Minjeong's day ended early, which meant she could head down to Vivid a lot earlier, which was her favourite thing ever.
She couldn't really tell why she loved being there so much, but the easiest thing to settle on was the peace and quiet, which was really one of her favourite things ever. A lot of her favourite things had to do with the café, it seemed.
Minjeong walked in and made her way towards her table, Karina not in sight just yet.
She sat silently while replying to some unread messages before getting up, making her way to the counter to place her order since there were no familiar faces up front.
"Hi," the woman behind the counter smiled. Minjeong had seen her around, but had never spoken to her. "What can I get for you today?"
"One salmon bagel and a hot chocolate, please." Minjeong told. She hadn't said that in quite a while, Karina always handing over her order without even asking anymore.
"Large hot chocolate?"
"Yes, please." Minjeong smiled.
"Alright," the woman hummed, keying Minjeong's order in. "Anything else?"
"That'll be all. Thanks."
"Your name, ma'am?"
"Just put 'm'." Minjeong told.
The woman nodded, "Payment by?"
"Uh, card." Minjeong muttered, something about this seeming unfamiliar. It felt as though Karina hadn't asked her to pay for a while now.
Shaking off her thoughts, Minjeong tapped her card, making her way back to her table as she waited for her name to be called, which she also wasn't used to, as Karina would just come by without question.
"Hot chocolate for 'm'!"
Minjeong got up the moment she heard that, walking over and taking her things, but not leaving before asking the woman a question.
"Can I ask, is Karina in today?"
"She was," the woman nodded. "But she clocked out early today."
"Is she alright?" Minjeong asked.
"I think so," the woman hummed. "Her boyfriend came to pick her up, told her there was an emergency, but I dunno... she looked mad."
Minjeong's eyebrows perked at that. She could only hope everything was alright.
"I see," Minjeong muttered. "Well, thank you. Have a great day."
"You too, ma'am." the woman smiled as Minjeong made her way back to her seat.
She was alone today, which was her ideal way to spend her free time, but something felt very off. It wasn't because Yizhuo wasn't around, it wasn't because her mother wasn't there, it wasn't because she didn't have anyone else accompanying her.
She found it was because Karina wasn't there.
It felt weird not having the woman smile at her from behind the counter, or check on her every once in a while, or give her extra hot chocolate.
Minjeong picked up her phone, Yizhuo distressed on the other end.
"Where are you?!"
"Vivid," Minjeong told. "Where are you?"
"I was at your office!" Yizhuo huffed. "Yunjin told me you left the country."
"It's on you for believing that," Minjeong laughed. "Come here once you're done. It's really empty today."
YOU ARE READING
Salmon Bagel and a Hot Chocolate
FanfictionMinjeong liked quiet. She wasn't one to start conversations with people she didn't know, generally on the reserved side. However, when the barista of a café she frequented started a conversation with her, it struck her as odd how she was so willing...
