A Dozen Red Roses For My Darling

Chapter 1

Cale contemplated whether it was a good idea to just smash the damned machine and pay for the damages or let it mock him further.

He frowned down at the happily steaming coffee machine. Steam was all it did. He wanted coffee, damn it, and not some watered-down milk and a truckload of steam hitting his face. At this point, he wouldn't be surprised if his face was as red as his hair.

What a sorry sight he must make. Some girls giggled while passing him. He couldn't even muster up the energy to check whether they were in awe of his handsomeness or were laughing at his misery. Probably both , he thought even more annoyed.

Why are Korean coffee machines so complicated? Cale mentally complained and risked gazing at the group of girls to see if he could get one of them to help him out.

He was that desperate.

Silky words died on his lips when he saw that the girls didn't notice him at all and were too busy staring at a man that just entered the convenience store, instead of gazing at his handsome figure. They giggled, chattered, and made gooey eyes at the stranger. Cale was considering his options. Either risk his ego and ask for help or join them in staring at the man in hopes that his problem - also known as the damned coffee machine – will solve itself while he is busy being an obstruction for the other shoppers.

He took a chance and looked a bit closer at the approaching man.

Cale suddenly couldn't fault the girls for their actions.

Walking through the door was a Korean Adonis. Long legs clad in simple black pants stretched for eternity as Cale's appreciative gaze wandered up, he had to hold back an embarrassing sigh at what greeted him next. A well-defined upper body fit perfectly with the skin tight black shirt and the maroon overcoat. Cale had to check whether he was drooling at the sight of the man's biceps and upper arm muscles. The perfect face looked around the small store with just right lips, down-looking eyes that burned a familiar red-brown, and arched eyebrows.

Cale was in love.

Or lust.

How about both? Yes, both.

His anger with the coffee machine was forgotten and only one mission existed in Cale's mind. He badly needed to ask the man out. Preferably yesterday.

The giggling girls reminded Cale that he wasn't the only one staring at the mystery man.

A quick look at his reflection in the machine boosted Cale's confidence. He looked as elegant and handsome as always. Perfect.

Turning around, Cale wanted to stride confidently toward his new obsession, only to make the uncomfortable realization that the man was gone. With wide eyes, Cale tried to find him. Yet to no avail. How could he have lost him?!

A finger gently tapped him on the shoulder. Cale wanted to snap at the person and whirled around in fury, ready to scold them for distracting him, only to get a close-up at those enchanting red-brown eyes. Cale shrieked, utterly startled.

His face quickly flamed red in humiliation when he noticed the embarrassing noise he made.

"H-Hi!" His confidence was gone – just like his ego – and Cale could only splutter a weak greeting. His heart can't take it! He needs to prepare himself first! He said hello, right? Cale wasn't so sure anymore. How does one greet another? Hai? No, wait. Hei...that was also wrong. Oh god, Cale internally despaired.

The man looked down at him with confusion. Although Cale managed to mask his panic behind a smile, he didn't know that he looked more deranged than sophisticated. His lips kept twitching and he blinked fast enough to signal some kind of SOS message even though he knew nothing of that art. At least, it fit the situation and Cale desperately wanted someone to come and salvage the situation. Or, alternatively, Cale was also fine with drowning himself in the next puddle he could find.