Luna was almost in the taxi when Haemin called out to her and she stopped.
"I dont think you should go to work today, If your cousin looked for you here then he should be waiting for you at the café too." He said breathlessly, and the chilly breeze scattered his hair.
She smiled, "Its okay, Haemin. I cant run away from them forever. Besides, I was only avoiding them so that they dont see my condition and worry too much but seems to me that hiding away this way will do the opposite of what I intended."
Haemin broke into a wide smile, "Oh thank god you made this decision on your own, and in your own time too, just like how Benjamin Franklin said that take time for all things: great haste makes great waste."
Luna laughed at his theatricality and the taxi driver cleared his throat loudly.
She gave Haemin an embarrassed look and he chuckled and ushered her in the car.
She rolled down the windows quickly so that she could stick her head out and wave at him.
And both of them did just that, and until Haemin was finally out of sight.
She sat back on the seat with a goofy grin on her face.
She didn't have have to avoid him anymore,
She could like him to her heart's content because someday he might like her back.
☾
As expected, Jihoon stood at the entrance of the café and so did Changmin.
Luna sighed and crutched up to them.
Before they could fuss over her state, she told them that they should save it till after her shift was over or else she would run away again.
Jihoon was about to taunt her on how she was going to run away when she couldn't even walk properly but one deadly glare from Luna and he shut up.
Luna went to the staff room and unwrapped her hands,
She knew Haemin would bust a vein over this so she promised herself to at least try to void clenching her hands.
"Lunaaa!" Yubi attacked Luna with a hug when she went into the kitchen.
Luna hugged her back tightly and waved at Han and Jinwoo.
"Are you okay?" Jinwoo asked and Luna nodded.
"My uncle is a bit overprotective so he got a little too strict."
"Well, if you need further leave, you can. You're temporary replacement works very well." Han told her and she pouted.
"Why, don't you want me back?"
They all laughed and Han replied, " Works well, meaning he follows order well and thats it. He has no creativity and the mindset of a robot. I already told him that if he doesnt approve, his future in cooking wasn't bright."
Luna raised her eyebrows, "Poor guy."
"Well if you can work, then get to it. Some people have even preordered your desserts for when you come back." Jinwoo told her.
Luna grinned and grabbed her apron. She gave him a friendly salute, "Yes, Sir."
Han put on pop music on his bluetooth speaker and the other chefs including Luna bopped their head to the tune and sang along.
~Cuz you know I fancy you
Amuna wonhaji anha
Hey, I love you (Love ya!)
Cuz you know I fancy you
Kkumcheoreom haengbokhaedo dwae
Cuz I need you!~
Luna laughed as she knead dough for the tarts and Yubi sat up on the counter besides her.
Luna pondered about how everything seemed to dance, the sky smiled and the trees jiggled comically when she was in a good mood.
She looked to Yubi and remembered what Hyun said, involuntarily.
"So, Yubi, what was it like to date Hyun?"
Yubi didnt seem too bothered by the inquisition and she spoke without looking up from her phone.
"It was fun while it lasted. It was.." she looked up and thought about it, "It was like getting drunk. You have a good time, go a little crazy, lose all sense of morality.. make some mistakes, and then regret it later on."
That was it, Yubi did regret it.
Which meant that both sides were to be sided with and that was exactly what Luna was going to do.
She couldn't judge Yubi for something she regretted, everyone makes mistakes.
She may have momentarily wavered when she was with Hyun and that was totally possible because she's only human!
But there was one thing she had to careful of, she could let either party know that she was friends with the other.
"Why do you ask?"
Luna gave her a smile, "No reason."
After she was done, Luna went out to the café and sat at the table Jihoon and Changmin waited for her at.
Yubi followed her and set down the tray of coffees and tarts Luna had made.
She turned to leave but not before giving Jihoon a coy smile.
Luna smirked, "She seems to like you."
"Seems so." Jihoon stared after Yubi with a small smile.
"Shall I set you two up?"
Jihoon knew she was trying to distract him and he let her because he was just glad she was okay.
"Nah, I don't really have time for relationships."
Changmin spoke up after hearing this, "A smart man would balance his professional life and family life. Look at Hyuck Kim, he's successful AND he has found the perfect candidate for marriage."
"He works for you, he's successful because you let him be." Jihoon muttered while putting sugar in his drink.
"So, what, you want me to deliberately make him fail, and favor you and lay down the company at your feet? Because you're my son? Is that it?" Changmin asked, his nostrils starting to flare.
"I'd like it if you'd forget that Im your son at work, you seem to 'deliberately' nitpick everything I do." Jihoon hissed.
"Oh so you mean to say that I bully you and target you BECAUSE you're my son?" Changmin roared.
Luna helplessly looked between the two,
"Your words dad, not mine!" Jihoon shouted.
People had already been looking and now they were full on gawking.
Luna didnt want to do this but she had no choice,
"Ouch my foot." She feigned pain and bent over to touch her cast.
"Luna!" Jihoon exclaimed and got up to get to her but she halted him and went back to normal.
"Now, that I have your attention, I'd like to announce that Im coming back home."
Changmin smiled, "Im glad you made this decision on your own."
Luna nodded, "And I mean my house, not yours."
"Oh me thoo! Im going bath to Luna's houthe."
Jihoon spoke with tart in his mouth and Luna grimaced at him.
"I understand. And Luna.. what Min did was unfair to you, she should've informed you beforehand, for that I'm sorry."
Luna scoffed, "Informed? She shouldn't have done it at all!"
"No, sweetie, she explained it to me. Instead of people finding out from exaggerated rumors, its best if they find out directly from us." He explained.
Luna clenched and unclenched her jaw, she wanted to say that it was her secret to keep or un keep, not Min's to announce but she knew Min had already brainwashed her uncle so she didnt bother arguing.
"Jihoon, my shift's over, want to go home together?" She asked with a low voice.
Jihoon gave her a reassuring look and nodded,
"Let's go."