"If you get a fresh start at something in life, you have to go all the way..."

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Seonghwa POV:

After a full day of rest and now fully dyed black hair, I stepped into the coffee shop with a newfound sense of purpose. I was determined to make the most of my circumstances, as one of my major stressors such as rent was no longer a priority for me. Therefore, work could be considered something to help me manage the other smaller bills, bills that I knew I could handle without any financial difficulties.

I was ten minutes early for my shift at noon, and upon entering the shop, I could see Wooyoung and Felix working together behind the counter. The patrons within the shop were only a few people, each having already being taken care off, but I knew that the mid-day rush was due to begin soon. Granting the two a smile, I made my way into the backroom to lock up my stuff before throwing on an apron to assist the two at the front. Mrs. Kim granted me a warm smile before refocusing on her own work at her desk, her glasses perched on her nose as a sign of deep concentration at the task at hand.

Strolling out towards the two males, Felix grinned brightly. "Hwa! It's nice to see you, feels like forever.

"Good..." Wooyoung paused, quickly glancing at the clock before smiling, "morning, hyung. I wanted to be sure it was still morning..."

I playfully snorted. "Good morning Woo, and Felix, it was only a day...and I feel like you just indirectly called me a workaholic."

"You said it, not me." He teased, taking off his apron to put in the back. "Well, since you are here, I can take my leave. Seungmin will be here around 2."

Wooyoung pouted. "That means I'll be leaving at that time."

"You need to rest, you pabo. You worked three days in a row!" Felix scolded, turning his attention to me with a pointed finger. "Make sure he actually clocks out on time and either sits down or goes home. Yesterday he continued to work even after clocking out."

"Yes, boss." I said sarcastically, waving the male off. "Enough, you need to go home yourself."

He stuck a tongue out at the two of us before walking towards the back room, leaving Wooyoung to sigh defeatedly. "I only did it because I wanted to help..."

Ruffling his hair, I shook my head. "It's all good to want to help, but Felix is right. You just started working here...take it easy okay?"

"Okay...I promise I'll leave at 2 when Seungmin comes."

"Good boy, now how about I'll make the drinks while you run the counter, hmm?"

Wooyoung nodded with a smile. "Okay!"

Felix walked back out with his stuff and quickly waved us goodbye as he left the shop, just as the mid-day crowd began to make their presence. Wooyoung gave me a confident smile as we both prepared ourselves for the customers.

One by one, the orders came and I was completing each one with a sense of ease, a feeling that was second nature to me. My mind was so focused on the task that I didn't even bother looking up at all to see how many customers were left in line to serve. All I could think about was to make sure each and every order was nothing less than perfection.

Although, it seemed as though the urgency of orders had ended sooner than I expected to. I could briefly hear Mrs. Kim step out from the back room to what I assumed to be just to check on Wooyoung and his work at the register, but I was too preoccupied with trying to clean up the station after the constant activity. It wasn't until I felt a finger tap my shoulder and Wooyoung's voice spoke into my ear discreetly. "Can you take over please for a moment, hyung? I need to use the restroom."

"Of course Woo, no problem." I smiled, placing the cleaning towel down to wash my hands for the next round of customers to come.

Call it a habit or something else, but I always made sure to work with clean hands no matter what..

Once I felt satisfied about the cleanliness, I closed my eyes for a moment and smiled briefly at the floor as I made my way to the counter to greet the waiting customer. However, as soon as I raised my head to properly greet them, my whole world froze upon noticing the person in front of the counter. "Hi, how can I help.....you..."

Standing in front of me was the mystery male that I accidentally ran into in the rain after the incident on Monday. My breath hitched, and in the small moment, I truly took in everything about him. From his blue hair to the multiple piercings that adorned both his ears, his striking appearance contrasted the warmth he gave off as he cleared his throat before smiling at me.

"Just an Americano please, black."

I stared at him for a moment longer before shaking my head and nodding silently, fighting back a blush that threatened to rise on my cheeks. Looking down at the register, I spoke softly. "R-Right...it'll be $3..."

Discreetly glancing up, I watched as he pulled out his wallet and held out a card. In attempt to reach it, our fingers briefly touched and I couldn't help but feel a sudden spark upon contact. It was evident that the blush was now on my face, but I could see a faint one on his cheeks as well that made me feel a flutter inside my chest as he turned away from me to hide it.

Scanning the card, my eyes grew wide as the name on it caught my eye.

There's no way...

Instead of handing it back, I feigned ignorance and raised an eyebrow at the male. "You're Hongjoong?"

Hongjoong sighed with a shrug. "Guilty as charged."

"I shouldn't have charged you then! I'm so sorry, let me reverse the-" I quickly rambled nervously, but he shook his head with a smile.

"It's fine..." he paused, peering at the tag on my shirt before continuing, "...Seonghwa...I always pay to my grandmother anyways. I support the business."

The answer he gave brought a genuine smile to my face as a deep appreciation for his kindness consumed me. "Well alright...let me make that drink for you, okay?"

"Take your time...I'm not going anywhere."

A small chuckle escaped mg lips as I strolled over to the coffee machine, a newfound sense of relief washing over me. Although the drink was simple, I couldn't help but want to make it as best as I could for him. Part of it was due to knowing exactly who he was, the infamous grandson to Mrs. Kim, but another part was to hopefully get to see him again. It was the first time in years that I've felt such a sudden attraction to someone, and I didn't want to lose the feeling.

It didn't take long to finish as I cover the cup with the lid before turning to him with a smile. Handing it out, I spoke softly as nerves were overwhelming me. "Here you go..."

"Thank you..." Hongjoong smiled, taking the cup hesitantly before clearing his throat again. "I appreciate it."

We both stood there for a moment, both of us locked in a stare that I didn't want to stop. In this moment, I couldn't help but linger in the warmth radiating off him, something that I've been trying to feel after all this years of being alone. It was one thing to have friends who loved me, but this feeling was something completely different and unexpected.

Suddenly he blurted out a question, causing my body to shake a bit. "..Would you be willing to go out on a date with me?"

My eyes grew wide in shock as I could feel my face become flushed. "W-What?"

"I'm asking you out on a date Seonghwa...would you let me take you out?" Hongjoong asked again softly. "Nothing crazy, I promise..."

Biting my bottom lip, I nodded slowly, a smile breaking out onto my face at the realization. "..I'd like that...Hongjoong. I'm off on Saturday if you're free...?"

Hongjoong smiled brightly, and a wave of warmth washed over me at his response. "Even if I wasn't...I would become free. Saturday works, is 2 in the afternoon okay?"

"Sounds perfect..." I paused, looking around for a moment before spotting a pen and piece of receipt paper. Quickly scribbling my phone number on it, I held it out towards him with a gentle smile. "Here's my number..."

Taking it with a blush on his cheeks, he placed it in his pocket. "Thank you...I'll message you when I get back home."

I nodded with my face mirroring his own, and with that, I watched as he turned around to leave. As soon as he stepped out the shop, the sound of the bell brought me back to reality as a breath I didn't even notice I was holding was released.

Holy shit...I have a date...