Chapter 21: Family Pressure
Brooklyn felt a little warmer that Sunday morning, but Lucia's heart was heavy with thoughts that made the sunshine outside feel distant. Her mom had called yesterday with a cheerful, insistent tone:
"Luce, when are you going to bring someone special over? You're twenty-something now—you can't live in a bubble forever!"
Lucia had laughed nervously, deflecting, but her mother's words lingered. Now, as she brewed her morning coffee, she stirred the mug absentmindedly, thinking about Jin.
She loved their playful notes, their grape challenges, and their rooftop heart-to-heart. She loved the way his hand felt in hers and the soft, teasing smiles they shared. But the thought of telling her family about him made her chest tighten.
Her older brother, Marcus, was also visiting that afternoon. He had always been the more practical one, the one who asked direct questions without much preamble. She knew he would ask about dating, and she wasn't sure she was ready to reveal Jin yet.
When Marcus arrived, he greeted her with a warm hug, plopped down on the couch, and immediately launched into casual conversation. But as soon as lunch plates were cleared, the inevitable question came.
"So… anyone special in your life?" Marcus asked, eyebrows raised in that familiar, teasing way.
Lucia froze for a moment, the mug of tea trembling slightly in her hands. "Um… not really," she said softly, hoping her tone sounded casual.
Marcus leaned back, smirking. "Not really? Come on, Luce. You're twenty-something. It's normal to… you know, be seeing someone."
Her cheeks flushed. "I'm… busy. Work, life… I just haven't really… settled into anything yet."
He narrowed his eyes playfully, sensing her hesitation. "Or someone is already in your life, and you're just hiding it."
Lucia laughed nervously, shrugging. "Maybe. Or maybe not." She wished she could tell him about Jin—the notes, the grape challenges, the playful first mini-date at the art gallery. But she wasn't ready to explain the small, slow-burn romance that was just beginning.
Marcus shook his head, chuckling. "You're impossible. Fine… keep your secrets. But remember, hiding someone special doesn't make the feelings disappear."
Lucia smiled softly, her mind drifting to Jin. She remembered the way his hand brushed hers on the rooftop, the way he made her laugh during grape challenges, and the warmth she felt during their heart-to-heart conversation. Those feelings were growing quietly, steadily—just like the grapes in their metaphor—but revealing them to her family felt like stepping onto unfamiliar ground.
Later that evening, she texted Jin, unable to resist sharing a little of her day:
"Family pressure today. They asked about dating… I didn't mention you. Maybe I should've. Maybe not. I'm… nervous. —L"
Almost immediately, his reply came:
"Hey… no pressure. Take your time. One grape at a time, right? They'll understand when the time is right. What matters is us, not anyone else. —J"
Her heart fluttered at his words. One grape at a time… yes, that was their rhythm. She could handle the family pressure later. For now, she had this connection, this trust, and this budding love.
The next day, Lucia's mother called again, cheerful and persistent.
"Luce, you're not avoiding me, are you? I just want to know if someone special is in your life."
Lucia laughed softly. "Mom, I promise… nothing to report yet."
Her mother sighed, half-laughing. "Fine. But don't wait too long. Love waits for no one, you know."
After hanging up, Lucia poured herself another cup of tea, thinking about Jin. She realized that her hesitation wasn't about hiding him—it was about savoring the slow growth of their connection. She wanted their relationship to develop naturally, one grape at a time, without pressure from anyone else.
That evening, she found a note under her door, and her heart lifted when she saw Jin's familiar handwriting:
"Family questions are tough. But remember… the grape theory applies here too. Take your time. Grow what's yours. Let it ripen. One grape at a time. —J"
She smiled, reading the note over and over, feeling a quiet warmth spreading through her chest. Jin understood. He understood the balance between excitement, vulnerability, and patience. And just knowing that he was there, steady and supportive, made her feel braver.
Later, she left a note in reply, her handwriting careful but playful:
"You're right. One grape at a time. For now… I'll savor our little moments, our small adventures, our notes and laughs. The rest… will come when it's meant to. —L"
Slipping it under his door, she felt a quiet confidence settle over her. She didn't need to force the timeline or explain the budding romance to anyone just yet. The love growing between them was patient, intentional, and real—and that mattered more than anyone's expectations.
The next weekend, as she walked through the streets toward Jin's apartment for their routine mini-adventure, she thought about her family. Maybe one day, she would tell them about him—about the notes, the grape challenges, the small gestures that had gradually grown into something special.
But for now, she focused on the warm anticipation in her chest, the flutter in her stomach as she imagined Jin's playful smile, and the gentle thrill of holding his hand. One grape at a time… that was enough.
When she arrived, Jin was waiting with a mischievous grin and two cups of coffee in hand. "Thought you might need this," he said, handing her a cup.
She smiled, feeling her heart lift. "Thanks… I did."
He leaned slightly closer, brushing his fingers against hers as he handed her the cup. "How about we forget all the pressures, the questions, the expectations… and just enjoy our time? One grape at a time?"
She laughed softly, nodding. "Exactly. One grape at a time."
And as they walked together, side by side, sipping coffee and laughing at some passing street musician, Lucia realized that love didn't need to be rushed, announced, or explained yet. It only needed small, intentional moments of care, connection, and joy—just like Jin had taught her, one grape at a time.
By the time she returned home that night, her heart felt lighter. The pressure from her family was still there, but it didn't feel heavy anymore. She had Jin, their notes, their challenges, their playful adventures, and the growing intimacy between them.
One grape at a time… and somehow, she knew, this love was just beginning to ripen.