"Why are you late? And oh yeah, that duck is cute," I teased as soon as Lexi stepped inside the house, her arms full of grocery bags.

"Oh please, a brat bumped into me," she sighed, putting the groceries down on the table. "It smells so divine in here. Halmoenim, who did you invite today?" she asked with a raised eyebrow, clearly intrigued.

"Oh, surprise, surprise," Halmoeni replied with a smirk, keeping the mystery alive.

"Is it a young man?" Lexi's eyes twinkled with excitement.

"Go take a shower, you stink," Halmoeni mocked, waving her hand dismissively.

"Going!" Lexi said, sticking her tongue out playfully before rushing off to clean up.

As Lexi dashed to the bathroom, I turned my attention back to the kitchen. Halmoenim was stirring a bubbling pot on the stove, the aroma wafting through the air and making my stomach rumble.

"What are you cooking?" I asked, leaning over to get a better look.

"Just a little something special for our guests tonight," she replied, a hint of mischief in her smile. "I thought I'd whip up your favourite—bibimbap!"

I grinned. "You know the way to my heart, Halmoenim. I can't wait!"

As I helped set the table, I couldn't shake off the feeling of excitement. The prospect of having company, especially if it was someone interesting, made the evening feel special. I wondered who Halmoenim had invited.

"Do you think it's someone we know?" I asked, trying to keep my voice casual.

"Maybe," she said, her eyes twinkling. "Or maybe it's someone who will become a friend."

Just then, I heard the sound of Lexi emerging from the bathroom, her hair damp and her cheeks flushed. "What did I miss?" she asked, wrapping a towel around her shoulders.

"Nothing yet, but I think you'll like our guest," I replied, trying to keep my tone teasing.

"Come on, Sian! Spill the beans!" Lexi insisted, her eyes wide with curiosity.

"Patience," I said, unable to suppress a grin. "You'll find out soon enough."

Moments later, the doorbell rang, sending a jolt of anticipation through both of us. Halmoenim wiped her hands on a kitchen towel and walked to the door, glancing back at us with a knowing smile.

"Here we go!" Lexi whispered, her eyes shining with excitement.

The soft vanilla scent wafted through the room, filling the air with a calm warmth as I turned off the stove. Halmoeni was already by the door, greeting the guests with her usual bright smile, and I could hear the cheerful murmurs of conversation from the entryway. Lexi had barely peeked out before she recoiled, her face twisted in a mixture of disbelief and irritation. 

"No way, that brat," she muttered under her breath, struggling to keep her voice down.

I raised an eyebrow, curious and a little amused by her reaction. "Shh, what happened?" I whispered, moving closer.

She crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing. 

"It's him. The guy who was rude to me " she said, clearly still annoyed.

"Annyeonghaseyo, Aunty! Nice to meet you again; I didn't realize you were our guest tonight," I greeted warmly, recognizing her immediately as the woman I'd helped recently. She looked genuinely pleased, her face lighting up as she embraced me in a gentle hug.

"Oh, my child, it's so wonderful to see you again," she replied, a warmth in her voice that felt like a mother's embrace.

"Did you come alone? I thought I heard other voices," I asked, curiosity getting the best of me. "You're such a curious child!" Halmoeni Kang teased with a laugh. 

"They're just bringing in a few bags," she added, waving her hand toward the door.

"Oh! I'll go help them," I said quickly, grabbing Lexi's arm and tugging her along with me. She muttered something under her breath, clearly still bothered by the rude stranger, but I nudged her encouragingly, hoping she'd help out without too much fuss. 

"Behave yourself," I nudged Lexi with a grin. 

But to our surprise, there were three people standing outside. They were tall men dressed head-to-toe in black—black lace-up boots, black pants, each one imposing in his own way. The man in the center had broader shoulders, his physique oddly reminiscent of the mysterious masked figure I kept encountering. As unsettling as that was, I brushed the thought aside.

"What are you thinking? Don't they look like mafia guys?" Lexi whispered, reaching for a dry stick like she was ready to defend us.

"Hey there," the man on the right called out, waving. It was a bit too dark to make out his face."Put that down—they're our guests," I whispered to Lexi, waving back to them with a friendly gesture. But as they approached, a knot of nerves twisted in my stomach.

"No way!" Lexi practically shouted, her eyes widening in disbelief. 

"Jay Park?""That's not very lady-like," a voice beside Jay Park muttered, teasing.

"You—I wasn't talking to you!" Lexi shot back, clearly annoyed.

"Who was talking to you, huh?" the guy smirked, clearly amused by her irritation.

Jay Park chuckled, stepping in before the situation could escalate. 

"Do you two know each other?" he asked, looking from Lexi to the smug stranger.

Lexi rolled her eyes and crossed her arms, sighing dramatically. "Ask that brat yourself."

"My apologies," Jay Park said, glancing apologetically at Lexi.

 "This is my younger brother, Jayni Park."

I couldn't help but notice the way he looked at her, almost like a lost puppy, and I wondered what Lexi was thinking as she stared back, caught somewhere between amusement and exasperation.

I was too busy watching the silent exchange between Lexi and Jay to notice the man standing beside me. Something was brewing between them, but I couldn't quite figure out what.

"Are you planning to stay out here tonight?" a sudden whisper startled me, making me lose my balance. 

Before I knew it, his arm slid around my waist, steadying me, and I instinctively grabbed onto his collar. Our faces were so close, our lips barely a centimetre apart. My heart skipped a beat as I took in his face—those almond eyes, that familiar gaze.

"It's... you," I murmured, piecing it all together. Before I could say anything more, I heard Halmeoni Kang clearing her throat behind us.

"Ryu, come on in," she called with a chuckle.

"Ryu?" I repeated, my grip on him tightening slightly as the realization sank in. 

"I was right—it is you."

He gave me a smirk, his eyes twinkling with amusement. 

"Pleasure to see you again," he replied smoothly. 

And there it was—a soft dimple appearing as he smiled, making him look even more charming than I'd remembered. I couldn't help but stare, momentarily captivated by just how handsome he was.

Without his mask, he looked strikingly handsome, with an elegance that seemed almost unreal. His high cheekbones and well-defined jawline gave him a regal quality, and there was a slight curve to his smile—something both warm and enigmatic. His dark, intense eyes held a depth to them as if he was always lost in thought, contemplating mysteries only he understood. 

Those eyes were expressive, revealing a world of hidden emotions and unspoken stories just beneath the surface. Tall, broad-shouldered, and strong, he exuded a quiet strength. His brows and gaze, soft yet daring, seemed to draw people in, while his plump lips and adorable dimples added an irresistible charm. Snapping myself out of the trance, I joined the others inside for dinner, my mind still lingering on the thought of him.

"Sit beside Ryu, Sian," Halmeoni Kang said just as I was about to pull out the chair next to her.

I felt a blush creep up the back of my neck, but I quietly took my place beside him, trying to ignore the way my heart fluttered. Dinner was wonderful. Ryu's mother had brought dried strawberries from her hometown—they were incredible, with a honey-like sweetness that made them almost addictive. Between bites, I found myself occasionally glancing at Ryu, who seemed quietly amused, as if he could sense my flustered state. After we finished, the conversation flowed easily. Jay and I discussed our upcoming research project, sharing ideas and brainstorming. He even offered me an appointment tomorrow to go over details, knowing I'd be returning to Amsterdam in just two days.