The aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air as Ara moved between tables, her hands busy but her mind distracted.
It had been a few days since that conversation with Officer Bean, but his words still lingered in her mind.
"I will give you justice."
Ara bit her lip, her fingers tightening around the tray she was holding.
She didn't know what to do.
Reopening the case meant stirring up everything she had tried to bury. The whispers, the stares, the pity. Could she handle it?
Before she could think further, the sound of chattering voices brought her attention back to the present.
The café was suddenly busier than usual—the evening rush had begun, and among the new customers were people she immediately recognized.
Arianna.
And her group of rich, privileged friends.
Ara's stomach twisted, but she kept quiet.
From the corner of her eye, she saw Arianna scanning the café before she smirked. "Oh, look who it is," she said sweetly, her voice dripping with mockery.
Ara exhaled silently. She didn't respond.
"Waiter!" Arianna called out, pretending not to know her name.
Ara forced her feet to move forward, her face remaining unreadable. "May I take your order?" she asked, keeping her tone polite.
Arianna's smirk widened. "Oh, Ara, don't be so cold! You should smile more—oh, but wait, you're working at a café now? What happened to all those big dreams you had?"
The group laughed.
Ara remained silent, her fingers gripping the notepad in her hand.
"Didn't you want to be a model?" one of Arianna's friends added with a fake pout. "Such a shame... I guess some people just aren't meant for that life."
Ara felt her jaw tighten.
She wrote down their orders quickly, not giving them the satisfaction of a reaction, then turned on her heels and walked away.
Her boss, Lady Han, had been watching from afar, concern in her eyes, but she couldn't interfere. These were influential customers—she had to let it go.
Ara took her place behind the counter, standing by the reception, her mind racing with anger and frustration.
Then the café door opened.
A tall figure stepped inside, his presence effortlessly commanding attention.
Ara barely glanced at him. She was still too annoyed from earlier.
The man approached the counter, his movements relaxed but deliberate.
"What would you like to order?" she asked flatly, still not looking up.
"Coffee," he replied.
"Anything else?"
He gave his order, but after a moment, he tilted his head slightly.
"...Why aren't you looking at me while taking my order?"
Ara exhaled through her nose. Seriously?
With an annoyed sigh, she finally lifted her gaze to him.
And froze.
The man was… handsome.
Tall, sharp features, effortlessly stylish. Probably a few years older than her. The kind of guy people would turn their heads for.
She quickly forced a polite smile. "What would you like to order, sir?" she repeated, her voice more formal this time.
He chuckled.
Ara noticed—and it annoyed her even more.
"What's so funny?" she asked, narrowing her eyes slightly.
He leaned forward slightly, a teasing glint in his eyes.
"Don't you remember me?"
Ara frowned, feeling both confused and irritated.
The man let out a small sigh, shaking his head as if he couldn't believe it. "A few days ago," he said slowly, "you bumped into me, all your things fell on the floor, and I helped you pick them up. But before I could even say anything, the school bell rang, and you ran away like a little mouse."
Her memory clicked.
Ara let out a forced smile, holding back her irritation. "Yes, I remember," she said stiffly.
With that, she swiftly prepared his order, placed it on the counter, and pushed it toward him. "Here you go."
He chuckled again, clearly amused by her reaction.
Before leaving, he looked at her one last time.
"Oh, by the way," he said with a smirk, "my name is Taehyun."
Then, with a casual wave, he walked away.
Ara stared after him, her brows furrowing slightly.
Taehyun.