Lost memories: A mafia romance

Seojun blinked. For the briefest second, panic flickered across his face. Then he gave a nervous chuckle, scratching the back of his neck. "Uh… I just guessed. Lucky shot?" He raised an eyebrow, trying to sound casual.

Jiwoo studied him for a moment before letting out a soft laugh, shaking her head. "Well… you guessed right. I love cakes and pastries. Especially chocolate ones." Her lips curved into a playful smile as she took a bite. "Guess you're good at guessing."

Seojun smiled to himself, relieved. But deep down, it wasn't just a guess. He remembered every little thing about her even the way her nose twitched when she got excited about dessert.

"So," she said between bites, "are you guys really shifting to Paris now?"

Seojun nodded as he unfolded a napkin. "Yeah. I've got some important work that'll keep me here for a while. So we'll be staying at least for the next few months."

Jiwoo looked genuinely pleased. "That's… great," she said softly. "Paris is a good place for new beginnings."

Their eyes met for a moment, and something unspoken hung in the air. Not quite nostalgia… but something that made Seojun's heart ache.

She sipped her iced coffee, clearing her throat. "Are you going to shop for yourself too, or is today all about the little prince?"

Seojun shrugged lightly. "I was planning to. But if you're busy, we can skip that part."

"Oh no," Jiwoo said quickly. "I'm totally free."

There was a small pause.

And then… they both looked away, cheeks lightly flushed.

Taehyun, oblivious to the awkward tension, munched happily on his pizza before looking up.

"Momma," he said innocently, "why aren't you living with us?"

Jiwoo nearly choked on her pastry.

"I—uh…" She looked to Seojun, her eyes wide, not sure how to answer.

Seojun leaned in, gently brushing Taehyun's hair back. "Baby," he said in a calm tone, "Momma is really busy with her work right now. That's why she can't live with us. But she'll visit us often, okay?"

Taehyun's smile faltered, his little shoulders dropping. "Oh… okay."

Jiwoo leaned forward and gently took his hand in hers. "Oh, my baby, don't be sad," she said softly, pressing a kiss to the back of his hand. "I promise, I'll finish my work soon, and then I'll come spend lots of time with my Taehyun. We'll play all day, okay?"

His face lit up immediately. "Yay! I love you, Momma!" He grinned and threw a flying kiss at her.

Jiwoo giggled and caught the imaginary kiss mid-air. "Got it! Right in my heart!"

Seojun sat silently, his gaze fixed on the interaction. Seeing them together like this Jiwoo's natural tenderness, the way she fit so effortlessly into their world it made his chest both ache and swell with hope. This is what we were meant to be… This is home.

"Well then," Jiwoo said, wiping her fingers with a napkin, "shall we go pick some clothes for your appa now?"

"Yes! Let's go!" Taehyun jumped down from his seat and grabbed her hand excitedly.

Seojun followed behind them, watching their joined hands swing between them as they strolled through the elegant boutique aisles.

Jiwoo held up a navy-blue shirt. "Hmm… Seojun, this color would look really nice on you."

Seojun stepped closer, inspecting the shirt with mild amusement. "Would it? You think it suits me?"

She looked him over and then nodded. "Yeah… it matches your vibe. Calm. Reliable. Slightly mysterious."

Seojun raised a brow, amused. "Slightly?"

Jiwoo smirked. "Okay. More than slightly."

Taehyun tugged at Jiwoo's shirt. "Momma, what about this one?" He held up a bright orange hoodie with a cartoon tiger on it. "Appa will look like a superhero!"

Jiwoo gasped dramatically. "You're right! It's perfect. Appa, what do you say?"

Seojun took the hoodie and examined it, then looked at Taehyun and Jiwoo's expectant faces.

He sighed. "I guess superheroes do wear bold colors…"

They all laughed.

Just then, a store assistant in a crisp uniform approached them. She wore a bright smile, clearly captivated by the adorable little boy bouncing between the two adults.

"Excuse me," she said politely. "Are you looking for anything in particular today? Family sets, perhaps?"

Seojun stiffened slightly, but Jiwoo chuckled.

"Oh, we're just shopping casually," she replied.

Taehyun turned around with a wide smile and pointed between the two.

"This is my appa and my momma! We're shopping for appa now!"

The assistant blinked, her smile broadening. "Oh, how sweet. You three look adorable together!" She said to taehyun and then turned towards Jiwoo.

" Ma'am, We've just launched a brand new couple collection. Would you like to take a look and maybe even model it for a few promotional pictures?" she asked hopefully, hands folded in front of her.

Jiwoo's eyes widened, and she instinctively opened her mouth to politely decline. Couple? That wasn't something they were. Not really. They were… something else. Friends? Something more? She wasn't even sure anymore.

But before a single word escaped her lips, Taehyun clapped his hands excitedly.

"Momma!" he squealed, tugging on her arm. "You know my friend's parents always wear matching clothes at home. I want you and Appa to wear matching clothes too!"

Jiwoo blinked, her heart melting a little at how genuinely excited he looked.

She turned to the worker and smiled warmly. "If my Taehyun wants it, then we'll definitely check out the collection."

The employee beamed. "Right this way, ma'am."

Seojun followed silently, a soft smile tugging at his lips. He could hardly believe this was happening standing beside the love of his life, about to wear couple outfits again. Even if she didn't remember anything, for a moment it almost felt like their past wasn't lost.

In the fitting room, the air was filled with muffled laughter as Jiwoo tried not to make a fool of herself trying on a slightly oversized beige cardigan and a matching knit dress. Seojun stepped out at the same time, wearing a cream sweater and tailored trousers that matched the warm tones of her outfit. His hair was slightly tousled, his smile shy.

The second their eyes met, time seemed to freeze.