"Areum, shall I set you up for a blind date? You are twenty-eight already, and single- what have you done with your life?" 

Areum winced, pulling her phone away as she heard her mother yell from the other side of the phone. She scrunched her nose, a wave of exhaustion washing over her.

She couldn't understand what she had done to deserve such lectures almost every day. 

"Mum, I was busy establishing my business. You know that already."

"And I'm proud of you for doing so, my child." Her mother's voice softened, but the edge remained. "Your father is, too. We saw you struggle; we saw you refuse your father's help and build that cafe from nothing. But you need a partner to keep you sane, Areum. Someone to lean on."

"And what if he ends up driving me insane? I have seen enough failed marriages to last a lifetime."

"Whatever happened with your sister was her own fault for chasing 'love' as a teenager," her mother dismissed her with a sharp click of the tongue. "You are at the right age. You won't make her mistakes. Promise me you'll at least think about it."

Areum caught Jin's eye across the counter and sighed. "I promise, Mum. I have to go—Jin needs help with an order. Bye."

She hung up before the rebuttal could start. Ever since the cafe had turned a profit two years ago, her mother had shifted her focus from Areum's career to her ring finger. To her mother, success was just a precursor to marriage; to Areum, it was a shield she had used to avoid the messy, heartbreaking reality her sister had faced, and the heartbreak she had faced once.

"The daily lecture again?" Jin asked, a playful smirk dancing on his lips.

Areum leaned against the espresso machine with a groan. "It's getting worse."

"I'm telling you, you're never going to find a 'suitable' match out there. At this rate, you'll have to settle for me." He laughed, giving her a friendly swat on the shoulder.

Areum rolled her eyes, missing the way his gaze lingered a second too long. They had been inseparable since childhood, sharing the same dream of mahogany counters and the scent of roasted beans. They had drifted during university, but the pull of their shared ambition had brought them back together. Jin knew her better than anyone, including the fact that she didn't see him as anything more than a best friend. He kept his heart tucked safely behind his apron, waiting for a shift in the wind that hadn't come yet.

A ping from her phone broke the moment. It was a message from her father—a rare occurrence that immediately piqued her curiosity.

It wasn't a text, but a link. She tapped it, and a sleek interface filled the screen: Echo – Finding someone who resonates with you.

Areum stared at the screen. If even her stoic father was sending her dating apps, she was truly cornered.

Might as well give it a try, she thought, a spark of defiance mixing with her scepticism. If nothing else, it'll be a good story for the next time Mum calls.

_____________________

Hello cupcakes. I apologise for disappearing for such a long time.

However, I have returned home and am happy to be back.

Please look forward to a new story and continue supporting me as always.

Loads of love <3