SWITCH

PROLOGUE

jaemin had just finished his work and went straight home since he was so tired from the restaurant.

jaemin's currently a chef. a head chef, actually.

but instead of him getting some rest in his apartment, he took a shower, changed his clothes and went out. he decided to go to a café. the vibes, soft music and the sweet aroma of cafés actually comfort and make him feel relaxed.  especially coffee. to jaemin, a day isn't a day without coffee.

while walking on his way to his favorite café, where he would always stay and drink his iced americano while taking some pictures around, he saw a new café just around the neighborhood, which he had never seen before.

it intrigued him and it looked new, so nobody's really inside. but usually, if something's new a lot of people should have come. maybe because it's already late, he thought.

he opened the door slowly, there's nobody inside. but the sign says open, so he still went on and entered the cafe. but as he entered, a cold breeze welcomed him. and it wasn't so bright inside. sure, the sun has set already, but the lights outside were so much brighter than inside the cafe.

"hello?" he spoke softly.

he slowly walked to the counter, and as he arrived at the counter, he screamed by the surprise of a guy suddenly popping out from below. "ah!"

the guy smiled at him widely. "good evening, sir!" he said in an enthusiastic tone making jaemin smile back at him.

"hello! you're new here?"

"hmm... maybe?" he said and smiled again.

"BUT! before you order, i've got a question for you. let's just say this is your payment for your order. how's that sound?"

jaemin was surprised of course, an answer over money? "really? but you won't earn anything!"

"you're my first customer. just think of this as a thank you gift for coming to this lousy cafe," he said in a jolly tone.

jaemin just smiled at him, "uhmm... and the question is...?"

"what is it that you really want?" he asked jaemin.

"an iced americano...?" and he smiled awkwardly. hoping that's what he meant.

the man chuckled at him, "no, sweetheart. that's not what i meant. in life. what is it that you really want in life?"

jaemin stopped for a bit. he never really thought about it. does he have everything already? he's got a great job and a great place to stay.
"i-- i've never really thought about it."

he asked jaemin to give him his hand. he slowly gave his hand, he found it weird, but he just did what he asked him to do.

after he held jaemin's hand, he smiled a bit and made jaemin's coffee.

jaemin thanked him for the coffee and he went to take a seat.

"happiness,"  he said after jaemin took a seat. "he lacks happiness."