Having your brother-in-law as your boss has its pros and cons.
"Look, Chanyeol, this article we'll be working on would be really, really great." Ji-yong said, winking. "And besides it'll take little time to accomplish."
Okay. That's one of the pros. I could always get the easiest job if I want or need to. It's just that, before Baekhyun was gone, I would always settle with the hardest jobs, wanting to prove my worth.
I know I should have taken advantage of the pros. That I know now.
"And also..." Ji-yong trailed off, and I knew he's giving me the 'sorry didn't mean it' look. "Your sister told me you need this. And this particular job at that matter."
And that's one of the cons. Professionalism could be really ignored.
I sighed and shifted on one of Ji-yong's office couches. "Okay... So what exactly do you want me to do?" Even though I don't really like taking any job for now, part of me knows Dara won't stop trying to be of any 'help'.
Kwon Ji-yong leaned unto his folded arms. "Well, one of my writers, Seo Ju-hyun, suggested a rather interesting topic for an article," he explained. "It's about infamous spots here in Seoul that are worth visiting."
"Woah, woah," I raised both palms in disbelief. "First, you want me to work with Ju-hyun? You know that girl likes me and she hates Baek." I shook my head. "No. I'm not taking the job if she's writing the article."
"But, Chan---"
"And second," I narrowed my brows. "You want me to walk around Seoul in the middle of winter? I can't believe you, guys! My sister talked you to this, didn't she?"
Ji-yong pursed his lips, guilty. "My wife could be really... persuasive."
I can't help but sigh. "I know where you're getting at," I started, my voice low and tired. "You want me to somehow give Ms. Seo a chance. And you want me to stop hating winter." I raised my brows at Ji-yong, waiting for the answer I already know.
"Well..." he trailed off. "You can... You can say that."
"And that's it," I stood up, grabbing my coat from the couch. "I'm out of here."
With that, Ji-yong went to his feet in an instant. "Okay. Wait up, Chanyeol!" he called before I even got the chance to grab the door handle. "How about changes? I'll make changes."
Slowly, I looked back at him. "I'm listening."
"I can't do anything about winter," Ji-yong said, exasperated. "It's the first week of December. We can't wait for Spring before working on the article. We both know Seoul is the most beautiful during winter." Then he noticed my expression. "At least, for some... or most."
And that I have to give him. I have to.
But... "I can't hear any changes," I muttered, rolling my eyes.
"Okay, fine!" he exclaimed. "Here's the deal: You show us pictures of random spots and places, Ji-hyun will make an article out of the shots. Write the location behind the pictures and you and Ji-hyun won't have to talk."
I gave him a shrug. "Seems fine to me."
"Then... are you taking the job?" Ji-yong's eyes are expectant. "Please tell me you're taking it."
"Yes, sir." I muttered, grabbing the door handle. "I'm taking the job."
When I stepped out of the Horizon Publishing building, the sky is starting to cloud. Soon enough, snow would be covering the pavements and the road, making everything displeasing for me all over again. The cold. The ice. They're all not worth any of my like or attention.
I walked fast towards my car, almost making a mental note of picking Baekhyun from the school he's working in.
"Geez, Park," I murmured to myself as I turned the heater up, pulling out of the parking area in a matter of seconds.
Sometimes, I hate doing this to myself. I hate that I decided to tie myself to the past; I hate that I decided never to forget everything; I hate that I can't bear to move on and just get over my fiance's death.
I hate that I often pretend that Byun Baekhyun is still here.
But what I hate most is the fact that doing these stupid things is what keeps me alive right now. They keep me going. The past keeps me here, in this very car, driving.
It keeps me from breaking apart.
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"Excuse me. I'm really very sorry to interrupt..."
He looks up, eyes wide. "Oh, hello!" he seemed surprised. "Yes, mister?"
I cocked my head to the direction of the empty chair. "Is that seat taken?" I asked. "I can't seem to find myself a seat. Cafe's kind of buzzing with people today."
His brown orbs danced with amusement. "Nope. Seat's not taken." he grins. "Please feel free to occupy it."
Sighing, I went to seat on the chair. "Thank you so much," I murmured, turning my gaze to the glass wall beside us. This is what makes sitting on this very booth great. You see a lot of the world outside. You wouldn't feel trapped in a small cafe made of wood and marble. It's an escape. Even if it's not real.
The brown-haired guy in front of me continued reading his book. Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard. I frowned because it's kind of odd to see someone reading an English novel now and not the translated version.
But ignoring the oddness, I focused on his face instead.
The stranger has pink, plump lips with tiny smudges of the coffee he's drinking, perfect nose, flushed and flawless cheeks, small, bright eyes that folds into crescents whenever he smiles.
It might have been the light or the atmosphere but he looks really, really good. And I don't mean the slutty-looking kind you could call dibs on for a one night stand. It's a kind, stunning look. He's simply beautiful. I'm staring at a beautiful guy right now. I can't believe my luck.
Suddenly, he looks up, catching my gaze.
"Is... is there a problem, mister?"
Grabbing the magazine I took from a rack a while ago, I shook my head and looked away. "N-none." I said. "Nothing's the problem."
I started to flip through the magazine. It's a travel magazine from the Horizon Publishing. I even got a small photo of me on the cover because some of the exclusive photos used are mine. I would like to check them out while drinking my favorite coffee.
As I am halfway through an article about the greatest sand destinations, the stranger spoke.
"You're on the cover, aren't you?" he suddenly asked, making me look up at him in confusion. "Or... he's your twin or something?"
Frowning, I glanced at the cover and saw myself. "Oh. That."
"It's really you..." he trailed off, staring at my face for the first time in minutes. "Are you a writer or what?"
For a second, I felt quite insulted that he doesn't know me. I am a famous travel photographer! How come some South Korean doesn't know me? This is insane.
"I'm a travel photographer," I said. "I work for some travel magazines."
The stranger stares at me in awe. "Wow. And to be working for the Horizon Pub. You must be really, really good." He grins, showing a really cute kind of eye-smile.
But 'really, really good'? I don't think that even covers it. Hell. What's with this guy?
I cleared my throat, sitting more upright. "Park Chanyeol," I offered a hand.
"Oh," he started, taken aback by the gesture. "Byun Baekhyun." We shook hands and I noticed immediately how soft his hand is. When we withdrew from the handshake, Byun Baekhyun is still gazing at my face like I'm some exotic creature.
"You know, Mr. Chanyeol, I always dreamed about taking good picture of places," he started. "I can't believe I'm sitting with a photographer now. And a very famous one at that."
"What do you do for a living, by the way?" I asked, just curious.
Baekhyun blushed a pretty shade of pink. "I'm a preschool teacher," he answered. "I teach at this art school a few blocks from here. Musical instruments, songs, things like that. I've always dreamed of donating some new instruments for the kids every two years because they really need new ones. Guitars... violins... pianos..."
"Piano?"
"Yes!" he exclaimed. "But they're all quite expensive. Um, do you know how to play the piano?"
With that, I have to nod. "Piano, guitar, drums. Hobbies."
"Oh, wow." Baekhyun grins. "I can therefore conclude, Mr. Park Chanyeol, that you're multi-talented."
I chuckled and for once, I felt the ice breaking.
"Thank you," Then I mocked a slight bow. "I tried really, really hard."
Baekhyun pouts slightly. "You're lucky you've got the perfect hobby," he mutters. "You know, I've been trying in vain to make my Instagram account worth a visit. But seems like photography isn't the perfect hobby for me."
I took a shot, long as it might. "Mind if I look?" I grabbed my phone, tapping on the Instagram icon.
"Of course I would mind!" he exclaimed. "Don't do it! Just don't! That'll be really, really embarrassing."
"Oh, really," I muttered, typing 'Byun Baekhyun' on the search tab. Random accounts appeared and I tapped on the first name. "That wasn't hard." I smirked as I found his account.
Baekhyun gasped. "Oh my god, you son of a devil." And when he tried to reach for my phone, I grabbed his wrist, keeping him in place. He gritted his teeth. "No! Don't even dare---"
"You don't take bad pictures, Byun Baek." I whispered, frowning. "In fact, you're pretty good."
Groaning, he reached with his other hand, luckily taking my phone off my grasp. "I told you not to look," he hissed. "You're really mean." Then he started tapping on my phone's screen, probably blocking himself or whatever.
"Sometimes the angle is bad or the lighting," I explained. "Things we could work on."
With a start, Baekhyun met my eyes. "You said 'we'?"
"Well," I started, shrugging. "I could give you lessons if you want."
Baekhyun bit his lip. "I don't have the money, Mr. Famous." he mutters. "Ah! Forget it. Here's your phone." then he placed it on the table between us before retreating on his chair in an embarrassed state. His cheeks are flushed.
Oh my god. He's gorgeous.
"How about one cup of cappuccino every Sunday at this very cafe?" I raised a brow. "Nine in the morning?"
"You're bluffing..." He pouts.
"Or am I?"
Baekhyun glares. "You're a very mean person." he murmurs. "I'm pretty sure you just find me amusing that's why you're doing this."
"Nope," I shook my head. "I find you really cute that's why I'm doing this."
He gaped. "B-but---"
"See you on Sunday, Byun Baek." Then I stood up, giving him a slight bow before walking out of the cafe. And since then, I have to work really hard to keep myself from smirking whenever I remember him.
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He showed up that Sunday.
And that Sunday started everything.
I drove pass the school gates, earning a wave from the security guard. On the backseat of my car are new musical instruments for the kids. I only need to talk to the principal to help me disseminate them.
For another one long second, I am hoping Baekhyun is here.
"These are for you, baby," I whispered. "I'm making another of your dreams come true."