unLOVEable | C.S & J.WY

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J.WY

The days passed in a blur. Between long shifts at Utopia Café and the awkwardly brief encounters with San at home, Wooyoung hardly had time to think. Which was good. Thinking led to remembering, and remembering led to overanalyzing every single interaction with his new flatmate.

So, he stuck to his routine. Wake up early. Leave before San. Work. Come home late. Sleep. Repeat. They barely crossed paths. A few exchanged greetings, a polite nod here and there. Wooyoung convinced himself that this was for the best.

That illusion shattered one busy afternoon.

The evening rush had just begun, and Wooyoung was already feeling the weight of it. Sundays were always a nightmare at Utopia Café & Bar, with customers filling every available seat, voices blending into a chaotic hum. Leaning against the counter, Wooyoung exhaled slowly, wiping his hands on his apron.

Only a few more hours.

The door chimed, signaling new customers. Wooyoung turned, putting on his best professional smile as a group of men walked in, their laughter easily cutting through the noise of the café. One of them stepped forward, approaching him.

"Good evening, how may I help you, sir?"

"Hello. I made a reservation for six people."

"Under what name?"

"Kim Hongjoong."

Wooyoung checked his notepad and smiled at the man. "This way." Wooyoung guided him toward a table tucked into the far corner of the café. The warm hum of conversation and clinking glasses filled the space, but Wooyoung barely paid it any mind—Sunday evenings were always hectic, and he had long since learned to tune out the noise.

Just as he was about to turn back and grab the menus, a loud, familiar voice cut through the air.

"Mingi!" Wooyoung blinked in surprise as his coworker- and best friend- Yunho, practically launched himself across the café, barreling straight into one of the men at the table. The impact nearly sent both of them toppling over, but instead, the taller of the two simply let out a booming laugh and returned the hug with equal enthusiasm.

"Yunho! I didn't expect to see you here!" Mingi grinned, squeezing his cousin in a bone-crushing embrace before pulling back slightly. "You idiot, you know this is my mother's cafe. Why didn't you tell me you were coming today?!" Yunho huffed, smacking Mingi's arm for good measure. "You just waltz in with no warning—what if I had dropped a tray on someone's head?"

Mingi snickered. "Wouldn't be the first time, would it?" This led to Yunho punching his shoulder and Mingi wincing in pain. Wooyoung, watching the interaction with mild amusement, almost missed the moment Yunho's expression shifted. Because that's when he spoke.

"Now, now, Yunho-ssi, don't bully Mingi too much. He's worked hard." The voice was smooth, warm, laced with familiarity—and Yunho froze.

Wooyoung turned his head just in time to see his best friend's ears turn bright red. Yunho's entire posture stiffened as his eyes landed on the man who had spoken. 

Kang Yeosang. 

CEO of Kang Jewelry Studio. A man with striking, elegant features, dressed sharply in a fitted blazer that screamed sophistication. There was a teasing glint in his dark eyes, but his voice was gentle, affectionate even, and his lips held the faintest trace of amusement. 

Wooyoung knew Yunho had a soft spot for Yeosang—although the other would never admit it. He'd seen the way his best friend acted whenever the man's name was mentioned. The lingering stares, the barely concealed excitement whenever Yeosang visited the café.