"Taeyeon! Everything ready out there?"

The girl smiled, "all the tables here are set boss!"

Hyunjin took out some freshly baked cream puffs on a tray and set them on display, "hyung I'm done with the puffs. The donuts are in the oven and the croissants you made are ready for display."

Jaehyun's eyebrow rose after taking a look at Hyunjin's unusually serious expression. He blocked the black-haired boy who was on the way back to the inner kitchen, "Is there anything wrong?"

"Huh? Ah no... Everything's dandy."

"Are you sure?"

Hyunjin averted his eyes and sighed, "Yes hyung..."

Jaehyun's interrogation halted when they heard the young waitress' voice, "Jae hyung! Minho, Kibum/Key, Jinki and Taemin are here!"

"Jae hyung! We are here to help out!"

"Hey hyungie!"

The baker grinned and allowed the teens to come inside, "ah thank you for coming... we are expecting a lot of costumers today so I really appreciate it."

Jinki adjusted his glasses and smiled, "anytime hyung, we were looking for part time work anyway... Ji-ah! I'm here!"

Hyunjin carefully placed the croissants on the display panel before running towards his best friend, "Jinnie!!!! I missed youuu!!! Our uniform looks good on you!"

"On you as well, Yunnie!"

Jaehyun and Taeyeon smiled as the best friends hugged each other like they haven't seen each other for a long time.

"Tch... those two act like they didn't see each other yesterday..."

Minho placed an arm around Taemin's shoulder and chuckled, "Jealous honey? It's okay, I won't leave you alone."

"Stop teasing me! Who wants you?!"

Taeyeon turned to the oldest, "Jaehyun hyung... it's almost 8AM..."

Taeyeon's voice seemed to have ticked something in the oldest Kim's brain, "Aaaaaah!!! All right people! To the battle stations! Jinki behind the cashier! MinHo, Taeyeon, Taemin attend to the guests! Hyunjin, Kibum...to the kitchens!"

Hyunjin chuckled as Jaehyun ran like a madman to the kitchens, "Taeyeon-ah... this time let MinHo flip the sign to 'Open' and open the door. We don't want you to get trampled on. MinHo, try to not look bored, let's not waste that pretty face. Taemin, tone down the flirting alright? Jinnie, I'll talk to you later. Kibummie, let's make the best coffee and pastry anyone has ever tasted. Let's do this! Fighting!"

Taemin blushed as MinHo kissed his shoulder smiling and they all did the fighting pose before the two younger Kims disappeared to the kitchen to help Jaehyun...

__________________________________________________________________________

"Uh Mick...."

Mick adjusted his glasses and turned to smile at their manager, "yes hyung?"

"Er... is this okay? I mean what kind of disguises are these?"

Manager touched the hem of his jacket, "we just look like we are going for a casual stroll...the only thing different are the accessories you had me put... "

"That's it hyung... you don't normally wear those outside plus you are almost always at the office. You're actually looking 10 years younger"

The manager sighed and wore the shades Mick specifically picked for the group to use.

"Before you ask... we are riding the subway."

Mick smiled when he heard no complaints from everyone even if their manager seemed uneasy, "it's gonna be okay hyung!"

"But is this is okay Mick? If people were to know that 'MHL' was there, it will be dangerous."

"Sssshhhh!!!!"

"Hyung, we cannot call each other by screen names especially when we are outside like this. Normally when they see me outside, they go – aw he looks like Mick of MHL. Something like that."

"So how far are we from the cafe?"

Mick chuckled, "Jun hyung... we just arrived at the subway station. We need to ride this blue line then transfer to the purple line, third station. After that a 10-15 minute walk and we are there."

Manager massaged his jaw and sighed, "all right let's do this. Jun try not to give yourself away so easily. Tyrone, stop spacing out!"

Tyrone nodded and Jun smirked, "I'm basically invisible today hyung!"

"I can see you Jun..."

Everyone turned to look at Tyrone then at Jun who facepalmed, "Ty.. what I mean is..."

"Get on the train kids or we'll leave you."

The three younger members of MHL ran to the subway where the three older males were waiting.

Grace was humming a familiar melody as she leisurely walked towards Jiji's cafe. She had always liked the atmosphere of the place and she knew she would be able to write because that place is where most of her stories get born.

"ah looks like Jaehyun was right... the cafe is full. I just hope Hyunjin was able to save me a table."

On her way to the door, he overheard a bunch of girls coming out of the cafe with satisfied faces.

"The waiters are so cute!!"

"I know right? I almost fainted when Taemin smiled... he's so pure... "*sigh*

"No! The pastry chef looks cuter!"

"Oh you mean the mysterious looking black haired guy or the beautiful blond or the hot one with streaks?"

"All of them!" "hey!!!"

"Ah I'll be back tomorrow!"

"Me too!!!"

"I'll come with you!"

The door opened before the novelist could even touch the handle, "Welcome to Jiji's cafe! We live to serve you! Oh... Grace noona!"

Grace chuckled and playfully smacked the arm of MinHo who opened the door, "what kind of greeting was that you? Oh hey kids!"

Taemin and Taeyeon both stopped to smile at the newcomer before tending back to their customers. Minho was about to say something when Key appeared from the kitchen, "Ya! No slacking off! Take this to a customer!"

Minho smiled apologetically at the novelist who smiled back. The young barista then noticed Grace and he smiled, "Oh noona, you're here! I'll go call Jae hyung and Jin hyung... hold on!"

"No... It's o-"

"Hyunjin hyuuuuuuung!!!! Jaehyun hyuuuung!! Noona is here!!!!"

Just a bit after Key shouted, Hyunjin's mop of black hair appeared on Grace's line of sight. "You're earlier than expected."

He then sent a nod plus wink to Key who was patiently waiting beside him, "Thanks Key. Please help Jae hyung with the orders; I'll be there after a bit."

Key grinned and ran back inside, Grace shook her head when she saw the blushing face of Taeyeon who was watching Hyunjin from the table she was cleaning.

"Hm? What's wrong noona?"

"Nothing Jin... anyway, what's with the uniform and the weird atmosphere?"

Hyunjin raised an eyebrow at the question, "what do you mean weird? The clothes were Hyung's suggestion; he said we should look the part. Key helped us with the design and creation."

The novelist gave a once over to the younger Kim and then a look at MinHo who was currently serving a group of teens (guys and girls) who are all staring at him with full adoration.

"Well...butler outfits for waiters and chef outfits with matching hat for the ones working in the kitchen... you all look like you stepped out of a manhwa series."

Hyunjin chuckled, "we also have suits... just in case we need to serve. We look good though don't we?"

"Yes of course. But this is a bakery not a butler or maid cafe. What was Jaehyun thinking? Jiji's cafe might be mistaken as a butler or maid café. You even made Taeyeon wear butler clothes!"

"I don't mind..."

"Huh?"

"I said I don't mind. We aren't doing anything wrong anyway. Jiji's cafe still provides the best pastries and coffee in this side of town so a little twist doesn't hurt."

"As long as you all like it, I wont say anything more."

Hyunjin grinned as he took Grace's laptop bag, "Come on... I reserved your table. Lucky that you came at a time when most people get take outs than eat in."

The black haired guy laid the laptop bag on the table at the farthest back and waited until Grace had comfortably sat on the chair before taking her hand and kissing it lightly, "Princess I'll bring the cream puffs and jasmine tea in a little while. If you have any other requests, please feel free to tell me. I am at your disposal."

Grace blushed and smacked the younger boy on the back, "HEY! Don't play with me!"

Hyunjin grinned and then stuck a tongue out, "Sorry, I can't help it."

"Hey... having fun without me? That's not nice of you two..."

Jaehyun ruffled Hyunjin's hair, grinning evilly at the loud whine of the younger Kim, "Justice!"

"Jaehyun hyung! why'd you ruin my hair! Now I have to tie it again!"

The two laughed at the sight of the angry and unkept looking Hyunjin, "you know... somehow cute and weird suits you far more than manly and strong."

Hyunjin puffed his cheeks and the two laughed harder, "you told me to pretend to be cool! Do you know how hard it was?"

"Sorry Jin... but you look nice all cleaned up like that."

Taemin and Jinki brought over cups of tea and cream puffs on the desk, "thank you Jinki... Taemin. All of you can take a little break since the peak hours for this morning is over."

"We're still okay Jaehyun hyung... it's the two of you who haven't rested yet. Take your time. I'll help Key in the kitchen while Taeyeon takes over the cashier."

"Thanks Jinnie. I owe you."

Jinki smiled and ruffled Hyunjin's hair, "no biggie Yunnie. Let's talk this over the chicken date tomorrow."

The bestfriends did their special handshake and Jinki walked to the kitchen to lend Key a hand.

Grace's phone rang then and her face suddenly showed panic upon reading the name, "noona? Are you all right?"

Sweat started forming on the novelist's forehead as she mechanically smiled at the young waiter, "I'm fine Taemin... excuse me for a minute..."

She robotically stood still and walked out of the cafe as Taemin looked on confusedly. Jaehyun grinned and patted the younger one's cheek, "she's okay. She probably got a call from her editor..."

"Editor? What's an editor?"

Hyunjin moved close to Taemin and whispered, "Editors are monsters who take the form of humans. They exist to make the life of the one they are in charge of a living hell. You need to run away if you meet one."

Taemin's eyes widened and he whispered back, "really Yunnie hyung? So... Grace noona is in danger?"

Hyunjin nodded, "but don't worry... Grace noona knows a secret fighting technique that only a few people know. He will be okay just like what Jaehyun hyung said."

"Wow... a secret fighting technique like those in the manhwas and anime?"

The pastry chef looked around and seeing that Jaehyun was checking out some papers with intense concentration whispered back, "yeah but only a handful of people can know or Grace noona will be in trouble. See she wasn't supposed to inherit that technique. So you definitely have to keep that a secret okay?"

Taemin eyes shimmered and he nodded, "okay hyung! I will definitely... definitely keep it a secret! You can trust me!"

"I know I can. Now help Minho. The next wave of costumers will come after lunch."

The waiter nodded and trotted off to glomp Minho who was cleaning the tables. Jaehyun raised an eyebrow after seeing Hyunjin's eerie smile, "what?"

"You did something didn't you?"

Hyunjin chuckled and stood to stretch his sore muscles, "it's nothing.. I just entertained myself a bit. Uhm, I'll be going now. I gotta meet someone."

"Are you sure you'll be all right, Jin?"

Hyunjin smiled and lightly hugged Jaehyun "Hyung, you worry too much. Not like I can easily be dragged, I have muscles too."

Jaehyun shouted after the retreating figure of the younger Kim, "If you say so...be careful!"

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Louella Grace Santos , are you listening to me?"

"Yes, I am...."

"Good. I'll get the draft tomorrow. I'll look it over before handing it to Aiki noona"

Grace wiped the sweat forming on her forehead as she whispered, "b-but I'm not done with it yet... "

"WHAT?"

"Well... muse hasn't been around and I can't seem to write...."

"Have you been slacking again? I told you to focus on your work and just because I was out for some time you haven't been doing what you were supposed to do!"

Grace sighed and massaged her forehead, "I wasn't slacking off I swear... I think I'm in a slump or something."

"I don't care for that slump or whatever of yours! I'm flying back there first thing in the morning and you'll finish that draft within the end of the week you hear me?"

"You don't need to do that... I'll finish it, I promise."

She heard a sigh on the other line and somehow, he felt bad for that friend of hers, "all right. Tch... I'm too nice. If you don't finish the draft within the week, I'll drag you to Tokyo and you have to explain everything to Aiki noona! Do you understand?"

"T-Tokyo? I can't go there! You know that!"

"I know sweetie... but we have been giving too many excuses. She said she will have to talk to you personally if you can't finish the draft."

"I... I understand. Sorry to make you suffer for me."

"Part of my job as your editor... and as your friend. Just finish that draft of yours and I'll do what I can with noona."

"Thanks Seoyoung."

"Pft... Its Suzy. I gotta go. I'll call you again tomorrow."

Grace let out a deep breath as she closed her mobile, "I'm screwed."

She started pacing back and forth as she tried to think of a way to save herself and her editor from the hands of the editor in chief. On her third round of pacing, she bumped into something solid and would have fallen if not for the strong arms that was now around her.

"We need to stop meeting like this."

Grace immediately looked up and he found himself staring into the pair of eyes that has been haunting him since yesterday, "Mick?"

Mick tilted his cap and smiled at the woman he was holding, "yeah... I'm glad you remembered my name."

Grace blushed as she steadied himself with Mick's help, "uh... thanks..."

"Mick! Where is the cafe?!"

Finally noticing five other strangers, Grace moved a bit away from the still smiling Mick, "we are close Jun hyung... don't be too excited"

"Uhm... you mean Jiji's Cafe, mister?"

The men walked closer to Grace and she felt himself blushing redder, "yes and this disaster forgot to introduce us. I'm MHL's Manager and these are his group mates – Cyril, Ben, Jun and Ty. You must be Grace, am I correct?"

"Yes, how'd you know my name?"

Jun looked around as he answered, "Mick hasn't stopped talking about you since yesterday. You know where that cafe is?"

"Oh my roommates own and work there. It's just a bit further; there is a sign so you won't get lost."

Manager nodded and tapped Cyril as a signal for them to walk first. Mick gave a smile of thanks to everyone else who nodded (except for Tyrone who was half sleeping while walking)

"Are you waiting for someone? A date perhaps?"

Grace sat on the nearby bench and shook her head, "no...."

Mick decided to push his luck a bit further as he sat beside her, "Boyfriend then?"

Mick heard a chuckle and he thought that Grace's voice is definitely like an angel, "No... I'm not in any relationship."

"Ah, very good. I'd be disappointed if you were taken."

Grace blushed redder and Mick thought she was definitely cuter with the additional red on his cheeks, "say..."

"hm?"

"Apart from being gorgeous, what do you do for a living?"

The novelist coughed and Mick lightly patted her on the back, "are you okay?"

"Y-yeah... er, let's go back to the cafe. Your groupmates are probably waiting for you."

Grace rushed ahead and the singer/songwriter removed his cap to rake his hand through his hair, "tch...I think I'm losing my touch."

"Kyaaaa!! That's Mick!"

"Oh my God! It is him! He looks so handsome!"

"Mick!!! Have my babies!!!"

Mick shot a dimpled grin at the girls and then waved goodbye before running towards the cafe fast. The girls fainted and a lot of others soon crowded the area, "Find Mick! He should be here somewhere!"

Hyunjin looked weirdly at the growing number of girls who have been shouting Mick while running everywhere, "girls are sure getting scarier nowadays."

A sleek black car stopped in front of Hyunjin and the usual happy expression on his face was changed into a serious, no nonsense mask. Men wearing black suits came out from the second car and bowed in front of him,

"Goshuujin-sama... we are happy to be able to meet with you."

Hyunjin grunted in reply and the men stood up. He then walked towards the first car and went in,

"To the headquarters..."

(this photo was taken from google images - all credits to: https://www.deviantart.com/j1223334/art/Mafia-1001077518)