As she enters the kitchen the next morning, Lisa is greeted by the surprised look on Mrs Kim's face. The elder stood frozen with the coffee pot in one hand, probably wondering how on earth could be here.

"Ahjumma...hi," Lisa pulls up some courage to break the awkwardness. Despite having cried so much and being exhausted over it, she actually forced herself to get up early today in the hopes that she could prepare breakfast for Mrs Kim. Looks like it's not early enough! "I'm sorry...I just -"

"Lisa-yaa..." Mrs Kim puts down the pot and rushes over to her - closing her arms around the girl for an embrace. "How are you? Have you been well? When did you get here?"

Oh...thank God she's not mad at me for being here! "I'm okay, ahjumma...I reached quite late last night. Jungkook told me you were already asleep,"

"Oh dear - yes, I'm sorry!" The elder giggled. "I was a little tired - I got a little excited during the day that I forgot how old my body was!" 

Mrs Kim stepped back towards the kitchen counter. Lisa can't help the awe in her smile, as the sunlight fell on the woman's face as if appreciating her presence. She's an amazingly kind person...and a wonderful mother. She protected her son in the best way she could. Time has now come in their favor of bringing them back together. It's truly magical for Lisa to have known such a person - two persons! - that could change her perspectives in life forever.

"Is Jungkook not up yet?" 

"He slept on the floor!" She found herself explaining before she could even think. Mrs Kim stares at her in amusement. "I mean...he um...he slept quite late last night," Lisa came further in as she begins arranging her words. "We um...we talked a little and -"

"Lisa-ya, you don't have to tell me. I'm not going to pretend like I've been his mother for all his life, you know! I just hope everything is sorted out between you two. He told me...that he couldn't tell you the truth. That it would make you unhappy, and that's the last thing he wants. Please...my son is not a bad person. He just thinks a little differently - and it's partly my fault for that,"

"Ahjumma, don't say that. You did the best you could and - and it's the bravest thing that a mother could've done to their children, given the circumstances, I'm sure. I can't imagine - I truly can't - how it must've been like for you both,"

Mrs Kim sighed a smile as she looks down to the floor. "I should've protected him better. I took the beatings because I didn't want him to get it instead. I didn't know that he felt the same for me...thinking that he needed to protect me too. We should've run when he asked me to...but...I guess things would've turned out completely different if we did,"

Yes...perhaps it would be better. But then, I wouldn't have met him that night if it were. Aishh...we're moving past that! Everything is good now...and everything will be only better from now!

"You did great, ahjumma. Not a lot of people could've gone through the same situation with such grace, and I admire you so much for that. And I never once think badly of your son - not before and not now. Okay?" She gave her brightest smile and Mrs Kim returns it with equal delight.

"I'm glad...really. It would make him so happy and um...he deserves that. You both deserve to be happy. I'm glad that you found each other, really," 

Lisa nodded aggressively to emphasize her happiness at how it turned out. She's never felt more secure with her feelings and more trusting of her love for her man. Jungkook had cried so much last night - it was the rawest and heart-breaking thing for her to ever witness! His whole body was shaking like crazy and they had sat outside until 3am. When he's finally a little calm, she drags him by the hand to his bedroom. He fell asleep in her arms not long after. 

It was the saddest, but also the most wonderful feeling she had while holding him as she did. He was clinging to her as if she was his lifeline. As if she holds the assurance he needed...and as if her words were the key to his freedom. She never thought about how important she could be in his decision-making situations before - but it made her realize that what her father said was indeed, very true. He has his reasons...and his reasons were about her. 

The worst is over...I can feel it! No matter what, we're meant to be together - loving each other. I hope it will be for a very long time!

"What time are we opening the shop, ahjumma?" He probably won't wake up until noon, and she didn't want to wake him up either seeing how tired he must be - being lifted off the weight of his world in one night!

"Do you want coffee or tea? I can make one for you,"

"No, no - I can make it myself! No, I'm asking cus I um...I wanna help," Lisa shifts from one foot to the other under the smiling gaze of the elder. "Will you um...will you guide me through it?"

...

Jungkook puts on his clothes in double the speed - nervous at being shouted at by his mother. He peeked at the clock again. It's 3.14pm...3.14pm!! He woke up at 3 - that's half the day gone! 

They operated in full mode for the first time yesterday, and today the cafe is already taking a day off - all because I woke up late! Where's my baby...has she gone back?? Fuck - why can't I move faster?? 

The busy and bustling sound of customers appeared when he reached the stairs - as well as the in-house music. Jungkook slowed down his tracks, trying to process what exactly is happening. Are they running the cafe without me? Who's running it - is it Soobin?? Then who's managing the kitchen - eomma?? Ugh, I need to get more staffs in case days like this happens - the cook will only come in next week but still -

He stopped his tracks completely when he saw Lisa with smiles and teeth, talking to a table of 3 customers. Oh thank God!! She's here...still here...wait - why is she wearing our apron? She turned and heads straight through the arch that leads to the kitchen. Jungkook took the side door.

"Oh, you're up!!" Her soft cheeks puffed into mini-buns as she smiled brightly. 

He watched in a trance as his eomma took out a pan of brownies from the oven and gave him a smile - Soobin stopped washing at the sink and stares at him...and Lisa came up, tiptoeing a little to kiss his cheek. Soobin is probably judging me for being so late but what's important now is that I got a kiss from my lady! Plus, he can't be mad at me - I pay for his salary!!

"I uh...I'm sorry. I didn't notice the time -"

"It's fine, Kook-ah...we're handling it well!" Mrs Kim starts plating two brownies. 

"Mm-hmm!" Lisa puts an apron around his neck and ties it to his back. "You can continue taking the orders while I help Soobin prepares..." She took the notepad from the counter and reads it aloud. "One jumbo chicken waffle, one - oh ahjumma, one more plate, please -"

"Alright!" 

Ah...ahjumma? Just call her eomma - she could be your eomma too! 

"And one mixed fruit waffle. Three iced lattes - I bet I can make them faster than you!" She squints her eyes and smirks at him - leaving him both speechless and amused. 

This is...too much excitement within the first hour of waking up! 

...

The amount of energy he felt in his body and around him is amazing! He had never felt so pumped up to be smiling and chatting before, but today, he felt different. Jungkook felt fresh and more enthusiastic to be talking to strangers - which is such an opposite of how he was before!

To put it more specifically, he felt like a new person. It was as if the tears and words that Lisa had brought onto him last night were medicines for his broken soul! His subconscious is talking in no other languages except for positivity, and although he knew his past would still be in the same avenue as he is, they were no more than fallen, dried leaves - both beautiful but no longer capable. 

"You're the owner, right? I was here yesterday too," The slightly older woman asked as Jungkook jots down the order she placed.

"Yes, I remember you! You were with your husband, right?" Jungkook smiled.

"Oh yes! I tried your scones yesterday and it was so good! I told him...'I must come again and try something else' - he wasn't a sweet-tooth like me, so he gave me his card while he goes fishing,"

Jungkook giggled at the woman's expressions. "Ahh...thank you so much for coming again! You can let your husband know that we'll have more dining menu next week from hot stoves -"

"Oh, that's great!! You're new around here, right? Is that your wife?" She points and Jungkook turned. His gaze lands on Lisa - who's talking animatedly with her hands to another customer. Her ponytail bounced along with her enthusiastic charisma, and he wonders what on earth could she be talking about that is so exciting!

"Not yet..." He finds himself smiling proudly - daydreaming of having Lisa as his bride on his never-thought-before wedding day. 

...

Everyone she'd spoken to was lovely, and the cafe-slash-house is nothing short of beautiful! She didn't notice it last night as it was dark, but the way the sunlight had been peeking in through the glass window - giving warmth and vibrance into the place makes it feel like a place where she could feel belonged.

He really made a home for himself, and it was enchanting. He named his cafe after her baby Leo, and it makes her feel all warm and gooey inside. There's a balance in the combination of urban and nature - with plants and small-petaled flowers around the fences and all the way into the cafe - welcoming guests with its hint of cheerfulness. And how could she not notice all the yellows he placed in last night? He really had her in mind when he did the place, didn't he?

Lisa smiled softly as she takes in the sweet air, flown by the waves of the sea in no hurry. The sun had set in and replaced by the hushing violets. They had closed the cafe after the last customer left 5 minutes ago, and Lisa walked out to calm the giddiness that she had felt since she started helping Mrs Kim this morning. 

Among many things running in her mind is also the question of whether she could see herself being here with him in the long run. Her family and friends are all in Seoul. She was always used to the magic the city brings her. And this new sight...the quiet and the calm, is far from what she's adapted herself to her whole life. 

It's nice now...but can she be happy here after a week? A month? It wasn't just a house to him - it's his home and his work. It's what he always dreamed of. He hadn't ask yet, but she needs to prepare herself for when he does. She didn't want to drive him away by her hesitations or ignorance over the fact that the time will come when they have to decide. 

They've come a long way to be here together now - despite the misunderstandings and internal challenges they're battling with. She's decided that the worst is over and it will only get better - but for how long, she's not sure. The scenery displayed before her is serene and breathtaking, but will it be too calm for her liking?

"Baby!" She turned and watched Jungkook jogs towards her on the small and short pier. 

His cute dimples appear with his smile and his hair bounces and flew with the wind, making him look ten times more handsome than he already is. When he reached closer, she saw the twinkle in his eyes. Her breath hitched as the revelation kicks in.

I'll be wherever he wants me to be...and I'll be happy no matter where it is, as long as it's with him.

"You okay?" He asked once he has his hands around her waist.

"I'm okay now that you're here," She pursed her smile, trying not to laugh at her own cheesiness. "Are you okay?"

Now his cheeks are turning pink. "Never felt better," He leaned in and kissed her. It's shorter than what she hoped, but still meaningful regardless. "I um...I wanted to ask you something. Your dad messaged me, and I told him that everything's alright with you. He wanted to know um...when uh...when you're going back,"

It's obvious that he's nervous about asking the question - and it's not just in his stutters!

"Mmm...I'd like to stay for the week, if you and ahjumma don't mind having me -"

"Eomma won't mind!" He answered quickly and his face lights up. It took all her might to not burst into a fit of laughter! 

"Okay...since my dad asked you and not his own daughter, you can let him know that I'll come back next week,"

She squints her eyes in sarcasm but Jungkook didn't seem to get the memo. He's as excited as a 5-year-old boy who's just been told that he could pick out any flavor of double-scoop ice-cream right now - nodding his head aggressively and smiling a big 'okay!'.

...