Third person's pov
It has been almost a year that Chaeyoung works as a bartender at a bar named, Boo. Although she is studying in university to fulfill her mother's wish, she never sees herself as an architect in the future. It is true that she love to draw since she was young but whenever she got tired of many projects, she just wanted to give up unless it is for her mother.
She is very envious and at the same time, regretful too when she see how her friends love the major they chose to learn. Back then, she spent too many days confusing about her unsure choices. People say sometimes, strangers are more comfortable than friends. She was depressed and at the same time, she did not feel like talking out to her friends. So, when she told about her concerns to Jackson, he tried to help her find what she really wants to do. He used to take her to many places including pottery to bars to experience many jobs beside designing buildings.
According to Ed Sheeran, bar is a better place to find a lover than clubs but instead of a lover, Chaeyoung found her passion in bar. She was addicted at the first sight of bartender performing behind the bar-counter, in front of them. Though her mother was against the idea of working in bar as bartender, she fought for her way that she really wants to walk. She did not want to regret by following someone else's decision one more time. She gave her best and learnt from the former bartender who is also the owner of Boo bar. She gets excited everytime she sees the way different colors of liquors combine magically. She feels proud when she sees the customers are impressed by her performance or her drinks.
" What'd you like to drink, Señorita? " Chaeyoung asked as she noticed a figure, taking a seat in front of her while checking the Tequila sunrise she just made. Although R&B music is filled the whole place, she can still hear the customer's familiar light chuckles which make her hands paused.
" Woah.. that's new side of you. Flirtatious Chaeyoung ssi " The familiar customer said with a smirk as Chaeyoung lifted her head to see an attractive woman in black shoulder-off dress. Mina teasingly winks at the younger who is dozed under her visual and unconscious to speak. The younger then immediately sways her head, internally scolding herself to get together and cleans her throat exposing herself more obvious that she got flustered.
" You are the flirtatious one, Mina ssi " Chaeyoung said and did not see what is coming next.
" What's wrong with being flirtatious? " Mina said seductively with her tilted head which makes the younger's ears and cheeks burn. She feels like an electric current just passed through from her head to toes.
" I- I mean.. what are you doing here? " The younger said, trying to erase the weird tension between them. The attractive Japanese woman raise her brows and change her expression into an innocent victim in a second.
" Huh? Isn't Chaeyoung ssi the one who missed me so madly? " Chaeyoung rolls her eyes and hands the cocktail to the waitress before she picks up another empty glass for next order.
" I said let's meet. I've never said I miss you. " The younger said and her hands are busy cleaning the glass with the white towel.
" Well, what's the difference tho? " Mina asked between her smirk. Chaeyoung was about to explain the difference of two words but she just releases a sigh and gives up as she knows the older is just messing with her. It is harder to wake up a person who is pretending to be asleep. So, she sees no point of explaining it to her.
" I didn't expect you will follow my work place. So, I didn't bring your card with me... unfortunately. " The younger said and put a citrus twist on the vodka glass carefully.
" Fortunately.. " Mina corrects Chaeyoung's sentence under her breath but enough to be heard by the younger but she just pretend like she never heard.
" Why can't you just admit that you wanna see me again? Such a kid " Mina uttered before turning her body aside and smiles at the waitress coming towards the bar with a piece of paper.
" It's been a while I haven't seen you, Ms. Myoui. By the way, I've never seen you on this first floor before. " The waitress said and Mina just responds with a smile, no words which makes the young bartender curious.
" Unnie, you know her? " Chaeyoung asked the girl and starts making the drink at the same time.
" Sure! She is our regular customer of second floor. " The waitress answered and left as she sees new customers come in..
Mina keeps observing at the confused kid who is still trying to comprehend what she just heard. Since she has started working here, the owner banned her from going to the upper floors because her boss thinks she is too young to know the stuffs up there. And later, she knew from her colleagues that her boss owns the whole apartment and the upper most floor is where she lives. To her surprise, she got to know that all the middle floors are filled with private rooms which are for VIP customers with ONS girls and boys. But her boss said not to worry about it and it is not related to anything illegal as she has all necessary licenses for her career.
" Wait! Isn't second floor for.. " Chaeyoung stops her mouth as soon as she realizes where all the hints the waitress said link to.
" Now you know what it means, right? " Mina said and nothing is responded from the younger.
' Unnie said she is a regular customer. So, it means she usually spends her night here. ' Chaeyoung thinks on and on and it makes her eyebrows furrowed unconsciously.
" Can I get a cocktail? " Mina said as she feels tensed between them and wants to cut off whatever the younger is thinking. She somehow knows letting Chaeyoung get deeper in her thoughts brings no good for her.
" Chaeyoung ssi? " Mina called her name again but the younger does not seem to recognize it. So, when the older touch her hand, she gets startled and steps back which kind of upset Mina. The younger clean her throat and avoid Mina's eyes.
" Yes? What do you want? " Chaeyoung asked, pretending busy with her towel and glasses.
" I want a cocktail "
" What type of cocktail, Mina ssi? " She asked, still busy avoiding the older's eyes as she feels guilty inside for judging someone else's life casually.
' C'mon, Son Chaeyoung, she is old enough to do whatever she wants. Why am I even overthinking? It's her life, her choice after all. Why do I even care? ' She nags herself in her mind.
" Sax cocktail " Mina said and it drags her out of her thoughts.
" Wha- what? Excuse me, Mina ssi " Chaeyoung said and Mina chuckles at the younger's reaction before she straightens up her back.
" I just said ' Sad cocktail ' Why are you so mad? Did you hear something wrong? I'm really sad right now 'cause Chaeyoung ssi's eyes say I'm a bad person. " The younger gets guilty when the Japanese woman read her mind like an open book.
" I'm.. I'm sorry, Mina ssi. I know I have no right to judge your choices. I know you are also old enough to.. to do so, you know. " Chaeyoung glances at the older and meets her creepy smirk. She somehow can guess that Mina is going to tease her again.
" To do what? " Mina seems to be addicted the flustered or annoying face of the younger whenever she teases her.
" To.. to sleep with any guy you like.. " The younger breathes out while looking down her sneakers.
" Guys? Hm.. I don't think so. I prefer sleeping with girls tho. " Mina said and waiting to see the younger's shocked expression. She loves how Chaeyoung is serious about everything and gives her serious reaction back whenever she messes with her. And it is fun.
" Wait what?! So.. you're a- " Chaeyoung said in shocked which makes the older chuckle. Mina then smiles and stares at the younger in silence. Chaeyoung feels awkward when she notices Mina's eyes make her feel some type of way.
" Anyway, we don't have the cocktail you want. " The younger kept her head down and said.
" Then why don't you make it up for me? " She said as Chaeyoung takes a glance at her and instantly looks away. Mina finds it cute.
" I- I can't do it.. without my.. my boss' permission " Damn! Get your ass together, Son Chaeyoung! She scolds herself in mind for stuttering out of the blue.
" Ok then. Let's see... Manager! I wanna meet your boss right now. " Mina said with a firm tone to a man with different uniform and name tag saying ' Manager. Jung ' who is sitting behind the bar. Then the man said polite yes before leaving into the door behind to inform his boss without any complain as if he knows what he is doing.
" Hey! What are you doing? " Chaeyoung said in frustration and the stubborn older shrugs, showing a smirk with smiling eyes, obviously enjoying to tease her.
" Chaeyoung, what's the problem? " The boss asked.