The Devil Beneath My Feet

II - late night walk

Joy's POV

I was about to feel ridiculous for showing up at the door looking like a hot mess, until I recognized my visitor. Jung Hoseok. Landlord's son. I invite him inside asking myself how can someone be this joyful while announcing he has bad news. His red aura's been annoying me since we firstly met.

"You know my father is not a fan of your activities." he grumbles while chewing on the cookies I just left on the coffee table. I'm trying to disguise my disgust caused by his lack of manners with the sweetest smile I could put on while nodding. "He wants to raise the rent."

My smile transforms in a grimace, the air becomes heavier to breath. People will never understand that gifts such as divination are not devil's work. People who want to see evil, will see evil. That's why they taboo our abilities. I'll have to swallow my pride and look for a part-time job.

My eyes fix on a random point in my living room and I succeed to say "I understand. My client should arrive soon. Just leave." to ease the unbearable atmosphere.

I almost push him out of my apartment, "You know, Joy, I'm sorry but if it depended on me I would-" and I close the door. My temples are burning and I would've burst out if he finished the sentence.

...

I contemplate the obscure view of the street, streetlights dissipating along the road and strings of light trembling on closing windows. The deafening silence shatters as someone opens the coffee shop's heavy door. Taehyung.

I've been a quiet observer of his nocturnal activity for the last month. This habit caught my eye at first because Taehyung does not seem the type of person to enjoy late night walks and it was uncommon for me to see him wandering across the street so late.

He just bumped into someone and continued walking, unfazed, without a word or even a slightly apologetic glance. His cold and blank figure sends shivers down my spine. Or it's just cold outside.

Why is he so ignorant?

Taehyung's POV

As soon as I woke up, the first thing I felt was a damned migraine, my vision becoming increasingly trippy and my bones being about to ignite inside of me. Aspirin helped a little but I'm at work and I'm still a little dizzy. I shake my head in order to wake up my senses and prepare to serve the next customer.

"Hello, are you ready to or-"

Joy. She seems tense and nervous, her slender fingers curling and uncurling on the strap of her bag. As she moves her gaze along the serving table between us I notice how pale and tired she looks. At least she's here. Her lips are finally open and we lock eyes when she decides to talk.

"Are you hiring part-timers?"