"Just one more, please!" Bae y/n called out to the barista, her voice rising above the steady hum of the café. The scent of freshly ground coffee beans filled the air, mingling with the sweet aroma of baked goods. She scribbled down the order on her notepad, her pen moving in swift, practiced strokes. The café was bustling, a sea of faces that y/n had grown to recognize over the months she'd worked there. Each customer had their own story and reasons for seeking refuge in the warm embrace of a cup of coffee.
Park Jimin stepped through the door, his eyes scanning the room. The bell chimed a greeting, but the atmosphere shifted subtly. He was a regular, but not one who blended in. His sharp suit and stern gaze set him apart from the casual chatter of the afternoon crowd. y/n's heart skipped a beat as she caught sight of him. There was something about him that made her feel both safe and on edge. He was the kind of man who could make the air feel thick with tension, or thin with a smile.Jimin's eyes locked onto y/n, and she felt a strange jolt. He was handsome, in a way that made her stomach flips, but it was more than that. It was the way he carried himself, the confidence that seemed to follow him like a shadow. She approached his table, trying to keep her hand steady as she set down the menu. "Welcome back," she said with a smile, her voice a little too high. "What can I get you today?" Black coffee," he replied, his voice low and smooth. "And keep an eye out for me." Of course," y/n nodded, trying to keep the curiosity from her face. Jimin's visits had become more frequent, and she felt a growing sense of anticipation with each one. She knew he was more than just a man who liked his coffee black, but she didn't dare pry. Her job was to serve, not to ask questions. Plus, there was something in his eyes that told her she might not like the answers.As the afternoon turned to evening, the café grew quieter. The chatter of students and office workers was replaced by the occasional murmur of a couple sharing secrets over a cup of tea. y/n found herself glancing at the clock more often than she should, waiting for the moment she could finally head home. That was when the door swung open, and in walked a man she'd never seen before. He was dressed in a flashy suit, his smile too wide and his eyes too cold. The tension that Jimin brought with him was different - this man was dangerous, and y/n could feel it.Jimin's gaze snapped up from his phone, his hand sliding beneath the table. The newcomer sauntered over to the counter, leaning in to flirt with the young barista. His voice was too loud, too forced, and y/n could see the barista's eyes flicker toward the kitchen in a silent plea for help. The man's eyes roamed the café, finally landing on Jimin. He smirked, his gaze lingering just a second too long.The air grew thick with an unspoken challenge, and y/n's heart began to race. She knew this wasn't good. The man had to be one of the enemies Jimin had mentioned. Why would he come here, to her café? And what was she supposed to do now? She glanced back at Jimin, who was watching the scene unfold with a calm expression that didn't reach his eyes. There was something about the way he sat, something about the way his hand remained hidden beneath the table, that told her he was anything but relaxed.The man approached Jimin's table, his smile widening as he saw the other man's hand. "Well, well, well," he drawled. "Looks like someone's feeling a little jumpy."Jimin's eyes narrowed, but his smile never faltered. "Just enjoying my coffee," he said, his voice deceptively casual.The newcomer leaned closer, his words a whisper that seemed to echo through the café. "I know what you are," he hissed. "And I know why you're here."The tension grew, and y/n's palms grew damp with sweat. She knew she should do something, but she was frozen in place. The man at the counter was dangerous, and she had no idea how to handle this situation. Jimin's hand moved, and she realized with a start that he was holding something - a gun, sleek and deadly.The door to the kitchen burst open, and the head chef stormed out, his face red with rage. "What the hell is going on out here?" he bellowed, his apron splattered with sauce.The sudden noise made the newcomer flinch, and Jimin took the opportunity to slip the gun back into his pocket. "Just a friendly chat," he said, his smile never wavering. The chef looked from Jimin to the newcomer, then back to y/n. She gave a small shake of her head, silently begging him to play along."Everything's fine," she called out, her voice shakier than she would have liked. "This... this is just a customer. He was leaving a... a review."The chef grunted and turned back to the kitchen, muttering something about "damn tourists" under his breath. The newcomer straightened, his smile still in place but his eyes no longer cold. "I'll be seeing you around," he said to Jimin, before turning and leaving the café.As the door closed behind him, the tension didn't dissipate. Jimin took a slow sip of his coffee, his eyes never leaving the spot where the man had been standing. "Thank you," he said to y/n, his voice quiet."What was that?" she whispered, her heart still racing."Trouble," he replied, his gaze finally meeting hers. "But you handled it well."The rest of the evening passed in a blur. Customers came and went, but y/n couldn't shake the feeling that something was about to happen. Every time the door opened, she'd tense up, expecting to see the flashy suit again. But he didn't return.Finally, the closing time approached, and the last of the customers drifted out into the night. Jimin lingered, his eyes on y/n as she cashed out the register. "You should be careful," he said, his voice low and serious. "Things are going to get messy, and I wouldn't want you caught in the middle." What do you mean?" she asked, her stomach flipping.He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "You know I'm not just a businessman, right?" I... I had my suspicions," she admitted."I'm part of something larger," he said, his eyes searching hers. "And it's not always pretty. But I need you to trust me."Y/n nodded, her heart pounding. "I do," she said, and she meant it. There was something about Jimin that made her feel like she could trust him, even when the world around her was falling apart."Good," he said, standing up. "Because tomorrow, I'll need you to do something for me."The words hung in the air, heavy with implication. Y/n nodded again, swallowing hard. "What is it?"Jimin leaned in, his breath warm against her ear. "Meet me here after your shift," he murmured. "I'll explain everything then."And with that, he was gone, leaving Y/n alone in the café with her racing thoughts and the echo of his footsteps. She had a feeling that her life was about to change in ways she couldn't even begin to imagine.The next day felt like an eternity. Each customer's order, each cup of coffee she poured, brought her closer to the moment she'd find out what Jimin had meant. The café was dimly lit, the shadows playing tricks on her eyes. She found herself looking over her shoulder, expecting to see the flashy suit from the night before. But it was just the usual patrons, lost in their worlds of work and whispers.As the clock ticked closer to closing time, y/n's nerves grew tauter. She'd told no one about the encounter, not even her best friend, who was a regular at the café. It was like living in a suspense novel, the plot twisting in her chest with every heartbeat. The last customer left, the door chiming a farewell, and she took a deep breath.The bell jingled again, and she turned, expecting to see Jimin. But it was another man, his eyes just as cold as the one from last night. Panic bloomed in her chest, but she forced a smile. "Can I help you?" she asked, her voice trembling.
Thank you for Reading Shadowed Affections
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