CHAPTER TWO
1102 Words
A Sunday Almost Perfect
Sunday arrived softly— with warm light brushing the curtains, with the lazy hush of a city still half-asleep, and with Ethan gently pulling the blanket over Lilly's shoulder as she breathed quietly beside him.
“Lil… wake up,” he whispered, brushing a strand of hair from her face.
Lilly hummed sleepily, eyes fluttering open. “Eth… what time is it?”
“9:15,” he replied, smiling. “We overslept.”
She sat up quickly. “We never oversleep!”
He laughed. “Maybe that’s why we both needed it.”
Lilly grinned, stretching like a cat before leaning forward to press a tiny kiss to his cheek.
“Good morning,” she whispered.
“Good morning,” he returned with equal softness.
---
Lilly tied her hair into a neat ponytail while Ethan put on his watch.
She looked at him from the mirror. “You said yesterday… today we’re going out all day?”
He nodded. “A proper Sunday. Just us.”
Lilly's eyes sparkled. “Shopping?”
“Yes.”
“Lunch?”
“Yes.”
“A walk by the sea?”
“Yes.”
She giggled like a teenager. “I love days like this.”
Ethan held out his hand. “Then let’s go.”
Lilly placed her hand in his—warm, delicate, trusting.
For today, they looked like the kind of couple fairy tales envy.
---
Late Morning
Crowds buzzed around them, neon signs flickering, street stalls smelling of honey bread and tteokbokki.
Ethan wore a cap and mask, but Lilly still looped her arm around his. “You know,” she said, swinging their hands lightly, “I saw this coat yesterday. You’d look amazing in it.”
He groaned. “No more clothes.”
Lilly gasped dramatically. “How dare you? Fashion is sacred.”
Ethan laughed and pinched her cheek gently. “Fine. Lead the way, my queen.”
She beamed and dragged him into a*****e.
Inside, she held up a cream-colored coat against him. “This. Try this.”
Ethan sighed but obeyed.
He stepped out wearing it.
Lilly froze.
“Eth…” she whispered. “You look like a walking magazine cover.”
He flushed a little. “It’s just a coat.”
“It’s perfection,” she corrected.
He gave a shy smile. “Then we’ll buy it.”
Lilly clapped softly. “I’m glad you trust my taste.”
Ethan looked at her lovingly. “I’ve always trusted you.”
---
Lunch — Early Afternoon
They sat by the window of a cozy restaurant overlooking the bustling street.
The waiter set down noodles, dumplings, and hot soup.
Lilly inhaled the aroma. “I’ve been craving this.”
Ethan stirred his soup. “Eat slowly. It’s hot.”
“You sound like you’re fifty.”
He smirked. “And you sound like a child.”
She nudged his foot under the table. “Rude.”
He raised his hands in surrender. “Fine, fine. You’re a very elegant, mature woman.”
She lifted her chin proudly. “That’s better.”
Between bites, Lilly rested her chin on her hand, studying him.
“Eth?”
“Hm?”
“You look… peaceful today.”
“Do I?”
“Yes. Like your mind isn’t running a thousand miles today.”
He paused.
Lilly reached across the table, taking his hand gently.
“Thank you,” she said softly. “For planning this.”
“You deserve it.”
“So do you.”
Their fingers entwined slowly— naturally, like they had been waiting to meet again.
---
Evening Walk — Sea Breeze
The sun began to dip, painting the sky shades of apricot and lavender. The sea reflected it like a giant piece of broken glass.
Ethan and Lilly strolled hand in hand, their shadows stretching long across the pavement.
Lilly breathed deeply. “The sea always feels like forgiveness.”
Ethan looked at her. “Forgiveness?”
“Yes. It takes everything—sadness, secrets, whatever we throw—and hides it beneath waves. Never judging.”
He squeezed her hand. “Is there something you want forgiven?”
She shook her head softly. “Not forgiven. Just understood.”
Ethan slowed his steps. “Lil… you know you can tell me anything, right?”
She kept her eyes on the ocean. “And what about you, Eth? Can you tell me anything?”
He hesitated.
Only for a second— but she noticed.
Lilly smiled faintly, covering it with lightness.
“You work too hard. That’s all I’m saying.”
He exhaled, relieved. “Maybe I do.”
They stopped near the railing facing the sunset-soaked water.
The colors reflected in Lilly's eyes made her look unreal—as if the universe had painted her just for this moment.
“Eth…” she murmured.
“Yes?”
“Six years, and you still surprise me.”
He turned to her fully.
“And six years,” he whispered back, “and you still make me nervous.”
Her breath hitched.
They stared at each other, the wind tugging at their clothes.
“I love you,” she said, voice trembling like a secret finally set free.
Ethan's eyes softened into that familiar warmth—the kind that once made her forget the world.
“I love you too,” he answered quietly.
Lilly stepped closer, rising on her toes, her gaze dropping to his lips.
Their breath mingled, warm, tender—
Her hands touched his waist.
He leaned slightly forward.
Their lips were a heartbeat apart—
When—
RING. RING. RING.
Ethan froze. Lilly blinked in disbelief.
The ringtone cut sharply through the fragile silence.
Lilly looked up at him, eyes wide and pleading.
“Eth… don’t pick it up. Please.”
He checked the caller ID.
And his shoulders dropped.
“It’s Bang PD.”
Lilly's face fell. “…oh.”
He cupped her cheek apologetically. “I’m sorry. It’s important.”
Her voice was small. “But… our moment…”
“I know.” He gave her an apologetic, almost guilty smile. He leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to her cheek.
“I’ll be right back.”
Lilly watched him step away toward the far corner of the pier, phone pressed to his ear.
The wind blew her hair back, the ocean roaring behind her.
For the first time that day— she felt a quiet ache blooming inside her.
The kind that whispers…
Something is changing.
Or it was always like this.
- Writer
