Chapter Text
“Miss, your card has been declined.”
The cashier awkwardly tells you, his eyes watching your own with a hint of pity.
You must’ve been the most pitiful person in this 24 hour grocery store.
“Oh,” you exhale, but it feels like all your breath has been caught in your chest. Your blood had been running cold from the embarrassment of this situation.
You could’ve sworn your card still had some money left, with your hand now dropping from your purse. You tell the cashier, “one second okay?” You quickly turn around to face the customers behind you in the queue. Who were most likely already hating you for taking up time and space.
Slipping out your phone to quickly check your bank application.
“Excuse me,” a voice behind you says.
You glance behind hastily, “I know, I’m so sorry. I just need a second to check something. I’m sorry, I’m so sorry.”
“Not that, miss…” the same voice responds. A hand is placed on your shoulder, and you almost jump out of your skin at the feeling. You turn around to look at whoever this person is. Your eyes fall on a tall glamorous woman behind you.
Her features are sharp, and her full face of makeup makes her look out of place in this shappy market. She was wearing a navy tracksuit. Your eyes fall on her hand on your shoulder, her nails are short but manicured and there’s cute nail art on each individual nail.
Once she registers your stare on her hand, she pulls her hand to herself and apologizes.
“Sorry,”
You look at her eyes, then down at the energy drink she was holding. The only thing she was holding. This must’ve been a quick in-and-out run for her, and you’re wasting her time.
“Oh, right, sorry miss. You’re right, you should check out first. I’ll move to the back of the queue.” You spill, your hold tightening on your purse just to calm yourself down from the embarrassment.
You’re wasting so much time and space. What mistake did this beautiful lady commit for you to waste her time just because you happened to be a poor business owner?
She exhales out a chuckle, “no, miss, is it okay if I pay for your things?” she asks.
Your brain freezes at the offer. Did you truly look this pitiful for her to offer? Or was she simply so kind?
She doesn’t wait for your response when a man behind you both sighs in irritation and crosses his arms over his chest. She places her energy drink with your things, and says. “Please don’t say no, I insist.”
The cashier quickly scans her drink, and adds it to the total of your things.
“I— thank you.” you murmur, as she smiles at you and taps her phone over the card reader.
“It’s nothing.” She says as the cashier bags your things.
“I had money in my card, I think uhm…I think the phone company took the amount while I was shopping.” You say with an awkward chuckle.
She grins while taking her energy drink, then helps you by carrying your bags. “Happens to everyone, don’t worry.”
“Uhm, can you give me your number miss? I will repay you.” You tell her, exiting the market and unlocking your bike from its place. You put the smaller bag you were holding in the basket at the front of your bike, she puts the other bag in the basket at the back.
The lady shakes her head, “no need, consider it an act of kindness from a stranger.”
“No, please, miss I must pay you—”
“It’s not a big deal, it’s fine. I need to go, I’m running a little late.” She says, taking out a hair tie from her pocket and tying her hair.
You cannot help but stare at her, dumb-founded and amazed at her beauty. She ties her long hair while smiling at you, “I’ll see you around.”
You part your lips to speak, but she throws you one last glance before taking off running.
You curse that phone company for taking your last pennies when you most needed them, but you hate your awkward self even more for not asking her name or insisting on at least treating her for coffee as a thank you.
With that, you sigh before biking back home and wishing you see her again. Next time you see her, you won’t be as awkward.
Weeks pass since your encounter with the gorgeous woman at the market. Owning and managing a coffee shop, helps you in forgetting it a bit. But you still find yourself remembering her every time you’re grocery shopping, or seeing beautiful glamorous ladies walking down the street.
When a meek girl with short hair approaches the counter, you put on your best customer-service smile and voice.
“Hi, what can I get for you today?”
Her eyes quickly roam the menu behind you, and before she opens her mouth to order. The old woman who had just ordered a cappuccino approaches her. She taps her shoulder and smiles wide as she greets.
“Youngmi!” she opens her arms, and the meek girl—Youngmi, hugs her with a wide smile.
“Geumja Halmeoni!”
“Oh how I missed you, my sweet little Youngmi!” Geumja says, smoothing Youngmi’s hair.
They both take their time exchanging pleasantries. You don’t mind it at all, since the coffee shop wasn’t crowded, and there were no customers behind them.
Youngmi, who seems like she’s more aware of her surroundings and afraid of taking up space, glances at you with an awkward smile. Geumja, finally aware of you, waves her hand at Youngmi and says, “I’m sat over there, Hyunju says she will be running a little late. But Junhee says she’s right around the corner—and get the cappuccino, it’s so good!”
Geumja smiles at you, “sorry!” then dashes back to the table she was occupying.
You grin back at her and shaking your head, and reassuring her that you don’t really care.
Youngmi turns to stare at you, grinning bashfully and apologizes. “Sorry.”
“It’s okay, you seem really close with your grandma.” you comment, “I suppose cappuccino for you too?”
The girl laughs and nods, then points at a chocolate chip chocolate muffin. “Can I also have the muffin?”
“Sure, shall I warm it up for you?”
She hums, and when she pays she goes back to sit with Geumja and both of them fall into a conversation. By the time you finish preparing the cappuccino and warming the muffin, Youngmi comes to collect her order with a polite smile to your way and a mutter of gratitude. The cafe doorbell rings once, and you turn to see a girl pushing a stroller while laughing at the tall woman that opened the door for her.
“Junhee, Hyunju!” Geumja excitedly calls while standing up, and waving at them.
Your heart pace picks up a little when the tall woman turns to face Geumja, and you get a clear view of her face.
It’s the lady from the market.
“Geumja Halmeoni! It’s been so long!” The girl pushing the stroller says, and their group all gather and sit to talk.
The cafe isn’t crowded—except for three college students occupying a table in the far corner and studying, and a couple by the window seats holding hands and talking.
So it doesn’t really take much of your energy to know everyone’s names and their businesses.
Youngmi got invited to participate in an art gallery, and that’s after months of being unable to find a contractor that suited her art.
Geumja is devastated because her son didn’t have any success in any of the blind dates she set him up on. But, she’s happy and content managing her banchan restaurant.
The mother is called Junhee, her daughter’s name is Hayun. She had just turned one year, and Junhee is excited about throwing her first birthday, to which she invites all the ladies for obviously.
The tall beautiful woman, her name is Hyunju. She just came back from Thailand as she had a procedure over there, she had finally managed to open her new business, which is a gym, and it will open next week. And she clearly invites the ladies to the grand opening, but they don’t have to come if they are busy—to which the ladies wave her over and tell her they’re definitely attending to support her.
A good ten minutes pass with them still talking, and neither the new customers approach the counter. You had already served two new customers, and one of the college students had ordered another hot americano by the time Junhee and Hyunju came to order.
You’re unable to stop your big smile when Hyunju recognizes you.
“Hi, how have you been?” You ask.
“I’ve been good, how are you? I didn’t know you worked here.” She says with a smile. Junhee watches both of you with curiosity.
You smile back, “good as well, it’s really nice to see you again.” You then point at the menu behind you, “everything here is good, and I’m not saying that because I own this shop but…it’s what I’ve been told.” you say with a chuckle.
Junhee and Hyunju laugh with you.
“It’s really good, I can confirm. I used to always order from your shop online, and it never disappoints.” Junhee says, smiling.
“Thank you so much, miss, I appreciate your kind words.”
Hyunju smiles softly, then points toward the pastry display. “I’ll take that cinnamon roll. And an iced americano, please.”
“Anything for you?” you ask Junhee, glancing at her quickly to stop yourself from looking at Hyunju too long.
Junhee lifts a brow as she stares long at the menu behind you, then she points at a lemon tart. “This, please. And a hot flat white.”
“Coming right up, please have a seat.” You tell them.
“We didn’t pay yet.” Hyunju reminds. You smile at her, “you cannot possibly expect me to let you pay after you paid for me last time.”
Hyunju looks like she’s ready to argue, but Junhee grins at you and wraps her arm around Hyunju’s arm.
“Thank you so much for your kindness, miss! We will accept it graciously.” Junhee says, then nods her head thankfully. She makes Hyunju bow her head to you, “Hyunju unnie, thank her too.”
Hyunju gives Junhee a deadpan look before bowing her head slightly, “Thank you, truly.”
Your voice is light and, teasing. “I was actually hoping I’d see you again. Not like I was planning my grocery runs around it or anything.”
Her cheeks turn red at your words, “it’s nothing serious, really.”
Junhee’s eyes light up, seeming like she knows a little about your encounter. “Unnie, is this the beautiful girl you told me you met?”
You didn’t think Hyunju’s face could get even more red, but they do. She turns to stare at Junhee with a sort of betrayal on her features.
“I don’t know the whole story, but Hyunju unnie told me she met this beautiful girl at the store and she was hoping to see you again. She was actually anxious she might have scared you off with how fast she ran—”
Hyunju cover’s Junhee’s mouth with her palm. “Don’t mind, Junhee.”
You can’t help but laugh at the sight—Junhee trying to mumble through Hyunju’s hand, while Hyunju’s face is burning in shades of pink.
“It’s okay,” you say, grinning as you wipe your hands on your apron. “I think it’s sweet.”
Hyunju drops her hand from Junhee’s mouth and gives you a quick, embarrassed glance. “She exaggerates everything.”
“I really don’t,” Junhee says, rubbing her jaw like she’d just been in a wrestling match.
“Junhee,” Hyunju warns, her voice calm but threatening.
You smile as you take out their desserts from the display, heart feeling lighter than it had in days. “Well, I’m glad we get to meet again.”
“Unnie, I’ll go sit. You can bring our order yourself right?” Junhee says, but she doesn’t wait for Hyunju to reply, she just throws her a smirk and walks back fast to sit at the table. She whispers something to Geumja and Youngmi, and both of them turn to look at you with different states of surprise.
Youngmi’s jaw is slack in a gasp, and Geumja claps her hand in surprise as she stares at you with a wide smile.
“Please ignore them.” Hyunju tells you, sighing and shaking her red face.
You chuckle, and walk to the espresso machine to start working on their order.
“So, you own this shop miss….?” Hyunju starts, trying so hard to change the topic and to pretend like the ladies stares don’t make her nervous.
“Yeah,” you say tamping down the espresso with practiced ease. “My name is (Y/N).” you throw her a smile once again over your shoulder.
“My name is Hyunju, nice to meet you.” She says, although you don’t see her you can hear the smile in her voice.
You continue as the machine starts loudly working an espresso shot. “It’s always been a dream of mine to own a coffeeshop, I took over from the previous owner about a year ago. Since renovating it and all, it’s been barely four months since its opening.”
You glance at her. She’s standing at the counter still, fingers fidgeting with the fabric of her floral dress, her eyes flicking between the pastries and you.
“I like it,” she says after a pause. “Feels… warm. Like the kind of place people come back to without realizing they’re attached to it.”
You smile softly as the machine hisses. “That’s the goal. A quiet little routine people grow fond of without meaning to.”
“And you? What do you do?” you ask, pretending like you didn’t hear her whole life story earlier while she was catching up with the ladies.
“I’m starting my new job as a personal trainer next week, I just opened my new business as well. It’s the gym two blocks from here.” she answers.
You look up at her, a little surprised. “Wait, the one with the mint green signage?”
Her eyes light up. “Yeah! That’s mine.”
“No way,” you say with a grin, pouring the steamed milk into the flat white. “I pass by it all the time on my way here. It looks really nice.”
“Thank you,” she grins, “the grand opening is next week, please come if you have time.”
You slide the tray with both drinks and pastries toward her. “I will come, text me the details?” You hope it wasn’t so obvious you were asking for her phone number, but it is, as her face switches pink once again. She smiles shyly, and nods.
She gives a small nod, and hands you her phone to punch in your number. She’s looking a little more sure of herself now when you give her phone back, and she says. “I’ll text you, then.”
“You better.”
And with that, she walks back to the table, cheeks slightly flushed, the ladies already grinning teasingly before she even reaches them.
The ladies continue to have long conversations in their table. They laugh a lot, and listen to one another intently. You’re confused as none of them have anything in common regarding their lifestyle, they don’t even live that close to each other. You thought they were relatives at first, with how close they all seemed to each other.
But Geumja mentioned her son, and she listens with curiosity when Youngmi talks about her parents.
During their stay, some customers come and go. The couple had long left, the woman tucked under the man’s arm and giggling as they ordered some pastries to go. Two of the students leave, and one stays to order a sandwich to go. You chat with the student, who mentioned they’re approaching a finals season and compliments your pastries—to which you place two cookies in his bag as you wink, and whisper to him that it’s on the house and calories during studying don’t count.
The ladies leave when your closing time approaches, which is at 10pm.
Geumja is the first one to approach you, she grins wide and compliments. “Your pastries are really good, I tried the cake she got and I loved it!” she points at Youngmi who smiles shyly and bows her head.
Junhee follows, pushing her daughter’s stroller—the baby is long asleep in it. “Miss, can I ask if you do catering?”
You blink at the question, a little caught off guard. “I do, actually. It’s on a small scale for now, but I’ve done a few events before.”
Junhee beams. “Perfect. My daughter’s turning one in a few weeks, and I’m throwing a little party. Nothing huge—just family and some close friends. I’d love to have a dessert table set up.”
You smile, already thinking of flavor palettes and mini pastry options. “I’d be honored. Let me give you my business card.”
As you turn to grab your business cards from behind the counter, Hyunju steps up. She’s holding the tray with their empty cups and plates stacked neatly, then places it gently on the counter. You hand Junhee your business card, which she takes with a smile and a “Thank you!”
You then give your attention to the tray Hyunju placed, and you toss the plastic cups and utensils in the trashcan, but place the ceramic cups and plates on the washing basin. Hyunju lingers by the counter, watching you move with practiced ease. She doesn’t say anything at first, just shifts her weight from one leg to the other, fingers loosely clasped in front of her.
Her friends leave, but not without giving her encouraging looks. Geumja even raises her fist and whispers a little loudly, “fighting!”
They scurry, and you wave at them. “Please come again!”
Junhee and Geumja yell by the door, “we will!” Then they leave, and the door swings shut behind them with a ring from the doorbell.
Hyunju stays behind, lingers a little while she’s fidgeting with her hands. Finally, she clears her throat as she says, “Expect me to become a regular.”
You smile at that, “I would love that, for sure.”
Hyunju smiles, still fiddling with her fingers as she looks around the now-quiet café. You add with a laugh, “Come as often as you need. I’ll have a cinnamon roll waiting for you every time,” you say, teasing, but only just.
She looks down at her hands, then back up at you. “Don’t tempt me. I’ve got a whole fitness brand to uphold.”
“Right. The personal trainer lifestyle.” You lean your elbows on the counter, grinning. “How scandalous would it be if word got out that you’re secretly addicted to pastries?”
“I’d have to do five apology squats on camera and explain it was all part of my ‘balanced approach,’” she says dryly, but there’s laughter in her eyes.
You don’t say anything for a moment, just enjoy the way her features shift when she smiles. She’s beautiful— more beautiful when she’s relaxed like this, when the sharp lines of her makeup soften around her expression.
Then Hyunju straightens up and brushes invisible dust from her skirt. “Okay. I should head home before I find another excuse to linger.”
“Too late for that,” you tease.
She points at you playfully as she walks toward the door. “See? Dangerous. I knew you’d be trouble.”
“I prefer charming,” you call after her.
She gives you one last grin before the door swings open, the bell ringing softly. “Goodnight, (Y/N).”
You reply without missing a beat. “Goodnight, Hyunju.”
And when the door shuts behind her, you stand there for a moment longer, staring at the empty space she left behind with a smile.