Our Old Manager.

When They Started Crossing the Line.

The evening rush had finally settled. The café returned to its familiar rhythm, filled only with the soft clinking of cups and the occasional laugh from a customer tucked into a corner. Y/N wiped down the espresso machine while humming absentmindedly to herself.

Across the room, Nayeon was arguing with Jinho over whose turn it was to mop the entrance.

"I did it yesterday." That was Nayeon.

"You said that yesterday." And, that was Jinho.

"I did do it yesterday."

"You say that every day."

Y/N laughed under her breath. "You two sound like an old married couple."

"We're offended," Jinho answered immediately. Nayeon pointed at herself, "I'm only offended for myself."

Daniela looked up from her laptop and giggled. She knew Y/N was making fun of the other two without any translations. "I think you're both proving her point."

Jinho asked Nayeon what Daniela said and placed a dramatic hand over his chest before saying something.

"I don't know what that means." Daniela crooked an eyebrow. "It means betrayal." Y/N said. "Oh." Daniela nodded thoughtfully. "Then yes."

The café erupted into laughter. Y/N leaned against the counter, shaking her head. "You fit in way too easily."

"I've been told I'm very charming." Nayeon replied and nodded, "You've been told correctly," Daniela grinned proudly before returning to the assignment spread across the table.

Highlighters. Sticky notes. Half-finished coffee.

A bowl of fries that had somehow survived almost two hours untouched. Y/N walked over, stole one without asking, and immediately turned away. "Hey!" Daniela called her out.

"You weren't eating them."

"I was going to."

"Oh, were you?"

"Oh, I was."

"You've been saying that for an hour."

Daniela folded her arms. "Give it back."

"I already ate it."

"I know."

"So...?"

"I want compensation."

Y/N raised an eyebrow. "For one fries basket that I, the owner, cooked and served it to you?"

"For emotional damages."

Y/N laughed, reaching over to ruffle Daniela's hair before returning behind the counter. Daniela huffed dramatically as she tried fixing it. "You know," she muttered.

"I'm starting to think you're mean."

"I'm the nicest boss ever." Y/N complimented herself.

Daniela gasped before yelling, "Nayeon!" The older looked over. "Did you hear that?" The foreigner asked.

"I heard nothing."

"Traitor!"

"I like keeping my job."

Another round of laughter filled the café. Jennie heard every second of it. She stood outside, just beyond the front window. Hidden behind the reflection of the evening lights. She hadn't planned on coming inside. She only wanted to see Y/N. Just for a moment.

That was all she'd told herself, yet now she couldn't move. Her eyes stayed fixed on the café.

On Y/N. On the smile she hadn't seen in years. It wasn't forced. It wasn't polite. It reached her eyes.