'll land him in trouble if I make him give in to my fantasies. "Sorry, what I meant is that I-"

He cuts me off. "Don't worry, you are the last customer I'm in charge of today. My shift is over." I hope he isn't lying just to make me happy. I'd feel guilty for the rest of my life if this were the case.

He insists. "You don't mind if I stay here with you, do you? I mean, I don't want you to spend the rest of New Year's Eve all alone." I've just got used to loneliness. I expected this delivery guy to leave, and me to binge watch more shows while I eat pizza. I'm glad he's just changed my plans, though.

He finally comes in, much to my delight, and I offer to leave his cart at the entrance. He reassures me. "Don't worry, my bike is parked correctly. There's no way I'll be fined." We both burst into laughter.

This is the first time I've felt like this around a man. Light hearted, void of any toxic burden, free to let my inner child come out. I know, I'm an adult and all that jazz, but I feel like I'm back in my teen years, when I daydreamt of finally loving someone.

Now, this moment has come. I can't spoil it. He's in, but he can step out at any time if I mess up. Fortunately for me, he seems to be an understanding person. I offer him a seat at the table with me, which he accepts.

I ask him, "What's your name?" He doesn't have a name tag or anything like that.

He answers, "Heo Minsu. What about you?"

I blush. I believe he'll either forget my name by tomorrow or simply pretend I don't exist the next time we cross paths. However, I can't just pretend to keep a mysterious aura. It doesn't work.

I clear my throat. "Jung Hwayoung. Nice to meet you... I guess." I turn away from him for a minute. How can he make my head spin like no-one else?

Enough questions. The pizza must've turned cold. I have to try it. I find a pair of scissors in a kitchen drawer and bring them to the table. I'm about to cut the pizza in slices when Minsu takes over.

"Let me handle it." His offer is tempting, but he's the guest here. I should serve him, not the other way around. He isn't in his shift. I try to snatch the scissors from his hands, but he's already onto the second slice. Shit. He's fast.

After he's done slicing the pizza, he invites me to pick a piece first. I take a bite and my fears are proven wrong. The pizza is still hot enough not to taste gummy; its rich flavor brings me back to life after a gloomy afternoon.

Minsu doesn't make me beg for him to take a slice and follows suit. I stare at him in awe as he stuffs his mouth with this heavenly food. His lips barely get tainted with grease and sauce. Mine, on the other hand, are a mess. I need a napkin.

He happens to have one in his pocket, so he hands it to me. He gestures at me to keep it for later, so that I only have to wipe my lips once.

I look truly happy to be here; two hours ago, I would've said the exact opposite. I know, I sound sappy and cheesy when I reiterate this concept, but I just can't help it.

I don't want this night to end. I want to stay with Minsu until the clock strikes midnight, and possibly later than that. Still, I sense that this might not happen. At this point, I should cherish every moment with him and stop dwelling in negativity, or I'll be back to square one.

We finish eating in silence; then, I take a look at the phone. "It's almost 9pm. What do we do now? When do you have to go?" He gives me a confused glance. I don't know what that means. I wait patiently for an answer, which arrives after three minutes of staring in one another's eyes.

"What do you mean with that? The night is young, let's live it at our fullest." He's right. There's still a lot we can do together.