Standing outside my new workplace, I took in the restaurant's appearance. An ornate bamboo archway welcomed guests to Bamboo Luau, adorned with delicate orchids that seemed to bloom in joyful anticipation of new arrivals. The dark lanterns hung above me, their glow extinguished by the daylight. I could easily envision them coming alive at night, casting a warm illumination that beckoned people like moths to a flame.

Yesterday's meeting with Wooyoung had gone well, and today marked my first day as a waitress here since he said Tuesdays tended to be a bit quieter. Wooyoung was sweet, warm, and sociable—his chaotic energy was a stark contrast to Yeosang in many ways. Yet, from the way my new boss spoke about my roommate, I sensed a deep friendship between them, one that could rival the closeness I shared with Seokjin.

"Welcome to Bamboo Luau," a beautiful Hawaiian woman greeted me as I stepped through the front door. As a hostess, she exuded warmth, unlike many I'd encountered in New York. Her genuine smile eased my nerves as she asked, "For one? Would you prefer a booth or a table?"

I smiled and shook my head. "I'm Bonnie Sinclair, the new waitre—"

Before I could finish my introduction, she rounded the podium and enveloped me in a tight hug. A surprised squeak escaped me, both from the unexpected gesture and her surprising strength.

"Woo didn't tell me you were starting today! My goodness, what a beauty you are." I stood there, unsure how to respond. Thankfully, she noticed my awkwardness and placed a hand over her heart, giggling. "Oh, I apologise! You probably think I'm some strange woman who goes around hugging people she doesn't know. I'm Leilani Jung, Woo's wife."

From what I gathered during my meetup with Wooyoung and what Yeosang had shared, I felt as though I already knew Leilani. They had both described her as kind, with warm brown eyes, but those words hardly did her justice. Leilani radiated an energy unlike anything I had ever experienced. In the brief moment we'd spoken, she had made me feel not just accepted, but genuinely special. Her eyes reminded me of a cow's—large, expressive, and filled with a gentle gaze that effortlessly drew you in.

"It's so nice to finally meet you," I said, smiling. "I've heard so much about you from both Wooyoung and Yeosang. I didn't know you worked here, too! Yeosang mentioned you're a marine biologist at the Waikiki Aquarium."

"I am," she replied, beaming with pride. "I usually spend my days knee-deep in the coral pools, researching coral health and rejuvenation. But I love coming here on my days off—to spend time with Woo and catch up with my friends."

I was about to respond when the restaurant phone rang. Leilani answered cheerfully, her voice bright and welcoming: "Welcome to Bamboo Luau—Savour the Spirit of Ohana with Every Bite."

While Leilani attended to the phone call, I seized the opportunity to explore the restaurant's interior. Yesterday, Wooyoung had whisked me into his office as soon as I arrived, leaving me with little time to take in my surroundings. The soft sand-coloured walls were adorned with bamboo panels and lush tropical plants, creating a vibrant green backdrop. As I approached one of the panels, I discovered it was made of soundproofing material, cleverly designed to control noise during busy service hours. Paper lanterns in various shapes and sizes hung from the ceiling, casting a warm and inviting glow over the dining area. Sporadically placed calligraphy scrolls featuring Korean characters showcased the cultural fusion Wooyoung had described.

"Bonnie! You made it!" Wooyoung exclaimed, his voice matching the excitement radiating from him. "Did you meet my beautiful wife, Leilani?"

His crisp, white chef's attire emphasised his dual role as both the owner and chef of the restaurant. The uniform stood in striking contrast to Wooyoung's raven hair and sun-kissed complexion, highlighting his striking features. Though not tall, his vibrant personality filled the room, more than compensating for his height. It was clear that Leilani was fortunate to partner with a man whose charm was rivalled only by his culinary talent.

"I did! She's as nice as you and Yeosang said," I replied, and Wooyoung's chest puffed with pride. It was easy to see the deep bond they shared; even while on the phone, Leilani caught her husband's eye, exchanging loving smiles that made my heart flutter.

"You'll be hard-pressed to find someone sweeter than her. Now, let me show you around," Wooyoung said, and I fell into step beside my new boss, sensing his palpable pride in Bamboo Luau.

The restaurant could accommodate up to 200 patrons at any given time. Twelve booths lined the perimeter of the dining room, each meticulously carved. The tables, whether in booths or standalone seating, were crafted from high-quality wood with a rich, dark stain. The booths featured long wooden seats adorned with comfortable cushions, while the standalone tables were paired with elegant rattan chairs.

Wooyoung led me to one of the two computers used by the wait staff to input orders. The program looked straightforward, and after practising a few orders, I felt a growing confidence in my ability to use it.

"The restaurant is open from 7 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.," Wooyoung informed me as we stepped into the kitchen. Though I wouldn't be working there, he wanted me to familiarize myself with the layout. "I've considered opening at night, but between you and me, I love curling up on the couch with my wife after a long day." I giggled and nodded, appreciating the idea of not coming home late after a shift.

"Like I mentioned yesterday, Bamboo Luau is a fusion restaurant. We serve traditional Hawaiian cuisine with a modern twist, reflecting the blend of Leilani's and my heritages."

"What would you say your signature dish is, and what's the most popular one?" I asked, curious.

Wooyoung excitedly walked me through the Ko'Poke bowl, the restaurant's signature dish. Having never tried poke before, I was eager to sample it, especially since it sounded so delicious. He then revealed that the Luau Gochujang BBQ Ribs and Hwachae Shaved Ice were the two most popular dishes.

"Not gonna lie, my mouth is salivating," I admitted with a giggle.

"That's what I love to hear," Wooyoung responded, laughing. "You'll get to try every dish on the menu so you can answer any questions patrons might have. And if you're ever in doubt, feel free to ask me about food or San for questions about drinks."

We continued to the sleek bamboo bar area, where Wooyoung pointed out where I could collect drink orders. "The bar stays open longer, but our drinks menu is pretty basic. San is a great barista, but he's not the best at making cocktails," he said, gesturing with a wink toward the man behind the bar.

The man, whom I assumed was San, pouted playfully, adding a touch of humour to the introduction. His blonde hair contrasted sharply with his golden skin and dark obsidian eyes. While he was handsome like the other men I'd met, he wasn't my type; he had a more muscular build than Yeosang... maybe even Jungkook?

"Hi, I'm San... the mediocre barman, apparently," he said with a laugh, clearly in on the joke. I shook his extended hand, noting the stark white uniform he wore. From what Yeosang had told me about his friends, San was another member of their close-knit group. "I've heard a lot about you, Bonnie, and judging by what Yeo says, I know we'll be fast friends."

With a shy smile, I replied, "I hope so. I only know Yeosang, so expanding my circle of friends would be nice." Both San and Wooyoung giggled at my comment, and I was surprised by how high-pitched Wooyoung's laugh was. "Not that there's anything wrong with Yeo; he's great. Best roommate I could hope for."

Leilani sashayed over, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Bonnie, these two bozos aren't giving you trouble, are they?"

"Baby~" Wooyoung whined adorably, pulling out his best puppy-dog pout, which San expertly mimicked.

"Oh, I apologize, Bonnie," Leilani continued, a teasing smile on her face. "It seems I misspoke. These two whiny babies aren't giving you any trouble, are they?" We all chuckled as the two men's pouts and whines deepened, their playful banter lighting up the room.

San leaned toward Wooyoung, a conspiratorial grin on his face. "Maybe introducing them wasn't our brightest idea. Can you imagine the chaos when all four of them hang out?"

I must have looked puzzled because Leilani clarified, "He means Poppy and Michelle, my two best friends. They're both with guys in our group."

I admired how well the three women got along, especially considering their partners were friends, too. When I mentioned this to Leilani, she linked arms with me and gently steered me away from my boss and co-worker.

"Woo Baby, I'm stealing Bonnie for the day," she declared, leaving no room for debate. "Her uniform isn't ready yet, and it's high time she expands her social circle."

I glanced at Wooyoung, silently asking if this was okay. His wide smile reassured me, and any lingering doubt evaporated when he said, "Thank you, Baby! You girls go get comfortable in the usual booth, and I'll start making food."

⋆⁺₊⋆ 🖤 ⋆⁺₊⋆

Being welcomed into the girls' circle without hesitation was a delightful surprise. Since moving to America, my circle of close female friends had been limited to just Aimee Murphy in Boston and Louisa in New York. Tragically, Aimee's life was cut short at 17 by a stray bullet during a gang shootout, and entering the WITSEC program forced me to leave Louisa behind without a word.

Yet fate had a way of balancing the scales, as I could now count Leilani, Poppy and Michelle among my small list of friends. The latter two's arrival at the booth marked the beginning of a day filled with laughter and joy—the likes of which I hadn't experienced with anyone else before.

"I want to know why Yeosang has been hogging you all to himself," Poppy said, a mischievous glint in her eye as she playfully arched her brow. "Tell me the truth: he's been keeping you shackled to his bedpost this whole time, hasn't he? I always suspected he was a little bit straight," she teased. Her laughter was infectious, prompting a chorus of giggles in response to her outrageous jest.

Poppy Scriver—a bit younger than me at 29—had a warm and caring presence that instantly put people at ease. Yet, she also had a playful streak, loving to crack jokes with a slightly risqué edge, which humorously contrasted with her job as a middle school teacher. This unexpected combination of innocence and mischief made her seem like a petite, energetic bundle of fun, always ready to burst into laughter or deliver a witty one-liner. Her naturally blonde hair framed her face, and her hourglass figure gave her the appearance of a naughty angel fallen to earth.

Michelle retorted with a chuckle, gesturing with her egg roll toward Poppy. "The only one getting tied down is you, courtesy of Jimin! We all know how kinky you two are." She then turned to me, adopting a mock-serious tone. "Bonnie, take my advice: when we head to the holiday house, steer clear of the room next to Jimin and Poppy. Without some high-quality noise-cancelling headphones, you'll be scarred for life. They could give rabbits a run for their money."

Poppy shook her head in playful denial, but Leilani's and Michelle's nodding heads spoke volumes.

From the moment Michelle Dunbar spoke, a spark of kinship ignited between us. Our shared Australian roots created an instant bond. Michelle had grown up among the sugar cane fields outside Rockhampton, a world away from the bustle of Sydney. She had moved to Hawaii two years ago after falling in love with Seonghwa—Jimin's younger brother—and had been working here as a massage therapist ever since. With her glasses and bangs hanging over her forehead, she radiated an endearing charm that reminded me of the quintessential 'girl next door.'

"Got it, and thanks for the heads-up," I replied, my laughter blending with the warmth of newfound friendship. "So, who else is part of this famous crew I keep hearing about, aside from Yeosang, you ladies, your partners, and San?"

"Mingi and his fiancé, Yunho," Michelle shared, her gaze flitting to the others. "And then there's our Yoongles."

"Yoongles? That's an odd name," I mused, mostly to myself.

Leilani burst into laughter, nearly toppling onto me in the process. "It's really Yoongi Min, but 'Yoongles' brings out his adorable pouty scowl. He's like a kitten masquerading as a lion."

"I bet you could call him that and get away with it," Poppy chimed in, her eyes sparkling over her coffee cup. Her insinuation lingered in the air as I tilted my head, puzzled. "One look at your curves in a bathing suit, and he'll be the one forgetting his own name. You're exactly his type."

I shrugged off the notion with a wry smile. "That's unfortunate for him, considering I've sworn off men. Bad break-up."

A symphony of empathetic sighs filled the space. "Say no more," Michelle muttered, "we've all been there before."