A/N: This is a continuation of Feb 10 where Jeong Hyeok is a barista. Again, I'm sorry if it's confusing. Don't hate and thanks for being patient!
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Prompt: "Valentine's Day is a holiday invented by greeting card companies to make people feel like crap." (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind)
***
"Why are you so bitter?!" Mi-yeon asked her best friend.
They were walking home after a long work day and Mi-yeon wanted to get something sweet before they headed to their apartment. Seeing the quaint little coffee shop near their block, Mi-yeon pulled Se-ri in and continued their conversation about Mi-yeon's upcoming date on the 14th.
"I'm not! I'm just saying that Valentine's Day is just a scam invented by greeting card companies. The history surrounding it being something romantic is murky at best," Se-ri stated. "I'm not stopping you from enjoying it."
"Wow, thanks," Mi-yeon replied sarcastically.
"Just saying that, according to some, it's even related to killings," Se-ri added quietly, browsing the display case for pastries.
"Yoon Se-ri!" Mi-yeon hit her lightly.
"Fine! For what it's worth, I read that it may also be related to a pagan fertility festival so... go be fertile!" Se-ri declared.
Mi-yeon gasped, her hand going to her mouth and staring at the barista who overheard what Se-ri had just said.
"Hi, Se-ri!" He greeted a little to cheerfully.
There has to be an eject button somewhere here, Se-ri thought, burying her face into her jacket as much as she could.
Mi-yeon's eyes widened further if that was even possible. "You know her?" Mi-yeon asked the very handsome man behind the counter.
"Yes, she dropped by here the other night," he replied. "How can I help you, ladies?"
Since Se-ri was still hiding behind Mi-yeon, Mi-yeon stepped closer to the cashier but noted how the man's eyes kept coming back to Se-ri. "Well, we wanted some pastries to take home. And maybe a latte for me."
"I would recommend our donuts and the croissants, if you wish?"
Mi-yeon's eyes saw his name tag and said, "That would be nice, Jeong Hyeok. Sure, we'll have some."
"Alright," Jeong Hyeok punched the orders in. "And then the latte for you. How about for Se-ri? Would you want anything to drink?"
Se-ri shook her head but stayed silent, still embarrassed.
Mi-yeon saw this as an opportunity. "Nothing to drink but if you could get her a date? She's been on my case lately because I'm going out on Valentine's."
Se-ri elbowed Mi-yeon. "Shut up." But there was no stopping her best friend who was now on a roll. "How about you? Are you single? I mean, free on Valentine's?"
Jeong Hyeok chuckled and blushed. Handing Mi-yeon the receipt, he replied, "I unfortunately have to work on the 14th. Most of my staff will be off on dates so I'm stuck here."
Mi-yeon made a sad face. "Oh, pity. But you ARE single?"
They followed Jeong Hyeok as he prepared their order. "I am."
"You hear that Se-ri? He's the manager of this place and he's single!" Mi-yeon said in a stage whisper. Back to Jeong Hyeok, Mi-yeon said, "Se-ri is single, too. She may seem like her heart has been completely frozen because of years of not being in love and allergic to romance... but she's very sweet. And she's very pretty, too, don't you think?"
Jeong Hyeok chuckled uncomfortably. He didn't want to say anything to offend both ladies but he also did not want to come off as a lowlife to the woman he had been curious about for days now. Handing Mi-yeon their purchases, he replied diplomatically, "Both of you are lovely. Whoever you choose to spend time with would be really lucky people."
"Se-ri, he's sweet, too! Are you sure you're not interested? My boyfriend might understand if I spend sometime with Jeong Hyeok," Mi-yeon swooned.
Se-ri's eyes widened. "Hey!"
Mi-yeon gave her an innocent look. "What?"
Se-ri stammered a reply. "Well... umm... you're not the type. And... umm... Jeong Hyeok doesn't seem like the sharing kind, too."
Jeong Hyeok smiled at her. "I'm afraid she's right" he told Mi-yeon. "When I'm with someone, I'd want her to love only me."
Se-ri was mesmerised when he said that. "Really?" she swooned.
"Yeah," he said, getting lost in her eyes.
Mi-yeon's stared at Jeong Hyeok and then Se-ri and then back again. The two were no longer drowning in each others gaze but were smiling shyly at random things around them. Deciding to tease Se-ri some more now that she found an opening, Mi-yeon said, "Oh that's wonderful. You seem to be a wonderful man. Since you're single..."
Se-ri gave Mi-yeon a look to stop her from embarrassing Se-ri more. Mi-yeon gave Se-ri a sly look, "... and my friend here does not believe in love anymore, do you mind if I set you up? I think I know a few women from work."
"HEY!" Se-ri protested and Jeong Hyeok laughed.
Politely declining, Jeong Hyeok told Mi-yeon. "Thank you but I think I'm good."
"You said you're single!" Mi-yeon complained. This time Se-ri stopped jabbing Mi-yeon at her sides and was interested in what Jeong Hyeok had to say, too.
"Yes but I met someone I'm quite taken with," he stated.
Se-ri's heart dropped even if she hadn't even admitted to herself that she had developed a crush on him. She sighed. "I knew it. Valentine's day is crap," she muttered.
Jeong Hyeok tried to stop himself from smiling. "I gave her my number and I'm still hoping she'd use it. I'm also curious to know if she ever delivered an eviction notice."
