Chapter 27: Confession Attempt
The late afternoon light spilled through the windows of Jin's apartment, painting the walls with a soft golden hue. He sat on the edge of his bed, phone in hand, staring at a blank note he had been trying to write for over an hour.
"Luce… I like you. I really like you."
Simple enough words. Yet every time he typed them, paused, and deleted them, the weight of vulnerability settled heavier on his chest. What if he said it wrong? What if she didn't feel the same? What if a single sentence changed everything they had built, one grape at a time?
Lucia's text buzzed on his phone, breaking his reverie.
"Hey… you free for a walk? I could use some fresh air."
He smiled, relief flooding through him. "Yes," he typed back quickly, "I'll meet you outside in five."
The streets of Brooklyn were quieter than usual, the city softened by the fading sunlight. He found her standing near a small café, hands tucked in her jacket pockets, hair catching the last golden rays of sun. She looked up as he approached, her smile brightening the soft shadows around them.
"Hey," she said softly.
"Hey," he replied, feeling the familiar warmth settle in his chest.
They started walking slowly, side by side, letting the city's hum fade into the background. The air was cool, but comforting, carrying the scent of nearby bakeries and freshly brewed coffee.
"So…" Lucia began, glancing at him with curiosity, "how was your day?"
"Busy," he admitted, keeping his voice casual. "But… better now."
She raised an eyebrow playfully. "Better now?"
He swallowed, trying to steady his nerves. "Yeah… just… walking with you, talking… it makes things feel lighter."
Her cheeks warmed slightly. "I know what you mean."
They strolled through a quiet park, the leaves crunching softly under their feet. Jin had planned to tell her, to finally say the words that had been circling in his mind for weeks. But every time he opened his mouth, the courage faltered, replaced by a nervous chuckle or a casual comment about the skyline.
"So… I tried this new coffee shop today," he said, gesturing vaguely. "They have… some really unique pastries. You'd probably love it."
Lucia laughed softly. "Always food with you. But okay, I'll bite. We'll check it out next time."
He smiled, grateful for the distraction. Yet the words lingered at the edge of his tongue, demanding to be spoken.
"I like you, Luce. I really like you."
He stopped walking for a moment, glancing at her. She looked up at him, curiosity and warmth in her eyes, waiting for him to continue. His heart pounded. This was it.
"Luce…" he began, voice low, earnest… and then hesitated. His throat felt tight, the words catching in the middle. "I… I just—"
She tilted her head slightly, encouraging him without knowing. "You just what?"
He swallowed, looking down at the path. "I… I like spending time with you. I… care about you. A lot."
Her eyes softened, a small smile tugging at her lips. "I care about you too, Jin."
His chest tightened. That was exactly what he wanted to hear—but still, he couldn't say the words. He wanted to tell her everything: the way his chest fluttered when she laughed, the warmth he felt whenever she brushed against him, the little moments they had shared, one grape at a time, that had grown into something he couldn't ignore.
Yet fear held him back. Fear of saying too much, fear of changing what they already had, fear of moving too fast.
"I… uh… I'm really glad we're… here," he said instead, gesturing vaguely around the park. "I like this… us… being like this."
Lucia laughed softly, a warm, light sound that made his heart ache with longing. "Yeah… this is nice. Simple. Just us."
They continued walking, their shoulders brushing occasionally, small touches that made the tension and unspoken words between them feel electric. Every glance, every accidental touch, carried the weight of what Jin wanted to say but couldn't.
At a quiet bench near a small fountain, they stopped. The water glimmered in the fading light, casting soft reflections on their faces. Jin reached into his pocket and pulled out a small note, folding it carefully before handing it to her.
"I like being with you. I like the little moments, the laughs, the notes… and all the grapes in between. —J"
Lucia took it, her fingers brushing his. The touch lingered just a fraction longer than necessary, sending a familiar thrill through both of them. She read the note aloud softly, and then scribbled a reply:
"I like it too. The grapes, the notes… and the moments with you. —L"
Handing it back, their fingers met deliberately this time. Jin's heart raced, his chest tightening. He wanted to say more. He wanted to tell her everything he felt, every flutter, every longing, every moment she had made brighter.
But for now, he let it stay in the notes. Let it stay in the small gestures. Sometimes, he realized, love grew slowly, carefully, one grape at a time, and the perfect moment would come.
They continued their walk as the sun disappeared behind the city skyline, leaving a soft twilight glow. The air was quiet, the streets almost empty, and the simple presence of each other felt enough. Even without the confession, their hearts were connected through laughter, shared memories, playful banter, and those small touches that said more than words ever could.
Finally, as they reached the corner of her street, Jin turned to her, brushing a stray hair from her face. "Tonight… was good," he said softly. "Really good."
She smiled, warmth flooding her chest. "Yeah… it was. Simple, easy… perfect, in its own way."
He hesitated, his lips twitching into a small, nervous smile. "One day… I'll tell you everything I feel."
Lucia's smile softened, her eyes warm and trusting. "I'll be waiting. One grape at a time."
He nodded, feeling a quiet peace settle in his chest. The words hadn't been spoken aloud yet, but the connection, the trust, and the intimacy were already there. One grape at a time, they were building something steady, strong, and real.
As she waved goodbye and walked inside, Jin lingered for a moment, watching her disappear through the door. His chest ached with longing, anticipation, and hope. Soon, he told himself. Soon, the right moment would come.
And in that quiet Brooklyn night, the soft glow of streetlamps reflecting in the puddles from an earlier drizzle, Jin realized that love didn't need to be rushed or forced. It grew naturally, one grape at a time, with laughter, notes, touches, and the courage to wait for the perfect moment.