N I N E ✧ C A L M D O W N
. . .
AFTER the nerve-wrecking interview with Mr. Lee, Mingyu decided to reward me by treating the both of us to some ice cream. Usually, I would have rejected such offer, but this time I give in because I really do need something—anything—to get the thought of failing the interview off my mind.
The ice cream shop is located just a couple of buildings away from the café, and the place is rather small. However, their design and decorations are as adorable as they can be. Walls are covered with vertical blue and white stripes, and pictures of cartoon farm animals eating ice cream are placed here and there—in short, it appears to be a lovely little store.
"So what ice cream do you want?" Mingyu asks beside me as we stare up at the menu displayed behind the counter.
"Um," I begin, eyes quickly scanning the list of flavors available. "I think I'll get a small cup of Vanilla Bean ice cream."
"That's it?" He asks, turning his head and looking at me incredulously. "No toppings, no nothing?"
"Nope," I shrug, popping the p. "I like the classic."
Mingyu sighs, but nods anyway. "Okay, go find a seat for the two of us."
I comply, making my way to a table for two people. Before sitting down, I take a look behind my shoulder to see him ordering while the cashier distractedly inputs things in the cash register. Her attention is fully towards Mingyu's face, expression dreamy, while the boy, being oblivious as always, doesn't seem to notice as he takes his wallet out to pay the amount displayed.
I roll my eyes and look away, plopping in my seat. Why are girls throwing themselves at every handsome guy they see?
Mingyu comes not long later, seating himself in the chair opposite of mine. His face shows indifference, and I wonder whether or not he actually noticed the cashier staring at him. He looks around the room quietly, taking in the decor and appreciating the interior design.
"Yah, Mingyu," I start, making him stop what he's doing immediately and look at me. "You know, you seem really popular among the girls."
"Oh?" He asks, seeming not the least bit interested in the fact that he's practically a girl magnet.
"Yeah, that girl was staring at you the whole time." I answer, gesturing at the cashier discreetly.
"Cool,"
"Really?"
"Um, yeah?" He asks, knitting his eyebrows together. Before I can even say anything else, the two of them shoots up, and a smirk graces his lips instead. "Wait, are you... Jealous?"
My jaws drop open at his sudden accusation. "What? No!" I say, frantically shaking my head in denial. "I was just... Informing you, is all."
"Sure you were."
"It's true!" I retort, flustered. Seeing this, Mingyu laughs, obviously entertained by my current situation.
"Aww, look at you!" Mingyu grins, poking my nose with his index finger. "Your face is so red!"
"No it's not," I grumble, jerking my face away and earning a chuckle from him.
"Whatever you say, Princess."
"Seriously?"
The boy simply hums in response, a smile playing on his pink lips. Thankfully, though, our orders arrive just in time so that the two of us don't have to endure such an odd conversation.
"Oh, I didn't order th—" I begin, gesturing at the dessert placed in front of me.
"I did." Mingyu cuts me off, and smiles at the waitress so that she can be on her way, but not before blushing at the boy's million-dollar smile.
"What is this?" I ask, puzzled as I pick up my spoon to poke at the shaved ice inside the glass bowl.
"Your Vanilla Bean ice cream." He replies matter-of-factly, then adds when I raise an eyebrow at him, "With shaved ice, egg pudding, honey bobba and mango syrup."
"But I only asked for the ice cream." I pout, looking at him through my lashes.
"I know." Mingyu says, mixing his chocolate dessert. "But trust me—knowing you, Crystal, you'll like it."
"If I don't then I'm dumping it on your head."
I was only joking, of course, but Mingyu takes it seriously and puts on a serious face. "Go ahead."
Like him, I, too, mix my dessert and spoon it in my mouth. I close my eyes, a lot of different kinds of flavors bursting in my mouth. The vanilla ice cream's sweetness balances the sour of the mango syrup, and the ice helps so that the taste isn't too overwhelming.
"Well?" He asks, and I swear that I can practically hear him smile as he says this.
"Shut up."
✧ ✦ ✧
IT'S BEEN THREE days since the interview now, and I couldn't be more nervous. Mr. Lee had said that they will call to inform me whether I am accepted or not today, so all I've been doing since this morning is padding back and forth around the house as I nervously clutch my phone in my sweaty hands.
"Calm down, calm down." Mingyu says from the couch, voice monotous as his eyes are glued on the TV. "You've literally been walking around the house for hours now. Can't you just sit with me and relax?"
"Sounds inviting." I say, and stop walking. "But what if they call and I don't answer? What if they end up giving the job to someone else? Oh God, what if they—"
While I was rambling on, Mingyu had managed to sneak his way behind me, and is now hugging me from behind. I stop talking immediately, and look up at him in surprise.
"Relax, Crystal. They'll call. I know they will."
As if on cue, the phone buzzes in my hand, and I avert my attention towards it. Mingyu slowly lets go of me, and urges me to pick it up. I oblige, butterflies fluttering nonstop in my stomach.
"H-hello?" I timidly ask into the phone, glancing at Mingyu as he gives me a thumbs up.
"Is this Miss Jeon speaking?"
"That is correct,"
"Yes, hello. We are calling from The Coffee House to inform you about the results of your interview..."
My heart hammers in my chest, threatening to jump out of my ribcage. The anticipation kills me inside, and I patiently wait for the person on the other line to continue.
"Congratulations, Miss Jeon. You've been accepted for the job. You can start Monday afternoon, your schedule will be sent to your e-mail shortly."
