on christmas day • y.jeonghan ✔️

|Chapter 1|

Chapter 1

December 15

[Park Hyunjin]

Its almost Christmas everyone. That means people will start putting Christmas decorations and stuff. Ugh. This month just gives me memories, bad ones. I wish I can just stay in my apartment and NOT go to work. I don't feel like going out but I have to. I need money for myself. My mom isn't here and so is my dad. They were gone five years ago. I miss them so much.

The reason why I hate Christmas is that when I was 19 years old, my EX-BOYFRIEND broke up with me. He broke up with me at the exact date of Christmas day. He broke my precious heart. I thought he was the one for me but he wasn't. He was just a fake. A cheater. A heartbreaker. But you know, I have to move on and forget about him. Who cares about him anyway? I shouldn't hate Christmas because of that.

So Im here right now, walking to Le Café. That's where I actually work. Good thing the owner of the café is too kind and let me work there. The owner is Mrs. Han. She's kind of old but not that very old. She's like 54? I don't know.

As I entered the café, I was greeted by Hyolin, the café's cashier. She's kind, helpful, and girly. She's two months younger than me. My first expression when I met her, I thought she was rude, bossy, and such but I was wrong. It was the opposite. She's my only friend here in the café. Well every staff is busy to talk with each other. We only talk when our work is done. But sometimes, Hyolin and I talk with each other even if we're working. Mrs. Han doesn't mind though.

I went to the staff room and put my bag inside my locker. Le Café has lockers for every staff. I put on my apron and tied my hair in a messy bun. I ran to the kitchen and got ready for the order Hyolin will tell me to make. "One Espresso and one Cappuccino please! By the way, it's a take out." Hyolin yelled as I nodded. I made the Espresso perfectly because I don't want people will think that this café has a poor taste of coffee. After Espresso, I made Cappuccino. I gave them both to Hyolin as she gave it to the costumer. Im already used to make coffee. Its been a long time since I worked here.

Le Café is always a busy café. A lot of people come here to take their breakfast. Some businessman even does there paper works here. Staring at their laptop while drinking their coffee. At first I thought it was weird but as the days go, I got used to it.

I noticed that some barista left the kitchen. I wonder what's happening. Hyolin suddenly came and said, "JinJin, you have to see this. Someone's singing.". She grabbed my arm and pulled me out of the kitchen. I just let her pull me because I also want to know what's happening. No turning back now right? It was crowded so we have to push the other people just to reach the end of this crowd. As we reached the end, I saw a guy sitting while holding the guitar. His hair was long and I guess its his charm. He started playing the guitar and sang. His voice was so beautiful. I think his voice is more nicer than mines. He's more skillful in playing the guitar than me. Why am I even comparing myself from him?

Everyone was just watching the performance. It was totally quiet. Hyolin's mouth was even open. I think she's amazed. Well she saw me play the guitar and sing. I know later, she'll start comparing me from that guy. His eyes were looking everywhere until our eyes met. Our eyes were locked together. My heart suddenly started to beat fast. When he smiled, it made me blush a little. What's happening to me? I looked away, hiding my cheeks. I don't want anyone to see me blushing, even Hyolin.

After that little performance he did, he said, "Thanks everyone. Merry Christmas.". Everyone clapped their hands as he went down the stage. We, the staff, went back to our work. We don't want Mrs. Han to fire us right? Right. I hope my work here is done.

After that long day of working, its finally time to go home. I bid goodbye to Hyolin and the others. I wore my scarf because it was cold outside. Just walking here under the night sky and a quiet road, its pretty peaceful. There weren't anymore people walking because its already 12 in the midnight. If I only have a day off, I would take a walk in a peaceful park. That would be wonderful. Thinking about those happy moments in the past, just makes me sad. Hoping that those days will come back. My thoughts stopped when I suddenly felt a poke on my shoulder. I looked back to see that person, it was that guy who performed in the café. "Oh hey. What are you doing here?" I asked. He was carrying a guitar bag. He rubbed his nape and said, "I just wanna.. umm.. talk to you.". It was obvious that he was shy. Im not a sociable person but when someone starts a conversation with me, I will talk with them of course. "So... you work in Le Café too?" I asked and he nodded.

"I was hired today by Mrs. Han. I perform at the park before until Mrs. Han saw me. She hired me to perform in her café. I accepted it since I need money for my parents." he said. We walked together at the sidewalk.

"What about your parents?" I asked since I was curious. He lowered his head and stayed silent. He didn't speak nor say something. What's wrong with him? Did I say something wrong? I poked his shoulder, "Hey, is there something wrong in what I said?".

He shook his head, "No. Nothing wrong in what you said. Its just that my parents..." he continued, "...They're in the hospital". His eyes became watery. I patted his shoulder as he shook his head. He looked at me with a forced smile. "They're suffering in cancer." he sniffed.

I patted his shoulder one more time, "Don't cry infront of me, please. It hurts seeing a person cry. And besides, its Christmas. You should be happy right?". He nodded and sniffed again.

"Thanks..." is all he can say. I shook my head, "No need to thank me.". He smiled again but this time, his smile is real.

"Your going to work tomorrow right?" he asked and I nodded.

"Okay. See you tomorrow. By the way, I didn't get your name" he said before we parted our ways.

"My name is Hyunjin. You are...?"

"Jeonghan" he flashed another smile. This guy really likes to smile huh? I waved at him, "Well see you tomorrow, Jeonghan. Bye!".

~~

So how's chapter one? Hope you like it :)
Next chapter will be tomorrow. Please wait for it!