Wife Doll 🍷| Taennie Fanfiction

Two - mysterious man

MARCH, 2020

I ran with all my might. It's not the first time I've run for my life. This gives me a déjà vu feeling. I quickly opened my apartment door, and just after closing it, I slid down to the floor, breathing heavily. I stood up, freshened up, and threw myself onto my floor bed, hiding my face under my pillow in embarrassment.

When I turned, there wasn't anyone but a street dog? A dog was following me? Ugh, no one else was. I guess I'm too stressed. But I felt someone behind me. And that guy... ugh, I shouldn't overthink, or my anxiety will spike again. I want to sleep peacefully. I took a deep breath, trying to calm down, but sleep eluded me.

After several failed attempts to sleep, I decided to get some help from the pills. I don't remember when I passed out, but at least I finally did.

Today, the morning was hard for me. I could barely focus in class, either because the pills were still active or because of last night's incident. It's been a long time since I felt that kind of fear, and it turned out to be just my imagination. I don't want to think about it now. My eyes are blurring again, even after splashing a lot of cold water on my face. I'm too tired, but I need to work.

I somehow managed to get to the café. I wrapped my apron around my black tank top and blue jeans, tied my hair into a bun, and put on my cap.

"Hey, you look like you've seen a ghost," Rose walked over to me and chuckled. She was right; I was so tired I probably did look like one.

"Rough night. Thought I was being followed, but it was just a dog," I forced a laugh.

"You should be careful, Jennie. This city isn't always safe," Rose frowned.

"I know," I sighed. "I just need to be more aware."

"Need some coffee?" she asked, already making some for me without waiting for my answer.

"Yeah, sure. Only coffee can fix me right now," I replied.

Rose handed me a steaming cup of coffee, and I took a sip, feeling the warmth spread through me. The café was already buzzing with customers, and I needed to shake off my fatigue and get to work.

I started taking orders and making coffees for my customers, my mind wandering as I worked. Rose was doing the same, but she wasn't here because she needs pay off like me—she was living her dream of working at a cafe. I couldn't understand how people could dream of a job and work their ass off even for a moment when they had parents who could support them by paying off their ass well. If I had parents, I would never be working like this.

I was typing an order into the register when I heard the sound of a group of boys entering the cafe, their laughter and chatter filling the space. I glanced over at them, noticing they were about the same age as me. How lucky they are. I couldn't help but envy their carefree lives. My eyes traveled across the group. I shouldn't check out boys but they were some regular type boys until they landed on one boy in particular. Song Kang? My mood brightened at the sight of him. I hadn't noticed him in class today because I'd been feeling so sleepy, but thank goodness I'd managed to keep up with my studies. What was he doing here? Of course, just hanging out with friends. I smiled to myself when I noticed there wasn't a single girl with them.

Suddenly, he looked my way, and I quickly glanced down, feeling a rush of nervousness. I heard footsteps approaching my counter, and I knew it was him. The familiar scent of his cologne reached me before he did, and I kept my eyes fixed on the screen in front of me.

"Yes, tell me your order," I said, trying to sound casual, as if I didn't know exactly who he was.

"Jennie, you work here?" he asked, his sweet, calming voice sending a shock through me. Hearing my name from him felt surreal. I looked up, and his eyes widened in recognition. he knows my name? holy shit.

"Yes?" I cleared my throat, trying to maintain my composure.

"You don't know me? We're in the same class in Hanyang University's first-year fashion department," he said with a smile.

"Oh, sorry. But you know me? I don't really talk to anyone in class," I replied with an awkward smile.

He chuckled, and the sound made my heart skip a beat. He's so cute.

"We all know you. Did you know we call you 'Miss Mysterious'?" He laughed again, and I felt my cheeks warm in embarrassment. How had I not known that?

"Oh," I muttered, looking down awkwardly. I wasn't sure how to respond.

"I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable. It's just that we all like you," he added, and I looked up at him with a confused expression.

"How?"

"You always top the exams, and you have one of the best fashion senses in our class. You never talk, just come and go, but we all notice you." His words surprised me. I knew I had a good eye for fashion—I spent half my money on clothes, even if they were cheap—but I never thought it made me popular.

"Thank you," I said, smiling at him, trying to mask the mix of emotions swirling inside me.

"No worries. So, you work here?" he asked, leaning forward slightly. I gulped, suddenly very aware of how close he was.

"Yeah. I like working at a cafe," I told him, half-truthfully, half-lying.

"Great. Let's meet often. Maybe I'll be your first friend at uni—unless you already have one," he grinned, and I could hardly believe this was happening. For a moment, I let myself dream about a future with him, but I quickly pushed the thought aside, my heart pounding. I nodded, trying to keep my cool. 

"Sure," I replied, internally marveling at how handsome he was—so handsome, it was almost unreal.

He ordered a latte and handed it off to one of his friends. They were probably from our class too, though I was embarrassed to realize I didn't recognize any of them except for Song Kang. For the rest of the time he was there, he kept glancing at me, even waving before he left.

"Looks like someone's interested in you, Jenniyaa!" Rose's cheerful voice rang out from behind me.

"What do you mean?" I pretended to be busy, though my heart skipped a beat at the possibility she might be right. She came over to me, her eyes sparkling.

"That guy was a whole meal, Jen. Don't tell me you didn't find him handsome," she said excitedly.

"Maybe I didn't notice," I lied, knowing she'd tease me relentlessly if I admitted the truth.

"Girl, just imagine he asks you out on a date," she teased, leaning in close.

"And then?" I leaned against the counter, trying to sound annoyed but failing to hide my smile.

"Then he says, 'I like your friend Rose,'" she giggled like it was the funniest joke ever. But it wasn't, and I rolled my eyes, genuinely annoyed this time. She shook my arm playfully.

"I'm joking!" she said, and we both laughed.

In my high school days, I dated a guy, but we broke up after just 15 days because of my work schedule. He was handsome and caring, but I never had time for a relationship. It wasn't my fault my life was like this, though I'm sure he was hurt. But I didn't care that much back then. If that happened with Song Kang, though, I know I'd be the one who's hurt.

After my shift at the cafe, I headed to the bar, as always. I was cleaning some glasses on the counter when I felt it again—a pair of eyes watching me. I looked around and finally spotted him—the same guy from yesterday, sitting in the same spot. A shiver ran down my spine. I was genuinely scared now. I was sure he was the one who followed me last night. I wasn't imagining things, was I? Maybe I was overreacting. But the way he got up when I noticed him—black jacket, black cap—was unsettling.

I tried to shake off the feeling and went back to work, but I couldn't help glancing over at him. What the fuck? My work shift is done. He was still there, just sitting, watching me. He hadn't ordered anything. He was creeping me out. I decided I wasn't going to let him get away with this. Grabbing my tote bag, I walked over to him, my heart racing.

"Do you want anything?" I asked, my voice rougher than I intended.

He looked up at me, and for the first time, I saw his face clearly.

"Yes," he said with a smile that only made my fear deepen.