guilty pleasure

i

It was a bustling afternoon. Outside, the rain fell steadily, raindrops pattering on the pavement as the wind gusted through the swaying trees, causing the leaves to rustle together. Neon lights flickered, casting a vibrant glow on the wet streets, while the rhythmic sound of footsteps echoed on the sidewalk. The air was filled with the rich, warm aroma of food being cooked, oil sizzling in pans as meals were prepared. Inside, people ate and laughed, drinks in hand, their lively chatter blending with the upbeat music. The atmosphere was vibrant and full of energy.

Hanni

"Gosh, Hanni, you don't know how relieved I am that you actually came in," my boss said, practically applauding me as I walked through the door. "I was so worried you wouldn't be able to make it. We're really short on staff today."

"No worries sir," I replied, forcing a smile despite the exhaustion that clung to me from the long shift I had pulled last night at my other job. "I'm always happy to help out."

I headed over to the counter, grabbed an apron, and tied it around my waist. With a deep breath, I picked up a notepad and approached a table where a family had just settled in. "Hi there! My name's Hanni, and I'll be your server today. What can I get for you?" I asked, smiling warmly as I introduced myself.

Before I could finish taking their order, a commotion outside caught my attention. Muffled by the rain, the sounds of yelling and raised voices drifted into the diner, growing louder and louder by the second.

A customer approached me, gently tapping my shoulder to get my attention. "Excuse me, I'm sorry to bother you, but my friends and I are sitting over there in the corner, and we couldn't help but hear a lot of noise coming from outside. If it's not to much to ask, do you mind asking them to quiet down?"

"Oh, I'm so sorry about that. I just noticed it too. I'll take care of it right away," I assured them.

"Thank you," the customer replied, offering a polite smile.

I turned toward the door, peering out into the rain. A couple stood just outside, a girl, who looked to be around my age, with long, straight black hair, and a guy who was a bit taller, with dark brown hair. I hesitated for a moment before stepping outside, pulling my apron over my head to shield myself from the rain.

The girl's voice trembled with fury as she yelled at the guy. He fired back at her, his tone equally heated.

"SO IF THERE WAS NOTHING GOING ON BETWEEN YOU TWO, THEN WHY THE FUCK WAS SHE TOUCHING YOU LIKE THAT?" the girl shouted.

"OH MY GOD, MINJI, YOU'RE SO FUCKING DRAMATIC! SHE JUST TOUCHED MY ARM, THAT'S IT. STOP MAKING A BIG DEAL OUT OF NOTHING!" the guy retorted.

"OH, I'M BEING DRAMATIC? I'M THE ONE BEING DRAMATIC? SERIOUSLY, SEONGMIN? HOW AM I BEING DRAMATIC WHEN MY OWN BOYFRIEND IS CHEATING ON ME?" the girl screamed back.

"HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO TELL YOU? I'M NOT CHEATING ON YOU! YOU'RE SUCH A BITCH!" the guy spat.

"A BITCH? DID YOU JUST CALL ME A FUCKING BITCH?" the girl's voice was thick with hurt and disbelief.

The tension in the air was intense, seeping into the diner as their argument escalated. Through the window, I could see customers shifting uncomfortably, their murmurs growing louder. I knew I had to do something before things got even more out of hand, but I wasn't sure how to step in.