**Ryujin suddenly felt out of place after Chaeng made her little introduction to her sister. It's because their eyes just locked out to each other. So, she offered to go back behind the counter and assist new customers that just came in.**
**Mina didn't mind being alone with Chaeng, but she didn't mean to have small talk either.**
**Well, as a courtesy, Mina introduced herself as soon as Chaeng finished her introduction, which made Chaeng straightened up and slightly twitched her lips for a smile. The thing is, she likes the sound of her voice. It's soft and so feminine like she wouldn't mind hearing her speak twenty-four-seven. But she doubts that she speaks a lot.**
**She seemed to be a quiet one. Someone who just minds her own business and doesn't care if she has someone to talk to or none. Chaeng thought.**
Chaeng: You have a wonderful place here.
**She's referring to the entire place. But her eyes have difficulty leaving the elegant lady in front of her, and Mina seemed to have the same dilemma. She doesn't know if she should break her gaze at Chaeng or look around to agree with what she had said.**
Mina: Thank you. Anyway, I don't want to bother you with your breakfast, so go on and enjoy your meal.
**Chaeng pressed her lips and stared at the waffle on her plate. It looks so tasty and inviting. But she doesn't mind staring at Mina more and doesn't even care about starving if it means having a long look at this girl.**
Chaeng: I told you...
**Chaeng's eyes went back to Mina as if forgetting that this person standing in front of her is the owner of this place, and doesn't have so much time for this small talk.**
Chaeng: I don't mind. Giving someone a little time won't hurt me or anyone, right?
Mina: Well, I'm glad to hear that, Ms. Son. At least I know now I'm not interfering with your peaceful morning. By the way, I'm hoping that you'll enjoy your stay here, too.
**Chaeng nodded once and didn't answer anymore. She knows that Mina already wants to leave, so she just picked up her fork and let her go.**
**I don't think you'll be a huge nuisance to me, Ms. Mina. Chaeng thought.**
**Mina turned her back at Chaeng to walk back at the counter. She could feel her heart's thumping so fast and her throat are starting to get rough inside.**
**Shit! Why is she giving me this effect? Mina thought as she continued to walk towards her sister, who's busy scrolling her phone.**
Mina: Didn't I tell you no phones when you're behind the counter?
**Ryujin almost jumped at the sound of her sister's voice. It's not as if she didn't see her coming. It's just, she was too focused on finding who this Son Chaeyoung is.**
**Ryujin leaned forward, forgetting her sister's reference about using her phone during her shift. She couldn't wait to tell Mina what she found out.**
Ryujin: Sorry... but I'm really curious about this girl. I mean, I know from the back of my head that I've heard her name before. I just couldn't remember where or when.
**Mina has the same thing. There's something familiar with her name. Is she somewhat popular? That's the first thing she thought. Maybe someone who works on TV or something.**
Ryujin: You know what I found out? She's the famous C.Y. Son. Look...
**Ryujin closed her distance to Mina even more. She's now standing beside her with their heads almost bumping to each other, and Mina doesn't mind 'cause she also wants to know this girl.**
**Ryujin scrolls the page she found out about this Son Chaeyoung, and both of them got surprised about the long list of books she had written. Most of them were fictional Young Adult Books. Covering different kinds of topics, and Ryujin even recognized one of her books.**
Ryujin: Oh shit! I have this book in my room.
**She pointed at the reddish covered one.**
Mina: You sure? I mean, have you read that already?
Ryujin: Hell yeah! And it's one of my favorites! You want to read it? I'll bring it to you later if you want.
**Mina suddenly got excited at the thought that she'll be able to read one of her works. But before she answered, she glanced at Chaeng first, who's now busy nibbling her waffle while glimpsing once in while at the view outside.**
Mina: Why not?
Ryujin: Promise! I'll bring it later. I need to bring it to her to get it signed. Shit! I couldn't believe I'll be able to meet an author. Imagine... I was able to read one of her books, and now I'm having this chance to talk to her? That's so fucking cool. Isn't it?
**Ryujin's excitement is overflowing and Mina kind of absorbs the excitement she's having. Now, she couldn't wait to get a grip on the book that Ryujin was talking about. She needs to read it. She wants to read it.**
*****
**Chaeng walked outside after she finished her coffee and plate. It's been a long time since her stomach got full at breakfast. She usually skips this meal hour. She'd rather stay in bed and stare at nothing until she's soaking in sweat.**
**Then someone broke the serenity of the morning when she felt her phone vibrate in her pocket.**
Chaeng: Hello?
Tzuyu: Hey! What do you think?
**Tzuyu's voice tells Chaeng that she's still under her sheet and that her eyelids were still having trouble uncovering her eyes.**
Chaeng: What do you mean... what do I think?
Tzuyu: The place. What do you think? Will it at least help you...
Chaeng: Go back to my senses. Is that what you want to ask?
**Chaeng interjected. But this time, she didn't mean to offend or something. She just really wanted to complete Tzuyu's premise.**
Tzuyu: Hmm... something like that.
**Chaeng thinks for a while. There's no reason to hate this place. It's actually refreshing to walk outside for nothing. It might be because of the cool breeze touching her skin. Or the earth color flashing before her eyes, instead of the buildings, traffic, and noise that always greet her whenever she stood in her one-bedroom apartment.**
Chaeng: Well, for that... I like it here, so maybe. Just maybe. It will help.
Tzuyu: Great! I just don't want to lose my best selling author. And I know your readers also miss you. They love your work, always remember that.
**Chaeng knows Tzuyu has a business to run and losing someone who could sell thousands of copies is a huge loss for her. But she always believes that when it comes to her, Tzuyu doesn't think about business. She could feel the sincerity of her best friend, and that money isn't the reason they stick together.**
**Chaeng let out a sigh. Why does she suddenly feel obligated to go back to her senses to write again? To give a story again that will awe Tzuyu and her readers.**
Chaeng: You know I need some time. But I'll do my best to write something good this time. I'm not making promises, I'll just try.
Tzuyu: Well, I'm not forcing you to send me something. I'm just telling you that you're a wonderful writer. In case you've forgotten that you are.
**Those words suddenly brought warmth to her. Like someone just gave an unexpected gift on her birthday. Someone she doesn't expect to spend much for a lame birthday of hers.**
Chaeng: Thanks. Why don't you go back to sleep? I'll find something to do in this place.
Tzuyu: All right! Don't forget to give me an update once in a while, okay? And if you need to extend your stay there, just let me know.
Chaeng: Sure. I will.
**Then the call ended with Chaeng now sitting at one of the benches facing the mountains. Everything is green and small in front of her. She might be on top of a mountain, too. But she's not sure about that though.**
*****
**Mina was surprised to see Ryujin as early as four in the afternoon. Her shift is at six. So seeing her this early is kind of new to her.**
Mina: Why are you here? You should be at home sleeping.
**Mina's forehead furrowed as she sees Ryujin walking towards her with high energy.**
Ryujin: I couldn't sleep.
**Then she raised the book she mentioned to Mina early this morning.**
Ryujin: I couldn't wait to see Ms. Son again. I'll bring this to her to sign it.
Mina: Oh... I thought you bring this because you'll let me borrow it.
Ryujin: Yeah! I will. But I need to bring this to her first, you know.
**Mina shook her head in dismay. Her sister is definitely head over heels to this Son Chaeyoung. Well, who wouldn't? She thought.**
Ryujin: Well, have you seen her? Did she take her lunch here or not?
**Mina was actually expecting to see Chaeng again at lunch, but she didn't show up. She might have found a place in town where she could spend her lunchtime. But it doesn't matter, since it's her first day here. It's fine for her to walk around the town to relax. Nonetheless, one of these days, she's sure that Ms. Son will just choose to stay in her café and appreciate the view instead.**
**Mina went back at pouring the glass with espresso before she answered her overly excited sister.**
Mina: Nah! She didn't eat here. Maybe she spent the whole afternoon in town or she found something to do instead of just sitting at the terrace.
Ryujin: Oh! I hope she'll come back soon.
**There's sadness in her voice as if someone ditched her or something.**
**Mina straightened up and stared at her sister who's now staring at the book in her right.**
Mina: Stop bothering her. She's here to relax and not to be bugged by some fan. Besides, I don't want to receive complaints that one of my employees is bothering a guest.
**Ryujin stood up straight, frowning at her sister's reference about an employee bothering a guest.**
Ryujin: Hey! I'm not bothering her. Besides, I don't think she finds me bothersome.
Mina: Still... just keep yourself calm and don't occupy most of her time. I want her to have a peaceful stay here. Okay?
Ryujin: Fine!
Mina: But... when will you let me borrow that?
Ryujin: Oh... here.
**Mina's eyebrows met, confused as to why Ryujin's handing it over to her.**
Mina: I thought... I thought you're going to give it to her first, so she could sign it?
Ryujin: Yeah! But she's not here yet. I'm afraid she won't be here until dinner. You know.
**Mina instantly felt sad about the abrupt change in her sister's mood. Well, it's nobody's fault if Ms. Son is out right now and won't be able to sign it immediately.**
Mina: Well, you said she'll be here for the next two weeks. So why fret about it? Don't worry. I'll give it to her once I see her, okay? Why don't you take a nap first? You have a long night later, and you need that.
**Ryujin nodded, still disappointed that the person she's expecting to see isn't there to accommodate her. She knows she still has two weeks to see the writer, yet still, her excitement seemed to vanish in a snap.**
*****
**Chaeng didn't expect to see the sun setting on her way to the hotel. She had a nice walk in town and had totally forgotten the time.**
**Well, it's because everyone's accommodating. The food is affordable yet so tasty. And she really enjoyed everything she sees, from the colorful hair clips to the soft fabric of hankies lying on street.**
**She sees the same thing in the city. But it's expensive, and she doesn't want to spend much on those kinds of things. But here, she doesn't care if she'll buy two or three.**
**Then she saw someone familiar. It's her again. The owner of the hotel. She thought. And seeing her kind of brought a smile to her face. Well, who wouldn't smile at the sight of this gorgeous lady?**
**She's no longer wearing her mustard apron. She's just now wearing her plain beige knitted sweater and denim jeans.**
**Should I say hi to her? Chaeng thought. Or just let her pass? Shit! Why am I even bothered about that?**
**As if Mina had heard what's running in her head, she turned to her and smiled.**
**Oooh! She remembered me, huh?**
Mina: Hi. Did you walk to the town?
**Mina stopped in the middle of opening her car's door to at least make one step closer to Chaeng.**
**Chaeng hesitated to move closer, but as a polite gesture, she walked several steps towards her. Just to shorten the gap between them.**
Chaeng: Yeah! And I have totally forgotten the time. Didn't realize it's almost dinner time now.
Mina: Well, it always happens on the first day.
Chaeng: So... is it somewhat a ritual for newcomers?
Mina: Kind of...
**Then Chaeng noticed that Mina's holding a book in her right. She has no good view of the title since only the side of it is visible in her eyes.**
Chaeng: Hmm... you love books?
**That's the only time Mina remembered that she's holding the book her sister lent her.**
Mina: Oh... yeah. But rarely read something since I'm busy working in the café. And the thing is...
**She doesn't know how to say that she's about to read a book written by her. Wait! How am I supposed to break this thing to her? That I'm going to read one of her books?**
**She lifted the book to show Chaeng the title of it. And when Chaeng got a good glimpse of the cover, it kind of surprised her and embarrassed her at the same time.**
Mina: My sister lent me this. Well, we just found out that, you know... you wrote this story.
**It left Chaeng speechless. It's not like it was the first time someone showed her her book or something. But the way Mina said it or the way she showed the cover to her kind of felt different.**
Mina: And hmm... is it okay if you sign it? My sister's a big fan, and she's so thrilled to show this to you.
**It's somewhat embarrassing. Mina thought. But she wants to see Ryujin happy, since she got disappointed for not seeing Chaeng at the café when she arrived.**
**Chaeng chuckled. She likes the kid and knowing that she read her book made her like her even more.**
Chaeng: Sure!
**She grabbed it in Mina's hand, still smiling and didn't expect that she'll end her day seeing her again.**
Chaeng: But... I don't have a pen.
**Mina laughed with her, which sent butterflies inside her. Shit! What is this I'm feeling? **
Mina: So that means, I'll be bringing it again tomorrow.
**Chaeng gave it back to Mina, thinking that it's a good excuse for her to talk to her again tomorrow.**
Chaeng: Well, I promise to bring a pen tomorrow.
Mina: I'll bring one, too. In case you forget.
**She's smiling. It was a smile that Chaeng didn't see earlier this morning. This time it's wider and more natural. As if she said something funny that this girl showed her real self.**
Mina: Anyway, I'm sorry for holding you up. I bet you need some rest before dinner.
**Chaeng shook her head instantly. She doesn't want Mina to think that she's troubling her or something because she isn't. And it's been a while since she felt the need of talking to someone.**
Chaeng: How many times do I need to tell you that it's fine? And it really does.
**Then they just stood there, exchanging glances at each other until the sun finally left the scene.**
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