Chapter 8
One Letter Coffee 2.0As expected, Luhan showed up the next day as well. This time he was almost as early as Junmyeon. He was tying his apron around his waist as he heard the familiar bell ringing, signalising that someone was entering the coffee shop.
"Just a second!" Junmyeon loudly said, picking up the glove that had fallen on the floor. It was getting a lot colder outside and going out without gloves was just asking for a frostbite.
"Welcome to See You-." Junmyeon paused as he saw who was behind the counter. "Oh. Hello, Luhan," he greeted the older, walking behind the counter to take his order, which was most likely a Lavender Vanilla Latte for whatever he needed that for and something else for himself. "What can I get you today?"
"The usual, but with a "B" this time." Luhan glanced at the menu. "And..." He took a long look at the menu before looking down at all the food on display. "A sandwich," he said. "Anyone of them is fine. I’m starving. I left early so I didn’t have time for breakfast."
"Why didn’t you just get up earlier?"
"Because I’m human and I need my eight hours?"
"Alright, here’s your breakfast," Junmyeon said with a smile, handing Luhan his sandwich. "The latte will be ready in a minute." The older didn’t reply, already starting on his sandwich. He went over to a table and sat down to wait.
A few minutes later the bell above the door rang again, breaking the silence. Junmyeon looked up from the cup he was currently scribbling down a "B" on, expecting either a customer or maybe an early Chanyeol. Instead it was the person he has least expected would show up, other than Sehun and Jongdae who were at school and in class.
"Hello."
It was Yifan.
"Hi. What are you doing here?" Junmyeon asked, placing his pen down. "Don’t you have work?" He walked over to Luhan’s table, placing his drink down in front of him. Before he knew it, the older was gone without a word.
Yifan glanced at Luhan who walked past him and right out the door. "I thought I’d stop by, see how you were doing. Isn’t that allowed?"
"Of course it is." Junmyeon smiled happily at him, glad to finally see him again. "Do you want anything?" he asked, glancing at the menu. "I’ve been testing some Christmas recipes. I was planning on putting some new things on the menu for December."
"I’ll take a coffee."
Junmyeon got behind the counter, picking up a cup. "So what do you plan on putting on the menu for December? I’d happily taste test for you."
"I’m sure you would," Junmyeon’s replied, taking a look over his shoulder. "I’ll save you some cookies and a cup or two of the Christmas drinks." He brought his attention back to the cup. "Here you go." He placed the cup down on the counter. Yifan reached into his coat pocket, pulling out his wallet. Junmyeon’s stopped him. "It’s on the house," he explained.
"You sure?" Yifan asked, but didn’t make any move to put his wallet away again. "Yeah. Aren’t I allowed to give my boy-, date a free coffee? You look tired. Take it." He pushed the coffee closer.
"Now that can’t be good for the business, can it?" The taller flashed him a smile. "I’ll pay for it. It’s just a coffee." Junmyeon looked at him for a moment before nodding. "Alright. I guess Chanyeol’s stealing enough cookies as it is."
"You’re just letting him steal cookies?" Yifan placed some bills on the counter, pushing them over to Junmyeon who picked them up. After counting them he proceeded to sort them and put them into the cash register. "Maybe, but it’s fine. I’ll just subtract the expenses from his pay check. I’m not letting Chanyeol make this place go bankrupt by stealing cookies."
"I don’t think Luhan would be very happy about that."
"So you know about what he’s doing too?" Junmyeon asked. "Do you know what he’s up to?" Yifan shook his head and took a sip of his coffee. "No. He refuses to tell me. Tells me it’s for my own good. I have no idea what he’s doing."
"Well, he’s definitely up to something."
"But I guess we’ll find out what someday."
Yifan glanced at the watch around his wrist. "Speaking of Luhan. I better go find him. Duty calls." He looked up from his watch and all of the sudden he seemed a lot closer.
Junmyeon placed his hands on the edge of the counter, leaning in, but paused as he heard the bell above the door ring.
"Sorry I’m late. There was so much traffic, you don’t even know. But I’m only two minutes late." Chanyeol walked through the shop, not even noticing Yifan. He walked right into the back, returning in his apron.
"Oh. Hello. I didn’t see you there." He glanced at the two for a moment. "If there is some kissing that’s going to happen, I could leave. Go find some breakfast or something. Wash some dishes." He took a step backwards, hand reaching for the door.
"If not, you could always use the cupboard," he added, shutting the door before anyone could say anything.
"I really recommend it," could be heard from the back of the coffee shop.
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