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Hopelessly Romantic

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Episode 05

When we arrived at the café, he quietly stepped ahead and opened the door for me.

I smiled at him as I walked in first, the warm scent of coffee and pastries wrapping around us like a hug.

Inside, we glanced around, scanning for an empty table.

We spotted one by the window quiet, a little tucked away and without saying a word, we walked over and sat down.

The sunlight spilled in through the glass, casting a soft glow across the table between us.

A waiter approached our table and placed two menus in front of us.

"What would you like to order, miss? Sir?" he asked politely.

I glanced through the menu briefly before speaking.

"Strawberry shortcake and a milkshake, please."

The waiter nodded and jotted it down, then turned to the person across from me.

"And for you, sir?"

"Waffle and a hot latte, please," he said softly, his tone calm as always.

"That’ll be all? Miss? Sir?" the waiter asked, confirming our orders.

We both answered at the same time.

"Yes."

He gave us a short bow before walking away.

"Here." He handed me a small pouch across the table.

I smiled as I took it.

"Thank you! I didn’t even realize I lost it until you called." I laughed softly, a little embarrassed.

"Sorry I couldn’t give it to you sooner," he said. "I forgot it in our classroom."

"No worries," I replied, clutching the pouch gently. "Thank God I only left it in your car. This means a lot to me."

I opened the pouch and carefully pulled out a delicate bracelet, silver with a faint shine. I held it up for him to see.

"It’s my mother’s," I said, tracing the inside of the metal with my thumb.

"She’s... in a better place now."

My voice softened. "This is the only thing that keeps me feeling close to her."

A quiet moment passed between us peaceful, a little heavy, but warm.

"You're wrong," he said softly, his eyes meeting mine with surprising certainty.

"She’s not just in that bracelet… she’s in your heart. You’re always connected by your soul."

I stared at him, caught off guard.

I didn’t expect him to say something like that.

Not like that.

Not so... beautiful.

A small smile tugged at my lips, the emotion settling in my chest like warm tea.

"Right," I said, chuckling softly. "Hahaha... you’re right. Thanks, Sam."

And for a moment, it was quiet but not awkward.

Just… understood.

But then, the moment gently broke as the waiter returned with our food.

"Here’s your order. Enjoy," he said with a friendly smile before placing the plates down and walking away, leaving us alone again.

The comforting scent of warm waffles and sweet strawberries filled the air, softening the heaviness that had lingered a second before.

I looked down at my shortcake, then back at him.

A small part of me still replayed his words in my head.

In your heart. By your soul.

I picked up my fork, and began to eat.

After we finished eating, we stepped outside the café. The sky had already started to darken, painted in deep blues and soft orange streaks. I didn’t mind. I was used to going home late. Living alone had its perks.

"Should we walk around the park first?" he asked, glancing in the direction behind the café. "My car’s parked that way."

I looked at him and gave a small nod.

"Sure."

Without another word, we began walking side by side.

The breeze was cool, the streetlights flickering on one by one as we headed toward the park.

"Thank you… for today. I really enjoyed it," I said, looking up at him with a small, genuine smile.

He turned to me, and for a second, I saw it something unspoken in his eyes. Not intense. Just… honest.

"No," he said softly, "thank you. For letting me know you."

My smile lingered, but something in my chest tightened in a good way. Because somehow, those words… meant more than I expected.

"I actually never expected us to be walking here like this," I said, glancing at him with a small laugh. "Honestly… I thought you were kind of mean or something."

He let out a soft chuckle, low and warm.

"That's what everyone says after meeting me."

I smiled, surprised at how relaxed I felt.

He wasn’t what I expected not even close.

And somehow… I liked that.

I glanced at him again as we walked, still half in disbelief.

He’s just like the male leads I’ve read about in my books

but more... real.

Not made of perfectly written lines or dramatic confessions. Just quiet gestures, gentle words, and soft glances that linger longer than they should.

More human.

More here.

And somehow… that made him better.