"Hi Mara, this is Jang. I tried to call Josh, but he wasn't taking the call. So please, tell him to call me asap. Thanks!" 

After listening to Jang's voice message, Mara realized it'd been a week since they returned from the Cape. She couldn't ask for more; Josh had never left her since. She can confidently say that this has been her happiest since she came here three years ago. But something was off for the past two days. Josh keeps on turning off his phone whenever a call comes in. And Jang's voice message confirmed her suspicion that Josh was ignoring the calls.

"Hey, Mister! What's going on? Why are you not answering your calls?"

"I don't know. My phone has been on and off lately." Josh shook his head, avoiding Mara's eyes.

Mara darted her vision to Josh's face. "Josh, don't be stubborn. Jang left me a voicemail. He needs to talk to you asap. Please, call him."

When Josh shrugged his shoulders and smiled, Mara immediately dialed Jang's number and made the call herself. "Jang! How are you? Here is Josh!" Without giving Josh a chance to decline, she placed her phone in his hand.

Jang took a deep breath, hearing Mara's voice. "Josh!"

"뭐야?"
(What's up?) replied Josh.

Jang softly spoke as he informed Josh about their flight.
"우리는 정말로 다시 돌아 가야합니다. 최근 3 일 안에 있어야합니다.
(We need to fly back in 3 days at the latest)
나는 당신의 일정에 대해 거래를 했어요."
(I bargained a deal for your schedule.)

Josh sighed aloud.
"어때요?
(How is it?)
오늘 여기로 와서 그것에 대해 논의합시다."
(Come here today and let us discuss it.)

After several nods and multiple okays, Josh quietly hung up the call. He watched Mara as she worked in the kitchen. He knows what his heart wants. But he also knows that the longer he ignores his work will not help the situation. But he can't leave Mara.

"Jang is joining us for lunch. He is on his way." Josh whispered as he hugged her from behind.

Mara then turned around and faced him. "Okay! Let me prepare the table."

When Jang arrived, the helplessness in Josh's eyes didn't slip from his vision when he opened the door for him. They both know they have no choice but to fly back soon.

He whispered to Josh as he entered the apartment.
"그녀에게 당신의 일에 대해 말했습니까?
(Have you told her about your work?)
정말 가야 해요. 따라서 거기에서 일정을 조정할 수 있습니다.
(We have to go so that you can adjust your schedule there.)

Josh nodded. He asked Jang to discuss the schedule he needs to work on once he returns to Korea. He promised Jang that he would talk to Mara in the evening and discuss his plans with her.

"The table is ready, guys!" Mara excitedly called them from the dining area.

It was the quietest they had been since they met almost two weeks ago. Nobody talked during the meal.

Mara couldn't stand the silence and started the conversation. "Is my cooking that bad? It made both of you speechless."

Josh gave Mara a half smile and squeezed her thigh under the dining table.

"Of course not! The food is delicious! We are speechless because we are in awe of your cooking!" Jang shook his head.

Mara laughed, seeing how Jang almost choked. "I'm just kidding! Have you guys discussed what you need to discuss? When is your flight back?"

She tried to sound relaxed and jolly. But, even without them telling her, she knew what they were discussing. She has to persuade them she is okay. The two's silence gave her an idea that Josh leaving her would be soon. "Would you like to have coffee or tea, guys?"

"Don't bother. I'll be going soon. I need to buy some stuff by request of those who are waiting for my comeback!" Jang declined.

Mara nodded. "Oh yeah! I'm sure of that! Take your time talking, and I will clean these up."

"Jang is leaving now; I will just walk him out," said Josh.

Mara waved at Jang. "Sure. Bye Jang! Drive safe!"

Josh came back inside the apartment and hugged Mara. Saying nothing, he just gazed at Mara's face. Mara hugged Josh back. In silence, their eyes spoke. No one wants to express what each one is thinking verbally. Only in their hearts and tight embrace of each other can they feel the moment's sadness. So they decided just quietly to be beside each other. From time to time, Josh hugged Mara, held Mara's hands, and embraced her tight. Mara tried to remember the feeling of Josh's hugs, hands, and tight embrace in her quietness. She knows that this moment will soon be just a memory. Slowly she is telling herself that in this dreamland, she will be alone again.

"What did Jang say?" Mara asked Josh.

"He gave me my schedule," Josh replied with closed eyes.

Mara massaged Josh's head. "When are you guys flying back?"

"In three days."Josh opened his eyes and looked Mara in the eye. "But that is not what I agreed on."

Mara touched Josh's face. "Don't give him a hard time. Don't be stubborn. We know this will come. You have your work to go back to. It's the same with me here."

Josh kept shaking his head as he held her hand. "I've been thinking for days now. Why don't you just come with me? Then we can come back here after I fix my schedule."

Mara smiled and touched Josh's lips as if asking him to stop saying nonsense. "That is so tempting, but I don't want you to not focus on your work just because of me. Besides, I can't leave my work without no notice at all. And I am sure you will be back in your work mode once you get back there. So that is also our chance to know if us together can work." Her hand pointed to hers and Josh's chest.

"We will make us work. Then, I will go back to settle everything in Korea. Then, once I finish everything, I will fly back here. And I want you to be ready then to come with me." Josh's voice croaked. 

Mara hugged Josh. "Okay, Mister! I promise! Stop worrying, okay? You can call every morning or nighttime here."

"Give me your schedule so I know when I can call you," Josh demanded.

Mara gave Josh a salute sign. "Yes, Boss! Are you satisfied now? Let us not make our remaining days together full of sadness, please. Instead, let us enjoy ourselves together!"

Josh slowly leaned toward Mara, still talking, and pressed his lips on hers. They have agreed to make their days together the happiest with a passionate kiss.

***