Jamais Vu

Chapter 32

Sunhee and her mom went to the shop straight away after they unloaded all of their shopping items at Sunhee's home. Both Sunhee and her mom had a great time buying cooking utensils and stocking up the food supply for her house.

It was near quitting time for the construction crew by the time they reached there. Jaesuk and his crew were just cleaning up for the day. The timing was just right. Sunhee introduced Jaesuk and the crew to her mom. Jaesuk was glad to update Sunhee on the work progress and showed them around.

Even when the bakery was just next door, Sunhee didn't make it a habit of going and checking progress on the construction daily. She knew how disconcerting it would feel to have someone breathing on her neck all the time. She dropped by a few times and gave the crews the extra bread she baked, and that was about it.

After the construction tour, Sunhee and her mom went to the bakery. They stopped when they saw Choi Yong at the back door. Sunhee was actually surprised to see her. Choi Yong didn't have to be there that day. She did inform the bakers that she was going to assign them to come on alternate Mondays to prepare the levain with her. Sunhee could do all that on her own, but she wanted the bakers to at least know how to handle the starters - just in case she would not be able to make it. That would only start after the whole café bakery was open. Sunhee didn't want to interrupt her employee's leisure time that much since they only have a day off.

"Hi, Choi Yong-ssi," greeted Sunhee. "Are you here for the prep?"

Choi Yong bowed respectfully when she saw Sunhee and her mom. "Yes, I am," she replied.

"You know you don't have to, right? The rotation hasn't started yet," said Sunhee.

"I know. I'm here to learn," replied Choi Yong with a hint of forced enthusiasm that didn't sound quite right to Sunhee's ears.

"I really appreciate this," said Sunhee and Choi Yong just nodded.

Sunhee had this nagging feeling that something was a bit off. Granted, Choi Yong never participated in anything not related to work. She was always the first to go home, after working hours end. Sunhee brushed her thoughts off. Preparing the levain is definitely work.

Sunhee introduced her mom to Choi Yong and as usual, they were greeted by her emotion-free face. Sunhee wondered if Haewon actually saw Choi Yong smile. It would definitely make a huge difference to Choi Yong, as she is a striking woman.

"Pleased to meet you," said Choi Yong to Sunhee's mom.

"Pleasure's all mine. Happy to meet a person whom my daughter is working with," said Sunhee's mom. "You're a very beautiful lady."

Sunhee smiled at her mom's comment and she could see Choi Yong was surprised. Sunhee knew she could rely on her mom in being straightforward as heck, and say whatever that comes to her mom's mind. Sunhee definitely inherited the glib tongue from her mom.

"Uh, thank you," replied Choi Yong. Then Sunhee saw it. The corner of Choi Yong's lips moved up in a split second, and it was gone again in a blink of an eye. Sunhee was stunned. She was very sure her mind wasn't playing tricks on her. Choi Yong did smile for that millisecond.

"How long are we going to stay outside, Sunhee-ya?" asked her mom. "Open the door."

"Oh, sorry," Sunhee brushed her thoughts away.

Sunhee keyed in the passcode and unlocked the deadbolt. Sunhee's phone dinged as they got into the bakery. She removed her jacket and instructed Choi Yong to prepare the things for the starter. Her mom was making herself comfortable as she looked around the shop. Sunhee excused herself and went to the front area for a bit of privacy. She checked her phone, thinking it might be a message from Hoseok.