Entering the pleasantly peaceful cafe, Taemin walk towards the counter to make his order. As he took a seat at an empty corner of the cafe, he breathed in the strong smell of coffee mix with a whiff of some freshly baked cupcakes. It has been awhile since he stepped in Seoul, a decade to be exact. Already reaching his 30s, yet he is still a single bachelor who cares about nothing but work. His mother has been nothing but persistent in wanting to have a daughter in law as well as grandchildren but he was not interested in one, at least not yet. 

 

When the waitress came to send his order, he smiled in gratefulness as he took the first sip of the heavenly coffee that he just ordered. Smiling at such greatness, he sighs in satisfaction of the peacefulness that the cafe ambience brought to him. Taking out his phone in hopes to contact his mother that he landed safely back in his birthplace, however, the notifications he received made him frown. He saw the number of emails that was spamming his mailbox in relations to work despite taking a week off. It was one of the few reasons why he took the week off anyway, the work load that piled on him despite the two promotion he received never cease to to lessen. Still, the real reason he was here was to meet a old friend of his here. 

 

Shutting down his phone with a self reminder to call his mom at a later timing, he tries to get back into the ambience of the cafe he felt earlier. Nothing is as great as the feeling he received, just drinking his coffee and looking at the moving, busy city outside. People were rushing around probably for meetings or any other possible reasons they have and students were heading back home from school and there were also the vendors that were busy mending their stores opposite the cafe. He felt himself came alive again as he laid back comfortably in his seat looking at the outside view of the cafe. 

 

He heard the door of the cafe open multiple times when the chimes hanged at the door rings, however, it was that one particular voice that gave him a sense of familiarity made him look out from the scene he was previously eyeing. Greeting his old friend who sat opposite him, he smiled sincerely.

 

"Taemin! How have you been man?" Kai smiled widely at his presence.

 

"Good, you know, the usual. Busy as always and I finally get to have a week off after working so hard for so long."

 

"Forever the hardworking man you are. Seems like you never change." his friend jokes.

 

"Old habits die hard you know." Taemin retorts.

 

"Which is why it makes you successful but you should also find the time to enjoy your fortune and hard work that you earned you know." 

 

"You ought to rephrase that sentence Kai, it has been so long and you are still using that excuse on me." Taemin chuckled. 

 

"It is a given fact that you are a workaholic, even from high school."

 

"You are no different anyway, it's just that you got lucky to be able to settle down. how's Minzy anyway?"

 

"Beautiful and wonderful as ever. She would come by later since she is picking up Zelo from school before coming here." Kai replied.

 

"Knowing Minzy, she definitely wants a Korean name for your son, what's his real name?" Taemin asks.

 

"Hey, Zelo is his real name ok?," Kai laughs before continuing, "she name him Jun Hong, Kim Jun Hong."

 

"Nice going dude! That's a nice name for your son as compared to the name you gave him."

 

"It fits with my given name ok? Kai... Zelo.. Same thing."

 

"Can't wait to meet your son." 

 

"You're his missing godfather anyway, Minzy especially kept on talking about you to Zelo. Something we believe will keep you alive in him."

 

"But I've never even met him, will he be okay in meeting new people?" Taemin asks worriedly.

 

"He is a shy kid but you know how they can be. I'm sure he will be fine once he knows who you are." Kai smiled at him with assurance.

 

As if on cue, the door opened and a cute small boy holding on to a skateboard and came in holding the hands of a lady he knew all too well. Taemin stood up as he look on at the beautiful lady that Minzy has turned into, correction, a beautiful mother and wife to Kai. Minzy still look stunning and if it wasn't because of the presence of the boy, he would have kissed her cheeks at the moment. As she walk towards them, he noticed the little boy. Taemin gave him his best smile as he squat to the boy's eye level. 

 

"Hello Zelo yah." Taemin said, "I'm..."

 

"Taemin ahjusshi!" the little boy shouted a little too loudly that Taemin couldn't help but laugh.

 

"Zelo.. remember what omma told you just now?" Minzy said with her husky voice that Taemin got memorized with till this day.

 

"I should be on my best behaviour today." Zelo said slightly pouting.

 

"You both are too strict on him, it's his first time meeting his godfather. Shouldn't he be excited? Right Zelo?" Taemin said with a small laugh and he saw the little boy smiled before looking at his parents.

 

"You both are the same! I swear if he gets out of control, I'm leaving the discipline to both of you to handle!" Minzy huffed.

 

Taemin laughed alongside Kai at the flaring Minzy, after all, the three of them have been friends for so long to know each other's character well enough. The three kept up with each other, telling stories of the past and current to see where they are progressing. Taemin being the nice godfather, could not help but also let Zelo talk once in awhile as he told him stories about both his parents during their school days. It didn't take long for Zelo to warm up to him just like Kai had said and they had a good time just joking and laughing about their embarrassing past. 

 

They were at it for quite awhile but soon after they were cut off by the bored Zelo who was requesting from his dad if he could get Taemin his favourite cupcake from the store he frequent. Minzy protested knowing that Taemin isn't much of a sweet tooth but he assured the little boy that he is ok with it. He gave the excuse of pampering his only godson and Kai agreed almost immediately that Minzy pouted at him for not siding her.

 

Taemin saw how his best friend just laughed and kiss her tenderly on the cheeks as he volunteered to bring his son out with the promised cupcake. Just as they left, Taemin couldn't help but be awed by her beauty again but this time without any distractions from Zelo and Kai. Not that he dislike them but having Minzy all by himself is a little too overwhelming for him at the moment. After all, he does still have feelings for her despite the passing years. Something that none of them know and don't have to know.

 

"You look stunning Minzy ah." 

 

"Liar! The weight of being a mother is already draining me a little and you know how Kai can be. Imagine having to deal with two of them at home"

 

"But they are still the love of your life. So it doesn't matter how they act around you isn't it?"

 

"The thoughtful and caring Taemin, seriously, I am still upset with you that you left almost immediately after I wed with Kai."

 

"It was an opportunity to get a place in that dream job Minzy ah, how could I turn it down?"

 

"You could have delayed it."

 

"And risk losing that one golden chance? That is not like you to gave me your support that way." Taemin look at her with scrutiny.

 

"I know but it still hurts that you're suppose to be equally happy with us yet you weren't there. It just doesn't seem right."

 

"You very well know how happy I am for both of you."

 

"I know. It's just... different without you there. We were almost inseparable you know."

 

"I know that but well, on a bright note, I'm back aren't I?"

 

"For a week! Like how is that being back here for good?"

 

"You know I can't do that. My job needs me."

 

"You workaholic! If I'd knew you were like this, I would have asked Kai to drag you back to Seoul before you board that plane." Minzy said in frustration.
 

"Minzy...."

 

"You're like a brother to me Taemin, my life will only be complete when we go back like how we used to." she sighed and Taemin frowned.

 

"You know that is impossible."

 

"It's worth a try at least."

 

"I'd love to, maybe just wait a couple more years down the road and I will sure to be back."

 

"I'd be having more kids by then. Talking about kids, when are you getting married huh pretty boy?"

 

"I see you still like to use that term on me." Taemin chuckled.

 

"Old habits." Minzy said with a smile.

 

"You sound exactly like my mother and no I have not found the right girl yet."

 

"No! I know you well enough. You already have someone in mind don't you? The last time we talk years ago, you told me that you actually found someone you like!"

 

"I did didn't I? She's happily married now though." Taemin said with a sad smile. 

 

He recalled that back then when he told her that, he was indirectly confessing and was only finding the right time to tell her straight. However, he did not know that Kai would actually fall for her too. Since he didn't believe in destroying a friendship over love, so he gave in without anyone knowing. He tried giving her up for years that it hurt him to encourage Kai to approach her. Nevertheless, he bear all the pain as he watch them got together from day one till the day they got married.

 

His real intention was to run away so that he could forget her, giving the excuse of the job opportunity he had over at Australia. In actual fact, he had the same position here in Seoul but opt the other way out because he thought that he could cure his broken heart, unknown to him that rather than making it disappear, it was just numbing the pain. So now, when he saw the godson that both his best friends referred him to, he couldn't help but feel even worst than before but he can't show that, not when in the eyes of both his best friends that he is a crazy workaholic. In fact, it was also the reason why he never thought of settling down because he have not yet found a woman that in as skilled, talented and charming as Minzy. 

 

"I'm sorry to hear that Taemin ah..."

 

"It's ok. Maybe it's not fated though I have yet to find someone fitting as a wife."

 

"Whoever is that lucky lady that receive such love from you to set such high standards. I'm sure she must be a hell lot of problem for the women who tried to approach you."

 

"She sure did! Many tried but failed, we just don't click like how me and the girl did."

 

"I wish you would tell me who she is you know, I'm curious too. Maybe a little jealous that you finally found someone that you can put your attention on rather than just me and Kai." Minzy smiled and Taemin laughed

 

"It doesn't matter anyway, afterall, I don't think I would want her marriage destroyed by stories of the past." Taemin put on a smile.

 

"You... despite the heartbreak you go through, you are still patient enough to face all this till today. I hope there is a woman fitting enough to stand by your side. It get's tiring to keep seeing you alone you know! You ought to find someone so we can all go on a double date!" Minzy said in excitement.

 

"I could date your son!" Taemin jokes and Minzy's eyes look at him in shock.

 

"You are not teaching my son to go the other direction Taemin ah! I'll kill you."

 

"I'm his godfather, wouldn't he want to get to know me a little better?" Taemin said with a smile before he heard his name being called.

 

"Taemin ahjusshi! I bought the cupcake! You have to try it! It is the best ever and it is my favourite! Let's go there together if you like it!" Zelo holding on to his as he jump up and down in excitement after running towards him.

 

Kai laughed and cool down his son down as he approach Taemin and his wife. 

 

"He can't wait to get back to you that he actually left me with his skateboard and ran here instead." Kai said as he hugs his wife.

 

Taemin smiled before taking the first bite. Though he isn't very fond of anything sweet, he ate it with so much happiness that he was relieved to see his godson's happy face when he told Zelo that he actually liked the cupcake. It was a little too sweet but nothing a bottle of water can't cure after finishing it. He also made a promise to his godson that he would bring him to fun place when they meet again the next time and that got the little boy very excited. They continue chatting for awhile longer before the couple had to leave because Zelo has dance lessons to go for in the late afternoon. With promises to meet each other again within the week that he will be in Seoul, they all said their goodbyes. 

 

As Zelo skates in front of his parents to wave to him who stayed behind in the cafe, he returned the wave before looking at his two best friends and doing the same. They waved their hands to him as he saw them intertwine their hands looking lovingly at their son ahead of them. Looking at that scene, Taemin felt a part of him break but it is something he have yet to overcome and live with at the moment. As he ordered another cup of coffee, he stayed in the cafe doing what he did before meeting them for a couple more hours before heading to his hotel where he is temporarily residing for a good night's sleep.