Every Heartbeat | Taekook

01 ; Cosmic Lottery

01 ⚊ Cosmic Lottery
“I’ll thank my lucky stars
In this space and time,
To have crossed with yours.”

“I like you a lot, will you go out with me?”

I stared at the college student in front of me, a little taken aback. It was a boy who frequents the cafe almost every day, always happily smiling like he’s never seen the saddest and most unfortunate parts of the world yet.

In the whole twenty-seven years of my existence, I have never seen anyone else being so forward about asking me out, at least not another one.

The boy’s eyes were sparkling, they were very bright and hopeful. And he’s smiling too, expectant yet nervous.

I sighed, massaging my temple as I leaned on the counter. “What’s your name?” I asked, and he looks at me quizzically before scrambling to tell me his name.

“Oh! My name—I, uh, I’m Sunghoon, Park Sunghoon!” He exclaimed, straightening his back as if he was in the army.

“Pfft!”

I heard muffled laughs behind me which gathered my attention, making me turn toward my employees who were watching the show. I glared at them which made them shut their mouths and turn away before I faced Sunghoon again.

“Hey, Park Sunghoon-ssi. Do you even have any idea how old I am?” I crossed my arms, letting him guess.

Sunghoon’s lips quivered to answer but hesitates. “Uhm, just my age? I’m twenty-two.” He says, nervously smiling while holding the edge of his white shirt.

“I’m ten years older than you.” I lied, doubling the number of our age gap, and watched how his eyes grew wide with shock.

“No way...” He mumbles, staring at me without blinking.

“Boss, don't lie!”

“Look how terrified he is, hahaha!”

“He’s lying, boy. He’s fifteen years older than you!”

My employees yelled from the back, but the last comment made the boy’s eyes grow even wider than saucers if that was even possible. Damn, whoever that was, I will give them a raise.

I watched as Sunghoon tried to compose himself, gulping before he speak. “It—it doesn't matter. Age is just a number, right? I still like you a lot!” He says persistently, and his eyes held so much more enthusiasm than earlier.

I blinked, a little speechless. I praise him for his strong dedication but I’m not liking this situation at all. I sighed once again before speaking, “I’m sorry. I’m flattered that you like me but I don’t feel the same, nor do I plan to feel the same for a very long period of time.” I said, pushing the iced americano he ordered closer toward him. “This one's on the house. Next in line, please.” My eyes left him the moment I said those words, gazing at the person waiting behind him.

“Ouch, that must have hurt.”

“Don’t take it to heart, boy. Boss just doesn't want to date anyone at all.”

“You can ask me to date you instead, haha!”

Sunghoon steps aside lifelessly without a word, looking at nothing in particular as if he’s rethinking his life decisions.