The kitchen of GoldenGrove was filled with the mix of creamy and spicy aroma of Jungkook's special sauce as he and Jieun diligently prepared the orders for their customers. Yeji and Hyunjin, on the other hand, tried their best to serve their customers who were queuing from the counter to the street. Jungkook even had to ask his friend, Hoseok, to help out with the supplies for that day to cater to everyone.
"Jungkook, I can't believe you're using me for this.", Hoseok put the bags full of ingredients on the kitchen island as he entered.
Jungkook smiled at him, "You're the one who called me when I'm busy, hyung."
"Boss, there's one customer asking for a dozen sets of sandwiches. How long will it take?", Hyunjin barged in, asking in a hurry.
"Hm...in twenty minutes?", Jungkook responded while looking at the wall clock.
"Twenty minutes it is.", Hyunjin went out to go to the customer.
Yeji almost bumped into him on her way to the kitchen, "Bosses, we're in disaster."
Jieun and Jungkook looked at each other.
"There's a Youtuber in the queue. He's asking whether he can do a mukbang show today.", Yeji told them.
"Fu--", Jieun's mouth was covered by Jungkook.
"We can do this.", he tried to assure her.
"No.", Hoseok shook his head.
"Should I tell him to come another time?", Yeji asked.
"I can help.", a hand was seen behind Yeji at the door of the kitchen. "This is my fault.", the blonde lady slowly showed herself to everyone in the kitchen. "I'm sorry. I just found out that the cafe got crowded because of my video. I'm so sorry, Mr Jeon.", she bowed down after taking off her sunglasses.
Jieun quickly pushed Jungkook's hand and went to close the door of the kitchen.
"Jungkook, she's right. She can help us.", she pointed to Chaeyoung who seemed to hide her appearance by wearing a black hoodie and the sunglasses.
"Ms Park, are you sure?", Jungkook asked.
Chaeyoung nodded, "It's been five days since I uploaded the video and-"
"We've been having a long queue since five days ago, Ms Park.", Jieun cut her off.
"Well, then. Let me help you guys.", Chaeyoung took off her hoodie and tied her hair up in a ponytail. "Please let me know what I can do."
Jieun reached for the extra apron on the hanger and put it on Chaeyoung, "Can you cook?"
"Um...not really but I'm good at chopping vegetables.", Chaeyoung said.
"Okay, you follow me.", Jieun pulled her hand and showed her what to do before calling Hoseok to join them. "Jungkook, you show him how to make the dough.", she instructed while monitoring Chaeyoung's work.
Jungkook, however, was silent and stood still as he watched Chaeyoung beside Jieun.
"Hey, Jungkook. Yo, bro!", Hoseok had to slap him to get his attention.
"Hyung, what was that for?", Jungkook blinked in confusion.
"Jieun is asking you to show me the dough.", he said to the clueless young man.
He nodded while rubbing his left cheek, "Follow me."
♡♡♡
Chaeyoung was walking to the cafe when she saw a long queue of customers waiting there. She froze when she realized what was happening that morning. Her video went viral and caused the crowd lining up to try the same food she had.
After seeing the long queue, she walked back to her apartment to change her clothes to conceal her identity. She decided to apologize and help Jungkook however she could that day. Luckily, Hank was with Lisa for the weekend, so she had some time to help him out before she got busy tutoring tomorrow.
When she came back to the cafe, she quickly made her way inside and straight to the kitchen where she saw Jungkook and his colleagues were busy working.
"You didn't have to do this.", Jungkook whispered as he slowly went beside her.
She smiled at him, "This is the least I can do, Mr Jeon. Why didn't you tell me?"
"Tell you?", he asked innocently.
"Everything. From the long queue because of my video to the truth that you actually own this cafe.", she answered him while cleaning the space of the kitchen island that she used.
Jungkook felt guilty at her words, "Oh, I...it didn't cross my mind. I'm sorry."
"Which one?", she asked.
"Which one?", he repeated, still looking clueless of what she asked.
Chaeyoung stopped wiping and looked at him, "Which one didn't cross your mind? To tell me about the long queue or about the truth that you're the boss here?"
He slowly got what she meant. With a nod, he replied, "Both."
His answer made her laugh, "Is it so hard to tell me? We're neighbours, Jungkook."
He almost laughed along before he realised what she called him, "I'm sorry, what did you call me?"
Chaeyoung blinked before realising what she did, "Oh, your friend. Hoseok oppa, he...told me that you're 24 years old and...I'm 24 too so I thought it's cool to call you by your name. Plus, he questioned me why was I being so formal with you when we're living next door so...can I call you Jungkook?"
Her explanation left Jungkook speechless. He was supposed to be the one to do it first. He should have man up and be a gentleman to her, yet here he was, all shy and waiting for a miracle to bring them together.
"Mr Jeon? Jungkook? Hello...", Chaeyoung waved her hand in front of his face.
"Kook, I'll go home first! Chaeyoung, it was nice meeting you today!", Hoseok said as he got out of the restroom.
"Good night, oppa.", Chaeyoung said as Hoseok waved goodbye at them before leaving the kitchen.
"He was in the restroom?", Jungkook sounded like he just got caught doing something wrong in the kitchen.
Chaeyoung smiled at his reaction before putting the apron she used back to the hanger.
"Boss, I'm going home first. Good night.", Yeji showed up at the door to say goodbye. "Good night, Chaeyoung unnie. Thank you for your help for today.", she bowed to Chaeyoung with a smile.
"Oh, noona! Can I have a picture with you?", Hyunjin suddenly appeared behind Yeji with his phone on his hand.
Chaeyoung chuckled at him before going to stand beside him for a picture together.
"I want one too.", Yeji stood in between them with a big smile on her face.
"Yah, I want to take my picture with Chaeyoung noona only. Step aside.", Hyunjin lightly pushed Yeji.
"Guys, guys, don't argue. Let's take one at a time.", Chaeyoung told them before they start another cat fight between them.
After the little photo session with the younger ones, Chaeyoung bid goodbye to them as they both left together.
"They should've date each other.", Jieun said as she turned off the lights, leaving one open.
"I agree.", Chaeyoung said as she stood behind the counter.
Jieun smiled, "They haven't seen it yet."
Jungkook came out of the kitchen with his jacket and Chaeyoung's hoodie.
"Same with Jungkook.", Jieun said with a wink aimed at him.
"Hm?", Chaeyoung did not really catch on it.
Jieun gave a hug and patted Chaeyoung's back, "Thank you for your help, Chaeyoung. If you weren't here, I don't know how we can handle all the customers."
Chaeyoung smiled shyly before Jieun said goodbye to her and Jungkook.
"Ms Park, here's your hoodie.", Jungkook said after Jieun left them alone in the cafe.
"Oh, thank you, Mr Jeon.", Chaeyoung took the hoodie and wore it over her shirt.
"Shall we go home now?", he asked casually as if it was normal to say to her.
His question slightly surprised Chaeyoung.
"I drove my car here. How about you?", he added.
"Oh, I...walked here.", she said.
"Then...I'll drive you home. Okay?", he asked.
Chaeyoung slowly nodded.
"So...shall we go now?", he asked again.
"Yeah, sure."
♡♡♡
It would take fifteen minutes to walk from the apartment to the cafe and it would be five minutes by car to travel between the two destinations. The short distance by car, however, seemed like forever for Chaeyoung and Jungkook as they were on their way home. The silence between them just added awkwardness for both of them on that silent night.
"After you."
"Thank you."
"We're here."
"Let's go."
Only when they reached their apartment units, they began to speak more than two words to each other.
"You can call me Jungkook, Ms Park.", Jungkook started first.
Chaeyoung looked at him, "What?"
He rubbed the back of his hair, trying to keep himself calm, "I...I want you to call me Jungkook and...if you're okay, I...I'll call you...Chaeyoung.."
His stutter made her smile.
"Your hair is itchy, is it?", she decided to tease him.
"Sorry?"
She chuckled, "I'm asking you, Jungkook. You're rubbing your hair. It's itchy, is it?"
Her question automatically made Jungkook's hand move away from his hair.
"Oh, uh, yeah. A little.", he stuttered again.
Chaeyoung patted his arm lightly, "Relax. You look nervous."
He nodded before getting an idea of how to respond, "Of course. I mean...my neighbour is someone famous. How am I not nervous, right?"
His reply made her a little shy, "No, I'm not.."
"Yes, you are. The customers you brought are the proof, AquariusRose.", he mentioned her social media name with a smile.
"Okay, I'll take it. But I'm still bitter you didn't tell me you're GoldenGrove's owner.", she replied with a pout.
He quickly bowed down, "I'm so sorry. I really...didn't think I should say anything about it."
Chaeyoung smiled before asking him to stop bowing, "I'm just joking, Jungkook. Stop bowing at me."
"Will you forgive me?", he asked, still in the bowing position.
She looked around, embarrassed even though there was nobody except them in the hallway.
"I forgive you. Get up, Jungkook..", she said while poking his shoulder.
He smiled as he got up, "Thank you...for helping us at the cafe and also for the long queue we had these few days."
Chaeyoung nodded, "I just help what I can. Oh, but tomorrow I won't be-"
"It's okay. Jieun noona had found some new part-timers and they will start tomorrow so...it's all good.", he let her know.
"That's good to know.", she replied.
"Yeah...all thanks to you, Chaeyoung.", Jungkook said.
Chaeyoung chuckled before asking him to stop thanking her, "That's enough for today. It's late and I need to sleep. You too so...goodbye and good night, Jungkook."
Jungkook nodded and smiled at her as she entered her apartment, "Good night to you too and...see you next time, Chaeyoung."
She smiled in return as she was closing the door, "See you. Byeee.."
With a blushing red cheeks, she closed the door shut and locked it before turning around and leaned against the door.
"Park Chaeyoung, you can't fall for him.", she told herself. "No...", she could feel her heart thumping quickly as she put her hand on it. "Not again."