Chapter 6:

The sun rose high over the serene canals of Venice as Scarlet made her way to the gondola station, determined to experience the city's famed gondola ride. Dressed in a light sundress, her hair tied loosely, she was excited to explore Venice from its waterways. However, when she arrived, the sight of a long queue dampened her spirits slightly.

"Great," she muttered under her breath, joining the line and settling in for the wait. It took almost 30 minutes before she was finally at the front. She smiled with relief when the gondola driver gestured for her to step forward, but her relief was short-lived.

"Excuse me," a voice said from beside her, sharp and insistent. "I believe I was here before her."

Scarlet turned and was surprised to see a tall man in a casual yet stylish outfit, his hair slightly disheveled. Her surprise turned into shock when she recognized him as the same guy from the fireworks last night.

"You again?" she blurted out before she could stop herself.

Ha-neul blinked, his lips parting in recognition. "Oh, it's you," he said, his voice more subdued now. Then, as if regaining his momentum, he pointed at the gondola. "But still, I was here first."

Scarlet folded her arms, her expression unimpressed. "I've been waiting for thirty minutes. You just got here."

The gondola driver, clearly used to such disputes, glanced between them and sighed. "It's better for two people to share the ride anyway. Why not go together?"

"Together?" Scarlet and Haneul said in unison, their tones equally incredulous.

Before Scarlet could protest, Haneul quickly said, "Yes, we're two. It's fine."

Scarlet's jaw dropped. "What?" she exclaimed, staring at him.

Ha-neul avoided her glare, instead bowing slightly. "I'm sorry, but I've been waiting too long. Let's just... share it."

The gondola driver, pleased to have resolved the matter, extended a hand to help Scarlet into the boat. Too flustered to argue further, she let herself be guided in, Ha-neul following close behind. They sat opposite each other, the small space forcing an awkward closeness.

Scarlet crossed her arms, glaring at the water. "You owe me for this," she muttered.

Ha-neul gave a sheepish smile, bowing slightly again. "I really am sorry, but... I've had bad luck lately. I needed this."

"Yeah, yeah, whatever," Scarlet replied, brushing him off as she looked out at the water.

The gondola driver pushed off, the boat gliding smoothly through the canal. The sound of water lapping against the sides of the boat filled the air as the driver began playing a soft tune on a violin, adding a romantic ambiance to the ride.

Scarlet shifted uncomfortably, trying to focus on the beauty of Venice instead of the man sitting across from her. For his part, Ha-neul seemed equally unsure of what to say, his eyes darting between her and the view.

Finally, he cleared his throat. "By the way," he began hesitantly, "I don't think we introduced ourselves last night. I'm Ha-neul."

Scarlet glanced at him, still slightly annoyed but curious despite herself. "Scarlet," she replied curtly.

Ha-neul nodded, smiling a little. "Nice to meet you... again."

Scarlet couldn't help but roll her eyes. "Sure."

He chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. "I just realized I never got my pictures from last night," he said, trying to fill the silence.

Scarlet arched an eyebrow. "You didn't?"

"No. I got... distracted," Ha-neul admitted, looking genuinely regretful.

Before Scarlet could respond, the gondola driver spoke up. "Why don't I take some pictures for you two now? The view is beautiful, and it would be a shame not to capture it."

"Oh, no, that's not necessary," Ha-neul said quickly, holding up a hand.

"Yes, it is," the driver insisted, already gesturing for Scarlet to hand over her phone.

Scarlet hesitated, unsure, but the driver's enthusiasm was hard to refuse. She sighed, pulling her phone out and handing it to him. "Fine," she muttered.

The driver positioned himself expertly, framing them with the picturesque canal and historic buildings in the background. "Smile!" he said cheerfully.

Scarlet and Ha-neul exchanged awkward glances before both forced small, stiff smiles.

"Relax!" the driver encouraged, snapping a few shots. "Pretend you're having fun!"

Scarlet rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress a small laugh, which the driver captured perfectly. Ha-neul, seeing her relax, let his own guard down, smiling more naturally.

The driver continued snapping pictures, instructing them to pose in different ways. "Look at each other! Now look at the view! Perfect!"

At first, both of them felt awkward, but as the session went on, they began to loosen up. Scarlet found herself laughing genuinely at the absurdity of the situation, and Ha-neul's initial discomfort melted away as he joined in her laughter.

Finally, the driver handed Scarlet's phone back to her. "There! You'll love these, I promise."

Scarlet scrolled through the pictures, her lips twitching into a smile despite herself. The driver had managed to capture not just the beauty of Venice but also a surprising warmth between her and Haneul.

"These are... nice," she admitted, glancing up at Haneul.

He leaned over slightly to look at the screen, nodding in agreement. "Yeah, they are. Thank you," he said, bowing to the driver.

As the gondola ride continued, the initial awkwardness between them began to fade. They talked sporadically, sharing little bits about their trips and what had brought them to Venice.

The gondola glided through the still waters of Venice, the sun casting a golden glow over the ancient city. Scarlet leaned slightly over the edge, marveling at the reflection of the pastel buildings in the rippling canal. The initial awkwardness between her and Ha-neul had subsided, replaced by a tentative truce.

The gondolier, sensing the shift in mood, began humming softly before breaking into a romantic Italian song. His deep voice echoed across the water, adding an almost cinematic quality to the ride. Scarlet stifled a laugh, glancing at Ha-neul, who was suddenly very interested in the water.

Midway through the song, the gondolier paused and looked at them with a mischievous grin. "So, are you two single?" he asked in heavily accented English.

Ha-neul stiffened, his eyes darting everywhere but Scarlet. "Uh..." He hesitated before giving a small, reluctant nod.

Scarlet frowned, caught off guard by the question. "Yeah," she blurted out reflexively, her tone sharper than intended.

The gondolier chuckled. "Ah, then you can consider this a blind date!"

Scarlet's eyes widened, and she laughed incredulously. "What? No! That's not what this is!"

The gondolier shrugged, his grin never wavering. "Venice is a beautiful place to meet someone new, no?"

Ha-neul coughed awkwardly, his ears turning pink. "It's just a shared ride," he muttered.

They both scoffed at the gondolier's suggestion, exchanging a brief glance of mutual disbelief before turning their attention back to the view.

Scarlet, still amused, decided to break the silence. "By the way," she said, "the other day at the airport... You were there, right? Talking way too loudly?"

Ha-neul's head snapped toward her, his eyebrows shooting up. "Excuse me?" he said, glaring.

"You were shouting into your phone," she clarified, rolling her eyes. "It was so annoying."

"And you were the one glaring at me, weren't you?" he retorted, crossing his arms.

Scarlet smirked. "Well, you deserved it."

Ha-neul rolled his eyes, muttering something under his breath in Korean. Scarlet just chuckled, shaking her head.

The gondolier, clearly entertained by their bickering, resumed his song. This time, the melody was livelier, and the atmosphere lightened. Scarlet allowed herself to relax, enjoying the scenery while the gondola continued its journey through the winding canals.

Just as the ride reached its most picturesque point, a narrow canal framed by flower-laden balconies, Ha-neul's phone buzzed loudly. He pulled it out of his pocket and glanced at the screen, his expression immediately shifting to one of exasperation.

"Seriously?" he muttered before answering.

"여보세요? (Hello?)"

"하늘아! 너 어디야? 왜 이렇게 연락이 안 돼? (Ha-neul! Where are you? Why haven't you been answering your phone?)" His mother's worried voice rang out, loud enough for Scarlet to hear faintly.

Ha-neul winced and lowered his voice. "엄마, 나중에 전화할게요. 지금 바빠요. (Mom, I'll call you later. I'm busy right now.)"

"바빠? 네가 바쁘다고? 도대체 뭘 하고 있는데? 너 여자랑 있는 거야? (Busy? You're busy? What exactly are you doing? Are you with a girl?)"

"아니야, 아니야! 제발! (No, no! Please!)" Ha-neul exclaimed, his face flushing bright red.

Scarlet raised an eyebrow, trying to stifle a laugh at his obvious embarrassment.

"엄마, 진짜로 나중에 전화할게요. 끊을게요. (Mom, I'll seriously call you later. I'm hanging up.)" Without waiting for a response, he ended the call and sighed deeply, running a hand through his hair.

He turned to Scarlet, bowing apologetically. "I'm really, really sorry about that."

Scarlet couldn't help but grin, shaking her head. "It's fine. You seemed... stressed."

Ha-neul smiled sheepishly. "Yeah, my mom... she worries. A lot."

Scarlet tilted her head, her curiosity piqued. "There's someone I know... he's Korean too... and he talks to his family in the same way. Was that your mom?"

Ha-neul nodded. "Yeah. She's... very protective."

Scarlet chuckled. "I can tell. She thought you were with a girl?"

Ha-neul groaned, covering his face with his hands. "I'm never going to hear the end of it when I call her back."

The gondola driver, who had been listening quietly, suddenly spoke up. "A protective mother is a good thing. She must care about you very much."

Ha-neul nodded, his expression softening. "She does. A little too much sometimes."

The gondola drifted into a wide, open canal, the view expanding to reveal Venice's stunning skyline. The driver paused his song to let the beauty of the moment speak for itself. Scarlet and Ha-neul sat in silence, the tension from earlier dissipating as they took in the scene.

As the ride neared its end, Scarlet glanced at Ha-neul and smiled faintly. "You know, this isn't the worst way to spend a morning."

Ha-neul looked at her, surprised by the change in her tone. He returned the smile, nodding. "I guess not."

By the time they reached the end of the ride, Scarlet found herself surprisingly at ease. When they finally stepped off the gondola, Scarlet handed the driver a generous tip, thanking him for the experience. Ha-neul followed suit, bowing politely.

Ha-neul turned to her, bowing once more. "Thank you for... putting up with me. I hope the rest of your trip is as nice as this ride."

Scarlet smirked. "Just don't cut in line next time."

Ha-neul chuckled, scratching the back of his head. "Fair enough. Have a good day, Scarlet."

Before parting ways, Ha-neul hesitated, as if he wanted to say something, but instead, he simply nodded at Scarlet. "Have a good day," he said.

"You too," she replied, watching as he walked away.

With that, he walked away, leaving Scarlet standing there, her phone in hand. She glanced down at the pictures again, a faint smile tugging at her lips. The gondola ride hadn't gone as planned, but it had turned out to be a memory she wouldn't soon forget.

***

Scarlet wandered through the bustling Venetian market, her senses overwhelmed by the vibrant sights, sounds, and smells around her. The air was rich with the aroma of freshly baked bread, spices, and perfumes from nearby stalls. Brightly colored awnings shaded the array of goods on display.

From delicate Murano glass jewelry to intricately woven lace and handmade leather bags. Scarlet ran her fingers along a silk scarf, marveling at its soft texture. It would be perfect for her mother, she thought, carefully tucking it into her basket.

Her thoughts wandered to Ha-joon as she browsed the stalls, looking for a gift that would suit him. She hesitated in front of a display of handcrafted cufflinks. One pair, shaped like tiny Venetian gondolas, caught her eye. They were tasteful, elegant, and uniquely Venetian, exactly the kind of thing Ha-joon might appreciate.

Picking them up, she smiled to herself, imagining his surprised expression. But as she debated on whether to buy them, she decided to call him. Ha-joon's opinion mattered, and she wanted to make sure he liked them. She pulled out her phone and dialed his number.

"Moon!" she said the moment he picked up.

"Hmm? Red, I'm in the middle of something," Ha-joon replied, his voice distant, the sound of rustling papers and muffled voices in the background.

"It's important," she insisted, glancing at the cufflinks again. "I need your input."

"Later, Red. I really can't right now."

"Moon, come on!" she nagged, switching to a more pleading tone. "I'm shopping for you, for us! Just one minute!"

"Later," Ha-joon repeated, more firmly this time. "I'll call you back."

Scarlet huffed as the line went dead. "Typical," she muttered under her breath. For someone she affectionately called Moon, he certainly had a way of eclipsing her efforts sometimes.

Sighing, she pocketed her phone and decided to buy the cufflinks anyway. If he didn't like them, well, too bad. She moved on to other stalls, letting her frustration dissipate as she immersed herself in the market's charm.

A call from her mom lifted her mood slightly. "Scarlet, are you eating enough?" her mother asked, skipping any pleasantries.

"Yes, Mom. I'm in Venice, not the wilderness," Scarlet replied, rolling her eyes with a smile.

"Don't get smart with me," her mom shot back. "What are you up to?"

"Shopping. I'm trying to pick gifts for everyone."

"For Ha-joon too?"

Scarlet hesitated. "Yes."

Her mom made a disapproving noise. "Why? He has everything he needs. He doesn't even appreciate how much effort you put in."

"Mom..." Scarlet sighed. "You don't know him like I do."

"I know enough," her mom countered. "Just don't forget to take care of yourself too, okay?"

"I won't, Mom," Scarlet promised, quickly changing the subject to avoid further commentary on Ha-joon. They spent the next twenty minutes discussing potential gifts for her siblings and cousins, her mom's enthusiasm making the process more fun than stressful.

By the time Scarlet ended the call, her basket was nearly full. She had picked out a little something for everyone: a hand-painted mask for her sister, delicate glass earrings for her cousin, and a leather-bound journal for her father. Feeling accomplished, she decided to explore more of Venice before heading back to the hotel.

Scarlet's next stop was a historical site she'd read about: the Doge's Palace. The majestic Gothic structure loomed before her, its intricate marble façade glowing in the afternoon sun. She bought a ticket and stepped inside, immediately captivated by the grandeur of the place.

She wandered through the grand halls, marveling at the frescoed ceilings and gilded details. One room in particular, the Chamber of the Great Council, left her breathless. Its walls were adorned with paintings depicting Venice's history, and the ceiling was a masterpiece of art and architecture.

Scarlet took out her phone and started snapping pictures, determined to capture the beauty around her. At one point, she approached a fellow tourist and asked, "Excuse me, would you mind taking a picture of me here?"

The man nodded with a friendly smile. Scarlet posed in front of the ornate backdrop, her black hair catching the light as she tilted her head slightly. After a few clicks, the man handed her phone back.

"Thank you so much," she said, checking the pictures and finding them perfect.

"No problem. Enjoy your trip!" he replied before walking away.

Scarlet continued exploring the palace, taking more pictures and even a few videos to share with her family. As the afternoon wore on, she felt a deep sense of contentment. Venice was turning out to be everything she had hoped for: beautiful, inspiring, and full of surprises.

But even amidst all the wonder, her thoughts kept drifting back to Ha-joon. She thought about calling him again, but decided against it. He was probably still busy, and she didn't want to nag. Instead, she made a mental note to show him the pictures later, hoping he'd appreciate them.

As she exited the palace and stepped back into the bustling Venetian streets, Scarlet felt a renewed sense of purpose. She still had a list of places to see and things to do, and she wasn't going to let anything, or anyone, dampen her spirit. Venice was hers to explore, and she was determined to make the most of it.

Scarlet strolled leisurely down a picturesque Venetian street, the cobblestone path glistening slightly from the previous night's dew. Her hands were full of shopping bags, and her heart was lighter after a fulfilling day of exploring. She hummed softly, the melody mingling with the distant sound of gondoliers serenading their passengers.

Suddenly, her phone buzzed in her pocket. Pulling it out, she saw the name flashing on the screen: **Moon**. She sighed, shaking her head. Without a second thought, she declined the call and slipped the phone back into her pocket.

A few seconds later, it buzzed again. **Moon.** Scarlet pressed the decline button once more, pursing her lips in mild irritation.

The phone rang a third time, and then a fourth. Scarlet groaned, stopping in her tracks. People passed her by, some glancing curiously at her exasperated expression.

Finally, on the fifth call, she picked up with an annoyed, "What's wrong?"

Ha-joon's voice came through, firm and slightly aggravated. "Dare decline my call again, Scarlet, and I swear I'll be on the next flight to Venice."

Scarlet rolled her eyes, leaning against the railing of a nearby bridge. Below her, the lake shimmered in the soft glow of the afternoon sun. "Whatever, Ha-joon. What do you want?"

There was a pause on his end, the sound of him exhaling sharply. "I wanted to apologize for earlier," he said finally, his tone softer.

"Too late," Scarlet shot back, kicking a loose pebble into the water below. "I don't even want to talk to you. You're always too busy, Moon. Why even bother calling me now?"

"Because I realized I was wrong," he admitted. "And because I missed you."

Scarlet smirked, though she kept her tone sharp. "Oh, now you miss me? Convenient timing, don't you think?"

Ha-joon groaned on the other end. "Red, come on. I'm trying here. I know I was dismissive earlier, but I'm calling you now, aren't I?"

"Sure, now that your schedule's clear," Scarlet retorted. "You know, you could have just said, 'I'm sorry, Red, you were right.' That would've saved you a lot of time."

There was a brief silence, and then Ha-joon sighed. "Fine. I'm sorry, Red. You were right."

Scarlet chuckled softly, though she didn't let him off the hook just yet. "You sound so insincere, Moon. Try again."

"Red," he said, his voice laced with a hint of frustration. "You're impossible."

"And you're predictable," Scarlet countered, grinning despite herself. She rested her chin on the palm of her hand, gazing out at the water. "Anyway, what's with the sudden burst of affection? You never call me this much."

"Maybe I just wanted to hear your voice," Ha-joon said, his tone softer now.

Scarlet paused, a flicker of warmth spreading through her chest. She pressed her lips together, trying not to let him hear the smile in her voice. "Flattery won't get you anywhere, Moon."

"Is it working, though?" he teased, his voice lighter.

She let out a small laugh, finally giving in a little. "Maybe."

"Good." There was a pause before he added, "What are you doing right now?"

Scarlet glanced down at her shopping bags. "Standing on a bridge, looking at the lake. You interrupted my peaceful walk, you know."

"I tend to do that," Ha-joon admitted. "What's in the bags?"

"Wouldn't you like to know?" she said playfully, kicking another pebble into the water.

"Yes, I would."

"Gifts," Scarlet said vaguely. "For people who appreciate them."

"Ouch."

"Just saying," Scarlet replied with a shrug, though her tone was light. "Anyway, shouldn't you be working? What happened to all those important files?"

"They can wait," Ha-joon said. "You're more important."

Scarlet felt her heart skip a beat but quickly masked it with a scoff. "You're just saying that because you feel guilty."

"Maybe a little," he admitted, chuckling. "But it's true."

Scarlet leaned further against the railing, the soft breeze playing with her hair. "You're lucky I like you, Moon."

"I'm very lucky," Ha-joon agreed, his voice warm.

They fell into a comfortable silence for a moment, the sounds of Venice filling the space between them. Scarlet looked down at the lake, watching the ripples spread as another pebble broke the surface.

"Red," Ha-joon said suddenly, his tone serious.

"Hmm?"

"I'll try to be better," he said softly. "I know I've been... distant. But I don't want you to think I take you for granted."

Scarlet's fingers tightened around the phone. For all her teasing, she knew he meant every word. "Just call me when you can," she said, her voice gentle. "That's all I ask."

"I will," he promised.

Scarlet smiled, her earlier frustration melting away. "Good. Now, let me finish my walk before you distract me again."

"Fine, fine," Ha-joon said, laughing. "But don't forget to call me later, okay?"

"Only if you're not busy," she teased.

"I'll make time," he said firmly.

Scarlet ended the call with a lighter heart, her smile lingering as she tucked her phone away. The lake shimmered beneath her, and for the first time in a while, she felt truly content.