Highway 143 | Ryeji

03 - Bona Fide

Ryujin Montecarlo

Monday mornings at 6:30 were always the quietest time of the week. The city hadn't fully woken up yet; the streets were only just starting to stir with life, and the first light of dawn was creeping across the skyline. I preferred it this way. No noise, a few busy cars, a chill breeze of air, and just me.

After everything that went down yesterday—skipping the race, running errands with Chaeryeong at the grocery store, and paying off some of the last of my father's debt—it was nice to have this small, predictable slice of life.

Yesterday's transaction went smoothly, although I seriously thought it was my last night alive. Thank god I paid more than half and that I promised to pay the remaining balance within the week. I wish.

But today wasn't going to be that simple, apparently.

As I approached the cafe, keys in hand, I noticed something, or rather someone, sitting on the hood of a car parked just outside. Not just any car, though—a Mustang, sleek and polished, practically glowing in the morning light. And sitting on it like she owned the whole block was none other than...

Yeji Saint Claire.

I slowed my steps, confusion mixed with a bit of irritation bubbling up. It's a bad idea that she remembers this stall—this early, too. Suddenly, I recalled Saturday night, the last time I saw her at the race. I won, yes, but ever since, I made a point to avoid her, to distance myself from her gaze, her words. Something about her was too much.

"Morning, Montecarlo," she called out lazily, her voice dripping with that cocky charm she seemed to wield so effortlessly. "I missed you at the race yesterday."

Missed me, huh.

Seriously, who flirts at this hour?

I clenched my jaw and forced myself to keep walking. "Not in the mood, Saint Claire," I muttered, moving past her and shoving the key into the lock.

She hopped off the hood of her car, landing gracefully, her boots making a dull thud on the pavement. "Awww, what's the rush? It's not like anyone else is around."

"Yeah, well, the cafe opens at seven," I shot back, stepping inside. "Come back then."

I could hear her laugh behind me, but I didn't turn around. Of course, she wasn't going to just leave. Yeji Saint Claire didn't know how to take no for an answer.

I busied myself with setting up the cafe, flipping on the lights, prepping the machines, and wiping down the counters. But I could feel her presence like conscience, lingering behind. Sure enough, not even five minutes later, I heard the soft jingle of the door opening again.

"You're not seriously coming in here right now, are you?" I asked without looking up.

She sauntered over to the counter, a smug grin plastered across her face. "Well, you said you open at seven. It's not seven yet, almost, but who cares? I'll just wait. Besides, I'm a paying customer."

I groaned internally. Of course. I turned my back on her, focusing on setting up the espresso machine. "Saint Claire, this is a cafe, not a waiting room. Come back when we're open, and I'll serve you like anyone else."

"Why do you keep calling me that?" she asked, her voice quieter now. "I have a first name, Ryujin. I'm sure you—"

"We're not friends," I replied simply, cutting her off. "Aren't you supposed to be somewhere else? Somewhere far from me?"

I paused, my hands still on the machine. I kept working, hoping my words hadn't hit some nerve deep inside. "Hmm..." She pressed on, her voice edging with a vulnerability I wasn't expecting.