A month had passed since Jane's unexpected encounter with Nick at the hospital. She'd almost put the event behind her, diving back into work and focusing on her daily routine. Tonight, her company was hosting an elegant dinner party, a rare occasion to dress up and enjoy some time with her colleagues. The venue was chic, with soft lights casting a golden glow over tables filled with laughter and conversation. Jane moved from one group to another, enjoying the relaxed atmosphere, unaware of a familiar face watching her from across the room.
Nick had come to the event as a guest of his friend, one of the evening's sponsors. He hadn't expected to see Jane here and was surprised by how effortlessly she blended in. Tonight, she wore a simple yet stunning black dress, the colour accentuating her features and drawing attention from everyone in the room. For a moment, Nick watched her from a distance, observing her laughter and easygoing charm. She hadn't seen him yet, and he was both curious and excited to see how she'd react. After gathering his thoughts, he made his way through the crowd and approached her.
"Hi," he said with a smile, standing close enough that she would notice him but not so close as to startle her.
She looked up at him, a polite smile on her face, and nodded. "Hi." Then, to his surprise, she turned and went back to her group of friends, leaving him wondering if she had actually recognized him at all.
As the night wore on, he kept glancing her way, hoping to catch her attention, but she was engrossed in conversation with her colleagues. The party began winding down, and guests started making their way to the exit. Nick seized his chance, stepping forward to intercept her as she was leaving.
"Excuse me," he said, his tone light but questioning. "Don't you recognize me?"
She turned to him, tilting her head thoughtfully as she studied his face. A second later, her eyes widened in recognition. "Nick?" she asked, her tone filled with pleasant surprise.
He nodded, amused by her expression. "The one and only."
"Wow... I'm so sorry, I failed to recognize you!," she explained, a light blush colouring her cheeks.
Nick chuckled. "Well, it's good to know you remembered," he teased.
"How are you?" she asked, her voice softening with genuine concern.
"Much better, thanks to you," he replied. Then she added, "Why did you leave without meeting me?"
"I had an emergency."
"I brought you dinner that night as promised," she added with a smile.
"I am sorry."
She raised an eyebrow, her expression stern like she had just remembered something important. "A blank check?" she asked, her voice laced with seriousness as she glanced at him.
Nick winced, scratching the back of his neck. "I know, I just... I didn't want you to end up covering the medical bills. I heard you paid them in full, and I wanted to repay you."
She shrugged and smiled. "Then you should've filled in the amount instead of leaving it blank."
"I'll keep that in mind for next time," he said, chuckling despite himself.
She gave him a pointed look. "There shouldn't be a next time like that."
Nick nodded, trying to hide his smile from the way she scolded him. "Fair enough. So, what brings you here tonight?"
"Oh, I work for the company hosting the event," she said casually, glancing at him with a curious expression.
"I was wondering since when they started letting people your age into these parties."
"People my age?" Nick echoed, a teasing glint in her eyes. "Isn't that obvious?" She said pointing at him.
"Are you talking about me?" He raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise.
She tilted her head, a playful smile tugging at her lips.
"Do I really look that young?"
"Well, yeah," Jane said with a laugh, "You definitely give off the fresh graduate vibes."
She noticed his amused expression and quickly added, "Wait, how old are you?"
"Thirty," he replied, watching her expression shift from teasing to surprise.
"Thirty?" She blinked in shock. "You're older than me?"
"Seems that way," he said, laughing even wider. "And how old are you?"
"Twenty-eight," she answered, shaking her head as if she'd been tricked. "Wow, the dramas are real."
"Dramas?"
"Well I am a fan of Korean dramas and all the male leads look much younger than their age. Have you seen Lee Yong? I was shocked to know he is in his 40s. I thought he was in his 20's." She said looking disappointed.
Nick leaned forward, his face just inches from hers, looking mockingly hurt. "Take a closer look."
Her heart skipped a beat, and she laughed, shoving his chest lightly. "Oh please, you're not fooling anyone."
They both chuckled, the sound easy and natural and for the next few minutes, they chatted about everything from work to favorite travel spots. Nick admired the effortless way she spoke, the lightheartedness with which she carried herself, and the way her eyes sparkled when she talked about the places she wanted to visit.
As the night wore on, Jane glanced at her watch, realizing how late it was. She offered him a small, apologetic smile. "Well, it was nice meeting you again, Nick. I should get going."
"Yeah," he said, his voice softer now, the lighthearted banter fading into something a little more serious. "Likewise, Jane."
With a last nod, she turned and began walking toward the exit. Nick stood still for a moment, watching her leave. There was a strange, empty feeling in his chest as he saw her walk away, the laughter from earlier fading into the background.
He wanted to talk to her more. He wanted to hear her laugh again, see that playful glint in her eyes, feel that effortless connection they'd shared.
As she left, something in him shifted, and his heart sent him signals he couldn't ignore. But he didn't want to rush things. He wasn't the type to chase after a fleeting moment, not like this. No, this felt different. He wanted to be a part of her life, to really get to know her.
He would pursue her. She wasn't someone he was willing to let go. Not without giving it a real shot.