Haru Haru 하루 하루 / Day by Day (Donghae Fan Fiction)

Chapter 4

"Good morning, hyung. one Iced Americano for me and one hot latte for Minha, to go please." Tasha said as she reached the counter at Haru at 10am in the morning. Minha was dragging her feet to keep up with Tasha's pace as she was having a bad hangover and needed her coffee.

"The cafe is too bright. It's so... white" Minha was muttering to herself when she reached Tasha who was making the payment.

"What happened to the bright and cheerful Minha that I have known for the past 2 weeks? Are you okay?" Tasha questioned as they approached the collection area on the other side of the counter.

"I drank a little too much last night after my dinner with some friends. I think I'm having a hangover. Nothing a cup of latte can't fix, though." Minha said softly as she took off the pair of sunglasses that was covering her eyes. At that point of time, Tasha noticed the eyebags that were more prominent today. Even though Minha had makeup on, it didn't fully cover the bags under her eyes.

"Do let me know if you want to go home and rest instead." Tasha was concerned she would be too dehydrated after drinking so much alcohol the night before.

"Don't worry, boss. I am strong." Minha replied with two thumbs up to indicate that she's alright.

"Here are your drinks. Glad to see that you have safely reached home and back here so early. I hope that my brother was not pestering you with his English on the way home?" Donghwa said with a small smirk on his face. Knowing his brother, he would have spoken in English every opportunity he got, and sending Tasha home was an opportunity for him to do so.

"Hold up. Brother? His brother? Home?" Minha questioned, putting her cup of latte down back on the counter after taking a sip. She's not sure if her hangover was playing tricks on her but Tasha wouldn't have met an idol without telling her, right?

"Yeah, my younger brother came and had dinner with us last night. He sent her home as it was raining heavily and she couldn't ride home." Donghwa stated without noticing the time bomb that was ticking right in front of him.

"MS NATASHA TAN. HOW COULD YOU NOT HAVE TOLD ME THAT YOU MET LEE DONGHAE?!" Minha practically screamed at Tasha. She was definitely wide awake now and the last thing she was worried about was the hangover that she was recovering from just seconds ago.

The other patrons turned and looked at them during Minha's sudden outburst. Tasha was thankful that the morning was not as busy as last night and there were only three other patrons in the cafe this morning.

"Can you keep your voice down? I'll tell you all about it later at the office." Tasha pinched Minha's arm as she bowed quickly in the direction of the other patrons as a way to apologise for Minha's actions. "Thank you for the coffee. Drop by if you're less busy. We are painting today and a helping hand would be great!"

Tasha dragged Minha out of Haru after saying her goodbye to Donghwa and quickly walked over to their newly renovated but not painted office next door.

"How many times do I need to tell you to control your voice when we are out in public?" Tasha burst out when they were alone in the office.

"I'm sorry Ms Tasha. I will do my best to control my emotions. It's just hard when you have become so close to me and I got too excited over the news. I'm sorry again." Minha looked down to the floor as she apologised.

Tasha couldn't help but feel sorry for her. She is not one to scold her staff members but when the situation calls for it, she does it in private. Minha must have really been so excited for her that she forgot the promise she made to keep her fangirling excitement down in front of Donghwa. In a split of a second, her initial anger disappeared and she walked over to the storeroom.