~🐣~

Jaemi clutched her floral duffle bag tightly as she slipped into the empty train compartment. The station clock ticked ominously, marking the hour left until her wedding to a man she’d never met. The cold steel of the train's interior seemed more welcoming than the grand hall waiting to imprison her in a life she wasn’t ready for.

As she settled into a corner seat, she noticed someone else sprawled out across the seats opposite her—a man in a sleek black suit, his tie loosened, and his arms crossed, snoring lightly. Her first runaway attempt was already less dramatic than she had imagined.

The man stirred and opened one eye lazily. “You know, people usually wait until the train starts moving to make their escape,” he said, his voice laced with amusement.

Jaemi froze, caught off guard. “I-I’m not escaping!” she stammered, her cheeks flushing.

He sat up, smirking as he adjusted his tie. “Oh? A girl in a wedding dress—well, half a wedding dress—boarding a train alone? Very convincing.”

Jaemi tugged at her cardigan, which she’d thrown over her wedding gown. “Fine! I am running away. But don’t tell anyone!”

The man chuckled. “Relax, I’m not interested in turning you in. I’m Haejo, by the way.”

“I’m Jaemi,” she replied hesitantly. “And… why are you here?”

“Job interview,” he said with a sly grin that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

Jaemi tilted her head, suspicion evident. “A job interview? On a Christmas Eve train? In a suit?”

“You’re sharp,” he said, clearly amused.

Jaemi’s eyes drifted to the bag beside him, slightly unzipped, revealing stacks of cash. Her jaw dropped. “Are you… a thief?”

Haejo laughed, a deep, rich sound. “If I were, would I tell you?” He leaned closer, lowering his voice conspiratorially. “Fine. I scammed some rich old man. Took all his money. Not my proudest moment.”

Her eyes widened in horror. “I-I should call the police!”

He shrugged. “And tell them what? That a runaway bride tattled on me? I’m sure they’d love to know where to find you.”

Jaemi’s mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water, realizing he had a point. She slumped back in her seat, pouting. “You’re awful.”

“And you’re amusing,” he said, grinning. “Why are you running, anyway?”

Jaemi fiddled with the lace on her sleeve. “I’m supposed to marry some stranger. My parents arranged it. But I want to fall in love first. Go on dates. Have a first kiss. You know, normal things.”

Haejo raised an eyebrow. “Bold move. Running away from an unknown groom only to end up on a train with a stranger. You’re not great at this whole avoiding-strangers thing.”

She glared at him. “At least I’m honest about who I am!”

The train began its rhythmic journey, carrying Jaemi away from a life she had just abandoned. Her wide-eyed wonder at every passing scene contrasted sharply with Haejo’s nonchalant demeanor as he scrolled through his phone.

“Look!” Jaemi gasped, pressing her nose to the glass as a group of children flew kites in a vibrant field. “Their kites are so bright! It’s like they’re painting the sky!”

Haejo smirked without looking up. “Amazing. Kids flying kites. What’s next? A squirrel crossing the tracks?”

“You’re so boring,” she huffed, turning back to the window. “I’ve never been on a train before. It’s like the world is moving for me.”

“Or maybe you’re finally moving through the world,” he quipped.

Their banter was interrupted by the arrival of the ticket collector. Jaemi froze, fumbling for a ticket she didn’t have. Haejo sighed, handing over both tickets with a calm confidence that didn’t match her panic.

“You ran away from your wedding with no money, no ticket, and no plan?” Haejo asked incredulously after the collector moved on.

“I was in a hurry!” she retorted.

Haejo leaned back, laughing. “You’re a disaster. Without me, you’d probably be begging for change at the next station.”

Jaemi’s cheeks burned as she mumbled a reluctant, “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome,” he said with a smirk, leaving her to wonder why this sarcastic stranger had decided to stick around.

~🐥~