In The Company Of Ten | Treasure

2- Hyunsuk

• 🍀💎🌷 •

Granny loved the cinnamon doughnut. When I mentioned the café, she couldn't recall any such place existing in the city. But she did want more doughnuts. And I wanted more of the comfy feels of the café so guess what I did on my next day off.

I'm usually horrible with directions but seem to remember exactly which route to take for My Treasure.

The sign looks a bit different this time. The previous calligraphy is now replaced with straight block letters, the flowers remain the same. So they take turns writing the sign?

Opening the door, there's another thing different. The one there to welcome me isn't Junkyu.

"Welcome to My Treasure!" His voice is just as energetic though. Before I could reply, he speaks again, "oh," his right index finger touches his chin. "Aren't you Eline? You came here a few days ago, I remember. "

I'm impressed by his memory and feel a little awkward as well cause I don't remember seeing him the last time. Blonde hair, piercings and jewelry. No, still doesn't ring a bell.

"Yes you got that right um..," He's not wearing a name badge so I look up at his face again and continue, "your memory is certainly better than mine." I smile, and hope to get an introduction.

"Well I briefly saw you sitting at your table and you seemed new. I like to know our guests so I asked Jaehyuk. That's how I remember you. No worries if you don't remember me." He explains with a laugh.

"Now, let me make a guess," I say, gesturing my hand at him and then at the café, "you're the manager here?"

He slightly raises his eyebrows and I have my answer. "Well you're not wrong. I'm impressed, Eline. Oh and," he puts one hand forward, "I'm Hyunsuk. Sorry I didn't introduce myself earlier."

I have to say, Hyunsuk has such powerful speech. I shake his hand and the man has such a firm handshake. He keeps impressing me.

"Eline!" I hear my name and looking up, I see a smiley Jaehyuk sprinting towards me and Hyunsuk. Man, I could get used to this, people getting happy to see me.

"Hello, Jaehyuk. See you've been well." I say when he stops beside me.

"Good to see you again." He softly says.

"Great timing, Jaehyuk," Hyunsuk begins. "Please escort the lady to her table." He motions with both arms outstretched and laughs again.

I take the same table as last time and eagerly scan the QR, wanting to see the dancing blue diamond. Cinnamon doughnut is added to my order without any thought, and I'm in the mood for some tea next.

A glass of water is settled on my table. "Thanks, Ja-" I look up and see a blonde head rather than a blue one. Oh, Mr. Manager serving water? "You're really impressive, Hyunsuk." I blurt out.

Hyunsuk rubs the nape of his neck, "Thanks, Eline," he says, laughing again. "And I like talking with our guests. The guys usually don't let me serve but we're understaffed today so I get to."

I look around. Half the tables are full so there are definitely guests to serve but I see only a few uniforms- 4 to be exact, including Hyunsuk- around. Other than Jaehyuk, I don't recognise the rest.

"Last time I came here, I saw around six staff," I say and get reminded of my curiosity regarding how this café is run. Would I be asking too much too soon? Maybe I would.

"Well," Hyunsuk interrupts my train of thoughts. "Five of us are out shopping, so today the rest five are helping each other with our usually assigned duties."  

He has answered one of my questions. And now I'm curious for more. Still don't want to overstep my boundaries though.

"You look like you have something to ask." Hyunsuk says, eyebrow raised a little.

Okay, one question only. "Excuse me, but I noticed that y'all look really young. And I was tad curious if you're all related and run a family business." I ask and purse my lips together.

"Don't tense up, Eline," Hyunsuk says, clearly reading my face. "We get asked this often, it's fine."

I exhale and nod, anticipating his answer.

Hyunsuk smiles to the wall behind me, playing something in his head before meeting my eyes. "We're all best of friends. You could say we're family honestly, we've stuck together since many years. I'm the oldest so I'm like their mom and let me tell you, I've got great kids."

We both chuckle. "I wish I too had friends who are like family." I say honestly showing him an upturned smile.

A crease forms between Hyunsuk's brows. This man can even empathise well, wow. Then a second later, he pats the table once looking like he has just thought of something.

"You know what, all of us are great friend material," He says proudly and I totally agree. Everyone I've met here so far are basically walking suns.

"We'd love to be friends with you." Hyunsuk puts his hand forward.

I realise I've never before agreed to something this fast when I slap my hand into his. "I'll be honored, boss." I smile and accept his kind offer.

"Awesome!" Hyunsuk exclaims and slightly leans towards me. "I'd like to invite you to a special gathering if you can make it, Eline." He says softly.

My curiosity peaks again and Hyunsuk starts explaining right away.

"Next week is My Treasure's one year anniversary. We're going to close earlier than usual and then have a close-knit party, with only a few special guests. Will you come?" He asks, eyes genuine.

I don't wanna deny, I really don't. I haven't been this excited for a party since forever. Only, I have one big thing stopping me from accepting the invite right away. My job.

I sigh. "I'd love to really but I'll have to check my work schedule first."

"Ah," Hyunsuk nods, understanding my concern. "I get you. It's okay. Here let me just..," he pulls out a notepad and pencil from his apron's pocket, writes something, tears the page and lays it in front of me. "Here's the date and time if you decide to come, Eline."

I'm touched by his effort. I carefully pick up the paper and stash it in my jeans pocket. "I'll definitely try to come, thank you Hyunsuk." I say with a deep nod.

Hyunsuk smiles. "And now the question I should've asked first," he gestures to my phone. "What would you like to have?"

I end up having my favorite doughnut with an iced tea that Hyunsuk recommended. Tasty stuff again.

When leaving, I'm seen off at the door by Hyunsuk and a busy Jaehyuk who waves at me from the barista counter.

I walk back to my home, paper bag in hand, thinking which excuse would be the most effective to use in front of my manager to get a day off on the café's anniversary day.

• 🍀💎🌷 •