DERANGER - SEULRENE

037

it's been three months now since you move to hangjeon.

compared to the city, the weather there is tad colder--perfect for that brewed coffee and burger combo you serve to your patrons at double patty. there's also lesser bustle, pollution, and noise on the streets.

your apartment is located just above double patty. it's more practical, according to seulgi. she managed to turn the small space into a cosy flat, which you enjoy, especially during... well.

as you've previously mentioned to your sister, overlooking the burger place is now your full-time job. for someone who's doing this for the first time, you can say it's both exhausting and gratifying.

you feel happy that you're doing what you've always wanted, at the same providing work opportunities to residents there.

however, the tiring part is that you have to manage everything to keep the business running: from the finances, the inventory, even the suppliers.

makes you realise that starting a business is not for everyone.

luckily, seulgi's aunt minhee is always eager to help. she's constantly checking and giving advice. she said it's good to commit mistakes now while the business is in the start-up stage. that is how you learn how to do stuff better. she even joked that if you don't keep up, schindlee's cafe will put you out of business as she and seulgi are planning to start a franchise in hangjeon too.

---

eunwoo visits you there fortnightly while jihye stops by with her husband once in a while.

still not a word from your parents. your mum stopped sending you messages. you tried calling your dad on his birthday, but he seemed to have blocked your number.

your siblings say your parents sometimes ask them for quick updates on you--despite still refusing to visit you. your dad hasn't even opened the gift you sent him for his birthday.

"it'll take a while, but they'll come around," jihye says.

---

it was one of those busy days at double patty. it is inventory time. you are head down working on your laptop, making sure everything is itemised when the door burst open, making you jump in shock.

seulgi comes in, scratching her head.

"is that..." she points at the cctv monitor near your table. "is it just me or is that car parking outside your dad's?"

you look up, seeing that familiar black car backing up the parking space. you stand up from the chair to look through the glass from the door and sees the registration plate number. it's the same with your dad's.

you hold your breath for a moment when you see your parents step out, standing outside, looking up and around the area.

"are they going in here?" seulgi asks.

"i don't know. i've never heard from eunwoo or unni about this."

seulgi's question is answered when your dad turns to face double patty's front door. he pushes it open and hesitantly enters. your mum stays outside by the car, still looking around.

your dad is then greeted by the staff inside. he stood in line for the cashier, eyes up on the menu.

"okay. maybe they're just here to eat," seulgi says.

when it was his turn, your dad says his order to the staff, occasionally pointing at the menu to make sure the cashier gets it right.

seulgi looks at you. "you alright?"