knock-on effect

chapters XIX

Four hours ago.....

Today was Wednesday, Sulli's birthday. 

I hardly came back to place myself behind the counter of our workplace after serving one of our customers a latte and this woman who is radiating with sunshine, kind of reminding me of Hoseok. And coming to think of it... They might have their overflowing energy in common.

"Bitch!" She slapped my buttcheek but not saying that word too loud. It wasn't enough for the customers to hear her. Fortunately...

"What?" I glared at her although my lips trembled, trying not to form a smile. Although, that didn't exactly work out and she gave out a sheepish laugh, coming closer to me while grabbing a napkin to dry up the cups. "You do know that that glare doesn't really go with the smile that's forming at the end of your lips, right?"

"I hate you" I whispered to her, smiling at the customer that had just made presence into our cafe. 

"I know you love me" She winked, making her way back to the sink to clean up the dirty cups and plates.

We were eager for the clock to move faster. We had so many customers today that my body felt so exhausted, my feet were killing me from standing and running backwards and forwards and to be honest I felt a bit feverish or maybe not...

Plus the heat wave wasn't helping at all.

Anyways! Sulli on the other hand was hyper because today was her day. This whole week, I couldn't bring myself to tell her that that incident was actually very real, when she flashed the wrong underwear at Jungkook. And honestly, if I were to be in her shoes, I think I'd be more worried that I wasn't wearing any pants rather than worrying about flashing the wrong lingerie. But I guess that's where me and her defer.

"Good evening" I greeted with a smile that I used everyday rather I was happy or sad. Because that's what professionalism is about. I have to tuck my personal feelings into a drawer, until that clock strikes that 22 o'clock dot.

"What would you like to order?" I continued with the same posture and expression, staring at this costumer who was actually not bad to look at it.  

He was wearing one loop earring on each ear and a sleeveless denim jacket matching with a black plain t-shirt.  He had washed out blue tint in his black hair with light bangs that slightly hid his eyebrows. 

The color of his hair matched his fare skin and hazelnut eyes, which were busy analyzing the board of beverage choice behind me. He was handsomely distracting, seeming to be about 180 cm (6'0") and if not mistaken, he seemed taller than Jungkook even it were by a bit.

His eyes landed on mine and his pinkish lips formed a kind smile. "What's your favorite coffee?"  He tucked his hands into his front pockets of his tight black jeans.

"I'm sorry?" My mind stood there baffled at his words. My lips wanted to move but they just froze. I wasn't sure if I heard right or wrong. 

"Vienna coffee" My eyes widened turning to the person who had just slid her way next to me so smoothly that I didn't even hear the sound of her foot steps approaching me. Either she caught a ride from a mosquito or gained wings on her two small feet.

"That's her favorite" She smiled widely, flicking her finger and I pinched her thigh secretly as revenge, but she didn't budge even if a tint of hurt was shown on her face.

The man smiled to himself, lowering his eyes away from us for a second, gazing back up. If I were my eighteen year old self, that smile would've made my heart sink into the road of the dead and resurrect me back to life.