Chapter 45 Chapter 23 (i)
FAE
I didn’t know how to cook. But I wanted to do something special for him when he arrived, so after taking my shower, eating a late lunch, and cleaning up, I decided to find out what food he liked. Shyly, I called the only person who knew about Jigo and me and whom I could trust—Maria.
His favorite dish was Sinigang Prawns, a tamarind-based sour soup with prawns and lots of vegetables. Maria’s professional tone as she listed the restaurants he frequented for a Sinigang fix was a relief. I picked one, ordered a takeout, and added a few other dishes from their menu. Cooking it myself would have been a disaster, though I did plan to learn someday. The thought of preparing good food for someone made me smile—something I hadn’t felt since Dad died. Well, there was Carl. Back then, I’d attempted pancakes for him, unsupervised. That was chaotic, but he ate them anyway, laughing the whole time.
I caught myself smiling and froze. No pain. No sadness. Just a fond memory. A bit of moisture stung my eyes, but it didn’t hurt. I realized I was beginning to heal.
Thoughts of Jigo filled my mind next. He had been there when I was at my lowest, never needing me to ask twice for help. If people knew what had happened between us—and what was happening still—they might judge, but I was certain he saved me. If it hadn’t happen… if he hadn’t been there, what would it be like now?
The idea of not having him in my life now was unimaginable.
I realized I was holding my chest, a tight ache forming. Taking a deep breath, I looked around. I was preparing dinner with Jigo tonight. The sting from not receiving an invitation to Carl’s wedding, the look of satisfaction on Sarah’s face—it all felt distant. A laugh escaped my lips, sounding like relief.
I felt free.
“I can’t believe this,” I said, staring at the feast laid out on my dining table. Apparently, I wasn’t the only one thinking of takeout. Jigo arrived with bags of Korean food because I once mentioned loving K-Drama nights with spicy Korean dishes. I looked up at him, grinning. “You really want to binge-watch K-Dramas with me?”
He shrugged. “K-Drama night or any show night—I’m in. Let’s relax tonight.” His eyes lit up when he saw the Sinigang Prawns. “You got my favorite!” His smile was wide, dimples deep. “Let’s eat, I’m starving.”
I giggled as he pulled my chair out for me, then settled beside me instead of across the table.
“Are you sure? You’ll have no elbow room.”
He slid over a bit. “Do you pray?” he asked, pausing with the serving spoon.
“I’m not very religious, but I do when I remember,” I admitted, a bit embarrassed.
He kissed the tip of my nose. “Then let’s pray because we remembered.”
We said grace, then started eating. He shared snippets of his day at work and how he’d been late for the first time, though Maria hadn’t asked why. I tried the Sinigang but was more focused on my Bibimbap and Bulgogi. I planned to bring the Tteokbokki and honey-glazed chicken to the living room for our K-Drama night.
“There’s too much food!” I laughed mid-Bibimbap. “I’ll be eating leftovers all week.”
He paused and looked at me. “That, plus I’ll be cooking for you. You’re so thin compared to two years ago. I need to fatten you up.”
“All I’ve done is eat since we—” I hesitated. “What are we, anyway?”
His laughter was warm. “You’re so cute.”
I scrunched my nose. “Home buddies tonight, I guess.”
“Or,” he said, resuming his meal, “you could just marry me. Then there’s only one title—married.”
I choked on a piece of kimchi, and he handed me water.
“I might have dove into that one,” I said, voice raspy. He laughed.
We cleaned up, picked snacks for the living room, and I set up the TV while he changed into the clothes he’d brought over.
“Won’t you be late tomorrow if we stay up late?” I asked as he walked back in, wearing gray tank and cotton shorts—comfortable pajamas that made him look right at home. He pulled me into his arms, eyes warm and steady. “You look good,” I said, unable to stop smiling.
“For what you asked, I’ll only have the second half of the day in the office tomorrow. And for the compliment, if I look that good, you should keep me,” he said before pressing a kiss to my lips.
It was our first lip-to-lip kiss of the night, and finally, I melted into him, kissing him as deeply as I’d wanted to the moment he walked through the door.