Decaffeinated

twelve.

“What happened?” Chaeyoung's voice was full of worry. Jeongyeon never cries that much, except the day when their business went down to the brim. This is one of the days that Chaeyoung doesn't know what to do, because she admires her so much that seeing her best friend, cry her heart out in pain, hurts her as well.

Jeongyeon didn't say a word, instead she buried her face on Chaeyoung's neck, making her cry more. The younger girl rubbed her back and hugged her even tighter.

Hyung, what made you cry this hard?

Jeongyeon eventually stopped crying. She pulled out of the hug and rubbed her nose and eyes before facing her bestfriend, who was patiently waiting for her to open up.

“Another heartbreak.” Jeongyeon managed to utter. “Momo-ssi?” the taller girl nodded.
“I can't say that it's a heartbreak since we're not together, but you know...” The younger girl nodded. “So you confessed your undying yet unrequited love?” Jeongyeon's eyes widen when she said that.  “Offensive, but yeah.” Chaeyoung let out a chuckle.
“I'm sorry, unnie, but I never really understand the concept of love.”
“Because you haven't fallen in love yet.” Chaeyoung thought of it and nodded.
“Maybe I haven't.”

Fallen in love, huh?

-

It's only been 3 hours since Jeongyeon went back to job, and she's been mixing up orders, making wrong coffees, and serving drinks to the wrong customers.

Yoo, concentrate.

“Hyung, you should rest first.” Chaeyoung went to the counter to cover her up, she nodded and went inside the sleeping quarters and started to rub her temple.

“Are you doing alright, Ms. Yoo?” One of her staffs asked her. She nodded. “Just a bit tired.”
“Would you like anything to eat or drink, ma'am?” she offered, Jeongyeon shook her head. “I can manage, just help Chaeyoung over the counter.” the staff nodded and went outside. She continued to massage her head, until she finally come to a decision to take the day off work and go home to her condo instead. Maybe her dogs or video games can help her be busy with something not related to work.

Jeongyeon's phone rang, and as she saw the caller ID, she rushed to Chaeyoung.

“Chaeyoung.” she called her. “Anything you need, Hyung?” she went closer. “I need somewhere to go to. I'll be back here tonight, okay?” Chaeyoung nodded happily. “No problem, Hyung. We can handle things here.” Jeongyeon let out a smile and went out to the back door. She opened her BMW and started the engine, and went straight home.

-

“Momo!” Mina shook her, interrupting her train of thoughts.
“What is it, Mitang?” she looked at her. “Here are the edited scripts, skim through it and tell us what's needs to be fixed.” Mina handed Momo, which she took gladly. “Thank you, Minari. I'll inform you later.” Momo started to read quietly in her office, while Mina was there, staring at her bestfriend.

“What's wrong?” Momo noticed her. “You.” Mina took a seat while plainly staring at Momo, who is confused. “Me?” she smiled and nodded. “Yes, there's something off about your aura today.” Momo shook her head. “Don't you have any work to do?” she complained. “None, until you're done skimming, at least.” Mina smirked, which made Momo roll her eyes and went back to reading.

“Say, how did you and Jeongyeon went out?” Mina asked out of the blue. Momo choked on her own saliva. “What?” the younger girl laughed at her reaction. “What did you say to her?” Momo heaved a sigh. She knows Mina won't stop until she gets a good answer. “I didn't said anything. I didn't accept nor rejected her feelings.” Mina nodded and smirked. “So there's still a chance?” she tilts her head.
“What chance?”

“That you'll love after Sana.”
“I don't know, she's the reason why I can't answer Jeongyeon.”
“There's still a chance, Momo.”
“I'm scared.”
“Of what?”
“Being the one who gives love so much and ends to lose the greatest.”
“Don't give everything, then.”
“That's hard. Once you love someone, you can't help buy to give everything they want. You'll understand me once you fall in love.”
“Sure, Ms. All-knowing.” Mina rolled her eyes. “Mina, before you go, can you do me a favor and order me a coffee at Kafés? Order some too if you want.” Momo produced money from her pocket, enough to buy 2 coffees. “Free coffee? Nice.” Mina hurriedly went down to thr ground floor, then, to the café near their building.

The line on the counter was not long, but not also short. Mina rolled her eyes. She's not that patient with lines.

Unnie must've known. Ugh.

When it's finally her turn, the staff on the counter greeted her with a smile. “Welcome to Kafés, what's your order?” Mina looked up to see a pixie cutted girl. She was wearing a white polo which is folded to three-fourths and a brown apron.  Mina has never seen someone so adorable in her life.

“Excuse me, ma'am? But can I take your order?” Mina shook her thoughts and started to look through the drinks she can order. “Yes uhh, two manager's blend, grande, for take-out.” The girl nodded and went inside.

Mina patiently waited for her order to be served, and within 10 minutes, the girl on the counter went to Mina. “Two manager's blend, Ma'am. Hope you enjoy!” The girl had the sweetest smile in the whole shop. Mina bowed and managed to catch the girl's name in her nametag.

Chaeyoung.

-

Chaeyoung's shift was over. She decided to visit Jeongyeon in her condo, but to her surprise, no one was there. Jihyo told her that she never saw her cousin go home.

Where the hell are you, Hyung?

Chaeyoung thought of the abandoned place they both used to go to. She searched the place but still, no Jeongyeon.

The small girl searched every bar she knows and every bar she saw near the shop. She started to panicked. Jeongyeon told her that she'll be back at night and it's already past midnight. She isn't answering her phone calls, or even her text messages.

She went back to the shop and saw Momo ordering. Chaeyoung didn't hesitate to confront her and ask if she saw her unnie.

“I didn't saw Jeongyeon this day beside this morning.” Chaeyoung nodded and bowed. “Thank you, Momo-ssi.” Momo couldn't help her curiosity so she asked Chaeyoung.
“Is Jeongyeon missing or something?” She nodded. “That or I'm just being paranoid. She said she'll be back tonight but it's already midnight so I'm worried.” Momo patted her back. “Want me to help you find her?”

“Find who?” a figure entered the shop. Her hoodie was dirty and had small blood stains on them.
“Yoo Jeongyeon, what on earth happened to you?!”