𝐓𝐡𝐞 coffee shop at the edge of the Han River located in one of the business areas in Seoul, had been vacant at this hour. When the city slowed down and everyone went to sleep was when Deji stayed out late. Hours cleaning and cleansing her ridden brain from the horrid things she’d think of.
It was as if she had been hurt too much to have just one single night alone to the peace she longed for. Deji tapped her fingers slowly to the sound of her own breathing, heartache written across her features like a pen to a paper. If anyone had glanced at her through the window they’d noticed the tears that threatened to fall.
“Excuse me..are you guys still open?” A deep honey voice called out from behind her back, her legs moving before her brain could register. A mode she’d snap into easily when a customer was in need of assistance. Her tears paused in her eyes, as if they were never welling up to begin with.
“Yes we are! What can I get for you tonight?” She muttered softly, her fingers working the ordering screen behind the cashiers desk, eyes not glossing over the male out of habit.
Her voice wasn’t fooling anyone, the eyebags and aura of sadness seeping from her pores like a fountain before this very man’s eyes. “Can I just get an iced americano with two pumps of sugar?” He nodded whipping through his wallet to pull out a single ten dollar bill. “Alright that will be 4.67!” She mustered up the world of a happy worker with that line right there.
“Is there anything else you’d like me to add onto this order?” Damn she was overly working the customer satisfaction level as of now. “No thanks, and keep the change.” He walked off after handing her the bill, making his way to the window seat she had been seated in moments prior.
“Why is a woman working this cafe so late?” He asked more so out loud but of course she had to bring herself to answer, it would’ve felt rude especially because he seemed like he was genuinely curious. “Well I’m the new manager so it is my role to close up!” She over shared, this dude could’ve been a stalker or anything and she just told him basically she’d be here every night to close whenever she can.
Such a dumb ass.
Deji paused, her hands now finally done putting the money in the drawer before washing them and preparing to make the drink this ‘kind man ordered’
He nodded once, his back to her as he admired the gorgeous river through the window. “Do you have any idea how dangerous it is for you or anyone to work this late?” He asked softly as the clock finally hit 2am.
This cafe wasn’t even supposed to be open past midnight yet here she was, lost in the track of time and serving this stranger some coffee like it was normal working hours here. “Yes well money is money.” Deji stated coldly. She didn’t mean to, honest but the questions he was asking gave off weird vibes than normal.
“After this you need to go home. Just how late were you planning to keep open?” As the coffee pot dinged she removed it and added the light ice to the cup before pouring it. “Ehh whenever the wind takes me home I guess.” She laughed, her skin hinting at a slight crack of light in her soul.
“Haha very funny, I’m serious, it’s not safe.” He stated now right before her, just now she noticed what he was wearing.
A grey Nike hoodie paired with matching jeans and all white air forces. Okay he could dress comfy that was for sure. “Ah yes a stranger worried for a damsel in no apparent distress?” She giggled causing him to crack a soft smile at her antics. “Yeah sure, this damsel seems pretty smart then huh?” Maybe working late wasn’t so bad when jokes like this came in clutch.
