𝐀𝐑𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐎𝐖𝐍 𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐒 | 𝐊- 𝐏𝐎𝐏

𝖼𝗁𝖺𝗉𝗍𝖾𝗋 𝗈𝗇𝖾 𝗁𝗎𝗇𝖽𝗋𝖾𝖽 𝖿𝗂𝖿𝗍𝗒 𝗌𝖾𝗏𝖾𝗇

Chapter 38: Help From A Stranger

Taehyung pulls up in front of the cafe, parking almost in the same spot he was parked on that first night together, before she understood how he really felt, before he knew she would be his. He looks around the street before getting out of the car, wondering if it's safe to return to the cafe after someone publicized he had been there so recently, but it's a chance he has to take. He pulls a hat down low on his eyes and pulls up the mask he wears around his neck.

He steps into the cafe, looking around, hoping he might find her, studying alone. Not seeing her, he quickly checks the counter staff and sees only two people, one of them might be the man who served them. He isn't sure, but he needs to find her, so he will risk it. He steps up to the counter and bows his head in a greeting as the man comes closer. He looks up, pulling his mask down a little to smile at him. The man gasps a little, stepping back. He can tell by his reaction that it's the same man.

"Hello, you were here the other night?" he asks softly, leaning in. The man leans closer to respond.

"Yes, you were with Hana." He watches Taehyung closely as he nods.

"Thank you for the cake and the note. I want you to know that I appreciate it." The man beams with joy at his words. "But, I need your help. Can we speak somewhere, privately?" He nods quickly.

"Go sit at a back table and I will bring you a juice." Taehyung bows and puts his mask back up, turning to find a table. He looks back to see that the waiter does not speak to the other staff member, as he pulls a bottle from a cooler behind the counter. He sits down at the little table, keeping his head low but looking around, nervously. When the waiter joins him, he indicates the chair across from him.

"Is it Dongwook?" he asks and the man's eyes grow wide and he nods, mouth agape. "First," Taehyung begins, assertively. "Someone on your staff told people we were at the cafe that night, and we had a run-in outside that was not pleasant for Hana." Dongwook lowers his head nodding.

"Yes, I'm sorry about that, one of the girls who was working that night shared pictures of you here."

"Is she here now?" Dongwook shakes his head 'no'. "That's good. I need to find Hana. I need to know if you can help me." Dongwook looks up at him surprised. "You know her right? She's here regularly?"

"Yes, actually, every Monday and Wednesdays after class she comes in either before she goes to the library, or after."

"Did you see her today?" He shakes his head 'no' again. Taehyung sighs. "Are you in contact with her? Do you have her number?" He looks at him strangely.

"Yes, but, she's just an acquaintance. We don't date or anything." Taehyung realizes he's gotten the wrong idea.

"I want you to reach out to her, to ask her to come to the cafe, make up an excuse. I need to speak with her."

"I could just give you her number," he offers. Taehyung shakes his head.

"There was a misunderstanding. You have to ask her to come, without mentioning me." Dongwook pulls out his phone. He searches his contacts and opens a text with Hana.

"What should I say?" he questions.

"Tell her you have something for her, or she left something here, make up some reason she has to come here." Dongwook thinks for a moment.

"She loves our cheesecake. I could tell her I set something aside for her." He begins to type out the message as Taehyung watches him, looking at the phone screen upside down, hoping he can trust him to not mention his name. He sends the message and looks at Taehyung. "Can I ask, are you and Hana, involved?" He blushes after he asks the question realizing it is none of his business. Taehyung stares back at him trying to judge his motives. "Only, Hana is a really sweet girl, and she doesn't deserve to be, well, I wouldn't want her to get hurt." He says nodding firmly. Taehyung smiles back at him, relieved.

"I don't want her to be hurt either, that's why I need to speak to her." Dongwook's phone beeps and they both look down at it eagerly. "What did she say?" Dongwook frowns.

"Not tonight thank you, I'm staying late at the library," he reads the message. Taehyung's heart sinks. "I could try something else," he offers. Taehyung shakes his head.

"I need to find her tonight. Do you know where the library is? Where she would be studying?" His eyes light up.

"Oh sure, I know exactly where she would be, I use the library too. But, you can't get in without scanning an ID." Taehyung frowns, feeling defeated. Dongwook studies him. "Unless..." Taehyung looks up. "I could give you my student ID. It would get you in the door and you just have to go to the Art History section to find her." Taehyung's eyes light up and a smile breaks across his face.

"You would do that for me?" Dongwook nods, smiling.

"And Hana," he answers. He pulls out his wallet and takes out the student ID card. "It's not a very good picture, and doesn't look like you at all, but you just have to scan it." He hands the card over to him, and writes down the library address. Taehyung beams a smile back to him as he stands, ID and address in hand.

"Thank you Dongwook. Please do not tell her I am coming. She will want to hear what I have to say, she just doesn't realize that yet."

"I promise I won't tell anyone." He looks very serious.

"I don't know how to repay you for your kindness." He bows a thank you and turns to leave. Dongwook turns in his chair to watch him.

"You could name your first born after me," he teasingly calls back.