She turned her attention back to her work, but out of habit, her gaze flickered toward where Taehyun was heading.

Straight to Arianna's table.

Ara clenched her jaw slightly. Of course.

Arianna's face lit up instantly. She straightened in her seat, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear before calling out sweetly, "Taehyun! Over here!"

Her voice was loud enough for a few nearby tables to turn and glance their way.

Taehyun approached, giving a small nod before sliding into the seat next to her, placing his coffee on the table.

Arianna's fingers lightly touched his sleeve. "I was starting to think you weren't coming."

"I didn't say I wouldn't," Taehyun replied simply, taking a sip of his drink. His tone was neutral, unreadable.

Arianna let out a dramatic sigh, turning to her friends with an exaggerated pout. "See? He always acts so cold."

Her friends giggled.

"You're still lucky, Arianna," one of them said. "You have such a handsome guy always around you."

Arianna smirked. "Well, of course. We've known each other forever." She tilted her head, feigning innocence. "We weren't really close as kids, but we ended up in the same high school… and now even university."

She sighed, shaking her head with a playful glint in her eyes. "Maybe it's fate, you know?"

One of her friends clapped her hands together dramatically. "Oh my god, do you guys hear that? Fate."

Arianna giggled, obviously enjoying the attention. "Taehyun's always been this way, though. Quiet, distant… but deep down, I know he cares about me."

She turned to him, batting her lashes. "Right, Taehyun?"

For the first time since sitting down, Taehyun lifted his eyes from his phone. He glanced at Arianna, expression completely unreadable.

Then, with the smallest tilt of his lips, he responded, "If you say so."

Arianna blinked, caught off guard. "H-Hey! That's not a proper answer."

Taehyun simply hummed in response, returning his attention to his phone.

Arianna huffed, crossing her arms. "Ugh, you're impossible."

Her friends laughed. "He's so cool."

"Right? He has that 'mysterious cold guy' vibe."

"But with Arianna, he's different."

At that, Taehyun let out a quiet chuckle, shaking his head slightly. "You guys sure like to talk."

Arianna's friends gasped playfully.

Arianna smirked, nudging him. "See? He's teasing us now."

Taehyun didn't respond. Instead, his gaze drifted toward the counter.

Straight to Ara.

She had been pretending to wipe the counter, but the moment their eyes met, her hands froze.

Her stomach turned.

What is he looking at?

Then, before she could look away—

He smiled.

It wasn't big. It wasn't forced. It was just enough to be noticeable.

Like he had just confirmed something.

Ara quickly averted her gaze, forcing herself to focus on anything else.

Her heart thumped in irritation.

What was that supposed to mean?

And worse—

Why did he look so amused?