CHAPTER 9: Time Waits for No One

WOOYOUNG
•••

Dance class ended exactly at 3, leaving me only an hour to get changed and make it to the Diner for my interview. The need to secure a part-time job was eminently dire, so this first opportunity was one I did not want to take for granted.

The faster I pay off my remaining debt for school, the better...

Walking out quickly from the studio, I made my way toward the dorm building without haste. However Yunho called out, briefly pausing me in my tracks.

"Woo, why are you in such a hurry?"

Shit...I don't want him to know or tell Yeosang...

I smiled, trying my best to keep my cool as I answered swiftly. "I have to get dressed and go somewhere with my mom. She's picking me up in a few."

Yunho raised an eyebrow curiously before nodding his head in understanding. "Really? Well in that case, don't let me stop you! Tell your mom I said hi!"

"Sure, see you later!"

Feeling comfortable enough with the conversation ending smoothly, I turned my walk into a slight jog, not wanting to waste another minute. Based on my phone clock, the time spent already during that small encounter took off five precious minutes.

"I need to leave campus in the next 15 minutes..." I muttered to myself while jogging. My legs felt like they were on fire from the routine learned in class, but it wasn't going to prevent me from making this interview.

Reaching the dormitory, I chose the stairs as my route that was adjacent to the elevator, eternally grateful for residing on only the next floor above. Once at my floor, I grabbed my key from my pocket and unlocked the door, revealing a bare-chested San doing sit-ups on the ground with his headphones on. Not bothering to question it, I dumped my backpack on my desk chair and proceeded to strip off my clothes while simultaneously placing my new set of clothes on my bed.

San removed his headphones with a curious eyebrow raise. "Where are you going in such a rush?"

"I have an interview at the Diner at four and I can't be late."

"Do you need a ride?"

I paused with my leg in one side of my pants, turning to him skeptically. "You have a car?"

"Of course I do." He smirked, but the smirk slightly faltered while pointing to his keys on his desk. "A gift from my late father actually...Got it a week before he passed..."

"I'm sorry for your loss..." I said softly. "I don't think I can take you up on your offer, though..."

San sighed, getting up from the floor before putting on a hoodie. "That offer was non-negotiable, Wooyoung. Take your time in getting dressed. I'll get you there."

Why is he being nice to me...?

"T-Thanks."

Deciding to listen, I slowed down my movements and continued to dress myself. It didn't take long for me to finish, with even having time to touch up my hair and freshen up my face. San was scrolling on his door when I completed everything. "Done."

His eyes glanced up from the screen and grew wide eyed as he noticed my appearance. "Are you sure this interview is for a diner job?"

Rolling my eyes playfully, I glance at my watch and notice that I had half an hour to get there. "Enough drooling, let's go. Time waits for no one."

All he did was chuckle as he opened the room door, gesturing for me to go first. "After you."

With a genuine smile, I stepped out and waited for him to lock our dorm securely before I made my way to the stairwell. Stepping down the concrete steps and reaching the first level, I continued walking toward the exit, taking a slight glance behind to make sure San was following.

Once outside, I turned to him with skeptical eyes. "So...where exactly is your car?"

San smirked while raising his keys and pressing the car beeper. My eyes darted to the sound and gasped at the sight. It was a matte black Mercedes directly parked near the entrance, not even surrounded by any other vehicles. "There's my car. Let's go."

He took the lead in guiding us toward the vehicle, something I was grateful for as I followed closely in stride. With a swift motion, he opened the passenger door for me. "Here you go."

Fighting back a blush, I scoffed. "My hands work, you know, but thanks."

"I know."

Shutting the door for me, I watched as he made his way to the driver side and opened the door, gently stepping in before starting up the engine. He turned to me with a blank expression, causing me to raise an eyebrow. "What? Why are you staring at me?"

Without words, he sighed and leaned over, pulling my seatbelt across my body. My chest warmed as I could smell the same cherrywood scent radiating of his body as he was merely inches away from me. "Since your hands apparently work, please put on your seatbelt."

"Right." I cleared my throat sheepishly. "Sorry."

Pulling out of the parking spot, he sped out of the campus grounds toward the Diner. The time it took to drive only took 10 minutes, so we sat idly in the car for a few minutes. My nerves were racing as I felt my heartbeat pulsating in my ears.

I really hope I get this job...

"Do you need me to wait for you or pick you up? I don't mind." San asked softly. I still had fifteen minutes left before the interview was supposed to start, but I wanted to make a good impression by being early.

I shook my head. "I'll be alright. I do appreciate you bringing me here, so thank you."

San sighed, looking around his car for a spare piece of paper. Finding a napkin, he then reached into his pocket to grab a pen before scribbling something down and handing it to me. "Here is my number. Call me if you change your mind, okay?"

"O-Okay." I murmured, taking the napkin and folding it into my pocket. Opening the door to leave, I turned to him and smiled. "Wish me luck?"

"With how you look? You don't need it." He smirked. "Knock'em dead."

With a subtle nod, I stepped out of the car and took a deep breath in to compose myself before making my way to the diner doors. The outside design of the restaurant gave off a naturalistic feel, and as I entered inside, the design was practically the same. There were a few patrons inside leisurely enjoying their meals, a mixture of different ages that only symbolized the comforting feeling of the place.

My eyes darted to a tall, dark-haired male who was standing at what seemed to be the host desk, his eyebrow furrowed in thought while he skimmed through papers. Plastering on a smile to disguise my nervousness, I made my way over to him and introduced myself. "Hi, I'm Jung Wooyoung. Do you know where I can speak to Mr. Sunwoo? I'm here for my interview."

He glanced up and smirked. "You're speaking to him, and lose the honorifics, Wooyoung. I'm not that much older than you."

Nodding quickly, I bowed. "I'm sorry."

Sunwoo sighed, checking his watch for the time. "You've made it here early. Usually, I don't expect that for newcomers, but it's still nice to see. Follow me, your interview isn't going to be a verbal conversation."

Watching he walk through the restaurant, I made sure to stay closely behind before speaking up. "Can you clarify on that? I don't understand what you mean."

"I mean," he grabbed an apron and tossed it to me without warning. "You will be interviewed based on your performance today. Go take orders and serve them flawlessly. My diner is known for being the best of the best, and my staff needs to match that. One small mistake and you're done, do you understand?"

I nodded. "Yes sir."

"Great, because the late lunch/early dinner crowd just arrived." He smirked, pointing to the door. Turning my head, I watched as a large crowd of people entered inside, voices loud and eager to be seated. "Good luck, your test ends at 7."

•••

The past two hours were nothing but a whirlwind of orders being taken and served, which my body was currently on the verge of collapsing based on the burning feeling coursing through my legs. Coming from dance class to deal with an unexpected type of interview was not something I could've prepared for. However, with the final hour left of my test shift, I was determined to make it through without any faults.

"Wooyoung, you have a table to take orders from on number 6!" One of the waiters named Yeonjun yelled.

"Got it!"

Making my way over to the table, a smile growing on my face as I realized one of the three people seated. "Welcome, can I start you three off with something to drink?"

Felix turned his head at the sound of my voice and gasped. "Wooyoung, when did you start working here?"

"Not working here yet, this is actually my interview process. Mind telling me who is these people are with you?" I teased, pointing to the other two males at the table.

The black-haired male seated across from Felix looked up at me with a smirk. "I'm his boyfriend, Hyunjin. Glad to finally meet you Wooyoung. You're basically all he talks about lately."

Next to Felix was another male with a black beanie on, who sighed heavily. "The name is Chan, and I'm Felix's cousin. I apologize for the pabo, over there. He's just teasing."

I chuckled, waving my hand dismissively. "No worries. By the way, your accent isn't from here and you sound a lot like Felix."

"Smart guy, I like it." Chan said with a proud grin. "I'm from Australia, just like Felix."

"Makes sense, but I can't spend too long talking so what would you like to drink and eat if you're ready to order?"

The three of them gave me their orders, allowing me to quickly walk back to the kitchen and place my tab on the cue line. Since all three wanted just water for their, I strolled over to the drink dispenser and proceeded to fill up three cups while waiting for their meals to be made. Satisfied with the look of the drinks, I placed them on a tray and began my walk back to their table with a bright smile.

It wasn't until I was halfway there that I heard Felix's voice shout 'Watch out Woo!' that I realized a wet puddle the the floor, causing me to slip backwards and the drinks to fly above my head, with the glasses of water to end up splashing all over me.

Felix, Chan, Hyunjin and Yeonjun ran over to help me up off the floor, each of them asking and assessing my physical state. Their voices sounded like muffled noise, as all I could think about was the fact that this small incident could cost me the opportunity of securing the job I desperately needed.

Returning my focus to the four boys, I smiled off the pain and stood up, nodding in confirmation. "I'm alright...I should've been paying attention..."

Chan looked sternly. "This wasn't your fault, Wooyoung. There should've been a sign or something."

"Despite how funny I found the situation," Hyunjin sighed dramatically, "I agree. You could've seriously hurt yourself or someone else could've themselves."

Sunwoo walked out from the back and noticed the scene. "...Can someone explain to me what happened here?"

Yeonjun opened his mouth to speak, but I cut him off. "It was my fault! I wasn't paying attention and I dropped the cups of water."

"Woo..." Felix said sadly. "Don't do this..."

I shook my head, sending a sympathetic smile to the blonde before focusing my attention on Sunwoo. "It's my fault, and I apologize. That was my one mark, so I'll just take my leave."

Sunwoo raised his eyebrow, glancing around at the other waiters and attendees within the diner who had somber looks on their faces before turning his eyes toward Yeonjun. "Yeo, is this true?"

Yeonjun glanced at me for one final confirmation of what to respond with, and I nodded in agreement. He sighed and nodded towards Sunwoo. "Yeah...it's true..."

I gave a silent bow before turning around and making my way out the diner, fighting back tears from escaping. Standing outside on the curb, I felt a drop of rain hit my head, causing me to look up. Without fail, the one drop turn into a shower of rain, and I felt as though it was a symbol of the turbulent emotion running through me.

I was about to start my walk back to the dorm when I saw the same matte black Mercedes pull up next to me and briefly park next to me. San hopped out of the car and covered my head with his shirt. "Wooyoung, I told you I could pick you up!"

"S-San?"

"No talking. Get in the car!"

He opened the passenger door and gently pushed my head inside to sit, my body instantly adjusting to the warmth from the heater. Quickly, he made his way back over and sat on his side, turning to the backseat to grab his hoodie again.

I turned to him with soft eyes. "Why did you come to get me...?"

"Woo...I never left the parking lot. I was waiting for you."