The aroma of freshly prepared dishes wafted through the air, weaving its way through the bustling restaurant. Tables were adorned with crisp white linens and flickering candlelight, casting a warm glow over the faces of the diners as they settled in for the evening.
Among them, Jack and Eva found themselves seated at a cozy corner table, their conversation flowing effortlessly as they perused the menu. Jack, ever the gracious host, handed Eva the menu card with a warm smile, his eyes twinkling with anticipation.
"What would you like to order?" he asked, his voice laced with enthusiasm.
Eva glanced down at the menu, her eyes scanning the array of unfamiliar dishes with a hint of uncertainty. "Thanks. I'm not familiar with any of the dishes here. Could you suggest something good to eat?" she inquired, her tone polite but tinged with curiosity.
Jack pondered for a moment, his brow furrowed in concentration, before his face suddenly lit up with inspiration. "I think you'll like our special Ramen. How about two servings of Ramen?" he suggested, his voice brimming with confidence.
Eva's eyes lit up with excitement at the suggestion. "Of course," she agreed eagerly, her mouth watering at the thought of sampling the restaurant's signature dish.
With Eva's approval, Jack wasted no time in placing their order, his fingers tapping eagerly against the tabletop as they waited for their food to arrive. As they waited, Jack took the opportunity to strike up a conversation, eager to learn more about Eva and her culinary preferences.
"I'm just like you, Eva," he confessed, a playful grin tugging at the corners of his lips, "I don't know much about most of the dishes here either. Usually, I stick to Ramen and noodles."
Eva chuckled softly at his admission, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "I usually cook my own food," Jack continued, his voice tinged with pride, "That's why I rarely eat outside food. And I'm a big fan of my food."
Eva couldn't help but be intrigued by Jack's self-assured declaration. "Are you a good chef?" she teased, a mischievous twinkle in her eye, "I think I'll be lucky enough to eat it someday."
Jack's smile widened at her playful remark, his gaze meeting hers with warmth and sincerity. "Sure, I'll make them one day," he promised, his voice soft but resolute.
Their conversation flowed easily as they waited for their food to arrive, the gentle hum of chatter and clinking cutlery providing a comforting backdrop to their laughter and banter. Before long, their meal arrived, steaming bowls of fragrant Ramen accompanied by an array of colorful garnishes and condiments.
With eager anticipation, Jack and Eva dug into their meal, savoring each bite with relish as they exchanged anecdotes and stories. The flavorful aroma and rich, savory broth of the Ramen filled the air, transporting them to a world of culinary delight and gastronomic pleasure.
After finishing their meal, Eva couldn't help but express her gratitude to Jack for suggesting the dish. "The food was delicious. Thanks for suggesting it," she said with a smile, her eyes shining with genuine appreciation.
Jack returned her smile, his heart swelling with pride at her words. "You're welcome. I'm glad you enjoyed it," he replied warmly, his voice tinged with satisfaction.
With their hunger satiated and their spirits lifted, Jack and Eva bid farewell to the hotel staff and made their way out into the cool night air. As they stepped out onto the bustling city streets, Eva turned to Jack with a smile, her eyes shining with gratitude.
"Alright, I'm heading to my room now. Thanks for a wonderful evening," she said gratefully, her voice filled with warmth and affection.
Jack returned her smile, his heart fluttering with joy at her words. "You're welcome. Take care," he replied, his voice soft but earnest, as he watched her disappear into the night.
As Eva ascended to the third floor of the building, her footsteps echoing lightly in the empty stairwell, she couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation rising within her. Reaching the landing, she paused for a moment, her hand resting lightly on the cool metal railing, before making her way towards the window overlooking the street below.
Drawing back the curtain, she peered outside, her eyes scanning the familiar scene until they landed on a familiar figure standing on the sidewalk below. It was Jack, his hands tucked into the pockets of his coat, a soft smile playing on his lips as he watched her from afar.
With a smile of her own, Eva waved to him, a silent gesture of affection and farewell. Jack returned her wave, his own smile widening as he caught her gaze, his eyes filled with warmth and affection.
"Bye," she mouthed, the word carried on a whisper of air. "Bye," he replied, his voice soft but clear, the sound reaching her ears despite the distance between them.
With a final wave, Eva stepped back from the window, her heart lighter than before as she made her way down the hallway towards her room. She knew that, despite their physical separation, their bond remained unbreakable, a thread that connected them no matter the distance.
Meanwhile, Jack watched her from the street below, his gaze following her form until she disappeared from view. With a sigh of contentment, he turned away, his thoughts already drifting towards home.
Climbing into his car, he started the engine and pulled away from the curb, the familiar route leading him back to the place they shared together. As he drove, memories of their time together flooded his mind, filling him with a sense of gratitude and contentment.
Despite the uncertainties of life, moments like these reminded him of the simple joys of friendship and good food. And as he walked under the starlit sky, he knew that there were many more adventures awaiting him in the days to come.
The soft hum of the office filled the air as Eva sat at her desk, her fingers tapping away on the keyboard with practiced ease. The glow of her computer screen cast a warm light over her face, illuminating the dimly lit workspace as she worked diligently on her tasks.
With a sigh, Eva set aside her work momentarily and reached for her phone, the familiar weight of the device comforting in her hand. Tapping out a quick message to Lily, she let her friend know that she had arrived safely at her room and would call her the next day before bidding her goodnight. The promise of sleep beckoned to her, and she looked forward to the comfort of her bed after a long day.
As dawn broke over the city, bathing the streets in a golden glow, Eva made her way to the office, her footsteps echoing against the pavement. Stepping through the glass doors, she was greeted by the familiar hustle and bustle of the workplace, the sound of ringing phones and clicking keyboards filling the air.
"Good morning, Pinky," Eva called out cheerfully as she passed her colleague's desk, offering a friendly smile in greeting.
"Hi, good morning," Pinky replied, her voice tinged with excitement. "It has been informed that Jack will not be available today, so I will tell you about the work."
Eva nodded in understanding as Pinky launched into an explanation of the day's tasks, her mind already beginning to focus on the work ahead. As Pinky introduced her to the rest of the team, Eva greeted each member with a polite nod, her attention momentarily drawn to the window overlooking the street below.
From her vantage point, Eva could see Jack's cabin, the door closed and the blinds drawn. A pang of longing tugged at her heart as she thought of him, his absence felt keenly in the empty space beside her. Lost in thought, she barely noticed when Jin approached her desk, his voice pulling her back to the present moment.
"Hi Eva," Jin greeted her with a warm smile, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he spoke.
"Hi," Eva replied, her attention shifting fully to Jin as he introduced himself. His easy smile and friendly demeanor put her at ease, and she found herself returning the gesture with a small smile of her own.
"I'm Jin. You are the new trainee, right? I am also working here as a trainee. It has been 6 months," Jin explained, his voice tinged with excitement.
Eva nodded, taking in Jin's words with interest. "Okay, nice to see you," she replied, her tone warm and welcoming. Despite the hectic pace of the office, she felt a sense of camaraderie beginning to form between them, a shared bond forged in the crucible of their shared experiences as trainees.
The office buzzed with activity as Eva sat at her desk, her fingers flying across the keyboard as she tackled her assignments with focused determination. The soft glow of her computer screen cast a warm light over her features, highlighting the subtle curve of her smile as she worked diligently.
In the midst of her concentration, Jin's voice cut through the background noise, drawing Eva's attention away from her tasks. "Jack sir, isn't that coming? Didn't Pinky say you're not available today?" Jin's words were tinged with confusion, and Eva couldn't help but glance towards Jack's cabin, a furrow forming between her brows.
Sure enough, Jack was there, hunched over his desk with a stack of papers in front of him. Eva's confusion deepened. Why would Jack say he wasn't coming to the office today if he was already here? The question lingered in her mind as she watched Jack from afar, his presence a comforting familiarity in the bustling office space.
Caught in her thoughts, Eva almost missed the subtle shift in Jack's gaze. As their eyes met across the room, Eva felt a jolt of surprise course through her veins. Jack's gaze held hers for a moment, a silent acknowledgment passing between them before Eva quickly looked away, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.
Pretending to focus on her work, Eva busied herself with her tasks, her heart pounding in her chest as she tried to make sense of the situation.