She went to his apartment secretly ,The restaurant was quiet that evening.
Katie sat at her usual table, absentmindedly stirring her drink while staring out the window.
Her father noticed immediately.
He had been watching her all night.
"Do you like that boy, right?"
Katie nearly dropped her glass.
Her eyes widened.
"D-Dad!"
A knowing smile appeared on his face.
"You've been looking worried for days."
Katie lowered her gaze.
The image of Tian flashed through her mind.
His tired face.
His pale skin.
The way he looked when she last saw him.
She clenched her hands together.
"Dad..."
Her father waited patiently.
"He hasn't come here recently."
"Hm?"
Katie hesitated.
Then quietly admitted:
"He looks sick."
Her father leaned back in his chair.
"Dad, he looks like he has a fever."
For a moment, silence settled between them.
Her father sighed.
"Fever? It's fine."
Katie looked up.
"He's a young man. He'll take care of himself."
"But—"
Her father cut her off gently.
"Don't think about going there again."
Katie froze.
"I'll be watching you."
Her cheeks immediately turned red.
"Dad!"
He simply smiled.
A smile that said he already knew everything.
Katie looked down at the table.
Her heart felt heavy.
She wanted to see Tian.
She wanted to make sure he was okay.
But now...
Even her father had noticed.
"...Okay, Dad."
The words left her lips.
But deep inside...
She knew she was still worried about him.
And no matter what anyone said...
She couldn't stop thinking about Tian.