Salmon Bagel and a Hot Chocolate

9 - Forced vs. Natural Conversations

Friday finally arrived, which meant Minjeong went through her entire day in a lower mood than usual.

It wasn't that she was against having a chat over a meal with Jaemin, she just didn't want to be the one letting him down. It definitely wasn't that she had a problem saying no, but the awkwardness after is what got to her.

She needed to find a way to make it clear to him that she wanted nothing more than just acquaintanceship.

The work day ended for Minjeong, which meant it was time for her to head straight to the café. She wanted to sit on her seat before he could, seeing as it was an issue the last time.

Yizhuo texted to tell her that she'd be sitting a couple of tables away, but didn't want to give away her disguise just yet. Minjeong noticed her the moment she walked in.

"Dammit!" Yizhuo groaned. "I thought I dressed up pretty well."

"Putting on glasses isn't going to make me forget what you look like," Minjeong told. "You're not Clark Kent."

"I have a cap on." Yizhuo said, pointing at her baseball cap.

"You look like high school you." Minjeong shrugged, taking a seat at her table on her seat. perfect.

"Is it cute? Giselle said I look cute." Yizhuo bit back a smile.

"Like my opinion matters after what she says." Minjeong chuckled.

"That's true," Yizhuo hummed. "I'm gonna wear a cap and glasses a lot more now."

"Anything to make your girl happy, right?" Minjeong smiled.

"Yeah... but you're my number one girl," Yizhuo said, taking a seat across Minjeong. "So I'm gonna make you happy first. Let's make you happy."

"What's there to do?" Minjeong asked. "I'm gonna order a hot chocolate while I wait for him, order food when he's here, talk to him, pay the bill for him, say goodbye to him, go home, sleep really well."

"What if he asks for a second date?"

"My answer will depend on how this one goes," Minjeong hummed. "If it goes well, I will consider another date. If the next six or seven dates go well, I will consider considering a relationship."

"I'm very proud of how far you've come," Yizhuo put her hand over Minjeong's. "I'm not being sarcastic. This is a very big step and I'm really proud of you for taking it."

"Thank you," Minjeong said. "Please tell Jihyo I did this."

"Oh, I will." Yizhuo nodded, Karina coming over just at that moment, putting a cup of hot chocolate in front of Yizhuo.

"You can read my mind now?"

"What else do you come in here for?" Karina chuckled. "I heard you're waiting for a date, so I guess the food comes later?"

"Ah, so you can read my mind." Minjeong joked.

"I'd love to get in there," Karina said. "So, who's your date?"

"The guy you tried to kick out the other day," Yizhuo looked up at Karina with a smile. "He hates you."

"Yizhuo!" Minjeong huffed. "He doesn't hate you."

"Well, I hope not." Karina let out a small laugh.

"Sorry, sorry," Yizhuo put her hands up in defence. "We're gonna see each other a lot now, so I'm trying to engage in light banter."

"Oh yeah, you and Giselle are moving pretty fast, huh?" Karina wiggled her eyebrows. "She's very happy about it, just so you know. Could not stop talking about you."