Café Latte | JUNGWOO

Chapter 10

Hayoung got up, taking the three bowls to the kitchen area. She microwaved Jungwoo's bowl before beginning to wash the other two. The soup was ready as Jungwoo exited his mother's room.

"Did you microwave something?" Jungwoo asked her.

"Yeah, I microwaved your soup since it was cold." Hayoung told him. She noticed the corners of his lips twitch upwards as he opened the microwave, taking out the bowl. He took a sip, nodding in approval before looking back at her.

"I can take you home now." Jungwoo said, placing the bowl on the table. Hayoung shook her head.

"There's no rush, it's the weekend." Hayoung told him but Jungwoo shook his head.

"I need to go to work soon, Doyoung's covering right now." Jungwoo told her. His mother wasn't kidding when she said he was a workaholic.

"Finish the soup first, and then we'll go." Hayoung said, motioning to the bowl. Jungwoo opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something but quickly closed his mouth instead.

"Okay."

...

Jungwoo quickly finished the soup, placing the bowl in the sink. I'll clean it when I get back.

He opened the cabinets, pulling out a black crewneck sweater and a pair of jeans, making his way to the washroom to change. When he returned, he was surprised to see his bowl cleaned and on the drying rack, Hayoung holding the plastic bag, ready to go.

"You're going to wear heels?" Jungwoo asked her.

"I mean I don't have any other choice, do I?" Hayoung retorted back. Jungwoo thought for a moment.

"What's your shoe size?" Jungwoo questioned. Hayoung raised an eyebrow.

"Why?"

"Just answer the question." Jungwoo told her. Hayoung let out a deep sigh.

"240mm." Perfect. Jungwoo thought. He opened one of the drawers, taking out a pair of cheap runners.

"Are those..." Hayoung's voice trailed off. Jungwoo nodded.

"They used to be my mother's, but she has no use for them now. They're cheap and not that nice, but I think they'll be more comfortable that your heels." Jungwoo said to her. He heard Hayoung mutter a thanks before putting them on.

Jungwoo opened the front door, making his way out of the small apartment, Hayoung following suite.

...

Hayoung followed Jungwoo into the café, where Doyoung was standing behind the counter. It was only 9:00 am in the morning, but Hayoung felt like it was already late afternoon. She watched as Doyoung's eyes narrowed upon the sight of Jungwoo, who was already running to the back room. He quickly returned, white apron tied around his waist.

"What are you doing here, I told you to take the day off." Doyoung said to him. Jungwoo walked past him, going straight to the coffee machines.

"I don't take days off." Jungwoo simply said before looking at Hayoung. "Café latte?"

Hayoung slowly nodded as she watched her brother sigh, taking his apron off. "I guess I could check on Mark." Doyoung mumbled, making his way to the back room.

Jungwoo finished the latte, passing it to Hayoung. "Thanks." Hayoung said, giving him a small smile just as Doyoung returned.

"Let's get going now?" Doyoung said to her. Hayoung nodded, taking her brother's side. Doyoung waved goodbye to Jungwoo before the siblings made their way to Doyoung's car in the underground parking.

"So, fill me in." Doyoung said as he started the car.

"I don't remember much to be honest." Hayoung said, scratching the back of her head. "All I know is that I told the cab driver to take me to the building and somehow ended up in Jungwoo's place this morning."

It was a big lie. Hayoung had actually remembered every part of the night, from Jungwoo feeding her water, lifting her to his car, helping her remove her dress and make up, Hayoung had remembered it all. But she decided to lie so that her brother would ask less questions. Judging by the Doyoung's unchanged face, he had believed her.

"That's a shame, I guess I have to ask Jungwoo then." Doyoung said, stopping the car at the red light. He turned to face Hayoung for a moment. "But why did you chose to go to the café?"

"Yuta has a friend over and I didn't want to be anywhere near Mark. Honestly, I was going to stay in my office, but I guess I couldn't get that far." Hayoung told him. This was true, Hayoung was thinking of staying in her office, but since the café was on the first floor, she had ended up there instead.

"Hm, okay. So did you meet Jungwoo's mom?" Doyoung asked her as he pulled into his neighbourhood.

"Yeah, I did. Did you know?" Hayoung asked him back.

"Know what? His mother's condition?" Doyoung said. Hayoung nodded.

"Yeah, it's not something Jungwoo is really open about. He's like you, extremely hardworking. It's a shame that he never went to college." Doyoung said with a sigh.

"Wait what?" Hayoung exclaimed as Doyoung finished parking the car.

"Huh, you didn't know?" Doyoung asked her. Hayoung shook her head.

"No, he was the smartest kid in my grade, I always thought he went. Didn't you meet him in college?" Hayoung asked her brother.

"No, I met him when I was in college since I was always studying at a café he worked at. You saw his apartment. His father died when he was young, leaving him with his mother. His mother worked hard until she got sick, then Jungwoo took over for her. There was no way he could afford college and the medical bills so he decided not to go and to work instead." Doyoung explained. Hayoung sat there in the car, not knowing what to say.

Jungwoo was so much different from what she had seen on the surface. Despite all the suffering he had gone through, Jungwoo had still taken the time to take care of her that night, even letting her wear his mother's shoes and his clothes.

"Don't think to much about it." Doyoung said, rubbing her back. "He's got it pretty much figured out by now."

For the first time in her life, Hayoung was thankful for the wealthy life she had, never once having to suffer.

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Jungwoo is just an absolute sweetheart 💞

Anyways, taeyong won't be performing today due to his health condition, i hope he feels better soon

Life of an idol must be so hard when you have crazy sasaengs and people constantly trying to ruin your career like nct does 😡