A Sound from the Moon

Twenty

Chan loved the kimchi. I did a sigh of relief when he gave me that sweet smile again. I have to admit, I just love seeing his smile that shows his cute dimples. I could see that smile all day long...

I shake these thoughts away at my break with him. He tells me what I missed yesterday. He seems extra happy since I decided to come today. I quietly listen to his warm voice. I can almost fall asleep to his voice. His hair seems wavier today with the same parted bangs on his forehead. I smile when I see his dimples and childish look when he imitates an annoying customer from yesterday.

I could watch him all day...

Focus.

I listen to my logic. It reminds me of my mother's call. I did not come for love. I came to be under the spotlight. I came to see my mother smile rather than to see Chan smile. But I guess there's nothing wrong with enjoying his company at work at least.

"Say," he warmly says. "How was your date yesterday? You have not said anything about it. Did it not go well?"

I'm slapped out of my daydream and I take a sip of my coffee. "What makes you say that?"

He does his soft scoff. "Well, I would think you'd be telling me all about it the next day." His expression turns sad as he carefully says, "It looks like it did not go so well..."

I let a small sigh escape my lips. With him, I can't seem to hide my shuddering heart. It's hard to put my walls up when he reaches for my heart so tenderly. "No. It didn't. I regret missing work for it. I should be focusing on work when I have so much to pay. Not going out with losers like him."

His eyes slightly grow wide. "What did he do to you for such strong words to come out of such a sweet person?"

I quickly look away with a scoff before my cheeks turn red. "It's not the best first date I've had."

"It should've been me."

Those words are so quick. Too quick that when I look back with furrowed brows, he is already standing and saying, "Like you said! I should have a day off, but as long as we hang out together. I'm still waiting for the day."

"Well you're the boss! Give me another day off so we can hang out!"

He walks away with a playful wink that leaves my heart fluttering. What did he just say? What did he mean by that? Why are such small words making the butterflies in my stomach come back to life?

I push these thoughts away. Focus. It means nothing. I should call my mother. She must be back home now.

But just as I open my phone, my confused heart is distracted by four girls coming into the coffee shop. My heart flies again as I stand to greet them.

"Hey, guys! What are you doing here?"

"This is a nice place," Irene says as she continues to look around. I smile knowing that she's fallen right into her element. Peace and quiet so she can read here. She's already wearing her typical mom clothes and round glasses.

"We came to visit our baby sis," Joy happily says. "I am also craving the coconut shake you did for me the other day, too."

"I want the mango one," Wendy says as she playfully wraps an arm around Joy's shoulders.

Seulgi looks around with a teasing gleam in her eyes. She catches my eyes as I go behind the counter and does a smirk. I know she's looking for Chan and I roll my eyes with a giggle.

They all gather at the cash register I stand at and give me warm smiles as they look at the menu. Luckily, there isn't much customers here because they might take forever to choose something. Although, Irene is good at choosing. She the first to order and I quickly insert it in the system.

"Who's this?" Chan approaches with a wide smile showing off his sweet dimples. For some reason, I'm a bit nervous that Irene is meeting him for the first time. Though, she was the first to see him. She was not very nice at first.

But he doesn't seem to remember as he gives them all a warm bow. They return it with smiles. His bright eyes look at me as he says, "Are all these your sisters?!"

I do a small nod. "They're my roommates but yes. Basically they're my sisters."

"Wow," he says with that childish smile I see in my dreams. "What a special surprise! I have to say, Yeri has been so much help. Thanks to her, people love coming."

"Yes," Joy says. "She's a people person. She's very friendly."

"She's amazing," Chan sweetly says.

I do a small giggle that makes my stomach flip with nerves. I quickly push it away as I look back at the members. "What else?"

"Oh," Chan gently interrupts. "How about you show them what I've taught you? Let's give them a little show. And the drinks are on the house, ladies."

"I like him, Yeri," Seulgi says with a thumbs up. I giggle with red cheeks. I don't know why my heart flutters with both of my worlds colliding. At least, they're getting along so well.

"Can we watch?" Wendy excitedly says as she follows us on the other side of the counter.

"Okay but don't judge me!" I quickly say as I get the materials ready for milkshakes. "I just learned this a few days ago."

"I'll be right by your side," Chan says as he puts on an apron.

"Who's looking over the store?" I say as I pick up my hair into a ponytail.

"Don't worry about it. Have fun! Plus we must give these lovely ladies the best of the best! We want you all back!"

The members do giggles to his words. Even Irene seems to enjoy the company of Chan. Why is he so charming tonight?

I do as he says. I have fun as we start doing the small beats we created with the utensils we use while making milkshakes. The rest of the coworkers stop to watch with awe and I'm surprised along with the members when Chan starts to rap with the metal clanking from doing milkshakes. My heart flies at this and I don't think twice from joining in.

This time, the members excitedly watch with wide eyes at my part of the rap. Chan happily continues to beatbox as he finishes the milkshakes. I flip each cup before gracefully filling them with the beverage and end on a beautiful harmonized note with Chan on our random song. The members begin to cheer and everyone joins their clapping. Chan and I do small bows all around with big smiles.

"I'm coming back," Seulgi says as she takes her cup.

"That was awesome!" Wendy says.

"So cool!" Joy says.

"Very well done," Irene says as she approaches to get her cup last. Her eyes shine not as a mother this time but as a friend. "You two make a great team."

Chan and I exchange sweet smiles. I let him see my blushing cheeks. I want him to see that he's made my heart fly again. Red Velvet and Chan have been the only ones to do this to me.

They are those I must keep close.

Chan sees my heart heave a happy sigh. He sweetly takes my heart when he softly says, "I wouldn't want anyone else on my team."