Episode 7
1286 Words
After Choi Joon left, Shree’s mind refused to settle.
His words kept replaying in her head, over and over again. Before she realized it, a soft smile had already formed on her lips. Even while eating, she couldn’t stop smiling to herself.
Nila noticed immediately.
“Mumma, what’s so funny?”
Shree quickly snapped out of it.
“Nothing, baby.”
She gently added, “If you’re done eating, go brush your teeth and go to bed, okay? Mumma has some work.”
Nila nodded and walked away.
After a while, Shree went to the washroom. As she washed her face, she slowly lifted her head and looked at herself in the mirror.
Her cheeks were flushed.
She stared at her reflection for a moment, then whispered,
“Stop blushing…”
But suddenly, her expression changed. The smile faded.
“Stop thinking about what he said… you don’t deserve to be happy.”
Her voice was low—but firm.
She walked into Nila’s room.
Seeing her fast asleep, Shree’s expression softened instantly. She sat beside her and gently caressed her cheek.
“I’m so sorry, baby…” she whispered.
At the office the next day, Shree turned to her colleague Shin Ji Ah.
“Ji Ah… what do people usually take when they go to someone’s house party for the first time?”
Ji Ah thought for a moment. “If it’s a potluck, maybe food. Or wine… fruits… sweets…”
Shree hesitated. “No flowers?”
Ji Ah smirked. “You can bring flowers… unless you have some interest in them.”
Shree quickly looked away. “Wine it is.”
Ji Ah leaned closer with a teasing smile. “So… whose party?” I thought I was your only friend here.
Shree tried to sound casual. “A neighbor… actually… you could say a friend.”
“Ahhh…” Ji Ah dragged the sound knowingly.
On the day of the party, around 7:15 pm, Shree and Nila stood in front of Choi Joon’s house.
As the door opened, Shree instinctively looked up.
For a brief second… both of them froze.
His gaze lingered on her longer than it should have—taking in her slightly nervous expression, the way she held Nila’s hand, the small effort she had put into getting ready.
“Please come in,” he said softly.
Shree quickly looked away.
“Thank you…”
Nila, however, was completely at ease.
“Annyeonghaseyo, ajusshi!”
Choi Joon smiled warmly. “Welcome, Nila.”
The moment she saw Yuki, she ran toward him and started playing happily.
Shree looked around the house and noticed it was still quiet.
“The party hasn’t started yet?” she asked.
“They’re on the way,” he replied. “Come, sit.”
She sat down on the couch and handed him the wine.
“I don’t know if you’ll like it…”
He chuckled lightly. “Hey, I do like wine.”
As she sat there, Shree could feel it.
His presence.
Even without looking, she knew he was aware of her.
Her fingers tightened slightly. Her legs moved restlessly.
And Choi Joon—
He noticed everything.
Not obviously… but enough.
“She’s nervous…” he thought.
And for some reason, he didn’t mind it.
He walked up to her.
“Would you like something to drink?”
Shree looked up—and their eyes met.
For a second too long.
She quickly looked away.
“Water is fine…”
“Just water?” he asked with a faint smile.
“…Yes.”
“Alright.”
Just then, the door burst open.
“Hyung! We’re here!”
Jihoon, Minseok, and Yu Rim walked in loudly with beers and snacks—only to stop abruptly when they saw Shree.
“Oh…” Jihoon blinked. “Hyung… you didn’t tell us we’d have a guest.”
Before things could get awkward, Nila came running with Yuki in her arms.
“Ajusshi! Yuki likes me!”
Minseok laughed. “Of course he does. Who wouldn’t like someone this cute?”
Nila instantly became shy and hid behind Shree.
Choi Joon stepped in.
“This is Shree… and Nila.” “She’s my friend.”
A Friend.
Shree’s fingers tightened slightly around her glass.
For some reason… that word didn’t feel simple.
When she looked up—
He was already looking at her.
As if he knew.
She immediately looked away.
As everyone settled in, the room slowly became lively.
Jihoon cracked jokes nonstop, Minseok seriously arranged drinks like it was his only responsibility, and Yu Rim casually joined conversations.
Shree sat quietly at the edge of the couch, holding her glass.
She still felt like she didn’t belong.
Choi Joon noticed.
He walked up to her and said softly,
“Don’t be so nervous… make yourself comfortable.”
Then, teasing slightly, “Beer? Wine?”
She shook her head. “No… I don’t drink.”
Yu Rim stepped in warmly. “Then at least have some snacks.”
“Thank you,” she said.
Trying to ease herself, she added, Yu rim-ssi
“I really liked the OST you sang for that drama.”
Yu Rim smiled—and the conversation slowly started flowing.
As Shree spoke with Yu Rim, she began to relax.
She smiled more naturally. Looked comfortable.
Choi Joon noticed.
And without realizing it—his gaze lingered on them.
Jihoon nudged him lightly.
“What are you looking at?”
“Nothing,” he said quickly. But his expression said otherwise.
After some time, Shree checked her phone.
“It’s dead…” she muttered.
She turned to Choi Joon. “Can I charge my phone?”
“Yeah,” he said immediately. “Come, I’ll show you.”
He led her to his bedroom.
“You can put it here.”
A while later, Nila walked in, rubbing her eyes, and climbed onto Shree’s lap.
“Sleepy, baby?” Shree asked gently.
Nila nodded softly.
“Should we go home?”
Nila only hummed.
Shree began to get up—but—
“So soon?” Choi Joon said.
“You can put her to sleep in my room… and come back.”
The room went silent. His members stared at him.
Even Shree hesitated.
But he didn’t take it back.
After a moment, she nodded. “…Okay.”
Choi Joon didn’t smile.
But his shoulders relaxed slightly—as if he hadn’t realized he was holding his breath.
After she went inside, the members immediately turned to him.
“Hyung… what are you doing?” Jihoon whispered.
“Don’t ask me anything right now,” Choi Joon muttered. “I’m trying to figure something out.”
Minseok looked at him seriously.
“Just… be careful Hyung”.
Time passed.
Shree didn’t come out.
So Choi Joon quietly walked toward his room.
He slowly opened the door—
And froze.
Shree and Nila were both asleep on his bed.
Peaceful. Soft. Warm.
The sight made something in his chest tighten—and soften at the same time.
A small smile appeared on his lips.
He stepped closer.
A strand of Shree’s hair had fallen across her face.
He slowly reached out… carefully… as if even the smallest movement might wake her.
He tucked the strand behind her ear. His fingers brushed her skin.
Soft. Warm. Real.
Shree stirred slightly.
His breath hitched.
For a moment—he didn’t move.
His eyes lingered on her face… searching, confused.
Then reality hit him. His heart started racing.
Too fast.
He stepped back abruptly, running a hand through his hair.
“What am I doing…” he whispered.
And quietly walked out of the room.
- Writer
