Namjoon guided Mia through the café, weaving between tables with ease, his calm presence a stark contrast to the tension that had just fizzled out. As they reached the back of the shop, he pushed open a narrow door that led to an outdoor terrace. The soft hum of the busy café faded as the door clicked shut behind them, leaving the quiet sounds of the outside world in its place.

The VIP outdoor seating area was a hidden gem, tucked away from the bustling café. A few wrought iron tables, scattered with comfy cushions, lined the edge of the terrace, each with a clear view of the breathtaking mountains in the distance. Their peaks rose sharply, a mixture of deep greens and cool blues that faded into the sky, crowned with soft wisps of clouds. The soft mountain breeze carried a hint of fresh pine, mingling with the faint smell of coffee still lingering in the air.

Fairy lights twinkled in the branches of trees lining the edges of the terrace, casting a warm, golden glow over the space. A few scattered potted plants and flowers added a pop of color, making the area feel like a serene retreat. The sounds of the city below seemed distant here, replaced by the peaceful whisper of the wind through the leaves.

Namjoon gestured for Mia to take a seat at a corner table that offered the best view. "Not too shabby, huh?" he said with a grin, pulling out the chair for her.

Mia sat down, her eyes immediately drawn to the mountains. It felt as though the entire world had fallen away, leaving just the two of them in this tranquil moment. She exhaled softly, feeling the weight of the day lift just a little. "This is incredible," she said, her voice filled with awe. "I don't think I've ever seen anything like it."

Namjoon chuckled as he sat down across from her, slipping his mask off and setting it on the table. "It's my little slice of peace. I come up here when I need a break from everything."

Mia leaned back in her chair, taking in the view. "It's perfect," she said, her tone soft. "It's like a whole different world up here."

Namjoon nodded, his eyes following the contours of the mountains as though they were an old friend. "It reminds me that sometimes, you have to step away to see things clearly," he said, his voice thoughtful. "Up here, I can breathe. It's like nothing else matters. No expectations to meet."

Mia glanced at him, intrigued by the way he spoke. She wondered what it was that had driven him to seek out this peaceful spot, what thoughts he had during those moments of solitude. But she didn't ask, sensing that the answer was more complicated than he might let on.

They shared a comfortable silence as the mountains bathed in the golden afternoon light. The world felt still for a moment, and Mia couldn't help but smile. "This is the kind of place you come to forget everything, huh?"

Namjoon's gaze shifted from the mountains to her, and for a second, his expression softened. "Sometimes," he said quietly. "But it's not just about forgetting. It's about finding a little clarity when everything else feels like a blur."

Mia stood up, moving closer to the edge of the terrace. She leaned against the railing, feeling the cool air brush against her skin. The mountains were vast and timeless, a quiet reminder of how small the everyday struggles seemed in comparison.

Namjoon joined her at the railing, his presence steady beside her. The silence between them was comfortable, unspoken understanding passing through the air. For a few moments, nothing needed to be said. They both just stood there, taking in the view, feeling the weight of the world lighten as the mountains stretched out before them.

Then, with a hint of disbelief, Namjoon broke the calm. "Twelve thousand dollars," he muttered, his voice trailing off, as if still processing the absurdity of it.

"I know, right?" Mia replied, glancing sideways at him with an amused smile.

The absurdity of the situation—standing in front of the towering mountains, discussing an over-priced coat—seemed almost comical. But there was something about the easy atmosphere between them, as if they were two people who could talk about anything, no matter how odd the topic.

As the conversation lingered for a moment, Namjoon gestured towards their table, "Let's sit," he said, his tone warm but casual, inviting her to continue their conversation in a more comfortable setting.

The seating area was quiet, a few other patrons scattered at their tables, but the atmosphere was peaceful, the hum of the coffee shop muted by the open space and open sky. Namjoon pulled out a chair for her before sitting down across from her.

They ordered their drinks, their laughter carrying over the soft murmur of the café when Mia asked if the coffee had any secret ingredients she should be aware of and Namjoon apologized for their eventful blind date for the 100th time.

As the drinks arrived, the conversation shifted back to the earlier topic.

"12k is a little too much for a coat, don't you think?" Namjoon mused, his voice casual but the glint in his eyes betraying the amusement he was trying to hide. "Seems a bit... excessive." He gave her a sideways glance, his gaze flicking to the mountains for a second before returning to her with a knowing expression. "But I guess it's nothing the CFO of RC Trading couldn't afford," he added, the teasing tone slipping in, making it clear he wasn't just talking about the price of the coat anymore.

Mia paused mid-sip, the coffee cup hovering near her lips, a small laugh escaped her as she realized what he was implying. The way his eyes twinkled told her he'd probably Googled her company name the moment she'd mentioned it. She shifted uncomfortably, but a sheepish smile tugged at her lips. "What?" she teased, half-laughing, half-embarrassed by his sly gaze.

Namjoon raised an eyebrow, clearly enjoying the moment. He leaned back in his chair, swirling his coffee like a man savoring a revelation. "You said you worked in finance." His voice was teasing, but there was a spark of curiosity behind it, as if trying to piece together more of who she really was. "I mean, come on, that's a bit... vague, don't you think?"

"I do work in finance!" she shot back, her words a bit defensive but still playful. She leaned back in her chair, trying to look cool, but the slight flush creeping across her cheeks betrayed her.

Namjoon chuckled, clearly enjoying her reaction. He leaned forward, his grin widening. "Forbes 30 Under 30, seriously?" he teased, raising an eyebrow and waiting for her response.

Mia rolled her eyes, but a smile tugged at her lips. "Stop judging me," she said, though her laughter gave her away. The blush on her cheeks only deepened as she tried to play it cool.

"You know, RC Trading isn't exactly a small fish in the pond," Namjoon said with a smirk, his tone both playful and respectful. "It's kind of hard not to look it up when you hear it."

Mia let out a small sigh, resigned to the fact that it was now out in the open. "Fair point," she admitted, setting her coffee cup down and leaning forward slightly, her eyes narrowing playfully as she looked at him. She took a deep breath and glanced back at him, determined to steer the conversation into safer waters. "So how was your week in Japan?" she asked, hoping to shift the focus.

Namjoon chuckled lightly, his eyes sparkling as he leaned back in his chair. "Japan was good," he said with a shrug, waving his hand dismissively. "But mostly just a blur of interviews and fan meets," he continued, his tone light. "Not exactly the scenic tour I had in mind."

Mia raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Sounds exhausting," she remarked, taking another sip of her coffee.

He nodded, a smirk playing at his lips. "It was. But, you know, I survived. I think I came back with an overabundance of sushi and a couple thousand pictures of people I can't remember." His eyes twinkled with amusement.

Mia laughed, her eyes brightening with genuine interest. "I'm sure they'll remember you just fine," she teased.

Namjoon grinned, his gaze drifting back to her coffee cup. She's a fan, he reminds himself, but somewhere deep inside, a part of him wants to ignore it. He doesn't want it to matter. Yet, it does. He knows better than to let his guard down. His decisions, carefully measured and calculated, leave no room for impulse, no space for desire. Every move is scrutinized, every outcome weighed, and so far, he can't see a path where this ends well.