“D-D-Date?”
Dana hurriedly wiped the water from her lips.
Fortunately, none had splashed onto Edwin.
His face carried a gentle smile, making it hard to tell what he was thinking.
Was he joking or serious?
Dana decided to brush it off as a joke.
“You shouldn’t make jokes like that so lightly.”
“It’s not a joke.”
“…..….”
“Don’t go on that blind date, senior.”
Dana’s eyes widened.
Edwin refilled her empty glass. His lips curved into a smile, but his eyes were deadly serious.
He spoke with a relaxed grin.
“I know this is sudden and presumptuous of me.”
At least he knows, Dana thought, nodding.
Edwin continued.
“But you said it yourself—you want to break free from your family.”
“…That’s true.”
“Then rather than marrying a stranger, wouldn’t it be better to marry me?”
What kind of confidence is that?
Dana was dumbfounded.
“Why?”
Instead of answering immediately, Edwin tapped the glass vase at the center of the table.
The water inside rippled slightly.
So did the yellow flowers within.
“This flower may seem like it’s fulfilling its purpose just by being here, but…”
“…….….”
“A lot more is required for it to bloom like this.”
“Like soil and nutrients?”
“That too. But also sunlight and wind.”
“Then what else does it need?”
Edwin glanced at the restaurant owner.
“A loving gaze.”
Love… It was an emotion Dana had never received from anyone.
Edwin looked straight at her and continued.
“That’s the most important thing. These flowers grew under the sun without a single worry, blooming fully.”
“…….….”
“Because someone was always watching over them, tending to them with care every single day.”
He was right.
The owner of this place must have nurtured this garden purely out of love.
Trimming the withered parts, providing what was needed—
Watching over it with warmth every day.
Understanding his words, Dana let out a bitter smile.
Maybe… she had been waiting for someone to look at her like that too.
At that moment, Edwin softly called her name.
“I can do that for you.”
He placed his hand over Dana’s on the table.
His warmth gently wrapped around her trembling fingers.
“You don’t have to worry about anything. Just look at the sunlight—I’ll take care of everything else.”
The usually calm and carefree eyes now carried an intense, burning emotion.
His red eyes, almost blinding in their passion, were like fire.
Dana found herself mesmerized by them before asking,
“…Why?”
Why would you…? What am I to you that you would go this far?
Confusion filled her gaze as Edwin’s reflection flickered in her eyes.
He smiled gently.
“Who knows?”
“………”
“That’s for you to figure out.”
“For me to figure out?”
“Think about it. Why do you think I’m doing this?”
For the first time, Dana realized that having too many thoughts could make her mind go blank.
The sudden confession, the way Edwin asked her to reflect on it—
Everything felt overwhelming.
But what unsettled her the most was…
Why do I feel this way?
It was an emotion she had never experienced before.
As if a warm breeze were brushing against her chest.
As if her once-gray world were finally absorbing color.
Cautiously, Dana looked ahead.
Edwin, who was always so composed, now seemed oddly nervous.
Seeing his slightly stiff lips, she realized something.
He’s serious.
At that moment, she grabbed the glass in front of her and took a big gulp of water.
Then, with a slightly trembling but firm voice, she spoke.
“…One week.”
Edwin leaned in slightly, listening intently.
“Let’s go on dates for a week. I want to experience that gaze too.”
At her words, Edwin broke into a radiant smile.
It was pure, boyish—completely untainted.
His eyes, filled with delight, were solely focused on Dana.
And at that moment, Dana’s heart began to race uncontrollably.
Why am I feeling like this?
Edwin let out a small sigh, as if releasing all his tension.
“I’m confident.”
His voice, sweet like honey, reached her ears.
Seeing Edwin’s dazzling smile, Dana let out a small chuckle.
Logically, she knew what she was supposed to do—marry as soon as possible.
And there was always the possibility that Edwin’s feelings might change.
But the reason she impulsively altered her plan was…
A gaze filled with love.
Just for one day, she wanted to feel that warmth.
If she could experience that gaze, even just once…
She felt she wouldn’t have any regrets.
***
After finishing their meal, the two wandered through the plaza aimlessly.
Dana found herself overwhelmed by the lively atmosphere around her.
There were so many things she was curious about, so many things she wanted to experience.
“What’s that place?”
“Looks like a general store. They seem to sell all kinds of things.”
“The shop looks cute. Should we go inside?”
Edwin responded with a warm smile, signaling his agreement.
The all-white general store reflected the owner’s taste—elegant and delicate, filled with ribbons and lace.
Shelves built like bookcases displayed dolls, hairpins, and various decorative items.
In the center of the store, four oval tables held accessories and perfumes.
Behind the counter, a middle-aged woman—presumably the shop owner—was dozing off, resting her chin on her hand.
Without realizing it, Dana whispered softly,
“Looks like we can test the perfumes.”
She pointed at a small sign that read Testers Available.
“Senior, do you like perfumes?”
“To be precise, I like floral scents. A subtle wildflower fragrance.”
“That suits you.”
At Edwin’s words, Dana’s face flushed slightly.
He had no hesitation when it came to giving compliments.
Trying to hide her embarrassment, she replied,
“Perfume was always a luxury to me. It’s not something you can see, and I never had the time to care about such things.”
Then, she picked up a perfume bottle with a faint yellow tint.
The glass bottle had a clumsy drawing of a daisy on it.
Dana pressed the pump attached to the side.
A fresh, sweet fragrance spread through the air.
Liking the scent, she pushed her hair to one side.
Then, exposing the nape of her neck, she sprayed the perfume once more.
I really like it.
For the first time in a long while, Dana decided to buy herself a gift.
“What do you think, Edwin? Want to try it?”
She held out the perfume to him, thinking how well his golden hair suited the daisy theme.
“Shall I?”
Edwin stepped closer to her.
Then, leaning in, he brought his body near hers.
His face moved close to her shoulder.
A moment later, his warm breath touched the delicate skin of her neck.
Dana, who had intended to spray the perfume for him, froze in place.
Her entire body tensed as she became acutely aware of him.
“It’s real.”
His deep voice resonated against her ear.
“The scent is really nice, Senior.”
“……..….”
Slowly, he pulled away.
Gently, he took the perfume bottle from Dana’s hand.
“This is my first date gift to you.”
With that, he confidently walked toward the counter.
At some point, the shop owner had woken up and was watching them with a pleased expression.
“W-Wait!”
Snapping out of her daze, Dana hurried after him, grabbing a random perfume.
“Then I’ll buy one for you too!”
The bottle she placed on the counter was the daisy perfume she had chosen earlier.
Huh? Isn’t this a women’s perfume?
Dana was about to pick a men’s fragrance instead when Edwin stopped her.
“This is the same scent as yours, Senior.”
“Huh?”
“Did you want us to wear the same perfume?”
What kind of logic is that?!
Dana stared at him, dumbfounded.
But Edwin, unfazed, placed the perfume she had chosen back on the counter.
“It’s not bad for couples to wear matching scents.”
What nonsense is he spouting now?!
At this rate, it looked like she was the one desperate to flaunt their relationship.
“Ah, young love. It’s such a wonderful time,” the shop owner said with a sly grin, looking at Dana.
“It’s not like that…”
“Let’s go, Senior.”
Edwin finished the payment, took her hand, and led her out of the store.
Still flustered, Dana barely realized where her own hand was as she was pulled along.
“Put some on me too.”
Edwin handed her the daisy-scented perfume.
Then, bending down slightly, he met her eyes.
Seeing his expectant expression, Dana let out a small laugh.
Then, she sprayed the perfume on his neck.
As they continued walking, Edwin glanced down at Dana with satisfaction.
Now, both he and Dana carried the same scent…
And honestly,
That made him really, really happy.
