iced coffee. | kim jaehwan

one

The huge double doors open and I shiver, winter isn't my favourite time of year simply because it's so cold. A customer walks into the cafe wrapped in what appears to be several layers of jackets. He has a face mask and beanie covering his face too. Removing his face mask as he approaches me, he's staring up at the large electronic and not really looking where he's going. Bumping into the counter he steps back a little and then laughs embarrassedly. "What would you like?" I ask him; with my 'signature fake smile', as my boss calls it, he looks back up at the menu once more and then looks at me

"Um, I guess I'll just have a latte?" He didn't sound too sure about it though and sounded like he'd rather be ordering something else

"Is that really what you want?" I ask, to make sure that he's being serious. My finger hovering over the button that read 'latte' on the electronic screen. He ponders for a moment, biting his lip,

"Um, actually, can I have an iced coffee?" I begin to punch in the order, it's winter so I didn't quite understand why he would want something cold but I decide not to judge "With extra ice, too, if possible." I stop what I'm doing and look directly at him,  "What? Is there something on my face? Did I say something?"

"It's winter, why do you want an iced coffee with extra ice?" I say bluntly, if my boss was here right now he'd be chiding me and telling me not to judge this customer but I really have no other choice; the male laughs softly,

"I'm not too sure, I just feel like it." I shift my weight from my left foot to my right and continue to put in his order, still bewildered.

"Anything else?" I inquire with my eyebrows raised, I'm waiting for him to ask for ice cream at this point - even if we don't serve ice cream, he shakes his head "Take away, I'm assuming?" He nods and pulls out his wallet "Okay, your name and also I will need the money I'm assuming you can read." I gesture to the screen stating that price,

"Oh, yes, here you go." He passes me the money, he looks at his watch and begins bouncing from foot to foot - he suddenly appears to be in a hurry,

"Your name?" He turns around and looks out the window before turning back around to face me.

"Right, Jaehwan. Um, Kim Jaehwan." He bites his lip and looks out the window again, this time I follow his gaze; he appears to be looking at a shop nearby ,

"Do you want me to prioritise your order or something? You seem to be in a rush?" I ask him, he leans forward
"Does it cost extra?" He whispers, I shake my head.

"No, I just put your order further up than what I should." I whisper back. "Will your boss kill you?" I let out a giggle, as long as he doesn't know about it I wouldn't say he'd want to kill me,

"No."

"Okay, then sure." I check to see if the baristas are occupied and that not too many people are paying attention to what I'm doing before I place Jaehwan's order at the front of the queue. "Thanks. Have a nice day!" He waves before standing over with the people who are waiting for their orders.

"Thanks for your hard work, you did well. I'll make sure to give you your pay next week." My boss calls to me as I leave, stepping outside I shiver. It's still really cold, and here I was thinking it would get warmer as the day progressed. Nope. I cross the street carefully and walk into the music store across the road. I can't recognise the song that's currently playing, but I'll probably work it out once it gets to the chorus. I'm surprise the store isn't really busy; usually there's lots of people here but this time the store is practically empty except for a few customers and two staff members. I make my way to album section and begin browsing, there were lots of pretty colours from idol groups new and old. Picking up a few new things that recently came out, I check the price. Smiling to myself as I realise I can afford them; I go over to the counter to pay.

"Oh, it's you." The person behind the counter says, I look up at them and squint. It's the guy from this morning,

"Jaehwan? Is that right?" I ask, he nods,

"You remembered, that's nice." He smiles and begins scanning my items "I'm assuming you've finished work?" I nod,

"Yeah, I finished just 10 minutes ago." I rummage through my bag for my purse "I didn't know you work here. Are you new? I come here most days after work and I've never seen you before."

"Yeah, I just started today. That's why I was in such a rush this morning; I was running late but I can't wake up properly in the morning without something to drink." I hand over the money to him "So, I'm assuming that you might become quite a frequent customer?"

"Yeah, I guess," He grins widely "but only if you're there." I roll my eyes at him,

"Was that your horrible attempt at flirting with me?"

"Maybe? Maybe not?" His grin gets wider to the point where I feel obliged to smile back. I pick up my stuff and wave goodbye to Jaehwan "Wait, um, you didn't tell me what your name is." I stop where I am and turn back around, the floor squeaking beneath my feet, he does have a point. He doesn't have a clue what my name is,

"Oh, sorry, my name is Minyoung."

"It's nice to meet you, Minyoung. Will I see you tomorrow?" He asks me, practically leaning over the counter so he could still see me past the giant advertisement next to the cash register.

"Yeah, I work there everyday. There's not much else I do. If you don't see me in the morning, you'll probably see me here in the afternoon if you're working this time tomorrow. " Jaehwan grins once more,

"That's good. Okay then, bye Minyoung!" He waves enthusiastically at me, I smile at him and wave back.

"Bye, Jaehwan."