cinnamon » vernon

»recognizment

I moped the restaurant's floor, humming a song to try and make the job slightly more interesting.

"Jiyeon, I'm going ahead today. Is that okay?"

"Yeah, sure. I have some errands to run before getting home, anyways." I replied, yawning in the end.

"Text me once you get home, arasso?"

"I will, I will." I turned my head and saw Jun back in his casual clothes, raising an eyebrow at me with a smirk. "I swear I will."

"Good." He waved me off and left, and so, I resumed my task.

After cleaning up the restaurant, I moved to the kitchen. I kept humming random songs as I dried the ridiculous ammount of dishes piled up in the sink.

"Jiyeon? You're still here?" Someone walked inside the kitchen. I turned my head and saw chef polishing his knifes and putting them on the magnetic board.

"I'm almost finishing, I'll leave soon." I muttered as I opened the cabinet just over my head.

I held a stack of white plates elegantly polished - by me, of course - and lifted them to put them inside the cabinet.

Suddenly, a pair of hands grabbed the plates. I looked to the side and saw chef leaning over me, putting the plates inside and closing the cabinet. I admired him for a bit.

His hair was wavy and loose, kind of messy, and his forehead was slightly sweaty due to today's hard work. Even though he worked all day there wasn't any spot in his black uniform and apron.

That's how much of a professional he was.

But then he spoke, so all of the things that I was admiring flied out of my head. "I was scared you'd break them."

He was quite friendly off of work, from what I was told. I just never bothered going out to drink with him and the rest of my co workers - I was too busy trying to train myself so I can work in a permanent position in the kitchen and not as a mere helper.

"I'm sorry for messing up yesterday, chef." I turned to him and bowed my head. He peeked at my lowered face and comanded me to straighten up, so I did.

He turned to get another knife and I leaned my back against the sink, as he polished his knife and spoke. "I'm sorry I don't give you any big tasks, but I'm aware of your hard work. Keep it up, alright?"

It felt good to know my work was being recognized. "Yes, chef! I'll work even harder."

"I'll lock up. You worked well today!" I nodded and felt myself smile at how friendly he actually was.

"You too, chef." I excused myself and went to the locker room to change.

As I left the locking room, chef was leaving the kitchen and I felt relieved I was so quick changing. "You better be here on time tomorrow." he cooed as he walked inside to change.

I put my hand inside my jeans' pocket and felt something cold with my fingertips. I pulled it out of my pocket and with a frown, saw the storage room's key.

I had to wait and hand chef the key, now.

I waited for a bit by the main door, and it didn't take long before chef came by. He didn't notice me as he put on his black jacket. "Chef," he raised his head.

"Oh, you're here?" He said, fixing his shirt's collar.

I put out my hand with the key in it. "I found the storage room's key in my jeans, and it wouldn't be convenient to keep it since I always come in late..." he put out his hand and I dropped the key into it.

"I thought Jun had it." A suspicious smile came out of his lips and he eyed me.

I chuckled, feeling intimidated by the weird look in his eyes. "I had to go there to get a new plaster just before dinner."

"You guys look cute together."

"We're not together, though..." He laughed at my embarrasment as he opened the door and held it open for me. I thanked him.

"Do you like him?" He raised an eyebrow playfully as we walked out.

"We're friends." It wasn't exactly comfortable talking about this kind of stuff with your superior. "Well, I'm heading that way so..." I pointed to my left.

He walked to his car. "Me too. Want a ride?"

"No, I really don't want to bother you! Thank you." I bowed slightly and lifted my hand, about to wave and say goodbye.

"It's not bothersome at all!" He chuckled. "Come on," he opened the door and sat.

I dropped my hand and walked to the car. He stretched his arm across the seat and opened the door for me and I thanked him as I sat down.

"Don't forget the seatbelt." He pointed. I hurried and put it on as he pulled out of the driveway.

"So you live around here, chef?" I tried making small talk since he was nice enough to offer me a ride.

"Not really, it's my friend's birthday and I haven't even got him a gift yet so..." he brushed his hand trough his hair and eyed me for a second, before turning back to the road. "I live just by the restaurant."

"Really? That's convenient." I wish I lived by the restaurant. Maybe I wouldn't be late so often.

"Where should I drop you off?"

"Oh, right ahead. By that supermarket, see?" I pointed.

"I see it," he smiled as he pulled in by the supermarket.

I smiled as I took off the seatbelt. I opened the door and peeked inside the car before leaving. "Thank you so much for the ride, chef."

"Kang jiyeon! Just call me hansol outside of work, okay?"

"Okay hansol-ssi." I said, making him laugh.

"Good night, then." I waved and closed the car door, going inside the supermarket.