The Changing Tune

Chapter 1

She spun in her place, a checklist in hand. Her eyes were busy scanning all the containers of new batch flowers that came that morning. She checked each of it thoroughly, making sure the amount matched the numbers written in the list. While on it, she also made the time to inspect the flowers so none of it was spoiled.

After ensuring that everything was right, she approached the man waiting by the corner of her shop. There, she had arranged four small tables and some chairs for the customers so they could wait comfortably while their orders were made.

“I’m sorry, Ahjussi, did I make you wait too long again today?”

She smiled, taking a seat in the available chair across him.

He chuckled at her remark, waving his hand in the air.

“Well, it’s not like this is the first time. I always heard from the boys that you are always meticulous.”

The old man was in his fifties, the owner of the flower farm where she got the supply for her shop. He didn’t come all the time though. Usually, it would be one of his workers who did the delivery, but he tagged along at times when he had some business around the city.

She handed him the document she had stamped earlier. They were renewing their contract for the next six months that day. That was the reason he personally turned up that day. He never left such important matter to his worker.

“As usual, I will transfer the fee to your account.”

He took a look at the document for the last time before nodding in approval.

“Alright, then I’ll take my leave. I still have to stop by the other places.”

They stood up together and she escorted him to the parking lot where the driver was waiting inside the truck.

“Tell me if you have any complaints,” he told her.

That was one of the reason she liked doing the business with him, always the friendly one and open-minded enough to listen to his customer’s review.

“Yes, Ahjussi, I definitely will.”

He hop into the vehicle and she bid him goodbye cheerfully before going back inside the shop.

The three full timer of the shop were busy transferring the fresh stock of flowers into the buckets filled with water when she got in.

It was her fourth year since she started the business and things were getting more stable and bright. The shop was getting more well known as a result of its social media advertisement. They had their loyal customers and partnership with some other business lines like wedding organizer and restaurants. Starting from last year, they were able to land a spot in one of the busiest street in Seoul that did nothing but good thing to their sells.

She ran the store with the help of two female employees and three male employees. Each of them had their own role. The female ones, Seungwan and Jiyeon, stayed in the store along her. Their ultimate responsibilities were working on the orders and taking care of the store supplies; tending the flower stocks and all the equipments needed. For the last ones, they also got the help from Sungjae, the only full timer amongst the male employees. He mostly did the hard works that required more physical force.

The store offered a delivery service as a part of their marketing strategy. The male employees took charge of that, Sungjae and a boy named Taehyung. He was a part-timer juggling to make ends meet while trying to finish college. While the last one, Myungsoo, was in charge of the marketing. He managed the website and social media, also helped her to develop creative ideas of new services they could offer for the new year or season. He came in three days in a week, but he basically worked all week long since he could do his job just anywhere he wanted.