As a member of one of the biggest K-pop groups out there, I’ve been to the best restaurants the world has to offer, but nothing can beat Cloud Nine’s views of the Swiss countryside. As soon as I arrive, the hostess leads me to a secluded outdoor patio at the back of the restaurant, where I can watch the sun setting over the mountains and the rolling green hills. String lights are hung up along the rafters, setting a romantic glow over the heated patio. The outdoor seating section is small, with only three other tables, all of which are empty. It occurs to me as the hostess leads me to the table that I didn’t pass by any patrons in the inside dining room either.…

Alex is already seated, waiting for me at a table in the corner. He looks suave in a crisp white dress shirt and silver-and-blue skinny tie. He rises when he sees me, his eyes widening as I approach. I’m wearing a fun little black Miu Miu dress with crystal buttons, a ruffled neckline, and a heart-shaped rhinestone belt. I twisted my hair into a high braided bun and put on dangly pearl drop earrings and heels.

Alex doesn’t speak for so long that I start to second-guess myself, fussing with the sleeves of my dress.

“You look great,” he finally says at the same time I say, “That tie looks nice on you.”

We both laugh awkwardly, taking a seat. There’s silence for a moment, neither of us knowing exactly where to start.

“So I heard the food here is really good,” he says.

“The view is great too,” I add. “Really pretty.”

“Mm-hmm.”

We fall silent again. Oh god, it’s awkward. My stomach is doing somersaults. I fiddle with my napkin, about to launch into a discussion on how the weather is really quite lovely tonight, when Alex rescues me by saying, “I ordered us a bottle of Bordeaux. I hope you don’t mind.”

“Not at all,” I say, relieved. “I love red wine.” Oh my god, get it together, Rachel. It’s go time. I have to tell him about how I feel. That I’ve fallen in love. That he’s The One! But first, I have to tell him about The Ultimatum. And everything I’m weighing. I have a decision to make.

I wish the wine would hurry up and get here so I would at least have something to do with my hands. I can tell by the look in Alex’s eyes that there are things he wants to talk about too, but neither of us knows how to break the ice.

“I heard the rest of the shoot went great,” Alex says after the waitress comes to uncork our bottle and pour our glasses. He takes a sip. “How’s your ankle? I can’t believe I wasn’t there. Are you okay?”