The sun was shining and the sky was blue. People were having fun outside as it was the weekend. Although I loved my job as a saleswoman, I also liked having free time to go out. My best friend, Ga Eun, would always be with me. We enjoyed going to the amusement park. There, we went to our favorite spot where we lay down on our blankets to look at the clouds while telling stories. Ga Eun was a romantic woman. She would often talk about love or men. At 24, she was still single. Which was her major problem. Since childhood, it had been her dream to get married at the age of 25. She said it was important if she wanted to have children, in fact, she wanted to be a dynamic mother.

          I was also waiting for the right one. Even if I wasn't as impatient as Ga Eun.

 

"There's this new colleague at my workplace." she announced.

"Is he handsome ?"

"Very handsome !"

"Have you talked to him ?" I asked.

"A little. He seems passionate and his body looks great !"

"You've seen his body already ?"

"Well, he's going to be a sports teacher too. He just showed us his skills." she explained.

"You're so lucky to work at a gym club !" I daydreamed. "It should be nice to look at attractive men working out."

"I can't sit and enjoy the view, I've got things to do."

"Still, you're lucky."

"Maybe you should come someday." she giggled.

"Aigoo.. sport isn't really my thing."

"I know right. You like cakes and coffee better, don't you ?"

"Is this an invitation ?"

 

          She giggled while nodding, and we got up in order to leave the amusement park. We walked to my car as I had driven both of us here. We decided to go to a coffee shop Ga Eun had discovered a few days ago. The owner of the shop was a fortune teller, her gift attracted many customers to the café.

          I parked the car in front of the little shop. I had not been here before. As soon as we stepped into the place, I felt like it was another world. Mystery was in the air. The woman who welcomed us suited the shop perfectly. She looked secret. Her hair was curly and brown, she had big eyes and she wore glasses. An aura of unreality surrounded her.

 

"Welcome to the Fortune Café ! How may I help you ?" she asked.

"I'd like to order an Americano." Ga Eun replied.

"I'll have a mocha." I said.

"Make yourself comfortable, I'll bring your coffee when it's ready."

 

          I smiled at Ga Eun and I followed her to a good spot. We talked for a few minutes before the woman brought our drinks.

 

"As you probably know, you can get your fortune told here." the woman explained. "Which aspect of your future do you want to discover ?"

"I want to know about my love life. Will I have a boyfriend soon ?" Ga Eun vigorously answered.

 

          The woman giggled as she sat down next to us. She took Ga Eun's hand and closed her eyes for a while. We didn't say a word because she seemed deeply focused. Then, she studied the different lines of my friend's hand before looking into her eyes. When she snapped out of her analysis, she whispered.

 

"The love of your life is by your side already. You just have to look closely and you'll find him."

 

          Ga Eun smiled like a child upon hearing those words. The woman turned her gaze to me.

 

"Do you want to hear about your love life too ?"

"Yes."

 

          She did to me what she had done to Ga Eun. My heart was racing and I wondered if my best friend had felt the same way. I was nervous to find out about my soul mate. If I had one...

 

"Well, the man you're waiting for will come soon. You'll meet him in the following days. However, you'll have to be strong-minded."

"What ? Why ?" I asked.

"I can't see the reason why it is like this. I just know that it won't be easy to date him."

 

          I was feeling a little disappointed. But I told myself that it was better than not having a soul mate. From now on, I would pay attention to the men I would meet. I could meet him anywhere, at the store, at the cinema. I wanted to ask her about the place where I would meet the one, yet, I knew she didn't have the answer.

 

          Ga Eun and I stayed at the coffee shop for a while. We tried to find out who her soul mate was. If he was close to her, it would probably be someone she worked with. I could almost see stars in her eyes as she thought about her new coworker.

          As for me, we had no idea of whom he could be. I was eager to go to work. I was convinced that I would meet him there. Little did I know, my assumption was right.

 

. . .

 

          The day at work was quiet, peaceful. My female colleagues were talking about a new Kpop group as I helped a few number of customers. Suddenly, my heart started beating faster. I looked around and there was nothing unusual. I put my hand on my chest, wondering if something was wrong with my health. When I turned around to go to my desk, as I craved for water, I ran into the most handsome man I had ever seen.

 

"I'm sorry." I bowed.

"Don't worry.. ____." he said, looking at my name tag.

 

          I felt hot, my heart was beating too fast and I was blushing. Something was wrong with me. And I knew it had something to do with that man.

 

"Can you help me ?" he said.

"Of course !" I smiled.

 

          I tried my best not to collapse because of his looks as I listened to his request. It was his friend's birthday soon and he wanted to buy a present. The more we talked, the easier it felt. I was feeling a little more comfortable. Although I could not look away from his beautiful face.

 

"I want to find something for someone else, for a woman."

 

          The idea of him being my soul mate was wronged in an instant.

 

"That's not what you think." he giggled. "It's for my mother."

"Ah.. wh-what do you want ?" I stuttered.

"I'd like to have the most beautiful dress that you have. It's my parents' wedding anniversary in a few weeks."

"How long have they been married ?"

"They've been together for a long time." he laughed.

"Your family seems to be lovely. I hope you'll congratulate your parents on my behalf."

 

          He nodded and we walked to another shelf. I helped him find other little things he needed, then, I walked him to the checkout counter. Another customer came to me as he paid for his items. I was busy trying to match the request of the woman who had approached me when I felt a light touch on my shoulder.

          I turned around to find out that the handsome stranger was standing behind me.

 

"Thanks for helping me, ____. I hope we'll see each other again."

"I hope so." I whispered.

 

. . .

 

          Several days passed by and I couldn't forget about the stranger, I had fallen for him although we had seen each other once. I wondered if that was what people called 'love at first sight'. I remembered his nice features, his wonderful smile, his voice. I was obsessed with him. And I wanted to see him again. However, I knew nothing about him, not even his name. There was no way I could find him.

 

"____, someone is looking for you at the front desk." said one of my colleagues.

 

          A feeling of joy spread through my heart as I walked to the entrance of the shop. I slowed down as I spotted Ga Eun from afar.

 

"Hey ! What are you doing here ?"

"I have the day off so I thought I should come and see you."

"I'm working Eonni, I don't think I can have a break now." I pouted.

"Don't worry ____, I want you to find me a dress."

"Is it for a special occasion ?"

"We'll have a party at work, one of our coworkers is leaving." she explained.

"And ?"

"And I want to be the prettiest !"

"For.. that man ?"

 

          Although Ga Eun had told her crush's name multiple times, I could not register it in my brain.

 

"Yes, for him."

"Follow me then."

 

          It was always nice to help Ga Eun find new clothes. I knew everything about her style and what she disliked. For that party, she wanted to be attractive but not vulgar. She tried on many dresses until she found the perfect one. When it was done, I walked with her to the counter. She promised to tell me about her crush if their relationship evolved.

          Some minutes after she left, a group of young men got inside. I immediately recognized the stranger I kept thinking about. A smile of contentment appeared on his face as he walked to me.

 

"____, it's nice to see you again."

"You.. You haven't forgotten my name."

"No, I have not. Let me introduce my friends."

 

          He introduced each one of them. They looked like a Kpop boys band. In fact, they had a good sense of fashion, they were tall and handsome. I bowed to them, having already forgotten their names, until..

 

"And I am Hoya."

 

          That was a name I would never forget.

 

"You've got a beautiful name." 

"Thanks." he replied. "Well, ____, can you show us around ?"

"Of course ! What are you looking for ?"

 

          Hoya leaned closer and he whispered.

 

"I'm looking for my ideal type, the woman with whom I'll spend my life. Do you know where I can find her ?"

 

          I almost choked as I listened to his words. He sent shivers down my spine. I was speechless and Hoya laughed.

 

"I just wanted to see you again, so we can try on whatever you want."

 

          I blushed upon his comment. All of his friends were nice and funny. We walked around the shop together. I enjoyed watching Hoya having fun with them. They would tease each other when they tried on clothes. The one named Sung Yeol was a real joker. He had come to us with female lingerie, asking another guy, I assumed it was Sung Gyu, to try it on. The latter had gotten angry. I praised their childish behavior to Hoya as I thought about how nice it should be to have such friends.

 

          Later, Hoya took a shirt and a necktie from a shelf and he went to the fitting room. He asked me to follow him while the others were looking at other clothes. I was waiting nearby and his hand suddenly grabbed my arm. He pulled me in and I felt as if my heart was about to explode. It was beating so hard. We were so close to each other in this tiny space.

 

"Can you help me with that ?" he asked.

 

          My gaze fell onto his chest. He had not buttoned the shirt yet. I gulped as I stared at his muscular body.

 

"Can't.. can't.. you... close it.. yourself ?"

"I can." he murmured. "I was talking about the necktie."

 

         I looked at his hands as he buttoned up the shirt. Once his chest was covered, I snapped out of my contemplation. I was mesmerized by his smile. I took the necktie from his hand to wrap it around his neck. I could hardly breathe as I leaned closer to set it straight. His perfume smelled so good. It was hard to focus on my work. When I finished, I took a step back. Hoya stood in front of the mirror. I was about to walk out, but his hand found my arm again.

 

"Thank you." he winked.

"You're welcome." I muttered.

 

          I felt better once I was outside. It had been so difficult to think straight when Hoya had been half- in front of me. I was under his charm already. A colleague passed by me and she noticed my blush.

 

"____, are you alright ?"

"I.. I am."

 

          The words of the fortune teller came to my mind. She had said that my soul mate would come to me soon. I couldn't help but wonder if she had been talking about Hoya. He was my ideal type. I couldn't deny it, he was appealing. And I wished he would be the one for me.

 

          The guys and Hoya paid for their items, then, he came back to me.

 

"I've got to go."

"It was nice to see you." I said.

"I'll come again, just wait for me."

 

          I nodded as I watched him go away with his friends. I had never been so happy before. I was taken aback when Hoya got inside the shop again. He ran to me. I gave him a questioning look but he didn't speak. In fact, he softly pressed his lips against my cheek. I felt my face redden one more time.

 

"See you soon." he whispered.

 

          He looked deeply into my eyes before walking away. When he was out of sight, some of my coworkers came to me. They wanted to know more about our relationship. Their questions turned into assumptions as I kept silent. Actually, I was unable to speak. I hadn't expected his kiss, he was so gentle, so warm and loveable. Definitely, he was the one the fortune teller had told me about. Hoya had to be my soul mate.