Serin stood in front of the café, shifting her weight from one foot to the other. She smoothed down her long cream-white French-vintage A-line sundress, its corset-style bodice and spaghetti straps softened by tiny baby-pink flower prints. Her pink cardigan kept slipping off her shoulder as the breeze played with it making her collarbone peek from beneath the it. Her sneakers tapped lightly against the pavement while loose strands of hair brushed her cheek.
"Why is Eve always so late…" she muttered, lifting her phone for the tenth time, staring at the screen wishing to see a notification appear.
And then—ping.
A message popped up.
"I can't make it to the café today. Sorry, I got a fever." —Evelyn.
Serin's breath hitched. "A fever? How did she get sick?!"
She turned immediately, ready to head straight to Evelyn's house. But before she could take two steps, her phone chimed again.
"NO need to check on me. I'll be alright. Just go do the interview. Cheers!" —Evelyn.
Serin froze, staring at the screen.
"…She knows me too well," she whispered, a tiny helpless smile forming. Of course Evelyn knew she'd run straight to her if given the chance. Of course she cut her off before she could even try.
Serin typed quickly,
"Get well soon, and I will pay you a visit, ofc." —Serin.
Serin squared her shoulders, turned back toward the café and let out a slow breath,
"So I have to do this alone…" she murmured, giving herself one last tiny nod before pushing open the door.
A soft bell chimed overhead as she stepped inside.
The café was filled with paintings and photographs. 3 strikes by Terror Jr playing in the background. Morning sunlight slipped in through the large windows, scattering gold across the wooden floor.
"This place reminds me of Mia wow." Serin thought looking around. No customers, no staff moving around, Just quiet.
Serin blinked slowly.
"H-Hello?" she called out gently.
A clatter came from behind the counter. A girl popped up—short pink hair, apron slightly crooked.
"Oh! hi!" the girl said quickly, brushing crumbs off her hands. "Are you… the interview girl?"
Serin nodded with a smile. "Yes… I'm Serin. I was told to come at 7?"
The girl stepped out from behind the counter with a sweet smile. "Right, right. Um, the owner isn't here yet. She said she'd be a little late. But she told me to keep an eye out for you. I'm Rin, nice to meet you—haha!"
Serin opened her mouth to reply, but—
Ding!
The front door burst open.
"Ahhh I'm sorryyy! I'm here, I'm here!" a familiar bubbly voice echoed through the quiet café.
A girl rushed inside, apron half-tied, hair slightly messy from running, breathless and flustered.
Serin froze.
"MIA!??"
Mia blinked back at her, just as shocked.
Serin had known Mia worked somewhere around this neighborhood. That was one of the reasons she'd been excited about working here. They had met a few times in the past, but Serin never asked the café's name. It was so new that she simply didn't get the chance.
But to think Evelyn completely hit the jackpot without even knowing anything…
"OH MY GOSH, SERIN?! How did you know this was my café? I never even told you the name! And I didn't even take out the desserts yet! Wait wait give me a sec—" Mia was rambling so fast her thoughts weren't keeping up.
Rin pointed at Serin with a blank, confused expression. "She's the one interviewing today though…"
Mia paused, looked at Rin with confusion. "huh?"
Rin spoke again "Her..the interview girl..your cafe."
Mia blinked. Then pointed dramatically at Serin. "No! She's Seri-meri! The one I talk to every day! The veryy beautiful one I told you about!" She looked around, "Come to the think of it… where is the interview girl...?"
Serin burst into laughter, her voice echoing in the cozy room. "Oh gosh, Mia! This is hilarious! Coincidences like this DO exist, huh?"
Rin was leaving for abroad in a few weeks, and she had been Mia's only helper, mainly because no one else wanted to work for the tiny wages Mia could afford. Money was tight, her savings almost gone. So she had been so desperate for extra hands that she didn't even ask for a name when Evelyn mentioned someone willing to work for cheap.
All three of them ended up laughing before Rin finally cleared her throat.
"ok! now now ladies! We still have to do the interview. I'm the one who has to train her before I leave, so let's start."
"Tch, Rinyyy," Mia whined, leaning against Serin, "she's a GREAT worker, trust me. But fine let's start. I wanna see my Seri-meri at work too!"
Mia had warm brown hair tied into two loose French braids that made her look both mature and cute at the same time. Her style today was simple but put-together. A black turtleneck under a loose sweater vest, paired with black jean shorts that showed her long legs.
Her skin held a soft ivory glow under the café lights, and her almond-shaped eyes always seemed like they were smiling even before her mouth did.
She looked effortlessly mature, even though her personality was anything but calm.
Two hours later...
The café had settled into a comfortable quiet.
Rin had already rushed home to handle her errands, leaving Serin with a long checklist taped to the counter. Mia had stepped out to buy ingredients for the café.
Serin tied her apron neatly and wiped her hands against it. The café felt calm, almost too calm. Only the hum of the refrigerator and the faint sound of the streets filled the space.
She tapped her phone lightly, choosing a song to make the silence feel less… intimidating.
"Hmm… something upbeat," she murmured.
Her finger hovered, then she pressed play.
I like the way you kiss me~
The song floated through the café speakers. Serin bobbed her head a little as she rearranged the dessert display.
Ding—!
The café door chimed.
Serin's eyes flicked up through the glass of the dessert showcase.
Demian stepped inside, hands in pockets, his head tilted faintly toward one of his friends, a half-smile playing on his lips like he'd just heard a bad joke. His friends trailed behind him, voices excited, a faint shuffle of shoes against the floor echoing across the quiet café.
He was lean and fit, moving with effortless confidence. A loose black T-shirt hung casually over his shoulders, paired with black perfectly loose fitted jeans. Metallic chain necklaces glinted against the dark fabric, catching the light with every subtle movement. His hair was flipped back messily, strands falling unpredictably as if he simply didn't care. But somehow it looked perfect. The belt around his waist was flashy, drawing attention as the centerpiece of his outfit, tying the whole look together.
Slung casually over his shoulder was a guitar bag, the wine-red coloured strap cutting diagonally across his chest. He carried it as if it weighed nothing. His forearm muscles were flexing a bit too much.
Serin's eyes widened. She nearly dropped the cake she was holding. Oh Eve you always don't have to be so right, Serin thought to herself recalling how Evelyn said she would definitely run into him often.
Serin slowly straightened.
The music kept playing.
Serin set the cake down,
the upbeat rhythm of "I Like the Way You Kiss Me" filling the café.
She stood, moving toward the counter.
Demian's eyes finally lifted, locking with hers. His half-smile was calm, effortless as if he found something he was looking for.
For a heartbeat, the chatter of his friends, the hum of the refrigerator, even the music...it all seemed to fade away.
"MAN! I'm going to starve if you make us visit one more café," one of his friends slouched into a chair, loosening his jacket, breaking the tension without even realising.
Another groaned, "Yeah, seriously! I've heard of apartment hunting, heck even job hunting… but café hunting? This is ridiculous!"
Serin blinked, entirely confused by their outburst.
Demian's confident air faltered. He immediately looked at his friends,
"C-come on, I just… didn't like the vibe in those cafés. What's the problem with wanting a place with a nice vibe?" His voice was tight.
A flicker of nervousness in his eyes as he glanced at Serin, hoping she wouldn't catch on to the real reason he was here. But her expression only deepened his anxiety,
She was completely confused.
"Okay, now go get us our treat, bro. Whatever's fine for me," Jace said.
"I want something sweet," Minho added, stretching his arms overhead.
"Dumbass, everything here is sweet. Why don't ya eat the whole café?" Revi scoffed, smacking Minho lightly on the back of the head.
Demian shot them all an annoyed look before setting his guitar bag down on the seat beside him with a dull thump and walked toward the counter.
He stopped in front of Serin, head tilted with casual curiosity.
"Since when do you work here?"
"Since two hours ago. Now, what would you like to order?" Serin asked, pausing before adding a stretched, far-too-polite, "…sir."
"Oh, save me the formalities," Demian said with a mocking laugh. "Just something that'll fill them up quickly."
"That's a confusing order, sir. Please say clear names," Serin replied with a forced, customer-service smile that wasn't fooling anyone.
Demian clicked his tongue. "What do you recommend?"
"I'll just take the top ten popular ones," he added before she could answer.
Serin didn't bother arguing. She simply began listing the café's bestsellers, tapping each item on the screen.
Demian watched her—brows slightly furrowed, so focused on doing things properly he almost laughed.
"Hey, so tell me," he leaned slightly over the counter, lowering his voice,"Did Evelyn recommend this place to you?"
"Sir, your order will arrive fast," Serin said flatly, eyes glued to the screen.
"So Evelyn was the one who recommended it huh…" He said with a fake wondered face.
Her eye twitched, and Rin's warning whispered in her head:
Be friendly to all customers. Even if they're ex-lovers. Or future enemies.
So she forced a smile. A painful one.
Demian muttered under his breath in Russian, tone annoyed and low,"Всегда думает, что я не могу сделать первый шаг…"
(Always thinks I can't make the first move, huh…)
His expression stayed blank, but there was irritation simmering underneath.
"What did you say?" Serin blinked. She didn't understand a single word. She didn't know Russian to begin with.
Demian let out a short laugh, pushed off the counter,
"Haha nothing nothing"
he walked back toward his table, sliding into his seat just as his friends burst into another round of laughter.
Serin stared after him."What's with him? Was that Russian?" she muttered before heading to prepare the order.
As she worked, her mind drifted.
Evelyn had mentioned that he was learning Russian.
His dad was Russian, and Demian had lived there for a few years as a kid before moving to Canada where his mom lived. He was half Russian and half Canadian. When they were younger, he used to brag nonstop about how he wanted to learn more about 'his roots'. Telling Serin that he'd speak Russian fluently someday.
His dad didn't stay with him, He was always buried in work, so Demian barely saw him.
And after his mom died in the car accident, Demian didn't move back to Russia. He stayed in a building's big apartment owned by his dad, looked after by his mom's old maid who practically raised him. But whenever his dad comes to visit, he goes back to the big luxurious private estate to stay with his dad.
Evelyn told Serin how he was going to Russia is a few weeks to meet with his dad. Well he does that every once in a while.
A few minutes later, the order was ready.
Serin carried the tray toward their table, placing each dessert and drink down.
"That was fast, thanks," Jace said, already reaching for his pastry.
Minho leaned forward, eyes sparkling with curiosity. "So, uh… where's the beautiful café owner?"
Serin blinked. Beautiful café owner…? Oh. They meant Mia.
"Ms. Mia? She went to the market to buy supplies," Serin replied with the empty tray clutched on her chest.
Minho slumped dramatically back in his seat. "Damn. Figures."
Jace laughed and nudged Minho. "Don't act like that!" before looking at Serin, "You're beautiful and cute too!" Then added, "It's just that Minho's into mature-looking ladies, hahaha!"
Serin blinked again. Was that supposed to be a compliment… or an insult?
Serin let out a soft, helpless laugh.
Revi's head shot up with a teasing experssion. "Whoa—your laugh is so pretty. Are you a model or something?"
Demian's eyes flicked up from his phone for a split second. He paused typing on his phone.
"Ah?" Serin waved her hands quickly, "Oh, no! But thank you." Serin said, bowing her head politely, "Enjoy your meals!"
She slipped away as quickly as she could, quietly sighing the moment her back was turned.
At the counter, Serin let out another long sigh, staring helplessly at the three idiots still arguing among themselves.
"When will Mia come back…? Does she deal with these lunatics every morning?"
Demian suddenly pushed back his chair,
"God— I'm late," he muttered under his breath.
His friends looked up in confusion, but Demian was already grabbing his guitar bag, slinging the strap over his shoulder.
"I have to go. I already sent Revi the money. He'll pay for everything," he said, voice rushed, eyes pointed anywhere but Serin.
Revi blinked. "Huh? Bro, what—"
But Demian was already halfway to the door.
Serin straightened behind the counter, watching his tall figure retreat.
"…What's wrong with him leaving so suddenly?" she mumbled to herself.
The café door chimed as he disappeared outside.
Only a few moments later,
Ding—!
Mia burst into the café with a shopping bag in each hand.
Hair slightly frizzy from rushing.
"Oh, you guys came??" She beamed seeing the boys, "Did my new, perfect employee serve you perfectly??" She said setting the bags down on the counter.
Minho sat up straighter. "Yes! And she's really pretty too—"
"M-Minho!" Jace groaned, covering his face.
Serin burst into a small laugh, shaking her head.
So Serin was wrong. Mia had no problem dealing with lunatics.
As Mia chatted loudly with the boys, Serin's thoughts drifted back to Demian and how suddenly he'd left without even looking behind,
"…Weird," she whispered, wiping the counter absentmindedly.