Behind The Ship

The New Role

How are we going to play this? I'm not so sure how. I mean, I'm sure that we will reach the only goal, business. But what if the joke is on me? Like, I fall in love with him or something like that, something you always find in romance stories about faking a relationship.

I won't deny it. He is handsome. Tall. Dimpled smile. Smart. Sweet. Hot. Basically, he is everything my type. But also an opportunist, narcissistic, and his two failed marriages make me doubt his capability to love.

I will put my guards up to protect my heart. It's a precious thing that not everyone deserves.

Someone needs to remind me, that between him and me there should be nothing but fake. I wish I could tell someone, but we both agreed to keep it a secret between us. If I don't have control over my mouth, I won't have control over my future. Deja Brew is my future, and I want to be a successful entrepreneur.

After we were done talking about our plan at Deja Brew, he offered me a ride home. So now I'm in his car at the passenger seat. We're still at the parking area when he asks where my address is.

"I change my mind. What about you just drop me at the metro station?"

"Why? Is there somewhere you want to go?"

"No, I just prefer the metro."

Actually, I don't want him to know where do I live. What for? I don't know where he lives, and not that I need to know about it, so I'll keep my personal information from him as well.

"Gangnam Metro Station isn't far from here, please?" I add.

He gives me a suspicious look, "I can give you a ride until the front door of your house. I believe it's more comfortable than any public transportation, Jin Ah. And safe."

"It's almost 10 PM, most people are already at home so no need to be seen together. I also have posted our picture on Instagram, I believe it's raining notification in my account, so-"

"It's not for show, I'm just concerned about your safety, that's all. But if you insist,...." he exhales, "whatever."

He drives the car to the Gangnam Metro Station as I requested, and doesn't say anything back when I thank him. It's only a small smile on his face when I hop off his car and take one last look as I close the door.

But as I pass the passenger entry gate, I receive a text message from him.

Let me know when you're home.

Seriously? Oh, please.

***

What day is it? Saturday. Saturday morning. What do people do on Saturday morning? Hanging out, chilling with friends, family, their loved ones. What do I do? Go to Deja Brew and earn more money.

I believe even after I had my phone number changed, my message box and call log are full with messages and missed calls from Yoon Seung Ho, Ha Chae Yoon, and probably also Min Tae Gu. I've abandoned my phone since last night, and I have no plan to check on the Instagram as well. The red button of notifications terrifies me.

But I can't skip these three. Last night before Seung Ho left, I told him that I'd come to Deja Brew late tomorrow, so this morning I don't need to rush out to open it. Aside from that, we have employed more baristas to catch up with the rising sales.

So after I took my morning bath and finished my breakfast bowl, I sit on the bed and brace myself to check my phone. As expected, missed calls, and messages. Let's start from the top.

Yoon Seung Ho: at least, give me a heads up before you blow the internet because we'd need extra baristas, extra coffee beans, and extra paper cups for today.