cherish | lee heeseung

°˖➴ #𝟭𝟬

Tasks

———

THE NEXT MORNING, sunlight filtered softly through Haneul's bedroom curtains, casting a warm glow across the room. As she stretched and slowly woke up, her eyes landed on the familiar jacket draped over her desk chair. The sight of it brought a flood of memories from the previous night rushing back.

She sat up in bed, a small smile tugging at her lips as she recalled the warmth of the jacket and the comfort of Heeseung's presence. The walk through the park, their conversations, and the unexpected but welcoming fluttering in her stomach all replayed in her mind. For the first time in a long while, she felt a genuine connection and a sense of possibility.

Slipping out of bed, Haneul walked over to the chair and gently touched the jacket, feeling its soft fabric beneath her fingers. She could still smell the faint scent of Heeseung's cologne mixed with the cool night air. It brought a sense of warmth and familiarity that lingered in her chest.

Just then, her phone dinged. Haneul went over to her bedside, unplugging her phone from the charger. Her smile immediately widened as she realised who it was.

'Morning :)'

She quickly typed a reply, 'Good morning, Hee!' and hits send, feeling a sense of excitement at the start of this new day.

With her day off to an unexpectedly pleasant start, Haneul took a quick shower and chose a casual outfit: a soft, comfortable shirt and a pair of well-worn jeans. She tied her hair back and headed downstairs for breakfast, as usual.

She grabbed a quick bite to eat then headed out the door, bidding her parents farewell as she leaves. The walk to the library was peaceful, with the early sounds of birds and the distant hum of morning traffic providing a soothing backdrop.

Entering her workplace, the familiar scent of books and the quiet ambiance greeted her. She smiled at the serene atmosphere, feeling a sense of calm wash over her. Just as she was about to head to the back to start her usual tasks, she heard footsteps hurrying towards her.

"Haneul, there you are!" Soomin, her colleague, called out, catching up to her. "I've been looking everywhere for you."

Haneul turned around, curious at Soomin's urgency. "Hey, Soomin. What's up?"

Soomin took a moment to catch her breath before continuing. "Mrs. Choi called in sick this morning. She's not able to come to work today. Would you be able to replace her as the library assistant for the day?"

Haneul considered the request, nodding thoughtfully. "Sure, I can do that. Is everything alright with Mrs. Choi?"

Soomin nodded. "Yeah, she just caught a bad cold. She'll probably be back in a couple of days. But we could really use your help today, especially with the book fair preparations."

Haneul smiled warmly. "No problem, Soomin. I'm happy to pitch in wherever I can."

Soomin visibly relaxed, grateful for Haneul's willingness to help. "Thank you so much, Hana. I'll let the others know."

Haneul headed over to the front desk where Mrs. Choi usually sits, settling into her new role. She took a moment to send a thoughtful text to Mrs. Choi, wishing her a speedy recovery and hoping her message will brighten Mrs. Choi's day.

As patrons slowly trickled into the library, Haneul greeted them warmly at the front desk. She assisted them with checking materials in and out, answering their questions about library services, and offering recommendations for new arrivals.

"Good morning! How can I help you today?" Haneul asked with a friendly smile as each patron approached the desk.

Some patrons returned books they've finished reading, while others browsed shelves for new additions to their reading list. Haneul efficiently scanned the items, processed returns and checked out new materials, ensuring everyone's needs were met promptly.

———

Throughout the morning, Haneul continued to assist library visitors. She maintained a friendly and helpful demeanour, making sure each patron felt welcome and valued.

"Here are your books. Thank you for visiting us today," Haneul said with a smile as she handed back a stack of books to a grateful patron.

After assisting each customer, Haneul made sure to express her gratitude as they left. "Thank you for visiting the library. Have a great day!" she said warmly, creating a positive and welcoming experience for everyone who came through the door.

As the morning progressed, the library became busier, and Haneul remained focused on providing excellent service to each person who visited. Her dedication and commitment to her work shined through in her interactions with patrons, making the library a pleasant place for everyone.

At one point, Haneul noticed an elderly gentleman struggling to reach a book on the top shelf. She quickly stepped over to assist him, carefully retrieving the book and handing it to him with a smile.

"Thank you, young lady. You're a lifesaver," he said gratefully.

Haneul chuckled softly. "You're welcome! Is there anything else I can help you with today?"

The morning slowly gave way to the afternoon as Haneul took a short break to grab a quick snack and to check her phone. She saw a reply from Mrs. Choi:

'Thank you, Haneul! Feeling a bit better already. I'm sure you're doing a great job. Let me know if you need anything.'

Haneul smiled at the message and replied quickly, assuring Mrs. Choi that everything was under control.

———

The library began to quiet down as the afternoon faded into the evening. The steady flow of patrons slowed to a trickle as people headed home for dinner and the day winded down.

Haneul took a moment to tidy up the front desk area, organising papers and straightening out the book displays. She checked the inventory of new arrivals, making a mental note of which books had been popular with visitors throughout the day.

"Closing time in 15 minutes." Haneul announced over the intercom, signalling to the remaining patrons that it was almost time to wrap up their visits.

Seeing that there were no more patrons needing her assistance, Haneul took a moment to step away from the front desk. She headed over to the fiction section, where she browsed the shelves for a book that caught her eye.

She ran her fingers alone the spines of the books, reading titles and scanning covers until she found one that piques her interest. She finally spotted the novel she wanted to read, but it was placed on a high shelf just out of her reach. She stood on her tiptoes, stretching her arm as far as she could, but it was still beyond her grasp

Suddenly, she felt another hand gently and unexpectedly reach past her, making their fingers brush briefly.

———