Yi-soo had secured a reservation at a luxurious restaurant perched on the 118th floor of Seoul’s second tallest AK Building. Renowned for its breathtaking panoramic views and romantic ambiance, the spot was often chosen by couples for special occasions, including proposals.
The Sky Lounge, encased in floor-to-ceiling windows, was particularly coveted, often fully booked months in advance. Tonight, it hosted Yi-soo and Hyun-seong for their dinner date. Hyun-seong’s steak arrived, a perfect medium-rare, its pinkish-red center tantalizingly revealed as he cut through it. The aroma of butter and garlic filled the air, enhancing the dining experience.
Meanwhile, Yi-soo savored her Lobster Bolognese Pasta, relishing the rich seafood flavors complemented by succulent shrimp and lobster. Vibrant red bell peppers and crisp broccoli added delightful textures, but it was the sprinkling of black pepper that elevated the dish.
As their main course concluded and the table was cleared, Yi-soo felt a knot of tension in her stomach, anticipating the dessert course. She nervously sipped water, her mind racing. Had Hyun-seong noticed her unease? She couldn’t even recall finishing her pasta, so preoccupied was she with her thoughts.
Hyun-seong dabbed his mouth with a napkin and broke the silence. “Didn’t quite enjoy your meal, did you? You seem a bit distracted.”
“It was delicious,” Yi-soo replied, her facade faltering. “But my expression… how was it?”
“Well,” he remarked with a knowing smile, “it seemed like someone who’s forgotten something important.”
Embarrassment flooded Yi-soo. She realized her emotions were transparent, especially to Hyun-seong. She had been eagerly anticipating this evening for weeks. Ever since she and Hyun-seong had made their relationship official, every moment with him had felt like pure bliss.
Every morning, they woke up entwined in each other’s embrace, and every night they drifted into sleep cocooned in the comforting warmth of each other’s presence. Some nights were marked by passionate lovemaking that left them both exhausted but deeply satisfied.
Then, like a sudden gust of wind stirring the calm surface of a lake, Yi-soo’s heart was seized by a profound longing to spend her life with him. Despite the contentment of her current life, the desire for a deeper, more intimate connection lingered persistently.
We’ve come so far, she mused, her hand absentmindedly reaching into her bag. Had she remembered to bring the ring box? Though she had checked it multiple times that morning, a sudden urge to double-check overwhelmed her.
It hadn’t been long since they officially became a couple, yet Yi-soo yearned to possess Hyun-seong wholly. And so, defying traditional gender roles, she resolved to propose to him. Impatient for their future together, she enlisted Min-seo’s help to prepare the ring and make reservations at the restaurant. But as the moment drew nearer, her heart raced with apprehension.
Yi-soo knew the cue: when dessert arrived, it would be accompanied by a grand bouquet of roses. That would be her signal.
Yi-soo cleared her throat unnecessarily and reached for her glass, only to find it already empty save for a few lingering drops. Her mouth felt dry, her palms clammy as she discreetly hid them beneath the table.
Though a quick learner, Yi-soo was a novice in matters of love, navigating uncharted territory with Hyun-seong by her side. From their first kiss to their most intimate moments, she experienced everything for the first time with him.
“Should we spend the night at the River State Hotel next door?” Hyun-seong suggested as they lingered in the restaurant. “Since we’re already here.”
Yi-soo hesitated. “Oh, that’s… alright, I suppose. It is the weekend, after all.”
“The dessert seems to be taking quite a while,” he remarked, glancing at his watch.
There’s a saying that even a tiger shows its stripes when it speaks. True to the adage, as soon as Hyun-seong checked his watch, a waiter approached with a dessert cart, bearing a decadent ganache cake and velvety vanilla ice cream. With a warm smile, he arranged the dessert and then gracefully presented a bouquet of flowers.
Known for orchestrating surprise events, the restaurant staff often facilitated romantic proposals. Yi-soo had prearranged for a bouquet of roses to accompany the dessert. The plan was simple: she would hand the flowers to Hyun-seong, and if he seemed puzzled by the unexpected gift, she would produce the ring box.
Despite Min-seo’s teasing about its cheesiness, Yi-soo had meticulously crafted the plan.
“Here’s your dessert. And these are… a bouquet of flowers prepared by your boyfriend,” the waiter announced proudly, handing Yi-soo the large bouquet of roses. A puzzled expression crossed her face as she received the flowers unexpectedly.
This wasn’t how it was supposed to happen. Urgently, she signaled to the waiter that something was wrong, but he remained oblivious.