☁ restaurant

@lee dongyeol She only shook her head and laughed. "As much as I really hope for that to happen, as a realistic person, I bet my fate won't bring me to that point."

She played with her pasta while listening to him before shoving that food into . "I see... It makes sense, actually. Just liking someone at first sight is pretty scary, in my opinion. Who knows, they might be actually a serial killer." Minji shuddered.

"Is doing research fun?" She randomly asked. It's not that she means to demean the profession. But for her, who had never touched that field before... she couldn't find any attractive point in studying materials. That seems too... serious and needs much thinking.

@kim minji "Who knows if that will happen? Maybe, some rich CEO will stumble upon you when they're at the resort and actually fall in love with you at first sight." He jokingly replied with a soft laugh.

He furrowed his eyebrows as he took a few seconds to think about her question. "No, I don't think so? It takes me a while to like someone romantically, I guess. I'm more of a making-friends kind of person." He said with a shrug before continuing to eat.

"Oh, then, good for you. Go do whatever makes you happy." He said, smiling at her encouragingly. "The same goes for me. Once I get my Ph.D., I don't think I have the time to actually find romance. Rather, I'll focus my time and effort on research. If I do end up with someone, that will be good but I won't mind otherwise."

@lee dongyeol "That's what I am hoping for, actually." She said jokingly. "But hey, who am I? I am not Cinderella, and my life wasn't like that rom-com where a poor girl could easily make rich man head over heels toward her."

Her head tilted to one side. "So... you're the type who doesn't fall in love easily?" She guessed that based on his words. As for Minji, since her mind is always occupied by money, she never really pays attention to anyone. This makes it impossible for her to fall in love at a glance. But then her mother didn't know that fact so it won't be a problem.

She nodded enthusiastically because she understood his feelings. That's precisely what she felt all these times. "In fact, I don't mind spending my whole life alone, though. Too bad my mother couldn't understand that."

@kim minji "Oh." was all he could say. He wasn't sure how he was supposed to respond to that. It wasn't like he was in the friendship level where he could just ask her what happened. So, he just decided to comment on the other part of her statement. "What if you find someone rich? Two birds with one stone." He tried to joke to make it lighter.

"Sure, let's just say we fell in love at first sight." He said with a chuckle. "That sounds so cheesy and unbelievable. I just wish they'll buy it and think that it's just how people like each other nowadays."

He nodded in agreement. "Yeah, I know the feeling! I'm not even that old yet they're acting as if I'll live alone forever. I sometimes have the feeling that they think I'm very unattractive that they have to push someone to be with me instead of just letting it happen naturally."

@lee dongyeol "We are poor... and there are only me and my mother." She said with a nonchalant shrug. "That's why all I care is only money. Being rich is supposed to make her happier than seeing me with someone, don't you think so? I mean... if I get married just like what she wants, then my focus will be divided. Maybe I can't give my 100% attention to her as I do right now."

A smirk appeared upon hearing her words. Even she can't be categorized as a lucky person since her family kept bumping hard roads. But she won't comment, though. The male across the table has been nothing but nice to her. Minji swallowed her pasta and then nod. "Nice. The fall in love at first sight trope?" She chuckled. Not serious about what she said.

"I know right??? She made me look very desperate in looking for a partner!" She said in disbelief.

@kim minji "Your family's condition?" Dongyeol asked curiously before he could stop himself. Realizing that he might be crossing a line, he immediately backtracked. "Sorry, I didn't mean to ask that. Just ignore that question. I know it's none of my business."

He nodded slowly in understanding. "I get it... although I'm pretty lucky despite the lack of money." Dongyeol looked up to thank the waiter before proceeding to eat. "Hmm, we can just say we meet at the place where you work. I frequently go there anyway since I have a friend who kind of works there."

He laughed a little loud at her statement before calming himself down. "I'm very sorry for laughing but that's pretty funny. My parents might also pull something like that, now that I think about it. They've been trying to match me with people they know and it's just weird."

@lee dongyeol "My standards are obviously not high." She giggled. "I don't even know what I expect from my future partner aside from they need to understand my family's condition."

She shrugged nonchalantly. "Indeed, it to be poor. I've been through much hardship which caused by lack of money." Just after she finished her word, a waiter came with their order. Minji thanked them before signaling the male to eat their order first. "Do you have any idea where is the possible place where we first met?"

She got goosebumps hearing his words. Imagining her mom won't let her alone or worse, since her mom might think she ruined her only chance to be with someone... that would be hell. "I don't even want to picture that. My mom probably would 'sell' me to her friends in the hope one of them wants to match their son with me."

@kim minji "I hope you do experience that but there's probably nothing wrong with not experiencing it. I get that some people really don't have the time or their standards are too high for anyone or something." He said with a nonchalant shrug. Maybe, he made relationships sound very good, which wasn't really his aim.

He chuckled, eyebrows raising up in surprise. "Money, huh? That's very straightforward of you but I do get where you're coming from. You can't do anything without money these days. It to be poor." He said, honestly. Although he didn't really experience much hardships in life thanks to his scholarship, he was very aware of how his parents struggled raising him and making ends meet. "Alright, alright, I'll take note of that. I'll try to come up with a decent story but I've never been much of a writer."

"I think they'll stop talking about finding a partner if they think that we already have a good partner. Once our 'relationship' ends and we can't find anyone for real, they probably won't leave us alone, to be honest."

@lee dongyeol One of her eyebrows raised. The male explained how dating works as if it's such a simple process in life. While for twenty-eight years she spent in this world, she never liked someone to the point she wanted to date them. Maybe she was too occupied by her family's problem that her heart became numb?

"How I wish I could experience that kind of thing." That's what she said in the end, after her long thought.

Minji laughed at the other's sentence. "Animals. Okay. I'll make a note of that. And as for me, I'm not afraid of anything, I don't have any hobbies, and there's nothing that I like very much except money." A hundred percent honesty like usual. "So... you're free to make any story that suits your liking."

She nodded her head. "Sounds good to me. Or once our parents started to stop talking about finding a partner."

It was impossible for her mother, actually, but... who knows? Maybe there will be a miracle someday.

@kim minji "Same goes for me, honestly. But even though it's not your priority, most times, it can't really be helped. Like, one day, you'll meet someone and next thing you know, you'll end up liking them enough to date them." Dongyeol shrugged nonchalantly, a very simple explanation of how dating works. He wanted to add that the next thing that would follow was the inevitable heartache but he didn't want to sound bitter about relationships so he didn't.

"She sounds like a sweet mother then." He commented with a soft smile. Scrunching his nose, he thought of what his parents expected of him but his mind couldn't come up with anything so he shook his head. "Honestly, I'm not afraid of most common stuff. Do not say anything about me and animals though. My parents know I'm literally obsessed with every animal out there. What about you? Anything I need to remember?"

He simply shrugged at her question, not really having thought about it. "What do you think? I actually have no idea. Maybe, once either of us find someone else we like, we can 'break up' or something." He said, gesturing air quotations as he spoke.

@lee dongyeol She tilted her head to one side. The male's statement made her confused. "Why, though? I was, am, and probably will always be busy making money. Finding love never be my priority." She nodded her head several times upon hearing his explanation. "Well, lucky you, my mom is a very simple person. She is easy to please. Your presence alone will make her smile happily." A smirk appeared. "Is there something specific about you that I should remember to make our 'scenario' believable? I'm afraid I'll spurt out something which is the very opposite of you. Like... I told them you ran in the middle of the rain just to confess your feelings while you... afraid of rain." There was a scene like that from her favorite drama.

Her smile widened. "I'm smart at looking for an opportunity to make more money. Anyway..." She tapped her nails (not long ones, she doesn't have time to take care of her nails, they were in their natural color too), on the table. "When will our 'relationship' end? Have you thought about that?"

@kim minji Dongyeol laughed softly at the other's impression of her mother. "I can only imagine how tough that must be when she says it on your face like that." He shook his head, recalling how his parents tried but failed spectacularly about being subtle when they tried to find people for him or catch him whether he's actually trying to date someone. He just brushed off all their attempts.

"You've never been in a relationship before? I find that hard to believe." He squinted his eyes a little before relaxing his expression. "Personally, I think none of the people who've been in relationships before actually know how to act around their partner's parents. I've never been introduced to the parents either so... same situation, I guess." He laughed again at her joke, half thinking that his parents would be the same. "Hopefully, our lie wouldn't be that unbelievable or else, something must be really wrong with us for them to believe things just to make us happy."

Raising an eyebrow, he looked confused for a moment before he rubbed his own nape, smiling sheepishly. "Just don't think of me as a genius or something. You're smart in your own way too."

@lee dongyeol She voiced a chuckle. "You got the point." Minji clapped once. "At least I won't wake up listening to her chivvied about me already old and need to find a significant other soon." The female said that with the tone of an old lady, copying her mother.

"Well at least for me, I will need some time to prepare myself. Such preparing the words that I should say when I first meet your parents, what kind of compliment I should give to them, things like that... I have never been in a relationship. I don't know how to act around my boyfriend's parents. But if you say so..." She shrugged. "I will tell you about the time soon. Don't worry, she won't ask much. Even if you say an impossible thing such as our first meeting was when aliens landed on the top of this restaurant, she won't bother."

Listening to his answer, Minji scratched her head even though it didn't itch. "Well, I thought your parents might want their son to end up with someone who's as genius as you. Sorry, maybe I watch too much drama." She grimaced.

@kim minji Despite hearing the same compliment every time, Dongyeol still did not know the proper response so he simply looked down at the table, a sheepish smile on his face. "Well, it will be good if she'll like me, right? At least, she won't nag you much if she thinks you have a decent boyfriend." He nodded slowly at her response and he scrunched his nose before saying, "That sounds like a pretty tough job. It's good that you're actually managing."

He turned his gaze towards where she was looking, peering at the house that she was pointing at. "Oh, that's quite near." He said, turning his gaze back towards her. "I'm not sure what exactly you mean by 'ready'. Do I have to prepare myself for tough questions or something? Because right now, I feel like I'm ready anytime you are. Tell me if my confidence is misplaced though."

He tapped his chin thoughtfully as he considered her question before he ended up shrugging as he answered, "To be honest, I don't really know what kind of girl they like. I've never introduced my previous girlfriend to them so... I really don't know. I guess, they'll be happy if I end up with anyone, really." He chuckled, shaking his head. "Why would you need to lie about that? I think your job is great. Just pretend that you're making me really happy and vice versa and they'll be quite pleased."

@lee dongyeol Both of her eyebrows rose up at Dongyeol's words. "Researcher? A genius we have here. My mom would definitely like you right away," she said in awe. Didn't really aware of what she's saying. "I'm an assistant manager at the resort nearby." She smiles, quite proud at her achievement remembered how bad her family's condition was. it's good already she could get a decent education and get a proper job.

"Well, my mom live nearby." She looked across the restaurant's window and pointed at the housing which not too far from their location. "So you can meet her whenever you have free time and... ready. I can guarantee she will leave her workplace right away if I say I want to introduce her to my 'boyfriend'." Minji giggled, imagining the big smile that would appear on her mom's face.

"How about yours? And... what kind of girl do they like?"

To to carry out her duties well, of course she need to know that kind of information, right?

"Do I need to lie about my education or job?"

@kim minji He nodded slowly in understanding and hoped that his brain could remember that detail. "I see. May I know what your work is?" He raised an eyebrow, looking curious as he asked. "I work as a researcher assistant by the way and I'm mostly on work during weekdays and sometimes, weekends too. So, I do also need you to inform me if ever we need to meet." He rubbed his nape as he thought of what else to add. "When do we need to see each other's parents by the way?"

@lee dongyeol Unlike him, Minji took quite a long time to read the menu before deciding to order pasta and beer. She need some relief after the pressure at work and... talking about this fake relationship. She looked up at him and shrugged. "Well... aside from the information that I work full time from Monday to Friday, sometimes including weekends during peak season and I hope you could inform me about the time I need to see your parents ahead so I can take a leave... I think that's all."

@kim minji Dongyeol gingerly took the menu from the waiter and only took a glance, knowing what he wanted already. He said told the waiter his order and thanked them before he looked back at the female in front of him as he listened to her reply. "Well, you'll be surprised how many people lie on the internet so how could I be sure?" He shrugged his shoulders, showing a rather sheepish smile. It was not like him to be distrustful of others but situations like this do call for carefulness. He leaned his back against his seat as he visibly relaxed. "Looks like we have practically the same problem though so I guess, this is fine. Anything I need to know before we reach an agreement?"

@lee dongyeol Minji breathed a sigh of relief. She thought the male had been waiting for a long time. She took a seat in front of him and smiled. "Yes, food. Just a thing I need right now." She rose her hand, calling a waiter to bring the menu for both her and Dongyeol.

The second question asked by the male made her clammed up for a bit before nodded her head. "Yes, of course. I've told you about that earlier, right? Even my profile in that stupid app was made by my mom. I never have any intention in getting a real lover in the first place." She shrugged.

@kim minji He was staring at his phone, still contemplating whether to text a message when he heard a voice calling his name. He looked up at her before flashing a polite smile. "Yeah, it's Dongyeol. Nice to meet you. I just got here, actually, so you're not that late." He gestured for her to take a seat. "Shall we get something to eat first while we talk?" He asked, raising an eyebrow. He paused for a bit, hesitating, but ended up voicing his worries out. "By the way, just to be clear so we're on the same page, you are serious about becoming my fake partner, right?"

@lee dongyeol "It's a wrap!!! Sorry guys, I have to leave now!" She said before standing up from her desk and rushing to a place, a location where she agreed to meet up with someone she found on a dating app. While entering the restaurant, she hastily put her laptop in her bag. Her eyes wandered, looking for a guy whose face has been memorized by her. When she finally found that guy, she quickly walked toward him. "Dongyeol? It's Minji here. Sorry, I'm late. There was a bit of trouble at work."

@kim minji Dongyeol found himself walking towards the restaurant, one hand holding his phone and the other shoved into the pocket of his jeans. He had just gotten off his work at the laboratory and he did not bother changing his clothes from the polo and jeans matched with a pair of rubber shoes that was appropriate for his job's dress code. Upon arriving at the place, he looked at the picture of the girl he met in the dating app for the nth time that day before looking around inside for the familiar face. When he did not see her, he figured he arrived a little earlier than expected so he decided to settle down at one of the available seats where the staff led him. After settling down, he opened his messages and contemplated if he should message her or not. What if she changed her mind? What if she was just trolling? Pessimistic thoughts could not help but dawn on his mind.