The Perfect Boyfriend [Daragon]

Chapter 15

I looked at my phone with my forehead creased unevenly, and groaned, "He's not calling."

Another irritating sip came from Bom, and the latter hastily replied, "With what you said last week, I believe he's not going to call. He's giving something you said, stupid and a man doesn't back up on his word."

I heaved a sigh and looked at my phone worriedly. Last night, due to Jiyong's constant nagging about our trip to France next month I accidentally told him to shut up and give me some space to be alone. I was frustrated since he had been going on with that since I proposed the idea to him, and most of all, irritated with that small high-pitched voice he does while he talks, plus, he's still calling me ahjumma. A fuse broke inside of me and I just suddenly said those words, out of the blue, without even knowing I did. The last thing I know, Jiyong sang a verse from Do you wanna build a snowman. "Okay, bye." He sang, and went out of my room. Since then, I never heard of him.

I took a sip from my drink, finally giving up on my phone and placed it carefully on the table, the screen up in case I receive a call or text from Jiyong. Bom took a tentative sip from her drink, and it became much more irritating than before, because her cup was already empty. Giving up, she took her mouth off the straw and said, "Teddy Appa is holding a get together at his café, staff members and close friends only."

It has been one year since I've seen Teddy Appa. He's the owner of the café us girls used to work at as singers. It was supposed to be only me because the other three doesn't really need money at all. But Teddy Appa won't accept me as his waitress and he can only hire girls of my age to be singers plus he required that the singers should be a group. So the girls compromised and decided they'll go with me to be singers so I could have the extra money for our income. I was reluctant at first, but hey, the money was helpful. After six months, we resigned partly because I need to focus on my studies and partly because Jiyong found out and he got mad. I told you, he has money issues.

I was tempted to go, but I knew Jiyong would go too because he's a friend. "I don't want to." I lied, placing my forehead against the table. "Yah, don wanna if he's there."

"Aigoo," Bom sighed. "Teddy Appa will get mad if you're like that. Come on, Dara, it's just for this day. And besides, how can you be so sure that Jiyong will be there if he promised he'll give you space?"

My forehead creased. Well, she had a point, which was unusual. But still, she had. I knew Jiyong too well, and he doesn't back up on his word.

I tilted my head so that I could see Bom, but she could only see my eyes. "Okay." I affirmed and went back to facing the table.

~

The outside of the café was unusually bland and undecorated. He must've just taken down the decorations used for Christmas and is now getting ready for summer. Teddy Appa always changes the physical look of his café according to the season. The last time I saw this café, which was just yesterday because I walk here whenever I'm on my way home, there were still Christmas decorations.

Bom opened the glass door and stepped inside while I quietly followed her from behind, keeping out a keen eye to notice some things I find unfamiliar. She called out loudly, "Appa~" and proceeded deeper in the café in search of the owner. I turned towards the right and saw Ahreum, the café's barista.

"Ahreum-ah~" I called her name, waving my hand out to her. "It's nice to see you again."

Ahreum was born mute, so in order to communicate with her I tried to understand sign language. It was hard to distinguish at first, but after six months of working here, I had adjusted and learned, not only the sign language, but also things about her. When she's honest, her hands would move slowly and gracefully. When she's angry, they move aggressively and as if it was moving in a box, always stopping suddenly. But there would be times that she was maltreated by the customers. Often times, they would shout at her if she doesn't reply and regard her as rude and it would be either me or Jiyong who will save her. Ahreum liked Jiyong, a lot. She even told me that. I was fine with it. If there's someone I'm fine having a crush on my boyfriend that would be Ahreum. She's just too good to be true, yet her illness gives her the limitations.