Park Sooyoung thinks her life is doomed.

 

 

Her young siblings are growing up so fast and are not that cute anymore. And precisely because of that, her parents have been expecting her be more independent since she is their eldest child, and have recently asked her to move into the school dorm and stopped giving her spending money. 

 

 

Which all can be translated into — she is on her own now. So, she has to find a part-time job to support her daily expense.

 

 

Luckily, she manages to get into the same dorm as her closest classmates are. Sulli, Krystal, Hayoung are all there.

 

 

 

Where they welcome her with the warmest embrace and they chat.

 

 

“Sooyoung-ah, so you need a part-time job, right?” Sulli asks while she’s opening a bag of snacks.

 

 

“Yeah,” Joy, whose Korean name is Sooyoung, grumbles.

 

 

“Well, to begin with, what kind of job do you want?” Krystal shrugs.

 

 

“Maybe tutoring?” Hayoung chimes in, “Heard some parents pay well.”

 

 

“Jesus Christ, no. Don’t tell me to deal with those boring books even when I am not in school!” The girl, however, frowns at the suggestions.

 

 

 

“Hey, why aren't you guys meeting the mastermind tonight?” Krystal suddenly thinks of something and finally shows a hint of interest on her face.

 

 

“Who?” Joy turns to her friends with a confused look.

 

 

“You’re free tonight, right? Let’s go to Club AOMG, then you’ll have your problem solved in no time.” Krystal proudly pats Joy’s head while the others all nod in agreement.

 

 

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

Kang Seulgi wipes the sweat off her forehead before lifting a contented smile. Seeing the satisfied looks on the customers’s faces, she can’t be happier. 

 

 

She then turns to another girl who is still buried in her unfinished work — decorating the freshly-made cakes with all the colored icing.

 

 

“Irene.”

 

 

The girl whose name has been called looks up and Seulgi immediately laughs out loud seeing the frosting on her left cheek.

 

 

 

“What!?” Irene shoots her a deadly glare while trying to clean her face.

 

 

Seulgi tries to keep a straight face since she has something serious to discuss with her dear friend, “Don't you think we should get more employees? Like helping with the chores, delivering dishes to the customers, and dealing with icing for you. So you can have more time on baking and cooking.” 

 

 

“Do we have enough money to do that?” Irene worriedly looks at Seulgi. 

 

 

“Based on the past month, there haven't been too many customers on weekdays and in the mornings. So we can just hire part-time workers.” Seulgi enthusiastically suggests.

 

 

“Well, you are the owner. As long as I have my pay at the end of each month, I’m good.” 

 

 

“So it’s a yes?”

 

 

 

Irene nods before going back to her work.

 

 

Seulgi hops back to her counter made up with two big coffee machines, “I’m glad you came and joined me.”

 

 

“You’re my best friend, how could I leave you all alone with a coffee shop that only has a  barista while I make cakes and desserts myself?” Irene says with a soft smile on her face, but it only lasts for five seconds.

 

 

Seulgi notices her best friend’s unusual mood swings, and carefully brings up the topic, “So, did you have a fight with Wendy?”

 

 

 

The older girl only sighs and gently places a delicious-looking chocolate craquelin into the cake displaying cabinet, joining the rest of the petite brunette’s artisanal pastries.

 

 

“She is too busy to fight.”

 

 

“Why don’t you just call her?”

 

 

“She’s busy with her work, Seul. You know, she locks herself up in her little workroom whenever she paints or sculpts. She’ll be all free after she has this project done. So I told myself to just wait a little longer.”

 

 

Seulgi puts down the coffee cups she has been polishing and mumbles, “But you’re worried.”

 

 

“Is it that obvious?” Irene washes her hands.

 

 

“She loves you.” 

 

 

“I know. Seulgi, I know.” 

 

 

Seulgi takes a glance at the sulking girl and secretly texts Wendy.

 

 

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

Joy has no idea how her friends can get into a club since they are barely legal.

 

 

Krystal leads the way with a big smirk on her face to the back door of the club. And she knocks on it as if there is some sort of code. 

 

 

The door soon opens and a young cool man with loads of tattoos greets them, “Hey, come in.”

 

 

Joy smiles lightly to the man when she walks past him who is holding the door for the ladies. Strangely, he returns one very warm smile.

 

 

“Girls,” He gestures them to follow him instead of wandering around, “I want no trouble. So, I shall lead you straight to her.”

 

 

 

Joy continues her little adventure and can’t help but wondering who is this mastermind they are talking about? Why is she so mysterious? Could it be an old woman with lots of wealth and perhaps owns this place? How would her friends know such person?

 

 

The man guides them through layers of doors and corridors, then finally stops in front of a huge wooden door.

 

 

He knocks and calls, “Hey, your friends are here. Can they come in now?”

 

 

“Yes, just come in. It’s not locked.”  It’s a girl’s voice. A rather sweet one.

 

 

They step in after the man and find themselves in a little factory, a brewing factory.

 

 

 

Joy frowns and scrunches her nose a little with the strong scent of alcohol and ethanol. She thinks she would just get drunk at any second, and cannot imagine staying here more than an hour.

 

 

But her eyes nearly pop out when she sees the girl who is sitting in the middle of wooden barrels and glass containers. Must be the mastermind they are talking about.

 

 

And, this young girl with a sweet voice is a brewmaster? 

 

 

Shouldn’t it be some tall dude with a big stomach and some long messy beard like people usually depict them in the movies?

 

 

 

The girl flashes a bright smile standing up, “Hi, girls. So, you’ve met Jay. He partly owns this place and it’s him who hired me.”

 

 

“It’s nice to meet you girls.” Jay shyly smiles again. “But again, don’t stay for too long, okay? I should leave the room for you girls and go check on Gray and Loco. See you in minute, Wendy!”

 

 

Joy watches the tattooed guy waving at them as he exits the room and makes a mental note for herelf — don’t judge people only by their looks and don’t judge too soon.

 

 

“So,” Wendy clears . “What brings you all here?”

 

 

Hayoung pushes Joy to the front, “This is our friend, Joy, Park Sooyoung. She needs a job. Part-time.”

 

 

Wendy chuckles softly, “What now? You think I am a pimp or something? Getting young girls jobs ? Helping them make some quick money?”

 

 

Joy nervously rubs her hands as she can feel Wendy scrutinizing her without even looking.

 

 

 

“They don’t call you the mastermind for nothing. You know all sorts of people and have all kinds of connection, don’t you?” Krystal raises an eyebrow.

 

 

“Alright. I was kinda joking there.” Wendy inches to Joy. “Nice to meet you, Joy. I’m Wendy. Tell me, what job are you looking for?”

 

 

“As long as it has nothing to do with studying.” Joy makes up her mind and boldly answers.

 

 

“You’re cute, do you know that?” Wendy chuckles again while poking the younger yet taller girl’s cheeks.

 

 

“Hey, you have a girlfriend and you just said you are not a pimp. So stop flirting and molesting her.” Sulli, who is not exactly pleased by how slow their progress has been, smacks Wendy’s hand away.

 

 

 

“No need to be that serious.” Wendy turns her attention back to Joy after playfully making a face at Sulli. “I was going to introduce you to my girlfriend anyway.”

 

 

“Why?” Hayoung asks as she looks around curiously. For she has never seen a sight like this, a cavern-like basement fulled with all sorts of alcohol in barrels and bottles.

 

 

“Say, Joy, do you wanna work in a coffee shop? Part-time waitress. Very well-paid compared to others cafés in town.”

 

 

Joy is taking her time to consider the offer as Sulli raises another question. “How’s it related to your girlfriend?”

 

 

“You guys are quite slow at catching up on things, aren’t you?” Wendy massages her right temple. “My girlfriend works there. And, it’s owned by her best friend.”

 

 

 

After a brief silence, Joy speaks up, “I will take it.”

 

 

“Good. You seems to be a good girl too. Report to duty tomorrow.” 

 

 

“That fast?”

 

 

“Do you want the money or nah?”

 

 

Joy nods and Wendy smiles.

 

 

 

“My turn,” Krystal places her hand on the wooden barrel beside her, “How do you end up here?”

 

 

“Because I am good at brewing? Got it from my grandfather.” Wendy types on her phone as she enterains the younger girl.

 

 

“Does Irene know about this?” Hayoung folds her arms.

 

 

Wendy jumps a little, “No.”

 

 

“Why?”

 

 

“She doesn’t like me doing these things and hanging around at the club. A good friend of hers died from drunk-driving last year.” 

 

 

 

“But you have a job already.” Krystal’s cold voice rings again.

 

 

“I need money too.” Wendy sounds a little annoyed after being bomdarded with so many questions. “Being a freelance artist isn’t as good as you think.”

 

 

“So you just disappear for most of the day and ignore your girlfriend?”

 

 

“I can't let her know. I'd rather she suspect me cheating or something. So everyone, especially you Joy, can you keep this secret for me?”

 

 

Wendy looks at the young girl with puppy eyes and Joy complies.

 

 

“I can, on one condition though — promise that you’re not cheating on your girlfriend. And you are doing it for her. Then I will keep my mouth shut.”

 

 

“I promise.” The brewmaster aka artists answers in a heartbeat as she has her hand on her chest.

 

 

“Deal.” 

 

 

Joy does a little handshake with Wendy and leaves the club with her friends.

 

 

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

Here is Joy, sitting at the empty coffee shop the next morning. And Wendy is talking to a girl in khaki apron behind the counter.

 

 

The schoolgirl cannot see her face from where she is but it is safe to assume that it’s either the owner or Wendy's girlfriend.

 

 

When Joy notices how the girl lightly pats Wendy’s hand from time to time and looks at the artist attentively whenever the latter talks, she jumps to the conclusion that it must be Irene.

 

 

 

But then a graceful-looking brunette appears from nowhere and sits across Joy who has been spacing out, “So you must be Joy.”

 

 

The said girl gets a bit startled even when the brunette is so soft-spoken, and straightens her back, “Hi, I would like to apply for the part-time job in your coffee shop.”

 

 

The brunette giggles, “Oh, I don’t owe this shop. I’m just the baker here. My name’s Irene, and I’m Wendy’s girlfriend.” 

 

 

Joy immediately snaps her head to the counter where Wendy is still chatting with the other girl, and frowns a little at the possibility of Wendy cheating with her girlfriend’s best friend.

 

 

But didn't Wendy make a promise last night? How could she?

 

 

 

“I-I see.”

 

 

“Your real boss is Seulgi. She’s just over there.” Irene explains and waves at the counter, “Kang Seulgi! Come and meet your new employee.”

 

 

Seulgi quickly paces towards the two with Wendy tailing behind. The former takes the seat next to Joy and the latter sits next to Irene.

 

 

“Hi there, Joy!” Brightly, Seulgi greets the young girl with her best smile.

 

 

Joy has to admit Seulgi is beautiful too. She looks somehow more fierce than Irene, but when she smiles, she resembles a teddy bear so much — all soft and adorable.

 

 

But then, the young girl is still bothered by the thought that she and Wendy might be cheating on the goddess-like brunette. Why and how would they do such thing to a beautiful kind girl? Is it because of her cat-eyes?  Or is it because Irene is too quiet while Seulgi is so bright and approachable?

 

 

 

“H-hi, Seulgi-unnie.”

 

 

The owner happily claps as she announces, “And I am happy to tell you that you’re hired! You’re mostly coming over at the weekends, and whenever you have time after school during the weekdays. There’ll be more part-time workers to share your burdens in the future, hopefully.”

 

 

“Anyway, before you officially start working here, why don’t you try our food first?” Flashing the girl a small smile, Irene offers and reaches out to hold Wendy’s hand.

 

 

Joy surely does not miss that and mentally rolls her eyes, “G-great.”

 

 

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

The four head towards the pastry counter. 

 

 

And Wendy, the smart one, takes the chance to have a little talk with the new girl while the other two are busy preparing food and drinks for their new employee.

 

 

“I know what you are thinking,” Wendy mutters standing beside Joy, her eyes glued on Irene. “And it’s not what you think.” 

 

 

“But I saw-”

 

 

“I have made my promise, haven’t I?” The older girl forces a smile looking down at the tips of her Dr. Martens boots. “You don’t believe me, do you? Ah...... So Irene is right, people who work in a club do have a bad reputation.”

 

 

Joy just stares at the forlorn looking artist and let her continue.

 

 

“If you are talking about me and Seulgi earlier, don’t forget we are best friends too. I’ve actually known her before Irene. We go away back, all the way from our highschool years. And we were talking about me working at the club a while ago.”

 

 

 

“So even Seulgi knows!?” Unknowingly, Joy raises her voice a bit too much, making Wendy almost drop to her knees to beg her to keep it down.

 

 

“She’s the one who suggested me to get an extra job. And as a friend of Jay, he knows about my brewing skills and asked me to help him out at AOMG. I really need some quick money and it’s the most decent job I can ever find.” 

 

 

Joy studies Wendy's very expressive face and thinks she’s probably telling the truth.

 

 

While Wendy strides farther away from Seulgi and Irene as she decides to spill everything to Joy, “Look, Joy. I know you must be a very good girl. You care about your new friends. So, you looked at me as if I was a piece of back there. Listen. I am doing this because I want to help Irene with the mortgage of our house.”

 

 

The girl then turns her head to Wendy, and is only greeted by a sight of a woman staring at her girlfriend's busy figure with a sweet smile plastered on her face.

 

 

“I am an artist and my income isn’t that stable. Now she works here but, frankly, this coffee shop is still starting up and not making much. I had talked to her and she was against my idea of getting an extra job. Because she respects me and my craft, and wants me to focus on my profession. She loves me and I love her. That’s why I am doing it in secret. Not to mention she hates everything related to alcohol after her other friend's death.”

 

 

Guilt floods Joy’s chest, and, as a 19-year-old, she could have never imagined there is such reason behind all these.

 

 

“I’m sorry, Wendy-unnie.”

 

 

“It’s okay,” The older girl lovingly pats her head. “Promise me, you won’t let Irene know what I’ve just told you. Even if she suspects me, just like you did a minute ago.”

 

 

“But unnie-” 

 

 

“Promise?” Wendy sticks out a pinky finger, “I’ll be fine.”

 

 

“Promise.”

 

 

Joy stands at her spot and reminds herself again — never judge too soon.

 

 

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

“What do you think about Joy?” Wendy helps Irene with the dishes, while Joy is chatting with Seulgi after the food and coffee tasting.

 

 

“She’ll be very helpful. Quick on picking up things too.” Irene picks up a towel from the rack.

 

 

“Joohyun-ah.” 

 

 

Hearing her Korean name being called, the brunette immediately tenses up. 

 

 

Wendy, on the other hand, nonchalantly runs a cermaic plate under the tap, “I’m sorry I have been busy. I will finish my work very soon and I promise I will spend more time with you then.”

 

 

Throws all her worries away, Irene holds her girlfriend’s hands even though they are covered by detergent and foam, “Seungwan, don’t stress yourself too much. You’ll always have me.” 

 

 

In return, Wendy gently hugs Irene and notes to herself that her dear girlfriend has been getting thinner.

 

 

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

“So what do you think about my café?” Seulgi expectantly asks.

 

 

Joy, who now sees this teddy-bear-like girl in a different light, smiles, “It’s great. You make such nice coffee and Irene-unnie’s variety of desserts surprises me. I like her praline mille-feuille very much. Oh, and your macchiato too!”

 

 

“Glad to hear that.” Seulgi taps her fingers on the table chuckling, “And welcome aboard! It’s my childhood dream you know. I have been working hard for this to happen.”

 

 

 

Joy really adores Seulgi’s smile, for it’s just so comforting. 

 

 

“Then I should work real hard too.” She grins.

 

 

“It’d be nice, but please don’t abandon your schoolwork for us!” Seulgi can't be more thrilled to see the cute wide smile Wendy described to her, and doesn’t forget to nag the younger girl a little. 

 

 

Well, and Joy doesn’t expect that. What a considerable boss.

 

 

 

With the smell of coffee beans, chocolate and caramel, the sound of chatters and giggling, Joy feels like something good is waiting ahead.

 

 

Maybe her life is not doomed after all.