Blood stained roses

CHAPTER 2

Younha

It's around 2pm and I approach the store to start my shift of the day, I wasn't in this morning.
From what Seonghwa told me, he chose San as our accountant and he started today.
I'm happy he chose him because he was nicer than the others, and if I'm being completely honest, he was also kinda cute. But I can't really do anything about that, gotta stay professional.

I push the door of the shop seeing Hongjoong on the front, behind the counter.

Younha : Hi !
Hongjoong : Hey Younha, how are you ?
Younha : I'm good, how are you ?
Hongjoong : Fine, it was a calm morning.
Younha : How is San doing ?
Hongjoong : Pretty well, he quickly got a hand of everything and seems like he's doing good. I like him.
Younha : That is nice to hear.

Talking about him, he comes out of the back of the store, holding a paper.

San : Hongjoong, I had a question.
Hongjoong : Tell me.

They talk about budget related stuff, both focused on that piece of paper, probably a bill, and after a few moments, San finally raises his head and notices me. His face suddenly turns red and he smiles shyly.

San : Hello Younha, I'm so sorry I didn't see you.
Younha : Don't worry about it.

Anyway, we all go back to work.
Around 4pm, Seonghwa and Hongjoong have to leave for a meeting or something, leaving me and San alone.
The afternoon is pretty slow too so I end up knocking on San's office's door.
A shy voice tells me to come inside.

Younha : How are you doing ?
San : I'm getting used to everything so I guess I'm doing okay. What about you ?
Younha : There's absolutely nobody so I'm bored.
San : How sad.
Younha : Are you making fun of me ?
San : No, I'm not ! Sorry you took it the wrong way.
Younha : Don't worry, I'm just playing with you. You still seem a bit tensed, you can relax you know.
San : Sorry, since it's only my first day, I'm still stressed out a little, been a long time since I hadn't had a job as good as this one.
Younha : Really ? You seem very competent though.
San : Nobody wants an employee who's first job went out of business.
Younha : Was it your fault ?
San : Absolutely not.
Younha : Then why won't they take you ?
San : Low expectations I guess.
Younha : That's stupid.
San : It is. So tell me, since we are chatting, since when do you work here ?
Younha : The end of high school so almost three years now, I never went to college.
San : Really ?
Younha : Seonghwa actually babysat me for a few years, so I've known him since I was a child. When he heard I was graduating, he told me they were looking for someone here and Hongjoong hired me. It was just supposed to be a summer job but I liked it so much here I begged him to keep me.
San : You like flowers ?
Younha : Who doesn't ?
San : Depends on the flower, for example I can't stand roses.
Younha : Why ?
San : They bring back memories that I really want to forget.
Younha : An ex-girlfriend ?
San : I wish it was that simple, but that's a story for another time, you have a customer.
Younha : Right, thank you.

I go back to the front of the store greet the old lady who just came in.

Younha : Welcome, how can I help you ?
Lady : Hello dear, I would a bouquet for my granddaughter. She just got her dream job and I want to congratulate her.
Younha : Of course, what a nice thought. Did you have any particular ideas ?
Lady : Peonies are her favorite, do you have any ?
Younha : I do, pink peonies.
Lady : That would be perfect.

While I'm talking to her, I can hear San's footsteps approaching quietly behind me.
I finish everything with the lady and she leaves the shop.

San : I see why they kept you, you're good at what you do.
Younha : What makes you say that ?
San : You understood exactly what this lady wanted and you were super nice to her.
Younha : It's just my job.
San : Trust me, very low people are as nice and caring as you.
Younha : Well, thank you very much for the compliments. So, where did we get cut off...Right, you were about to tell me why you hate roses.
San : Right... Actually, can we talk about this later ? I still have a lot of work to get done with.
Younha : Oh, yeah of course, I'll let you get back to it.

He goes back into his office without saying another word and closes the door behind him, which he haven't done ever since I arrived today.
That was weird, maybe I touched a sensitive subject.
I'm brought out of my thoughts by my phone buzzing in my pocket, it's a message from Seonghwa.

Seonghwa : How is everything going ?
Younha : Fine, there aren't many customers.
Seonghwa : How is San doing ?
Younha : Fine, he's working. But we were chatting and I think I accidentally touched a sensitive cord.
Seonghwa : What happened ?
Younha : Well I was bored because there was nobody in the shop and I went to see him, we started talking and he told how he didn't like roses, and long story short when I asked him why he kinda ran off to his office.
Seonghwa : Did you mean to offend him ?
Younha : Of course not !
Seonghwa : Then just let him cool off, he won't be mad at you.
Younha : I still feel bad for offending him on his first day.
Seonghwa : It happens, don't overthink it.
Younha : I should still apologize, shouldn't I ?
Seonghwa : Are you being dramatic because you like him ?
Younha : What ?
Seonghwa : Come on, I heard you talking to him after his interview yesterday. You know you can't fool me anymore.
Younha : I mean, yes he is cute. But damn it Hwa, he just arrived here, I don't want to scare him off.
Seonghwa : Of course, but you don't need to worry that much about what you said, he'll be okay and you know it. Or else, he's just extremely sensitive and that just won't do when we already have Hongjoong.
Younha : Yeah, that's true, thank you Hwa.
Seonghwa : You're welcome, and please just wait a few days before you start flirting with him.