Holding On to You ||| Hwang Hyunjin

Ch. 11

A/N
I noticed that I haven't written about Naris backstory so I'll probably write it here in this chapter.

Today I woke up, and did my usual morning routine, then headed to work, since recently I got one, it's a small cafe.

Walking into the cafe, the rich scent of freshly brewed coffee immediately hit me, mingling with the sweet aroma of pastries.

My heart was racing, a mix of excitement and nerves churning inside me. The warm, inviting atmosphere of the cafe, with its wooden tables and cozy lighting, felt both comforting and overwhelming.

"Alright, Nari, you got this," I whispered to myself, adjusting my stiff new apron.

Chin-hae , my manager, smiled at me as he handed me a notepad. "You'll do great. Just remember to be friendly and attentive."

I nodded, gripping the notepad tightly, trying to steady my trembling fingers. My first customer, a woman with a kind smile, approached the counter.

"Hi there! What can I get for you today?" I asked, hoping my voice didn't reveal how nervous I was.

"I'll have a caramel latte, please," she replied.

As I started making the drink, I focused on each step, trying to calm myself with the familiar motions. Measure, pour, steam. I handed the latte to the woman with what I hoped was a confident smile. "Here you go! Enjoy!"

Her grateful smile felt like a small victory. As the shift continued, I found myself falling into a rhythm, taking orders, making drinks, and even managing a few friendly chats with customers.

Then, the door chimed, and I glanced up. My breath caught in my throat. Standing there, looking around the cafe, was Sunghoon. The cute bartender.

I hadn't expected to see him here, of all places.

He approached the counter.

"Hi, Sunghoon," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

"Nari? Wow, I didn't know you worked here," he said, his surprise mirroring mine.

"Yeah, just started today," I replied, managing a smile. "What can I get for you?"

"I'll have a cappuccino," he said, smiling back.

As I made his drink, I couldn't help but feel a mixture of nerves and excitement. This unexpected encounter added a new layer to my already eventful day. Handing him the cappuccino, I felt a bit more confident. "Here you go. Enjoy!"

"Thanks, Nari. Maybe I'll see you around more often," he said, taking his drink.

"Yeah, maybe," I replied, watching as he found a seat. The rest of my shift seemed to fly by after that. Meeting Sunghoon again was a pleasant surprise, and it gave me a boost of confidence. Today had turned out to be even more interesting than I had anticipated.

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As my shift ended, I felt a wave of exhaustion wash over me, but it was mingled with a sense of accomplishment.

I untied my apron and hung it up, saying goodbye to my coworkers before stepping out into the evening air.

The sky was painted with shades of pink and orange, and I started my walk home, enjoying the cool breeze.