—note: read the prologue please before reading this;;
I couldn’t help but yawn and feel my eyes close slowly even though I am standing on this train, it seemed as if the rough night I had was catching up with my body and telling me to sleep. I hear my stop being called next and I get off the subway onto my station. I drag myself to work, unmotivated to go. The roads of central Seoul look busy and I am practically sulking in laziness but I look at my phone and it’s a few minutes til my shift and I’m not that close to make it in time if I just walk.
I started to run in order to make it but my run didn’t last long as I bumped into someone. “I’m sorry!” I sighed, I was at fault but I had to continue to run because I didn’t want to piss off Manager Park even more. The tall male that was covered in black said something but I couldn’t focus on it, it wasn’t as important.
I unlock the door, looking at the clock before anything and I’m on just on time, I grin and open the shop like I’m supposed to. I sigh, thinking of what happened earlier, I just bumped into someone and just ran away, a little disrespectful.. I could’ve offered coffee on the house, I hope it wasn’t as elderly. I overthink the situation as I stock on the coffee cups, I hear the door open but and my head jumps up as I was previously in the counters. “Hello?” A voice that sounds too familiar but I can’t put a finger on whose voice it is, it doesn’t help that he is wearing all black with a matching baseball cap and mask. When I pop my head out for him to see and before I can tell him about the cafe’s hours, he speaks before I do. “It is you!”
“And you are?” I ask, a little creeped out but intrigued by the familiarity of his voice.
“I’m sorry, let me just..” He locks the store entrance which I forgot to do to prevent strangers like him from entering at this time but I back into the counter for something to protect me with and if I remember there was a box cutter somewhere here. I finally get a hold of the box cutter and he takes off his hat then mask and I drop my weapon that was probably helpless in the first place and run out from behind the counter.
“Jeon Jungkook!” I call out his name in glee while running to him in open arms. Jeon Jungkook, the little man has now sprung and bloomed into a young man. He’s matured and taller than me, saddening me that I missed so much and I took this route instead of the other.
“Ryu Jukhyun. I knew it, I recognized you.”
“You were the one I bumped into, no?” I asked, putting pieces together and he nodded, I still had to get the shop ready for opening. “Coffee on the house?”
“I can pay.” Jungkook offers politely but he knows my response as he follows me to the front counter while I go behind the counter.
“Of course not but how are you? I haven’t seen you since..” I don’t finish my sentence but he continues, avoiding any awkwardness. I start up a brew of dark roast.
“I’ve been well, we’ve made it kind of big.”
“Ah, I couldn’t tell. Nation’s brand, I see you on the subway everyday.” I joke around and he grins.
“So what is International Ryu Jukhyun working as a coffee barista?” He playfully jokes back.
“Haha, enjoying it while I still can and I don’t live on my father’s money, goes against my brand.” I laugh and he chuckles, I finish up my brew and I add a leaf created with a fresh new bag of milk that I just took out earlier. I hand it to Jungkook, “Mr. Jeon Jungkook. Wow, I’m selling coffee to the Mr. Jeon Jungkook.”
“Shall I become a regular?”
“Funny. Sneaking out recklessly? I think not, is the company still as strict as before?” I ask, watching him take a slip of the hot brew.
“Seokjin, I don’t think this is a good idea.” I chuckle awkwardly, in fear of what the company had said about this party that we’re attending. Seokjin gave me a look that just said: trust me and I did. We stood close on the patio that was also filled with drunk idols and actors. Music was loud and this wasn’t my ideal place to be but Seokjin wanted to go and his pleading could never make me say no.
“Don’t look so down, it makes me sad.” Seokjin caught me off guard and frowns, teasing me but making me smile. My mood was enlightening, looking at the bright side of things; we never get to spend much time together due to his training and practice schedule but I’m here with him now. I kissed his cheek, forgetting that I was told not to do that and a flash from a camera struck then it continued and I pulled back quickly, running away into the house.
“This mistake could have costed his career.”
“Not as much, we just have to make it to all practices and be in line with our schedules.” Jungkook answers and I continue to do what is left to do before opening.
“So Mr. Jeon, what’s in plan for you today?”
“Just the coffee. Then, heading back to the dorm. I found a new spot.”
“Ah, don’t tell the others.” I beg and he knows what I’m talking about, he puts his cap on and along with his mask.
“Oh, another plan is to come here after your shift and catch up.” Jeon Jungkook’s eyes are slimmer, making it seem like he is smiling under his mask. “When does your shift end?”
“4pm.” I answer, not fighting the thought in my head that is telling me that this is a bad idea. I see him off and he nods as a farewell as I do the same.
“We specifically told you that you should be careful!” One of the managers scolded Seokjin and I as we sat together on the couch while he stood up and looked down at us. “How stupid and reckless could you both be?” His tone is aggressive and my tears form in my eyes but I’m looking down at my feet that are planted on the ground. I don’t let my tears fall though.
“Don’t be so harsh.. I forced her into going.” Seokjin tried taking the responsibility but it was really my fault.
“No, I’m sorry. This was all my fault. I completely forgot what you and the other managers had told us at that moment.” I wasn’t going to let Seokjin take the blame for something I did.
“You know that this mistake could have costed his career? Not only his but the whole group’s.”
“Hey.. Manager Tan. I don’t think..” Seokjin kept speaking but I didn’t pay attention anymore. What Manager Tan had said stuck in my head and kept replaying and I couldn’t get it to stop.
My shift was finally over and I was finally able to sleep but a black bulky SUV stopped me from making my way home, reminding me that I had plans to catch up with Jungkook and the passengers door opened, letting out a bodyguard to open the door for me and revealing Jungkook without any hat or mask to cover his face. “Hey noona.” I get in, thanking the bodyguard for opening the door for me. “Sorry for the car and the get up, Manager Sejin demanded this. Manager Sejin saw me sneaking back in and I told him everything.” I smile, thinking of Manager Sejin and all that he has done for me but I’m scared that he might’ve told Jungkook where I worked.
“Ah, thoughtful Manager Sejin. I wonder how he is.” I grin, still trying to figure out if my theory is correct.
“He is great. He stuck with us all these years. I’m glad he saw our potential and stuck with us till the end.. Have you eaten yet?” Jungkook asked, switching the topic and I shook my head. “Shall we eat then?”
“On me though, you provided the vehicle.”
“Can’t do. I’m not even paying, Manager Sejin is. He says contact him later and this is making me guess you have kept in contact?” Jungkook seems frustrated as what he had just put together is true but this debunks my theory of Manager Sejin telling Jungkook about my whereabouts.
The car stopped at this hotel’s front; Yoon Hotels and I was escorted by the bodyguard inside. No cameras were flashing and I guess it was successful for Jungkook to not be seen. The hostess sees us and greets Jungkook immediately, leading us to a private room. As we walk, I think of Yoon Hotels as they sound familiar. “Yoon Hotels..” I look around, trying to recall my memory of what I know of them.
The hostess hears my mumbling and answers all the questions that were bouncing in my head: “You might have heard of Yoon Hotels when travelling abroad, we are the world’s biggest international hotel chain and currently making our way to the top. With over..” She continues to inform me but my memory of them reached me before she could continue her informal talk that made me feel belittled. She takes a hint of my lost of interest in our conversation and just continues to lead us.
“Mr. Yoon, Mr. Han. This is my youngest daughter, Ryu Jukhyun.” My father fakes a smile, forcing me to meet them. I respectfully bow and look up to the older men.
“Ah, a bit disrespectful, no nice to meet you? Haha, Mr. Ryu.. Focusing too much on that company of yours and not on family. I’ve done some private investigating and she’s one of the last ranks?” Mr. Yoon forces a smile and I knew I was gonna get disciplined later for this matter.
“Haha, just a bit shy. Shall we hit some golf balls now?” My father sticks up for himself and not me. Just making himself seem good. My father doesn’t even like them but as he would say, keep your friends close and your enemies closer. He usually plays on Mr. Han’s indoor driving range every second Sunday of the month but Mr. Yoon said he would like to meet me this time. I’m guessing he gathered the information on me that he needed to piss my father off.
“My daughter, Yu-mi, couldn’t come today. She was practicing for her piano exam.” Mr. Yoon smiles extra bright and I sigh, knowing steam is coming out of my father’s ears already. “She’s a 95 liner too. Three years younger.”
When we got home, father asked for all maids to return to their rooms and he took me by the hair and dragged me into the closet in the west wing of the house, locking me in.
