You placed the candles carefully next to the silverware and dishes. It had been weeks since you last saw your boyfriend, and you couldn’t be happier for this reunion. He had been busy with promotions, practice, and music programs. It was finally a day off that you could spend with him. You tried to make a nutritious meal, with spicy tofu soup, mandoo, various side dishes, and last but not least, fruits for dessert that you had cut special to look cute.  

 

You walked back to the kitchen to finish plating the side dishes when you heard the front door turn open. There was a brief shuffle at the door that indicated the removal of shoes, and then a low husky, sleepy voice.

 

“Babe, are you there? Where are you?” You continued to place the food on the plates until you hear footsteps enter the kitchen.

 

“Hi baby, what are you doing?”

 

You spun around to take a look at your handsome boyfriend. He was wearing a long sleeve white collared shirt with black jeans that hugged his legs and showed off his perfect form. You smiled at his presence and returned to the food. You felt two hands slide around your waist and pull you close to hold you tight. Jonghyun rested his head on the crook of your neck and kissed your cheek.

 

“Food for me?” He scanned the counter of dishes and his eyes grew wide with curiosity.

“What did I do to get so lucky?”

 

You spun around and temporarily released the hold he had on you. You immediately kissed him on the cheek and hugged him tightly until your lips were flush against his neck. You grabbed his arm and gestured for him to sit at the dinning table as you brought along the rest of the side dishes. The final dish was your spicy tofu soup, and even though you had tasted it over and over, you hoped and prayed that your boyfriend would love your version of Korean cuisine. He obediently followed and sat down, looking at you with wondering eyes. As you brought the main entrée to him, he stood up slightly to take a glimpse at your masterpiece.

 

“Spicy tofu soup?” His eyes widen as he spoke.

“Yup! And I made it all from scratch!” You wrapped both of your arms around his shoulders and leaned over to give him another kiss on the cheek. He grasped one of your hands and pulled it to his lips, leaving soft butterfly kisses on your palm. You giggled at the ticklish sensations before pulling your arm away.

 

“So I get you all to myself tonight?” He picked up a spoon and dipped it into the bowl, concentrating on grabbing a piece of tofu.

 

“Well, we can hang out for another 2 hours, but I have to get ready for work after.” You shifted uneasily in your seat, knowing that he hated when you told him about work. He suddenly slammed the spoon on the table and shot you a look of disappointment.

 

“What did I tell you about being a bartender? I don’t like it! I make enough money for the both of us, so just quit!”

 

“I know, but this is a great way for me to network with people. It helps me a lot being a Relator, I told you it gets me in the loop and gets me potential clients!”

 

“I have friends you could ask! Why are you still working there! We had this conversation the last time, I just don’t want my girlfriend working in a bar late a night wearing next to nothing!” He slammed his fist on the table and you jumped from the sudden loud bang that it made.

 

“Why can’t you understand how I feel? I want to make my own money!”

 

“Then why can’t you understand that I don’t like you working there?! The last time a guy was hitting on you all night long!!!”

 

“You know what, ________ do what you want. I told you how I felt about you working there and yet you haven’t done anything about it.” He grabbed his jacket and headed towards the door, slipping his shoes on in a hurry.

 

“Where are you going?!” Your eyes begin to fill with tears, as you watch him leave. This was supposed to be a relaxing night, and it had turned into a disaster.

 

It was still early, there weren’t many customers but you tried your hardest to keep busy. As you slowly whipped the martini glasses, and stared off into dimly lit bar with thoughts about what just happened between you and your boyfriend.

 

“Hey, excuse me, can I order something?” A familiar voice caught your attention and you turned around to see Jonghyun’s friend and fellow band member, Jungshin. He had come with several friends that you weren’t familiar with, but you greeted them all with a big smile.

 

“Hey! How are you?” You gave him a little hug, and he proceeded to introduce you to the rest of his friends. After the brief introduction you took them to a private corner where you handed them menus and prepped the ice buckets. It might have been because of your unusual quiet demeanor, but Jungshin sensed that something was wrong.

 

“So__________, long day?” You flashed you a quick smile, as you completed lining up the glasses next to the bucket.

 

“Yeah, you could say that. Just trying to get through my shift.” You shot him a half smile before excusing yourself to put in their drink orders.

 

At the bar you grabbed glasses, a slowly pilled them together to begin the drinks. You could see off in a distance that Jungshin was walking towards you. You stopped mixing when he reached the bar.

 

“More orders?” You looked back down at the glass and began adding more ice to the mixer.

 

“No, I just came by to see how you were doing.” He hesitated a bit before telling you about his recent phone call. “You know, Jonghyun called me.”

 

You stopped for a moment before asking, “Why, what did he want?”

 

“Did something happen between you two? He asked me what I was doing tonight, and I told him I was coming here with some friends. I asked if he wanted to come, but he told me no. I thought he would want to see you.” Jungshin cocked his head to the side and moved in closer to try to get a better look at your hiding face. You tried your hardest to hold back your tears, but kind words from a friend the water works. Tears streamed down your face as you proceeded to tell him what had happened earlier that night.

 

“I’m sure he was just angry. He really loves you and I don’t think he would end things like that. I’ll try to find out what he’s up to, ok? Here, how about this, pick any alcohol you want and let me buy you a shot.” He smiled sweetly at you as you pushed the finished drinks towards him.

 

“Ah, beautiful! Now let me run these back to my friends and when I come back, let me buy you that shot!”

---

 

Five hours into work, and you were already drunk. After a couple of shots from Jungshin, and a few more from other customers, you found yourself stumbling in between tables. Since you hadn’t gotten a chance to eat your dinner, you were running on an empty stomach. The alcohol was hitting you a lot faster and harder than usual.

 

As you rounded one of the tables your hip caught the edge, hitting your thigh. “Ow!” You dropped the towel that you were using to wipe tables and slightly lost your balance as you bent down to pick it up.

 

“________, are you ok?” You looked up and your eyes focused on a concerned Jungshin. He offered his hand to you and you took it, feeling temporarily weightless as he lifted you off the floor.

 

“Yeah, I’m fiiiiiine. I think I just had too many free drinks. You know, baaaad day. Needed it.” You overly exaggerated your hand movements and you felt yourself being pulled away by your manager.

 

“__________, You had a little too much to drink, since we’re almost closed why don’t you go home and take care of yourself. We can close up. Do you have a ride home?” His eyes conveyed only looks of concern as you nodded and spun around, heading towards the back room to clock out. On your way you were stopped by Jungshin.

 

“Hey, _______. I can take you home. I tried calling Jonghyun but he’s not picking up. I’ll get you home safe, ok?” Jungshin held you up by your arms and you swayed back and forth until tripping over your own feet. He caught you just before you hit the ground. It took you awhile to come to your senses and you paused a little while trying to figure out something to say.

 

“No No No…you can’t. If I come home and Jonghyun is home, he’ll be even more upset. Please, I can call a taxi.” You pushed him away from you, and continued to stagger into the back room to collect your things.

 

Once you gathered all of your things you carefully made your way to the back exit, making sure that Jungshin didn’t see you. You opened the door carefully, hearing the creaking sound of the old metal on the doorframe, and proceeded towards the main street.

 

Once on the main road you fumbled through your bag to find your phone. You had to call a taxi, there was no way you could make it home on foot. As you leaned against the wall of one of the buildings you could hear heavy footsteps walking closer to you, picking up speed and getting faster and faster. When you looked up you noticed a familiar face. It was your boyfriend, Jonghyun.

 

“______! Are you drunk?” He bent down to take a closer look at you, and you felt a sudden wave of sleepiness.

 

“Why are you here? I thought you went out?”

 

“I did, but I want to talk to you, so I came to pick you up from work.”

You could hear his voice, but his words weren’t registering in your mind. You closed your eyes and clutched your bag close to your chest leaning against the wall, and you could feel your legs giving out as your eyes closed shut.

---

 

“Hey babe, how are you feeling?”

 

“Oh, hey. Thanks for bringing me back safely…I’m sorry for all the trouble. Just let me sleep awhile more and in the morning I’ll start to move my things out.”

 

Jonghyun walked over to you and slid his hand into yours, bringing it up to his chest, and then to his lips.

 

“I love you so much, you know that?” He wrapped his arm around your waist and pulled you into a tight embrace.

 

“I know we argued about where you work. This is the reason why. I don’t want you to get drunk off free drinks, and then have some weirdo try to take you home. Please stop working there, for me. I’m just concerned about you. I love you.” You responded by wrapping your arms around him and resting your head on his shoulder.  

 

“So, we’re still together?”

 

“Of course!” Jonghyun kisses the top of your forehead and at that moment you feel relieved and notice that part of your headache subsides. You throat still feels a little dry and you unconsciously start to clear it.

 

“You need water, don’t you? And if you’re hungry…since we didn’t get to eat together earlier, we can snack on some of your cooking.” You simply smile at him and he grabs your hand to lead you into the kitchen. As you watch him take the food out of the refrigerator you smile while thinking what a great boyfriend you have. Happiness overtakes you and wrap your arms around his waist and rest your head on his back.

 

“What time do you have to wake up tomorrow babe?”

 

“Oh tomorrow is not too bad. I can get up at 10. Which means after this, we’ll have time for dessert.” He turns around and winks at you as you watch him place the last container on the counter.

 

“Baby, I didn’t make any dessert though. Should I make something really quick?” You walk away from him to check what ingredients you have, but are suddenly pulled back by Jonghyun. He rests his head in the nape of your neck and whispers…”Not that kind of dessert…” You smile and turn around to kiss his warm, soft lips. This was going to be a long night….