safe place || k.v.m

four

"love you through the better days, love you through the rainy ones. champion, you're my number one, yeah, that's true. but I guess what I'm sayin', I guess what I'm sayin', I guess what I'm sayin' is, I really love you."

as their lunch break finally comes around, the flower shop has closed for the hour. the door is slightly open, letting in some fresh air; in return, the soft voice laced around the strumming of a guitar escapes the shop, the faint sound attracting the attention of passerby outside.

jacob's voice has always been powerful in nari's ears. she finds it odd because, truth is, it's nothing but smooth and clear, soothing in ways she can't find the words to describe them with. every now and then, her co-worker brings the instrument with him to work. why, she's not entirely sure but it's fine because,

"no matter how often I hear you sing, I don't get tired of it."

cheeks somewhat red, jacob bashfully laughs and carefully puts his guitar away, shortly after returning to his food. "it's not that good..."

nari rolls her eyes, "right, and obama is my neighbour."

the sarcastic answer drags out another laugh from him. "oh, speaking of which, how's it going with that kid, uh– what was his name again?"

"who, eric?" nari lets out a groan and rubs her temple, "that brat can't cook to save a life. it's the fourth time the fire alarm goes off this week – it's wednesday, jacob."

a third laugh, and she continues. "and the weird thing is that, almost every time me or sangyeon go check up on him, he's making noodles? I bet there's wheat in his blood by now."

"sangyeon?"
"our other neighbour," she explains. "thankfully, he's a bit more of a decent cook so he's been teaching eric lately."
"and you?"

nari almost feels offended at the way he arches an eyebrow at her. "hey! I'm good at cooking, I've even been trying out the recipes you gave me some time ago!"

"really? what did you think?"
"well... you're awfully healthy... and for the love of god, don't give me recipes with seafood next time," she chuckles a bit. when she continues, her answer settles a bright smile on his lips, "but all in all they're good. thanks."

what remains of the lunch hour passes like that; one conversation after another, talking about their days lately, stories from their uni classes, complaining about customers with mad specific orders, and so on, and so on.

eventually, the break comes to an end, and the two leave the staff room, heading back to the shop and once again opening.

"uh, nari, can you take that? I kind of have fulls hands," jacob asks when the sound of a bell chiming sounds in the room, announcing someone entering the place. 

"got it." nari is already behind the counter, though crouched down, having been busy cleaning up within its inner shelves. however,

"hello, how can I help y–"

she cuts herself short the moment she stands up to welcome the customer. much to her surprise, she's met by the same barista. the barista, and before she knows it, a silent "oh," slips past her parted lips.

a similar sound emits from him, followed by him smiling, "had a feeling you worked here."

instantly, nari narrows her eyes, unsure whether she's supposed to feel confused or uncomfortable. "I'm sorry?"

just as fast, his cheeks grow red, only now realizing what he had said. "w-wait, that's not what I– uh..."

from the other side of the shop, jacob sighs, "na, your head."

puzzled, she reaches for her head, only for her hand to fall back down with a petal resting in the palm of it. realization slowly sinks down on her as the guy by the other side the counter awkwardly chuckles, "you often come by our shop with a petal in your hair. it's not far away from here so we kinda figured out this is where the petal-girl worked."

"... petal-girl?"

he lets out another chuckle, but this time it's not as awkward. "yeah, that's what the people at work call you."

nari can't hold back a groan and throws her head back. even jacob, can't help snorting upon hearing this, "cute."

"it's cool," the guy who, in return is known as the barista, "nice to know you like our place."

"right..." clearing both her throat and embarrassment away, she makes an attempt to change the topic, "so, how can I help you?"

"uh, yeah! I'm looking for some sort of get-well flowers; nothing serious or too formal, just..."

nari finishes, "get-well flowers?" he nods, and she points at an open catalog on top of the counter, showing him the various flowers and bouquets sold at their shop.

"daisies and peonies are pretty common for that, hydrangeas too but they're a bit more fancy. daisies last longer but lately peonies have become quite a lot more popular as get-well presents."

the barista nods, eyes scanning and seemingly contemplating between the first alternatives. at last, he decides for the peonies.

"would you like to write a card with it as well?" nari asks while leaving the counter to get a bouquet of the desired flowers from the display fridges. as she turns back around again, she notices how he's rubbing the back of his neck.

"could... you perhaps help me out with that? it's for my manager and I'm not really good with these kind of things."

while nari agrees to it and brings out a card, asking what he wants to convey with the message, jacob glances back over his shoulder, grinning.

"do you want me to sign it with your name?" she eventually asks.
"yeah, that'd be great. kevin's fine, please."

"another jacob?" nari thinks for herself while humming, running the ink pen across the card, "... wish you a speedy recovery, kevin."

the card is tucked into the bouquet and before long, it's paid for and handed to the barista – who now has a name.

"awesome, thanks!" just as he's about to exit the place, he gives her a quick glance and a small smile, "hope to see you at our shop again."

and with that, he's gone.

"kevin, huh... seems like a nice guy."

the smugness in jacob's voice doesn't go unnoticed, making her pinch the bridge of her nose. "alright, cobie, what are you trying to say here?"

he soon joins her behind the counter and stands next to her to start arranging an ordered bouquet.

"did you know that people often tend to pick the flowers that describe them most?"

nari arches an eyebrow at him, "... and?"

"and peonies usually decribe someone as sweet and caring who loves to give surprises, has a heart of gold and is a good listener."

the grin doesn't leave his face and she just sighs with a shake of her head. "sounds more like you."

"hey, I'm telling you to fall for him, not me."

"if you ever find a flower that describes someone who thinks their co-worker is annoying, let me know."