The next morning, Leo and Ava stood by the car, bags packed, engine humming low like a heartbeat. But one person was missing.
"Where's Carrie?" Ava asked, glancing around the quiet yard.
Leo tightened his grip on the car keys, his eyes dropping to the gravel. "She's most likely not going to step out today."
"Why not?" Jae-wook's voice broke the silence, concern lacing his words.
Leo sighed, the weight of memory settling on his shoulders. "Today marks eleven years since her mom passed. She shuts the world out every year. Just... needs the silence, I guess."
Jae-wook's brows knit together. "You think she'll be okay on her own?"
"That's what worries me." Leo turned to him, his voice low and urgent. "Please, keep an eye on her. Make sure she doesn't spiral. I know she hides it well, but I can feel it—this year might hit harder."
Ava crossed her arms. "Come on, Carrie's tough. She's not the type to do anything reckless."
"Even strong people snap, Ava," Leo replied quietly. "Especially the ones who never ask for help."
Jae-wook gave a slow nod, his eyes shadowed with concern. "I'll stay close, you don't have to worry"
Leo placed a hand on his shoulder. "Thank you. It means more than you know."
"We should get going," Ava said, glancing at her watch. "We're already behind schedule."
"Right." Leo opened the driver's side door, casting one last look toward the house. "Tell her I'm sorry I couldn't stay."
Jae-wook offered a small wave. "Don't die out there."
Leo gave a tired smile. "We'll do our best." And with that, the car pulled away, taillights fading into the morning mist.
Moments later, Jae-wook stepped onto the balcony, the crisp air curling around him like a quiet whisper. He found Carrie leaning against the railing, her gaze lost in the city lights that blinked like stars fallen to earth.
"I never expected to find you here," he said, breaking the hush between them.
"I never knew the balcony had such a great view," Carrie replied with a faint smile—a smile that lingered on her lips but never quite made it to her eyes.
Jae-wook stepped closer, stuffing his hands into the pockets of his coat. "You know what's better than coffee and novels in autumn?" he asked, his tone light, almost teasing.
"Nothing beats that," Carrie replied after a pause, her voice thoughtful. "That's peak existence right there."
"A walk in winter," Jae-wook declared with mock grandeur.
Carrie blinked, then let out a soft laugh, finally turning toward him. "Winter walks? Please. That's not even in the same league. You ever had your face slapped by the wind like Mother Nature's trying to teach you a lesson? Or felt your nose turn into a frozen popsicle while your tears crystallize mid-cheek?"
He chuckled. "That sounds a little dramatic."
"Oh, you think I'm being dramatic?" she said, eyes widening slightly. "Wait till you step into what looks like fluffy, innocent snow but is actually a hidden pit of slush that goes straight to your ankles. It's betrayal in liquid form. That moment changes a person."
Jae-wook laughed openly now. "You really have a vendetta against winter."
"I don't hate it," Carrie replied, hugging her arms. "It's just... not for the faint-hearted."
"Well," he said, leaning on the railing beside her, "how about this—you brave the cold, and I'll take you for soup at that Chinese place you secretly love but pretend to hate."
She gave him a look. "Soup? That's your big persuasive pitch?" She waved a hand dismissively. "You'll have to try harder, and again I hate that place."
Jae-wook sighed with exaggerated despair. "I didn't want to do this... but you still owe me one wish."
Carrie's expression turned from playful to wary. "Oh no. Don't you dare pull that card."
He shrugged, all innocent charm. "You leave me no choice. A wish is a wish, Carrie."
She narrowed her eyes. "You really want to cash in your one wish on a freezing walk and soggy noodles?"
"Doesn't sound so bad if we get to spend time together" Jae-wook said slickly
Carrie rolled her eyes unmoved by his words
"I would get ready" she said and walked out.
---
A few minutes later, Carrie and Jae-wook were strolling down the frostbitten street, their breath visible in the icy air. Each crunch of snow beneath their feet felt like a quiet echo of her thoughts. Carrie couldn't tell whether to hate the cold or cherish the moment it had brought—this soft, strange closeness between them.
She was lost in thought when, without warning, Jae-wook reached for her hand, slipping his fingers between hers with casual ease. Carrie glanced up, startled, but he didn't even meet her gaze—just kept walking, the ghost of a smile playing on his lips. In that moment, she made her decision. She'd savor this. Whatever "this" was. Her fingers curled tighter around his, a small smile blooming on her face as they walked side by side, their hands warmly intertwined.
Eventually, they arrived at the old Chinese restaurant nestled between flickering neon signs. The moment the door swung open, the scent of chicken broth and spices enveloped them, cozy and familiar. Jae-wook inhaled deeply, visibly pleased.
"This—this is what I love most about winter," he said, his eyes twinkling with contentment.
Carrie scoffed lightly, shaking her head. "Oh please, it's just chicken soup."
"That's where you're wrong," he grinned, tugging her gently inside. "Let's go in."
They settled into a corner booth under soft yellow lighting. A waiter approached with a deep bow and a crisp, "What would you like today?"
Before Carrie could say a word, Jae-wook leaned forward. "We'll have your special couple dessert—and chicken soup for the main course."
Carrie's head snapped toward him, her eyes wide.
"Coming right up. Enjoy your date," the waiter said, bowing once more before disappearing.
"You're staring again," Jae-wook teased, throwing her a confident wink. "I know I'm undeniably handsome, but try to keep it together."
"Couple dessert?" she echoed, raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah. Why not?" he replied, as if it were the most obvious choice in the world.
"Because... couple desserts are for actual couples," Carrie said, eyeing him.
"Who says we aren't?" he asked, leaning in slightly, challenging her with a tilt of his head.
Before she could formulate a response, the waiter returned, carefully placing a tray between them. On it sat a stunning dessert—delicate almond sponge with cherry glaze shaped like a heart, topped with golden flakes and edible petals. A literal masterpiece.
Jae-wook picked up a fork, sliced a delicate piece, and held it out toward her. Carrie blinked in surprise. Not just the couple's dessert, but now he wanted to feed her too?
"Open up," he said with playful persistence.
She stared at him—and just like that, her vision blurred. A rush of emotion hit her like a wave, and tears slipped down her cheeks before she could stop them.
"Hey—are you okay?" Jae-wook's tone shifted, concern threading through his voice.
"I'm sorry," Carrie said, hastily wiping her tears, trying to laugh through it. "I just got a little emotional. You reminded me of my mom."
"I'm sorry... I didn't mean to—"
"No, no, it's okay," she said softly, her voice steadying. "It doesn't hurt in a bad way. It's just.... we used to come here every Friday. She'd always order the couple dessert... and feed me, too. She was more like my first love, honestly."
"You two must've been really close," he said, touched. "You told me about the park, and now this? Honestly sounds like you were dating your mom."
Carrie laughed, nodding through her tears. "Yeah... it kind of does. But it feels good to remember."
Later, as they walked back through the snow-kissed streets, Carrie sighed contentedly.
"I take back what I said. That soup really hit the spot."
"Told you. I have impeccable taste," Jae-wook said, brushing imaginary dust off his shoulder.
"Please," Carrie rolled her eyes with a grin. Then she paused, glancing at him curiously. "Wait... how did you know today's my mom's death anniversary?"
"Leo told me," Jae-wook replied casually. "Said I had to take care of you, stay close."
Carrie smiled fondly. "He's a darling. Unlike you, he's nice to everyone."
"That's why he gets hurt easily," Jae-wook replied, eyes focused ahead. "Which is why he has me."
"Ugh, spare me the hero complex."
After a beat of silence, Jae-wook tilted his head. "By the way... I've always wanted to ask. Who did you meet first—Leo or Ava?"
Carrie narrowed her eyes. "Why are you so curious?"
"No reason," he shrugged. "Just... curious."
"It was Ava. Our dads were close friends, but Leo became my actual friend first. Ava wasn't exactly sunshine and rainbows when we were kids. Come here," she gestured.
Jae-wook leaned in, offering his ear.
"She was kind of a bully," Carrie whispered conspiratorially.
He leaned back, eyes wide. "Seriously?"
"Yup. Leo used to hate her too. But... she changed after her dad died."
"She lost her dad?" Jae-wook murmured. "So only Leo has both parents still?"
Carrie nodded. "Now that you mention it... yeah."
As if on cue, a snowflake landed on her jacket, followed by a soft cascade of white from the sky.
"It's snowing!" she said, her face lighting up.
"You love the snow but not the winter?" he asked, amused.
"It depends on who I'm with."
"Sounds like I'm changing your opinion."
"Don't flatter yourself," Carrie teased. "Honestly, I thought you were an anti-romantic. This is surprising."
"Well... that also depends on who I'm with," he said, reaching out to brush a strand of hair from her face.
"Hey!" she said, stepping back. "Don't do that. I'm still figuring out stuff, and I really don't want to be triggered again."
"I don't mind if you are," he replied with a quiet, knowing smile. "You're the one running—not me."
And with that, he walked on ahead, leaving Carrie standing beneath the falling snow, heart tugging somewhere between confusion and something dangerously close to affection.