single. (+ chanbaek)

[01] CHAPTER ONE

AUTHOR — [LOLA] / [lolatheloser_ ]

──────

WEDNESDAY: 2:45 PM: LOS ITALIANOS RESTAURANT: SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA

Park Chanyeol, for what felt like the millionth time that week, glanced in the direction of the lonesome stranger who sat at the table for two near the window at the Los Italianos restaurant in which he worked at. He had seen the man multiple times before sitting in the exact same spot, wearing the exact same clothes, ordering the exact same champagne brand. The longing gaze mixed with an annoyed expression never leaving his face. Chanyeol had served the man his multiple glasses of champagne before, always being sure to ask if he was ready to order, only to be answered with a hushed "no thanks" and a sigh quickly following after.

Which is why today, a Wednesday, right before the restaurant closed before dinner, Chanyeol decided to approach the man who sat at the table for two alone. If we were going to be completely honest, he didn't know how to approach the man, not in the I'm-a-waiter-i'm-here-to-take-your-order kind of way, but in a more friendlier manner.

Here goes nothing. Chanyeol thought to himself as he began to walk from the kitchen to the dining area, carefully making his way through the maze of tables and chairs. When he finally made it close to the man, Chanyeol couldn't help but stare. He was beautiful. Skin milky white, almost flawless from imperfections, subtle eyeshadow accompanied by eyeliner making his dull brown eyes pop. The man wore a gray button-up shirt with black jeans and dark burgundy vans that pulled the look together. Everything about the man was stunning, and Chanyeol couldn't pry his eyes away from him.

"It's rude to stare." The man's voice said monotonously, breaking Chanyeol free from his trance. He glanced to the side before looking back in the other man's direction, clearing his throat.

"Umm... I can't lock up this place if you're still here." Chanyeol said, fumbling with his words, nothing seeming to come out properly. "I-In other words, c-can you leave please? If you want I-I can w-walk you out to the door anyway."

The man raised an eyebrow at his awkward proposition.

"Since we're both going out the same door 'n all." The man nodded, rising from his sitting position to his feet, holding his hand out to Chanyeol.

"Here," He spoke, eyes locking with Chanyeol's, "since you offered to walk me out, you can hold my hand while doing it." Chanyeol's eyes grew wide at the hand offered to him and nodded awkwardly. He walked the both of them back through the maze of tables and chairs to the door.

_____________

"Thank you for understanding sir, you're more than welcome back later for dinner when we reopen." Chanyeol bowed, rising back up to the man giggling slightly. He took a small step back on the sidewalk, surprised by the giggles. It was different from the usual doom and gloom persona the man sported.

"You can call me Baekhyun, Mr. Park Chanyeol." The man, Baekhyun smiled warmly, extending his left hand out to shake. Chanyeol took it slowly, a look of shock never leaving his face.

"H-How did you know my name?" And why aren't you doom and gloom any more?

"You're name tag, stupid." Baekhyun said casually, his pointer finger pressing down on the plastic material of the name tag that rested on Chanyeol's chest. "See, it spells out your name." He said in a less gloomy voice, different from what he usually sounded like.