Jamais Vu

Chapter 10

Sunhee was looking through the receipts for the store as she waited for Hoseok to come. She then stood and put a couple of croissants in the microwave when she heard a knock at the back door. She took an hour nap earlier after taking a portion from Livvy and Freddy to another bucket and fed it to be made as the levain for her next day bake. She was now functioning solely with the help of her double shot espresso and the stack of receipts and invoice that she had to key in for the bakery expenses.

It's a small business so she had to be the Jane of all trade. The part time accountant comes once a week for more detailed job. She put her glasses on top of her head and went to the door. Surely enough, Hoseok was there in his casual clothes, baseball cap and all, looking impeccably good with a smile on his face.

"Hiya partner," he greeted.

"Hello to you too. Come on in," invited Sunhee. She stopped herself from commenting how tired he looked. She didn't think she had that friend privilege to tell him how he was in need of a good rest. She was usually a candid person but sometimes, there were things that made her pause.

"Are you on a special diet or something?" Sunhee asked as Hoseok headed straight away to the stool in the baking area. It was general knowledge that idols had to go on a diet especially when their comeback is near as to why she asked. Being a trainee was a different thing altogether. They were on diet all the time even after they debuted.

"No, not at the moment," he answered.

"Good. Then I don't have to feel bad offering you some croissant if you're up for a simple supper. We can eat as we discuss," the microwave dinged on cue.

"Sounds great," Hoseok sat heavily on the stool at the baking table. He took off his hat as he swiped his tired face.

"You want soda or coffee to go with the croissant?" she asked. He was driving, liquor would be out of the equation.

"You got any Sprite?"

"Sorry, we're just out."

"Iced Americano then, if it's not much of a trouble."

"One iced Americano coming right up." Sunhee went to the front side of the shop as she started putting in the coffee. She looked at Hoseok who was trying to get himself comfortable on the stool. "Sorry there's no comfy sofa here. The work stools are all we have," she said as she served the iced Americano.

"No, it's okay," Hoseok moved a bit as he settled himself in. "Would your boyfriend be okay with us working on this deal late at night?" he fished.

"Boyfriend? What boyfriend?" Sunhee looked at him quizzically as she put a plate of croissant with butter and strawberry preserves that she made just that day.

"Just asking. I don't want to barge in someone else's turf at this hour," he explained with a straight face.

"The only relationship that I have right now involves this shop and those 2 buckets of starters," replied Sunhee, bringing her laptop closer to his side. She then had a good look at him. The word exhausted doesn't even come near. He was less talkative than he was when she last saw him. Sunhee could function because of her short nap. She doubt he even had the time to do that. They'd better start working on the outline of the agreement so that Hoseok could go home and rest.

Sunhee put her glasses back on. They worked on their mock up agreement and Sunhee was impressed by his knowledge and negotiating skills. They discussed on their role in the company, their share of the profit and the expansion plans. She was sorely mistaken on her early judgement on his business prowess. He knew a lot, picking up bits and pieces of the working details as he worked in the company since before he debuted. He just look so darn good being all business, Sunhee thought. She stopped herself from staring much longer or she might look like a freak.

She also appreciated the input he gave her on the marketing strategy and some design ideas he had in mind when it comes to a café. Obviously he was already toying with the idea of being a café owner sometime in the future before they got re-acquainted again. He was serious throughout the discussion and Sunhee could see that the partnership would be beneficial. At that moment, she was glad she offered him a partnership. The shop needed an extra set of brain to expand. The timing was perfect, never mind that he was only able to be a silent partner. It was quite a lengthy discussion that it stretched near to 1.

"Is that the time?" Hoseok commented as he finally looked at the clock. He then yawned.

"Yes, it is. We have everything lined up here. I'll have my lawyer draw up the agreement and send it to you ASAP," Sunhee's eyes were fixed on her laptop as she hit the save button.

"Sorry for keeping you up late," he apologized as he swiped his face again. "You'd probably be working straight away after this. I just don't know when else I'll be free."

"Don't worry. I'm used to that. I don't sleep that much anyway."

Hoseok looked at her closely. "You have trouble sleeping? Insomnia?" he guessed.

"Sometimes. Doesn't everyone?" she answered quickly. "You'd better make a move."

"Oh, you're getting rid of me. I'm useless now huh?" Hoseok joked. The serious businessman Jung Hoseok has left the room the moment the discussion ended.

"No, you're way too valuable," Sunhee shook her head and smiled. "And you're driving. I don't want you to micro sleep while you drive," she added.

"Do I look that bad?" he asked again.

"You dress well. Perfect," she praised.

"Thank you," he beamed.

"And you look like you're dead on your feet," she added.

"Well thank you for the compliment anyway," he said drily. "Thanks for the supper. The croissant tasted great."

"No problem," Sunhee just waved modestly.

"I'll make a move. Call me up before sending me the agreement and I'll tell you where I'll be at that time."

"Will do," she promised. She wanted to say more but she hesitated. She just closed her mouth shut in an afterthought.

Hoseok was about to open the door when he turned back to Sunhee. He looked at her as if he sensed her hesitancy.

"What is it?" she asked as he looked a bit unsure of his next move too.

"We haven't shake on the deal yet," he said, extending his hand out. "For formality's sake," he added.

"Oh, okay," she took his hand firmly and shook on it. "Thank you so much for this offer," she really meant that. He was her lifesaver.

"Thanks for giving me a chance," Hoseok said in return and walked.

"Wait!" she called him again. Hoseok looked at her in question. "Can I hug you?" she asked. "I'm really really glad for this and I don't know... just a handshake seems too formal when it means so much more to the bakery than that," she babbled quickly. She just didn't want Hoseok get the wrong idea and make him uncomfortable in the process. "It's okay if you're not okay with it," she continued as she saw him paused.

Did she sound too eager and crazy? Way to go Sunhee, she knocked her head mentally. That would be really great for the business, she criticized herself mentally. "Bye," she waved.

Hoseok went near and hugged her. Sunhee was surprised at first at his response and hugged him tight.

"See you around, partner," he said before getting into his car. Sunhee then looked at Hoseok's car until he was out of her view.

Professional.

She had to keep the relationship strictly professional. She nodded, acknowledging her thoughts before closing and locking the door shut.