New Beginning | Tao vs Chanyeol x Reader

Chapter 5

“Do you have a plan?” Nana asked.

I shrug my head then continued, “I guess I can visit the cafe again. But the owner’s gonna think I’m stalking him though.”

“Yes! That’s what I’m talking about. There are some macarons I’ve been dying to try!” Nana replied. “or we can talk to each other while watching Tao!” Hyori cut through Nana.

“Let’s go to the cafe then we go back here to watch Tao.” I said to both of them.

We walked through the town to the cafe. I mostly listened, while Nana and Hyori debated on how just scary Chanyeol was. I myself didn’t find him scary at all. I mean, I greatly admired his physique. Most athletes I knew had to bust their behinds to get in that shape, but it didn’t intimidate me.

We arrived seemingly just after the rush. Chanyeol’s two part-time employees were saying goodbyes just as we entered. Somehow, the couch area was still had room for the three of us.

Chanyeol greeted us, “Don’t tell me you’ve band together to form a new age Three Musketeers?” he chuckled.

“That’s definitely a totally plausible reason for a trio of women to hang out together.” I replied back.

“I knew it! I have a keen eye for these kind of things.” he said fist bumping.

We all shared a laugh, and I felt at ease. Or at ease as I could be in a room full of people I was just beginning to know. 

“So what will it be, Batty-Natty?” he asked Nana.

“The usual, of course!” she replied to him then asked the same question to both of me and Hyori. Hyori teased Chanyeol about giving them pet names and he replied with a deep dramatic sigh.

“I’m just a poor small business owner with a heart of gold, and the face of a monster.” he said to Hyori.

“You’re such a drama queen.” Hyori replied to him back.

“What I don’t get a nickname?” I teased him after he take my order.

“Pet names have to come from the heart.” I just let out a sarcastic laugh to replied to him.

We complied, heading over to the couch just as a young couple got up to leave. Collapsing into a somewhat presentable heap, we settled into comfortable positions.

Nana started our conversation into a long explanation of her career, but I was distracted by the TV beside us.

The TV was showing Olympic soccer.

“Shut it off.” I told them.

“Ooooh, the Olympic soccer team!” Nana said to us.

“I said shut it off!” I said as I tried to push myself up to grab the remote, but I was tangled in the girl’s legs.

They were looking at me like I was crazy, but I didn’t care, I had to turn the TV off. Anger started to flow through me. I needed it off!

and suddenly, it was.

The three of us looked around, confused by the sudden dark screen.

It was Chanyeol that had unplugged it. Instant relief flooded me, but I was confused as to why he had helped.

“Are you alright Hyaka? That seemed to be bothering you.” he said to me as I nodded slowly, blushing at my outburst.

These girls were going to think I was crazy now. I felt myself pull back into the shell that I had built after I lost everything.

Not before I could completely withdraw, Chanyeol held out his giant hand. “I don’t think just a scone is going to cut it today. How about you pick our new pastries to taste? My treat, " he said.

I stared up at him a moment surprised, and confused by this giant of a man.

But I let him pulled me up and followed him to the counter.

Once we’re far enough away from the girls, who were trying not to stare awkwardly, he turned to me.

“You were hurt, weren’t you?” he said. Not that was probably the last thing I was expecting.

“Come again?” I asked him.

He talked about the scar he saw at my feet and said he know the same because he used to have deep wound. For some reason, it was relief come over me, not anxiety.

“You know, I was once hurt very badly, and I was looking at giving up everything I had. The whole world was scary and seemed pretty impossible.” he started.

“What happened?” I asked him.

“I made it to the other side, of course. And you will too.” he looked at me.

“That sounds like a good story.” I said back.

"Oh it did, but maybe for another day.” he winked. “For now, let’s pick out something sweet, to counteract all that sour.” he continued.

I smiled and looked over the glass display. Everything certainly looked beautiful. Finally, my eyes settled on two rounded puffs stacked on each other with lilac icing. “I would like that one please.” I said as I pointed on the glass display.

“Ah, the Religeuse! Great choice.” he said as he went around the counter and carefully pulled out the pastry. Setting it on a small saucer, he gave me a broad smile.

“Do you know how this pastry got its name?” he asked me.

“The pasty fairy?” I answered.

“Shhh, you can’t let them know you know they exist, or they’ll stop refilling my bakery case!” he whispered to me with his index finger at my mouth. I giggled and took the plate blushing slightly as his warm fingertips brushed mine.

Who was this giant man who knew just what to say and when to say it? And how did someone with the face of a thug have such a warm heart? Life was full of all sorts of mysteries it seemed.

“Well go on, try the pastry!” he said to me.

“If you insist, I guess I can.” I replied back. I shot him a bit of smirk, and he responded by sticking out his tongue.

Careful not to drip any on the floor, I took a bite of the treat. It was delicious.

“Hey, is everything okay over here? I’m sorry for... Whatever it was that happened.” Hyori said to me apologizing.

“Yeah, we totally like you, and I’d hate to think I made you uncomfortable.” Nana supported.

I waved back my hand. The hate, embarrassment and anger from before now gone. It was hard to stay peeved with delicious desserts in my mouth, and kind people around me.

I was beginning to think I might be able to make some progress.