Episode 6 – Coffee & Confessions
The city glowed with restless neon lights, and the streets buzzed with cars honking and strangers rushing through their nights. Inside her apartment, Mira sat before her vanity, the dim lamp casting shadows across her face. She whispered softly, almost as though her reflection were Jae Min himself.
"It's been seven years, Jae Min. Seven years… I missed you every single day." Her voice trembled as she ran her fingers over the lipstick tube. "It's my deepest regret that we stayed apart for so long. My scars never let me forget you… but somewhere along the way, I forgot your dreams. For that, Jae Min-ah, I am sorry."
She slipped into a dark blue dress that hugged her frame, applied a matte shade of lipstick, slid on her sunglasses, and let her curls fall gracefully over her shoulders. When she stepped outside, she looked like any ordinary woman heading out for the night certainly not the queen of an empire of shadows.
Her destination was a quiet café tucked away in a narrow street. The aroma of roasted beans lingered in the air, masking the tension in her chest. She chose a seat near the window, crossing her legs elegantly, the picture of calm confidence. Minutes later, her contact arrived a tall Russian man with icy blue eyes and a hand extended in greeting.
"Miss Rose," he said smoothly, his accent thick. "It is an honor."
Mira didn't move. She let her eyes meet his with cold indifference, her lips curling slightly.
"The only things allowed to touch my hand," she said, her voice steady and cutting, "are money, guns, and drugs."
The Russian stiffened, withdrawing his hand quickly before bowing his head with respect. "Of course. Forgive me."
Their conversation flowed in hushed tones, punctuated by the clink of porcelain cups. By the end of it, the deal was sealed, and the Russian left with a mixture of fear and admiration for the infamous Lunar Rose.
Stepping back onto the street, Mira tugged her sunglasses down, scanning the road for a taxi. The night air was heavy, and her heels clicked against the pavement. She muttered under her breath, irritation lacing her tone.
"I should've brought my car instead of standing here like a fool."
A familiar hum of an engine reached her ears. A black car slowed beside her, the window rolling down. Mira froze, startled.
"Who the hell are you?" she demanded, bowing slightly to see the driver.
A familiar smile met her eyes.
"It's been a long time, Mira," Jae Min said softly.
Her heart skipped, but she rolled her eyes to mask the sudden storm inside her. "You still have this bad habit of showing up out of nowhere and shocking me."
He chuckled, motioning to the seat beside him. "Come on. I'll drop you."
"I'm already late, and I don't have time to waste," she muttered, but against her better judgment, she slipped into his car.
As she adjusted her seatbelt, his voice came quietly, almost too casual.
"Are you seeing someone?"
Mira's fingers froze for a second before resuming. "I don't have time to see anyone, Jae Min," she said flatly.
He glanced at her, his expression unreadable. "Then what do you do now?"
"Uh… I do… business." She forced a smile, her fingers tapping nervously against her phone.
"What kind of business?" His eyes narrowed playfully.
"Medicine," she replied, scrolling through her phone as if it held the answers to her lies.
Silence filled the car for a beat before he said softly, "You're looking… pretty today. I never saw you like this before."
Her cheeks warmed despite herself. "Thanks… for the compliment," she murmured.
He smirked. "So… would you mind hanging out with me? Just for a day?"
"A day? Hm. I'd have to see my schedule." She tried to sound indifferent.
"Can I at least have your phone number?" he pressed.
Mira turned to him sharply. "Don't tell me you're trying to hit on me."
"Hit on you? I have the right to your number we're classmates, remember?" He grinned while keeping his eyes on the road.
She sighed, exasperated. "Fine. Give me your phone."
He handed it over, and she typed in her number quickly. Before handing it back, he peeked at the screen.
"Saved as Love," he teased.
Rolling her eyes again, Mira crossed her arms. "Do whatever you want, just drop me off already."
He laughed as he pulled up to her building. She slipped out of the car with her usual poise, but the moment she shut the door, her pulse raced. She didn't look back as she disappeared into her apartment.
The next morning, her phone buzzed. Her secretary's voice filled the line, tense as always. "Boss, what about today's deal?"
"Handle everything for a week," Mira instructed coolly. "I'm… busy this week."
But before she could hang up, another call lit up her screen. An unknown number. Mira frowned before answering.
"Hello? Who is this?"
The reply sent a jolt through her chest.
"It's me, Jae Min. Are you free today?"
Caught off guard, she blurted, "I'm free, but I'm watching a series. Don't disturb me."
"Open the door," came his calm voice.
Mira's breath caught. She rushed to the door and swung it open. There he stood hands full of a bouquet and a box of chocolates, his grin boyish, almost exactly as she remembered.
"I want to watch the series with you," he said softly. "I missed you all these years, Mira. Won't you at least offer me a cup of coffee?"
Her chest tightened, but she managed to whisper, "Come inside. But don't make noise."
Inside, the atmosphere softened. Mira brewed coffee, the rich aroma filling the quiet apartment. She handed him a cup as he sat comfortably on her couch, bouquet resting on the table.
Side by side, they watched episodes together, their laughter slipping out at moments that surprised her. They ordered food, argued over which series to watch next, and for the first time in seven years, Mira felt something she thought she'd buried forever life.
For just one day, Lunar Rose disappeared.
And Mira… lived again.