***

Hoseok drew his attention elsewhere from Jimin and Taehyung as he tended to his other customers. Just then, another regular walked in and greeted him with a warm smile. Warm being the proper name for this cute, petite patron with auburn, shoulder-length tresses that rounded her delicate features. Even though her name held a different meaning in his native language, Hoseok always found it to be fitting.

In his eyes, she personified both meanings.

He noticed the bit of tension in her features, but he didn't want to begin her visit rehashing her problems she likely came there to escape.

Though a bartender, being an unlicensed therapist was an unwritten, added role to his occupation. Patrons would spill their life struggles to him all the time while gulping glasses of their pleasure. Hoseok neverminds it. He enjoyed listening and helping in any way he could. Seokjin always told him he's the reason for the satisfaction of their regulars. He knew excellent customer service is tough to find and credited Hoseok for his flourishing of business.

If the smiling young lady needed his ear, it would thrill him to oblige.

"Nice to see you, Sun. What can I get for you?"

Despite having an unorthodox notion creeping within her, Sun smiled at Hoseok. She knew if anyone would make her relaxed for the evening, he could. "Let's keep it light today and go for the house beer." She answered.

Hoseok's eyes perked. "Light, huh? Today must have been a pretty good day!" He remarked as he prepared her drink.

"Uh, yeah. Well, everything in the office was good. I landed the account my team has been working on for a while, so it was a good day!"

"That's fantastic, Sun! Congratulations!" Hoseok praised until a wonder crossed his mind. "Why aren't you celebrating? You should have brought them here!"

A nervous smile harnessed Sun's lips. "W-Well, I'm not in the celebrating mood. Great as it was, I need some time away from the work crowd. Anyway, enough of that! Tell me about your day. Oh, and where is the handsome best friend of yours?" She wiggled her brows.

Hoseok grinned at the fact she always favored Seokjin. Most of the women that pass through do. They melt from his charming smile and sultry eyes. Hoseok admired Seokjin's confidence and cleverness with the ladies. Hoseok chuckled, considering how his best friend would never have to result to a dating service, yet he pressed him to join one.

Wow! Was it that bad for my friends to talk me into doing this? Maybe the disaster is me. Hoseok lips eluded a loud sigh at his theory but shook it off to tend to his patron. "He's around the bar, hanging out in the kitchen for most of the night."

A sly grin inhabited her. "Mmm, nothing like a man who cooks. Don't you agree?"

Hoseok scoffed. "Pfft, oh yeah. Nothing like a man who can spice things up." He teased.

Sun laughed. "You're too much." She accepted her drink from Hoseok and took a sip. "Mmm, that hits the spot."

"Would you like to place an order to go with your drink?" The bartender offered.

Sun tilted her head, pondering the offer. "Sure, how about his famous chicken? It would complement my beer with perfection," she assessed.

Hoseok nodded. "I'll get right on that."

***

Cupid 💘