keep your promise | Yang Jungwon

Cafe buzz

*BUZZ, BUZZ, BUZZ*

I groan into my pillow as I slowly start to become aware of my surroundings, my body sore from waking up in such an awkward position.

I'm gradually getting used to waking up in a new environment, though every time I open my eyes I expect to be surrounded by my old room.

Guess it's gonna take a while to get used to.

Funny how I didn't want to move to Australia in the first place, but now it's all I think about.

I roll over to turn off my screaming alarm, The noise still lingers in the air leaving behind an unsettling feeling.

It's been two months since I moved back to Korea after living in Australia for five years, the overwhelming mountain of boxes, that remains untouched, staring at me from the corner of my room.

"Yah! Kim Nari, up now!" An urgent voice calls from behind my door. If I wasn't awake before, I certainly am now. To be honest, I shouldn't even bother with the alarm anymore, most mornings I rely on my mother's blaring voice to wake me up.

I rub the excess sleep from under my eye and force myself to sit up and face my clock.

11:35

Shit, almost lunchtime.

Throwing the comfy covers off my warm body and welcoming the unwanted cold air that wraps around me is the worst part of my mornings, but I brush it off and walk towards my window sill.

I may have lost some money and made promises I'm not even sure I can fulfil, but I managed to score the bedroom with the most spectacular view instead of my brother who probably just wanted it because it's the closest room to the wi-fi router (also a plus).

Opening the windows, I breathe in the fresh spring air and take in the view.

A large crystal clear lake accompanied by koi fish, lily pads and an ancient-looking fountain spewing water from its midst. Surrounding the lake is a mass of fluffy pink cherry blossoms that shower the path with its petals, and benches, occupied by laughing couples, cheery families and individuals walking dogs and marvelling at the scenery around them.

This is probably one of the only things making my move back here enjoyable.

Just below my window, I can see the entrance to our cafe and where my mom has put out the sign detailing our menu for the day. Ooh mochi doughnuts, my favourite.

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I rush downstairs, midway through tying my shoes. Probably not the safest option, but it's better than getting scolded even more by my mother.

"Aah, there you are Lily," My dad calls out for me behind the register.

I see my mom eyeing me down and I sense what's coming, I have to mentally prepare myself for the lecture I'm about to be hit with.

"Took her long enough. You need to break out of that habit Nari, remember you've got school tomorrow and you'll need to be up bright and early. You see I'm not going to be here forever and-" she's cut off by the ring of a bell and a customer waiting to be greeted.

I let out a relieved sigh and smile at her as she rolls her eyes in annoyance.

"I'll be back for you." She tries to sound intimidating but fails miserably, it's the same thing over and over again.

Walking over to my dad, I grab an apron and tie it loosely around my waist ready to get to work.

Looking around I notice someone's missing. "Appa, where's Ji-Yeong?" I ask as I reach for one of the coffee mochi doughnuts and bring it to my lips.

"Your brother's gone out to fetch more groceries for this week," he responds whilst juggling a carton of eggs, a bag of flour and a mixing bowl all in one hand whilst frying up an egg with the other.

Now I see why Eomma never carries a handbag. Who needs one when you've got my dad, the famous Kim Haneul, the walking purse.

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It's been a quiet day so far.
Sundays are usually the most peaceful days for the cafe compared to the rest of the week, when parents are looking for a sweet treat to reward their kids or when business people in suits stop for a meal after work while they knit their brows in frustration and work on some sales pitch hoping to capture their boss's attention.

I sat down out of pure boredom which resulted in me fidgeting with a stack of napkins, I've successfully made somewhat of a frog... or is it a duck?

I groan, laying my head on my arms which are draped over the counter.
"Can Ji-Yeong hurry his slow ass up?" I ask into the air.

"Uhm hello?"

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A/N: HEY!!
I really have no direction as to how I want this story to go lol.
sorry if this chapter got boring, it took me 2 days just to figure out what to begin the chapter with and then another 3 days just to motivate my fingers to moveeeee!!
But I did it in the end.. 🎉

Hope you enjoyed this chapter and if you have any ideas
please feel free to share!!