The Universe's Cruel Joke
I should've known my luck wouldn't last.
After yesterday's latte disaster with Miss Oops-My-Apology-Is-Bounced, I thought I'd never see her again. The universe, apparently, loves proving me wrong.
Because there, standing at the front of my 8 AM Business Ethics lecture, was Yoon Haewon—dressed like she was about to attend a runway show rather than a class full of sleep-deprived college students.
We locked eyes.
"You," we said in unison.
Her finger shot toward me like I was a fugitive. "What are you doing here?"
I leaned back in my chair. "Last I checked, this was a university, not a private yacht club."
A few students snickered. Haewon's glare sharpened.
Professor Kim's Death Sentence
Before she could retort, Professor Kim cleared his throat. "Ah, Miss Yoon! Perfect timing. You'll be paired with Mr. Kim for the semester project."
Silence. Then—
"Excuse me?"
The entire class turned as Haewon's voice cracked through the lecture hall. Even the professor flinched.
I, however, couldn't help grinning. "Problem, princess?"
She whirled toward the professor. "I refuse to work with—"
"—the only student who scored 100% on last term's finals?" I held up my transcript. "Your loss."
Her jaw worked silently before she slammed into the seat beside me, muttering, "This isn't over."
I caught a whiff of her perfume—something floral and obscenely expensive. "Do you bathe in liquid gold?"
"I will end you."
Negotiations (Or Lack Thereof)
After class, Haewon cornered me outside. "Here's the deal. I'll handle all the work. You just show up and nod."
I blinked. "Wow. And here I thought teamwork meant actual work."
She rolled her eyes. "I'll compensate you—"
"Not everything's for sale." I walked backward, flashing her a peace sign. "Library. Tomorrow. 2 PM. Bring your own non-diamond-encrusted pens."
Her shriek of outrage followed me down the hall.
The Café Reckoning
That evening, while working my café shift, I glanced up to see Haewon storming toward me, trailed by three wide-eyed friends.
"One vanilla latte. Extra hot. No foam," she demanded, typing on her phone.
I smirked. "Coming right up, your highness."
Her head snapped up. Recognition flashed—then fury. "You—"
"Problem?" I steamed the milk with exaggerated care. "We do offer spill-proof lids now. You know, for clumsy customers."
Her friends gasped. One whispered, "Haewon, is this the guy from the coffee incident?"
The look in her eyes told me two things:
1. This semester just got a hundred times more entertaining.
2. I should probably start checking my drinks for poison.