|After all|☆KSJ☆

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"Seokjin-ah!"

Her face is blurred by the contrasting sunshine behind her. She kept on calling my name but I stood still.

"He--"

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I wake up from another confusing dream.

I know its her.

I brushed my hair backwards with my tensed fingers. The atmosphere in my small room became heavy. I needed to move my body.

I stood up and went to the adjacent kitchen. It was dark but I can manage. I've been here for two months so I'm a little confident about where things are.

I poured water from the pitcher to my glass. The sound of the water getting poured slightly calm my nerves.

What time is it anyways?

I caught a glimpse of my digital clock by my bedside table and it read 4:48.

Only 12 minutes early against my alarm. Might as well start my day.

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"Boss, you're here early." JaeSung is my appointed sous chef. He usually goes to the restaurant earlier than everybody else.

He is my hoobae in the previous restaurant we worked in. He came with me as soon as I walked out of my old boss' restaurant.

"Yeah. I can't get back to sleep so..." My eyes trailed of to what he was doing.

"Prep work at this hour?" I raised an eyebrow, "Are you getting enough rest? I don't want you snoozing around later in the afternoon!"

He touched his nape, "I promise I won't. I was just practicing my knife skills boss."

I inspected his work carefully. He's gotten better.

"There's improvement..." I said before grabbing my apron. "...but the application of the technique is wrong."

I instructed him to follow my directions. He needs more polishing.

I can't leave my restaurant with JaeSung yet.

Two months into this business and I'm already exhausted. I thought opening up a restaurant was still my dream but right now, I am not so sure. There are days when I feel motivated and there are days that I can't find it.

Yes, it gives good income but I really want to come here everyday because 'I love to' and not because 'I need to'.

Maybe this is why Yoongi decided to go outside the country. Even Namjoon will be going to London in just a few months.

Sigh... I can't even go to an overnight vacation.

The day went by as busy as ever.

Don't get me wrong, I get satisfaction when customers praise my cooking but its not happiness.

The day ends with my staff going home after a brief meeting. Surprisingly, one of my staff Eunji, a waitress, goes to me after everyone has left.

"Boss, I want to let you know that I'm going to get married next month. I hope you can find my replacement soon."

"Oh. Isn't it too sudden? I mean, you marrying in just a month?" I did not expect this.

"Yes sir. You see, I'm already pregnant and we need to do the wedding as soon as possible." Eunji looks worried.

"No, Eunji. It's perfectly okay to do it. Anyway, just give me a week to find a replacement."

The girl finally smiled with relief and then said her goodbye and thanks before heading out of the restaurant.

Marriage...huh?

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The next day, I put up a sign looking for Eunji's replacement.

I need to find a new waitress soon. The restaurant is busy as it is with the same number of staffs and the peak season is already coming.

The first few applicants were okay. Most of them doesn't have experiences though. Some of them requires that the time would be shorter.

On the second day after I put up the sign, Eunji came up to me again.

"Boss, uhm... I found a possible replacement for me. I hope you would hire her." The girl gave a deep bow.

"Why are you being enthusiastic?"

"She needs the job boss. She will be coming here today."

"Well, it depends on the interview. Anyway, what time is she-" I got distracted by the opening of our door. We're still closed and are doing our prep work so no one should go in yet.

"Eonni!" Eunji called to the direction of the door.

Is it the applicant?

I heard footsteps coming my way and I looked back to see a familiar woman.

The woman stopped walking as soon as our eyes met. She silently said my name as I did.

"Jiu..."

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A/N:

I hope you all liked the preview. I know this might be a cliché story about exes but... 🤔

Well, see you in the next chapters!