The warmth of freshly baked bread grazed her face as she opened the oven’s lid. Golden brown. Perfect. Just how she liked it. With a satisfied smile, she carefully took a tong and transferred the hot delicacies on top of a new tray, filling the pastry case near the counter.

“Good morning.” An old man greeted as he entered the small cafe, the door chimes clanking as he closed it.

“You’re early today, Grandpa Kwon.” She welcomed the elderly with a bright smile, her hands wiping on her apron. “Croissants?”

The man chuckled. It hasn’t been past a month since he had known the young pâtissière but she knew exactly what the man wanted. He nodded graciously and took off his brown fedora hat, his walking stick on a clutch. “You know me best, Sooyeon-ah.” Grandpa Kwon couldn’t help but return the gleeful smile.

“Have a seat then. I’ll throw in a cup of espresso and a newspaper too. Just give me a minute.” Sooyeon hastily turned her back and went behind the bar to prepare the items.

Grandpa Kwon sat comfortably near the display case, eyeing the different pastries presented behind the glass. Ah! Sooyeon did it again. Her skill in baking is really superb. The man nodded to himself. Such a dedicated sweet child.

He remembered the first time he saw the young pastry chef. He had just gone into another heated argument with his own granddaughter that he decided to run away and hide. It didn’t matter if she was his favorite granddaughter; that time, he wanted not to see her. So, he ran away, as fast and as far as he could. But the hasty judgment got him lost in an alley he had never been to. As if all luck was out of his body, it started to rain heavily and he had no umbrella to save him from the angry downpour.

It was then that he met her.

A plump girl, around her early twenties, came running towards him. Without thinking twice, she took off her large denim jacket and covered his head, ushering him inside her little store. She even gave him a plate of bread and a mug of hot coffee when his stomach grumbled. For free. She didn’t ask anything in return. Such a kind, kind child. And so, from then on, Grandpa Kwon began to frequent Sooyeon’s shop. The man turned his gaze to the girl coming back with a tray—coffee, croissants and a newspaper on it.

“Here you go, Grandpa Kwon.” She laid each item with ease. “Have a pleasant breakfast.”

“Are you going to make this old man eat on his own?” He pursed his lower lip while coyly batting his eyelashes.

Sooyeon couldn’t help but chuckle at the man’s attempt to persuade her to join him. “I can’t stay longer, Grandpa Kwon.” She shook her head, her fingers playing with the hem of her apron. “I…I need to go somewhere today.”

“Oh. Are you meeting your boyfriend?” He asked with a wide grin.

“AH!” Sooyeon wagged her hands and shook her head. “No, Grandpa Kwon. He’s…He’s not yet my boyfriend.” The warmth started to creep on her cheeks.

“Not yet!” Another playful voice, coming from behind the counter, was heard.

“Yah!” Sooyeon pivoted her heels and glared at the boy. “Just finish wrapping the cake, Sehun!”

“Hahaha. Why are you so tensed, noona?” Sehun finished tying a red ribbon around the box of cake. “You said he’s into fat girls.”

“Yah! I told you to shut it!” Sooyeon’s squinted eyes shot at the boy as her cheeks were now completely pink. “I didn’t say that! I just…He just…He was just nice.” She looked down and exhaled.

“Ahahahaha. Looks like Sooyeon likes this guy, huh?” Grandpa Kwon wore a teasing smirk.

“Not you too, Grandpa Kwon.” Sooyeon pouted.

“Ahahahah. There’s nothing wrong in looking for love, Sooyeon-ah.” The man gave her a gentle nod.

“Uhm.” She slightly lifted her gaze towards the old man, trying to gain confidence. “He just ordered a cake and I’m…I’m just…just go-going to de-deliver it.” She tried to reason.

“Ahahaha. Young love. Go get that man you like.” Grandpa Kwon pumped his fist up, cheering Sooyeon. “And remember, you are more than what people think you are. You’re a very kind and passionate child, Sooyeon-ah. You have a big heart.”

Sooyeon shyly nodded, a sheepish smile on her face. Grandpa Kwon always says the sweetest words.

“Yep. A very, very big heart.” Sehun added. “As big as her body. Ahahahahahahahaha.”

“YAH! Oh Sehun!” Sooyeon shouted then threw her apron on the now laughing boy.

He’s nice to me. Maybe I can have a chance. Maybe he can love me. Maybe.

Black wayfarer sunglasses. Blood red lips. A white tank top over her voluptuous curve, denim shorts that accentuates her long legs and a pair of boots on her feet. A tan goddess. A model in a glance. And all eyes followed her as she entered the small café.

“Ca—can I—I ge—get your ord—order Miss?” A waiter stuttered as he ushered the young lady in to a seat and gave the menu.

She swiftly glanced at the list and with a smile, gave it back to the man. “Just a cup of black coffee. And…uhmmm…I’ll just have a plate of your special salad. No bacon, please. Change it to steamed chicken . And, lessen the parmesan and Worcestershire sauce. Thanks.” The man gleefully nodded and took his leave to get her lunch done.

She crossed her arms as she leaned back on her seat—scanning the crowded store she went into. An Italian café with a French bakery at its side—a fusion of pastas and pastries. Yuri sighed when she saw the fresh stacks of chocolate rolls in the display case. She doesn’t like sweets.

Good thing, the waiter came back fast and served her meal that she didn’t have to get a headache on the sight of desserts. She held a fork and was about to eat a lettuce when a scene caught her eyes.

Just a few tables away from her, a chubby girl was standing in front of a couple. She saw how the other woman—petite and elegantly dressed—opened a box of cake and shoved it in to the fat girl’s face, completely covering her face with icing. Yuri put down her fork and watched the scene as all eyes in the store went towards the unsightly mess.

“Ha! This is why you shouldn’t be nice to these kinds of people, oppa.” The woman spouted. “They overthink a