Chapter 4: This man.

Third person omniscient
*Italicize = Jinah’s thoughts
 

Jinah wasn’t feeling too good right now; she had spent the past hour shuffling in bed trying to get some extra sleep.
 

She sighed.  Screw it. Summer has really messed up her sleeping schedule. And now that school’s starting a week, oh boy was she screwed.  
 

Jinah sighed once more before slipping out of bed. She lugged her worn out body to the bathroom and proceeded with her morning routine.
 

After freshening up, the first thing she did was: check her fanfic. And as expected, “shinhwafanboy4ever” has already left his beloved commentary.
 

Yes! She fist pumped. This boy. <3333
 

Shinhwafanboy4ever say:

            Wow…that’s something new! No more fluffs? ^____^ Well, this is interesting regardless.  I look forward to the next update!
 

No more fluff? Jinah raised a brow. She thought her prologue was pretty fluffy.  Hm…
 

Jinah obviously has creep misnamed as “fluff.”
 

- - -

That morning, Minhee went about the apartment parading like a five year old high on sugar. Apparently, she received the scholarship that she longed for. Yejin and Jinah couldn’t help but to share the same excitement with her. Minhee has always wanted to be a fashion designer, but she couldn’t afford the costs that came along with that dream. But now that she has a free ride, she wasn’t going to miss it.
 

The only problem was that she needed to quit her barista job now; the hours were just not going to work out. Minhee scratched her head—how was she going to break it to her manager so suddenly? Let’s just say, he isn’t the nicest guy in the world. And Minhee didn’t want to leave on his bad side (just in case art school wants to ask for references).
 

A light bulb lit up in Jinah’s head. Perfect! Minhee’s morning shifts were going to fit perfectly with her afternoon classes. Jinah proudly stated her brilliant plan: she’ll take the job.
 

And so, here they are—sitting in Manager Bae’s office. 
 

“Park Jinah, is it?” He asked.
 

That’s what it says on the resume, isn’t it. Jinah nodded, trying her best to keep her calm.
 

She wasn’t quite fond of this man. Of course, she wasn’t. She spent the past thirty minutes standing outside his office listening to him rant. After Minhee told him she was going to resign and that she has brought her friend to replace her, old man Bae went off on a tangent. He started by complaining about the dying business, then the lack of enthusiasm in his workers, and finished off  with Minhee irresponsible behavior. Ughh. Jinah was really starting to debate if she wanted to work here.
 

Whatever. I need a job.. quick. Jinah held her smile.
 

“Hm..A valedictorian.” He nodded, “class president, ooooh. President of the Red Cross club and debate team. Hm.. volunteered at the Seoul Hospital..” Mr. Bae gave signs of approval as he continued on, “interned at Samsung design center Hm… helped and assisted research paper on molecular—” Mr. Bae started mumbling to himself.
 

Park Jinah has a well established resume for her age. She exaggerated a bit when she said her life only consisted of writing and sleeping.
 

Since high school, Jinah had various internships and volunteer positions. She was desperate. She wanted to find something she like doing… find an excuse to escape from the predestined family responsibilities. But sadly, she found nothing. Henceforth, she gave up trying and simply sloth-ed around this summer.
 

“You have quite an impressive background, Ms. Park.” Mr. Bae said astonished, “You sure this is a job for you? I think you are well overqualified.”
 

School starts in two days and Jinah needed a job. Anything was fine at this point.
 

Jinah put on her professional front, “Neh. Although, I have some experiences with interning and volunteering, I never really had an official job. This will be my first and it’s fairly different from what I am used to. I believe it’ll be a great opportunity to show me what the working society is like.” She took a breath, “Moreover, I can gain a couple useful life skills with this position. I reassure you that I will do my best and bring Love café’s business to a whole new record.” Jinah mentally cringed at the name. Whoever gave this place such a corny name deserve to be slapped.
 

“Wow.” Mr. Bae suddenly clapped his hands, “Hahaha. I like you.” It was as if Mr--Head took a 180 degrees face change.
 

Ok…thanks. While Mr. Bae was too busy laughing, Jinah turned her head towards Minhee and mouthed, “Is he crazy?!” I’m sure he was pissed 10 minutes ago.
 

Minhee mouthed back, “Like you.”
 

That girl. Jinah rolled her eyes.
 

“Ms. Park,” Mr. Bae extended his hand, “You’re hired. And with your cute face, I am sure our sales will hit a new record.”
 

…oh lord. Take that out of the context and it sounds like I just got recruited as the newest stripper with a stage name of “Candy.” Jinah forced a grin and shook his sweaty hand. Ew.
 

- - -

“Well, congrats~” Minhee sang.
 

Jinah sighed, “I don’t know if I just dug my own grave or I did the right thing. Must be the former. Bae creeps me out.” It hasn’t been an hour, but Jinah already nicknamed her supervisor.
 

Minhee chuckled, “Silly girl, stop being a drama queen. You’ll survive.” Minhee led her to the counter, “Meet Yuri, she’s your co-worker. Well, technically she works the afternoon shifts.” Minhee turned to Yuri who was taking an order, “Sorry about this morning!!” Minhee had to ask Yuri to open up since she couldn’t make it.
 

Yuri smiled, “It’s fine!! Anytime.”

 “Lunch is on me, okay?” Minhee said before introducing Jinah.
 

Afterwards, Yuri and Minhee switched off teaching Jinah how to take orders and carry them out. Most importantly, how to handle the machines.
 

“Are you listening to me?!” Minhee knocked on her head.
 

Having only three hours of sleep finally took its toll on her. Well, either that or this coffee thing was putting her to sleep. Maybe a bit of both.

 “Yes, mother.” Jinah nodded. How hard was it to make a cup coffee? Pshh…

“If so, make me a cup of Café’ Au Lait.” Minhee crossed her arms.

“Say what?” I have always been more of a tea person. By tea, I mean bubble milk tea.

Minhee shook her head, “You have a lot to learn. Here, go memorize this.” She shove Jinah a menu. “I will give you another run through after we close up.”
 

Jinah groaned. Aw, man. Labor work . She seated herself at a window seat and began skimming the pamphlet. Coffee. Coffee. More coffee.*yawn* Her eyelids fell under the influence of gravity and were starting to droop heavily.  
 

Jinah shook her head and gave herself a few slaps. Must stay awake! But the tiny prints were just too boring; hence, she resorted to people watching. Her eyes lingered about until they landed on a gorgeous view. Sitting in front (well, far on the other side of the café) was the most handsome man Jinah has ever seen.
 

Wow.. am I dreaming?! She pinched her cheek. Ouch. Guess not.

Jinah couldn’t help but to check him out.

He had light blonde hair—no, it was a shade between platinum and golden blonde.  He had his fringe swept to the side messily. Oh, hot damn. Jinah thought as she lowered her sightline.
 

His nerd framed glasses contradicted his bad-boy stud earrings. Oh, boy… Jinah gulped upon seeing his sharp jaw line. Tracing down his long neck, she saw how well built his body shape was.

He had on a black (wrinkle-free) dress shirt matched with a black tie. And at that very moment (when Jinah’s eyeing his tie), his slender fingers loosened it in frustration.  Wow! Is it legal to be this fine?! It was then Jinah realized how much she resembled her female protagonist in her new fanfic, “Oppa Saranghae.”

. Jinah slapped her forehead. Mental note: delete that creepy fanfic when I get home.

After zoning off for a few minutes, she redirected her attention to the man. But sadly, he was nowhere to be found. 

Sigh.

“Jinah!!” Minhee called from a distant.
 

“Coming!” Let him be a frequent customer. Please!
 

Jinah doesn’t gawk at any man. In fact, she has very high standards (after all, that’s what kpop does to people). Jinah had her share of pursuers, but she never took any interest in them. This was definitely a first. For a complete stranger to steal her breath, to make her feel flustered and anxious, to leave her hanging for more.

 This was fanfic worthy.