After twenty minutes of quiet driving through snow-dusted roads, They finally pulled into the driveway of his home. The car came to a halt, and as he stepped out, someone was already waiting at the entrance.

“Dad,” Kris said, surprised.

“I told you to come home early. The weather is bad today,” his father scolded, arms crossed against the chill.

“Actually…” Kris started, but his father cut him off.

“And didn't I tell you to wear warm clothes?”

“Yeah that-”

“I tried to call you, but your phone was switched off.”

“After calling my manager, my phone’s battery died,” Kris explained, his voice low.

“How can you-” 

His father stopped mid-sentence, eyes narrowing as he noticed a girl seated inside the car. Elisa had been leaning against the window, listening with mild curiosity, but now she straightened, startled at his sharp gaze. Quickly, she stepped out of the vehicle.

“Hello, sir,” Elisa greeted nervously, her tone polite but uncertain.

His father glanced between them, lowering his voice. “Who is she? And where is your car?”

“That’s what I’m trying to say. Actually…” Kris quickly ran him through the events of the day. “So that’s what happened.”

“You’re an adult now, but still so careless,” his father sighed.

“Dad~” Kris began, but his father turned his attention to Elisa with a warm smile on his face.

“Thank you so much, young lady, for helping him.”

“No, it’s totally fine! Umm… it’s getting late now, I’ll be leaving,” she replied, taking a small step back.

Kris’s father continued, “I don’t think it’s safe for you to drive in this weather.”

“No, it’s okay. I can manage.”

“Either way, you’re looking for a place to stay. It’s better if you stay here tonight.” Kris added.

Her eyes widened. “How did you know?”

“I saw the luggage bags in your car,” Kris said simply, “and a certain hotel’s location was pointed on your GPS device.”

“O-oh.” Elisa’s voice faltered.

“You sound creepy,” his father muttered.

“You mean smart,” Kris countered.

“Anyway,” his father interjected, ignoring him, “I’d really suggest you stay here for tonight. You can send the location of this place to your parents so they’ll know where you are.”

“I guess they’re right. I could get stuck somewhere.. Ugh, I should have checked the weather before leaving!” thought Elisa.

“Can you stop daydreaming at night?” Kris taunted with a straight face, “It’s really getting cold outside.”

His father shook his head. “I’ll tell the maids to get a room ready for you. Get inside, both of you.”

As Kris moved toward the door, his father stopped him.

“Kris, help her with the luggage.”

With that, he turned and went inside. Kris let out a sigh before facing Elisa.

“Your dad really cares about you,” Elisa said softly.

“Yeah… it seems like that.”

He stepped forward and picked up her bag without asking.

“It’s okay, you don’t have to-” she started, but he cut her off, already carrying it toward the house.

“Thanks,” she murmured, adjusting her backpack as she followed him.

Inside, Elisa handed a polite smile to the maid who guided her. “Thank you,” she said before closing the door behind her.

Without wasting another moment, she dropped her bag on the floor and collapsed onto the bed.

“Ahh, my back hurts.. I was driving for hours!” she groaned, stretching before shutting her eyes for a moment.

“Will you please stop staring at me? It’s really uncomfortable.”

“It’s okay, I’m used to it.”

“I will forgive you.”

“Kris.”

His words echoed in her mind– that voice, she didn’t remember hearing, yet it felt strangely familiar.

Her eyes opened suddenly.

“Why do I feel like I know him? This is the first time I’ve met him… but what’s with this feeling? Guess I’m just creating scenarios in my mind.” She sighed. “I need rest.”

Meanwhile, in another room, Kris sat on his bed, lost in thought.

“Elisa?” he murmured to himself.

He shook his head quickly. “I should stop making up things. People can have the same name.”

With that, Kris pushed himself up and walked out of the room, leaving the silent question to linger behind him.