Waking up this morning, you had no idea how long you had actually been asleep for.

What year is it?

Most of yesterday's events were a blur, too drowsy to actually remember anything.

That is except for your surprise encounter with Mr 742.

Inside your apartment.

What the hell was Ji-eun thinking?

Giving him my address.

The ultimate betrayal..

...Is that even legal?

Despite his actions being quite chivalrous; coming to your aid when you felt like utter despair, you still couldn't shake that feeling that no man in their right mind would come back again after seeing you like... that.

Your heart ached at the mere thought of it, low-key expecting not to see him this morning at the cafe.

At 7:42.

But seeing as your physical state still wasn't back at 100% yet, you couldn't risk adding any more salt to the wound and missing another day of work.

Slowly and reluctantly climbing out of bed, you massaged your temples in the slim hopes it might relieve the throbbing pain that was coming from your head as you sluggishly made your way to the bathroom to commence your morning ritual.

One of the few memories you kept from the tragedies of yesterday was climbing into the shower after your 'Genius' payed you a visit, washing the greasiness out of your hair as if it was somehow going to make up for him seeing you in that unfortunate state.

So, at least this morning you didn't have to spare that extra time in washing your hair again, instead using it wisely to conceal all of the sickly blemishes that covered your face.

Wow.

People might even mistaken me as vaguely human after this!

Topping it off with a little extra blush to make yourself appear less dead (inside and out), you manically chuckled to yourself, somewhat satisfied in this mornings efforts of making yourself up.

I knew I would amount to something someday.

Look at me now.

It was a blessing and a curse getting up 30 minutes early to ready yourself, still bitter that you lost the extra sleep time, but also grateful since you were moving at the slow speed of a sloth this morning.

Besides, it was kind of necessary.

You let out a final groan of discontentment, side-eyeing yourself in the mirror before grabbing your bag and slamming the door to your apartment shut.

Each step you took on the way to work felt like complete agony.

It was as if you hadn't used any of your muscles in months.

And stairs? You don't even want to get started on the utter evils of stairs at this point, or else you might just pass out from all of the wasted energy stressing over it.

You made it into work right on time, firing Jie-eun a half-assed "I'm not completely dead" look, before trudging into the back room of the cafe and throwing your bag down.

As you made you slow way back to the front counter, you were met by an unfamiliar face staring back at you, not having the slightest clue on how to react when a new human suddenly appears.

"Hi! You must be (Y/N)! Ji-eun told me so much about you-"

You practically tuned out as quickly as they began talking, not meaning to be rude or anything, but simply not having the mental capacity or the physical health to comprehend anything that was going on around you.

Bringing you back into reality, you felt a soft touch on your shoulder as Ji-eun stood behind you, giving you a knowing and sympathetic smile.

"This is Hana. She's the new girl that our manager is trialing this week.." your best friend whispered in your ear, trying to fill you in on what you'd missed out on the day before. "She's very young and she talks a lot... but she seems like a sweet kid."

Oh...

So this is the new starter.

You stuck your hand out, in an awkward attempt at formally introducing yourself, completely forgetting how to adult in that very moment.

"Sorry I was away yesterday. I'm (Y/N)! You can look to me and Ji-eun for any help you need, but to start off with, just follow our lead!" you finished, sounding vaguely confident in yourself.

Ignoring your handshake attempt, Hana launched herself at you, choosing for an over-friendly hug instead.

"Unnie!!!" She squealed into your ear, the high shriek making you scrunch your nose up in involuntary disgust.

As you regained yourself, you stood back and took a better look at your new co-worker.

Hana looked as if she was about 4 years your junior and she seemed visibly young and naive, which posed a small problem:

It was now partly your responsibility to teach her how to do way too many things.

It took Ji-Eun three months to properly work the coffee machine, and the old yet complicated cash machines here are a damn nightmare.

Today is going to suck.

Internally rolling your eyes at the thought of it, you quickly shook it off, instead opting to roll with the punches and just take things as they come.

What's the worst that can happen...?

-

Throughout the morning you were showing Hana the ropes of handling the cash register, hoping you were coming across coherent enough for her to actually learn something when you heard the bells on the front door chime.

Looking up mindlessly, you were surprised at the sudden presence of none other than Mr 742.

You quickly realized that you were too far lost in your drawn-out explanations to remember what the time was.

As he approached the front counter, you noticed Hana plant herself firmly in front of the cash register in the corner of your eye.

Placing a hand awkwardly on her shoulder, you discreetly whispered into her ear.

"I've got this one," you winked, hinting at her to take a step back so you could have your moment.

It's not like she knows any better...

He slunked his bag down on the counter, sliding his over-sized shades down his nose as usual and perked up an eyebrow curiously at you.

Without uttering a word, he reached his hand out over the counter and up to your forehead, his eyes roaming around the empty cafe as he checked your temperature.

"Are you sure you should be back at work so soon, Yoongi's girl?" he spoke with the sliver of concern laced in his voice.

"I-I'm fine enough to work..." you stuttered, goosebumps forming all over your body at the unexpected physical contact. "I can't afford another sick day anyways..."

Your cheeks were now burning at your sudden confession, causing you to momentarily break eye contact and let out an involuntary pout.

After all, you really are a broke b*tch.

"Your health is more important than your paycheck," he cooed, tilting his head adorably at you.

As he pulled back his arm from your forehead, your eyes narrowed in on the shiny item that was clinging to his wrist. You'd finally caught up to speed on what it was, but what you didn't mean for was to blurt out your entire thought process.

"Easy for you to say, Mr Rolex!" you snapped, immediately slapping your hand over your mouth at how inappropriate your comment was.

Why can't I ever just think before I speak?

These daily exchanges have taught me nothing...

You couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt at your outburst since he was only trying to show you that he cared.

"Hmm, I guess you're better than you let on, Yoongi's Girl," Mr 742 chuckled, shaking his head. "It's good to see you've still got some fire left in you!"

Still having a good laugh from your out-of-line remark and seemingly taking no offense to it whatsoever, he began digging through his pockets to collect all of his loose change, setting it down on the counter before making his merry way over to a seat to wait for his usual coffee order.

Seriously?

What is wrong with him?

After everything, why does he still keep coming back?

He must be broken...

...

I guess that makes two of us then.

As you walked over to the coffee machine to prepare his order, you couldn't help but overhear the muffled whisper coming from beside you.

"Oof he's so cute!"

Your eyes darted up to see Hana, peering over the top of the coffee machine and not so subtly checking out your 'Genius'.

What..?

...Should someone tell her?

But now wasn't a great time for it. Ji-eun was busy serving another customer at the front counter and you already had your hands full with Mr 742's coffee order.

Letting out a deep sigh, you bit your tongue in the moment, choosing to simply ignore her comment.

Just as you had finished making the last of the coffee order, fixing a plastic lid onto both of the take-out cups, a set of hands appeared beside you.

"I'll take these out, boss!" Hana sang in a high pitched tone, snatching both cups from your grasp and skipping out of the kitchen area.

"B-but that's my drin-"

Your failed attempt at calling her back made you stop in you tracks, replaying what had just happened. 

Did she really just call me boss?

Completely taken aback, you watched on as she stalked over to Mr 742's table, sitting herself down comfortably and handing both cups out to him.

"Hi! I'm Hana and I'm new here! You're back again, huh?" She cooed, her whiny voice probably being heard from a mile away, the flirty tone laced into it only making you cringe.

The way that your 'Genius' was sat, meant that you couldn't get a clear look of his face for a reaction, but the fact that he wasn't moving from his seat only made your mind run wild with assumptions.

Whatever's going on, he clearly isn't rejecting her flirty behavior, that's for sure.

Ji-eun was now finished with her customer and came over to join in on the sight that was unfolding before the two of you.

"What the hell is she doing?" your best friend whispered through gritted teeth, shaking her head disapprovingly. "I told her yesterday after he left. She knows!"

"She knows what?" you whispered back, having obviously missed out on what happened yesterday.

"After he left yesterday to come and see you, she wouldn't shut up about him. How familiar he looked, how cute he is... Obviously I told her that he is off limits and that he only comes in here to see you..."

Your breath caught in the back of your throat at Ji-euns words.

You felt an overwhelming sense of pride in your best friend's unwavering loyalty, but also the fear of any kind of competition to the man who had been playing numbers on your heart was obviously an extra stress you didn't need... Especially with another coworker.

"I just don't understand why she would go against what I said so deliberately. If she had half a brain she would know that it could be hurtful to you..."

Not knowing what to say or do in response, you just shook your head silently, unable to take your eyes away from what was happening.

Why is he still talking to her?

He never talks to anyone...

It's not like you ever had much self-confidence to begin with.

Seeing Hana lean so close to Mr. 742, who seemed okay with her proximity, made you second guess every interaction the two of you ever had.

Shes younger than me, she has that innocent look that somehow makes her look even prettier, and don't even get me started on her literally perfect brown locks.

Not wanting to upset yourself any further, you turned around and leaned your back on the coffee machine, letting out a short groan of frustration.

I'm such a fool...

-

Time slowly dragged on throughout the rest of your shift and in your desperate attempts of distracting yourself with menial tasks around the kitchen, you didn't even notice when Mr 742 had left the cafe, or that he had placed your hot chocolate right behind you before walking out the door. 

-----

//A/N//:

Hi Angels!

I just wanted to say that I'm sooo sorry for the long delay. This month has been completely crazy and exhausting. And between all of that, I really struggled to motivate myself in writing this chapter to a point where I was satisfied with it to publish. I'm really hoping that my next chapters after this will come easier for me and that I get my creative flow back. 

But enough of that, how's everyone else going? I hope you're all well and everything else. Be sure to drop me a message if you ever need anyone to chat with ❤❤

I hope that you're enjoying the story so far! Feel free to leave lots of comments, feedbacks, and don't forget to vote if you like it! 

As always, sending lots of love, hugs and everything else out to you, where ever you are on this tiny planet!

Until next time and lots of love
Katie ❤❤❤❤